HUSTISYANG KOMUNISMO

Noong ika-16 ng Disyembre 2008, alas 9:45 ng gabi, isang kinse anyos na 3rd year high school student ng Barcelona National High School na si Ricky B. Roman ang pinagbabaril ng pitong ulit ng mga di kilalang lalaki sa Sorsogon City. Kasunod ng pangyayari ay nagpalabas ng opisyal na pahayag ang Celso Minguez Command ng NPA noong Enero 29, 2009 na umaamin sa kanilang pagpatay sa menor de edad na si Roman.

Ayon sa militar, si Roman ay miyembro ng New Peoples Army sa Bikol na siya din mismong kinumpirma ni Ka Samuel Guerero na nagpalabas ng naturang pahayag. Ayon dito, si Ricky ay pinaslang bilang parusa sa kaniyang pagiging diumano’y asset ng militar sa kontra-insurhensya ng huli. Ang anak ng tricycle driver na miyembro ng BAYAN MUNA ay pinagbintangan din ng mga rebelde na isang magnanakaw at agaw-cellphone sa lugar.

Malinaw ang balita. Si Ricky Roman na isang menor de edad ay naging miyembro ng NPA bago ito pinatay sa kamay ng kaniyang mga “kasama” dahil sa pagiging asset diumano ng mga militar. Malinaw na naging maikli ang buhay ng bata dahil sa pagpasok niya sa kilusan. Nakakalungkot na bunsod ng kaniyang pagbabagong isip ay kinitil ang kaniyang buhay. Di ba’t hindi ito makatwiran at nagpapakita lamang na may baluktot na sistema na umiiral? Malinaw na may paglabag sa batas dahil isang 15 anyos na lalaki ang ni-recruit ng mga rebelde upang humawak ng armas. Hindi ba’t kakadalaw lang ng isang representate ng United Nation sa bansa upang imbestigahan ang mga tinatawag na “child soldiers” ng mga NPA, MILF pati na din ng gobyerno? Kailan sila matututo na ang lugar ng kabataan ay hindi sa giyera kundi sa piling ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay at hindi baril ang kaniyang dapat tangan-tangan kundi lapis at papel?

Ang pagbintang ng NPA sa pagiging magnanakaw ni Ricky ay hindi rin maganda. Hindi ba nila iniisip ang pighati na dinudulot nila sa pamilya ng bata? Nangyari na ang nangyari..., naging NPA siya, kinuha diumano na asset ng militar at pinatay ng mga rebelde pero sukdulan na kung pati ang imahe ng kaniyang pamilya sa kaniyang pagkatao ay yuyurakan pa nila ng ilang ulit, pinatay na nga, siniraan pa ang kanyang dangal. Kahit kailan ay hindi na makapaglalahad si Ricky ng kanyang panig kung siya nga ay magnanakaw, dahil tuluyan na siyang pinatahimik ng mga rebelde.

Madaling magbintang, ngunit mahirap magpatunay ng mga ito. Madaling magsabi na siya ay asset ng militar o kaya siya ay isang rebelde, ngunit mahirap itong patunayan ninuman. Dahil sa bangayan na ginagawa nila pati walang kamuang-muang na mga kabataan ay nabibiktima at napapasama sa ilang dekadang away sa pagitan ng mga rebelde at gobyerno.

Dapat managot sa batas ang gumawa ng krimen – ito ay malinaw. Isang buhay ang kinitil. Militar man o rebelde ang gumawa ay malinaw na paglabag ito sa karapatang pantao lalo na isang menor de edad ang biktima ng kasamaan.

LACSON’S IMAGINARY WITNESSES

We’ve heard and seen it all before. Senator Panfilo Lacson while brandishing his fist during a privilege speech at the very halls of the Senate is telling everybody that he has a number of witnesses to corroborate what he has just recently exposed. And just like a re-run of an old movie, his so-called witnesses will recant their respective statements in a few weeks saying that they were paid to do so by the very subject of Lacson’s tirade which is in this case and is no surprise at all, is Mike Arroyo.

