AFP rejects claims COVID-19 pandemic being used to push martial law

April 30, 2020

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) "rejects false accusations that COVID-19 pandemic is being used to perpetuate martial rule."

"The citizenry knows only too well that the AFP has been open and very supportive of all government’s  efforts that seek to achieve lasting peace and promote development," said Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman.

The AFP also expressed full support to the declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte to shelve the ceasefire with the communist group.

"We welcome and support fully the pronouncements of the commander in chief," said Arevalo.

"It is indeed the apex of futility to continue the talks for peace with a terrorist group like the CPP-NPA-NDF whose illegally armed members continue to oppress the needy, kill their community and tribal leaders, and senselessly kill the soldiers who help the poor receive vital government support — and worse, rob the indigents of relief package at this time of COVID-19 crisis," he said.

"Recent reports from the ground show at least 17 violations of the CPP-NPA’s own belatedly-declared ceasefire after ignoring government’s earlier peace initiative," he added.

Arevalo noted that "those recently recorded NPA’s atrocities only show clearly their callousness of the sufferings of our people and these terrorists’ desperate attempts to derail government assistance and claim  “government’s inept, incompassionate and irresponsible actions in the face of the pandemic”. "

"That is  their classic tactic to discredit government and fuel dissent to attempt to overthrow it. The CPP-NPA have never been sincere in talking peace with government," he said.

"Since the beginning and despite countless chances for peace that they unduly took advantage of,  the terrorist CPP-NPA has no intention to genuinely pursue peace negotiations but to buy time to consolidate, recruit, and strengthen their ranks and resume their offensives," he said.

"It’s time to end the CPP-NPA’s more than 50 years of sowing havoc in the country and depriving the people their taste of peace and development," he added. Robina Asido/DMS