CPP orders NPA rebels to intensify offensive, launch raids

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has called on its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA) to intensify its offensive operations in the countryside despite scheduled peace talks with the government later this month.

“Habang mahigpit na nakaantabay sa anunsyo ng tigil-putukan para sa usapang pangkapayapaan, dapat todo-largang ilunsad ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) ang mga taktikal na opensiba sa buong bansa upang isulong ang digmang bayan at para magkamit ng mas marami pang tagumpay,” the CPP said.

The CPP also advised the NPA to continue its raid and ambush operations in order to gain more funds and arms for its supposed growing membership.

“Ilunsad ang mga pananambang, reyd at iba pang anyo ng anihilatibong taktikal na opensiba na may layuning magsamsam ng papalaking bilang ng mga sandata para armasan ang dumaraming Pulang mandirigma ng BHB,” it said.

In an editorial dated August 7, published on CPP’s newsletter “Ang Bayan” the communist group hit President Rodrigo Duterte over the continued detention of political prisoners, especially the members of the National Democratic Liberation Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

“Unang itinakda ang usapang pangkapayapaan sa unang hati ng Hulyo. Subalit naantala na ito nang naantala matapos hindi ginamit ni Duterte ang hawak niyang kapangyarihang para agad tuparin ang pangakong palayain ang 22 konsultant ng NDFP at halos 550 detenidong pulitikal,” the group said.

The CPP said the release of the NDFP consultants, is not only necessary as they are supposed to participate in the intended peace negotiation with the government, but will also serve as an act of goodwill on the part of Duterte.

The communist group said that while they are for the resumption of the peace talks with the government, it cannot proceed until the NDFP consultants are freed.

“Sabik man ang mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa na muling simulan ang usapang pangkapayapaan, nakahanda rin silang maghintay na tuparin ni Duterte ang pangakong pagpapalaya sa mga konsultant ng NDFP,” the CPP editorial read.

“Bukod sa kailangan ang paglahok nila sa negosasyon, ang pagpapalaya sa kanila ay magsisilbing patunay na mayroon isang salita si Duterte at mapagkakatiwalaang tutuparin ang anumang kasunduang pipirmahan sa usapan,” it added.

The CPP also hit Duterte for retracting the unilateral ceasefire with the CPP-NPA that he announced during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) and for the president’s recent 

“Sa kabila ng utos niyang tigil-putukan, hinayaan niya ang AFP na magpatuloy sa mga operasyong pangkombat, saywar at militarisasyon sa komunidad. Pumalakpak ang mga militarista nang binawi ni Duterte ang kanyang deklarasyong tigil-putukan,” the group said.

The CPP also slammed Duterte, for instead of reinstating the ceasefire, he demanded that the communist group refrain from using landmines if it wants the peace negotiation to push through.

“Matapos niyang balewalain ang sariling pangakong palayain ang mga konsultant ng NDFP, nag-imbento na naman ngayon si Duterte ng panibagong ultimatum laban sa paggamit ng BHB (Bagong Hukbong Bayan or New People’s Army) ng eksplosibo bilang kundisyon sa negosasyong pangkapayapaan,” the group said.

In a separate statement published on CPP website, the group said it will not heed to Dutete’s ultimatum to stop the use of landmines.

Meanwhile, in the editorial of Ang Bayan, the CPP said the recent actions and tirade of Duterte against their group seemed to be an indication that the chances of a peace agreement with the government is getting slimmer.

“Kung pagbabatayan lamang ang mga naging kilos ni Duterte sa nakaraang mga linggo, makikitang lumiliit ang potensyal na may matatamong makabuluhan sa pamamagitan ng usapang pangkapayapaan,” the CPP editorial read. —NB, GMA News