PNP officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. (Screengrab from PNP Facebook live video)
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. slammed the audacity of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to push for the revival of peace talks following an ambush that killed a police officer in Samar.
“You (CPP-NPA) are now talking about peace talks. Anong klaseng peace talks yan? Alam niyo kung puwede lang baligtarin, ako ang a-ambush mismo sa inyo sa totoo lang. Nakakasama ng loob. Alam niyo itong yung mga statement na ayaw ko sana sabihin kasi nakakaiyak (What kind of peace talks is that? If only things can be reversed, I will be the one who will ambush you. It's heartbreaking. These are the statements that I actually don't want to say because these make me cry)," Danao said during Monday's flag-raising rites at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
This came after 10 NPA members opened fire on police officers during a humanitarian activity at the boundary of Barangay San Nicolas in San Jose de Buan town, and Barangay Mabuhay in Gandara town last July 16.
The police retaliated which resulted in a five-minute gunfight until the communist rebels withdrew and fled towards the northeast of the encounter site.
A rookie police officer, Pat. Mark Monge, died in the ensuing encounter.
Danao chided the communist terrorist group for their “senseless and heartless acts’’ that targeted cops holding a community development program.
“Kapag kayo ang gagawa ng kalokohan, walang human rights pero kapag pulis ang pinatay niyo wala rin human rights (When you commit wrongdoings, there are no human rights, but when you kill the police, there are no human rights too). Our people there trying to give assistance to those who are in need, medical assistance in whatever capacity that they can do (but) unfortunately, you ambushed them,” Danao said.
Danao, meanwhile, condoled with the family of the slain police officer.
"May the soul of Pat. Mark Monge rest in peace who offered a supreme sacrifice in maintaining the tranquility of our great nation,” he added.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973. (PNA)
