TABUK, Kalinga (Aug. 23) – Unfazed by the series of death-squad ambushes, abductions and drive-by harassment shootings in this violence-torn province, the Kalinga chapter of the militant youth organization AnakBayan held its 7th General Assembly on Aug. 19-20. Seventy-eight of Kalinga youth delegates attended.

The AB-Kalinga assembly dwelled at length on the issue of political violence, with focus on the Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) based on what critics say is a rehashed National Internal Security Program.

AB-Kalinga leaders said that although OBL and its concomitant political killings have a chilling effect on many people’s organizations who opt to work in the legal arena, the ultimate loser will be the regime of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo because it will become more isolated from and hated by the masses of the people. # Liberty Balnao for NORDIS