By: Jennifer P. Rendon
‘Twas not your ordinary anniversary celebration.
Instead of celebrating it yourself, someone else commemorated it for you. But not in a way you would want it to be.
As the Communist Party of the Philippines marked its 51st founding anniversary on Dec. 26, 2019, more than 1,600 civilians, support groups, members of government agencies and local government units gathered at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol grounds.
But they were not in a celebratory mood. Instead, the gathering was an indignation rally, which organizers claimed is an expression of their ire against the communist NPA terrorist.
Attendees were seen to raise banners with strong message against NPAs written in it.
“For more than five decades, the NPAs have destroyed the peace and order in the province,” Minerva, one of the rallyists, said.
One of those who strongly condemned the CPP-NPA is Mayor Roquito Tacsagon of Tubungan, Iloilo.
An emotional Tacsagon condemned the rebels, whom he claimed have always made his town a venue for their terroristic acts.
In his earlier interviews taken after the most recent attack, the town mayor cited several attacks made by the CPP-NPA in their town which drove investors and tourists away. Tubungan, Iloilo is scheduled to declare the CPP-NPA as “persona non grata” on Friday, December 27.
The declaration was aimed to drive away their presence from the town and to let Tubunganons live peacefully.
Days before the indignation rally, the Philippine National Police accused the rebels of violating the ceasefire agreement by attacking the police force in the town of Tubungan, Iloilo, just a few hours after the ceasefire took effect on Dec. 23.
The alleged violation fueled the condemnation from the Ilonggos who openly expressed their disappointment and wrath to the terroristic acts of the CPP-NPA which is very visible even on social media.
Meanwhile, Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, cited the overwhelming number of attendees in the rally, not only in the Iloilo City, but also in other provinces in the whole region.
“This is a proof that the people no longer want the NPA presence,” Pamuspusan said.
He lambasted the NPAs claiming that their only weapon is sowing fear to the public.
“But that will end if all the people and the government stand together against it,” he said.
Pamuspusan said the indignation rally sent a strong message to the CPP-NPA that everyone loves peace and they no longer have a place in the society.
The same protest action was also done in Bacolod City and areas in Negros Occidental.