Corruption allegation is a serious matter that should be looked into and which should be stopped. However, ordinary citizens like me can’t help but gag once we see who the so-called “whistle blower” is. The fact that he is doing this because of his convoluted political scheme for 2010 is the main reason why we find the “exposés” on corruption something much like a bitter pill to swallow.

Another thing that irks us is how it all seems to be too convenient for Ping Lacson to find his witnesses. Maybe he should share his tricks among his other presidential opponents so that they too would have a shot at the limelight and not just be his unwilling targets during his free time. But just like Ping, they should also prepare bags of “protection” money for their would-be witnesses since the upkeep of the same means throwing away a lot of money – maybe running into hundreds of thousands – as they would have to be practiced in lying with a straight face during senate investigations.

The imaginary witnesses of Senator Lacson are quite lucky since they get to enjoy the limelight too together with their “padrino” However, they should be forewarned that the public is no longer that easily swayed nor are they that ignorant. Grand talks during privileged speeches can no longer persuade us to believe that Ping is doing this out of his concern for the public. We all know that he is doing his for his own personal interest – no more, no less.

The public will never take what Lacson is feeding us – hook line and sinker. It would be better if an investigation takes place and his so-called witnesses do surface. But we are still prepared to say “I told you so” as we once again would see his imaginary witness turning their backs on their temporary padrino.

BOGUS CARTEL (LACSON’S APPARITION OF EVIDENCE)

Nothing hurts like hell when Juan dela Cruz is again dumbfounded by Senator Lacson’s another pre-orchestrated “I know all” speech.

First, it was FG with Eduardo de Luna, owner of EC de Luna Cons (EDLC) blacklisted by the WB for supposed collusion. Prime evidence supporting this claim is the 200 “liesblower” – Eugenio “Udong” Mahusay.

Mahusay was supposed to spill the beans about Jose Pidal but what the Filipinos got was a mockery trial. The supposed Senate inquest proceedings on Pidal led nowhere.

And now, another debacle heading the same direction; as Ping tries to link FG and de Luna using the “bible truth” utterly recanted and refuted by its very author- Mahusay. This bible comes in the form of a personal appointment book of the still faceless Jose Pidal

So for augment sake let’s say Jose Pidal met with de Luna. How would that link with FG? The 4-year drag of Pidal investigations were nowhere near the truth, in fact it was solely remembered as the Hulk speech of Lacson which controversy and hype got him in the 2007 Senatorial ballots.

To use the same evidence on FG-de Luna link and to the suppose graft of the Arroyos is “like fishing on dead creek”. Lacson is using immaterial proof to rekindle the friction between him and Arroyos.

And “danrada!”, another set of haunting witnesses that would support FG-de Luna “twosome” collusion. These are composed of 10 ghost eyewitnesses whom Lacson is unable to drag in the open.

Aside from being faceless, these other set of live evidence Ping has are utterly nameless and almost inexistent.

And as predicted, if these supposed witnesses come to light, they would only be available in the Senate floor where of course Lacson does his tango in front of live television feeds.

Not in the Philippine courts of tribunals but on pure prank of trial by publicity.

How many inquests are there in the Upper House? To name a few, they are the Pidal, Bolante, Lozada, Euro gens, and now ECDLC collusion. All but one is incriminating FG and “advented” by Lacson’s hour-long privilege.

These floor proceedings gave more than favourable air time for honchos to throw media mileage to themselves...A free-campaign for 2010 presidential contenders that got tired of the going-to-the-drain CHA-CHA appeal.

Appealing for what is fair and tangible should first and foremost involve the query on why the WB had been withholding their supposed inquest and evidence against the ECDLC collusion.

Just for a thought, ECDLC was deprived of the WB-NRIMP-1 projects package in 2002-2003 of its cited high bid price. But records show that WB projects subjected for bidding over the same period is of same and else higher bid prices?

There is nothing but ”gray area” with the WB-ECDLC arena than supposed black-and-white.

