Aao dismayed by the so-called Makabayan bloc's 'blind eye'

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Ano

CALOOCAN CITY, Nov. 26 (PIA) -- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Ano today denounced the so-called Makabayan blocs' refusal to condemn the CPP-NPA-NDF calling it "a betrayal of public trust" and an "insult" to the reportedly 40,000 victims of Communist terrorism since 1969, which includes thousands of civilians, soldiers, and police officers killed.

In a statement, Ano said he is dismayed by the so-called Makabayan bloc's "blind eye" to the thousands of atrocities committed by the atheist communist-terrorist group.

"If you cannot even condemn the perpetrators of these horrendous crimes against the people in your capacity as elected public officials, there is definitely something wrong. The refusal of the Makabayan bloc to condemn and distance itself from the CPP-NPA-NDF and their crimes is a clear and indisputable betrayal of public trust," the DILG chief said.

"Ito po ay hayagang pagbubulag-bulagan sa katotohanan. As elected government officials receiving salary, emoluments and benefits from government, they are morally, ethically and legally required to denounce the communist terrorists whose main objective is to overthrow the government that they are part of," he added.

In the recent Senate Committee on National Defense hearing on Red-tagging chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson, former Bayan Muna Partylist Representative and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Spokesperson Teddy Casino refused to condemn the CPP-NPA-NDF and said they do not consider them as enemies.

"To simply denounce them as enemies, it closes the door to a healthier engagements... We do not consider them as enemies, we consider them as fellow Filipinos na dapat kausapin," he told the Senate.

Ano said that the Makabayan bloc's statements are clear attempts to wash their hands of the blood of the thousands of victims of CPP-NPA-NDF atrocities through the years.

"Nakakakilabot na tinatawag lamang nila ang walang habas na pagpatay ng mga inosenteng tao, mga pulis at sundalo bilang isang pamamaraan para kanilang tahasang maipahayag ang kanilang agenda," Ano said.

The DILG chief reminded the so-called Makabayan Bloc that the CPP-NPA-NDF is the biggest violator of human rights in the country. Aside from killing soldiers, police and government officials, the party is also infamous for its internal purges which has killed some 3,000-7,000 lives including the Inopacan, Leyte massacre where 67 comrades were summarily executed upon orders of the CPP.

He said that the CTGs steal from the poor and extort from politicians and big and small businesses through revolutionary taxes they impose at gun point otherwise they harass or burn businesses, construction equipment, and the like. Some 600-700 Million is raised annually by the CTGs through illegal means to finance their reign of terror against the people.

"While the regular cadres live in the mountains and survive by extorting money from the poor, party leaders who live in urban areas send their kids to exclusive schools, sport luxury gadgets, and travel abroad frequently. Why do the children of their leaders live luxurious lives while the children of regular NPA cadres live a life of sacrifice and misery? Why is Sison living the life in Europe while his minions toil in the mountains?," he asked.

He said that it is clear that the CPP-NPA-NDF have degenerated into a rag tag group of bandits, extortionists, and murderers who are no longer fighting for the people but for the financial and personal interests of Joma Sison and his cabal in the above ground political struggle. That is why thousands have surrendered under the DILG's ECLIP program.

He further said that public data shows that from 2010-2017 alone, more than P5.2-billion of properties have been destroyed by the NPA with 2017 raking in the most damage amounting to P2.8-billion in just a year. "Clearly they are a primary cause of the poverty and misery in rural areas where they operate," he said.

"As elected Members of Congress, the so-called Makabayan Bloc are required under our Constitution and laws to denounce the CPP-NPA-NDF, why they refuse to do so reveals the truth about their organization and who actually controls them," he said.

How CPP-NPA-NDP recruits new members

Meanwhile, the DILG Secretary also exposed CPP-NPA-NDF's recruitment method "preying on the innocents" and targeting the vulnerable sector through front organizations in schools, labor organizations and other groups.

Ano said that the CPP-NPA-NDF has been recruiting youths in the universities and farmers, laborers, among others, for decades now that it has become common knowledge.

He explained that the communist-terrorist group convinces recruits to join legal leftist organizations, including party-list groups, to advance their advocacy, capitalizing on the recruits' idealism "convincing them to air their grievances and take their actions and voices to the streets by participating in public mobilizations and rallies."

Recruits will then be urged to join special lectures such as Pambansang Demokratikong Paaralan (PADEPA) and Araling Aktibista (ARAK), among others, aiming to make them embrace communist ideology and eventually overthrow the government. "From the theoretical level of indoctrination follows basic mass immersion categorized into Exposure (3-5 days), Immersion (one month), and the Tour of Duty (3-6 months)," Ano said.

Exposure to guerilla zones then follows to show them the "real situation" and concretize what have been instilled in them during the PADEPA to strengthen their resolve and embrace the communists' primary form of struggle which is the armed revolution.

Recruits are also required to take party courses to become a communist party member starting with Basic Party Course and lecture on CPP Constitution followed by Intermediate Party Course and a refresher on the CPP Constitution as a requirement for their second oath as full-time party member.

Eventually, those who are programmed to higher positions are required to undertake Advance Party Course to heighten their knowledge about the party.

Ano said that upon completion of the said stages, new party members may opt to stay in the NPA unit where they were immersed and serve as political guide and eventually become a cadre or choose to go back to the white areas or urban areas as recruiter and member of the party branch that constitutes the core of the CPP front organization in schools, factories and other sectors. (PIA NCR)