E. Samar solon ignores NDF’s ultimatum

CEBU, Philippines - Re-electionist Rep. Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar) of the Liberal Party said he chose to ignore a “final warning” issued to him by the National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas for his alleged “crimes against the people and the revolution.”

“Huwag na lang natin patulan ‘yan ciguro. Hindi kasi kami nagbayad ng permit to campaign and permit to win,” Evardone said in a text message when The Freeman reached for his reaction.

The NDF-EV, through its spokesperson Fr. Santiago Salas, sent media outlets a press release at around 3 p.m. last Thursday (April 25), about its “final warning” against Evardone and his cousin, Javier Zacate, former mayor of Sulat town, who is running for governor of the province against incumbent Gov. Conrado Nicart.

Salas said “Evardone and Zacate are both in politics and in crime,” and have “enriched themselves in office as well as through masterminding criminal activities.”

The NDF-EV spokesperson also said they were sore that the cousins were violating “guidelines for electoral access in revolutionary areas by bringing along soldiers to secure and support in their campaign sorties.”

Salas said Evardone has been supporting the military in their Social Integration Program for rebel returnees, even funding intelligence operations against the NPA in Dolores and Can-avid towns in Eastern Samar.

The NDF-EV also accused Zacate for being involved in some allegedly nefarious activities. “The people in the towns of Oras, Dolores, Arteche and San Policarpo have been complaining of widespread military operations whenever Evardone and Zacate conduct their campaign sorties.”

It added that it has been long warning the two against this and “are therefore acting with grave defiance and impunity.”

Salas ended the PR with a threat that the NPA will “disarm and dismantle” the duo’s alleged goons and “take offensive actions against their military and police backers.” He added: “This their final warning and no appeal is possible.” (FREEMAN)