And ironically, this huge space of doubt in WB’s inquest and decision of denying the ECDLC in its bids was further exploited by honking solons who have wanted to inflict just the right havoc for the state to panic and the presidency to turn vulnerable for a power-grab.

Nothing in this world is certain. No one is infallible even the WB.

What if there were no presentations of facts because there is nothing material and substantive enough to present?

What if this FG-de Luna partnership in crime is another set of Lacson’s bogus cartel brought by personal gripe?

Facts point that Lacson had long wanted the presidency but was denied of it more than once. And that as early as last year, his out racing amongst presidential wannabees for popularity surveys.

Truth is, Sen Ping Lacson was the right-hand-man of convicted plundered Joseph “Erap” Estrada- the one who had not serve a day behind bars after the ruling of an irrevocable “guilty” verdict.

Evidence leads Lacson had not come clean with the cases of in human practices he had supposedly committed. Tracing back, he was the PNP Chief and Commander of the police officials who escaped trial on the Dacer-Corbito case but washed his hands clean by saying “I had no idea”.

Lacson was too eager denying allegiance or even knowledge of the Dacer slay or to ERAP’s multi-million plunder then, so what makes his accusations and evidence worthy of people’ interest now?

PING was blind of the true-blue crimes that were done right under his nose.

Who could tell if the Senate “fault-dog” (Lacson) is not merely sniffing his own stench? Are we going to fall for his politicking over and again?

OBVIOUS NA SI FG MIKE ARROYO NGA!

Malinaw na si First Gentleman Mike Arroyo ay nasasangkot sa isyu ng korapsyon ngayon. Malinaw din na si Senador Panfilo “Mr. Expose” Lacson ang siyang nag-iisang may hawak, ulit, ng mga diumano’y ebidensya na magpapatunay at tuluyang magpalubog sa asawa ni Gloria. Malinaw din sa mga pangyayari na may nagrereklamo at may inaakusahan ng pagmamanipula ng “bidding” upang makakuha ng proyekto na pipinansahan sana ng World Bank ng limpak-limpak na salapi at siyang ginagamit ngayon upang paglabu-labuin ang eksena sa pulitika.

Ang hindi ko maintindihan ay kung bakit gigil na gigil si Ping kay Mike. Ano ba meron ang asawa ni Gloria at kahit saan siyang lupalop pumunta ay sinusundan pa rin siya ng senador? Sobra naman yatang minamalas si Mike at sobra din naman yatang sinuswerte si Ping dahil lahat ng diumano’y iskandalo sa Pilipinas ay kaniyang natutuklasan at ang mga testigo na kailangan para dito ay kanya ring nahahawakan. Hindi ba malaking pera ang kinakailangan upang “protektahan” ang mga testigo dahil kailangan silang itago, pakainin at ibahay upang di makuha ng kaaway? Saan kaya kumukuha si Lacson gayung di naman niya ginagalaw ang kaniyang pork barrel?

Kung ating susuriin ang mga paratang at mga alibi ng mga inakusahan ay may makikita tayong mga bagay na hindi nagtutugma. Una, ang contractor na si Tomatu Suzuka ay nagpahayag ng isang paratang na hindi niya direktang naranasan at napatunayan na nangyayari ngunit nakakalungkot na siya namang pinagbasihan ng World Bank. Pangalawa, halatang hindi patas dahil ang inaakusahan ay hindi nabigyan ng pagkakataong ipagtanggol ang sarili sa tamang korte. Hindi natin masasabi na mali ang WB pero kung sa tamang proseso ang nangyari at naipako na sa krus ang mga kumpanya at taong nabanggit na diumano’y may kaugnayan sa suhulan bago pa man magkaroon ng lehitimong imbestigasyon.

