This week marks the 47th anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). The NPA has been fighting the Philippine government since 1969 in what is considered the longest-running communist insurgency in Asia.
A full-page advertisement paid for by the CPP’s central committee came out in one of the national broadsheets last March 29, paying tribute to Gregorio Rosal as a great communist. He was also known as Ka Roger, the slain spokesperson of the CPP-NPA’s umbrella organization, the National Democratic Front led by the Netherlands-based Jose Maria Sison.
After the recent restoration of diplomatic relations between staunchly communist Cuba and unbridled capitalist America, the Philippines’ ultra-leftist insurgency seems to be an anachronism in this day and age. China, Russia, and Vietnam have embraced capitalism in their market-driven economies which would make Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin, and Ho Chi Minh turn in their graves.
Nowhere is this truer than in Eastern Mindanao, where 24 out of the 52 communist fronts nationwide could be found. Last year, the NPA attacked agricultural plantations there almost every month. As of March 15 this year, the number of attacks has already surpassed the entire 2015.
To stop the harassment of businesses in the country’s second biggest island, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has offered the “adopt your police station” program to local industries. Under this scheme, entrepreneurs based in areas regularly harassed by rebel forces can donate at least 500 square meters of land adjacent to their businesses. Using allocations from the national budget, the PNP may then build a police camp or station to help secure businesses.
Policemen who are trained for combat operations will be deployed throughout Regions 11 and 13, as well as private security guards who undergo military training and will be issued high-powered weapons to fight the rebels. Due to the soldiers’ reputation as human rights violators, some industries might not agree to engage the military for fear it would invite terrorism while the plantations become battlegrounds.
Key to the program’s success is the cooperation of industries with the AFP and PNP, who can prevent rebel attacks if provided with advance information. Normally the rebels would send warnings or demand revolutionary taxes, but industries either just keep quiet or give in. Companies that would like to join the program should file directly with the PNP chief. Police presence will be maintained in the area as they train private security forces in maintaining peace and order in the community.
Security managers said their companies will have more time to focus on production rather than getting worried about their security. Insurgency affects almost all Mindanaoan industries since rebel atrocities involve extortion, arson, black propaganda, infiltration of labor unions, and meddling with agribusiness venture agreements.
Most countryside industries are located near rebel bases. They are vulnerable to NPA-initiated attacks that also target small businesses in areas where the rebels operate. A few years ago, the base camp of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) in South Cotabato was burned down by NPA forces while SMI’s employees were celebrating the New Year.
If the turbulent situation in the Caraga and Davao regions continues, we might see industries packing up. Businessmen are reportedly planning their transfer to other provinces and cities or even to neighboring ASEAN countries.
Davao City has not been spared by NPA attacks. Two policemen and a civilian were ambushed year ago in Marilog district. Several years back, an SMI officer was killed inside a subdivision where Mayor Rodrigo Duterte had a house. To this day that murder case has not been solved.
Hopefully the PNP’s linkage with the agricultural and mining sectors in Mindanao’s eastern seaboard will deter insurgents from threatening these very industries that sustain the lives of millions of Filipinos.
***
J. Albert Gamboa is the CFO of Asian Center for Legal Excellence and Senior Producer of Bloomberg TV Philippines. Email: nextgenmedia@gmail.com. (J. Albert Gamboa)
http://www.mb.com.ph/industries-versus-insurgents/
A full-page advertisement paid for by the CPP’s central committee came out in one of the national broadsheets last March 29, paying tribute to Gregorio Rosal as a great communist. He was also known as Ka Roger, the slain spokesperson of the CPP-NPA’s umbrella organization, the National Democratic Front led by the Netherlands-based Jose Maria Sison.
After the recent restoration of diplomatic relations between staunchly communist Cuba and unbridled capitalist America, the Philippines’ ultra-leftist insurgency seems to be an anachronism in this day and age. China, Russia, and Vietnam have embraced capitalism in their market-driven economies which would make Mao Zedong, Joseph Stalin, and Ho Chi Minh turn in their graves.
Both the European Union and the US State Department have designated the NPA as a terrorist organization. On the other hand, the CPP refers to the NPA as “the tax enforcement agency of the people’s revolutionary government.” But former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Ramon Zagala pointed out that the communist rebels have lost their ideological mooring and are now engaging in extortion activities.
To stop the harassment of businesses in the country’s second biggest island, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has offered the “adopt your police station” program to local industries. Under this scheme, entrepreneurs based in areas regularly harassed by rebel forces can donate at least 500 square meters of land adjacent to their businesses. Using allocations from the national budget, the PNP may then build a police camp or station to help secure businesses.
Policemen who are trained for combat operations will be deployed throughout Regions 11 and 13, as well as private security guards who undergo military training and will be issued high-powered weapons to fight the rebels. Due to the soldiers’ reputation as human rights violators, some industries might not agree to engage the military for fear it would invite terrorism while the plantations become battlegrounds.
Key to the program’s success is the cooperation of industries with the AFP and PNP, who can prevent rebel attacks if provided with advance information. Normally the rebels would send warnings or demand revolutionary taxes, but industries either just keep quiet or give in. Companies that would like to join the program should file directly with the PNP chief. Police presence will be maintained in the area as they train private security forces in maintaining peace and order in the community.
Security managers said their companies will have more time to focus on production rather than getting worried about their security. Insurgency affects almost all Mindanaoan industries since rebel atrocities involve extortion, arson, black propaganda, infiltration of labor unions, and meddling with agribusiness venture agreements.
Most countryside industries are located near rebel bases. They are vulnerable to NPA-initiated attacks that also target small businesses in areas where the rebels operate. A few years ago, the base camp of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) in South Cotabato was burned down by NPA forces while SMI’s employees were celebrating the New Year.
If the turbulent situation in the Caraga and Davao regions continues, we might see industries packing up. Businessmen are reportedly planning their transfer to other provinces and cities or even to neighboring ASEAN countries.
Davao City has not been spared by NPA attacks. Two policemen and a civilian were ambushed year ago in Marilog district. Several years back, an SMI officer was killed inside a subdivision where Mayor Rodrigo Duterte had a house. To this day that murder case has not been solved.
Hopefully the PNP’s linkage with the agricultural and mining sectors in Mindanao’s eastern seaboard will deter insurgents from threatening these very industries that sustain the lives of millions of Filipinos.
***
J. Albert Gamboa is the CFO of Asian Center for Legal Excellence and Senior Producer of Bloomberg TV Philippines. Email: nextgenmedia@gmail.com. (J. Albert Gamboa)
http://www.mb.com.ph/industries-versus-insurgents/
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