NPA condemns intensified militarization, warns AFP troops in Masbate

From the often pro-CPP Bicol Today (Nov 4): NPA condemns intensified militarization, warns AFP troops in Masbate

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) 47th founding anniversary. Photo by Edwin G. Espejo

 

Jose Rapsing Command (JRC), NPA-Masbate warns the military troops of the 9th ID PA assigned to Masbate 9th IB in Bicol region in its continuous military terrorism to the people and its response, ‘the NPA only has ceasefire, We, None!’ despite the declaration of GRP unilateral ceasefire, according to JRC spokesperson Luz Del Mar in a press statement condemning the current intensified militarization in the province.

 

In the midst of peace talks, Del Mar said that JRC forces remained in active defense and faithfully preserved its determination to defend the Masbateños against fascism of AFP, PNP and other armed groups in the province.

Militarization still exists

Since the latter part of 2014 until today, military attacks were intensified on former villages and towns in Ticao Island covered by CPDT-OPB last year and the first half of 2016. From October 12, 2016 to the present, AFP troops of Charlie Coy, 9IB PA led by 1Lt. Flores are wreaking havoc again in Ticao Island specifically in the town of Monreal in the villages of Rizal, Real, Cantorna, Togoron, Maglambong, Mac Arthur and Sto Niño.

AFP deployed the combined troops of the 31st IB PA – Alpha Coy, 9th IB PA and troops from the CMO Bn of 9^th ID PA based in Pili, Camarines Sur in the villages within the town of Dimasalang and Cawayan. Military operations in these areas began on October 6, 2015 and continues until today.

In the town of Dimasalang, military operations are focused in the villages of Mambog, Buenaflor and Cabanoyoan. In Cawayan, military operations are existing in the barangay Libertad, Cabungahan, Calapayan, Villa Hermosa, Tuburan and Madbad.

“These operations are covered by Community Peace and Development Team (CPDT) under Oplan Bayanihan (OPB). Through this, the Bayanihan Team Activities (BTA) of military are centered on espionage, violence and intimidation of villagers,” Del Mar said.

For nearly two weeks of stay and operations of the military in the villages, it created fear and unrest among residents. According to Del Mar, it resembles an existing martial law in this village since it removed the power of local officials and cut the people’s, mostly peasants, civil rights and the will to live with dignity.

On October 22, 2016, a civilian was illegally arrested, searched the house and planted a copy of revolutionary reading materials and seven M16 bullets to make it appear that the civilian is a NPA member. The victim was also forced to guide in combat operations and continuously investigated.
On the morning of October 24, the military conducted house to house and illegal searching in Sitio CTN, Bgy. Cabungahan and illegally arrested a young peasant.

These practices violate the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) previously signed by the GRP and the NDFP in 1998 and reaffirmed in the current ongoing peace talks between the two sides under the Duterte government.

Respect peace talks, recognize NDFP

According to Del Mar, AFP and PNP should respect the truth behind the peace talks and ceasefire.  Peace will not be attained if the causes of conflicts resulting from poverty, injustice and underdevelopment and no independence of the country will not be faced.

Del Mar added that GRP should rightfully recognize that NDFP has its own governance and governed citizens in territories covered by the various levels of the Provisional Revolutionary Government maintained by New People’s Army.

“Their continued presence and military operations under the guise of “Peace” and “Development” is clearly provocations and attacks on the territory of the People’s Government,” Del Mar said. “The scheme aims to destroy the growing ranks of the revolutionary people based on the design of Counter Insurgency Guide (2009) sanctioned by the US in different states around the world.”

“The revolutionary forces of Masbate truthfully respect the continuing peace talks under the Duterte government and adheres strictly to the Interim Unilateral Ceasefire based on the memo of the Central Committee of the CPP to allow opportunities for peaceful means of resolving the roots of the conflict of war and achieve a just and lasting peace, genuine development and free Filipino society,” Del Mar stated.

JRC-NPA-Masbate calls the Masbateños and the revolutionary forces to expose and combat fraudulent CPDT-Oplan Bayanihan. “Should exposed the blatant human rights violations it caused. Register a protest against the violent schemes and in gross violation of their own declaration of unilateral ceasefire. Assert the rights and civil liberties in the presence of national independence and sovereignty against US Army designed Oplan Bayanihan,” Del Mar stated.

http://bicoltoday.com/2016/11/04/npa-condemns-intensified-militarization-warns-afp-troops-in-masbate/