My childhood years in the Bicol region had taught me basic realities in our society. The region being one of the poorest, has grown and cultivated so many political activists. Known revolutionary leaders in the leftist movement hails from Bicol.

      After GMA’s declaration of the All-Out War policy, additional combat troops were deployed in Bicol which is aimed to crush the CPP-NPA-NDF. Bicolanos has every reason to be wary, grave human rights violations had been part and parcel of intensified military operations, past and present. Our own experiences has taught us this reality. Oplan Bantay Laya threatens the lives and safety of the civillian populace in the countrysides. Bicol being one of the top priority regions, as declared by Malacanang and the military.

      Last June 17, another NDF personality was arrested. Until this day, the NDF consultant for the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations, Rogelio “Rudy” Calubad is still missing. He was arrested with his 29 year old son Gabriel.

      While his wife and his family has pleaded military camps officials to surface father and son, who was taken by SOLCOM elements. All their efforts were in vain. While all circumstances are pointing to the ISAFP and SOLCOM elements as perpetrators. The SOLCOM is denying any involvement in the arrest of the NDF leader.

      Common sense would lead us to believe that it is indeed the SOLCOM elements who had the motive and capacity to arrest and abduct personalities of the NDF. Who else?

Ramil Dacer Balaoro
111 Pedro Gil St., Paco Manila
PO Box #3617 MCPO
Phone #: 816-4488 (Metro Manila)
email:maorag06@yahoo.com