• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Sangguniang Bayan of Toboso in Negros Occidental has declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as persona non grata or unwelcome as it strongly condemned the insurgency-related violence perpetrated by rebel remnants in the municipality.
The resolution, unanimously approved by all council members during the regular session on April 28, was also in adoption of the stand of the Municipal Peace and Order Council chaired by Mayor Richard Jaojoco, which also condemned the spate of rebel atrocities.
“The presence and activities of these groups in various parts of the country have resulted in violence, loss of lives, destruction of property and disruption of local development efforts,” it added.
The series of gunbattles in Barangay Salamanca on April 19 left 19 suspected NPA rebels dead and led to the recovery of 24 high-powered firearms and explosives.
This has prompted the Commission on Human Rights to investigate the incident, following claims that some of the victims, who were reported as student activists, American nationals, minors, and a community journalist, are civilians.
Declaring the CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata expresses the strong condemnation of the local government against insurgency and affirms its support for peace-building initiatives and lawful governance, the resolution said.
In a statement, the CPP admitted that 10 of the 19 casualties were armed revolutionaries while nine were civilians.
It also acknowledged that wanted special operations commander Roger Fabillar was among the rebel casualties.
According to the Philippine Army, Fabillar’s armed group is linked to at least 40 killings in Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines-Manila Committee on Promotion and Protection of Academic Freedom and Human Rights also issued a statement condemning the killing of 19 individuals, among them two UP students, Alyssa Alano and Maureeen Santuyo, as they supported the call for an immediate, thorough and truly independent investigation. | GB
