NDFP hits provincial governors for supporting "counterinsurgency"
with infrastructure projects
PRESS RELEASE
CPP Information Bureau
2 October 2010
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Eastern Visayas today assailed the statements of three governors in the region supporting infrastructure projects as part of "counterinsurgency".
Fr. Santiago Salas, NDFP-EV spokesperson, said, "Who are these governors really serving: the military or the people? Supporting 'counterinsurgency' with infrastructure projects shows that these projects are essentially hypocritical rather than genuinely serving the people.
The delivery of basic social services, such as farm-to-market roads, is a responsibility of the government and should not be tied to the military's goals. The people should also question Northern Samar Gov. Raul Daza, Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan and Leyte Gov. Jericho Petilla whether or not they are asserting civilian supremacy over the military."
Fr. Salas also said the 8th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was following the US Counterinsurgency Guide -- the US formula for imperialist intervention and aggression and counterrevolutionary war -- in striving to participate in non-military roles and in working closely with the local government.
"The military wants to win back the support of the people, who loathe its human rights violations, corruption and mercenary service to US imperialism. The military is also working with the local government to restore the people's slipping trust in the reactionary ruling system. These are steps outlined in the US COIN Guide: the less it seems like "counterinsurgency", the better.
However, such new tasks by the military -- in construction, education, health and others -- of course usurp civilian authority, and sideline the civilian institutions that should be doing these duties for the people. Moreover, these political maneuvers as part of psychological warfare still go simultaneously with violent armed repression of government critics and perceived supporters of the revolutionary movement."
The NDFP-EV spokesperson called on the local government officials, Church, media and other sectors to support civilian supremacy over the military and to oppose the militarization of civilian government functions.
"While pretending to change its image, the military still strikes fear in the hearts of the people. This is because the military has not been brought to account for its numerous human rights violations, and likewise remains rotten to the core as the staunch defender of the reactionary ruling system and US imperialism.
Thus it is important for the local government, Church, media and other sectors to join hands in curbing the grave abuse of authority by the military in the region. We must also all unite in patriotic resistance against the US-backed "counterinsurgency" campaign of the Aquino regime, and struggle for peace based on justice, national sovereignty and democracy."
