Merardo Arce Command
Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command
New People’s Army
February 25, 2008
A Statement of Self-Criticism on the Ferrazini Killing
After issuing a statement on February 4, 2008 claiming responsibility for the punitive action undertaken by operatives of the Ka Paking Guimbaolibot Red Partisan Brigade (KPGRB)-NPA against landlord-businessman Vicente Ferrazini in Davao City, the Southern Mindanao Regional Party Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (SMRPC-CPP) and the Merardo Arce Command-Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command of the New People’s Army (MAC-SMROC-NPA) conducted an internal investigation on the matter. This investigation was initiated to clear the air in the light of various reactions from within and outside the revolutionary movement.
The result of this investigation established the conclusion that the grounds on which a lower unit command of New People’s Army based their decision to mete out the particular action taken against Vicente Ferrazini are insufficient to warrant the maximum penalty of death. Further, the implementation by the Ka Paking Guimbaolibot Red Partisan Brigade (KPGRPB) of the said flawed decision by a lower unit command of the NPA was likewise found incorrect.
As a matter of self-criticism, we apologize to the family of Mr. Vicente Ferrazini as well as to the people in general for this highly regrettable occurrence. Consistent with the principles, laws and policies on revolutionary justice adhered to by the revolutionary movement, the SMRPC-CPP and the MAC-SMROC-NPA are currently undertaking appropriate and necessary courses of action related to this grievous incident. Among others, we are prepared to make an indemnification for this and are open to meet and talk with the Ferrazini family via their choice of neutral channels.
This self-critical and public admission of fault is a hallmark of the principled standpoint, viewpoint and method of the revolutionary movement. We stand for the truth and struggle for genuine justice; we admit errors and rectify mistakes and are steadfast and undaunted in accepting responsibility all in the interest of truth and justice.
In a fundamental way, this is sharply in contrast to the terrible record of fraud and fabrication, deceitfulness and deception of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Numerous cases of the AFP’s gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law under the fascist Arroyo regime’s Oplan Bantay Laya I and II have tremendously risen and widely condemned here and abroad and yet the political and military leadership of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) remain in a hopeless state of denial. Despite being deeply stuck in the quagmire of state terrorism — where serious crimes against the people such as massacres, extra-judicial killings and forced disappearances — are perpetrated in disgusting regularity and brazenness , the AFP and PNP continue to muster the impertinence, albeit vainly, in claiming respect for human rights and adherence to international humanitarian law in its conduct of what is clearly a frantic but futile effort versus the spreading flames of people’s resistance and revolution.
(Sgd) Rigoberto F. Sanchez
Spokesperson
Merardo Arce Command
Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command
New People’s Army
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