NDF in E. Visayas urges members: Increase offensives during election

CEBU, Philippines -  The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas this week, in a statement released to media, urged members of its armed group, New People’s Army, to “increase offensives throughout the election period and beyond” to let the people know that the “revolution is the answer to their problems, not the elections.”

Father Santiago Salas, official spokesperson of the NDF-EV spokesperson, told supporters to be “critical” of the coming elections and to intensify their armed and unarmed struggles, saying that the “ruling system” uses both armed violence and the democratic process of elections to sow disunity and lull the people “without undertaking fundamental changes.”

Salas also debunked the alleged “price list” for the “permit to campaign/permit to win” that the rebel group was reportedly asking from local candidates, as exposed by the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army earlier.

The so-called pricelist was a “malicious” imputation of the military to reduce the rebel cause into a “mere financial transaction” of the “otherwise highly significant reality of reactionary politicians negotiating with the People’s Democratic Government,” he said.

Salas also scoffed at the military’s claim that candidates can buy a “permit to win.” He alluded there is not such easy way but that they still had to “convince” the voters of their sincerity, adding that the “awakened masses” know that politicians are glib talkers and “will not lead to basic changes.”

He however said, “all candidates in the 2013 elections must have permission” to access influenced areas and “must abide with the requirements,” adding that “they must not threaten the people or buy votes; not bring excessive armed security or the military and police in their campaign sorties; and must contribute to the well-being of the people.

Those who violate these terms “are subject to punishment” like the “disarming of their armed minions, confiscation of bribe money” and other such measures, said Salas.  (FREEMAN)