Hontiveros rebukes Esperon for misusing 'good' leftist party

Reacting angrily over the AFP Chief of Staff's statement describing AKBAYAN as an example of a 'good' leftist party, AKBAYAN Rep. Risa Hontiveros chided Gen. Esperon today for using AKBAYAN's name in a pathetic attempt to evade accountability over extrajudicial killings.

"If they see AKBAYAN as a 'good' left party, then why does the AFP burn effigies of me in so-called peace rallies to conclude their anti-communist campaigns in rural areas?" demanded Hontiveros. "Instead of using AKBAYAN to deodorize the AFP, Esperon should take Alston's findings as a chance to cleanse AFP of its skeletons in the closet."

 

The solon, however, is concerned that Alston's findings would be for naught. "It should lead to a credible inquiry on extrajudicial killings. However, if the administration itself uses the AFP to advance its political survival, justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings and reforms in the AFP seem impossible," Rep. Hontiveros said.

 

She added that by pitting AKBAYAN against other leftist organizations, Esperon hopes to spark greater harassment against AKBAYAN from the NPA. While AKBAYAN has consistently spoken against the NPA's extortion activities and killings, it has likewise condemned to the strongest degree the AFP's abuses against other leftist parties. "Coercion and violence have no place in a democracy," the solon pointed out.

"As a progressive political party, AKBAYAN has always upheld the universality of human rights and human dignity. We condemn abuses, whether committed by the State or by armed groups like NPA," Rep. Hontiveros stressed.

"AKBAYAN has strongly sided in favor of plurality in political participation. We may have ideological differences with other leftist party-list groups, but we believe that it should be left to the electorate to determine which party reflects and carries the interest of marginalized communities and mass movements," Rep. Hontiveros added.

She also clarified that AKBAYAN is not pushing for the disqualification of Bayan Muna and its allied party-list groups before the Commission on Elections. "While Lito Bayudan was a leader of AKBAYAN, his widow was not. We categorically deny that the disqualification charges were sanctioned or ordered by AKBAYAN," Rep. Hontiveros explained.