DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 01 Feb) - The National Democratic Front accused Manila on Thursday of militarization after authorities designated many areas in the southern Philippines as election “hot spots”.
The NDF fears of widespread violations of human rights and harassment of civil and militant groups opposed to President Gloria Arroyo’s rule.
Rubi del Mundo, NDF spokesman for Southern Mindanao, said police and military authorities tagged the towns and cities of Bansalan, Digos, Don Marcelino, Hagonoy, Jose Abad Santos, Kiblawan, Magsaysay, Malalag, Malita, Matanao, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Maria and Sulop in Davao del Sur province as election hot spots.
And also Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella and Talaingod in Davao del Norte, Laak, Monkayo, New Bataan and Pantukan in Compostela Valley, and Banaybanay, Cateel and Lupon in Davao Oriental provinces.
“The NDF-Southern Mindanao maintains that this is only part and parcel of the plan of the Arroyo government of ensuring the victory of its national and local candidates and puppets in the upcoming elections by pinning down its vocal critics including the opposition and progressive party-lists,” Del Mundo said.
Del Mundo said government militias and soldiers harassed and killed members of militant groups every ime elections were held. Most of those killed were political activists opposed to Arroyo’s rule.
During the May 2004 Presidential and National elections, Del Mundo said at least 36 people had been killed in Mindanao, especially in “hot spot” areas where security forces were deployed.
Hundreds of political activists and members of progressive and militant groups and journalists had been killed since Arroyo was catapulted into power in 2001. Most of the killings were allegedly perpetrated by soldiers and hired assassins.
The NDF is the political wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines, whose armed group, the New People’s Army is fighting the past three decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country.
Peace talks between the government and rebels collapsed in 2004 after the United States, on Manila’s prodding, tagged the CPP-NDF and the NPA as foreign terrorist organizations and froze its assets abroad. (Mindanao Examiner)
1 comment:
It is strange how the NPA flourishes on the south. The seventy percent of the military are in the south. Plus, NPA have to compete with MILF, ASG, and JI.
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