Rodrigo Duterte earlier today threatened to declare a nationwide martial law on the pretext that the New People’s Army has been attacking his soldiers “bringing relief.” He alluded to a clash where two Philippine army soldiers were killed, apparently referrign to the encounter in Aurora province last Tuesday.

We are still awaiting details of the Aurora clash. But from what we have gathered, it is clear that the armed encounter which erupted in Barangay Diaat, Maria Aurora town, is a consequence of the relentless counterinsurgency operations conducted by the 91st IB in the area since the first week of March.

It has been conducting combat patrols and pursuit operations in several rural villages across the town since March 4 after its purported discovery of an NPA “arms and food cache” at Sitio Dayap, Barangay Punglo.

Duterte claims the AFP unit was escorting relief workers to deliver aid to the villages. However, based on the AFP’s reports themselves, the clash happened when the 91st IB was conducting security patrols against the NPA.

With the implementation of the Luzon lockdown, the 91st IB used pretend Covid-19 relief work as a pretext and justification for intensifying its anti-NPA operations in the area against the New People’s Army.

Duterte is feigning concern for his combat troopers whom he has been using as cannon fodder for his scheme to establish a fascist dictatorship. All over the country, the AFP has gone on an intensified offensive, apparently taking advantage of the NPA ceasefire that has been extended to April 30.

Sinusubo nang sinusubo ni Duterte ang mga tao niya para makipagsagupa sa NPA. Tapos, sisisihin niya ang NPA na inaatake ang kanyang mga tropa, nang sa ganoon, maidahilan niya ang pagdeklara ng martial law.