CALOOCAN CITY, Jan. 30 (PIA) -- Mandaluyong City is the latest to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as non-desirables after tagging the group persona non grata.

The Mandaluyong City Council, by virtue of a Resolution adopted on Dec. 1, 2020, recognized the CPP-NPA-NDF as a "left-leaning armed group whose main ideology is to overthrow the democratic system of the government."

"This [communist insurgency] has long been a problem in the entire nation as they remain a threat to national security, most especially in the peace and order situation in certain areas in the country," the resolution read, being attested and approved by Vice Mayor Antonio "Anthony" delos Santos Suva Jr. and Mayor Carmelita A. Abalos, respectively on Dec. 2, 2020.

"The communist groups continue to instill fear in the community, recruit new members, and sow terror to investors, as well as killing members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police including civilians," it added.

The City Council resolution lamented that despite efforts of the national government to address problems through conciliatory ways to reach an accord with the CPP-NPA-NDF, peace negotiations had turned sour due to unconscionable demands of the communist armed group.

Records at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) show that out of the 16 cities and one municipality in the National Capital Region (NCR), nine cities have already passed resolutions condemning CPP-NPA-NDF atrocities and declared them persona non grata. These are Caloocan, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Pasig, Quezon, San Juan, Valenzuela, and Mandaluyong. (PIA NCR)