INDIGNATION RALLY. Demonstrators burn flags of the communist-terrorist group to show their abhorrence of its acts of evil, during an indignation rally at the Peñaranda Freedom Park in Legazpi City on Wednesday (Jan. 20, 2021). A candle-lighting activity was also held while prayers were offered for the souls of all the victims of the five-decade armed struggle. (Photo courtesy of the 9th Infantry Division, PA)
LEGAZPI CITY – At least 200 individuals, including rebel returnees, gathered at the Peñaranda Freedom Park here on Wednesday for an indignation rally, condemning the brutal killings committed by the communist-terrorist group (CTG).
Capt. John Paul Belleza, the 9th Infantry Division spokesperson, said Friday those who attended the rally called for justice for all the victims of the CTG’s gruesome crimes and denounced the terrorist group’s anti-people and anti-development attacks.
“Attend(ing) the rally were barangay officials and residents of Banquerohan and Bariis of Legazpi City, military officials and personnel of (the) 9th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, 31st Infantry Battalion (31IB), officers and personnel of Police Regional Office 5 (Bicol), representatives of various government agencies, religious sectors, (the) academe, youth organizations, and other members of uniformed services,” Belleza said in an interview.
Last Sunday, four members of the 31IB who were bound for a coordination meeting on a road project here, were ambushed by communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) in Barangay Banquerohan. Three of them were killed and one was wounded.
On January 19, CTG members also harassed a community in Cabas-an, Aroroy, Masbate and killed a barangay councilor and a "tanod" (watchman).
During the event, former rebels gave their testimonies and called on their former comrades to return to the fold of the law.
“Huwag po magpalinlang ang mga kabataan. Sa kabataan sila kumukuha ng lakas at puwersa sa pakikipaglaban nila. Sa mga natitira ko pang mga kasamahan, huwag po kayong matakot na magbalik-loob. Walang ibang solusyon kundi makiisa tayo sa ating gobyerno (Do not be deceived, young people. They derive their strength and force in their fight from the youth. To my former companions still with the movement, do not be afraid to surrender. There is no other solution but to cooperate with the government),” a former rebel, a certain Ka Jessa, said.
Maj. Gen. Henry Robinson Jr., commander of Joint Task Force Bicolandia, in an earlier statement, condemned the CTG’s terrorist activities and assured the Bicolanos of the government’s persistent efforts to wipe out communist insurgency in Bicol.
Proof of this, he said, was the successful pursuit operations in Masbate where one CNT was killed while two high-powered firearms, anti-personnel mines, medical paraphernalia, terroristic propaganda materials, and personal belongings were recovered.
At the end of the indignation rally, demonstrators burned the CTG’s flag to show their complete abhorrence of the terrorists' acts of evil.
A candle-lighting rite was also held and prayers were offered for the souls of all the victims of the five-decade armed struggle. (PNA)
