Following are the statements by Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye on the Arroyo administrations CPP-NPA campaign:
June 21, 2006
The campaign against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army (CPP-NPA) is not a campaign of force and violence but a combination of security operations directed at armed adversaries, development directed at poor communities and governance initiatives directed at the local governments.
The negotiating table has always been open but the CPP-NPA has no longer shown any interest to sit in it, foisting the absurd precondition of lifting the terrorist tag placed on the NPA by the United States and the European Union, which the Philippine government cannot do anything about.
This government is resolved to protect the people from further depredations. We are aware of the root causes of this problem and the intensified campaign against the CPP-NPA is actually a part of this governments overall approach to addressing poverty, especially in the countryside.
June 20, 2006
This renewed campaign is not merely about the use of force against the armed enemy but also about the deployment of resources to spur jobs, livelihood and community services.
The terrorist actions of the revolutionary left has pushed back progress in the countryside, impeded investment, and aggravated poverty.
This government cannot allow this situation to continue if we are to consolidate the whole country behind economic take off. We must address both security and development to generate a more massive effect on social upliftment and social justice.
The fruits of tough economic reforms have enabled us to invest more resourcers in national security and development.
