Lorenzana, communist leader trade barbs over funds

The war of words between the defense department and communist rebels sank to a new low Saturday with both sides accusing each other of financial impropriety.

On one side, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana raised doubt that so-called revolutionary taxes being collected by rebels were being spent on the poor, as rebels claimed.

On the other side, leaders of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) accused Lorenzana of lacking transparency in the use of billions of pesos of defense funds.

In a statement, Lorenzana questioned claims made by Fidel Agcaoili, NDFP chief peace negotiator, that revolutionary tax being collected by rebels were being used for projects for the poor.

“Where does the money you forcibly collect really go?” said Lorenzana, addressing himself to NDFP.

“What’s your proof that the people, particularly the poor, benefit?” he said.

“What’s clear is that the ‘revolutionary tax’ they collect is spent for the luxury of a few (in the communist organization),” Lorenzana added.

Explain DND spending

Agcaoili, in a statement, said Lorenzana should be the one to explain how Department of National Defense (DND) funds were being spent.

“Without confirming his allegation, what is Lorenzana complaining about? All taxes collected by the revolutionary government go toward providing services to the people and the communities,” Agcaoili said.

“What about the P137.2-billion 2017 budget of the DND, where did the monies go?” said Agcaoili.

“To line the pockets of the generals, military commanders and senior officials of the DND and Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said.

In a speech before businessmen in Davao City on Friday, Lorenzana said businessmen and groups should reject rebel demands to pay taxes because they “rely on extortion to survive.”

“If the sources of their funds run dry, their activity will also decrease and eventually end their movement,” Lorenzana said.

Peace spoilers

Lorenzana said the communist movement, not he, was the one spoiling the peace process by “playing its old game of accusing the government of the very crimes that its members are committing.”

The defense chief said it was the rebellion that was keeping the countryside from taking off.

The rebels, said Lorenzana, “have now stepped up their rhetoric because their ploy to continue talking while fighting was finally terminated by the President.”

Agcaoili, in the NDFP statement, said despite substantial funding, the DND failed to protect Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea from aggression by China.

Peace talks between the government and NDFP were scrapped by Mr. Duterte in July after New People’s Army rebels raided a convoy of presidential guards in the borders of Davao City, Bukidnon and North Cotabato.

Seven members of the Presidential Security Group were wounded in the attack. —WITH A REPORT FROM KARLOS MANLUPIG