MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday challenged Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Joma Sison to “bring on his terror threats” in the wake of deployment of the communist rebels’ so-called partisan units to go after government forces.
“We dare Mr. Sison to bring on his terror threats. Unlike in the 80s, the AFP is more prepared to defeat his terrorist liquidation squads. The Filipino people will be on our side in this fight,” Lorenzana said in a statement, reacting to CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena’s remark that the partisan units will be revived.
In addition, Lorenzana said the communist rebels’ order to send partisan units is a “confirmation of the ATC’s [Anti-Terrorism Council’s] designation of the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.” Under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the ATC will designate groups or individuals as terrorists upon probable cause.
The Defense Chief also vowed that the government will terminate the destruction caused by the NPA rebels to the public.
“The end of your destructive 52 years of misadventure that caused untold misery to our people is near, and it is inevitable and irreversible,” Lorenzana said.
“It is time for you [communist rebels] to face reality,” Lorenzana said.
In a tweet last week, Valbuena said there is a “standing order for the NPA to form partisan teams to mete out punishment against enemy units and officers who have committed bloody crimes against the people.”