Ang nakapagtataka ay bakit mistulang napaka-convenient yata ng mga eksena at saktong-sakto sa kilalang misyon ni Ping Lacson laban kay Mike Arroyo – ang kaniyang pagbagsak kasama si Gloria? Hindi kaya’t nagkaroon talaga ng bayaran o suhulan? Ngunit kung ito ay sa pagitan ni Mike at mga contractors o sa pagitan ni Lacson at ng kanyang mga “paid-witnesses” para sa “bidding scandal” ay isang malaking katanungan.

Mas makikinabang tayo sa istorya kung gawing patas ang labanan. Wala muna dapat bumibida. Patas na labanan.

NPA FINDS “GOLD MINE” IN RP’S MINING INDUSTRY

As a member of an NGO working for the protection of the environment, I have learned so much about the adverse effects on the environment of the reckless exploitation of the country’s mineral resources. Our fears have been further exacerbated by the implementation of RA 7942 liberalizing the mining industry in the country and the recent adopted government policy that encourages both local and foreign investors to engage in the mining industry. We know for a fact that indiscriminate mining exploration and its accompanying destruction of the environment will trigger environmental disasters including deforestation, soil erosion, massive floods, landslides, pollution and other destructive effects of the disruption of ecological balance.

Thus, when we learned that the CPP/NPA is also opposing the exploration of the country’s mineral resources by mining firms, we found in the NPAs strange bedfellows in our campaign to protect the environment. They claimed that they had been given orders to stop the plundering of the country’s mineral resources detrimental to environment and to the economic interest of the nation. They pledged to do their utmost to stop especially foreign mining companies and their cahoots in the government from plundering our natural resources. We were somewhat elated to hear from them such unusual concern to the preservation of environmental integrity.

It did not, however, happen that way. Our group was greatly disappointed to learn later on that the NPAs have turned their anti-mining drive into a lucrative protection racket. Through threats, coercion and intimidation, they extort protection money in staggering amounts form mining firms and operators. Even small time mining operators including the poor gold fanners in the hinterlands have been obliged to give to the NPAs protection money euphemistically called “revolutionary tax”. Sometimes they call it for “payment for social obligations” to the host communities and the indigenous people affected by the mining operations. But just the same, those who give in to their extortionist demands are allowed to continue their mining operations, no matter how destructive these are to the environment. Those who refuse to pay are severely punished by destroying their mining equipment and facilities and confiscating their other belongings.

According to the PNP records, last year the NPA raided/attacked a number of both local and foreign mining companies operating in different parts of the country mainly for failure to meet the rebels’ extortionist demands. Millions of pesos worth of heavy equipment, facilities and other assets were destroyed. Security details who resisted the attacks were disarmed by the marauders who carted away their firearms together with other items worth carrying. A number of people including security guards and company personnel were injured during the raid; some were abducted or held hostage and used as human shields or leverage for demanding ransom money.

Among the recent victims of such dastardly act was the Sagittarius Mines, Inc. which the NPAs burned down on January 1, 2008 in Tampakan, South Cotabato. They destroyed mining equipment and disarmed the eight security guards and carted away their firearms. One SMI employee was held hostage and later on killed by the NPAs. Five days later, the insurgents burned a bulldozer owned by the said company in Brgy Kimlawis, Kiblawan, Davao del Sur. The rebels demanded P1M from the company as protection money.

In ComVal Province, the NPAs raided the Apex Mining Company in Masara, Maco on March 6, 2008, disarmed the security guards and burned 1 pay loader, 1 jumbo drill and 1 low profile truck. They carted away assorted firearms. No casualty as reported but damage to property was placed at P15M.

On April 8, the NPAs attacked the Platinum Gold Mining Corporation in Dinapigue, Isabela for refusing to give protection money. Outnumbered and outgunned, the security details could do nothing but to surrender their firearms as demanded by the raiders. The attacking forces held hostage the company personnel for three hours.

