PAMALAKAYA demands ‘delisting’ of its organization, other progressive groups in the Palawan ‘anti-communist task force’
Manila, Philippines — The activist fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) on Wednesday slammed the Palawan Task Force in Ending Local Communist and Armed Conflict (ELCAC) for its issuance of a list of organizations that they link with the New People Army (NPA).
In a statement, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson Fernando “Ka Pando” Hicap decried what he called as “hit list”, of which the name of PAMALAKAYA is at the forefront, saying that it would result to rampant human rights violations among the members of the organizations that are being maliciously linked to the rebel group.
“We vehemently denounce this anti-communist task force for dragging legal progressive organizations in their ridiculous witch hunt of communist rebel groups. This list should be an issue of concern to the Palawenos because it will not spare anyone, even ordinary citizens who would express discontent to government’s policies and programs, will be subjected to red-tagging with human rights violations,” Hicap, former Anakpawis Party-list solon said.
PAMALAKAYA claimed that those persons on the list are an active members and organizers of the group’s provincial chapter, and are campaigning for the welfare of the small fisherfolk and protection of Palawan’s marine ecosystem. It added that the list is outright violation of basic rights of the personalities implicated, of without moral and legal basis.
“We call on the democracy-loving people of Palawan, as well as the provincial government to stand with the people and fisherfolk by collectively asserting for the delisting of PAMALAKAYA, as well as other progressive groups, in that highly-dangerous hit-list,” ended Hicap. ###
