Six platoons of the 1st Pulang Bagani Company performs a tactical inspection during the 48th anniversary celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Barangay Lumiad, Paquibato district in Davao City on Monday morning, Dec. 26, 2016. (Zea Io Ming C. Capistrano/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has called on its armed wing to continue its resistance against the imposition of the martial law to which they say would only prolong the restrictions against civil and political freedom in Mindanao.
“The New People’s Army (NPA) must continue to strengthen itself nationwide by carrying out armed counteractions and offensives across the country to defeat the Mindanao martial law and nationwide all-out war,” the CPP said in a statement.
The CPP accused President Rodrigo Duterte of continuing “to build the foundations of authoritarian rule under US imperialist tutelage,” and expressed fear the “supermajority of congressional sycophants are likely to approve without question” the extension of martial law in Mindanao.
It also lamented the displacement of at least 10,000 people in less than two months due to the intense military operations – the number is outside the estimated 410,000 evacuees from the war-torn Marawi and nearby towns. Duterte, the CPP added, wanted the measure extended “in the vain hope of completing the suppression of the armed resistance in Marawi City”, a war launched that, the CPP sees, Duterte cannot finish.
It also perceived a different outcome the continuing air and ground assaults in Marawi has resulted to — it stirred “the Moro people to take up arms to seek retribution for all the death and destruction perpetrated by the fascist siege and incessant aerial bombardment.”
The CPP added there’s no way the recent submission of the revamped Bangsamoro Basic Law will pacify the Moro people, as the administration of Duterte continues to accentuate their oppression through the ongoing war.
“A conflagration of Moro armed resistance is bound to flare up across the Bangsamoro,” the group asserted.
The CPP also expressed belief the extension of martial law is directed towards the New People’s Army, the Party-led forces, and the Moro people.
Increased offensives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines against the NPAs have been noted for the past two months, the group said, citing the aerial bombardments and shellings the AFP conducted in the areas of North Cotabato, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley.
“Workers rights have been suppressed. Attacks against civilian communities have stepped up. Paramilitaries have been emboldened by martial law and are subjecting the Lumad people to threats and harassments,” the CPP said.
In the same statement, the CPP called on the Filipino people to vigorously oppose Duterte’s plan to extend martial law. (davaotoday.com)
