‘NPA vandalism an act of desperation’

From Panay News (Dec 31, 2019): ‘NPA vandalism an act of desperation’ (By Ruby Silubrico)

PN Photo

ILOILO – The Philippine Army condemned a recent vandalism that it claimed was done by rebels.

Aganan Bridge in the municipality of Pavia was spray-painted with the graffiti “Viva CPP NDF – Mabuhay ang 51st Anniv sang CPP NPA NDF.”

“The vandalism was a sign of frustration. The rebels were also trying to sow fear in the community,” said the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) spokesperson, Captain Cenon Pancito III.

The Communist Party of the Philippines marked its 51st founding anniversary on Dec. 26. The New People’s Army is its armed wing while the NDF is a coalition of revolutionary social and economic justice organizations, agricultural unions, trade unions, and indigenous rights groups, among others.

Patrolling policemen of Pavia spotted the graffiti. The rebels used red spray paint.

There were no nearby security cameras, however, so identifying the vandals would be difficult.

“What they did was an act of cowardice. They are afraid to face us and they don’t want to admit they are losing the war. Wala na silang mga tao kasi some of their men ay nag-surrender na kasi talagang nagugutom na sila,” Pancito added.

LOOK: This portion of Aganan Bridge in Barangay, Pavia, Iloilo was spray-painted in red phrases that reads "Viva CPP NPA NDF MABUHAY ANG 51ST ANNIV SANG CPP NPA NDF"
Authorities have yet to identify the vandals as of this posting./PN

The CPP was formed by Prof. Jose Maria Sison on Dec. 26, 1968. It was designated as a terrorist group by current Philippine president and Sison’s former student, Rodrigo Duterte in December 2017.

The CPP has been fighting a guerrilla war against the state since its establishment. Although its ranks initially numbered around 500, the party grew quickly, supposedly due to the declaration and imposition of martial law by former president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos during his 21-year rule.

By the end of Marcos’ dictatorship, the number of combatants had expanded to include more than 10,000 fighters. In a speech before the US Congress in 1986, Marcos’ successor Corazon Aquino accredited the party’s rapid growth as being caused by Marcos’ attempts to stifle it with the “means by which it grows” with his establishment of martial law, suggesting that other governments view it as a lesson when dealing with communist insurgencies.

As of 2019, the organization claims that the number of its members and supporters is growing, despite claims by the Philippine government that the organization is about to be destroyed.

The organization remains an underground operation, with its primary goals being to overthrow the Philippine government through armed revolution.

The 3ID commander, Brigadier General Eric Vinoya, declared last week: “We are gaining against the NPA. We are on track to winning and ending the local communist armed conflict in Western Visayas.”

Executive Order (EO) 70 has dealt a big blow to the CPP and its armed wing, the NPA, said Vinoya.

EO 70 issued by President Duterte institutionalized the “whole-of-nation approach” in addressing the insurgency problem. It is the synchronization of various government agencies’ plans and programs to combat insurgency because guns and cannons alone could not do the job.

“EO 70 aims to achieve genuine peace. Discrediting EO 70 is like rejecting peace,” said Vinoya.

He welcomed the surrender of many rebels this year, most of whom were NPA commanders.

Vinoya expressed confidence of ending the insurgency in Western Visayas by next year.

“Government forces are serious in fulfilling the people’s will to end the insurgency. We are trained to be always ready,” he stressed.

Vinoya warned the CPP-NPA, “Expect more intensified combat operations. You only have two options, surrender or die.”

By 3ID’s estimate, seven rebel fronts are operating in 87 barangays cross Western Visayas./PN

https://www.panaynews.net/npa-vandalism-an-act-of-desperation/