NEWS RELEASE May 5, 2000
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) today accused the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) of red-baiting and using the armed conflict in Mindanao to hit back at cause-oriented groups and non-governmental organizations critical of the Estrada administration.
Bayan’s accusation followed a military report released to the media in Davao City tagging leaders of various people’s organizations and cause-oriented groups in Mindanao as top NPA commanders who have allied with the MILF.
Last May 2, a certain Capt. Felix Mangyao of the AFP’s Public Affairs Group based in Camp Panacan, Davao City, told the local media that the following Bayan leaders were now serving as commanders of the NPA in Mindanao and have allied themselves with the MILF: Joel Maglungsod of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Valerio Mante and Frank Sagahun of Bayan, Antonio Flores of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), urabn poor leaders Marilou Soco and Rose Licong, and Joel Virador of Karapatan.
Calling the military report an attempt to exploit public outrage and confusion over the worsening situation in Mindanao, Bayan Secretary General Teodoro A. Casiño said this latest military move was aimed at making Bayan leaders and members vulnerable to harassment, illegal arrests and searches and even violent reprisals from vigilante groups and anti-Muslim cults.
"We suspect that this is another scheme by the AFP to silence the Estrada administration’s critics in Mindanao, which include Bayan and other cause-oriented groups,” said Casiño.
Bayan has been critical of the government’s stepped-up military campaigns in Mindanao, saying it would not help resolve the roots of the armed conflict in the island.
“Mr. Estrada and the AFP have not learned the lessons of the past 100 years. You cannot stop the Moro people's revolutionary struggle by brute force. The only way to achieve peace is through a political settlement with the Moro people and their leaders,” said Casiño.
Such a settlement, he added, could only be reached if there is mutual respect, sincere dialogue and substantial negotiations with the MILF, something which the Estrada regime has refused to undertake. #