Sison: Message to Davao City Book Launch of Building People's Power

Posted to the Website of Jose Maria Sison (Jul 22): Message to Davao City Book Launch of Building People's Power



Brokenshire Resort and Convention Center
Madapo Hills, Davao City
July 22, 2016
By Prof. Jose Maria Sison, Author
Founding Chairman, Communist Party of the Philippines
Chairperson, International League of Peoples’ Struggle

Dear Compatriots and Friends,

As author of the book, Building People’s Power, I wish to express solidarity and gratitude to the distinguished guests, the organizers and all the participants in this book launch.

I am sure that Prof. Aya Ragragio will emcee the program very well, that Rep.Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis will rouse you with his opening remarks, that the book reviewers Luz Ilagan, Stella Estrenera and Myfel Paluga will give enlightening book reviews, that Don Pagusara will enrapt you with his cultural presentation, that Megue Monteverde will react to incite further discussion and that Prof. Nelson Maniego will happily close a successful event.

I hope that the buyers and readers of the book will find it interesting and instructive regarding Philippine and global issues and how to build political power by arousing, organizing and mobilizing the broad masses of he people. The book tries to explain the workings, implications and consequences of the US-instigated neoliberal economic policy, the spread of state terrorism and wars of aggression and the people’s resistance.

Building people’s power is necessary in the face of the ever sharpening crisis of the world capitalist system and the domestic semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system and the ever worsening conditions of oppression and exploitation. The Filipino people can achieve national and social liberation only through their self-reliant, resolute and militant mass struggles.

After the anti-people, corrupt and brutal Aquino regime in the service of US imperialism and the local oligarchy, the Filipino people have high expectations that the Duterte administration will create and provide the condition for solving the social, economic and political problems that they suffer. They have to develop their own strength in order to strive for better conditions and a brighter future and prepare for any eventuality in relation to the new administration and the forces of imperialism and reaction.

The worsening crisis of the ruling system offers to us all challenges and opportunities to overcome grave social, economic, political and cultural problems. The peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines can be a crucial process for addressing the roots of the armed conflict and arriving at comprehensive agreements to lay the basis for a just and lasting peace.

Inside and outside of the peace process, we must work and fight for full national independence, human rights and the democratic empowerment of the workers and peasants, economic development through national industrialization and genuine land reform, social and environmental justice, a patriotic and progressive culture, equality of the ethno-linguistic communities and genders and international solidarity with peoples and countries against imperialism and all reaction.

While we aim for a government of national unity, peace and development on the basis of the broadest possible alliance, let us continue to build the people’s power by strengthening the forces within the framework of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the revolutionary organs of political power. All of us desire and must work hard to achieve national and social liberation and a new Philippines that is truly independent, democratic, prosperous, progressive and peaceful.

Once more thank you.

http://josemariasison.org/message-to-davao-city-book-launch-of-building-peoples-power/