AFP to CPP fronts: Prove documents wrong

Do not blame government for the red tag.

This was the message of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations Major General Antonio Parlade Jr. to human rights group Karapatan

In a statement, Parlade said Karapatan has always been a red or supporter of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) by the way they respond to

situations.

"Your name is all over the RED websites. Joma's face turns red, every time we mention the CPP revolutionary websites, the ILPS (International League of Peoples’ Struggle) websites, the ILPS of which Joma is also Chair. It’s because he feels guilty for dragging you into this RED network. Unfortunately he cannot take it off the web, as your red finger prints are all over already, every time there is a captured CPP-NPA, every time a red child warrior is captured. So did we red-tag you?" Parlade said.

Parlade, in the same statement, said their challenge against Karapatan and other groups that are said to be affiliated with the CPP and ILPS, stays.

He also encouraged Karapatan to prove them wrong with the documents they have presented which they have been trying to destroy all these years

with their fake advocacy and not to bring the matter to the United Nations which they have deceived allegedly with their fake reports.

"Do you know that they were unable to explain the 27,000 killed ‘allegedly’ from police drug war?," Parlade said.

"By the way that figure of killed in EJK (extra judicial killing) was already raised by Joma to 30,000 in a span of one month, since we went to UN to ask where those killings happened so the government can respond. Can anybody explain where the additional 3,000 were killed in the past 30 days?"

"What about EU and Belgium which you have duped, again with your fake reports of Bakwit and IP killings, in order to ask them for donations through the Rural Missionaries, Solidagro, Viva Salud, Kiyo, and many more foreign NGOs. Same foreign NGOs support Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Alcadev (Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development) communist school, Salugpungan school for Child Warriors, Gabriela, Anakpawis etc. So what's the common denominator here? If they all celebrate the CPP NPA anniversary in the streets and temporary rebel resting places, what should we call you? Pink Panthers?," he said.

Parlade also urged Karapatan, Ibon and the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) to all face the challenge and not hide under the robes.

"And please remember, the government are the real Human Rights defenders. We will protect you should you decide to come out, as we have always protected you, even as you accuse us of threatening activists. Many of your colleagues have already spoken against you. None of you were harassed, unless you believe your lies again," Parlade said.

"Just take the challenge. Don’t evade the gov't by bringing the matter abroad to justify your actions to your donors who are about to cancel your funding," he added.

Four abducted

Meanwhile, suspected communist rebels abducted four supporters of a mayoralty candidate after the latter refused to pay permit-to-campaign fees in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro.

Police Lt. Col. Socrates Faltado, spokesperson of Mimaropa (Mindoro Occidental and Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) regional police identified the victims as Barangay Chairman Peter delos Santos of Malo, Bansud town and militiamen Raymund Malupa, Ricky Capillo and Louie Mebdinille.

“Accordingly, Barangay Chairman delos Santos is a known supporter of the incumbent and re-electionist Mayor Angel Saulong,” said Faltado.

The four victims were travelling together when they were intercepted at about 7 a.m. yesterday by at least 10 armed men clad in fatigues believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in the area

They were brought deep in the forests of Mindoro province and are now the subject of rescue operations by the police and the military.

Faltado said Mayor Saulong received a text message on April 4 demanding payment for access to campaign in NPA ‘area’ and threatened with harm if they ignored the demand.

Authorities said the rebels are demanding campaign fees ranging from P20,000 for town and city councilors bets to P250,000 for congressional and gubernatorial bets.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier disclosed that there are scores of local candidates, including incumbent officials, who are in cahoots with communist rebels.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año earlier warned that local candidates found paying permit-to-campaign fees will face administrative and criminal charges.

The DILG also warned barangay officials to be apolitical in the coming midterm elections. (With a report from Aaron B. Recuenco)