NPA-NEGROS ISLAND
APOLINARIO GATMAITAN COMMAND
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY
SEPTEMBER 12, 2019
The surrender of firearms of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Bongcayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) to the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID) last September 8 is nothing but a farce. The truth of the matter is this: the RPA-ABB has long been co-opted by the reactionary regime and is being used by Duterte’s minions to glamorize their futile efforts to end the Philippine Revolution.
The RPA-ABB already signed a peace pact with the Estrada government in 2000. In January 2002, the Arroyo administration recognized them as a paramilitary unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). In March 2010, the Joint Enforcement and Monitoring Committee (JEMC) with the Tabara-Paduano Group adopted a Strategic Action Plan which defined the concrete activities and all deliverables of the Peace Agreement which included the provision on disposition of firearms and forces. The succeeding Aquino administration set aside P100M for socio-economic projects for the group. And now, the Duterte regime alloted P500M for the transition plan which includes social protection programs, livelihood and employment assistance and such. Even more comical is that the RPA-ABB allegedly surrendered their firearms in exchange for government-issued ones as soon as they complete the 45-day candidacy training of the Community Defense Unit.
Theirs is not an example of a successful implementation of localized peace engagement but a perfect example of capitulation and collaboration. The entry of RPA-ABB leader and Abang Lingkod Partylist Representative Stephen “Carapali” Paduano into mainstream politics is proof that they are coddled by landlords in Negros. The huge amount of funds allocated by the reactionary government is up for corruption especially by the top ranks in the AFP and PNP and government officials.
There is nothing revolutionary with the RPA-ABB. They are nothing but renegades turned bandits and armed mercenaries involved in heinous crimes and other anti-people activities. As paramilitary of the AFP, they are further emboldened to commit unbridled abuses. It is public knowledge that they are behind several atrocities in Negros. The brutal massacre of 9 farmers in Sagay last October 2018 was their handiwork. They serve as private goons of big, despotic landlords and businessmen in grabbing vast tracts of lands from peasants. They have a long history of harassment and killings of innocent civilians and progressive militant leaders not only in Negros but also in other areas where they operate. They have become a willing machinery of the reactionary state for “counter-insurgency” and extra-judicial killings.
The people can easily unmask this charade. What the RPA-ABB deserves is disbandment and condemnation. They must be made to answer to their crimes against the people.###
https://cpp.ph/statement/rpa-abb-perfect-example-of-capitulation-and-collaboration-must-be-disbanded-and-condemned/
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