Bato: Probe alleged CPP links of Kabataan Party-list Rep. Manuel

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he will investigate Kabataan Party-list Representative Raoul Manuel over the latter’s alleged connection with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

The lawmaker made the statement during the Senate public order investigation into the alleged communist rebels’ recruitment of students in educational institutions.

During the hearing, Arian Jane Ramos, who claimed to be a member of Gabriela Youth at the University of Mindanao, alleged that Manuel is a member of the CPP but not a member of the group’s armed wing, the New People’s Army.

Another resource person named Kate Raca claimed that she worked with Manuel when he was a student regent at the University of the Philippines and she was with him when they were recruiting for the CPP and the NPA.

“’Yun ‘yung mastermind ng recruitment sa UP. We, as student regent at that time, and me as the chairperson of Alay Sining. We planned and executed, implemented recruitment for the NPA. Kami nagpapatupad ng mga quota doon kung ilan ‘yung NPA na dapat ma-recruit ng bawat chapter,” she said.

(He is the mastermind of the recruitment in UP. He, as student regent at that time, and I as the chairperson of Alay Sining. We planned and executed, implemented recruitment for the NPA. We implement the quota system for the NPA chapters.)

Based on these statements, Dela Rosa said Manuel, who is an incumbent member of the House of Representatives, should be investigated.

“We might be laughing right now but this is a serious matter. You can just imagine a congressman of the Republic of the Philippines, enjoying all the perks, enjoying everything, and at the same time undermining this government. Undermining the state,” Dela Rosa said.

“Kaya pala tuwang-tuwa itong taong ito nu’ng sabi na pinaganahan lang sila na papasukin ang ICC…Talagang tuwang-tuwa siya na imbestigahan ako ng ICC. Tingnan natin ngayon, ikaw ang imbestigahan ko. I will do (sic) all my parliamentary powers to pin you down,” he said.

(That’s why he was so delighted when it was reported that I will be investigated by the ICC. Let’s see now. I will investigate you. I will do (sic) all my parliamentary powers to pin you down.)

Dela Rosa said he will not observe parliamentary courtesy to his fellow member of Congress.

“Sabihin man ninyo na sinira ko ‘yung parliamentary courtesy, but my love for this country is above and beyond parliamentary courtesy,” he said.

(You can say that I am not respecting parliamentary courtesy but my love for this country is above and beyond parliamentary courtesy.)

In a statement, Manuel slammed Dela Rosa over the latter’s statement and denied the allegations against him.

“Hindi ito asal senador. Pag-aaksaya ito ng rekurso ng Senado at pag-abuso sa pondo ng bayan. Hindi dapat gamitin ng sinumang opisyal ang kanyang posisyon sa gobyerno para umalpas sa kanyang pananagutan at atakihin ang mga kabataan at kababayan nating nagsusulong ng hustisya,” Manuel said.

(This is not how a senator should behave. This is a waste of Senate and public funds. These resources should not be used by any official in any position in the government to evade accountability and attack the youth who are seeking justice.)

Manuel described the investigation that Dela Rosa is seeking as a “witch hunt” against young individuals who are critical of the government.

“Kung mayroong imbestigasyon na dapat matuloy at mabilis na umusad, ito ang imbestigasyon sa lahat ng mga nagpasimuno ng madugong giyera kontra droga: Rodrigo Duterte, Bato dela Rosa, at iba pa. Maghanda na ang mga sangkot dahil ang mga ebidensya laban sa kanila ay sobrang bigat na: hindi gawa-gawa, hindi pinwersa, kundi sapat na batayan para seryosohin ang pagtiyak ng pagpapanagot sa mga may sala,” he said.

(If there should be an investigation, it should be the probe on the bloody drug war waged by Rodrigo Duterte, Bato dela Rosa, and their allies. Those who were involved should be prepared because the pieces of evidence are not fabricated, not forced, and sufficient to exact accountability against them.)

NPA recruitment video

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa asked  the Philippine National Police (PNP) to identify the  producers of a video allegedly used for NPA in its recruitment.

Dela Rosa on Wednesday requested the Philippine National Police (PNP) to identify the producers of a video allegedly used to recruit new members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

The senator and former PNP head made the request at a Senate hearing on alleged recruitment of communist rebels in schools after National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairman Ronald Cardema presented a video where heavily armed individuals are shown encouraging people to join the “democratic revolution.”

According to Cardema, the “alarming” video has been spreading since last week. 

“Talagang tina-target ng NPA ngayon ang recruitment ng mga kabataan. Ginagawa pa nilang very trendy. Nagjo-joke joke pa kayo kunyari sa bundok patungkol sa recruitment para makuha niyo ‘yung trend sa kabataang Pilipino,” Cardema said.

(The NPA is really targeting the youth in their recruitment. They are using trendy methods such as humor and jokes to engage the Filipino youth.)

Dela Rosa told the PNP to direct its anti-cybercrime group to trace the origin of the video, saying this is punishable under Section 10 of the Anti-Terrorism Act which pertains to recruitment and membership to a terrorist organization.

“You direct your anti-cybercrime. Ma-trace yan nila yung pinaka origin nito para makasuhan natin at yung mga nagse-share nito…in the spirit of recruitment na shine-share ‘yang video nay an, makasuhan natin,” Dela Rosa said.

(They can trace the origin of this video. This would enable us to file cases against them and  those who share this in the spirit of recruitment.)  —RF, GMA Integrated News