Communists order NPA to launch attacks vs martial law extension

In this March 27, 2017 file photo, members of underground groups under the Communist Party of the Philippines occupy the intersection of Edsa and Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City, to mark the 48th anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA) that falls on March 29. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA — In an angry response to the government’s plan to extend martial law in Mindanao until the end of 2017, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) asked its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), on Tuesday, to launch “armed counteractions and offensives” across the country.

The communist leadership said the proposed five-month extension of Proclamation 216 would result in worse abuses by the military and the police “in the vain hope of completing the suppression of the armed resistance in Marawi City.”

“It will prolong the restrictions against civil and political freedom and aggravate violations of people’s democratic rights. It will further suppress the truth to control the narrative to favor the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” the party’s information bureau said in a statement posted on its website.

“Thus, it is imperative for the entire Filipino people to vigorously oppose this plan,” the CPP said.

“Revolutionary forces nationwide are firmly united and ever determined to resist martial law in Mindanao. The New People’s Army 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,” it said.

The fifth round of peace talks between the government and the communist leadership has stalled in the wake of the “all-out war” launched against the NPA by the military in February and the declaration of martial law in Mindanao in May.

The party said Mr. Duterte’s actions continued to “build the foundations of authoritarian rule under US imperialist tutelage.”

“His supermajority of congressional sycophants are likely to approve without question Duterte’s Mindanao martial law extension plan,” it said.

“He has launched a war which he cannot finish. The Duterte-US-AFP war has roused 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 of Marawi City. They demand a halt to the siege in order to return to their homes,” it said.

The CPP also said the submission of the revamped draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law as an urgent bill in Congress would fail to pacify the Moro people.

“A conflagration of Moro armed resistance is bound to flare up across the Bangsamoro,” it said.

The CPP said martial law in Mindanao was directed at the NPA insurgents as much as the Moro rebels.

“AFP armed offensives against the NPA have been stepped-up over the past two months. Aerial bombings and shellings have been carried out in North Cotabato, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and elsewhere,” it said.

“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,” it added.

“Duterte’s martial law in Mindanao or nationwide, is an assault on every Filipino’s rights and freedom,” the CPP said.  SFM