Groups insist on disqualification of Makabayan bloc

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 19, 2021): Groups insist on disqualification of Makabayan bloc (By Lade Jean Kabagani)

CALL FOR DISQUALIFICATION. Members of Liga Independencia Pilipinas, League of Parents of the Philippines, Sulong Maralita, and Yakap ng Magulang, and mothers of students who were recruited by communist terrorist groups stage a rally outside the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday (Oct. 19, 2021). They said party-list groups of the Makabayan bloc should not be allowed to seek seats in Congress because they will only propagate communism. (Contributed photo)

Multi-sectoral organizations on Tuesday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to bar from next year's elections some party-list groups that have links to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Members of Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), League of Parents of the Philippines (LPP), Sulong Maralita, and Yakap ng Magulang, along with mothers of students who were recruited by militant organizations, picketed in front of the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila to call for the disqualification of party-lists belonging to the Makabayan bloc.

The groups said Bayan Muna, Kabataan, Anakpawis, ACT Teachers, and Gabriela Women's Party have been active in the CPP-NPA's underground revolutionary tactics to push for a communist system.

In an interview, LPP chair Remy Rosadio said the Makabayan members are being used to lure more Filipinos into joining the CPP’s armed struggle.

Rosadio cited evidence presented by former CPP-NPA rebels and high-ranking cadres, pointing out the involvement of the Makabayan bloc in the disappearances of students and indigenous peoples.

Relentless appeal

Despite the Makabayan bloc’s continued denial, she said they will not stop banging on the Comelec’s doors until they are disqualified from seeking Congressional seats.

She noted that the Makabayan lawmakers "are not really pushing for the legitimate concerns and interests of the Filipino people".

"Nakiki-usap kami na pakinggan niyo po sana kaming mga magulang at tuluyan nang i-disqualify ang Kabataan party-list, ang Gabriela, Bayan Muna, Act Teachers party-list at lahat nang may ka-ugnayan sa Makabayan bloc na ginagamit ni (CPP founder) Joma Sison as front organizations para moloko ang ating mga kabataan (We are appealing to the Comelec to listen to us, parents and finally disqualify the Kabataan party-list, Gabriela, Bayan Muna, Act Teachers party-list and all other groups linked to the Makabayan Bloc that have been used by Joma Sison as front organizations to deceive our youths)," Rosadio said.

Rosadio also slammed outgoing Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago for continuously luring the youth to join the leftist organizations.

"Kung ang mga kabataan natin ay ma-uubos nang marecruit ng CPP-NPA-NDF, ano’ng kinabukasan makikita nila? Ano’ng mangyayari sa ating bansa kung pinapatakbo na tayo ng mga komunista (What future we are looking at if most of our youth will be recruited to the CPP-NPA-NDF? What will happen to our country if we are run by the communists)?" she said.

The groups said Sison has been manipulating the legal democratic mass movement through the party-list groups to make sure that revolutionary underground mass movement will stay on board.

Comelec’s move

Yakap ng Magulang president Relissa Lucena, whose daughter Alicia Jasper was recruited by Anakbayan and Kabataan, lamented how the Makabayan bloc invade campuses.

She said it is time for Filipinos to realize the deception perpetrated by communist terrorist groups and the Comelec can help by rejecting the party-lists groups' application.

"Hindi na po sila pwedeng ma-upo muli sa pwesto at hindi na sila maaring manungkulan sa gobyerno dahil bibigyan niyo sila ng kakayahan at kapangyarihan para manira ng pamilya Pilipino (They must not be given a chance to take positions and serve in the government because you are just giving them a chance to destroy Filipino families)," Lucena told the Comelec.

Lucena said the "Comelec must stop tolerating" the organizations that are supporting the "senseless revolutionary cause" of Sison.

The Philippines' Anti-Terrorism Council has designated the CPP, NPA, and NDF as terrorist groups.

The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines also listed the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157138