KATRIBU hits AFP/PNP over black prop

QUEZON CITY – KATRIBU Partylist questioned the military’s “neutrality” as expressed by its chief of staff when he was installed into office, with officers and men in uniform doing otherwise.

KATRIBU lately called the attention of both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) over the spate of black propaganda both policemen and soldiers in several indigenous peoples’ communities have reportedly been launching.

In a letter sent to both Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, AFP chief of staff and PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Jesus Verzosa KATRIBU Partylist President and First Nominee Beverly Longid demanded an investigation over the incidents.

“If warranted, mete out appropriate measures against involved men in uniform,” Longid asked both Bangit and Verzosa.

The complaints involved incidents of direct campaigning against KATRIBU Partylist and other progressive candidates; and erroneous and malicious labeling of the legitimate sectoral party as a terrorist organization.

KATRIBU Partylist also noted that in so-called community consultations being conducted by the military, men in uniform would brazenly make the following statement: “Huwag iboto ang KATRIBU dahil sila ay salot sa lipunan! Huwag iboto ang KATRIBU dahil sila terorista at mga kasangga ng komunista.” (Do not vote for KATRIBU because it is a terrorist organization and are advocates of communism.)

“What neutrality was Bangit talking about when his men are doing the opposite?” Longid asked.

The military and police are also blamed for sending out of poison pen letters with black ribbons that vilify our partylist and threaten local candidates, warning them from giving support to progressive partylist groups.

“They also engaged in operations to remove our campaign materials posted in COMELEC-designated areas,” Longid told the PNP and AFP top brass.

KATRIBU Partylist strongly believes that the black propaganda is meant to prevent legitimate sectoral groups from winning in the upcoming elections.

“It has adversely affected our campaign, instilling fear among our members, volunteers and supporters,” Longid said

The safety and security of leaders, campaigners and communities are being compromised as the police and the military are armed not to mention that they are notorious in committing grave human rights abuses in their pursuit of counter-insurgency operations, according to Longid.

“We cannot understand why this administration is so insecure of indigenous peoples’ presence in Congress. Government troops used to tell us to bring our issues to Congress when we resort to the streets for redress. Now that we are trying the electoral arena, they tend to vilify us,” Longid said.

KATRUBU supporters in the Cordillera even collected as pieces of evidence materials transformed into caricatures depicting the nominees and coordinators as devils with horns and fangs drawn on their picture posters.

The partylist logo was drawn with hammer and sickle apparently to link the group with the communist party.

Other progressive party-list groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Gabriela, and ACT Teachers, all affiliated with the coalition Makabayan have also reported similar incidents. Makabayan is also fielding two senatorial bets, Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza. #