AFP on House petition vs crackdown on Left: See what Reds are doing

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday, Nov. 15, said it was prepared to explain in detail what it said were the inner workings of communist rebels and leftist groups in the wake of a petition at the House of Representatives calling for an end to a crackdown on activist groups that the military tagged as key players in the communist rebellion.

Brig. Gen. Edgardo Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, invited the legislators who signed the petition to a meeting on how communist rebels were infiltrating supposedly legitimate progressive groups and how these groups were being used to transfer funds from foreign donors to New People’s Army.

Arevalo said the AFP was also prepared to explain in detail rebel recruitment of minors and how rebels were riding on women and children’s rights issues, human rights abuses and indigenous people’s rights.

“We reach out because at the end of the day, we Filipinos have one and the same republic to secure and one people to protect and defend for the sake of our children and their future,” he said in a statement.

The statement came after at least 64 members of the House signed a petition expressing concern over attacks on elected representatives, members and supporters of the left-wing Makabayan bloc in the chamber and the opposition.

Earlier this month, the AFP listed the duly-elected Gabriela Women’s Party as a front organization for “communist terrorist groups” during a security briefing at the House.

At least 50 activists were also recently arrested in different law enforcement operations in Manila and Bacolod City. Firearms and explosives were seized during the raids, but activist groups said these were planted evidence.

Arevalo said while the AFP respects freedom of expression, it was taking exception to the use of the terms “crackdown,” “attacks on progressive groups” and “planting evidence” to criticize raids on offices of activist groups. Edited by TSB