Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas, Spokesperson
NDFP Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)
8 April 2017
The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas (NDF-EV) today hailed the advance of the peace talks as the GRP and NDFP concluded recent negotiations, but criticized the AFP and other security forces for suppressing a peace rally in Catbalogan City and causing the evacuation of hundreds from militarization in Samar province. “The NDF-EV is pleased the GRP-NDFP peace talks are moving toward finalizing agreements on socio-economic as well as political and constitutional reforms this year and planning a joint interim ceasefire,” said NDF-EV spokesperson Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas.
“We deplore, however, the suppression by military and police forces of the peace rally in Catbalogan last April 5 along with the evacuation of hundreds in Calbiga and Basey due to militarization by the 87th IB. These actions by the AFP and PNP show their niggardly regard for the peace process despite GRP President Duterte’s express desire to realize a final peace agreement.”
The NDF-EV spokesperson slammed the military and police for curtailing the democratic assembly of up to 5,000 people from throughout Samar province for peace and justice on the occasion of the United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific Conference. “Calbiga, Basey and other towns were heavily militarized by the 87th IB. There were also checkpoints by the military and police every 10 meters at all roads to Catbalogan as well as many other checkpoints within the city. The provincial capitol looked under siege as police vehicles patroled non-stop. Nevertheless, 700 people were still able to hold their protest to demand peace and justice.
“The rallyists condemned the city government for corruption and neglect toward calamity survivors and the urban poor. They also demanded a stop to the militarization of 11 villages in Calbiga as well as of Basey. They demanded justice over the extrajudicial killings by warlords Mayor Ronald Aquino of Calbayog City, Mayor Jojo Grey of San Jorge and the former mayor of Matuguinao.”
Fr. Salas said the issues the people aired were peace and justice issues. “While the GRP and NDFP negotiating panels meet, the people as shown in Catbalogan must also rally to study and highlight their basic issues and demand resolution of the root causes of the gerra sibil. The suppression of democratic assemblies for peace and justice and the attacks on civilian communities by GRP security forces are therefore unacceptable. Thus, we call GRP President Duterte to listen to the people and heed their clamor for socio-economic and political and constitutional reforms.”
In conclusion, Fr. Salas asserted the New People’s Army went on the offensive in the region in defense against the belligerent moves of the AFP. “The NDF-EV clarifies the recent offensives by NPA in the region are in active defense of the people against provocations and attacks by the AFP. The AFP itself has made public statements for pacification through surrenders and local peace talks, and occupy and harass communities they suspect of supporting the NPA.
“The NPA must be commended for the discipline and forbearance with which not a single offensive was launched in the region in observing their unilateral ceasefire from August 2016 to February 2017. In contrast, the AFP launched forward deployment of its forces in the same period, as well as declared Oplan Kapayapaan as the new “counterinsurgency” campaign and continued combat, intelligence and psywar operations in direct opposition to the peace process. Thus, the NPA will always be alert and ready for active defense against all enemies of the people.”
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