CPP/NPA: Seizure of rice by NPA to stop vote buying, bullying

Posted to the CPP Website (May 5): Seizure of rice by NPA to stop vote buying, bullying

Isabel Fermiza
Spokesperson
NPA Mt. Apo Sub-Region Sub-regional Command

In keeping with the guidelines set by the People’s Democratic Government for the candidates of the reactionary elections, the Mt. Apo Sub-regional Command-New People’s Army has stepped up its drive against coercive vote-buying and fascist AFP operations to protect the people and defend revolutionary base areas.

Over the last three weeks, the NPA has confiscated a total of 98 sacks of rice from political operators of local candidates who have usurped revolutionary territories in the villages of Magpet, Makilala and Arakan towns, all in North Cotabato.

On April 13, the NPA confiscated 43 sacks of rice in Brgy. Balite and seven (7) sacks in Brgy. Amabel in Magpet town; on April 27, the NPA seized six (6) sacks in Brgy. Kisante,6 sacks in Brgy. Biangan, 6 sacks in Brgy. Batasan all in Makilala town. On April 29, at an NPA checkpoint, the Red fighters confiscated 10 sacks of rice in Brgy. Noa, Magpet town. On May 2, another 10 sacks were confiscated in Brgy. Cabalantian and 10 sacks in Brgy.Binuongan, all in Arakan town.

The NPA has turned over the confiscated rice to the pertinent local organs of political power for proper accounting and disposal.

The NPA also ambushed on May 3 at 12 noon a platoon of the 57th Infantry Batallion-10th Infantry Division of the AFP that provide security force for the candidates’ surreptitious acts. Two soldiers were killed while two were wounded with the NPA’s command detonated explosives in Brgy. Binay, Magpet town.

The confiscation of rice, NPA checkpoints and punitive military actions against the AFP, PNP and paramilitary elements in the run-up to the May 13 elections in North Cotabato are meant to protect the masses from the onslaught of reactionary politicking and coercion.

While Malacanang slams the NPA for “extortion” when the latter exercises political authority in its areas, the US-Aquino regime’s own party machineries nationwide are engaged in forcing the masses to elect candidates that are either despotic or negligent. The reactionary government wields strong-arm tactics in poor peasant villages to bully the electorate.

Local counterparts close doors to hoard precious rice and opens it now when its time to pursue votes. These acts add insult to injury especially as the masses of North Cotabato are reeling from extreme hunger and poverty. The latest statistics from the reactionary government show that the province registered the highest jump in whole region 12 in terms of increase in poverty incidence from 24.4% in 2009 to 43.9% last year. Poor peasants have suffered greatly from low yields and cheap prices of their produce, while banana workers and other laborers bore measly wages. Lumads and Moro people are in the fringes, victims of land grabbing and displacement from military operations.

Despite having not made any dent at all in improving the lives of the poor, politicians and their minions have shamelessly descended upon hugely exploited and oppressed villages to coerce the masses so that they can continue to perpetuate in power.

Wherever it can exercise its political authority in the province of North Cotabato and adjacent villages and towns, and in order to stop abuses and exact concrete benefits for the masses, the NPA will continue to impose punitive sanctions against candidates and political parties and deliver blows against legitimate military targets in the AFP, PNP and paramilitary troops.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20130505_seizure-of-rice-by-npa-to-stop-vote-buying-bullying