AFP renews call for dialogue with Zarate, others over “crackdown” vs militant groups

November 18, 2019

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) renewed on Monday its call for a dialogue with the lawmakers and groups who have been criticizing the military on its alleged crackdown against organizations, which are allegedly front of the communist New People's Army (NPA).

AFP spokesmand Brig. Gen. Aedgard Arevalo issued the statement after Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate turned down AFP's invitation for a dialogue.

"We nonetheless make our continuing offer for people and organizations who genuinely desires to know why we in the AFP assert that 'red-tagging', 'vilification', 'crackdown', 'planting of evidence' among the many terms they used are merely for purposes of propaganda are meant only to court sympathy," he said.

"We reiterate our invitation to other like-minded groups, organizations, or individuals who desire to seek the truth on the activities, the cunning and the design of the CTG (communist terrorist group)," the official said.

He said similar offer was being made to institutions or individuals who "truly represent our aspiration for a country where lasting peace and inclusive development reign supreme for our children."

Arevalo said it would be a betrayal of trust for the AFP and for those who know who the real enemies were but fail to educate the people who were the "wolves in sheep's clothing."

Zarate reportedly said that the offer of AFP for a dialogue was an insult to the lawmakers who signed the petition against crackdown on progressive groups.

"We hoped they will but are not actually surprised that the good Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate refused to accept our offer for well-meaning individuals and groups to sit down with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a meaningful engagement for the sake of fellow Filipinos and the future of our children," Arevalo said.

He said the military thought that Zarate and his colleagues did not want to be confronted with "mounting documentary and testimonial evidence" that would establish about CTG infiltration and the transfer of funds from foreign funding agencies to the CTG through witting or unwitting left-leaning organizations as conduits.

He also said that those critical to the government did not want to be confronted also of the "deceptive recruitment and exploitation of minors and indigenous peoples to be New People’s Army (NPA) Cadres and fighters; the exploitation of issues involving women and children; and the alleged abuses of human rights." Robina Asido/DMS