THE Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police vehemently denied they are behind the circulation of “CNN personalities” posters in various areas in Moises Padilla town.
However, the alert against the 62 supposed insurgents included a councilor, a lawyer, and activists.
Among those included in the poster were Escalante City Councilor Bernardino Patigas, former secretary-general of Northern Negros Alliance of Human Rights Advocates; and National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers-Negros secretary-general Benjamin Ramos, who had worked with peasant and human rights groups.
Also included are leaders of militant groups.
They are Bayan-Negros chairperson and National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) secretary-general Christian Tuayon, Karapatan-Negros secretary-general Clarizza Singson, Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura secretary-general John Lozande, Juluis Dagatan, Ronald Evidente, Ma. Rina Amacio, Rogina Quilop, Lary Ocena and Anecita Rojo.
At the top of the poster, it said: “CNN PERSONALITIES, if seen in the area, please text 09099191720.”
CNN refers to the acronym Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), which is being used by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Brigadier General Eliezer Losañes, commanding officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Murcia town, and Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, reiterated they have nothing to do with it.
Losañes said he will order an investigation about the poster while Castil said those who spread the poster is irresponsible.
The provincial police director stressed he does not know where the poster came from.
Like the public, we want answers if who were behind these posters.
It is unfortunate that in this government, those who have a dissenting opinion will be tagged as a security threat or worse a terrorist.
We want a healthy government, meaning the opposition can be heard and not crucified.