Reds set up `shadow gov'ts' in 3 Cebu areas

CEBU - Communist rebels have finally succeeded in setting up "shadow governments" in at least two towns and a city in the province, the military said.

The Armed Forces' Visayas Command (Viscom) said aside from the existence of communist shadow governments in Barili and Tabuelan and in Danao City, more than a hundred barangays in the province are also facing serious threat from the communists.

The military has stepped up its security patrols and is initiating local peace talks to try to stem the communist inroads.

At a briefing on the peace and order situation in Cebu, Viscom officials said rebel groups have over the years succeeded in strengthening their forces, both in numbers and in logistics.

The briefing held at the provincial capitol was attended by police and military officers, as well as mayors and provincial government officials.

Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for operations Rene Ferenal admitted that communist rebels in the Visayas have stepped up their recruitment efforts.

From 1,747 rebels in 1994, Ferenal said the figure rose to 2,120 in 1999, or a 22 percent increase in just five years.

The number of affected barangays has also more than doubled within a year.

As of 1999, Ferenal said 306 barangays in the Visayas were affected by the insurgency, up from a mere 87 barangays with confirmed communist activity the previous year.

Ferenal said the communist movement in Cebu has gained influence over three barangays in three municipalities while seven more villages have been successfully infiltrated by rebels.

Ferenal said "influence" means the involvement of 25 percent of residents in an area and the establishment of a shadow government.

According to Ferenal, rebel shadow governments already exist in Barangays Pangpang in Barili and Kanhulanon in Tabuelan and in Barangay Lawaao in Danao City.

A "shadow government" means the rebels have their own counterpart officials for those in the regular government bureaucracy, who exercise the same authority but without the mantle of legality.

Rebels have infiltrated two more barangays in Barili, four in Danao and one in San Francisco.

Ferenal said the rebels are seeking to attain influence over 141 barangays in Cebu, including those in urban centers.

Among the target communities are Alegria, Badian, Dalaguete, Argao, Sibonga, Barili, Carcar, Aloguinsan, Pinamungajan, San Fernando, Toledo City, Naga, Talisay, Cebu City, Balamban, Mandaue City, Cordova, Lapu-Lapu City, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Danao City, Asturias, Carmen, Catmon, Tuburan, Tabuelan, Sogod, Borbon, Tabogon, San Remigio and Daanbantayan.

The situation in Bohol is no better. Viscom reported that 70 barangays in the province have been influenced and 60 others infiltrated by the communists.

Ferenal attributed the success of rebel operations to three significant factors - by making direct approaches to discontented masses, the pullout of several battalions of combat-ready troops in 1995, and the deactivation of the paramilitary Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) for lack of funds.

Gov. Pablo Garcia, who opened the briefing, said all sectors must work together to preserve peace for the province to be able to maintain its standing as a favorite investment destination.

"Insurgency not only affects the peace and order situation but also the social and economic conditions of a given locality," he said.