CAMP AGUINALDO – “The CPP-NPA’s call seeking for an independent probe into the US role in the Sulu air strike shows that indeed they sympathize and tolerate global acts of terror perpetrated by terrorist group organizations like the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiya (JI),” Colonel Vicente Gregorio B Tomas, PA said.

The CPP-NPA asked for an independent probe into the US role in Sulu air strike conducted last Thursday, 2 February 2012, where 15 ASG and JI members were killed, including three top ranking leaders of the terrorist organizations.

Col Tomas, Officer-in-Charge of the Civil Relations Service, AFP said that “as a terrorist organization recognized by the European Union, the CPP-NPA does not have the moral mandate to question and pry on the actions executed by this government, thru powers given to it by the Constitution, in order to fulfill its mission of protecting and defending national integrity, territorial sovereignty, and defending the lives and properties of the Filipino people.”

The military has reiterated that the presence of the United States in the country is in accord with an international agreement and treaty in order to boost not only bilateral relations but also military ties. Moreover, any allied country willing to assist the Philippines in the fight against terrorism is most welcome.

“The CPP-NPA, as a recognized terrorist group, should have known better that the Philippines will do everything in its power to protect the country and its citizens from the reigns of terrorism,” Col Tomas added further.