NDF: Arrest and detention of Eduardo “Ka Lando” Genelsa — the AFP’s act of sabotage of the upcoming peace talks

Propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Jul 2): Arrest and detention of Eduardo “Ka Lando” Genelsa — the AFP’s act of sabotage of the upcoming peace talks  

National Democratic Front of the Philippines
Southern Mindanao Region
Press Statement
July 2, 2016

The National Democratic Front-Southern Mindanao condemns the AFP’s arrest and detention of NPA Commander Eduardo “KaLando” Genelsa. A combined force of the 10th Infantry Division, the 46th IB, the PNP and operatives of the ISAFP arrested Ka Lando in Sityo Sangi, Brgy. Bongabong, Pantukan, Compostela Valley on the morning of  29 June 2016,  a day before Pres. Duterte was to take oath of office, and barely three weeks before the formal resumption of the peace talks between the NDFP and the GPH.

Ka Lando, a sickly 60-year old revolutionary and well-loved cadre of more than 3 decades of serving the people, was tasked to conduct consultation with the masses on the peace process.  He was in a known NDF territory in Pantukan town specifically to unite the mass base on the upcoming peace talks, and on the proper conduct of our people’s democratic government and revolutionary forces when the proposed ceasefire agreement takes effect. In conjunction with the preparations for the ceasefire, he was thus acting on a special function and was defenseless against the combined force of the enemy when they swooped on him on that day.

Furthermore, Ka Lando has been tasked to conduct investigation of certain druglord operations in the vicinities as per instruction by the NPA higher command in line with the revolutionary movement’s parallel efforts against druglords, and criminal syndicates operating in collusion with some AFP units and officials in the area.

As a dedicated comrade who has been guiding and leading the people’s democratic government, he was also in the area to look into peoples’ complaints against the US – owned mining corporation St Augustine Gold & Copper Ltd. which has been encroaching into the small-scale mining and peasant areas of Pantukan.

Ka Lando’s arrest and detention is an attempt by the AFP to sabotage President Duterte and the revolutionary movement’s mutual efforts towards the peace process.  It is a reprehensible, premeditated act designed to preempt the peace negotiations that clearly exposes the innate warmongering character of the AFP which continues to kowtow the AFP-US Aquino’s fascist Oplan Bayanihan.

We condemn in the highest possible terms the AFP’s continuing militarization of practically all guerilla fronts of Southern Mindanao, the extrajudicial killing of four civilians including a Lumad Datu, the torture and summary killing of two NPA hors de combat, the arrest and illegal detention of 17 more hapless civilians, and issuance of trumped up charges against leaders of progressive organizations — all of which happened amidst the efforts of the Duterte administration, the NDFP, and the Filipino people to resume the long-derailed peace negotiations.

The NDF-Southern Mindanao seriously raises these issues and demands concrete and immediate action from the Duterte government.  We demand the unconditional and immediate release of Ka Lando, and the cessation of military operations, and atrocities against the people.

(Sgd.) Rubi del Mundo
Spokesperson
NDF-Southern Mindanao Region

http://www.ndfp.org/arrest-detention-eduardo-ka-lando-genelsa-afps-act-sabotage-upcoming-peace-talks/