Anti-communist groups stage protest vs NPA atrocities

MANILA, Philippines — Members of anti-communist groups on Monday took to the streets of Manila to condemn the atrocities of communist rebel groups.

The League of Parents of the Philippines, Liga Independencia Pilipinas, Melchora, Sulong Maralita and Youth for Peace and Development displayed their anti-communist placards and banners from Far Eastern University Morayta to Mendiola Bridge just days before the 52nd anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA).

In the protest, Pep Goatia, secretary general of Liga Independencia Pilipinas, denounced the armed struggle of the NPA and Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

“Ano ang naging contribution nila [CPP-NPA] sa pagpapaunlad ng ekonomiya ng Pilipinas? […] Marahil isa lang ang sagot. Wala talaga. Walang naidulot na maayos ang CPP-NPA sa 52 years na terroristic acts. Hindi armadong pakikibaka ang sagot sa problema ng Pilipinas. Hindi ito ang tamang daan. Daan ito ng dahas,” said Goatia.

(What are their contributions to the Philippine economy? There is only one answer to that. Nothing. They did not do anything good in 52 years of terrorist acts. Armed struggle is not the answer to our problems. This is not the right option. This is the way of violence.)

The anti-communist organizations also called for the resignation of the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives, whom they linked to the communist rebels.

No less than President Rodrigo Duterte accused the Makabayan bloc as legal front organizations of the communist rebels.

The lawmakers already denied that they are recruiting people to join communist rebel groups. [ac]