Statement of EAP Cluster Head and TFBL Chair on the NPA's treacherous and criminal nature

The tragic deaths of Kieth and Nolven Absalon in an anti-personnel mine blast in Masbate are emblematic of the crimes against the Filipino people committed by the communist terrorist group (CTG).

Thousands have died in the hands of the CTG -- our youth, our farmers, our security forces, our local executives and our indigenous peoples. Thousands more are deceived by this remorseless terrorists, who are bent on undermining the Republic, pitting Filipinos against fellow Filipinos. Even worse, the CTG has no qualms about harming innocent civilians, women, and children. Their lies and violence know no bounds.

No less than the leadership of the CPP-NPA-NDF must be held accountable for these deplorable crimes that violate the International Humanitarian Law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The lip service in the form of an apology by the CPP-NPA in the wake of the deaths of the Absalon cousins cannot and will not change anything.

The CTG's false ideology continues to cause damage and hamper our nation's road to peace and progress. We take this opportunity now to urge the Filipino people including the active members and the supporters of the CPP-NPA-NDF to forsake this treacherous and criminal terrorist group. It is only when we, the Filipino people, all unite can we finally end the scourge of the CTG.

DND Undersecretary Reynaldo B. Mapagu

Head, E-CLIP and Amnesty Program Cluster, NTF-ELCAC

Chairperson, Task Force Balik-Loob