Lawmaker says he will resign if NTF-Elcac can prove Robredo-NPA coalition

Magdalo Rep. Manuel Cabochan III. Image from the House of Representatives website

MANILA, Philippines — Magdalo Partylist Rep. Manuel Cabochan III said Monday he will resign if the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) can prove that there is a coalition between Vice President Leni Robredo and the New Peoples Army (NPA).

Cabochan made the remark after the NTF-Elcac lambasted the camp of Robredo for supposedly insulting Filipinos by denying a deal with the Communist Party of the Philippines, New Peoples Army, and the National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

“I am one of the former soldiers aligned with the Robredo camp. And I can say with certainty, we also do not want a coalition with the NPA. Maliwanag na kontra kami dyan. Hindi kami papayag diyan. But there is no coalition with the NPA in the first place,” Cabochan said in a statement.

“Now, if the NTF-ELCAC can show proof today, aside from fake witnesses, that there is a coalition between the NPA and the Robredo Camp, I will resign as the incumbent representative and nominee of the Magdalo Party-List,” he added.

Cabochan said he respects the public’s different choices when it comes to supporting presidential candidate. However, making “malicious and baseless accusations to discredit one candidate” is unacceptable, said the lawmaker.

“It was promised that by the end of the Duterte administration, the local armed communist conflict would have already been terminated. Bakit meron pa rin?” Cabochan said.

“Gawin na lamang nila ang kanilang trabaho ng tama, malinis, maayos, at walang halong politika para matupad ang pangako imbes na magpalabas ng kung anu-anong haka-haka,” he added.

Robredo herself has quashed rumors linking her to the CPP and NPA.

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