Parago said that the Garcias have “no real performance or track record to speak of” as well as “no inclination to represent the interests and aspiration of the Lumads, workers, peasants,” among other sectors.
By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – For the commander of the New People’s Army (NPA)’s 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion, the time is ripe to change the politics of “self-perpetuation and coercive partisanship” in Southern Mindanao, especially in the rural districts of Davao City.
Ka Parago Sandoval, in an e-mailed statement, made a specific focus on Davao City’s second congressional district where Mylene Garcia-Albano, the incumbent representative, is seeking for a re-election this May. She’s running under the Liberal Party and the local Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod of the Dutertes.
Parago said the NPA have found it “objectionable” the “bullying” of Garcias in their political campaigning in the second district, which covers a total of 46 villages under the districts of Agdao, Buhangin, Bunawan and Paquibato. Paquibato is where Parago is widely believed to be basing.
Parago said that the residents here were forced to “toe the line” of the Garcias after claiming that the latter resorted to vote buying.
Parago narrated that for 20 years of dominating the said district, the Garcias already “perfected the use of psychological warfare and terror sweetened by largesse” during the election day especially in the district of Paquibato.
Mylene replaced her brother Vincent who served from 2001-2010 while the latter replaced their father Manuel who served for the same position in 1992-2001.
He said the Garcias have smoothly rose to power “by whipping into line village and district functionaries, military hamletting, employing of excessive number of “assistors” during election day, and a host of other dirty tricks.” He also alleged that officers and members of the 69th Infantry Battalion under the 10th Infantry Division-Philippine Army are “staunch private armies” of the Garcias; and that they have employed a “garrison-like” campaigning and voting.
Parago said that the Garcias have “no real performance or track record to speak of” as well as “no inclination to represent the interests and aspiration of the Lumads, workers, peasants,” among other sectors.
With these, he said, “a change in District 2 leadership could mean a reprieve for the masses from the murky politics that have characterized the past administration.” He added that that the NPA “welcomes” any opportunity or development “that would puncture the dynastic arrogation of power.”
Sought for comment, Bong Go, one of the officers of Hugpong said that despite the statement of Parago, “(Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte) will continue to campaign for Garcia.”
Parago urged the people to seize the opportunity to “repudiate the politics of status quo and atrocious election campaigning.” He said that candidates “who may rise to the challenge of representing and working for the people’s interest and welfare or who would at least deliver badly-needed basic services for the marginalized communities,” must be supported.
This as he said that Paquibato and the rest of Davao should be a “free zone” for all candidates to dismantle “the monopoly of traditional patronage politics.’
Mylene is being challenged by three independents, namely, businesswoman Joji Ilagan-Bian, Uly Lopez and Jenell Nagayo. (John Rizle L. Saligumba/davaotoday.com)
davao city, Davao Politics, duterte, Ka Parago, Mylene Garcia, NPA, Southern Mindanao
