MISAMIS ORIENTAL (Mindanao Examiner / 28 Mar) – The communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on Wednesday made fresh calls to topple the government as the outlawed group celebrated its 38th anniversary.
The rebels also accused the government as behind the spate of killings of political activists and members of progressive groups opposed to President Gloria Arroyo’s rule as part of the so-called “Oplan Bantay Laya.”
The Oplan Bantay Laya is the anti-insurgency campaign plan of the Philippine military.
“It is true that Oplan Bantay Laya II is more vicious compared to the previous one (Oplan Bantay Laya 1). Its vicious attacks against the NPA and the struggling people are implemented not only in the countryside, but also in key cities and towns,” Jorge Madlos, whose nom de guerre is Ka Oris, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
“Included in the OBL II are death squads that wantonly and extensively murder progressive activists, journalists, priests, lawyers, human rights workers and others who oppose this rotten regime,” he said.
The NPA has at least 130 fronts across the country. In Mindanao alone, the NPA is operating in 208 towns and cities and 19 provinces. (Mindanao Examiner)
1 comment:
We should give the military and police the benefit of the doubt until the proper judicial process is done. First and foremost, this country is highly a Christian and Roman Catholic country. Extrajudicial Killings is a heinous and grievous crime. It is the work of people with sick, demented, or criminal minds. It does not matter how you look in different angles. What will they benefit? What will they get in return? What is there to gain? There may be activists against the government, but it is not enough to drive someone to do extrajudicial killings. It does not fit the profile. It just does not make sense.
When you look at the very nature of NPA, you see child abuses, ambushes, mass graves, kangaroo court, extortions, illegal drugs, hostages, assassinations, mercy killings, land mines, bombs, or maybe more. How hard is it to copy or pretend to be military, police, or an authority? They have pretended to be military, or police in the past. Why can't they pretend again?
However, you never know. Until the judicial process is done, you will never know the culprits or clear the innocents. If judicial process has proven the military or police to be at fault, the judicial process can crack the whip by all means. One thing is for sure. We should not persecute without proof beyond reasonable doubt.
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