Panelo backs ‘probability’ Reds taking advantage of pantries

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 21, 2021): Panelo backs ‘probability’ Reds taking advantage of pantries

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Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Wednesday said the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) should be allowed to do its mandate, citing “probability” that communist terrorist groups (CTGs) may use community pantries to raise funds for their operations in the country.

This, after acknowledging concerns raised by the NTF-ELCAC that community pantries may be used by groups linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

“Hayaan niyo na. ‘Yun naman ang trabaho nila para suriin. Kasi meron naman talagang probilidad na magagamit ng mga komunista ito (Just let them be. It’s their job to look into this. There is really a probability that they may be used by communists),” Panelo said in his online commentary show “Counterpoint.”

He, however, allayed fears over the safety of community pantry organizers, saying only those who are actually part of leftist groups should fear for their safety.

“Pagdating naman ho sa red-tagging, yung kanilang profiling, huwag niyo na ho alalahanin ‘yan. Kasi kung kayo naman, yung mga nag-organize… e talagang wala naman kayong dapat na ipangamba na kayo’y miyembro ng ganito o ganyan. Tuloy niyo lang ‘yan. Maganda ho ‘yan (When it comes to red-tagging or profiling, don’t worry about it. Because you have nothing to fear if you’re not a member of this or that. Just continue. That’s a good initiative),” he added.

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

Permit not needed

Panelo added that organizers need not to apply for permit before putting up community pantries to help those in need of food and other essentials amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier said it is up to barangay officials to determine whether to impose permit requirements for community pantry organizers.

He said it is enough for organizers to give their local officials a head’s up about their plans so that they could be assisted in terms of implementing minimum health and safety standards.

“Yung mga permit-permit, hindi naman kailangan ng permit. Actually, ang kailangan lang diyan, siguro ipaalam mo lang para alam ng munispyo at ng city hall na ikaw ay nandiyan, eto yung gagawin mo at padalhan ka ng mga tutulong sa iyo upang mapanatili yung kaayusan (Permits are not necessary. Actually, all you need is to inform your municipality or city hall about what you’re doing so they can send help in maintaining order),” he said in his online commentary show “Counterpoint.”

DILG Undersecretary Martin Diño earlier asserted the need for a permit before setting up community pantries to prevent overcrowding.

DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya later clarified that barangays should not compel organizers to apply for permits.

Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte wants officials of the NTF-ELCAC to refrain from impeding efforts being carried out by organizers of community pantries.

‘Christian-like’

Panelo said the government encourages setting up community pantries, noting that Filipinos are naturally helpful.

He said that showing love and concern for fellow Filipinos is the “essence of being a Christian.”

“Kung kayo ay Kristiyano, ‘yun ang esensya ng pagkaka-Kristiyano niyo, magiging mapagmahal at mapagmalasakit kayo sa inyong kapwa. Di ba sabi ni Kristo (If you are a Christian, that is the essence of being a Christian, being loving and having concern for others. Didn’t Christ say), what you do to the least of your brothers or sisters, you do unto me,” he said.

Community pantries have sprouted across the country amid the government’s ongoing distribution of assistance to 22.9 million low-income individuals or families affected by the two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed in the National Capital Region Plus (NCR plus) area from March 29 to April 11 to contain surge of Covid-19 cases.

A total of PHP23 billion was allotted as aid for residents of NCR Plus area composed of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.

Each qualified resident may receive cash or in-kind assistance of PHP1,000 each or up to a maximum of PHP4,000 for a family.

The DILG earlier announced that the aid distribution has been extended to May 15 to provide local officials enough time to rollout aid utilizing different schemes such as house-to-house distribution, automated financial system, or designated public distribution points.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137561