AFP PR
CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – Former New People’s Army (NPA) members testified before senators how leftist organizations take part in the elaborate conspiracy to recruit youth in communist armed conflict.
Jeffrey Celiz also known as “Ka Eric” cited former House Representatives Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares of the Makabayan Bloc as principals by inducement in the recruitment operations by the Communist Party of the Philippines – NPA – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
“They are part of a spectrum of operations by the CPP-NPA-NDF qualifying them as principal by inducement while the NPAs who commit armed violence are principal by direct participation,” said Celiz.
Celiz was among the witnesses invited in the third Senate Hearing on the issue of red-tagging and red-baiting held Tuesday, December 1 at the Senate of the Philippines.
“Nailahad natin na ang dugtungan ng kanilang armadong pagkilos upang pabagsakin ang gubyerno at ang dugtungan ng kanilang pagkukunwari sa mga unibersidad at kulehiyo. Ang pagre-recruit sa loob nito ay patuloy na nabubunyag ng napakaraming magkakadugtong, magkakatugma at tuloy-tuloy na mga testimonya at direktang karanasan na paglalahad ng mga former cadre leaders ng CPP-NPA-NDF,” Celiz said during the hearing’s sidelines.
Another witness, Noel Legazpi also known as “Ka Efren” said the death of Jevilyn Cullamat, daughter of Bayan Muna party-list Representative Eufemia Cullamat is proof of the organization’s direct connection with the CPP-NPA-NDF.
“Kalikasan na po ang nagtatakda kung ano ang tunay na relasyon ng Bayan Muna at ng CPP-NPA-NDF. Kung ano mang pwersa ang gumagabay o nagpapagalaw sa ating lipunan, isa lang po ang malinaw, ang Bayan Muna ay may direktang kuneksyon sa CPP-NPA-NDF gaya ng pinatotohanan ng pagkamatay ng anak ni Congressman Cullamat,” said Legazpi.
He also said that the continuous denial of Casiño, Colmenares and other representatives from the Makabayan Bloc is a clear manifestation of their loyalty and allegiance to the CPP.
“Mayroon silang pinanumpaan sa CPP. Sila ang nakalagay sa open and legal mass organizations kaya kailan man hindi nila aaminin na sila ay myembro ng partido. Pero ang totoo, dinispose sila ng partido doon, nilagay sila ng partido don,” said Legazpi.
Meanwhile, members of the Hands Off Our Children and League of Parents of the Philippines rallied outside the Senate building to call for the resignation of the Makabayan Bloc representatives for deceiving minors into joining the NPA.
“Nananawagan po kami sa sambayanang Pilipino, sa kungreso, sa Senado na patalsikin na po ang Makabayan Bloc kasi yung kanilang serbisyo ay hindi po para sa sambayanang Pilipino kundi para sa kanilang organisasyon lang. Nandito kami ngayon kasi we are the living evidence na talagang ginagamit nila yung mga kabataan at pinapahamak nila ang kabataan,” said Relissa Lucena, one of the HOOC members.
Ms. Lucena is the mother of Alicia Jasper who was recruited by Anakbayan and eventually joined the Kabataan party list.
“Ang anak ko, minor. Inorganisa sya at ginagamit sya sa kampanya noong sya ay 17 years old. Ginagamit sya nila Elago, ni Neri Colmenares para ikampanya ang organizayon nila. Minor ang anak ko, dapat may consent ang mga magulang bago nyo gamitin o bago nyo nilabas. Wala kayong consent na hiningi sa akin,” she lamented.
On many occasions, troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have encountered in combat operations students who are affiliated with front organizations of the CPP-NPA-NDF. These minors started as members of front organizations and eventually joined the armed formation of the NPA to become cadres. Many of them unfortunately died in combat operations.
In a statement, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay assured that the military will do everything in its capacity to put an end to the CPP-NPA-NDF’s recruitment.
“We will not let the CPP-NPA-NDF continue their recruitment of innocent civilians especially the youth. We swore to protect our people with our lives and we will do it through whatever means we can, no matter what the consequences are. We will not let them waste our youth’s dreams and potential to become productive and peace-loving citizens,” he said.
