By Jennifer P. Rendon
Instead of sowing violence and terror, members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), were urged to lay down their guns.
The CPP will celebrate its 52nd founding anniversary on Dec 26, 2020.
“Sa ating mga kaibigan sa bundok, I urge you to join the government. May pabahay, may trabaho at may pangkabuhayan na naghihintay sa inyo. Ano pa hinahanap nyo?” Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, Western Visayas police chief, said.
Miranda also hit CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison for giving out empty promises to his members.
“Ang pangako lang naman sa inyo ni Joma Sison at ng liderato ng NPA is pag nanalo kayo, bibigyan kayo ng lupa. Hindi totoo yan. Maniwala kayo. 52 years ng nagpapasarap ng buhay si Joma Sison,” he said.
Instead, Miranda said Sison used NPA combatants as pawns for his extortion activities.
“‘Pag wala kayo (NPA), wala nang extortion, wala na silang pera.’ Yang mga hayop na yan, yan lang ang intensyon nila,” he said.
Miranda went on with his tirades claiming that Sison wouldn’t even waste his time sending armed rebels funeral flowers if they die in battle.
“‘Pag namatay kayo, baka nga hindi magpapadala ng korona yan. ‘Pag namatay ang pulis, nandyan ang Pangulo, dyan ang chief PNP, nagbibigay ng mga tulong, ng abuloy. Si Joma Sison ba nagbibigay ng tulong? Di ba hindi. Bahala kayo dyan sa buhay nyo. Kung minsan nga pinapapatay kayo, nililibing kayo. Kung saan-saan kayo ililibing. Ang buhay na masarap, nasa kay Joma Sison lang,” he said.
Instead of waging war in the mountains, Miranda urged the NPAs to lay down their arms and help the government to foster progress in the community.
The region’s top cop said that the islands of Panay and Negros are not as problematic compared to Samar, as far as anti-insurgency is concerned.
Still, Miranda reminded policemen all over the region to remain vigilant for possible NPA attacks before, during, and after the CPP anniversary.
“Don’t let your guards down and be alert at all times,” he said.
He also asked the public to report any information of any planned terror attacks in the area to the nearest police stations or Philippine Army detachment.
He assured that all information will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
