Members of the New People’s Army under the North Central Mindanao Regional Command gathered at Misamis Oriental on December 26, 2016 to celebrate the 48th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines. ABS-CBN RNG

(UPDATE) MANILA - Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the armed forces is going all-out against the communist New People's Army, which they now consider a terrorist group.

"Yes it is an all-out war," Lorenzana told a press briefing in Malacanang Tuesday.

Lorenzana said NPA acts like terror group Abu Sayyaf.

"Kasi they are already considered by the president as terrorist, we will consider them as a terrorist. Ano bang pagkakaiba nila sa Abu Sayyaf? The Abu Sayyaf kidnap people and they get money. The NPA will threaten those businessmen and also get money," said Lorenzana.

"There's no difference at all," he added.

MILITARY CONCEPT OF ALL-OUT WAR

Lorenzana initially caused confusion at the press conference, with conflicting statements on whether Defense is really launching an all-out war against the NPA.

"I think the all-out war is an overused term we shouldn't be using," Lorenzana said.

"All-out war kasi no prisoners, everything will be destroyed along your path," he said.

He then clarified that the military's "all-out war" only covers armed rebels and that political prisoners or other people in the peace negotiations are excluded.

"Sa military naman, we are just going after the armed component of the New People's Army," said Lorenzana.

Duterte on Sunday tagged the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People's Army, and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as terrorist groups after suspending peace talks.

"From now on I will consider the CPP-NPA-NDF a terrorist group," Duterte said.

Duterte has since urged communist leaders involved in peace talks to return to the country and surrender themselves.