FOCAP has no cause for concern over the order of the NTC to internet service providers
FOCAP has no cause for concern over the order of the NTC to internet service providers in the Philippines to block the websites of Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly.
The National Security Adviser has sufficient basis in fact and in law to request the NTC to order the blocking of the websites.
FOCAP tries to downplay the role of the restricted news organization websites by saying that these news organizations have "alleged affiliations with parties perceived to be hostile to the government ".
Several former cadres of the CPP-NPA-NDF, however, state otherwise.
FOCAP cannot deny the fact that these blocked news organization websites promote "armadong pakikibaka", "rebolusyon", and echoes the propaganda issuances and statements of the CPP-NPA-NDF media bureau. In our book, promotion of terrorist propaganda material is not within the reasonable bounds of press freedom. Terrorists in this country are enemies of the people and the state deals with them with a heavy hand.
FOCAP must realize na dito sa Pilipinas, walang puwang ang CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist organization and their allied front organizations.
Being a professional news media organization entails a certain degree of moral responsibility to safeguard the welfare and the best interests of this country and must not go into the realm of promoting a particular partisan interest of a designated terrorist organization.
Freedom of expression is never absolute.
Freedom of expression must not be used as a cover to promote anti-government propaganda and must not serve as a platform to further the cause of a designated terrorist organization.
FOCAP must not confuse criticism of government policies with the overt acts of the government to protect the state snd the people from all enemies, foreign and domestic, the CPP-NPA-NDF included and all their allied front organizations including their organizations in the Fourth Estate.
To highlight this point, FOCAP must realize that they are free to express their sentiments, along with many others, including those from the affected news organizations, on the actions of the NTC on the request of the National Security Adviser without fear of being censured.
This is how the government holds the Freedom of Expression in high regard.
However, the government has the sacred duty of protecting the safety and welfare of the Filipino people so that the NTC order must remain in force and effect.
FOCAP is also reminded that the plurality of voices is very much alive in this country.
The government, however, does not intend to give a voice to any designated terrorist organization thru any of their allied front organizations.
This government loves its people so much that it is not willing to risk the safety and well-being of the people by providing its enemies a breathing space in any of its communities.
To FOCAP,
in your desire to give a voice to the marginalized sectors of Philippine society,
give a voice instead to the victims of the CPP-NPA-NDF atrocities.
give a voice instead to the former rebels and cadres of the CPP-NPA-NDF who have so much truth to tell about the evils and crimes of the CPP-NPA-NDF.
continue to speak the truth and to speak out against corruption in the bureaucracy,
but never ever allow yourselves to be used by the CPP-NPA-NDF and by their allied front organizations.
We understand fully well that should your respective countries be placed on the same dilemma as the Philippines in terms of domestic terrorism problem, you would definitely stand by your country and your people against the terror threat.
Please understand that in this case, our country and our people are at stake. We cannot allow the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist organization to walk the halls of the Fourth Estate with impunity.
moreover, we assure you all that the National Security Adviser knows best when it comes to matters of state security and human security concerns.
We thank you for your concern.
We hope to engage you in a meaningful dialogue with the NTF-ELCAC so that you can become part of the whole-of-nation approach to end the local communist armed conflict.
Flosemer Chris Gonzales
Spokesperson for Legal Affairs, NTF-ELCAC