AFP chief stands pat on rebel tag on Ocampo, Castro

Arevalo also said the AFP chief will not succumb to propaganda and lies of the enemies of the state who belong to front organizations of the CPP. (File Photo: Edgard A. Arevalo/Facebook)

MANILA — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr. stands firm on his statements that former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and ACT-Partylist Rep. France Castro are active members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

“The AFP chief-of-staff stands pat by the statement he made the other day (Monday). He questions the motive of Mr. Satur Ocampo and ACT Partylist Rep. (France) Castro in going to Talaingod, Davao Del Norte at the dead of the night, in spiriting away 14 minors from Salugpungan Learning Center to unknown destination without appropriate courtesies to local government executives, devoid of any parental authority or permission,” military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in press briefing Wednesday.

He added the incident has all the indications of kidnapping.

“If there is anything, they must be afraid of, it is not their so-called ‘red tagging’ by the AFP. It is the cases legally and validly filed against them and the mounting evidence against their infamous version of ‘rescue’,” the AFP spokesperson said.

Arevalo added that the AFP chief cannot be cowed by reports that the party-list representatives are filing a case against him.

“He has been incarcerated in the past for fighting for what he believes in. All his prime spanning nearly four decades, he has been putting his life and limb and that of his men on the line in the name of protecting the people and securing the state. What else can be more patriotic than that as against enemies of peace and development?” the AFP spokesperson added.

Arevalo also said the AFP chief will not succumb to propaganda and lies of the enemies of the state who belong to front organizations of the CPP.

“He will not cower in fear for this terrorist organization that has exploited and killed Lumad tribesmen and their leaders and even fellow NPAs on mere suspicion of being government assets; NPA that murders their own people who plans to leave their inutile struggle and return to the folds of the law and their families,” he said.