MANILA — Members of an anti-communist group stormed the Dutch Embassy anew as it called for the repatriation of communist leader Jose Maria “Joma” Sison.
The group of Liga Filipinas Independencia, who slammed the National Democratic Front’s “senseless struggle and killings,” submitted its formal petition on Wednesday to the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands.
“As a coalition of 38 national organizations nationwide and different sectors of society, we condemn the atrocities and terrorism perpetuated by the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front) in the past years. And you have granted the devil Joma Sison a refuge,” said Nolan Tiongco, leader of the Liga Filipinas Independencia.
They also called on members of the European Union to cancel Sison’s asylum status and bring him back to the Philippines to face the various cases that have been filed against him and the CPP-NPA.
“We appeal to the kind and democratic heart of your (The Netherlands) government and the EU, to cancel Sison’s asylum together with his band of terrorist so that they could face trial in our country. They are facing criminal and acts of terrorism offenses that they have committed. Don’t give them safe haven and refuge and scapegoats,” Tiongco said.
“We don’t know what your moral and legal basis for giving this barbaric terrorist group asylum in your country. Giving them safe haven is giving hell to our country,” Tiongco added.
Around 50 persons, who claimed to be former members of the NPA, said they decided to return to the fold of the law after realizing the “hideous system” within the 50-year-old rebellion.
“The CPP-NPA-NDF has only killed thousands of Filipinos, destroyed many lives and billions worth of properties. Joining that organization as a teenager was our greatest regret and now we are making it our duty to wake up everyone,” the anti-communist group said during the rally.
The embassy has acknowledged and received the formal letter but has yet to issue an official statement.
The anti-communist group has been appealing to Filipinos and the international community to take part in ending the rebellious movement.
The NPA, the armed wing of the CPP, is listed as a terrorist organization in the United States and European Union.