Army bares CPP-NPA's regionwide terror, extort acts
Western Visayas has been reportedly hit by series of organized terror acts now credited by government forces to the local hierarchy of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
From purported massive extortion, terrorism and human rights violation, the Philippine Army here through the 3rd Civil Relations Group revealed the incidents that targeted a select-group of political candidates and supporters.
In a news release sent to The News Today (TNT), Army Captain Lowen Gil Marquez tagged an April 18th incident that occurred in the villages of Bongbongan and Guimbalan of Maayon, Capiz as one "fascist, terrorist, illegal and violation of human rights" act.
This, as government agents responded to a call for help by locals when a group of armed men later identified to be led by an alias "Ka Tikoy" openly removed and destroyed the posters and streamers of mayoralty candidate Billy Dueñas and partymates running for councilor. "Ka Tikoy" is known to be operating under the CPP-NPA's Eastern Front Committee (EFC).
Similar terror acts in Iloilo where southern towns of Guimbal, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Tubungan and Igbaras where extortion letters from the communist group through its armed wing, the NPAs have now been monitored.
Worse even in the quiet town of San Jose in the Province of Antique where an open letter of "invitation" was seen posted in public places addressed to the candidates.
"In the package-deal, the terrorist had required their prospect candidate-victim to include in their campaign for partylist votes Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Anak Pawis and Kabataan," Capt. Marquez in the news release continued. "This human rights violation and threat with intimidation perpetrated by Joma Sison and CPP/NPA/NDF is suppressing the freedom of our political candidates and countryman, the right to vote in accordance with their conscience and freedom of choice."
More terror incidents in Negros Occidental, the Army further revealed, when some twenty communist-terrorists lead by an alias "Kiray" of the Komiteng Larangan Gerilya 6 campaigned not to vote for reelectionist Congressman Jules Ledesma.
The message was reportedly relayed to the locals at gunpoint.
"This massive extortion, terrorism and human rights violation committed by CPP-NPA-NDF against the masses in Region 6 are also happening in some regions," Capt. Marquez added, "however our brave political candidates are fighting the enemy secretly and do not give in to their demands. Moreover, they are now cooperating with th Armed Forces of the Philippines, other law enforcement agencies and the Commission on Elections by giving such information which resulted to the apprehension of terrorists and the discovery of enemy camps."
To date, no specifics though were released on the said arrests.
Meanwhile, the CPP has ordered its armed wing, the NPA to arrest and hold accountable members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines believed to be behind attacks against left-wing militants.
Local units of the NPA should identify the specific AFP units and their commanding officers and higher-ups responsible for these brutal murders and abductions. They must be arrested and made to answer for their fascist crimes," the Communist Party of the Philippines said in an e-mailed statement signed by its media officer, Marco Valbuena.
As they condemned the shooting of Jose Ely Garachico and the forced taking of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Panay chairperson Nilo Arado and Ma. Luisa Posa Dominado, the CPP said that President Arroyo is 'unrepentant' regarding political killings around the country.
"This fascist crime, which is but the latest reprehensible attack by state forces against activists, only goes to show that the Arroyo regime remains unrepentant with its policy of extrajudicial killings of activists and critics despite widespread national and international condemnation," the statement said, quoting CPP spokesperson Gregorio 'Ka Roger' Rosal.
Rosal alleged that AFP death squads are behind the shooting of Garachico and the abduction of Arado and Dominado.
Capt. Lowen Gil Marquez, commanding officer of the AFP's 3rd Civil Relations Group based in Iloilo City, said that Garachico, Arado and Dominado are scapegoats in the CPP's propaganda and the latest victims of a nationwide purging among left-wing organizations.
The three were on their way to Iloilo when unidentified gunmen blocked them in Brgy. Cabanbanan in Oton last April 12.
A gunman shot Garachico, hitting him in the nape. He was left for dead in the highway. Then the gunmen forcibly took Arado and Dominado. Police have no suspects yet, nor information on the condition or whereabouts of Arado and Dominado.