Romero says slamming ‘rescue’ of lumads doesn’t mean support to NPA

1-Pacman Rep. Michael “Mikee” Romero (FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Speaker and 1-Pacman Rep. Mikee Romero on Friday denied allegations that he was supporting the New People’s Army (NPA).

This comes after Romero condemned the supposed police rescue of lumads (indigenous people) in a university in Talamban, Cebu City.

In a statement, Romero said that his “strong” position on the matter is “consistent with [his] advocacies on education and welfare of children.”

“It is my belief that children should never ever be caught in the middle of any armed conflict, especially when it involves our law enforcement agencies,” he added.

Citing that he is the main author of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, he said that he “stands firm” in his belief that “insurgency using or promoting violence and other criminal acts should have no place in our nation.”

“So I would like to appeal to all camps to please spare innocent children in this war on insurgency and terrorism,” Romero said.

Romero previously slammed the so-called rescue operation and called on the Philippine National Police to relieve the police officers involved.

The lawmaker also said he would put up a P500,000 defense fund for the lawyers of the lumad students. Aside from this, he warned that should police operatives involved in the incident choose not to cooperate in the congressional inquiry on the matter, they might be cited in contempt and locked up at the House of Representatives.

KGA