Duterte creates task force to address communist conflict

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of a national task force that will address the armed conflict with local communists, a Palace official said.Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte, had convened the executive committee of the National Security Council at Ebuen Airbase in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, where “issues and concerns which disturb our national security” were tackled.Panelo said Duterte discussed the “recent anarchical activities” of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).“The president was unwavering with regard to the issue as a result of the communist group’s efforts in infiltrating and overthrowing the government,” Panelo said in a statement.“The chief executive likewise announced the creation of the National Taskforce in order to address the armed conflict occasioned by the local communists,” he added.The president, Panelo said, also ordered the Department of Justice (DoJ) “to pursue the proscription case against the CPP-NPA-NDF as a terrorist organisation.”In February, the DoJ filed a petition before the Manila Regional Trial Court to formally declare the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organisation after Duterte signed Proclamation 374 which declared the CPP-NPA as terror groups.In the same meeting, the president also directed an in-depth investigation into the shooting incident in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, which left nine farmers dead.Duterte had said communist rebels were behind the Sagay incident.“The style of the communists is they kill their own comrades and blame in on the (government),” the president said.Meanwhile, Duterte and his security officials also discussed the peace and order situation in Mindanao and the possible extension of martial law, which is set to expire by the end of the year.“Factors that were initially considered by the committee were the outlook of our brothers and sisters in Mindanao, an overwhelming majority of whom support martial law in view of the present situation they are in, the facilitation it will bring in rehabilitating Marawi and regaining normalcy in Mindanao, and indispensable constitutional and legal factors,” Panelo said.“The president is very much involved in various matters concerning our country but considers national security as one of the most vital concerns that must always be overseen by the government,” he added.