NDF accuses govt of sponsoring armed group Ilaga

MANILA, Philippines - The National Democratic Front accused the government of "sponsoring" the Ilaga, a civilian armed group that claims to protect villages from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). In a statement, the NDF Southern Mindanao said the emergence of the Ilaga coincided with a plan by the interior department to arm "trained" civilians with shotguns. "Despite ... Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita's and the military hierarchy's denial of their responsibility on the existence of Ilaga, they cannot fool the Filipino people. Arroyo loyalist Ronaldo Puno and the police hierarchy have already exposed their campaign on arming civilians against the MILF and the New People's Army. The Arroyo regime has been using civilians to push its Oplan Bantay Laya, snuffing the lives of innocent civilians and above-ground activists with impunity," said the statement by Rubi del Mundo, on the Communist Party of the Philippines website. Del Mundo noted that Ilaga spokesman Mike Santiago had claimed they will heed the call of North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol of "restraining themselves from intervening in the already worse situation in Mindanao, but would immediately take action once civilians are attacked by members MILF." Ilaga, civilian volunteers' organization and police auxiliaries will be trained as fanatic fascist frontliners of the Arroyo regime. Del Mundo said these groups will be used to wreak havoc not only against members of the MILF and the CPP-NPA-NDF, but more against the Bangsamoro, indigenous peoples and settlers. "Ermita, Puno and other war-freak underlings of the Arroyo regime have proven, time and again, they will do everything to help their puppet leader perpetuate herself to power beyond year 2010," Del Mundo said. Also, del Mundo said the Arroyo regime has not the slightest interest in talking peace with the country's armed revolutionary groups. "It only sees the Mindanao conflict an opportunity to push its devious interests to self-perpetuate and to make the already-partial Philippine Constitution totally biased to the interests of big bureaucrat compradors-landlords and the imperialist plunderers," Del Mundo said. Del Mundo called for a broad united front of civil libertarians, the Moro people and other sectors should frustrate the Ilaga and a repeat of the dark days of Martial Law. "Let us prevent thousands of civilians to fall victims in the hands of anti-Bangsamoro, counter-revolutionary fanatic cults like the Ilaga," Del Mundo said. - GMANews.TV