Col. Tabaquero tells Guv, “Nothing but speculations”

REACTING to threats accordingly received by six leaders of militant groups here, 302nd Brigade Commander Colonel Arthur Tabaquero said it is just nothing but speculations. Last Thursday, in a Karapatan called press conference, militant groups leaders demand an audience with governor to settle the issue and possibly assure them of their safety.

John Ruiz of Bayan Muna Bohol, Martina Visaya of Gabriela, Victor Olayvar of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Msgr. Feliciano Nalzaro Jr of Karapatan and Promotion for Church People's Response along with Felipeneri Behasa, Hugpong sa mga Mag-uumang Bol-anon Vice Chair told the media that they have been shadowed, a fact they consider as initial steps before neutralization. Military neutralization, according to them, ranges from buying out to termination. The latter is what they fear would happen to them. Olayvar, during last Thursday's press conference said that vilification campaigns on them have often preceded neutralization like that of Luzon leaders.

Moreover, a US citizen, a certain Aaron Tovo has asked Governor Erico Aumentado to intercede for the progressive groups' leaders safety. In reaction to the letter, Col. Tabaquero told the governor that Tovo appears to be uninformed while he was pressuring the local Armed Forces of the Philippines commanders to renounce extra-judicial killings as a state policy.

The 302nd Brigade Commander reminded the governor of the internal purges within the Communist Party of the Philippines , New People' Army / National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF). “If the concern of Mr. Tovo and the people he mentioned arises from the threat posed by the CPP/NPA/NDF, we are not surprised as this is something new,” Tabaquero said. “We all know … that the CPP/NPA/NDF has admitted killing political leaders, government officials, military men and even their own. If Mr. Tovo and the people he has mentioned are concerned about the threat to their lives posed by the CPP/NPA/NDF, then in this case, we recommend that we immediately help because they are in real danger,” he continued.

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