Local Reds vow to fight with PH forces vs Chinese aggression

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Philippine communist rebels, while embracing the ideology of Mao Zedong, will not side with China in the event the two countries’ territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) gets ugly.

Jorge Madlos, spokesperson of National Democratic Front in Mindanao, said New People’s Army rebels will fight alongside government security forces if China declared war on the Philippines.

“If there is a direct foreign invasion of our country, the focus of the revolutionary movement would be to fight the foreign aggressor,” Madlos, also known as Ka Oris, told the Inquirer in a telephone interview.

He said Filipinos stood no chance of winning any war with China if it were fought at sea but if it were to be fought on land, “they (Chinese) don’t stand a chance.”

Madlos acknowledged that China was a superpower but that fact should not cow Filipinos who should  defend their country at all cost.

However, the senior local communist leader said, he did not believe that China would press its claims over the West Philippine Sea to the extent of going to war with the Philippines and other claimant-countries.

“I don’t think China is foolhardy to attack us and wage war with the Philippines,” Madlos said.

He also said Malacañang should not be too dependent on the United States as it was not helpful in resolving the territorial dispute with China.

“China has looked at us like we are pawns of the US. Because of that outlook, whatever step we take will be suspected of having been dictated by the US,” Madlos said.

He said seeking assistance from the US “undermines the resolve of the Filipinos.”