The Executive Director of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Secretariat, Undersecretary Ernesto C Torres Jr, has expressed support for the statement of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemning the New People’s Army’s (NPA) use of improvised explosive devices (IED) near public elementary schools.
In a statement, Torres said that “We are in solidarity with the Commission on Human Rights in condemning the New People’s Army’s vicious acts and violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
The NPA’s use of IEDs in Zones of Peace, such as schools, exhibit their moral depravity and blatant disregard for the lives of the Filipino people, particularly the Filipino youth and students.”
The CHR issued a press statement condemning the NPA’s actions after a recent clash between government forces and communist terrorist group NPA in Placer, Masbate.
The NPA deployed several IEDs near a public school indiscriminately targeting soldiers and civilians alike. One of these IEDs exploded, injuring two soldiers and a minor.
“No ideology can justify the endangerment of the right to life, liberty, and security of the Filipino people,” said CHR in their press statement. “We have always called for an end to armed conflict and the grave consequences it imposes upon those involved and those affected. Time and again, we have witnessed the harrowing impacts and violations to fundamental human rights and dignity these encounters bring to society.”
The NTF-ELCAC is in concordance with CHR’s call for just and peaceful resolution of armed conflict and denunciation of all forms of violence and terroristic acts which endanger lives of Filipino people.
The National Task Force is committed to doing its part to establish peace and facilitate good governance in order to end the cycle of senseless violence instigated by NPA.