The Manila Times

SAMONTE Esperon inspires

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projects and 600 of these have already been approved.

“We expect that those barangay that have not yet submitted the necessary documents for endorsemen­t into the BDP will do so as soon as possible,” the task force vice chairman said.

“So you see that the funds being threatened to be removed by the senators are as food withdrawn from the poor’s mouths,” Esperon lamented. “Have a heart.”

Question now is: If the government is winning the fight against the communist terrorist rebellion through the Barangay Developmen­t Program, why are those 15 senators so keen about removing NTF-Elcac’s funds? It goes without saying that if they succeed in taking away those funds, the CPP-NPA gets to have a reprieve for what is getting to be now its evident imminent demise.

This is what should horrify us. For whom are those senators? For the government of which they are part or for the communist terrorists who for, to use General Parlade’s phraseolog­y, the longest time has wrought havoc, economic woes and a life of misery for Filipinos?

In a splendid display of military honor, General Parlade has proclaimed himself not indispensa­ble and expressed willingnes­s “to go if asked to leave.” That seems cue enough for his senator enemies to apply greater pressure upon those with authority to give what the legislator­s ask: Parlade’s head.

Would the NTF-Elcac vice chairman give up?

To Secretary Esperon’s credit, he himself chose to uphold the virtues of an upright superior. Against the terror of the senators, he held his

ground. There is no way to distract from the brilliant accomplish­ments of the general during his watch as NTF-Elcac spokesman. The legal fronts of the CPP-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front) have been totally exposed, resulting in a vital disruption of the rebels’ otherwise unchecked recruitmen­t of members as well as the flow of funds for their military operations.

For instance, through Parlade’s expose on the activities of Rural Missionari­es of the Philippine­s (RMP), the group has been finally uncovered as a conduit of funds from the internatio­nal supporters of the communist terrorist rebels. The Anti-Money Laundering Council has already ordered the freeze of the RMP assets and finances.

So, to the intransige­nt calls of senators to remove General Parlade as spokesman for the NTFElcac, Secretary Esperon issues his say: “Carry on, General Parlade.” Not only that, but he also designated six other NTF-Elcac spokesmen, so he gets enough assistance in carrying out his task and thereby make sure that he succeeds in his task after all, thus:

 ?? TMT FILE PHOTO ?? NTF-Elcac Vice Chairman Hermogenes Esperon Jr.
TMT FILE PHOTO NTF-Elcac Vice Chairman Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

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