Is ‘Mayor Isko’ with government in fight versus terrorism?

THE commitment of Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’ Moreno Domagoso in the national government’s campaign against terrorism is now being questioned after he ordered last week the removal of tarpaulins in Manila declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as ‘persona non grata.’

Although Philippine National Police chief, P/Gen. Camilo Cascolan averred the tarpaulins that appeared along Roxas Boulevard and other areas in Manila and elsewhere in the National Capital Region (NCR) were initiated by the NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict), this was subsequently denied by the task force.

In a statement attributed to him, Moreno justified the tarpaulins’ removal last Wednesday, October 21, 2020, just hours after they were put up, by averring the money and effort expended could have been put to better use by buying face masks against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We spread love, not hate, in this time of pandemic,” Moreno explained in a statement released by his press office.

His action, however, drew a reaction from government officials like Southern Luzon (Solcom) commanding general, Lt. General Antonio ‘Jun’ Parlade and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In a statement posted at his social media account, Parlade, also a spokesman of NTF-ELCAC asked:

“Why would even Manila order the removal of these tarps?  Is Mayor Isko welcoming this terrorist?

“Let’s clarify from Yorme the basis for his action. Is it fear of retribution?” Parlade asked, after noting that already, “96 cities nationwide” had already issued resolutions declaring not only the CPP-NPA, but its third component, the National Democratic Front (NDF) as persona non grata in their respective areas.

In a gentle rebuff to Moreno, DILG secretary, Eduardo M. Año, noted the putting up of the tarpaulins, despite not getting any prior approval from city hall, is part of the Filipinos’ right to free speech and expression.

“(We) see nothing wrong with the posting and displaying of tarpaulins or messages denouncing communist rebels or terrorist groups all over the country because it is protected speech under the Constitution,” the DILG chief said in a statement released over the weekend, October 24, 2020.

“The expressions of sentiment against CPP/NPA/NDF atrocities are free speech and are legally protected under the Constitution.

“Remember, these are the terrorists’ groups driven by an archaic ideology who have been killing our police and soldiers and extorting from innocent civilians for the past 50 years.

“It is just right that people denounce them for their crimes against the people,” added Año.

It can be recalled that in 2016, in his failed senatorial bid, Moreno travelled to the Netherlands to talk with CPP top honchos like CPP founder, Jose Maria Sison and NDF chair, Luis Jalandoni, for “consultations” on national issues that he intended to advocate should he win a Senate seat.

Likewise, Moreno was part of the team of “consultants” of the CPP-NPA-NDF in the course of their peace talks with the Duterte government that subsequently failed.

Last December 2019, in a teleconference that Sison had with members of the Makabayan Bloc, Sison reminded them “not to attack” Moreno and to support him instead as Sison considers him as their “friend.”

While Moreno’s decision immediately drew praises from the Makabayan Bloc in Congress and its allied mass organizations that Sison had earlier confirmed as comprising the CPP’s “legal democratic forces” in the Philippines, netizens on the other hand, expressed their dismay.

In a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) also on Wednesday, various negative sentiments were thrown against Moreno.

“Bilang [pinuno ng] kapitolyo ng bansa natin dapat kayo po mismo ang tumututol sa mga gawain ng terorista.

“Iba ang politika. iba ang terorismo (As head of the capital of the country, you should be the first to oppose terrorist activities. Politicking is different from terrorism),” the PNA report said, quoting Jimmy Nadela Jr.

“Mayor Isko.

“Isa ka sa mga iniidolo ko lalo na sa pamumuno mo dito sa ka-Maynilaan.

“Pero ngayon lang ako kokontra sa sinabi mo na ‘magkaisa muna.’

“Ilang dekada na rin po tayo nakikisuyo sa mga NPA na makiisa, magbalik-loob pero ang sagot po nila ambush at harassment sa mga kasundaluhan at kapulisan”

“(Mayor Isko, you are one of those whom I idolize because of your type of leadership here in Manila but this is the first time that I will contradict what you said.

(“For decades, we’ve been reaching out to the NPA to unite with us, but their answer to the policemen and soldiers have always been ambush and harassment),” netizen Joaquin Angelo said.

Another netizen, Hope Verian, also informed Moreno of her fear that her children and other students might be lured to join the armed group.

“Wala po silang ipinaglalaban kundi panlalamang at pananakot sa mga maliliit na tao at manghikayat ng mga batang estudyante para gawin nilang rebelde, paano po mga anak namin sa school pag nagkataon? Alam namen guro lang kausap, yun pala mga rebelde na.”

“(They are not fighting for a cause but are only taking advantage of other people and recruit young students and make them rebels. How about our children, all along we believed they are only talking to their teachers but what if they are rebels instead”), she said.