Tarpaulin declaring Reds as persona non grata in NCR seen in Manila

A tarpaulin was spotted in Manila declaring members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as persona non grata in the National Capital Region.

The tarpaulin was placed on the railings of a footbridge near the US Embassy along Roxas Boulevard. 

At the sidelines of an event in Manila Police District on Wednesday, reporters asked Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan if the tarpaulin was from the PNP as it bears the logo of the police organization.

The tarpaulin also includes a hotline number of the police for the public to report any information about the communist rebels to authorities.

Cascolan claimed that it is from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), adding that it is also in partnership with localities to fight communist insurgency.

"Well sa ELCAC 'yan sa end local communism armed conflict. It is actually a partnership with all the community. Ayaw po nating may mangyaring masama sa atin. Ayaw po nating may magkaroon ng rebelyon lalo't lalo na mga kuwan ng New People's Army, mga galawan ng New People's Army," Cascolan said.

Cascolan said police officers would never allow the illegal activities and abuses of communist rebels, especially if the latter have the intention to hurt the public.

"What we want is they go here, this is a wide area, they enjoy Manila, huwag na ho silang mang-abuso, hindi na po natin sila sasaktan din. Siyempre kung mananakit din po sila at magkakaroon ng rally, kailangan pong magtrabaho ng pulis natin. I-prevent po ang mga rally lalo't lalo na kung walang permiso tapos lalo na kung nananakit din po sila dapat hulihin po natin 'yan," Cascolan said.

"Hindi po natin papayagan na umusbong ulit ang insurgency. 'Yan po ang rason bakit 'yan po ay pinagtutulungan natin, tayo pong lahat," he added.

GMA News Online has reached NTF-ELCAC for its explanation regarding the tarpaulin but has not responded as of posting time. — RSJ, GMA News