Bayan opposes terrorist tag for NPA

CEBU, Philippines — Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan is protesting President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to declare the New People’s Army along its front organizations as terrorists.

Jaime Paglinawan, chairman of Bayan-Central Visayas, said they have long been tagged as underground supporters of the NPA. He said they will oppose the declaration of the NPA as terrorist group because it is the president’s strategy to condition the public towards a revolutionary government.

“Sa among bahin amo gyud nababagan og batukan ang iyang pronouncement kay padulong lagina iyang plano nga magtukod og revolutionary government, dictatorial na iya padulngan ana. Sa among pagtan-aw iya na gikondisyon ang panghuna-huna sa katawhan,” Paglinawan said.

Paglinawan said Duterte allowed himself to be manipulated by international counterparts who were here recently during the ASEAN Summit.To express their indignation, several cause-oriented groups composed of farmers and drivers will stage a protest rally on November 30.

Although Bayan had been identified by the military as one of the front organizations of the NPA, the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command is not going after its leaders unless there is an order from the higher headquarters.

Lt. Col. Medel Aguilar, CentCom spokesperson, said now is the opportune time for Bayan to come out clean.

“It’s time for them to come clean and say that they are not in anyway, supportive of the NPA,”  Medel said on Bayan’s pronouncement that it will oppose the labeling of NPA as terrorist.

Aguilar urged the NPA rebels to fight for their ideologies in a peaceful manner and surrender their firearms to avoid civilians from being collateral damage.

“Huwag gawin sa mga kapwa Pilipino, if they have the ideology to promote do it in a legal way. They should not in any way promote arm struggle. Let democracy flourish but walang gamitan ng armas. We cannot allow that to happen because there can only be one armed forces of the Philippines,” Aguilar said.

He urged the rebels to lay down their arms and take advantage of the livelihood programs of the government.

Aguilar said steps have been done in anticipation of NPA offensives following the president’s pronouncement over the weekend. He said Negros Oriental is considered a hot spot of the rebel movement in Central Visayas.

He said they are undertaking target-hardening measures through the collaboration of the civilian law enforcement units and the local government.

“Target hardening in the community, yung pakikipag-interaction sa local government unit ay tuloy-tuloy, hardening may include terrorism, drugs and even natural disaster. As to what they will do, every action they will do may naka-attach na political statement,” Aguilar said.

Duterte announced Saturday his plan to declare the NPA as terrorist group. The NPA was already labeled terrorist by the United States since August 9, 2002. (FREEMAN)