Security forces were instructed by Malacañang to “do their job” in making sure mining companies are protected from attacks and taxation of the communist-led New People’s Army (NPA).
In a recent news briefing, Presidential Spokesman Harry L. Roque Jr. called on the police and the military to defend mining companies in the face of a directive from President Duterte to stop giving in to the NPA’s taxation program.
“I will not annotate what the President said. He says that those who will pay revolutionary tax will be shut down,” Roque said.
“Now, I am sure that there will be consequences. We’ll call upon the PNP [Philippine National Police] and the Armed Forces of Philippines [AFP] to do their job,” he added.
Asked if Malacañang will issue a directive to the PNP and AFP to guard mining operations, Roque said there is no need for one, as it is the security forces’ duty to protect citizens and businesses from possible attacks from insurgents.
“Hindi na po kinakailangan ng directive, dahil ’yan po talaga ay mandato ng kapulisan at ng hukbong sandatahan [There is no need for a directive, because that is their mandate as members of the police forces and the armed forces],” the Palace official said.
“Ang mandato po ng pulis ay [The mandate of the police is] to deal with problems involving law and order, at meron din po silang mandato [and they also have a mandate] to deal with [the] ongoing rebellion. At ganyan din po ang mandato ng ating hukbong sandatahan [And that is also the mandate of the Armed Forces]: not just to deal with external threats but also with internal threats,” Roque added.
According to Roque, defense forces should maximize the martial-law declaration in Mindanao, as it gives them more power to crack down on enemies of the State, including the NPA.
Duterte has threatened to shut down mining companies paying revolutionary taxes to the NPA, saying giving into the rebel group’s taxation program only strengthens its cause.