‘Communist terrorists should be held accountable for their crimes’

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, on the occasion of the founding anniversary of the National Democratic Front (NDF), called on the public to remain vigilant against what he tags as communist terrorists who should be held accountable for their alleged crimes.

“As the National Democratic Front celebrates another year of their bane existence, its members could no longer ignore the fact that the government continuously enjoys the support of the people, while they continue to fade into oblivion,” he said.

The NDF marked its 48th anniversary on April 24.

Lorenzana said the discredited ideology of the NDF and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) as well as the New People’s Army (NPA) has never received significant support from the people, nor has it contributed an iota of good to the country.

“The NDF and its member organizations continue to weaken as Filipinos have unmasked their lies and rapaciousness. Enabling communist terrorists, the NDF must be held liable for the violence and destruction wrought by the CPP-NPA,” he stressed.

“In extreme desperation, they would surely resort to more heinous acts to undermine our democracy and our way of life,” Lorenzana added.

The Department of National Defense chief said the government is calling on the people to “remain vigilant against the duplicity of these terrorists. Let us do our share by supporting the reintegration of our kababayans who were led astray by the CPP-NPA/NDF. Now is the time for us to heal our nation, reconcile our differences, and unite for our lasting peace and progress.”