[asia-apec 1447] Bayan hits AFP’s malicious red-baiting in Mindanao

[BAYAN]

NEWS RELEASE
May 5, 2000

Bayan hits AFP’s malicious red-baiting in Mindanao

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) today accused the Philippine National
Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) of red-baiting and
using the armed conflict in Mindanao to hit back at cause-oriented groups and
non-governmental organizations critical of the Estrada administration.

Bayan’s accusation followed a military report released to the media in Davao
City tagging leaders of various people’s organizations and cause-oriented
groups in Mindanao as top NPA commanders who have allied with the MILF.

Last May 2, a certain Capt. Felix Mangyao of the AFP’s Public Affairs Group
based in Camp Panacan, Davao City, told the local media that the following
Bayan leaders were now serving as commanders of the NPA in Mindanao and have
allied themselves with the MILF: Joel Maglungsod of the Kilusang Mayo Uno
(KMU), Valerio Mante and Frank Sagahun of Bayan, Antonio Flores of the
Kilusang
Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), urabn poor leaders Marilou Soco and Rose
Licong,
and Joel Virador of Karapatan.

Calling the military report an attempt to exploit public outrage and confusion
over the worsening situation in Mindanao, Bayan Secretary General Teodoro  A.
Casiño said this latest military move was aimed at making Bayan leaders and
members vulnerable to harassment, illegal arrests and searches and even
violent
reprisals from vigilante groups and anti-Muslim cults.

"We suspect that this is another scheme by the AFP to silence the Estrada
administration’s critics in Mindanao, which include Bayan and other
cause-oriented groups,” said Casiño.

Bayan has been critical of the government’s stepped-up military campaigns in
Mindanao, saying it would not help resolve the roots of the armed conflict in
the island.

“Mr. Estrada and the AFP have not learned the lessons of the past 100 years.
You cannot stop the Moro people's revolutionary struggle by brute force. The
only way to achieve peace is through a political settlement with the Moro
people and their leaders,” said Casiño.

Such a settlement, he added, could only be reached if there is mutual
respect,
sincere dialogue and substantial negotiations with the MILF, something which
the Estrada regime has refused to undertake. #

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B A Y A N
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or New Patriotic Alliance
No. 23 Maamo Street, Sikatuna Village
Quezon City, PHILIPPINES       
Telephone: (63-2) 435-9151       Telefax: (63-2) 922-5211
Email:   <bayan at iname.com>
Bayan webpage URL:                                 
<http://www.bigfoot.com/~bayan-phils>http://www.bigfoot.com/~bayan-phils
      
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