Leftists want corrupt officials “punished”

CEBU, Philippines — A group of women calling themselves the Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA-Bohol), has urged the New People’s Army to punish abusive military and corrupt government officials who pursued programs that they consider as anti-people, anti-farmers, and anti-women.

“Busa, niining buwan sa kababayen-an, ang MAKIBAKA-Bohol nanawagan sa NPA, kun ugaling ania man sila sa probinsya, nga silotan kadtong mga abusadong militar ug mga korap nga lider sa probinsya lakip na ang mga mangingilad nga ahente niini sa CDP-PPM nga mipakita sa ilang pagka kontra-katawhan, kontra-mag-uuma ug kontra-kababayen-an,” their statement read.

This came after MAKIBAKA condemned the Countryside Development Program-Purok Power Movement (CDP-PPM) of the provincial government for anti-people and anti-women programs.

The group who claimed to be member of the National Democratic Front (NDF) alleged that CDP-PPM compelled what it called unlimited tree planting that affects farmlands.

It said it does not oppose genuine environmental protection but if it is being used as disguise for self-interest it won’t hesitate to oppose it.

Its chairperson Reba Lingues said tree planting has resulted to diminishing farmlands to till, consequently resulting to low production.

“Busa ang mga kababayen -ang inahan ug mga anak, nagkatibulaag aron mangita’g kapanginabuhian nga kasagaran isip katabang ra usab nga nag-antos sa kaubos sa suhol, kawalay benepisyo sama sa SSS, ug kamapahimuslanon sa mga amo,” she said.

The group also said that the military and CDP-PPM are operating in the countryside apparently to push for programs on tourism, allegedly sowing fear among the barangay folk not to complain. PPM also allegedly threatened the people against organizing themselves.

It also scored what it called bogus program for the poor like the 4Ps which has become a form of corruption.

“Giilad sab nila ang pipila pinaagi sa mga bogus nga programang pagtabang ug pangkalamboan kuno nga ang pipila ra sab nila ka mga tawo ang kasagarang nakabenepisyo sama sa 4Ps. Sa pagkatinuod, gihimo lang nila kining gatasan alang sa pondo para sa korapsyon.”

Included in this program is the KASAP (Kanhi Sakop sa Partido Komunista) whose members are allegedly rebel surrenderers but are not actually former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA, just ordinary farmers who were deceived to make it appear they are surrenderers.

As it turned out, the “fake surrenderers” complained they did not receive a centavo after the provincial government received the KASAP funds.

The group said the PPM is a form of counter-insurgency in what they called “Oplan Kapayapaan” under the auspices of US-Duterte Regime whose objective is apparently to wipe out those who go against the government program.

The provincial government was not available for comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, former chief of staff of Armed Forces of the Philippines and now Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año cited PPM of Bohol as a breakthrough.

Año was the guest of honor during the first anniversary of Abu Sayyaf Group incursion in the province that led to the armed clash between the terrorists and government security forces. The activity was held in Inabanga town where the terrorists entered via the river.

In her speech on Friday, Board Member Gloria Gementiza quoted the military as having “confirmed reports on sightings of two to three confessed NPA armed men in Calinginan Norte, Sevilla town.”

These NPA took advantage of issues of public concern telling the barriofolk like “instability of the government and increased prices of commodities” she said.

Last year, she said armed men were spotted in Caluasan, San Miguel, barangay San Vicente, and Kauswagan, Dagohoy, and even in her hometown Baclayon.

But the military said the rebels are just trying hard to regain their former mass base and reiterated that Bohol remains an insurgency-free province. (FREEMAN)