The guerilla platoons of the New People’s Army (NPA) under the Pulang Diwata Command-Bagong Hukbong Bayan in north eastern Mindanao region will not launch military offensives in the islands of Siargao, including the surfing resorts in the ensuing days and especially during the fiesta of General Luna and surfing competition. We guarantee this to the people of the island and to the international and local tourists who will participate and witness the surfing competition and visit during the fiesta celebrations of General Luna, Surigao del Norte.
This, however, does not mean that the revolutionary movement will cease to take steps to stop the growing illegal drug trade in the island. Drugs destroy the culture and morality of the people, especially the children and women. We continue to gather evidence against drug pushers or druglords and their protectors. We call on the enlightened Surigaonons to help the NPA put an end to the illegal drug trade in the island, to secretly provide us with factual data against the druglords and their protectors. Revolutionary justice cannot be effected without the people’s support.
On the problem of land-grabbing, we will carry on the implementation of the revolutionary agrarian reform program to defend the interest of the peasantry. Land-grabbing in the island can only be solved with the implementation of the agrarian revolution through the people’s unity. Land-grabbing is a serious crime committed against the people. Cases will be filed against unrepentant land-grabbers or despotic landlords; they will be tried in the people’s court and be punished based on the degree of their crime if proven guilty.
The recent simultaneous attacks in Siargao surprised and unnerved those who heard the firing. But the NPA made sure that no civilian was caught in the crossfire and commanded the red fighters to stop firing once the police forces surrender. The NPA medic treated the wounded policeman and made sure that the other was brought to the hospital.
Some of the cabinets in the Dapa offices were destroyed because red fighters found an armalite rifle in one of the cabinets in an office in the old municipal hall. We apologize for what happened. We also wish to inform some of the island residents whose celphones were confiscated that we will return them or pay for the unreturned units. Some of the units can no longer be returned because they got wet and were left when the NPA encountered the enemy when they withdrew to Claver. If you are one of those whose celphones were confiscated by the NPA, please inform us through announcements in the radio stations in Surigao City. Please include the type/brand of the celphone and your real name, we will pay for your lost units. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience as we were unable to immediately return your celphones.
Lastly, we would like to apologize for the hassles brought about by the simultaneous attacks in the island. We hope that you will have a successful fiesta celebration and surfing competition in General Luna.
For reference:
(sgd) Ka Maria Malaya
Spokesperson
National Democratic Front – north eastern Mindanao region
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