AFP urges Communist Party, NPA to abandon violence

MANILA, Philippines – On the eve of the 49th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines called on communist rebels, on Thursday, to abandon the use of armed violence as a way to solve the country’s problems.

“It has been proven that nobody is a real winner in bloody armed conflicts. We are witnesses to the endless misery experienced by our own people who are caught in the crossfire,” the AFP said in a statement.

“We can have the choice between a better life for ourselves and our children by embracing peace or continued violence and poverty through bloody armed conflict,” it added.

The AFP said that in 2014, many civilians fell victims to the atrocities carried out by NPA guerrillas around the country.

There were at least two violent attacks on civilian ambulances that claimed the lives of hapless civilians — one in Davao del Sur and another in the CARAGA region.

In May this year, the hostage-taking of civilians in Mabini, Compostela Valley, traumatized the people who were held at gunpoint for many hours. In November, a grenade attack hurt several people in Masbate.

The AFP said the senseless attacks perpetrated by the NPA against peaceful communities and infrastructure projects have caused more suffering and denied the people of development in the countryside.

“We reflect why we have allowed ourselves and our communities to endure forty six years of bloody violence and senseless deaths among fellow Filipinos,” the AFP said.

“The door for reconciliation and healing remains open to all our misguided brothers who want to embrace peace,” it added.