Nothing wrong with NPA lightning rally – AFP

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines does not see anything wrong with the lightning rally staged by at least 500 members and supporters of the outlawed communist New People’s Army at the busy intersection of Rizal and Recto Avenues in Sta. Cruz, Manila yesterday morning.

“This is a free country. They can express their beliefs publicly for as long as they do it in a peaceful way,” said AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, referring to the masked rallyists who converged in Manila.

Zagala stressed that being a communist is no longer a crime in the country and for as long as active members and supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CCP-NPA-NDF) converge for a peaceful assembly to express their political beliefs, they could always do so.

However, Zagala said that what is illegal is when the communist party members and supporters bear arms during their public assembly to further their political agenda.

“It’s already a different story. If they are armed it’s already a crime and the military will be forced to use arms as part of its mandate in protecting the people and the state. So, I suggest that if they intend to launch more peaceful assemblies in Metro Manila, they must first turn over their firearms to us,” Zagala said.

He also challenged the group behind yesterday’s lightning rally not to hide their true identities behind masks if they really are convinced about their political belief because communism is no longer barred from being practiced in the country.

The lighting rally by the NPA rebels and their supporters caught government security forces securing Metro Manila off-guard.

The rally was staged to commemorate in advance the communist party’s 36th founding anniversary on Dec. 26.

And before policemen could confront the supposed NPA rallyists, the group dispersed and blended in with Christmas shoppers, students and pedestrians along Recto Avenue, removing their masks and throwing their red-painted placards.

Meanwhile, AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said yesterday that the six-day holiday truce declared by communist rebels was too short, even as the government has yet to reciprocate the declaration.

If Bautista would have his way, the ceasefire should last forever so that people won’t suffer from armed violence. – With Alexis Romero, Non Alquitran, Cecille Suerte Felipe