In Bulacan, another group of NPAs attacked/raided the Oro Metal Mining Corporation in Brgy Camachin, Dona Remedios Trinidad on July 21. One security guard was killed during the exchange of fire. Earlier, on July 14, a big number of NPAs attacked the El Dore Mining Corporation in Brgy Dumagmang, Labo, Camarines Norte. Defending government security forces suffered 1 killed and 2 wounded. The rebels carted away 16 assorted firearms. On July 23, around 20 NPAs raided the Philex Mining Company in Sipalay City, Negros occidental and destroyed P1.5M worth of equipment and facilities for refusing to give in the NPA extortionist demands. The raiders carted away several assorted firearms, office supplies and communication equipment.

A large group of NPAs ransacked the DMC Mining Co. on August 23 in Brgy Calapagan, Lupon, Davao Oriental and carted away assorted firearms and communications equipment. No casualty was reported. On October 28, the NPAs raided the Philco Mining and Batoto Resource Corporation in Brgy Camanlangan, New Bataan, ComVal Povince and burned 1 bulldozer. Shortly before the end of the year, on December 22, some 50 NPAs attacked the San Roque Mining Industry in Brgy La Fraternidad, tubay, Agusan del Norte. The raiders burned down 1 volvo mining equipment and carted away 14 assorted firearms.


These are only some selected samples of the way the NPAs exploit for their own advantage the mining industry. There are more in the official police records. Whatever, it clearly shows that the movement is just using its pro-environmental advocacy to give a semblance of legitimacy to its coercive fund raising activities among mining operators. The desire for material gains, specifically for fast money in the name of revolution, has indeed, completely obliterated the movement’s pretensions to the worthy cause of environmental conservation.

TERRORIST’S DIARY “Journal of ABDUL-ASG”

Most say “Abdul” who was born in dearth will eventually die like one as he lazes around all-day doing nothing. But that is, since they knew too little about the seventeen-year old high school drop-out. Even more intriguing in Abduls’ skyrocketing future is that it had nothing to do with finishing school or even lifting a bone in the farm or labouring in the wet markets of Pagadian. All he needed to do was get a good trip on a gun he can’t even name and pull the trigger at a tin can a feet away while watching over a distance is certain Dr. Abu Pula. That time, Abdul’s “testosterone” was running high with a grip of the cold barrel but he had no intentions of actually getting into the Abu Sayaff (ASG). Not unit he laid his eyes on a bag-load of cash. “It was pretty easy”, a long- haired guy muttered from behind him. “If you’re man enough”, the man then tested.

Abdul was no dumb nor was he too innocent. He has heard of the ASG. They were no threat to him but he knew it was not the case with the Christians in Pagadian-Zamboanga del Sur’s city-district. The teenager has nothing against the Christians, but it had been common for Muslims including him to think otherwise, It would be too bad gaining easy money while blending it with grudge. That’s what drove Abdul in joining the terror group and it still does up until today.

He had been with the ASG since April of 2007 and he never once felt remorse to those they chose to behead for an unpaid ransom. Abdul added that downsizing his guilt is done simply by keeping a safe distance from among their captives. Think no less of them than another bag-full of money. But that was easier said than done when the group of Abdul went from rich magnates to mere public teachers whom Abdul knew is proper than him. And that is why this journal is about.

Abdul was introduced to the group of Albader Parad, who led him and eight others in the kidnapping of Lidio Castro and Sherwin Caraeg in Tawi-Tawi last Nov 09 & 29, 2001. Abdul were among those who held the two at gun-point as they trek to Languyan with four other ASG. The hide and seek with the pursuing government troops led Abdul and the two captives from Kabingaan Island to Pala Island till they joined with Commander Dingdong Unad in Sulu. But it sure was not easy as the military zeroed them in Jolo. This then pushed Abdul and the others to trail back to Tawi-Tawi. On their way back to Tawi-Tawi at about 8:30 of June 24, 2002, Abdul recalled meeting 70 other Sulu-based ASG in Mt Tukay, Parang, Sulu where he again met with his “recruiter” Dr Abu Pula who he later named as Jumail Gumbahali.

