ANAD: "Communists" sit in Congress

CEBU, Philippines – Newly proclaimed Congressman Jun Alcover of Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy vowed to expose members of Congress who allegedly support communist groups.

In a press conference, Alcover said it is ANAD’s top priority to expose “communists” that sit at the House of Representatives in the guise of promoting democracy.

“I will challenge them in the house to show their true colors. These are the people who are deceptively promoting democracy but actually supporting communism. I have the list of these people. If they don’t voluntarily show up, I will have to enumerate their names in congress,” Alcover said.

He said ANAD has identified 10 congressmen and the group is currently conducting further investigation.

“We are just investigating and gathering more information we will use to finally expose their anomalies,” Alcover said.

ANAD is among the party-list groups whose representatives were proclaimed last Friday.   Alcover said these “communist” congressmen allegedly use the Priority Development Assistance Fund in areas where there are members of the National Democratic Front and New People’s Army.

ANAD has pushed for the abolition of PDAF, saying it is the “root of corruption in Congress.”

But once he receives his share of PDAF, Alcover said he would use it to establish a media center for members of the press in Cebu. At present, the Marcelo Fernan Press Center in barangay Sudlon, Lahug serves as venue for formal media gatherings.

“I very well recognize the role of Media in our advocacy to educate the public of the bad side of communism. Our effort will focus on empowering the media to create awareness of the growing insurgency,” Alcover said. Alcover said the media, especially the broadcast media, is an avenue for people to report insurgencies.

“We want an all-out war education campaign using all kinds of medium. The more we use bullets, the more NPAs would be created, which the government failed to see,” Alcover said.

He said ANAD would also fight against the exploitation of children in rallies and demonstrations in the streets.

Likewise, ANAD reportedly aims to build memorial walls in all provinces in areas once where insurgency used to thrive. Names of those killed by members of NPA and NDF would reportedly be engraved on the memorial walls to serve as a reminder of the effects of violence and communism.

Livelihood programs would also be given to the families of insurgents.

For now, ANAD still do not have an office at the Batasang Pambansa because construction of additional office spaces is still ongoing. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja and Liv G. Campo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)