Tuesday, March 3, 2020

NDF slams more troops in Negros

From the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 3, 2020): NDF slams more troops in Negros (By BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

The National Democratic Front and the Christians for National Liberation-Negros expressed vehement opposition to the deployment of more Army troops in Negros, to support the implementation of EO 70 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The group claimed that the sole motive of what they called state-sponsored military response is to heighten the atmosphere of fear in Negros island.


EO 70 seeks to institute a "whole of government" approach in addressing the communist insurgency, and the creation of a Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in every province.

“It is never ethical to use war as an instrument of peace,” NDF and CNL-Negros said in a joint statement, stressing also that President Rodrigo Duterte and the military want bloodshed more than peace.

Ka Juanito Magbanua, spokesman of the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command in Negros, issued a statement earlier criticizing the Task Force to End Local Armed Communist Conflict and disapproving of localized peace talks.


Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said that Magbanua needs enlightenment about ELCAC and localized peace talks, as his press statement showed ignorance about the real purpose of these peace efforts.

Vinoya added that Magbanua is unaware that his comrades, family, relatives, and even he, can benefit from these drives that aim to address the root-causes of insurgency.

Condemning and rejecting the drive for peace and progress of Negrenses is equivalent to hampering their fervent desire for peaceful and progressive communities, he also said.

The NDF and CNL-Negros, meanwhile, called on the provincial officials of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental to withdraw support for the total war approach of the Duterte administration, and not to endorse the ELCAC.

“As church people, we believe in social transformation as a way to achieve just peace, not in the name of a pseudo Martial Law,” CNL-Negros said.

Col. Inocencio Psaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said earlier that that the arrival of the 33rd DRC will help them in the conduct of focused military operations against the remaining NPA rebels in Negros, while the 14th CMOB is expected to boost the implementation of their Retooled Community Support Programs (RCSP) in conflict-affected areas.

Negros island is a priority area for clearing of armed local insurgents and dismantling of the existing four NPA guerilla fronts by the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/March/03/topstory7.htm

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