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Friday, January 07, 2005
Rebels open to Emano's dialogue offer
THE Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF) Northern Mindanao chapter said they are open to the dialogue offer proposed Monday by Mayor Vicente Emano.
CPP-NDF Northern Mindanao spokesperson Jorge "Ka Oris" Madlos issued the confirmation following a joint interview with the mayor at dxIF Bombo Radyo.
This development came even as both the rebel group and the military exchanged anew accusations over alleged violations of its respective ceasefires last month.
During the radio interview Madlos said even the mayor's political opponents are welcome to join the proposed dialogue.
It had yet to be verified though whether the dialogue would be similar to the one hold over the radio in 2003. The on-air activity was suspended owing to what Emano said were criticisms from political opponents.
Madlos voiced his appreciation over the dialogue offer to be done on the local level.
Emano who used to negotiate with rebels during his tenure as Misamis Oriental governor reiterated that local initiatives should be undertaken to achieve peace in the provinces of Mindanao.
In a press statement Madlos said they upheld the 10-day unilateral ceasefire they declared last Dec. 23, which ended last Sunday, Jan. 1.
Shot
In contrast he alleged that the government declared ceasefire, which began last Dec. 16, and ends on Jan. 6 was marked with military assaults on their units.
They cited as examples an operation allegedly initiated by the 5th Scout Ranger at sitio Palompon, Barangay San Isidro, Marihatag, Surigao Sur which occurred at 4:30 p.m. last Dec. 16.
Madlos said their NPA snipers were forced to respond and the encounter resulted in the deaths of two Scout Rangers.
He also alleged that from Dec. 16 to Dec. 18 last year the 30th Infantry Battalion (30th IB), 58th IB and 23rd IB held war games in Simbalan, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte and then followed it with meetings afterwards.
He also recounted that in Balit, San Luis, Agusan del Sur the troops led by Col. Jhonny Macanas have allegedly forced themselves into one community despite its protests.
Madlos claimed that last Dec. 25 a certain Teofilo Laguada was shot by a suspected military asset named Leviboy Edul in Kalabat, Josefina, Zamboanga del Sur.
"Sukad pa kaniadto tuig nahimo nang kinaiya nga dili hingpit matuman sa mga pwersa AFP-PNP-Cafgu ang ilang deklarasyon sa ceasefire (Even in years past the AFP-PNP-Cafgu had not kept true to their declared ceasefire)," he said.
Extortion
In response Col. Francisco Simbajon of the Fourth Infantry Division's (4th ID) Civil Relations Group dismissed the charges saying that the military did not force its presence in communities it had been assigned to.
Simbajon also denied they had initiated encounters with the rebels even as he castigated the NPA local chapters for its continued forcible collection from the communities where they are operating.
"These forcible collections they describe as 'revolutionary taxation' but which we call extortion because if the people they collect refuse to pay they burn equipment and other belongings," Simbajon said in Visayan.
Madlos earlier denied they are extorting from the communities they are covering by saying that they eat only vegetables and dried fish while in the field.
He added that they can only eat sumptuous food during special events like Christmas when the people offer it to them.
On the other hand Col. Simbajon explained that because of the rebels the communities, which are being served by the military are being turned against them.
"They did that to Col. Macanas...that's why it's good to revive the Anti-Subversion Law," he told dxIF Bombo Radyo.
Madlos confirmed that they would initiate more attacks for this year while both the military and the PNP-10 said they are anticipating these offensives.(Stephen Capillas)
(January 4, 2005 issue)
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