DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said she has mixed feelings of happiness and sadness with the declaration of New People's Army (NPA) as terrorists.
"My first reaction was that my statement before was validated. It was after the death of Mr. Larry Buenafe, I already called them terrorist, now there is a presidential proclamation declaring them as such, my statement was validated but I can say, that is my personal feelings. As a city mayor, I am saddened because there were efforts coming from the government to sit down and talk about peace with the NPA. So half I am happy, half I am sad," Duterte-Carpio said.
Buenafe died in May due to a landmine explosion by New People's Army (NPA) in Barangay Tigatto, Davao City.
Duterte-Carpio admitted that she was sad because as city mayor, she also did not give up efforts of peace despite the incident with Larry Buenafe.
Last September, the city mayor signed an Executive Order creating the DC-Peace that was tasked to hold localized peace talks with the NPA.