The “No-to-Negotiation” stand of the authorities then alarmed the group, Abdul added. Others then, particularly Albader Parad ordered Sherwin’s head cut-off to show the government they mean business. But Dullah, one of the Parad’s cohorts insisted that a finger would do. From late June till early July of that year, Parad and Abu have been threatening Sherwin. The former wanted to starve the captive to death. But as Abdul recalled, no one isn’t starving during the three months trek. They hardly eat and if they do the captives usually get the smallest share. Abdul then laughed as he recalled how Parad made fool of himself when he gave that order.

“Parad would always give us a speech about what we would be getting with Sherwin and Lidio. He said we could eat anything we want and sleep with whoever we want to after we disperse in Jolo. But by then, we were starting to doubt. We were walking zombies as we try avoiding the army day-in day-out.” Abdul sighed. The teenager even admitted having planned of gouging-out Sherwin’s left eye whenever he gets a good glance at the captive.

But seemingly Abdul claimed that his suffering paid-off when last September 15, 2002 Dr Abu got the PNP to negotiate. He never get to count how much money Dr Abu got with the exchange for Sherwin’s life but he said the whole group were laughing when Parad exclaimed that he asked for almost 25,000 worth for Sherwin’s so-called “board and lodging”. As Abdul remembered, he rarely feed their captives, and if they get to, it would be five emptied can of sardines which could last for the whole month. He could not recall a day where any of those they kidnapped had the chance of getting a three full meal or for that matter a decent and clean one. He said the grandest meal he could offer these captives were biscuits, bread and a feast for a fish dish which was served only among famous and supposed rich captives.

Abdul was amazed on how the other released captives could even swallow the strength to tell the media they were treated well. Aside from the intentional starving, long walks and that of the beating; Abdul utterly said they were treated nowhere human but mere baggage good for barter. This supposed “they treated as well” is a script forcibly taught by Parad amongst those released while threatening of having them killed whenever and wherever he wants to. Truth is their released captives would always live under Parad’s and Abdul’s shadow. Most would live denying their tortures to themselves and would even swear to bury those secrets to their graves. Abdul counted on that and continually believes so.

That ransom exchange with Caraeg served as the fuelling agent of Abdul and the whole group. He even claimed that this group was running a so-called “holiday trip with a unique apartelle”. The only thing illegal about it is that they forced their clients to sleep on cold dirt, dragged them on foot while trekking rock terrains and routinely giving them a good beating before the group decides to while the night. The beating made me sleep, Abdul uttered. When the captive is unconscious and practically when both its arms and legs are pretty swollen Abdul won’t have much to worry about an escape. They usually do it among not too prominent victims who were ordinary villagers unfortunate enough of meeting Parad and his crew along shallow brook or Narrow Mountain passes.

There were even times when Parad ordered Abdul and the others to take a shot of their captives from waist up, avoiding the legs and ofcourse parts that would eventually kill them, which make the captives and their effort totally worthless. From time to time, cutting a part of these victims was an exhilarating game for Abdul and his other comrade-Usman. Seeing how the victims fear and would do entirely everything of what Abdul and Usman asked of them was a form of ecstasy.

Abdul recalled having threatened a woman as old as her sister to stand naked in front of him and Usman. Abdul was practically smiling recalling the incidence where he won over Usman. Drastically, the two were on a race of who gets to “do it” (includes rapes and molestations) with their other girl captives. Abdul recalled it was something he had to do to get some respect in the group. He added how sorry he was for the girl then but he doesn’t want to go against Parad’s rules. Abdul claimed, Parad thinks everyone of us is dispensable. “He (Parad) could and would kill anyone of us if he wants to, Abdul ended.

Within the span of 2 hours and almost 25 minutes, the interview with Abdul ended with the far gruesome story. He claimed that being part of the ASG made him untouchable. The people in Sulu and across Zamboanga could attest to that. Abdul was no longer a 17-year old boy who lazed around. He was a murderer and a loose canon who admitted the vilest crime the country has yet to hear. He admitted having raped several women and have witnessed how they were passed-on from one ASG to the next. He confessed having beaten four civilian residents to death just because he wanted Parad and others to know he is no “sissy”. Inflicting pain to others and seeing the fear in their eyes made Abdul think he was playing God. Abdul could not even spell-put the word terrorism. But when he held his rifle and pointed it, one could see he embodies the “almost” perfect terrorism.

