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Martial law in Mindanao targets NPA too
 [Inquirer] The Philippine government will use the full force of martial law to counter possible intensified attacks from the New People’s Army in Mindanao, after the cancellation of peace talks with the communist militants. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said, "For as long as there are acts of rebellion being committed in the island province of Mindanao, yes he will use the full force of martial law against the New People’s Army as well."Roque said the communist insurgency “is a continuing crime, so for as long as they don’t lay down their [arms], they are committing a criminal act.” In his letter to Congress, President Rodrigo Duterte included the attacks of the NPA in justifying his intent for to extend martial law in Mindanao for one year. Duterte said that while the government was busy addressing the threats posed by other terrorist organizations, the NPA “took advantage of the situation and intensified their decades-long rebellion against the government and stepped up terrorist acts against innocent civilians and private entities.” Asked why Duterte did not expand the coverage of martial law in view of the fact that NPA rebels are active in other parts of the country, Roque said, “He could have but he did not.” Duterte had earlier signed a proclamation labeling the Communist Party of the Philippines and the NPA as a terrorist group after the cancellation of peace talks. “The martial law administrator is empowered to order the arrest of individuals and because the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus they would have to wait for the lifting of martial law for judicial remedy,” he said. Posted by: ryuge 2017-12-12 |
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