The group Tuburan for Rural Women Empowerment & Development Inc., and the Negros Oriental Network of NGOs (NegOrNet), two of 10 NGOs in Negros Oriental that were red-tagged by the military, have cried foul over the claim that they are among the private organizations providing funding support to the New People’s Army.
Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, commander of the 302nd Brigade, had made the statement on Oct. 4 during a Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting in Dumaguete, which was the basis of a news story written by the Philippine Information Agency, and carried by the MetroPost.
Nancy Estolloso and Atty. Adrian Ruz Vidal, Tuburan executive director and chairperson, respectively, condemned the Army’s statement as “malicious and baseless”.
In a statement (see their full statements), Tuburan denied providing funds to the NPA, nor is it connected with any organization or entity that threatens Philippine sovereignty.
“The mandate of Tuburan is to work for the establishment of a community of women, men, and families living in justice, mutuality, well-being, and hope in harmony with the whole of creation,” Estolloso and Vidal said.
In a similar statement, the NegOrNet said their mandate is to “forge a stronger alliance and/or partnership with the government towards self-reliance and nation-building, establish a stronger partnership, and continually support the national and local government units” among NGOs and people’s organizations.
Estolloso and Vidal said Tuburan has been conducting workshops and seminars on gender education, women’s rights, leadership, participatory governance, and similar topics.
They added that Tuburan has also extended relief and rehabilitation projects during the earthquake in 2012 and Typhoon Odette, among others, and has earned the “long-standing trust and credibility” of local and international funding agencies because it has “responsibly accounted for every single penny” received.
Tuburan and NegOrNet said the Army’s claim that there is a pending case against the Tuburan is false.
“As an organization that respects and operates within the bounds of our laws, Tuburan will resist all efforts that will undermine its good name and work, as we also reiterate our commitment for collaboration and partnership with the provincial government in the field of women empowerment, participatory governance, environmental protection, and community development,” the statement said.
The NegOrNet, on the other hand, called for a dialogue with the provincial government so they could reiterate and strengthen their partnership work, and reaffirm their continued support for government’s program that enhances the lives of Filipinos and promote inclusive development. (AP)