Abdul and the rest of the ASG were the worst among world’s terrorists. They were not driven by any chauvinistic or distorted ideology like those in the Middle East who turn themselves into human detonators. Instead, they were literal bandits and cold-blooded criminals who simply employ terror to gain cash. They were neither Muslim nor human. Religion and even that of Abdul’s so-called Muslim grudge against the Christians were immaterial to their dreadful acts. In fact there isn’t a word that would define who or what they even were. Moreover, there are no humanly-acceptable reason for the ASG’s brutality and zeal for terror. From the Commanders Robot, Janjalani and now to Sahiron and Parad, there is a huge possibility that Abdul and others like him would aim at the so-called amir league of brutal felons.

There was nothing to admire in the long list of story Abdul had for this article. But there were everything to be disgusted of. Maybe this honestly of Abdul is the only thing left of his humanity. Or maybe just like how Parad paraded himself in the press, the young Abdul wanted a taste of fame himself. Fame that would ironically placed him in every Filipinos wrath and ultimately the much-needed revulsion hat would lead to the ASG’s annihilation.

STREET JUSTICE (RISE of “PARTISAN” TRIBUNALS)

The plot on the life of MMDA Chief Roberto “Bobby” Esquivel almost cost his fourteen year old son but it did not spare the poor family driver Jonny Agbay. Agbay died bearing six bullet holes including a clean-slate to the head. Was it a darn incident of “mistaken identity” gone extreme? An intel glitch within the
PARTISANO” or the Partido Marxista Leninista ng Plipinas (PMLP) that caused innocent flag? Where in it just?

“PARTISANO” IN A NUT SHELL

Pocketed liquidations usually done along crowded streets and cities nationwide to include greater Manila by so-called “PARTISANO” or the Rejectionist's armed component swarming Luzon could be traced back in the middle of 1999. The “Rejectionist” faction came into existence when Felimon “Popoy” Lagman, former Secretary of CPP's Metro-Rizal Regional Committee (MRRC) rejected the nature to empower and aggravate the countryside encircling major cities as an actuation of takeover. However, the Rejectionists such as the “PARTISANO” wanted the revolt to start among cities particularly in Metro Manila were the seat of state power rest.

Moreover, the PARTISANO title projects two differing statements. One, a partisan or follower of the PMLP's “codex” of what is right and second a detriment against their targets which are eighter abusive lapdogs or cronies. Ironically, these Rejectionists who were suppose to zero-in on the “big fishes” taking control in the districts the group was subsequently beset with riddling money-heist. Instead of so-called “liberation of the people” they turned into money making where they ended-up as a political private armed groups for familial empires in the province and worst crime syndicates to include gun-running.

HARD TO SWALLOW

Rights groups in the country to include justice enthusiast like myself have continuously clamored for the precedence of the country's courts and law enforcement in pinning-down culprits. However, looking at a distant mirror made me realize that none among my “rights” mates give a damn when police officers, politicians or worst suspected military informants were murdered in broad daylight while way home or else while on their last bowl of noodles along foodhouses nationwide. Worst in this , unexplained disinterest is that the common people like primary targets' staffs and mostly their private drivers gets the deadly bullets and draw the first blood strain. No one would remember the Esquivel's driver-Johnny Agbay. The case would center on the successful plot on the MMDA exec but not on the needless death of Agbay along with the torn lives of his widower and orphaned children.

