Yesterday, DILG Sec Benhur Abalos presented before the media nine purportedly “NPA surrenderees” with their faces all wrapped up in a cheap gimmick at Camp Aguinaldo. We dismiss this publicity stunt as a big sham. The supposed “surrenderees” are all likely fakes. Abalos could not even cite which province the NPA fighters came from. They were likely picked up by the police on the streets to be paid for their acting.

Kung totoo man silang sumurender, dapat alam ni Sec. Abalos na bawal sa ilalim ng international humanitarian law na iparada at i-subject sa ridicule at indignities ang mga sumurender na armadong katunggali. Ginawa silang katatawanan sa harap ng publiko.

Sunud-sunod itong pekeng mga “surrender ceremony” ng PNP. Malamang na malaking pera ang ibinubulsa ng mga upisyal ng pulis sa mga pekeng surender na ito. Milyun-milyong piso na inilalabas ng gubyerno na walang auditing.

There is no truth that NPA fighters are surrendering in numbers. The great majority of Red fighters of the NPA are fully dedicated to the cause of national freedom and democracy and to defend the rights and lives of the broad masses. They are ever determined to fight in the face of relentless state terrorism and fascist attacks against the people under the US-Marcos regime.