A FORMER cadre of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) based in Mindanao, asserted that Vice President Leni Robredo, is the party’s “candidate” for the country’s presidency in the coming May 9, 2022 elections, validating the information received by Pres. Duterte that the terrorist group and the camp of Robredo had reached an agreement in support of her candidacy.
Cristony “Jun” Latiban Monzon, also known as Jong/Franco Monzon, former Secretary-General of “Pasakaday Salugpongan Kalimodan” (PASAKA) and subsequently, the Political Instructor of the Regional Operational Command (ROC) of the CPP’s Southern Mindanao Regional Party Committee (SMRPC), in several press conferences he attended after his surrender last March 8, 2022, asserted that it was also “impossible” for Robredo not to personally know that she has the backing of the CPP for her electoral bid because party endorsement entails a long period of “dialogue.”
Monzon and his two other companions, Mentroso Tumagsa Malibato, former PASAKA vice chair for internal affairs and SROC platoon supply officer and, Danny Tiklunay Malibato, an SMRPC political cadre walk for some 12 hours after they decided to “escape” (“tumakas”) from their terrorist unit headed by Eric ‘Ellian’ Casilao, head of the SROC/SMRPC, before they reached safety.
Robredo has repeatedly denied getting—and accepting—the support of the CPP, despite her candidacy being fully supported by the CPP’s front organizations, the ‘Makabayan Bloc’ in
Congress, as well as the other front organizations of the party.
Last March 14, 2022, no less than Pres. Duterte expressed alarm after receiving reports from the intelligence community on the “alliance” of the CPP with the camp of Robredo and the Liberal Party (LP).
(The CPP and the LP has a long-standing alliance, dating back to the party’s formation in 1968, with the help of Sen. Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr. Ninoy was also responsible for the formation of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed terrorist wing of the CPP the following year).
Monzon, who has spent more than a decade in the underground terrorist movement, was tasked to dupe and recruit the indigenous people (IPs) of Mindanao thru PASAKA and is among the most trusted IP leaders by the CPP.
“Nakakaupo ako sa kanilang mga meeting, ang sinusuportahan nila ay si Leni Robredo, ‘yan po ang naririnig ko sa mga meeting, kasama ang matataas na opisyal ng Communist Party of the Philippines,” Monzon said, in his press conference last March 16, 2022.
He added that it would not be possible for Robredo not to know about this because the party’s support to any candidate can only come after a long period of dialogue.
“Hindi maari (na hindi alam) kasi may mga dialogues, mga usap-usapan na mangyayari,” he added.
His statement that Robredo could not have known that she has made a pact with the terrorist CPP is also attested by Alma Gabin, former education deputy secretary of the CPP in the Visayas who had also returned to the folds of the law.
“Matagal na ako sa regional electoral committee ng CPP-NPA. May series po talaga ng negotiations na tinatawag ko na ‘extortion talks.’ May stages yan,” Gabin said.
She also claimed that the open support to Robredo by the CPP and its front organizations can only mean one thing—she has paid the terrorists to endorse her candidacy.
“Pag naabot na ‘yung endorsement, that means nagbayad na siya. May iba nga, dati, nagbabayad lang ng permit to campaign pero hindi namin endorsed openly. How much more sa kanya (Robredo),” Gabin declared.