Reds call RPAs henchmen of AFP

From the Visayan Daily Star (Nov 22, 2019): Reds call RPAs henchmen of AFP

The Apolinario Gatmaitan Comand of the New People’s Army belittled the joining of 266 former combatants of the defunct Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade with the Armed Forces of the Philippines as members of its Community Defense Unit (CDU).

Ka Juanito Magbanua, spokesperson of the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, claimed that the RPA-ABB he called a criminal and mercenary group, has long betrayed the people and cooperated with the government.

Magbanua claimed that President Rodrigo Duterte has been using them as a trophy of the localized peace talks against the revolutionary movement.

He further alleged that the RPA-ABB has been used as goons, blue guards of landowners, and as apparatus for killings, as well as auxiliary forces of the Philippine National Police.

The 266 CDU members completed a 45-day basic military training on Nov. 5 at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.

They have been tasked to secure their respective Peace and Development Community sites in Negros and Panay islands.

Capt. Cenon Pancito, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, said the 266 CDU members form part of the 727 decommissioned RPA-ABB members, who were profiled by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process.

Pancito added that the former RPA-ABB fighters have been equipped with government- issued high-powered firearms, following the surrender of their guns and explosives, as part of the decommissioning process.

Some of the former rebels were also employed as forest rangers by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, tasked to protect the remaining forest cover of Negros Island.

Magbanua claimed, in a statement, that the weakening AFP and PNP troops in the wake of the guerrilla warfare launched by the New People's Army (NPA) is the reason why the RPA-ABB and the 254 newly recruited soldiers are being trained to become bait for the counter-revolutionary campaign.

The AFP can fool the RPA-ABB but never the NPA, Magbanua said, adding that the Red fighters will not exchange the people they fully and wholeheartedly serve.

He added that the NPA will not surrender its armed strength for the awards and medals of AFP and PNP officials.

Magbanua emphasized that the NPA will not turn their backs on the sustained operations in Negros Island, stressing also that there will be no peace and justice, without a just war.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/November/22/topstory7.htm