MANILA, Philippines — Some partylist groups advocating communist ideologies are using “devious means” to gather support, a Senate report released Wednesday concluded.
This was according to Senate Committee Report No. 10 by the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, and the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation which was released following the investigation on the cases of missing minors who were allegedly recruited by leftist groups.
“These Partylist organizations, although legal in character, employ devious means to lure the people to support them,” the report stated.
The report noted that some partylist organizations “spouse principles that give semblance to democratic values and doctrines, but with the real ultimate goal of overthrowing the Government.”
“They take advantage of the seeming ‘helplessness’ of the masses amidst the social ills, and stir discontent and disgruntlement against the Government,” it noted.
The report also mentioned the use of students as “bufferzones”, noting how young minds are being “exploited” in the process.
“Sadly, even young minds are exploited and the students are used as bufferzones by these organizations which coddle them and train them to embrace the life of armed combatants of insurgent groups,” the report stated.
“It is unfortunate, therefore, that some Partylist groups use democracy to destroy democracy,” it added.
The joint panel’s committee report was signed by 17 senators — including Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs chair Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, as well as Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation chair Senator Panfilo Lacson./ac
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