General vows to expose ‘mestizo’ pols in Isabela

GAMU, Isabela — In this part of the country, there are two kinds of politicians: those supporting the government in its anti-insurgency efforts and the so-called "mestizos."

As Brig. Gen. Samuel Bagasin, commanding general of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division based at Camp Melchor de la Cruz in Barangay Upi here, describes it, these "mestizo" politicians either sympathize with the cause of communist insurgents, provide them financial or logistical support, or coddle them in their respective communities.

"I’m not saying that they are ‘sleeping with the enemy’ but they cannot take a clear stand against the insurgents," he said.

Without these elective officials, he said New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas "won’t have enough courage" to operate and recruit members in their localities.

Appropriate action

Bagasin vowed to bring the matter about these "mestizo" politicians to the Provincial Peace and Order Council for "appropriate action."

Earlier, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina has sternly warned local officials sympathizing with communist rebels, saying they could be prosecuted criminally and administratively.

Bagasin cited Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy Jr. for taking an uncompromising stand against communist rebels.

"Honestly, I admire Gov. Dy for his firm stand against the insurgents," he said.

Intelligence reports show that the NPA has beefed up its recruitment in the province, exploiting issues on Dy’s cassava plantation project and the construction of a coal mining plant in Cauayan City.

Bagasin, however, belittled the NPA’s efforts, saying its armed regulars in the province are not capable of launching major offensives against government and military targets.