CPP/NDF-EV: NDF-EV supports 5,000-strong rally for peace and justice in Catbalogan, Samar

NDF-EV propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Apr 5): NDF-EV supports 5,000-strong rally for peace and justice in Catbalogan, Samar

Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas, Spokesperson
NDFP Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)

5 April 2017

The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas (NDF-EV) today expressed support for the April 4 multisectoral rally for peace and justice in Catbalogan City, Samar of up to 5,000 people as the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and National Democratic Front of the Philippines resume peace negotiations abroad in The Netherlands.

“We whole-heartedly support the various sectors in Samar province who expressed their grievances last April 4 at an international conference attended by the regional mayors’ league and in time with the resumption of the GRP-NDFP peace talks,” said NDF-EV spokesperson Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas.

“These peace advocates who came from various towns — Basey, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, Catbalogan, Calbayog and others — are calamity survivors and victims of human rights violations, including those of the Duterte government’s anti-drug war. They decry their sufferings and demand basic social, economic and political reforms from GRP President Rodrido Duterte.”

Fr. Salas said that the peace rallyists hail from various sectors but are united on peace and justice issues. “These are Typhoon Ruby calamity survivors led by People Surge who have filed corruption charges against Catbalogan Mayor Stephanie Tan, who borrowed funds for relief and rehab, yet the survivors are still languishing in temporary shelters. These are victims of the 87th IB’s militarization from Basey, Calbiga and Pinabacdao. Meanwhile, these are also victims of savage political killings by goons of mayors in San Jorge and Calbayog City, as well as victims of the Duterte government’s ruthless anti-drug war.”

The NDF-EV spokesperson added that the various demands of the people stress the urgency for agreements on socio-economic reforms as well as political and constitutional reforms that the NDFP and GRP will be working on in the peace talks. “The people of Samar are calling on GRP President Duterte to turn his talk into action towards forging and implementing beneficial agreements between the GRP and and the NDFP. They are urging genuine reconstruction for calamity survivors by ensuring decent housing, social services, land reform and national industrialization. They are urging observance of the CARHRIHL and the punishment of human rights violators. They are urging the dismantling of private armies and the ending of political dynasties and warlordism.”

Fr. Salas challenged the people to press their demands for a just and lasting peace through a surging democratic mass movement. “In three decades of observing peace negtiations between the GRP and the NDFP, it is plain to the people that peace will not be served on a silver platter. The question of peace is in the hands of the people because they will have to struggle for it by insisting on national sovereignty, land reform, national industrialization, basic social services and other fundamental changes.”

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170405-ndf-ev-supports-5000-strong-rally-for-peace-and-justice-in-catbalogan-samar