MILITANT coalition Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan) criticized Tuesday the Army's 1003rd Infantry Brigade chief Eduardo del Rosario for calling the coalition "the legitimate front" of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA).

Makabayan regional coordinator Ariel Casilao on Monday echoed several Makabayan leaders in calling del Rosario "a liar of baseless accusations."

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This developed after del Rosario on Thursday released statements against Makabayan.

The coalition held a press conference following Monday's press briefing in their office at RGU Apartment, Medical Drive, Bajada.

"Una, ang iyahang mga gipasangil sa iyahang press statement nga ang Makabayan kay legal front sa CPP-NPA mao nang dili mi dapat botohon sa mga tao, electioneering na siya (First, what he said in his press statement that Makabayan is the legal front of the CPP-NPA that why the people should not vote for us, that's electioneering)," Casilao said.

"You're a person of position and you speak to the disadvantage of a political party, electioneering gyud na (that's electioneering)," Casilao said.

"Ang ikaduha, nga korakot daw ang mga liders sa koalisyon, nga ang among mga funds ginapalit ug mga baril sa mga rebelde bakak na siya. Actually, ang mga liders namo consistent na sila naa sa poorest congressmen and women. (Second, that the leaders of the coalition are corrupt, that our funds are used to buy arms for the rebels, that is a lie. Actually, our leaders are consistently included in the poorest congressman and women)," Casilao said.

"Ug since 2005 pa, after nipirma ang Makabayan para sa pag-impeach kang Arroyo, (And since 2005, after Makabayan signed for the impeachment of Arroyo) wala na mi nakadawat ug PDAF (we have not received Priority Development Assistance Fund)," Casilao said.

"Ikatulo, nga wala daw mi mga ginabuhat kundi nagtambayayong lang sa mga NPA (Third, that we do not do anything other than engaging with the NPA) when in truth, kung tanawon, naay mga bills ang Anakpawis, and Bayan Muna, pero kadaghanan ana wala ginapirmahan, ginabasura ra (if we look at it, Anakpawis has bills, Bayan Muna too, but most of these are not signed, these are scrapped)," Casilao said.

In Thursday's press conference, del Rosario said his information drive against progressive groups is not electioneering as he is just telling the truth.

Del Rosario said the launching of the Makabayan political party led by Bayan Muna Representative and senatoriable Satur Ocampo is one move of the CPP-NDF in achieving its plans for the 2010 elections.

The military said Makabayan will coalesce forces with existing political parties while strengthening its party-list groups for more seats to increase influence in law-making to fast track its strategic goals.

Makabayan will also be endorsing a presidential candidate and field three senatorial candidates next year, del Rosario said.

Casilao said they are planning to file complaints against del Rosario before the Commission on Elections and the Commission on Human Rights.

Apart from Casilao, Makabayan was also represented by the local heads of coalition affiliates, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women's Party, and Kabataan. (JCZ)