Ex-communist rebels in Panay call for peace

ILOILO CITY – The Alliance for Peace, Environment, and Sustainability (APES-Metro Iloilo) and Sentrong Alyansa ng mga Mamamayan para sa Bayan (Sambayanan-Panay) called for peace as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) celebrated its 55th founding anniversary on Tuesday, December 26.

FORMER communist rebels hold a rally in Iloilo City on Tuesday, December 26. (Army 3rd ID)

A rally for justice, peace, and unity was held at Iloilo Provincial Capitol here by former communist rebels.

More than 100 members of Sambayanan-Panay and APES-Metro Iloilo voiced out their opposition to the CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), and the National Democratic Front (NDF).

“Let’s continue condemning the existence of the CPP-NPA-NDF and giving our wholehearted support to end terrorism and insurgency. For more than 55 years, we have not gained any benefits from them, only pain and misfortune. Let’s put an end to their mania and terroristic activities that have destroyed families, killed innocent lives, curtailed our freedom and dampened our future,” said Ka Rey Cachuela, a former NPA rebel.

The peace rally was commended by the hierarchy of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army.

“We are grateful for the solidarity of these groups. There must be an end to this senseless and worthless existence of the CPP-NPA-NDF,” said Major Gen. Marion Sison, 3^rd ID commander, in a statement.

“As guardians of peace in Panay, we will never tire of performing our duty to work hand-in-hand with our peace advocates to achieve the much-awaited long and lasting peace and development,” Sison added.