Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday, March 8, hit the New People’s Army (NPA) for its ideologies that are causing ​people, including women, to lose their lives.

In her National Women’s Month message, Duterte cited the case o​f Dr. Shairmane Baroquillo, a government employee, who the Vice President said was killed due to the terrorist's violent actions.

She also cited the case of a lawyer who was a member of NPA and was killed in Bohol "while fighting for the group's rotten ideology of terrorism and the fall of the government."

"Nariyan din ang mga ina ng mga kabataang inarmasan at biktima ng panlilinlang ng NPA na hanggang ngayon ay nawawala o di kaya umuwi nang wala ng buhay​ (There are mothers who have been armed and victimized by the NPA and are missing until now)," she said.

​"Huwag din nating kalimutan ang mga ina, asawa, o kapatid ng mga pulis at sundalong nagbuwis ng buhay para matiyak lang na ligtas tayo at ang ating bayan. Marami tayong magagawa para sa mga kababaihan​ (Let's also not forget the mothers, spouses, the sisters of the police and military officers who have risked their lives just to ensure our and our nation's safety. We can do much for our women)," she added.

​The Vice President also used her National Women's Month message to call for safe spaces, opportunities and freedom for women, particularly for them to decide and show their strength.

"Isulong natin ang sapat at angkop na edukasyon para sa publiko. Tulungan ang mga grupong tunay na tagapagtanggol ng karapatan at kapakanan ng mga kababaihan​ (Let's push for enough and right education for the public. Let's help groups that are really protecting the rights and safety of women)," she said.

​"Suportahan natin ang mga batas para sa kababaihan. At bilang mga pamilya, tandaan po natin na pundasyon ng isang ligtas, patas, at maunlad na lipunan ang ating mga tahanan​ (Let's support women's rights. And as families, we should remember that the foundation of a safe, just and progressive society is our home)," she added.