Lakas-Kampi-CMD Rep. Maria Milagros Magsaysay of Zambales, said the decision of the government to allot P31 million for the housing and livelihood of families of surrendered members of the ABB, the group responsible for the killing of roughly 200 policemen and military personnel in the early 1990s is ill-timed as the Aquino administration has yet to fully explain the reason for giving the MILF a P5-million “financial aid.”
“The timing of the government’s decision is very bad since the issue in Mindanao with the MILF is still very fresh. Soldiers, as well as policemen were, among the victims of that group that the government is working to achieve peace with. The families of the casualties also need help so what is the government doing for them?” Magsaysay asked.
Besides, Magsaysay said policemen have long been complaining of a shortage in benefits compared to their counterparts in other countries and the government has yet to address the complaints.
“This decision sends a wrong message to the police and the military, especially at this time because it would seem that the leadership is prioritizing the welfare of those who are fighting the government rather than those who are protecting it. It would seem that the government’s concern is more for those who have caused losses to the state rather than those who are risking their lives for the safety of our people,” she said.
But Malacañang quickly denied giving a direct P31-million dole to the ABB that was later renamed as Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) after it broke away from the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.
Deputy Presidential Spokesman Abigail Valte said the amount in question is being given to qualified poor communities under the government’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) program and not directly to any particular entity such as the RPMP-RPA-ABB.
“We were able to verify with Secretary Ging Deles [presidential peace adviser] and there is no such grant to the ABB,” Valte said, when asked to confirm the reported financial assistance to the ABB.
Meanwhile, Magsaysay said the government, before giving the money, should ensure that the beneficiaries have not committed any lawless acts in the years since their commitment with the government and that those who are still active with their criminal activities will not be given a share of this fund.
“It is sad because the government is very loose in its purse strings when it comes to these groups, but when it comes to projects that will benefit the people as a whole, they always cite austerity. And mostly, this backfires because the money they give are used to purchase arms that are used against government forces,” lamented Magsaysay.
“The government wants to achieve peace, and they want to achieve closure. That is commendable in itself but like it said, justice must be served for all, and rewarding those who have not kept their part is just an insult to families of the policemen who lost their lives to this group,” she added.
Valte clarified that the funds for livelihood project assistance would be used for the development of poor communities, and would be disbursed and carried out by concerned local governments and the implementing national agencies.
Deles said in a radio interview that the government will spend P31 million for livelihood projects in communities occupied by the RPMP-RPA-ABB under the Pamana program, which seeks to help develop poor communities in conflict-affected areas.
