I take what happened today as a personal insult especially because the local government of Davao City has been supportive of the peace negotiations between the national government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the political umbrella that covers the armed guerrilla movement. And because I have repeatedly offered to talk peace with the members of the NPA within Davao City.
We condemn these acts committed by a group that pretends to champion social justice and equality. With its history of carrying out atrocities and its continued penchant for lawlessness and bloodbath, the NPA is an organization that is not worthy of our trust and respect.
To the general public caught in the violence and the victims of these attacks, we commiserate with you and your families.
I would like to assure the people of Davao that our policemen and soldiers are on top of the situation, with the order that the safety of civilians should be ensured and protected at all times. We shall pour all the available resources to achieve this end.
Let us support our police and the military by openly condemning the NPA as a terrorist organization.
