PESANTE NEWS

Los Angeles

January 2, 2010



8th ID offensives in Basey prove worthlessness of AFP ceasefire declarationJanuary 2, 2010

Los Angeles-- PESANTE NEWS of Los Angeles today learned through news sources today that the National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas today said that continuing offensive operations by the 8th Infantry Division in Basey, Western Samar proved the worthlessness of the short-term unilateral ceasefire declared by the Arroyo government.

"A unilateral ceasefire declaration is only as good as the word of its proponent, and meant for goodwill and respect," said Fr. Santiago Salas, NDF-EV spokesperson. "But the 8th ID offensives in Basey belie the Arroyo government unilateral ceasefire from Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1.

This is well-exposed by the affected civilians themselves who complained to the media, by the local government which had to do relief operations in the midst of the so-called ceasefire, and by the 8th ID propagandists who publicly rejoiced that these innocent civilians deserve their plight for being 'NPA supporters'."

Fr. Salas said the peasants have been approaching the media over the 8th ID's offensive operations in some interior barangays in Basey since November, as well as the aerial bombardment of Brgy. Bagti on Dec. 23, forcing the peasants there to flee. "Afterwards, about 86 families from Brgy. Bagti were unable to return out of fear of 14th IB troops who continued their offensive operations despite the government ceasefire, in the guise of "protecting" civilians.

Moreover, the affected families are demanding compensation amounting to P2.15 million over their dislocation and the damages to their property, especially their rice harvests that were looted or burned by the 14th IB troops."

The NDF-EV spokesperson expressed support for the affected civilians and urged them to continue their struggle for justice. "Civilians in the midst of armed conflicts are protected by international humanitarian law, and this is clearly highlighted by the NDFP-GRP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

The 8th ID propaganda that alleged NPA supporters deserve to be persecuted even though they are civilians is purely fascist, ignorant, malicious and illegitimate. Because they are making insignificant military advances in Basey and the rest of the region, the 8th ID continues to turn its wrath on civilians to bolster its Oplan Bantay Laya campaign.

The said Oplan Bantay Laya is doomed to abject failure. Having sown many rights violations, the 8th ID will be reaping the whirlwinds of guerrilla offensives and people's protests in the new year."#

Reference:

Roy Santos

NDF-EV Media Liaison Officer

Cellphone No. +639196199369

E-mail: ndfevis@gmail.com