UN Rapporteur, Melo Commission findings point to AFP as culprits

“The recently secret Melo Commission report only confirmed the separate findings of Prof. Alston that the AFP is to blame for the ongoing bloodbath. Despite this, Gen. Esperon remains in denial and sticks by his spin that it was the NPA who are to blame.”

This was the reaction of Joel Maglunsod, Secretary-General of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Labor Center and Anakpawis Partylist nominee to the press conference called by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon this morning in reaction to the findings of Prof. Philip Alston regarding extra judicial killings in the Philippines.

“The families of the 76 unionists and labor activists, along with the rest of the more than 800 victims are still crying out for just resolution and this action by Gen. Esperon only rubs salt on the wound of the victims and their survivors, to which up-to-date justice remains elusive.

Esperon continues red-baiting, sets-up legal organizations for physical attack

“Gen. Esperon continues with his red-baiting by insinuating that KMU is a front of the NPA by showing an undated video of Jose Maria Sison talking about legal democratic forces in the Philippines. Since our establishment in May 1, 1980, the KMU remained and continue to be a legal labor center with federations and local unions under its wing. We do not have underground organizations behind us as was implied by Gen. Esperon. But despite us being a legal organization, our leaders and members continue to be murdered by state-sponsored death squads,” opined Maglunsod.

Maglunsod also pointed out the recent murder of student leader of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) Farly Alcantara II of Mercedes, Camarines Norte. The LFS, along with BAYAN, Gabriela, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and KMU were mentioned in the video released by the AFP.

Esperon praises Akbayan partylist

“We were not surprised by the continued praises for Akbayan by Gen. Esperon. The vilification campaign of Akbayan calling progressive organizations like the KMU as NPA supporters are in tune with the red-baiting strategy of the AFP. As they say, birds of the same feather flock together,” stated Maglunsod.

“Just recently, Akbayan members filed to disqualify Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela on murder charges, yet their suspects were the NPA. They keep linking these partylists to the NPA and this has set-up many of our members for physical attacks. Akbayan should stop and apologize to the victims for their continued red-baiting,” ended Maglunsod.