Army says more ‘activists’ coming out to support ‘Ka Eric’s’ claims

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

The coming out of former activist Jeffrey Celiz, who also goes by the alias Ka Eric Almendras, might prompt more testimonies from other activists and former members and cadres of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Celiz now stands as consultant for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

With Celiz making bold testimonies and linking several personalities to the CPP-NPA, the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division said it supports the former and his testimonies.

“We are validating his testimonies. In due time, marami pang lalabas to divulge what they knew about the CPP-NPA,” Major Cenon Pancito, 3rd ID spokesperson, said.

Pancito cited one positive impact of Celiz’s actions: it has created a domino effect for other former NPA rebels to come out and join the government’s pursuit for peace.

The 3ID spokesperson said he already talked to at least 15 individuals who are willing to come out and reveal what they know about the rebel organization and their allied groups.

“These 15 persons include former commanders and even religious leaders,” Pancito said but he did not elaborate.

He said these persons would corroborate and help establish that the CPP-NPA and their allies have been recruiting members to topple the government.

Once these personalities make their testimonies public, “expect that they would divulge everything. They would paint a clear picture of what is really happening in Panay Island,” he said.

Pancito said their testimonies would help the government “create theories and assess the threats in the area.”

“These statements would help connect the dots,” he said.

Pancito also admitted that they are trying to look into allegations that the area could be used as a breeding ground of insurgency, as Celiz and another “whistleblower,” Ka Amihan, alleged that they have been recruited while studying in Iloilo City.

“We’ll try to look into that. We, being in the military, that’s part of our job. Kasama ‘yan sa sinumpaan namin not just to be reactive. So, we are looking onto everybody, whoever you are, na pwedeng pagsimulan ng threat,” he said.

Pancito said they gather good data to help them in their campaign against insurgency.

Celiz’s credibility had been questioned after Pres. Rodrigo Duterte linked him to the illegal drug trade. At that time, he was working for former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog whom the president also tagged in the narcotics trade.