Makabayan solon wants AFP cited in contempt for alleged ‘red baiting’

From GMA News (Sep 20): Makabayan solon wants AFP cited in contempt for alleged ‘red baiting’

A lawmaker on Sunday asked House leaders to cite the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in contempt for insinuating that former and incumbent leaders of the Makabayan bloc are supporters of the communist New People's Army (NPA).

Anakpawis party-list Rep. Fernando Hicap said the military's alleged “red baiting” has put the lives of his colleagues and former fellow lawmakers in danger, especially now that they have been going around Lumad communities in Mindanao to probe the recent killings of their leaders.

“Ipinapanawagan ko sa House leadership na i-contempt ang AFP dahil hindi biro ang 'red baiting.' Ito ay banta sa kanilang [lawmakers'] buhay at kaligtasan. Ang gawa-gawang kaso laban sa kanila ay humaharang sa mandato nila bilang House members, dahil marami silang [resolution] tungkol sa mga Lumad na kailangang i-deliberate at ma-ocular sa Lumad areas,” he said in a text message.

As of posting time, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has yet to reply to GMA News Online's request for comment on whether or not Congress can cite the AFP in contempt.

On Saturday, AFP spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla Jr. denied the existence of a supposed military "hit list" against members of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives and claimed it is the handiwork of people who want to tarnish the armed forces' credibility.

"There is no truth to that said hit list whatsoever. If you will look at the sources, it can be learned that all of them are supportive of the NPA. It is apparent then that this is once again a clear attempt to discredit the AFP and continue on demonizing the organization mandated by law to act as protector of the people,” he said.

Padilla made the statement after former and incumbent progressive lawmakers asked the Supreme Court to issue writes of amparo and habeas data against alleged military and police harassment.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said the “hit list” they mentioned in the petition was attached to the criminal complaints allegedly filed by the military against supporters of Lumad evacuees who had fled their communities over the alleged abuses committed by the AFP.

“I'm not surprised at all [with what Col. Padilla said] because the AFP's talking heads can lie through and through even if they're already caught in flagrante,” he said.

In a separate text message, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares said he will have Padilla summoned during plenary debates on the Department of National Defense's proposed budget for 2016 so he could show proof of his claim on the lawmakers' alleged support for the NPA.

“He [Padilla] should show proof of his claim or publicly apologize. If not, then we would file a case against him before the Ombudsman for [violation of] Republic Act 3019 and misusing his office to cover up crimes,” the lawmaker said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/537631/news/nation/makabayan-solon-wants-afp-cited-in-contempt-for-alleged-red-baiting