DAVAO CITY – The National Democratic Front (NDF) condemned the arrest of one of its commanders in the midst of warming relations between the Communist Party of the Philippines and the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
In a statement, NDF southern Mindanao region spokesperson Rubi del Mundo called foul on the arrest of Eduardo “KaLando” Genelsa last June 29, one day before President Duterte swore his oath as the 16th President of the Philippines.
Del Mundo said a combined force of the 10th Infantry Division, the 46th IB, the PNP and operatives of the ISAFP arrested Ka Lando in Sityo Sangi, Brgy. Bongabong, Pantukan, Compostela Valley last June.
The NDF official also noted that the arrest was done three weeks before the first phase of formal peace talks between both parties were scheduled to be held in Europe.
“Ka Lando’s arrest and detention is an attempt by the AFP to sabotage President Duterte and the revolutionary movement’s mutual efforts towards the peace process,” del Mundo said.
“It is a reprehensible, premeditated act designed to preempt the peace negotiations that clearly exposes the innate warmongering character of the AFP which continues to kowtow the AFP-US Aquino’s fascist Oplan Bayanihan.”
(YAS OCAMPO)