THE Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today warned of massive human and civil rights violations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as a result of the Rodrigo Duterte government’s declaration of an all-out war against the Left.
The communists said that the Duterte government’s record of more than 7,000 killings with its “Oplan Tokhang,” his constant threat to suspend the writ of habeas corpus and impose martial law-style rule to suppress political opposition pose real threats against the Filipino people.
“His record speaks for himself. We must be ready to vigorously oppose any and all attempts to realize these threats,” the CPP said.
The underground party said the Duterte government is bound to set the “fascist dogs” in the AFP against activists and civilians, especially in areas where there are struggles for land reform and campaigns against foreign mining companies and plantations.
“In his desperate and vindictive attempt to score against the revolutionary movement, he has already targeted aboveground NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) consultants,” the CPP said.
Former activist killed
The CPP said the “Oplan Tokhang”-style killing of Glenn Ramos, 40, by military and police operatives in Barangay Ma-a, Davao City last Monday is an example of what the AFP would do.
The AFP and the PNP said they were serving a warrant for Ramos’ arrest as a suspected New People’s Army (NPA) member when a fire fight broke out after the victim allegedly refused to submit himself and instead drew a weapon.
Kodao sources however said Ramos was a civilian. They said the raiding team used assault rifles in strafing his house.
Ramos died after sustaining two gunshot wounds.
“The entire AFP story is dubious and sounds like all the “nanlaban” (put up a fight) stories of the PNP of the past few months,” the CPP said.
Renato Olibang, Ramos’ construction boss, certifying he was a civilian at a time of his death by the hands of the PNP.
In Panay Island, a farmers’ organization complained of unwanted AFP presence and occupation of Barangay Boloc’s Hall in Tubungan, Iloilo.
Local farmers’ association Tubungan United Peasant Alliance (TUPA) said elements of the 82nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army asked for a barangay assembly last February 2 to get an approval for an encampment at the center of their community. The soldiers were refused and were asked to leave instead.
Panay Alliance-Karapatan also reported that the community accused the military of indiscriminately firing at a farmer’s house last February 1.
Be prepared
The underground party urged members of “people’s organizations and democratic sectors” in both rural and urban areas to protest military presence (in civilian communities) and their abuses.
“They must tighten security measures and get ready to defend human and civil rights against state violence that is bound to escalate,” it warned.
The CPP said its armed wing, the NPA, will defend civilians against military abuses.
“The people’s army, the NPA, will be at the people’s side to punish the AFP’s fascist troops at every available opportunity,” it said.
The party also chided Duterte for believing his government can defeat the NPA, antagonizing all sectors supportive of the peace process, and increasingly isolating his government.
Duterte reversed on his previous positive pronouncements of the underground group and called them terrorists after AFP defeats last week.
“Defeating the NPA is a Duterte pipedream. Other regimes before him have tried and failed. The NPA is ever ready to face his wild dogs in the AFP in battle,” the CPP said.
“Not for long, he will only have the AFP’s fascist dogs for company,” it added. (Raymund B. Villanueva/Featured photo by Southern Tagalog Exposure)
