Correspondence Reports:
AFP intrigues belied

Basahin ang artikulong ito sa Pilipino

A big lie! Thus declared NDF-Mindanao spokesperson Jorge �Ka Oris� Madlos on the bunch of black propaganda being propagated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). In its desperate attempt to cover up the gains of the New People�s Army (NPA) and the AFP�s isolation from the people due to its rampant violations of human rights, the AFP has resorted to unleashing a mixture of half-truths and speculation, if not outrightly fabricated stories:

• The AFP reported on April 4 that two NPA guerrillas were killed in an encounter between the NPA and the 9th IB in Lantad, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental. Upon investigation, it turned out that two CAFGU elements were killed and five soldiers of the 9th IB were wounded. The NPA was even able to seize an M14 from them.
• The NPA allegedly held up on April 2 a group led by ex-Mayor Orquina in Barangay Hinatigan, Bakwang, Surigao del Norte. Their escort was killed and all their firearms and personal belongings taken. But later, it was revealed that the real perpetrators were local bandits with contacts to the military, one of them SPO2 Allan Ebol.
• The NPA is said to be suffering from low morale. And proof of this, said the military, is the surrender of some 50 rebels in Agusan and Surigao del Norte. The truth: These were fake surrenderees�a mixture of fake NPA guerrillas and local bandits repeatedly made to surrender by the 4th ID. Military officials make a killing out of this big racket by raking in �peace and order� and �rebel returnee� funds.
• The military�s paid propagandists once again drooled over news that six Red fighters were killed in an encounter with the 36th IB in Barangay Awaw, Monkayo, Compostela Valley on March 30.

  What the 36th IB actually encountered was an AFP-organized and -funded fanatical group known as the Remnants of the Family of God. One soldier and six armed cultists were killed and a CAFGU element wounded in this firefight.

• AFP troops attacked an NPA group in Barangay Salug, Agusan del Sur, supposedly seizing four firearms. The truth is that a Philippine Army asset stole the firearms of local residents. No firefight took place.
• �They�re killing each other�,� shouted the military. Six Red fighters were supposedly killed in a misencounter between two NPA units in March. Upon investigation, no such incident took place along the La Paz, Agusan del Sur boundary mentioned.
• The AFP reportedly killed eight Red fighters in an encounter in Alegria, Surigao del Norte on March 11, 2004. The truth is that three Red fighters were killed, and not eight as reported by the military.

21 April 2004
English Edition

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