THE insurgent Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) continues to refuse the demand of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for them to turn over the culprits in the New People's Army (NPA) landmine attack in Masbate.
Meanwhile, Rappler and other Yellow mouthpieces are obviously staking their fortunes with the NPA, stumbling over themselves in defending the communist rebels.
The incident occurred on June 6 in barangay Anas, Masbate. Killed in the landmine blast were Kieth Absalon, 21, a football player of the Far Eastern University (FEU), and his cousin Nolven Absalon. They were just biking leisurely when the mine was detonated. Nolven's son, Chrisbin Daniel, 16, was badly wounded but survived.
Next thing you know, the New People's Army issued a statement apologizing for the attack, admitting that the killing was a mistake, and offering compensation to the families of the victims.
Sorry for the attack
The NPA said "sorry" for the deaths of two promising young men, but this did little to assuage the pain and the anger felt by the relatives and friends of the Absalons.
As this developed, AFP spokesman General Edgard Arevalo challenged the communist party to surrender to the government the rebel fighters who committed the "fatal error."
This was vehemently opposed by a certain Marco Valbuena, chief information officer of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Valbuena issued a statement that tends to use the discredited and disowned agreement on temporary peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF).
CPP spokesman's alibi
Valbuena said: "Sa balangkas ng may digmaang sibil, at sa ilalim ng Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) sa pagitan ng NDFP at GRP, kinikilala ang solong kapangyarihan ng NDFP sa mga reklamo laban sa mga tauhan ng NPA, katulad na nasa ilalim ng solong kapangyarihan ng GRP ang mga reklamo sa kanyang sariling tauhan."
Basing on military reports, the Armed Forces and Malacañang said the rebels used anti-personnel landmines in the blast, which is forbidden under international law, particularly the Ottawa Treaty to which the Philippines is a signatory.
The CPP refused to comment on this, except to say that their own investigation was still ungoing.
Valbuena continued, "I would like to assure the public that committees and organs of governance are fully capable of carrying out their tasks to make an accounting of the mistakes committed by the NPA unit, and that the necessary disciplinary action and punishment will be meted out commensurate to the role and conduct of those involved in the incident."
The government considers this as the height of blabber and a manifestation of the same brand of double-talk of the communist rebels. Arevalo was emphatic in calling the incident as "murder," and against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and Republic Act 9851.
Two governments
But the CPP maintains their position is covered by the idea of "two governments" existing in the Philippines, with the rebels allegedly controlling large areas in the countryside and their "organs of governance" are in place.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Right (CHR) said if the NPA is serious and sincere about taking accountability for the IED (improvised explosive device) killing civilians in Masbate... they should identify all those responsible and surrender them to the lawful authorities to face justice within the court system."
The CHR continued, "They should likewise be accountable for all other crimes they have perpetrated in violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws since they began pursuing this armed conflict."
Accountability
The Commission affirmed that both the government and the rebels should adhere to transparency and accountability, that full freedom and human rights can only be attained if the State and non-State agents both own up to their responsibilities.
As this developed, respected columnists in mainstream media have aired their criticisms of the Leftist movement, both legal and illegal sectors, in connection with the Masbate landmine attack. Columnist Charlie Manalo of Manila Standard wrote: "So, what just and humane war are the Left talking about? Ever since, they have professed to be strictly abiding by the Rules of War as adopted in the Geneva Convention which seeks to protect those who are not part, and even those who are no longer taking part in hostilities. Also, among the annexes in the Geneva Convention is the Protocol II of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons which bans the use of landmines."
Manalo asks: where are the red-tagged organizations who are quick to condemn the military every time someone from their ranks are killed, maimed, arrested or hauled to court?
Luminous on FB
Trixie Cruz-Angeles and Ahmed Paglinawan, in their Luminous post, quoted Lt. General Antonio Parlade Jr. on what happened after the blast:
"Habang lupasay sila, humingi ng tawad si Keith sa mga NPA para hindi siya patayin" pero pinatay pa rin with a bullet through his eye. Tinaas ni Nolven yung kamay niya pero binaril pa rin siya. Patay.
"Lupasay. Helpless. Begged for forgiveness para hindi patayion. Walang awang pinatay pa rin.
"Pero sabi nung nagsulat ng opinyon sa Rappler, may "genuine and deep respect for human life and dignity" ang NPA."
For context, Rappler's opinion writer said, "I know that I still need to learn a lot about our society and the conflicts and complexities that define it. All I know for certain right now is that the fact that the NPA expressed their regret with what happened shows how genuine and deep their respect for human life and dignity is."
No wonder many netizens wanted this Rappler writer hanged!#