Martial law in Mindanao to also target NPA rebels – Palace

Communist rebels in formation in Mindanao forest. —INQUIRER PHOTO

The government will also use the full force of martial law to counter the possible intensified attacks of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Mindanao, following the cancellation of peace talks with the communist rebels, Malacañang said on Monday.

“For as long as there are acts of rebellion being committed in the island province of Mindanao, yes he will use the full force of martial law against the NPA (New People’s Army) as well,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.

Roque said the act of rebellion committed by the communists “is a continuing crime, so for as long as they don’t lay down their grounds, they are committing a criminal act.”

In his letter to Congress, President Rodrigo Duterte included the attacks of the NPA in justifying his intent for to extend martial law in Mindanao for one year.

Duterte cited that while the government was busy addressing the threats posed by Islamic State-inspired groups and other terrorist organizations, the NPA “took advantage of the situation and intensified their decades-long rebellion against the government and stepped up terrorist acts against innocent civilians and private entities.”

Asked about the NPA’s inclusion, Roque cited their intensified attacks.

“Because we expect intensified fighting on the part of the NPA, and in fact they have been exhibiting more intense targeting of our soldiers and civilians after the President had already classified them as a terrorist group,” he said.

Asked why he did not expand the coverage of martial law in view of the fact that NPA rebels are active in other parts of the country, Roque said, “He could have but he did not.”

Roque said there would be no difference on how the government would run after terrorists groups and the NPA.

“The martial law administrator is empowered to order the arrest of individuals and because the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus they would have to wait for the lifting of martial law for judicial remedy,” he said.

Duterte had earlier signed a proclamation tagging the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the NPA as a terrorist group after the cancellation of peace talks.

“The martial law administrator is empowered to order the arrest of individuals and because the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus they would have to wait for the lifting of martial law for judicial remedy,” he said.