TACLOBAN CITY – A human rights group based in the city expressed their fear on the recent declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte to shoot-to-kill any armed members of the outlawed New People’s Army (NPA).

Joshua Sagdullas, spokesperson of Bayan-Eastern Visayas, said this directive has a chilling effect not only among the identified targets but even among activities and members of legal organizations.

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“To say the least, we are raising the alarm for all activists, community organizers and protesters in the country in lieu of Duterte’s recent shoot to kill order,” Sagdullas said.

“Although Duterte’s exact statements were directed at the revolutionary New People’s Army, history has shown us that generic and passing statements such as these are blown out of proportion by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police and are meant to include legal organizations and activists who in recent days have been tagged as no less than conspirators to acts of terrorism,” he added.

Thus, Sagdullas said, “manhunt” could be conducted against anyone who speaks and stands against the administration of Mr. Duterte.

In Baguio City, the Cordillera Peoples Alliance said the President’s instruction to shoot communist rebels endangers Left-wing groups, which he accused as front organizations of the New People’s Army.

CPA chair, Windell Bolinget, said: “Activists will be victims… civilians demanding for change will be targets given the crackdown on legitimate and legal organizations tagged as NPA fronts.” With a report from Vincent Cabreza

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