Esperon bares communist hit list; Robredo not on it

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo’s name isn’t on it, but President Rodrigo Duterte’s and that of Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Noel Clement’s are, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said of the alleged hit list of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

“There (is) information that the communist terrorist group, the CPP-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines, has a hit list and allegedly I am included,” Esperon told reporters Tuesday.

The alleged assassination of high-profile government officials was meant to mark the CPP’s 51st founding anniversary on Dec. 26, he added.

Also on the list, according to Esperon, are Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples chair Allen Capuyan.‍‍

The list, he said, shows that the rebels were “growing more desperate” over the success of the government’s counteroffensive. ‍‍‍

Esperon also advised the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or activities to authorities.