PRDCI out to redeem self

By Erly C. Garcia

Debunking the allegation of Col. Oscar Lasangue that Panay Rural Development Center Inc. (PRDCI) is a front organization of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA), Andres Tionko, executive director of PRDCI, enumerated activities it had initiated which has PNP and military involvement.

Among which are: tree nursery care and maintenance orientation in barangays Kuyot, Yabon, and Ubian of Janiuay in 1998 with men from the Task Force Panay as resource persons.

On October 14, 1998 the Suague River Stakeholders Conference at the covered gym of Janiuay with Col. Rabonza and men as participants.

February 23, 1999 , inter-municipal government conference on Suague River at the Residence Hotel also with Col. Rabonza and men as participants.

Summer of 2001, youth educational tour in Brgy. Barasalon, Janiuay with Janiuay PNP and several Cafgus acting as escorts.

Summer of 2003 youth educational tour in the same place again escorted by elements from Janiuay PNP and Cafgus from Brgy. Quipot and Barasalon.

Summer of 2004, medical and dental mission at Brgy. Odiongan, Badiangan with Task Force Panay doctors and dentists.

June 2004, tree planting at Brgy. Anhawan, Janiuay with Maj. Lope Manlapas and men of PNP 2nd Mobile Group station at Jibolo, Janiuay as security escorts.

October 2004, tree planting at Brgy. Calmay, Janiuay with Supt. Roberto Nufable and men as security escort.

March 11, 2005, Orientation Seminar on Violence against Women and Children at the Janiuay Charismatic Prayer Center with S/Insp. Juliet Pacificar of the PNP Regional Office and representatives from the CHR as resource persons.

“We ask, will a communist front organization allow the military and the PNP to be involved in its activities?” Tionko said after citing the above activities with police and military involvement.

“For all we know, PRDCI personnel are now being considered by the CPP-NPA as military and police agents because of this,” Tionko added.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo Coalition of NGOs and POs Inc.(ICON) will hold a forum-meeting on April 13, 9:00 a.m. at the new office of ICON, 2nd floor Old Provincial Capitol Building to take proactive stand against moves to discredit some NGOs.

In a statement sent to The News Today the ICON board of directors lamented Lasangue's treatment of PRDCI as it came at a time when the confidence building and consequent partnership among the NGOs, POs and the city and provincial government of Iloilo is gaining ground.