Thousands denounce NPA ‘atrocities’ on its 54th anniv

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – At least 3,500 residents from the northern, southern, and central parts of Negros island, including former members of the New People’s Army (NPA), condemned the alleged atrocities of the rebel group during the island-wide peace and indignation rallies to highlight the NPA’s 54th Founding Anniversary last Wednesday.

The series of rallies were conducted in Toboso town, Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental, and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental.

These were initiated and facilitated by local government units (LGUs), Civil Society Organizations, People’s Organizations, Farmers, progressive groups, youth sectors, and religious sectors, among others.

Earlier this week, the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) facilitated a peace and condemnation rally with residents of Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso town, composed of motorcycle-for-hire (habal-habal) drivers and store owners, together with their local officials and stakeholders, held at the village’s gymnasium on March 21.

After a week, the 62nd IB and the 94th IB also simultaneously conducted peace and indignation rallies on March 29, in Kabankalan City in southern Negros and Guihulngan City in central Negros.

The participants took their oath of peace to formalize their withdrawal of support to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA-National Democratic Front (NDF).

They also burned the CPP-NPA-NDF flag, offered prayers, and lit candles for the victims of atrocities. They also released white balloons as a symbol of peace.

Meanwhile, Colonel Orlando Edralin, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), in his statement, said the 54 years of NPA’s atrocious attacks and human rights violations cannot be justified by any ideology or circumstances.

“We condemn to the highest degree the 54 years of NPA’s violent legacy and existence where they ruined the future of their recruited youths,” he added.

Edralin said that many children were orphaned due to senseless killings and liquidations of NPAs. “Their futile armed struggle broke their own families, destroyed and damaged properties, stalled progress, and disturbed the community’s peace,” he added.

On the other hand, the NPA’s Southeast Negros Guerrilla Front acclaimed all Red fighters and commanders, the people’s militia, barrio defense committees, and self-defense corps in the various areas.

Ka Estrella Banagbanag, spokesperson of Rachelle Mae Palang Command (RMPC-NPA), said that despite the setbacks and greater challenges, the group has steadfastly performed its three integrated tasks of armed struggle, agrarian revolution, and mass base building to strengthen the guerrilla front wave upon wave.

The Rachelle Mae Palang Command (RMPC-NPA), conveyed the firmest Red salute in celebration of the NPA’s 54th founding anniversary.

Through secrecy, the people’s army maintains its close links with the masses, the group said.

Along with the 54th anniversary of the NPA, the RMPC commits to overcoming any challenge, fear no sacrifice and contribute to the advancement of the protracted people’s war.