Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar - The recent claim of the National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas (NDF-EV) labeling the partnership of the local government of Samar along with Army’s 8th Infantry Division and US government Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for development as “militarization” is a clear attempt to hinder development in the island of Samar.
Mr. Santiago Salas, the dismissed priest turned spokesman of the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in Eastern Visayas kept on barking the development assistance of the 8ID to be “militarization” which is a usual tactics of the CPP-NPA-NDF to create wedges between the collaboration of stakeholders and the soldiers in the area.
“Militarization” is described when there is a pursuit of military aims with a strong influence of military government and the government policy is invested in the military”. This is not what is happening here in Eastern Visayas.
What the 8ID is doing in partnership with the local leaders of the three provinces is the conduct of routine security operations in order to preempt the enemy’s illegal activities such as liquidation, extortion and brutal violation of human rights that sow terror in the local communities which definitely hinders the desired development particularly in the countryside.
The decision of the MCC to partner with other relevant stakeholders such as the local government to ultimately realize its cause to bring-forth development in Samar is an intelligent choice because development could never be attained with the absence of harmony. More so, peace and security is an essential pre-requisite to attain development.
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The MCC compact project provides funds amounting to $214.4 million to construct and repair 220 kilometers of Samar Road. This road, which passes through 15 municipalities, will improve access to markets and services for farmers, fishers, and small businesses in some of the poorest provinces in the island that will greatly improve the lives of our people.
Who among our people is not favor for these projects? Who among our people still wants to remain stagnant to their barrios without any dreams to be progressive someday? And who among our people does not want to be progressive and competitive not only in their neighboring barrios or towns but to the other nation as well?
The answer is obvious, only the CPP-NPA-NDF desires that the people and our country to remain impoverished and poor. Why? Because when people progresses, all propaganda lines and issues that they frequently recycle to brainwash these people will be proven to be lies.
Summary executions, tortures, harassment, indiscriminate firing, robbery, destruction of property and other human rights violations are all activities of the CPP-NPA-NDF that they finger pointed to be allegedly being practiced by the soldiers.
Who will forget the so called “Catarman incident” where eight (8) policemen were mercilessly killed last August 21, 2010?
The “Matuguinao massacre” that robbed two (2) lives and left one (1) in a critical condition last March 21, 2010? In this incident, Mylene dela Cruz who endured gun shots at her right leg and still under medication through the assistance of the 8ID. Also, the killing of an innocent farmer known as Arman Diaz of Brgy Madoroto of same municipality who was mercilessly slain by the terrorist in front of his children and wife and afterwards dragged and exhibited at the center of barangay plaza last February?
The torture of Luis Durico, brgy Chairman of Genaronagan, Lope de Vega in Northern Samar and was also brutally slaughtered by the terrorist with his body also dragged at the center of brgy and beheaded in front of family and constituents in March 2010?
The nation-wide anti-DPA campaign named “Oplan Ahos-Zombie”, “Operation Missing Link”, “Kadena de Amor, “Takip Silim, “Purga” and “Paglilinis-hanay”; Digos Massacre, use of landmines and countless burning of buses, destruction of cell sites, extortion, permit-to-campaign fees, etc. are all perpetrated by these organization.
These inhumane, barbaric and animalistic acts of NPA in terrorizing the civilians are already well known tricks of soliciting support, following the Sun Tzu’s dictum, “Kill one to terrorize one thousand”.
History speaks that countless violation of human rights were recorded but as if the NDF who shouts for a genuine human rights were voiceless and effortless.
Meanwhile, the 8ID as well as the Army units in the area remain steadfast in their mandated mission and continuously upholding the programs that promotes peace and development.
Major General Mario Chan, the 8ID’s commander assured the public that the forthcoming projects of the MCC will be properly supported and secured as well as the other NGO’s who desire to help Samar to become a developed and competitive province.
“We are appealing to the public to work hand-in-hand with the authorities to include media entities, various religious and people’s organization to take account our moral obligations to maintain harmony in the province”, Major General Chan adds.
Mr. Salas must apologize to the people for persecuting the common good of the people and for mocking the long desired development of the island. He is depriving the people of things that they supposed to deserve long before time.
“It is therefore incumbent upon him (Salas) being the former priest to be responsible in everything he say and do, to correct his erroneous statement and apologize for the wrongdoings to the Samareňos”
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