BY JEN BAYLON
ILOILO City – The Alliance for Peace, Environment, and Sustainability (APES) in Metro Iloilo held a protest yesterday in front of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol to denounce the continuing violence and destruction caused by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
Dec. 26 marks the 55th founding anniversary of the CPP.
According to spokesperson “Ka Rey Cachuela,” APES-Metro Iloilo is an alliance of former NPA members that has been calling for the end of the rebel group for five years.
He stressed that their anniversary should not be celebrated as it marks another year of destruction.
Cachuela urged the public to continue condemning the communist group’s presence and supporting the efforts to end terrorism.
“The CPP-NPA has caused a lot of harm to the community, including the destruction of livelihoods and the future of the youth,” Cachuela said.
APES-Metro Iloilo was joined by the Sentrong Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan para sa Bayan (SAMBAYANAN-Panay).
Brigadier General Marion R. Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), commended APES-Metro Iloilo and SAMBAYANAN-Panay for their continuous support in promoting peace and development in the region.
Sison emphasized the importance of unity among the people in achieving long-lasting peace.
The Philippine Army’s 3ID has been placed on “blue alert” for the CPP’s founding anniversary and the two-day ceasefire on Dec. 25 and 26./PN
