In two separate locations, the Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions-Southern Tagalog (RCTU-ST) and Katipunan ng Samahan ng mga Manggagawa-Southern Tagalog (KASAMA-ST), both allied organizations of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), launched lightning rallies to celebrate the New People’s Army’s 45th anniversary. The organizations from the underground movement called for the intensification of the longest-running communist insurgency in Asia, following the Aquino regime’s complete violation of the JASIG by filing criminal charges, and jailing NDFP negotiating panel members Wilma Austria Tiamzon and Benito Tiamzon.
At exactly 5:30 pm, a day before the 45th anniversary of the New People’s Army, the RCTU-NDF-ST and KASAMA-NDF-ST simultaneously launched lightning rallies in Bacoor, Cavite and San Pedro, Laguna. All wearing red shirts, members of the underground movement shouted slogans such as ‘Long live the New People’s Army!’ and ‘The people’s war is the only solution to poverty!’.
“The New People’s Army has been waging a people’s war in the countryside for 45 painstaking years and have victoriously won countless battles.Despite many challenges, they have continuously launched successful tactical offensives against the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, and haveestablished strong and functioning bases as well as organs of political power in different parts of the country. Workers and urban poor families rejoice at this triumph.” Fortunato Magtanggol, RCTU-NDF-ST spokesperson, said.
“In southern tagalog, the AFP has hurled numerous attacks on the revolutionary movement, sending in battalions of reactionary soldiers to Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro, Palawan, among others, under the US-Aquino regime’s Oplan Bayanihan. Nevertheless, they have failed to put an end to the revolutionary movement. Their endless military operations, mindless attacks on the legal democratic movement, and black propaganda have even strengthened the movement. For as long as workers, urban poor, peasants, and the people suffer from Aquino’s pro-imperialist neoliberal policies, people will continue to join the NPA.” Magtanggol added.
Workers from southern tagalog have resented the Aquino regime’s attack on the labor sector, primarily through labor flexibilization schemes such as widespread contract employment, very low wages, and the absence of benefits, right to form unions, and the direct involvement of reactionary forces in labor disputes.
“Workers have the constitutionally-guaranteed right to form unions, but the Aquino regime, hand in hand with foreign capitalists, have denied them of this right. Thousands of workers from Carina Apparel, Inc. have lost their jobs due to the illegal closure of the company a day before their scheduled date of negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement.”
“The giant garments factory which manufactures high-end lingerie for Victoria Secret, Uniqlo, Toray, and many others, took home billions of pesos while their workers received a measly P347 each day. On the whole, wages in the region were even lowered through the implementation of the Two Tiered Wage System, while prices of basic commodities soared uncontrollably for the past three years. This will definitely worsen as Aquino pushes for a charter change that aims to allow 100% foreign ownership of factories and companies in the country.” Magtanggol said.
“Social services have further become inaccessible for the people under the US-Aquino regime’s increased privatization of public hospitals, schools, and relocations. We dare Aquino to live in Southville, a relocation site he constantly boasts of every time armed men violently demolishcommunities in Metro Manila.”Said Minda Villapaz, spokesperson of KASAMA-NDF-ST.
“Let him live like the poor people who are denied of jobs and livelihood, and yet are forced to believe that this government is doing its job. Let us see if he can stand the stench, the heat, the hunger, the sight of young womenengaged in prostitution for a kilo of rice, the desperate teenagers who get addicted to drugs, and the families that are slowly breaking apart due to the endless crisis and poverty they experience.” Villapaz added.
“It is the suffering of the people that ultimately compel them to take up arms, and in order to stop them from doing so, the US-Aquino regime must address the roots of the armed struggle. Then again, there is nothing good to expect from a puppet president who turns away from peace negotiations, violates the very agreement that the reactionary government has once signed, and declares victory upon the capture of two important members of the peace negotiating panel.” According to Magtanggol.
Last March 22, the AFP, together with the PNP and other forces of the Aquino administration, arrested Wilma Austria Tiamzon, Benito Tiamzon, and five others under false criminal charges. Benito, whom the AFP claims as the Chairperson of the CPP, and Wilma, whom they assert to be the Finance Officer of the CPP, are holders of NDFP Document of Identification under the JASIG.
“By arresting the Tiamzons, the Aquino regime has proven its insincerity in achieving just and lasting peace in the country. Opposite to what the military claims, the illegal arrest of our comrades will further enrage the revolutionary forces under the National Democratic Front and will inspire more workers and poor people to take up arms and join the New People’s Army.” Ended Magtanggol.###