Philippines: Communist rebels denounce military rule

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) – The Communist Party of the Philippines ordered its armed wing to launch an all-out-war following President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to extend military rule until the end of this year.

In a statement published on its website the party said the extension of military rule will result in the worsening of “military and political abuses”.

Duterte placed the southern island of Mindanao under a 60-day martial law this May, after Daesh-linked Maute militants lay siege to its capital Marawi City.

“Duterte’s martial law in Mindanao or nationwide, is an assault on every Filipino’s rights and freedom,” the party said.

It called on all Filipinos to oppose the move to extend the martial law and ordered its armed wing to intensify its attacks.

“The New People’s Army must continue to strengthen itself nationwide by carrying out armed counteractions and offensives across the country to defeat the Mindanao martial law,” the statement added.

The party said that the government was incapable of suppressing the Moro rebellion in Mindanao.

On Monday, Duterte received a draft law which if implemented will give greater autonomy to the Bangsamoro region, a demand that the Moro rebels have made for the last few years.

Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana in a recent statement admitted that the government underestimated the capabilities of the Maute group.

"The fact that the terrorists are still able to fight after over a month since the clashes erupted shows that they were ready for a prolonged battle," the defense chief said.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, military chief command for Mindanao, confirmed to GMA News that 10 foreign fighters had been spotted fighting alongside militants in Marawi.

Galvez added that they have been trained in suicide bombing and are veterans of Iraqi city Mosul.

The presence of the foreign fighters was confirmed by some rescued civilians.