Intelligence chief calls for vigilance, unity in exposing enemies of the state

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 6, 2020): Intelligence chief calls for vigilance, unity in exposing enemies of the state (By Jerome Carlo R. Paunan)

CALOOCAN CITY, Oct. 6 (PIA) -- The chief of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) is calling on the public to be vigilant and to stand united in exposing those undermining the development efforts of the government.

“Sa aking mga kababayan, magtulungan po tayo upang protektahan ang ating pamilya at mga anak laban sa panlilinlang at pang aabuso ng mga CPP-NPA-NDF Communist Terrorists,” NICA Director-General Alex Paul Monteagudo said, referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army-National Democratic Front, in a statement sent to the PIA-NCR by NICA-NCR Regional Director Rufino Mendoza on Monday.

“As the Director-General of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), it is my sworn duty to protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and the Filipino people from forces that seek to destroy our freedom and democratic way of life,” Monteagudo emphasized.

The intelligence chief said the antigovernment forces have been waging their "deceitful" protracted war for decades and this has to stop.

“Mahigit 51 taon na tayong pinagsasamantalahan ng grupong ito. Tama na! Itigil na natin ito!” he stressed.

“Let us not allow them to deceive us and murder our people for another 50 years and this is the reason why I am sharing to our people the truth about the Communist Terrorist Groups!” he added.

Monteagudo also countered the allegations hurled against him by some lawmakers.

“Last September 29, 2020, during the deliberation of the NICA budget, Congressmen Carlos Isagani Zarate and Sarah Jane Elago… composed of Bayan Muna, ACT Teachers, Gabriela, and Kabataan Party-lists, accused that my posts in my Facebook account are fake, implying that I am a purveyor of false information,” he narrated.

“I, therefore, categorically deny the said accusations! The reason why I share posts in my FB personal account is no different from all FB account holders. It is because I find the post inspiring or entertaining or informative,” he explained.

“Thus, I shared posts in my FB because I see them as artistic expressions of our people similar to the sentiments of former rebels, Indigenous Peoples (IPs) victims and parents who have finally gained the courage to stand up and reveal the truth about members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP),” he said.

“I am sharing the posts of the officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) because I believe that it is the duty of every Filipino to defend our Constitution, our democracy, and our people against groups such the CPP/NPA/NDF that seek to violently overthrow our duly constituted government,” he added.

“I am sharing posts in behalf of the many Indigenous Peoples (IPs) that the Communist Terrorists have exploited and murdered. More importantly, I am sharing their posts which calls for the protection of family and our children from exploitation and abuse of this Communist Terrorist Group by revealing their network in Congress… that has grieved the hearts of many parents who lost their children because they were recruited as NPAs and later left to die in a place away from the comfort of their homes and the love of their family,” he furthered.

To recall, the CPP-NPA, has been earlier declared a terrorist group by the Philippine government and included in the list of terrorist organizations by five other countries including the United States (US) and the European Union (EU).

“All members of the CPP pledge allegiance to the CPP flag and Constitution, the preamble of which, seeks the violent overthrow of the government and the establishment of a communist form of government by undermining our democratic institution,” Monteagudo revealed.

“For 51 years, the CPP-NPA-NDF has been deceiving our people and our children. Our best weapon against these lies and deceptions is the truth. But, who will reveal the truth if we are cowed and intimidated by these Congressmen? Sino ang magsasalita? Kung hindi tayo, sino? At kung hindi ngayon, kailan?” (PIA NCR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1055207