Where there ever a difference between a single police's life and that of a journalist or activist? Is the rights group lead by the honorable Leila de Lima “partisano” in nature? These death squads whether it be by the so-called Rejectionist faction or the CPP-NPA are by fact nothing else that coward criminals who stabs and snatch unwary adversaries. As de Lima accentuated, the streets were never a battleground. The cities, market places and even the police stations and jails across the country should have been treated the same. There was never a battle in someone else's “liquidation” or assassination but plain and simple murder. Whatever misdemeanor those victims have indulge on or bear it by their mere identification as men in uniforms or authority figures, the CPP-NPA and so as its defunct groups never earned the right to rob them of their rights for a day in court or a day where he could fight for himself. Nothing is right in intentional act of back-bite that cause human lives, whether it be an impulse of ideology or by mere fact that they are opponents by virtue of warfare.

By the end of year 2007, almost a hundred among suspected military informants and roughly a routine figure of 10 PNP or AFP personnel were liquidated in the country. The former other than death endured further tortures among Communist tribunals and latter gets nothing but a flag to commemorate their demise. The red army even poses these figures in cyberspace as triumphant operations against AFP. It was horribly showcased as a notch of success towards the Sison's conceptualized guerrilla warfare.

This so-called Communist's way of gaining justice at gunpoint is as illusive and absurd like begging mercy from a tyrant. If the “Partisano” group have ditched and buried every fiber of human conscience and guilt while they pulled the trigger at Agbay, the people who knew better never would. Or should I say with the obvious selective clamor for justice of KARAPATAN together with the CHR that they already did the opposite?

ARE YOU AFRAID OF ASG?

Is Philippines that economically struggling now that kidnapping becomes a way of living? How many government officials go to work without the proper uniform since the news on small time kidnapping broke out?! Just recently, we have heard of numbers of teachers and other government officials being kidnapped and got released for twenty or ten thousand pesos...alarming!

You can be the next victim.

It has been months since the issue on the MOA-AD conquered the society. What happened to the BJE anyway? Why don't people get talk about it that much now?” Have you ever thought of this? Have you ever doubted that all these issues now plus the BJE thing fit in the puzzle? Yes! The accumulation of ten and twenty thousand pesos can already provide foods, medicine and clothing for a large group of people for one month. In fact, if the number of kidnapping from 2008 until January 2009 be accounted, there can be atleast 14 M saved! Are we saying here that the kidnapping is intended to support a group of people? EXACATLY But we don't mean poor families. We mean lawless group of people who will only want to create endless chaos for aim they themselves are not fully aware of.

News report tells the socety that MILF has nothing to do with the kidnapping around. Did you immediately believe that? Kidnappers will continually conceal this truth. Of course, that's part of the game. Didn't military officers say that a certain Usman Lidjal is behind it? He used the ASG group in Basilan headed byPurudji Indama and a certain Jamiri for this small time kidnapping.

Everything fits in the puzzle. The MOA-AD is now silent...sooner or later it will make a name again. Soon... when amount is enough to support the activities- bombing and other forms of terrors like what happened in Lanao del Sur just months ago.

Shall we, as long as we live, just submit to these deceptions? Filipinos should be more vigilant now and aggressive. If you have been a victim, will you just remain silent since you are already released? What about the welfare of your fellowmen? Aren't we called to be accountable?

The government is doing more than its share in the seizure of this riddling lawlessness. People have witnessed 14 marines beheaded in cold-blood while ten others ambushed in the broad daylight during the rescue of Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi. The truth is presented in black and white. There is nothing to be confused of. In the ongoing battle against these terrorist; soldiers and civilians alike are shedding their blood.

It is high time to examine our conscience and know where our support and loyalty should lie. The MILF and ASG are our enemies. Mindanaons know that by now, but unfortunately they are too afraid to voice it out.

Our teachers, plain workers and even those who can't afford a meager kilo of rice in a week are used by the MILF thru Lidjal like living bargains for a barter of a bag-load of cash. No one is apparently safe; not an Iranon, Tausug or Visayan.

Else we should unite, disregard tribal indifference and support the total annihilation of both the MILF and its cahoots. A mere show of support would go along way for government soldiers whose willing to trade their lives for ours. They cannot do it alone. They need the people whom they die for appreciate their efforts.