Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo called on the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels to listen to the people’s cry to stop committing atrocities and violence.
Panelo lamented that for decades, communist rebels have done nothing but to destroy lives, kill the innocent, and illegally collect revolutionary taxes.
“Instead of destroying our country, please stop killing our countrymen, destroying properties, extorting from businesses and torturing the poor,” he said in his commentary show “Counterpoint” on Sunday.
The sufferings caused by the NPA for more than 52 years should be halted.
“Enough is enough. After 52 years, you have achieved nothing with your revolution. Instead you sank deeper, destroyed society, your comrades died, families destructed, of those you urged to revolt,” he added.
Panelo recounted that the NPA was formed after Communist Party of the Philippines founder, Jose Maria “Joma” Sison, joined forces with Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon in 1969.
It was the start of a bloody revolution of the communist rebels who engage government forces and resulted in deaths, including innocent civilians.
Panelo cited the testimonies of former rebels who returned to the fold of the law.
“The rebel returnees complained that their leaders enjoyed luxurious lives in the city instead of joining them in the mountains,” he said.
He said that Sison has been living comfortably in the Netherlands, while the NPA members are living awful lives in the mountains.*PNA
