CTGs branded as thieves who rob children of their future

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 7, 2021): CTGs branded as thieves who rob children of their future (By Christine Cudis)

Presidential Communications Operations Office Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy (File photo)

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and other communist terrorist groups (CTGs) are thieves of children, making the Philippines a "valley of tears for mothers who have lost their children at such tender ages with so much promises unfulfilled".

Thus, said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy as she joined the mourning over the death of promising 21-year-old football player Kieth Absalon and his cousin after an anti-personnel mine (APM) planted by the New People's Army (NPA) exploded while the victims and their companions were biking in Purok 4, Barangay Anas, Masbate on Sunday.

“Kieth Absalon was a gifted athlete who had such a bright future ahead of him. And yet he is no more. The precious gift of life stolen from him by these violent extremists headed by the monster in Utrecht, powerfully enabled by his serfs in Congress, the Kamatayan Bloc, which romantically call the terrorism, the pain, and suffering they wreak on the Filipino people the National Democratic Revolution," Badoy said in a statement on Monday.

Nolven Absalon, 40, also died while his 16-year-old son, Chrisbin Daniel, sustained injuries.

"A seemingly harmless activity — biking — had cost Kieth and his 40-year-old uncle their very lives. Kieth’s 16-year-old cousin bore major injuries that may cause permanent deformities and disabilities," she added.

The Bicol police immediately conducted checkpoints to survey the area.

A recent attack by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the province also killed a passing motorist.

On March 28, 2021, 64-year-old Benhur Almodal, a retired soldier, was ambushed by insurgents in Sitio Tubod, Barangay Jamorawon while on his motorcycle on his way home to Milagros town, according to Maj. Malu Calubaquib, Police Regional Office 5 spokesperson.

Challenge

Badoy, also the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson, urged the Commission on Human Rights to join hands with them in seeking justice for lives claimed by NPA terrorists.

"Join us in the expression of this outrage and the ending of this tragic chapter in our country’s history by ending what must be ended — the life of this terrorist organization, CPP-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front), that has brought nothing but pain and suffering to our people," she said.

She also challenged organizations that support the initiatives of CPP-NPA and their leaders who also "ironically identify themselves as human rights defenders” to "finally redeem themselves by doing what every human being ought to be doing — stand with us in our grief and rage".

Badoy cited Karapatan, NUPL, NUJP, NUSP, CEGP, Kabataan, Bayan Muna, ACT, Gabriela, IBon, and Save Our Schools Network.

She named Carlos Zarate, Eufemia Cullamat, Arlene Brosas, France Castro, Ferdinand Gaite, and Sarah Elago and asked them to condemn the "blatant violation of human rights and the International Humanitarian Laws that ended the young life of Kieth Absalon".

"Or will they, once again, meet our challenge with a deafening silence or an endless stream of obfuscation that can only mean one thing — that this reign of terror will continue and that there will be more mothers who will be cradling the dead bodies of their children?" Badoy stated.

Absalon was the University Athletic Association of the Philippines juniors Most Valuable Player in 2016 when he led Far Eastern University to the title.

He has also played for the Philippine Youth team.

APM ban

The international community adopted the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention prohibiting the acquisition, production, stockpiling, and use of the weapons.

More than 160 states are party to the APM ban convention that went into effect in 1999.

APM is prohibited under international humanitarian law.

Even if it is “command detonated” as alleged CPP information officer Marco Valbuena always justifies, APM kills and can kill civilian non-combatants, according to authorities.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1142803