NDF assails the AFP for using lumads in a proxy war; challenges Del Rosario, Cuerpo to lead the fight versus NPA instead

8 December 2005

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in Southern Mindanao assails the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) 73rd Infantry Battalion and Col. Eduardo del Rosario for misleading and using the lumads in a proxy war versus the revolutionary movement.

Unable to stem the tide of the continuing growth and consolidation of the New People's Army (NPA) and its peasant/lumad mass base, the likes of Eduardo del Rosario and Jose Maria Cuerpo II, have time and again manipulated and mobilized several lumad datus and their members in a counter-revolutionary warfare, reviving the failed divide-and-rule strategy of Low-Intensity Conflict.

Employing opportunist tribal leaders turned tribal "dealers" such as Ruben Labawan and Joel Onad, these AFP officers feed the propaganda machinery of the reactionary government while their troops arm misled lumads and desperately instigate a pangayao versus the revolutionary forces.

From the convenience of their city based-offices, Del Rosario and Cuerpo spew lies, deception and intrigues while the paramilitary Alamara/CAFGU are forced to the frontlines.

Evidently, this is a blatant violation of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines-NDFP's Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHR-IHL) and International Human Rights Law, which disallows any armed force from using civilians for military and combat purpose.

The 73rd IB's brazenness in using lumads versus the NPA is highly condemnable, a cheap and desperate scheme and smacks of downright cowardice. This is the product of its failures versus a superior guerilla warfare waged by the NPA in the context of the People's Democratic Revolution.

The NPA takes punitive actions only versus those found guilty of grave crimes versus the people and the revolutionary movement. Punished were those actually, actively and directly engaged in armed hostilities.

The frustrations of Del Rosario and Cuerpo are obviously mounting. Ka Parago and the 1st Pulang Bagani Company not only continues to outwit and outmaneuver the 73rd IB and the 401st brigade but has taken the political- military initiative in expanding and deepening the mass base among poor peasants and lumads.

Eduardo Del Rosario, Jose Ma. Cuerpo and the AFP hierarchy must stop their proxy war and cease being battle benefactors of lumads. If they have the guts, they should leave the comforts of their offices, live the life of a combatant and face the NPA in the guerilla bases and zones. *

(Sgd) RUBI DEL MUNDO
Spokesperson
National Democratic Front of the Philippines - Southern Mindanao