By Patricia Lourdes Viray
MANILA, Philippines — The government has declared an all-out war against the New People's Army following President Rodrigo Duterte's pronouncement, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Tuesday.
The president has earlier labeled the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People's Army terrorists and has ordered the lifting of a unilateral ceasefire.
"It is an all-out war because they are considered by the president already as terrorists," Lorenzana said at a televised press briefing at Malacañan.
Lorenzana explained that an all-out war means targeting the communist rebels' armed component while sparing their peaceful supporters.
The Defense chief likened the NPA, the armed wing of the communist group, to terrorist group Abu Sayyaf.
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