Anti-Red people's org up in Iloilo town
A people's organization was formed in one Iloilo town with main objective to defend local communities from hostilities and harassments of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
With apparent "eye-for-an-eye, tooth-for-a-tooth" guiding policy, the group banded as Bantay-Bayan Federation and Cooperation Incorporated. First to launch is the town of San Miguel, Iloilo, 16 kilometers off Iloilo City, with more towns to follow suit in the coming weeks.
"If they are hostile, then the group is ready to face up to said hostility," said Captain Lowen Gil Marquez, commanding officer of the 3rd Civil Relations Group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Further still, the people's organization is determined to defend its villages "from physical and psychological advances of those in the legal front of the CPP-NPA-NDF." And lastly, the group also vows to neutralize criminals and drug syndicate in their respective communities with support from government law enforcement agencies.
"They want to uplift the economic well-being of the members and their families," added Captain Marquez.
Some 45 founding members pledged support on the group's mission and vision with primary base in Barangay San Antonio.
"This is the first counter-organization against CPP/NPA NDF in Western Visayas. We will help organize more for as long there is imminent danger from terrorist atrocities. Barangay San Antonio is frequently extorted by the NPA and other criminal elements. The members want their families to be liberated from the CPP/NPA/NDF criminal elements and atrocities," Captain Marquez ended.