The Communist Party of the Philippines-Negros urged its forces to launch tactical offensives to amass more weapons and ammunition, and to step up recruitment and training of its fighters in its battle against the Arroyo administration, in a statement to mark the 37th anniversary of the New People's Army yesterday.

The statement came as the 303rd Infantry Brigade launched "Operation Kingfisher" in Negros Island Tuesday to hit the rebels at their doorsteps through raids on their lairs and sanctuaries, its commander, Col. Jerry Jalandoni, said yesterday.

The police yesterday was also on red alert against rebel attacks.

Jalandoni said his forces are on the offensive against expected stepped-up attacks by the rebels and this was confirmed by the CPP statement.

We have been anticipating rebel offensives and we are encouraging the NPA to fight head-on, he said.

The CPP statement yesterday also charged the group of Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo (Neg. Occ., 5th district) with engineering a grandiose plan through the 303rd IB to crush the revolutionary forces by 2007 through a "holistic approach" involving "win-hold-win" or "focus and contain" strategies and "sustained operations" against rebel forces.

The CPP-Negros also said in its statement that the NPA, supported by the masses, is prepared for these moves while the AFP and PNP is falling apart because of the "Illegal" leadership of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

It said the group of Rep. Arroyo exercises control over the 303rd IB, Philippine National Police, Revolutionary Proletariat Army and goons in going after the revolutionary forces.

Arroyo said it is the job of the military to deal with the rebels, and congressmen do not influence what they do. In fact, Arroyo said, he just learned that the 303rd IB has a new commander.

Jalandoni said the Philippine Army is professional and apolitical.

++The CPP also charged Rep. Arroyo and his allies with alleged sugar and gun smuggling, drug operations and cheating in the 2004 elections.

Arroyo called the CPP accusations preposterous. "They should show proof first before they throw stones," he said.

The solon said he has been working hard to bring progress to his district and he has proof to show for the work he has done.

The CPP statement also named businessman Sammy Palanca, claiming his BREDCO port had been used for illegal drug activity, and demanded the implementation of "genuine land reform", especially in the land of Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco and the Arroyo family.

Buddy Jison, managing director of Top Harbor that runs BREDCO, called the accusation against Palanca a wild claim that is not true.

The CPP also called for an active campaign against aggression caused by mining, eco-tourism projects and oil explorations at sea that will cause damage to livelihoods, health and the environment.

The CPP, in the same statement, outlined the alleged gains of the NPA against government forces, and urged soldiers and policemen disgruntled with the Arroyo administration to join them.

The government will not be cowed by threats that come from communist terrorist organizations such as the New People's Army, which have long held hostage the hopes and aspirations of our people particularly in the countryside, Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said yesterday.

The government will continue to defend its citizens against these godless terrorists who use their arms to exact taxes and threaten legitimate businesses and private citizens into kowtowing to their diabolical objectives to seize power through violent means, he said in a statement issued by his office.

Gov. Joseph Marañon, meanwhile, reiterated his call for reconciliatory talks with the rebels so that peace can be attained and progress in Negros Occidental can be hastened.*CPG

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