(Eagle News) — The Communist Party of the Philippines has ordered its armed wing, the New People’s Army, to intensify its attacks against government security forces in response to Congress’ approval of a third martial law extension in Mindanao.
In a statement, the CPP ordered NPA guerrillas “to exert all possible effort to punish the worst fascist units and officers of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) who have committed grave crimes against the people.”
It noted after all that “further extension of military rule will result in more killings, abductions, torture and worse abuses against the people.”
“Everyone who voted in favor of extending martial rule in Mindanao will have their names tainted with the blood of each and every victim of Duterte’s all-out war,” the CPP said.
It was President Rodrigo Duterte who requested Congress to extend martial law for one year anew, citing the need to quell the rebellion there and the need to sustain the gains in the region.
Duterte first sought for the imposition of martial law in Mindanao after terrorists overran Marawi in May 2017.
He later asked for martial law in the region to be extended to December 2017, and then asked for another extension until December 2018.
With Congress’ approval on Wednesday, Dec. 12, martial law in Mindanao will last until December 31, 2019.
