Makabayan Bloc fails to prove its legitimacy

The Savage murder of Kieth and Nolven Absalon by the CPP-NPA in Masbate has generated again a negative public perception on the CPP-NPA, making it clear that their violence and terroristic acts are a serious threat to the Filipino people.

However, party-list organizations under the Makabayan Bloc have undeniably showed their reluctance to condemn the violence and even use it as leverage for peace negotiations. They said they are legitimate party-list organizations denying their involvement in the communist group, but why can’t they strongly condemn the CPP-NPA and demand justice for the murder of a young soul?

They failed to prove their legitimacy once more. They said red tagging is baseless, but they are too obvious that they cannot resist portraying their red side.

Makabayan Bloc should not use this violence as leverage for peace talks, because, rather than making peace, the CPP-NPA's response is a savage attack against unarmed and defenseless civilians. This made peace talks futile. Peace talks have been considered a priority agenda of the present and past administrations and in fact, 40 rounds of peace talks have been conducted since 1986, but it all failed, because of the lack of sincerity on the part of the CPP.

If the Makabayan Bloc truly value freedom and democracy, they must become the driving force of patriotism by actively showing that they are against communist terrorists. If they want to talk about peace and non-violence, why can’t they support the nation in convincing the communists to surrender and lay down their arms, so that we will achieve peace?

I hope that the death of the Absalons will serve as a wake-up call for the Filipinos. The election is near and as long as we vote for politicians or party-list organizations that support the Communist Terrorist Group, the insurgency problem will not end. As long as they are in power, they will serve as a shield for the CPP-NPA and help in their sustainability.

It is in our hands how we end this problem. Let us join the nation in its fight against communist terrorism. Let us demand that justice be served not only for the Absalons, but also for all the victims of violence by the terrorist CPP-NPA.

Erica T. Maniago

Concepcion, Tarlac