CPP members, supporters mark party’s 46th year

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

In front of a big stage in a coconut-farming community in Surigao del Sur, thousands of members and supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) gathered to celebrate its 46th anniversary and to conduct a Mindanao-wide peace consultation.

Fidel Agcaoili of the National Democratic Front (NDF), the political arm of the CPP, addressed the crowd and received a copy of the Mindanao peace agenda presented by people’s organizations.

Jorge Madlos, NDF spokesperson, gave an update on the armed struggle the group was waging.

“We have maintained the 46 guerrilla fronts despite the relentless fascist attacks by the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), which has now more than 55 infantry battalions engaged in counter-revolutionary suppression campaigns in Mindanao. Not one front was destroyed by the enemy,” he said.

Madlos said the New People’s Army (NPA), armed wing of the CPP, staged more than 300 tactical offensives, confiscated hundreds of firearms and inflicted casualties of more than a battalion on the AFP in 2014.

“It is undoubted that the NPA is expanding and gaining strength,” he said.

But Madlos, also known as Ka Oris said he favored the resumption of the peace talks.

He said he might not be able to witness the end of the talks in his lifetime but that “the difficult situations in addressing the conflict are the reason why both parties should pursue it.”

Agcaoili said the NDF was still enthusiastic to resume the talks but he added that the government should respect and adhere to previously signed agreements.

Madlos said the NDF remained hopeful of a renewed peace talks with the government but would not lay down arms until its aim of social reforms for the country was met.

“The advance of the armed struggle does not necessarily depend on the peace talks. With or without peace talks, the armed struggle advances,” Madlos said.

He added that the NPA would continue to launch more offensives against the government.

Madlos challenged the government to show sincerity should peace negotiations resume.

“We will continue to show interest in the peace talks,” he said, citing the recent release of several captive soldiers and policemen as a gesture of confidence building on the side of the communist movement.

“These are confidence-building measures and we hope they also show signs of sincerity,” Madlos said.

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