CPP donates cash, goods to ‘Sendong’ victims

DAVAO CITY—The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Monday deferred celebrations for its 43rd founding anniversary and will instead donate millions worth of cash and goods to the victims of Tropical Storm “Sendong” in Northern Mindanao.

Jorge Madlos alias Ka Oris, spokesperson of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Mindanao, said they would donate nearly P4 million worth of cash and goods, channeled through several foundations, including the clergy, media outfits and local government offices, which are doing relief operations for the thousands of displaced people.

“This time we decided to forego with the festivity because we want to help the victims of the calamity,” he told the Inquirer by phone.

“It is a national call and we encourage the masses to donate whatever they can,” he added.

Madlos also said they would “obligate mining and logging companies to give donations because it is they who committed sins to the environment.”

Madlos said they have to “find a way to gather and transport [the donations].”

Bicol

In Naga City, the NDF leader in Bicol still believed that the talks, once successful, could end one of the longest armed struggles in the world.

“We all dream of a real and long-lasting peace founded on social justice. It can be borne out of the success of the peace talks that leans on agreements that will solve the ills of our society,” said Greg Bañares, spokesperson of the NDF in Bicol.

The NDF, the political wing of the CPP that was founded on Dec. 26, 1968, has fought to control the government through its armed wing, the New People’s Army.

But Bañares told the Inquirer that “peace’ could also be achieved through the success of the “revolutionary war.”

“While the peace negotiation has no clear direction, it is better to go on with the armed struggle,” he said in an e-mailed response to the questions sent by the Inquirer.

But Major Harold Cabunoc, Army spokesperson, said lasting peace and “total” development of the countryside would only come after the “total defeat” of the armed rebellion.

He said if the armed insurgents lay down their arms and cooperate with the government, the “bloody fighting” would end.

CPP Panay spokesperson, Concha Araneta, said the party has expanded its armed strength and mass support amid continued offensives of government troops in 2011. Araneta said none of their guerrilla fronts was dismantled and these even grew in areas covered.

The military had earlier dismissed the rebel forces on Panay as negligible and only capable of isolated attacks on government troops and detachments to make their presence felt.

In December, the military, police and other government agencies declared Aklan insurgency-free after the absence of rebel groups and attacks in the province for the past three years. Dennis Jay Santos, Inquirer Mindanao; Jonas Cabiles Soltes, Inquirer Southern Luzon; Nestor P. Burgos Jr., Inquirer Visayas