Minda CPP leader turned govt. supporter passes away

A FORMER ranking leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in Mindanao who subsequently became one its harshest critics has passed away on Sunday, February 14, 2021, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, announced.

Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy, spokesperson of the NTF-ELCAC, paid a tribute to Datu Ramon Bayaan, leader of the Obo Manuvu tribe in Kidapawan, North Cotabato, describing the latter as one of the “country’s fiercest warriors” in fighting communism that has also became a menace among the indigenous peoples (IPs) in Mindanao.

“He had been deceived into joining this terrorist group and had become one of its leaders until it became clear to him that they were being used by these terrorists and their culture systemically destroyed then replaced with the violent ideology of the CPP NPA NDF: communism,” Badoy said.

At the time of his death, Bayaan was the vice chair of the ‘Mindanao Indigenous People’s Conference for Peace & Development’ (MIPCPD) and vice chair, Mindanao Indigenous People’s Council of Elders and Leaders (MIPCEL).

After realizing his mistakes and the danger he has brought to his community, Bayaan became very active in exposing the lies, deceptions and violence of the CPP, its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA) and all its front organizations in Mindanao.

In 2109, Bayaan became head of delegation of the ‘Truth Caravan’ composed of IPs who went to the United Nations in the United States “to correct the horrendous lies being spread by the CPP-NPA- NDF (in the international community) and to replace them with the ‘truth,’” Badoy said further.

One of his acts at the UN was the submission of a list of “atrocities” and “crimes” committed by the communists against the IPs, Badoy further narrated.

“In defending his tribe, he had come to defend our country as well from the communist terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF,” the official said.