CPP-NPA still a threat to vaccine delivery- DILG official
By Chito Chavez
The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Arm,y (CPP-NPA) may still attack convoys of vehicles delivering vaccines for the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) in far-flung areas, an offical of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.
DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the CPP statement which sets conditions from the government to spare the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines is not sincere in ensuring the safety of the people which it has been claiming to serve.
"The CPP should prioritize the country’s well-being before their selfish ideological interests and should not impose any conditions for the benefit of the people’ in the midst of the pandemic," said Malaya.
“Can’t the CPP/NPA/NDF (CPP/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front) declare a cessation of hostilities for a change if only to allow the delivery of the vaccines? In all countries of the world, the military are mobilized to assist in the vaccination program. In the US, the national guard has been mobilized to ensure the fast delivery of their vaccines,” he added.
In a statement in response to President Duterte's appeal, the CPP said that they will provide a humanitarian corridor but the government should not use military vehicles in transporting the vaccines to far flung barangays. The CPP also demanded that the vehicles transporting the vaccines must be clearly marked with a red cross over a white background to avoid being mistaken as a military vehicle.
Malaya, who is co-chairman of the NTF COVID-19 Task Group Prevention, said that by making demands to the government the CPP/NPA/NDF are actually threatening the delivery of the vaccines in conflict-affected areas.
“What happens when we utilize a military vehicle to transport the vaccine in mountainous areas, are they going to shoot our soldiers on a humanitarian mission? 6 x 6 military trucks are the only vehicles that can reach these areas. What happens when civilian vehicles do not have a red cross over a white background?” he asked.
Malaya stressed that the PNP will remain on high alert status considering the conditions imposed by the CPP.
Alerto lang ang pamahalaan dahil mahirap maging kampante at pagkatiwalaan ang mga kaaway ng bayan (The government will be alert since it is dangerous to be complacent and to trust the enemies of the state),’’ said Malaya.