The Palace condemns in the strongest terms the reported incident of members of the New People’s Army (NPA) robbing relief goods or forcibly collecting foodstuff at Northern and Eastern Samar, thereby causing a shortage thereof for intended beneficiaries.
The Office of the President understands that NPA members may also be in need of food or other basic commodities for their survival. While the government is ready to provide relief or assistance to our brothers and sisters who are in dire need thereof, the same cannot be claimed through violence or threats.
Resorting to force or duress is unconscionable, especially given the national crisis we are in.
In this time of state of calamity and public health emergency, we call on those operating outside of the law not to add burden to the very people they professed to fight for.
Should they persist in their anti-nationalistic and unchristian acts, the constituted authorities shall repulse them at every turn.
Salvador S. Panelo
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel
& Presidential Spokesperson