THE Police Regional Office (PRO) in Davao Region backs the official declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte classifying the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) as a terrorist, citing that its actions over the years against the uniformed personnel and civilians no longer conform with the ideology it stands for.
"We find it very reasonable for the President to declare such because [from] the word terror siguro naman makikita natin na pasok sila sa definition ng terror or terrorists because they instill fear in the community at the same time masyado na nilang sinubukan ang pasensya ng ating pangulo," PRO-Davao spokesperson Police Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna said.
She cited that even during the ceasefire, the CPP-NPA had not showed sincerity in the peace negotiation as the rebels on the ground continue with their atrocities and attacks that upset the President.
"Unang-una, with so much sincerity of our President hindi naman niya nakita in return yong gusto niyang mangyari (the President didn’t see what he wants to be done)," she said.
"In spite of everything na ginawang pag-reach out even yong sa local community nag-reach out na for a localized peace talk nagkaroon pa rin ng ibat-ibang terroristic activities ang mga grupong ito. We find it reasonable for the President to declare such (In spite of the conducted peace talks together with local community, there were still terroristic activities done by the group.)," she added.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on Monday made the announcement during a press conference at Malacañan Palace.
President Duterte's declaration was triggered after an NPA unit ambushed a mobile patrol with a convoy in Bukidnon wherein a four-month-old infant was killed due to gunshot wound in her head.
Dela Cerna said that they will continue with their heightened security measures.
"Kami naman po as the PNP we will maintain peace and order in our area of responsibility and as much as possible makikipag-tulungan tayo sa mga counterparts natin sa military para masugpo itong terroristic acts at ma-prevent itong mga activities (We at the PNP will maintain peace and order in our area of responsibility and as much as possible we will help our counterparts in the military to prevent terroristic acts)," she said.