By ABIGAEL JOY JOSE
www.nordis.net

Photo by Abigael Joy Jose

BAGUIO CITY — Members and supporters of the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan) coalition filed a formal complaint at the regional office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against the proliferation of black propaganda materials linking them to the underground rebel movement.

According to the complaint letter, the black propaganda materials are aimed at progressive partylists under Makabayan coalition namely Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela Women’s Partylist, Kabataan Partylist, Act Teachers Partylist and Katribu.

The said black propaganda are intended to demonize the reputation of the partylists mentioned above by means of big streamers, graffiti, stickers and vandalized electric posts, plastered on building walls and overpass scattered all over Northern Luzon stating that Makabayan and the said partylists are associated with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).

Volunteers and staff of Makabayan removed some of these streamers but since December 2009 they continue to be put up in many places.

“Our chapters all over Northern Luzon have informed us of these well-made, costly long tarpaulins or painted signs plastered on eye-catching areas on roads and bridges”, said Makabayan Baguio chapter Chairperson Manuel Loste.

Loste said that these cowardly attacks may put the lives of their members, friends and supporters in danger and become targets of armed and unarmed attacks because of such unproven and malicious allegations.

Loste added that they are duly recognized by the Comelec and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. “Kinikilala ng batas ang legalidad ng aming koalisyon at mga partylists (our coalition and our partylists are legally recognized),” he said.

Geraldine Cacho of Katribu said that the black propaganda materials are part of a campaign against progressive partylists and organizations. Cacho said that people and organizations who are campaigning for the welfare of the people and are critical of the administration are often maliciously branded as terrorist fronts. Because of these, she added, the members are subjected to enforced disappearances, torture and extra-judicial killings.

John Panem of the Kabataan partylist said there is an effort to block the entrance of progressive partylist in Congress. He said these partylists are known to be staunch opponents of anti-people policies. He cited progressive partylists like Bayan Muna and Anakpawis who have had a hard time acquiring their legal share of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) because of their pro-people stance.

Makabayan requests the Comelec through the Cordillera Administrative Region’s officer Atty. Julius Torres to deputize the appropriate government agency to cause the removal of black propaganda materials especially those posted along the highways, avenues and streets of the Cordillera.#nordis.net