NTF-ELCAC cites Patricia Non's 'raised fist' photo in concern vs. community pantries

A spokesman for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict on Wednesday said that community pantries had been used to put the government in bad light.

At a congressional hearing, Undersecretary Severo Catura said community pantry pioneer Patricia Non was even photographed with a raised fist.

He claimed that some beneficiaries of some community pantries were being asked to sign a paper condemning the government.

"Mayroon pong nakita tayong mga pictures sa media, nakataas kamao pa 'yung si Patricia Non," Catura said.

"Ito rin po ay pagrespond sa reklamo ng mga tao na bakit daw sila pinapapirma... Mayroon daw petition signing na kinokondena ang ating pamahalaan," he added.

Non has denied NTF-ELCAC official Lorraine Badoy's allegation that she had links to the communist movement and even considered filing a complaint over what she called "fake news".

Catura backed Cavite Representative Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla who during the hearing raised the issue of community pantries being used to criticize the government.

"Ang pagtulong sa kapwa ay dapat bukal sa kalooban at hindi ito ginagawa upang ipaalam sa ibang tao. Ang pagpublicize sa pagtulong sa tao ay hindi magandang gawain kasi nagkakaroon na ng agenda na kakaiba sa totoong spirit ng Bayanihan," Remulla said.

"Kapag nagkaroon ng political agenda ang pagtulong sa tao, kapag nagkaroon ng pasikat, kailangan ipinapaalam sa lahat na tayo po'y gumagawa ng kabutihan ay parang di na tayo gumawa ng kabutihan," he added.

Remulla also believed that those who are speaking about these community pantries are using the initiatives to criticize the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Remulla pointed out that the national government had limitations when it comes to battling the crisis such as limited funds.

"Tigilan na lang natin ang pagsisi sa gobyerno, sabihin na lang natin kung ano pa ang kinakailangang gawin," he said.

Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas strongly opposed Remulla and said community pantries should be publicized so that the public will easily know where to get assistance.

For Brosas, posting about these pantries in various social media platforms should instead be encouraged.

"'Yung usapin ng pagpublicize na huwag ipublicize ng mga organizers 'yung kanilang effort... in my opinion, insulto po sa mga organizers 'yun eh kasi 'yung mga organizers, gusto nila na makatulong at mapalawak 'yung nalalaman ng ating mamamayan kung saan sila pupunta," Brosas said.

"Sa tingin po natin, we should encourage nga to publicized para nang sa ganon, malaman kung saan malapit po na makapagbigay," she added. —NB, GMA News