Wednesday, November 25, 2020

AFP scores ex-Bayan Muna solon for refusal to condemn Reds' acts

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 25, 2020): AFP scores ex-Bayan Muna solon for refusal to condemn Reds' acts (By Priam Nepomuceno)



AFP chief of staff, Gen. Gilbert Gapay. (File photo)

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Gen. Gilbert Gapay, on Tuesday scored former Bayan Muna Party-list representative Teddy Casiño for refusing to condemn the activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army -National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

"Casiño had one good chance to draw a line between his party-list and the CTG (communist terrorist group) and he missed it," Gapay said in a statement.

During Tuesday's Senate hearing on red-tagging, Casiño said the NPA members are "not enemies", justifying their atrocities as being "engaged in rebellion."

"Ginawa nila 'yon dahil hindi sila nasasapatan (They are doing that because they think something is not enough)," he added, despite Senator Panfilo Lacson’s reminder that the NPA rebels have killed government personnel and have engaged in extortion activities.

Under Senate Resolution 559, the defense sector was directed by the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation to shed light on the issue of red-tagging and red-baiting.

Former rebels and previous members of the CPP-NPA were presented by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) representatives to testify on the CPP-NPA’s use of legal organizations, such as Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students, and Kabataan Party-list, to recruit new members for the CTG.

“It is now clear how the CPP-NPA conspire to continue their unlawful acts and terrorist ways as exposed by the resource persons today. The organization’s exploitation of issues and idealism affecting the vulnerable sectors has to stop now,” Gapay said.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

“(The) CPP-NPA’s orchestrated attempts at public deception have been unmasked. As we continue to battle against these terrorists during armed conflicts, it is just as vital for us to prevent individuals, especially vulnerable sectors, from being misled by the CPP-NPA’s trickery,” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1122860

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