AFP: Martial law targets terrorists, not NPA rebels

President Rodrigo Duterte signs Proclamation No. 216, declaring Martial Law and suspending the privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus in the whole of Mindanao. The proclamation was signed on May 23 in the Russian Federation. PCOO FILE PHOTO

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday explained that the possible extension of martial law in Mindanao was to quell rebellion from terrorist groups and not to target communist rebels.

“Nalulungkot po tayo na ang naging interpretasyon ni Ginoong (Joma) Sison na ang pagdedeklara ng martial law ay pagdedeklara ng digmaan laban sa kanila (We are saddened that Mr. Sison’s interpretation of the martial law declaration is the government’s declaring war against them), AFP Spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said in a press briefing.

“Ang naging basehan ng pagdedeklara ng martial law ay hindi ang New People’s Army (NPA) kung hindi ang rebelyong naganap sa Marawi na ginawa ng Maute ISIS group (The basis for the martial law declaration is not the New People’s Army but the rebellion happening in Marawi initiated by the Maute ISIS group),” Arevalo said.

The military spokesperson said President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law was upheld by no less than the Supreme Court in a ruling on July 4, declaring the validity of its implementation in Mindanao, specifically in the war-torn Marawi City.

READ: SC upholds validity of martial law in Mindanao

“Malinaw na sinasabi natin na ang target ng martial law ay ang Maute ISIS group at hindi ang New People’s Army (We are clearly saying that the target of martial law is the Maute ISIS group and not the New People’s Army),” Arevalo added.

The AFP official, however, said that if the NPA would support the terrorist groups in any way, then the AFP would destroy them, too.

“If they are considered to be part of the terrorist groups, if they are supporters and sympathizers… kailangan nating sirain ang infrastructure nila (we need to destroy their infrastructure) that puts them up, that allows them to continue fighting government and spreading havoc in our country,” Arevalo said.

On Tuesday, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) asked the NPA to launch “armed counteractions and offensives” in response to the government’s plans to extend martial law in Mindanao until the end of 2017.

On Wednesday, four presidential guards were wounded after suspected NPA rebels ambushed their convoy in North Cotabato province while two marines were killed by suspected NPA gunmen in Palawan province.

“Kung tunay ang kanilang sinasabi na sila ay para sa masa at para sa bayan, dapat ang kanilang unang-unang isinasaalang-alang ay ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan at hindi ang kanilang kapahamakan o pagkawala ng hanapbuhay,” Arevalo said.

(If they are truthful to what they are saying that they are for the masses and for the nation, they should in the first place take into account the welfare of our people and not their destruction or loss of livelihood.)

The attacks prompted the President to suspend the back-channel talks with the communist leaders. Rogelio Nato Jr., INQUIRER.net trainee / JPV