NPA warns of action vs ‘despotic’ politicians

DAVAO CITY—The New People’s Army (NPA) in southern Mindanao on Monday hinted it would take a still unspecified action against “despotic” politicians who allegedly use elections to further their personal gains.

Rigoberto Sanchez, spokesperson of the NPA Southern Mindanao command, said in an e-mail furnished the Philippine Daily Inquirer that politicians should be able to show “sincerity both in words and deeds when they relate to the masses.”

Sanchez said the warning was only for politicians who campaign “within revolutionary territories” as the NPA has no way of running after those campaigning outside NPA areas.

“As a separate and distinct armed force, the NPA exercises control over a significant portion of territory in the country under an effective and responsible command,” he said.

Sanchez said politicians vying for seats in the provincial, mayoral and congressional levels should also respect the NPA’s jurisdiction over its territories by abiding by “revolutionary policies,” which is why it was imperative for them to coordinate with the NPA before entering a rebel-held area.

He said politicians campaigning in NPA territories should also not engage in “activities (such as conniving with the military) against the NPA and revolutionary movement.”

They should also shy away from “antisocial activities,” such as gambling, drinking, prostitution and other “decadent bourgeois exploits that affect the youth and promote profligate culture.”

While he did not directly ask politicians to pay “revolutionary tax,” Sanchez said they should provide material and financial help in the NPA’s mass media campaign, education, health and the rehabilitation of victims of Typhoon “Pablo.”

But the other important thing, he said, is that politicians should not carry firearms when campaigning inside NPA areas.

“Candidates vying for seats at the provincial, congressional and mayoral levels should adhere to the policies and programs of the people’s democratic government,” Sanchez said in the statement.

He said while the NPA welcomes politicians not known to be “despotic,” the communist movement would not endorse any of them, as it continues to view “reactionary elections” as “farcical.”

But he admitted that by just allowing them inside NPA territories, some politicians might get the support of the “mass base.” Germelina Lacorte, Inquirer Mindanao