BACOLOD CITY – At least 3,500 people, including former members of the New People’s Army (NPA), joined a series of indignation rallies in Negros island on Wednesday, March 29, to press for an end to the atrocities of the New People’s Army.
The rallies coincided with the NPA’s 54th founding anniversary.
THOUSANDS of Negrenses denounce the NPA atrocities in series of peace and indignation rallies held in Negros island to highlight the NPA’s 54th founding anniversary on Wednesday, March 29. (Photo courtesy of 303rd IBde)
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The protest rallies were held at the Toboso town and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental and Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental.
Earlier this week, the 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) facilitated a peace and condemnation rally with residents of Barangay
Bug-ang, Toboso town, composed of motorcycle-for-hire (habal-habal) drivers and store owners, together with their local officials and stakeholders, held at the village’s gymnasium on March 21.
After a week, the 62nd IB and the 94th IB also simultaneously conducted peace and indignation rallies in Kabankalan City in southern Negros and Guihulngan City in central Negros on March 29.
The participants took their oath of peace to formalize their withdrawal of support to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA- National Democratic Front (NDF).
They also burned the CPP-NPA-NDF flag in an utter show of their withdrawal of support to the rebels.
During the rally, they also offered prayers and lit candles for the victims of the atrocities. They also released white balloons as a symbol of peace.
In a statement, Col. Orlando Edralin, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), said the 54 years of NPA’s atrocious attacks and human rights violations cannot be justified by any ideology or circumstances.
“We condemn to the highest degree the 54 years of NPA's violent legacy and existence where they ruined the future of their recruited youths,” he added.
Meanwhile, the NPA’s Southeast Negros Guerrilla Front (SNGF) praised all Red fighters and commanders, the people's militia, barrio defense committees, and self-defense corps in the various areas.
Ka Estrella Banagbanag, SNGF’s spokesperson, said in a statement that despite the setbacks and greater challenges, the group has steadfastly performed its three integrated tasks of armed struggle, agrarian revolution, and mass-based build-up to strengthen the guerrilla front.
Along with the 54th anniversary of the NPA, the Rachelle Mae Palang Command (RMPC-NPA) committed to overcome any challenge and contribute to the advancement of the protracted people's war.