Power struggle rocks Reds: Army

From the Visyan Daily Star (Feb 27, 2020): Power struggle rocks Reds: Army  (BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Power struggle and corruption has rocked the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros and that led to its stagnation for almost a decade, Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said yesterday.

Pasaporte said Ka Juanito Magbanua, reportedly the commander of the KR-Negros Regional Operational Command, also known as the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command, is very much aware of the corruption issue in the disbursement of funds, and those behind it.

He also revealed the leadership crisis within the KR-Negros, that is opposing the entry of “outsiders” from Mindanao, into their organization, as he believes that the internal struggle will resonate in the whole organization.

On March 25 last year, KR-Negros secretary Frank Fernandez and his wife and deputy, Cleofe Lagtapon, were both arrested by government intelligence operatives in Laguna. This was also followed by the arrest of Abraham Villanueva, who is the secretary of the KR-Negros South West Front in Kabankalan City.
Pasaporte attributed to the recent developments in the stagnation of KR-Negros from 2010 up to this time, through the Retooled Community Support Program. He also expressed optimism about dismantling the existing NPA guerilla fronts in Negros Occidental, within their targeted time frame.

Magbanua had earlier slammed the allocation of the P87 million Peace and Order fund by the provincial government of Negros Occidental, claiming that it will be used for intelligence and special warfare operations.

He said that the people’s money is being used to militarize services of the local government, that is a civilian agency, to destroy the revolutionary movement.

With this purpose, instead of allotting the money for basic social services, it will only intensify widespread terror among the people, worsen human rights abuses, and add to the burdens of the broad masses of the people,” Magbanua said in a statement he issued.

Pasaporte said the CPP-NPA in Negros is bent on destroying the RCSP program, which is an effective tool of the government for ending the local armed conflict.

He also explained that the P87 million Peace and Order fund is not being earmarked for the implementation of the RCSP, that is spearheaded by the concerned local government units, but in support to the Enhanced—Comprehensive Local Integration Program for former rebels, who want to live normal lives.

Pasaporte also revealed the attempt of the NPA to regain their lost territories in northern Negros. But they were unsuccessful because their former supporters are now supporting the government, he said.

In the first district of northern Negros, the local government units of San Carlos, Calatrava, Toboso and Escalante had earlier declared the CPP-NPA as “persona non grata”.

Pasaporte, who supervises three Army battalions, said he has a sufficient number of troops to accomplish their peace and development campaign in Negros Occidental, with the help of the community, the local government units, and other sectors of society.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/February/27/topstory9.htm