Lorenzana says NPA proves 'terrorist' tag with Davao City attacks

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday chided the New People’s Army (NPA) for its recent attacks in Davao City, saying they only proved him right to brand them as terrorists.

In a statement, Lorenzana said he “vehemently condemn(s)” the attacks, adding: “Dito po natin makikita ang totoo nilang anyo.”

“They just confirmed without a doubt their terrorist designation. They also confirmed my accusations that they are anti-progress, anti-development, and anti-people,” he said.

“We call on the Filipino people to continue resisting and openly condemning these communist terrorists who have the gall to challenge President Rodrigo Duterte’s resolve to bring peace and build a nation that is worthy of the Filipino people,” he added.

At least 80 members of the NPA launched attacks in Davao City early Saturday, at the packing plant of Lapanday Foods Corps. in Mandug and the Macondray Plastic Plant in Barangay Bunawan.

In a statement, the NPA’s regional operations command in Southern Mindanao lauded the commanders and fighters of the 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion for the attacks, which they dubbed “punishment against the landlord-comprador Lorenzo family.”

“The NPA’s annihilative and punitive action against the Lorenzos in Davao City serves as revolutionary justice for landless tillers and exploited workers of its banana plantations and manufacturing plants in the region,” it said.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said she saw the NPA attacks as a “personal insult,” noting how the local government “has been supportive” of peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF), the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Doubts over peace talks

Lorenzana said the armed wing’s actions are instilling doubts over the sincerity of the CPP in pursuing peace negotiations with the government, through the NDF.

“They continue these heinous acts even while their comrades in the NDF and other legal fronts talk about peace. With each passing day, it is becoming clear to the Filipino people that what these communist terrorists want is to cow the entire nation into subservience by sowing fear and violence. Iyan lang ang alam nilang gawin,” he said.

“The attacks in Davao and other crimes done by the NPA also make the Filipino people question the sincerity of the entire communist movement to push for peace, since it seems everything is just lip service and double talk. It also brings to light the disconnect and lack of communication between the NDF, the CPP, and its cadres on the ground,” he added.

Lorenzana said that for the peace talks to succeed, the government “must be talking to the real representatives” of the movement, and “not just some figureheads” who do not have control or influence.

He also urged those who are part of the said movement to return to civilian life, and not let themselves be “used.”

“Sa mga kapatid nating nalinlang at umanib na sa mga teroristang ito, hindi pa huli ang lahat. Ibaba na ninyo ang inyong mga armas at magbalik-loob na sa lipunan. Huwag na kayong magpagamit pa sa mga lider na ginagawang puhunan lamang ang inyong dugo at pawis upang yumaman at mamuhay ng labis-labis dito sa Pilipinas at ibang bansa,” he said. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/ALG, GMA News