Duterte's P2M offer a signal for PNP, AFP to intensify ops vs. Reds -Gamboa

President Rodrigo Duterte's P2 million reward for anyone who could kill or provide information about New People's Army (NPA) commanders is a signal to launch intensified operations against the communist group, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said Tuesday.

"The more na 'yung binigay ni Presidente na alok na reward is a signal for the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP na paigtingin ang programa sa neutralization ng mga CPP-NPA personalities and dati kasi nagdeclare tayo ng ceasefire so defensive kami," Gamboa said at a virtual press briefing.

He said he has ordered all police units to wage an all-out war against the communist rebels as they continue to bring atrocities in the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

"Ang aming direktiba ngayon dahil wala naman kaming restriction is still all-out war against CPP-NPA," Gamboa said.

"Itong ginagawa nila ngayon, taking advantage pa ito sa emergency situation kahit na 'yung mga pulis or military na involved sa humanitarian activities, pati 'yun inaatake nila then the more we should push through with the neutralization of the CPP-NPA," he said.

The Chief Executive made the P2-million offer during his briefing about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on Monday night.

"Kapag nakapatay kayo ng commander, nakaturo kayo [kung] saan natutulog iyong commander, sabihin niyo sa akin. P2 million [ang reward] 'pag top commander,” Duterte said.

According to Duterte, the recipient of the reward would be removed from his or her hometown to ensure his or her safety.

For its part, the AFP said the reward could bring in more NPA informants to the military, saying that it could hasten the efforts in eradicating the activities of the group.—AOL, GMA News