NTF-ELCAC denounces farmer's killing in Zamboanga del Norte

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) condemned on Sunday, Nov. 26, the killing of a farmer by suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte.
Ricardo Quijano, 48, was shot pointblank in the forehead by the unidentified suspects after he allegedly refused to give them food supplies.
The incident occurred at Purok Mangga in Brgy. Milad on Nov. 23, the same day that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. granted amnesty to rebel and insurgent groups.
Last Thursday, Marcos signed Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405, and 406 to grant amnesty to members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF); Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB); Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in a bid to encourage them to return to the fold of the law for the sake of peace, reconciliation and unity.
"The NPA killed an innocent farmer on the very day the President offered the olive branch for peace and reconciliation. This killing of Quijano is diabolical and justice must be meted out without delay," NTF-ELCAC National Secretariat and Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said.
Police and military have coordinated to track down the group that killed Quijano and bring them behind bars.
Meanwhile, Torres vowed to intensify the convergence activities of the National Secretariat with all of its local partners to finally defeat the communist groups amid the latest killing.
"We call on the last remaining members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and RPMP to give up the armed struggle and formally return to the folds of the law," he said.
"Let us move forward together, transcending past conflicts and differences, towards a future where peace reigns supreme. Our collective efforts today lay the groundwork for a more cohesive and prosperous Philippines tomorrow," he added.