CPP denies NPA members providing protection for Pandi illegal settlers

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has denied that members of its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), is providing security for members of militant group Kadamay who have illegally occupied an idle housing project in Pandi, Bulacan.

“There are no NPA units anywhere near the housing units in Pandi, Bulacan currently occupied by struggling urban poor residents,” CPP said in a statement sent to GMA News on Tuesday evening.

There are no NPA units anywhere near the housing units in Pandi, Bulacan currently occupied by struggling urban poor residents..

— PRWC (@prwc_info) March 14, 2017

The CPP, meanwhile, expressed support for the group that illegally occupied the housing  units.

“The struggle of urban poor residents to occupy these housing units is a legitimate action,” it said.

After a month of suspension, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza announced over the weekend that formal talks with the CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front will resume in April.

Despite the announcement, the military's offensive against the rebel group continues pending President Rodrigo Duterte's restoration of the government's ceasefire declaration.

Duterte lifted the government's unilateral ceasefire declaration and eventually terminated the talks last month following the CPP's own lifting of its truce declaration.

A report on News To Go on Tuesday said members of the NPA were allegedly securing the illegal occupants of the resettlement area.

The report said that rightful owners of the structures at the Pandi housing projects provided the information, which allegedly came from the local police.

According to the owners, the local police received a call from someone who identified himself as a member of the NPA and threatened that violence will break out if Kadamay members are hurt by policemen.

Police said around 5,000 individuals are currently occupying housing units in six different sites, a News To Go report on Monday said.

These include the PNP/AFP Housing, BJMP/BFP Housing, Villa Elise, Pandi Residences 3, Pandi Village 2, and Padre Pio. —ALG, GMA News