• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Sangguniang Bayan of Toboso in Negros Occidental has declared the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front as “persona non grata,” as it strongly condemned the insurgency-related violence perpetrated by rebel remnants in the municipality.
The resolution, which was unanimously approved by all members of the municipal council during its regular session on April 28, was also in adoption to the stand of its Municipal Peace and Order Council chaired by Mayor Richard Jaojoco, which also condemned the spate of rebel atrocities.
“The presence and activities of these groups in various parts of the country have resulted in violence, loss of lives, destruction of property and disruption of local development efforts”, it added.
The series of gunbattles in Brgy. Salamanca, Toboso on April 19, which left 19 suspected NPA rebels dead, and led to the recovery of 24 high-powered firearms, as well as explosives, has prompted the Commission on Human Rights to investigate the incident, following claims that some of the victims were civilians and not combatants. They were reported as two student activists, two Americans, two minors, and a community journalist.
Declaring the CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata expresses the strong condemnation of the local government against insurgency and affirms its support for peace building initiatives and lawful governance.
In a statement, the CPP admitted that 10 of the 19 casualties were armed revolutionaries, while nine were civilians.
It also acknowledged that Roger Fabillar, alias Jhong, was among the rebel casualties.
According to the Philippine Army, Fabillar, whose armed group was linked to at least 40 killings in Negros Occidental, has a bounty of P2 million for his arrest.
The University of the Philippines (UP) Manila Committee on Promotion and Protection of Academic Freedom and Human Rights has issued a statement condemning the killing of 19 individuals, including two of its students – Allysa Alano and Maureen Santuyo, as they supported the call for an immediate, thorough and truly independent investigation.*
