DAVAO CITY – The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said government agencies are welcome to conduct relief operations in areas “controlled” by the New People’s Army (NPA) amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) but reminded them not to bring a military escort to prevent armed encounters.
In a statement, the CPP assured the government social development workers of their safety when they visit revolutionary areas even though it no longer extended its unilateral ceasefire declaration, which ended on April 30.
“Agencies of the reactionary government are welcome to assist the masses in the revolutionary areas.
The NPA assures your safety. We urge you to refuse AFP escorts as their presence only raises the danger of armed encounters,” the CPP said in a statement said.
It said the NPA units should likewise continue to facilitate the distribution of relief aid for the people who are suffering from the “Duterte regime’s military lockdown.”
It encouraged the revolutionary forces to continue to “cooperate and work with all concerned agencies, personalities, business enterprises and other entities to extend assistance to the people who are urgently in need of economic relief.” (Antonio L. Colina IV)