Thursday, Apr 25, 2013
Manila: From vaunted ideologies, the communist New People’s Army (NPA) has degenerated into a mere group of extortionists bilking politicians and businesses, the presidential palace said Wednesday.
“They may have ideologies before, but what have they turned to? They are now extorting money from the very people they profess to protect,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.
The palace spokesperson made the statement amid a noticeable increase in the number of attacks carried out by the NPA on civilian targets, mostly politicians on the campaign trail for the 2013 mid-term elections in May.
Recently, Mayor Ruthie Guingoona fell victim to an ambush carried out by the NPA. Although the 74-year-old retiring city chief executive survived the ambush with serious injuries, security personnel died in the attack.
President Benigno Aquino III had ordered the armed forces of the Philippines to set up roadblocks and capture the perpetrators of the attack. A marine battalion was ordered deployed in Misamis oriental to pursue the rebels. Likewise, he similarly asked local candidates to shun the demands of the NPA for campaign fees in exchange for allowing them entry to insurgent strongholds.
Prior to the attack on Ruthie, wife to former Vice-President Teofisto Guingona and mother to incumbent administration Liberal Party Senator TG Guingona, a convoy carrying opposition UNA candidate for senator, Jack Enrile was fired upon last March by the NPA in Compostella Valley, also in Mindanao.
Lacierda said that while the aspirations of the NPA in fighting for social justice may have a semblance of legitimacy before, its recent actions and means of struggle in achieving its objectives, show otherwise.
Asked if the NPA’s recent activities would draw strong response, Lacierda the government wants the members of the NPA to be part of the current developments.
“Whether or not there is ongoing peace talks, we are telling these people: It makes no sense for you to stay in the mountainside. It makes no sense for you to conduct ambushes,” he said.
“This government is committed to equitable progress; this government is committed to inclusive growth. And now is the best time for you to come down and be part of this campaign of making sure that you will be part [of] and share the progress that this country is experiencing,” he added.
The 45-year-old insurgency movement is increasingly resorting to harsh attacks against government and civilian targets in its desire to establish a Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-led state.
Earlier, civil society organisations from Mindanao urged the government and the CPP-NPA to arrive at a ceasefire agreement as more and more communities have been suffering from the brunt of armed clashes.
The government peace negotiations with the CPP/NPA had hit an impasse last year over the issue of release of political prisoners who are also facing criminal charges.
By Gilbert P. ?Felongco Correspondent
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
