The National Democratic Front- southern Mindanao scoffs at the so-called barangay defense system (BDS) as a misnomer because, contrary to its ballyhooed raison d’ etre, it will not protect communities but will only pave the way for graver human rights violations. This, as the Task Force Davao installs the BDS in Toril, in Bunawan, in Buhangin and in Calinan villages in Davao City.
In reality, the BDS is the military’s intelligence-combat laboratory where they use civilians as cannon fodders for its counter-revolutionary operations. Grave human rights abuses like witch-hunting, forcible and indiscriminate arrests, and fake surrenders trailed BDS installations in Luzon.
For a fascist and mercenary AFP, establishing rapport among residents to gain technical, moral and intelligence support is like putting oblivion to its fascist record. Far from truly helping civilian communities, the military acts as private goons and guards for big logging & mining concessionaires and big landlord compradors. Indeed, the BDS is essentially the same with the Investment Defense Force (IDF) which Mrs. Arroyo announced early this year.
Furthermore, the so-called livelihood projects and poverty alleviation component of the BDS program for the people are token services in the face of the worsening economic crisis and grave penury in the countryside and among the proletariat and semiproletariat in the cities where the BDS is to be installed.
The best and most effective people’s defense system against exploitation and oppression lies not in a mercenary army such as the AFP, but in the growing armed revolutionary movement.
For reference:
(sgd) Rubi del Mundo
Spokesperson
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
Southern Mindanao
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