MALOLOS CITY—Militant activists downplayed police’s claims that insurgency in Central Luzon can be eradicated by next year.
They said the refusal of the Arroyo administration to recognize the bottom line of the insurgency problem, its goal to end it by next year will fail.
"The insurgency problem has been borne out of the marginalized cry for social justice," said Aurora Broquil, the spokesperson of the Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD) in Central Luzon.
She added that the government had failed in alleviating the plight of the people, while repression continues.
Broquil said that the government is using insurgency campaign as a pretext against legitimate people’s organization.
The same was echoed by Joseph Canlas of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL).
Canlas said, "marami na ang rehimeng nagdaan at nagsasabing tatapusin nila ang insurgency ngunit hindi pa iyon tuluyang nagapi."
According to Canlas, the government will not be able to eradicate insurgency as long colonial and feudal system exists in the country side.
Earlier, Chief Supt. Nilo Dela Cruz, police director in Central Luzon, said insurgency in the region can be achieved next year.
"I think it can be achieved," he said referring to the deadline set by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to eradicate insurgency.
Dela Cruz said the police scored a number of victories against insurgents since November last year that include arrests of top communist leaders in Bataan, Aurora and Pampanga.
"They are demoralized due to our successful operations, sunod-sunod ang accomplishment namin in partnership with the Army’s Northern Luzon Command," he said.
He noted that the rebels faction Rebolusyunaryong Hukbong Bayan (RHB) have resorted into plain banditry.
Dela Cruz said some members of the said faction were arrested in the past for extortion, robbery, and kidnap for ransom.
"Wala ng ideology sa kanila, dahil economics na ang kanilang interest," he said.
He noted that based on military history, rebels who lost grasp of their ideology, usually end up as plain bandits saying "nasanay sila sa baril at sa easy money through revolutionary tax."
About three years ago, retired General Jovito Palparan of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division staged an aggressive anti-insurgency campaign in Central Luzon and parts of Pangasinan.
Before he retired, Palparan claimed that they have weakened the rebels in the region by at least 95 percent and noting they have cut the rebels’ sources of revolutionary tax especially in Bulacan.
Palparan said rebels in Central Luzon usually prey on fishpond operators and mining companies where they collect at least P40 million every year in Bulacan alone.
Palparan’s campaign was highlighted by establishment of Barangay Defense System (BDS) which was designed to empower members of the community to resist communist rebels who seek residence in their communities.
However, Palparan’s campaign was also marked by alleged enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings which were blamed on him by militants groups who tagged him as the "Berdugo."
