Do not vote for CPP-linked party-list bets: groups

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 10): Do not vote for CPP-linked party-list bets: groups (By Lade Jean Kabagani)

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY. Members of the League of Parents of the Philippines and Liga Independencia Pilipinas pelt a poster of former Bayan Muna party-list representative and senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares and Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison with tomatoes during a press conference held at a restaurant in Manila on Friday (Dec. 10, 2021) in observance of Human Rights Day. The groups also expressed solidarity with the thousands of victims of human rights abuses committed by the CPP-New People's Army-National Democratic Front. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

Multi-sectoral groups on Friday reminded the public anew to be critical of and vigilant against party-list organizations that will be joining next year's elections but have links with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

On Human Rights Day, members of Liga ng mga Magulang (LPP), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and Yakap ng Magulang, along with parents of children recruited by militant organizations, urged anew the boycott of party-lists belonging to the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan) bloc, including Kabataan, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, ACT Teachers and Gabriela Women’s Party.

LPP chair Remy Rosadio said the representatives of the organizations must not be given seats in Congress.

"Ilang taon na ang Makabayan Bloc sa Kongreso, may nakikita tayong projects na ginawa nila? Wala akong nakita ni isa (How many years have the Makabayan bloc been in Congress? Did they have any projects? I haven't seen any)," Rosadio said during the press conference at a restaurant in Manila.

Rosadio lamented that Makabayan bloc members have been using government's funds to advance communism.

Instead of pushing for party-list mandates, Rosario said the CPP-NPA front organizations are fixated on overthrowing the government.

"Mag-eeleksyon na naman. Kailangan tayong mga botante lalo na yung may mga anak na nabiktima ng NPA, ay kailangan maging wise na tayo. Suriin natin ang ating mga iboboto (The elections are happening soon. We need to vote wisely, especially those who have children victimized by the NPA. We need to be wiser. Scrutinize the candidates)," she said.

Rosadio said there is no need to red tag the party lists as it was the CPP founding chair himself, Jose Maria "Joma" Sison, who validated their ties.

She cited Sison's interview with a publication called Pinoy Weekly on Dec. 4, 2006, urging government employees to join the labor group Confederation for Unity, Recognition, and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE).

She said Sison himself described the role of their legal fronts, including COURAGE, in the armed revolution.

VOTE WISELY. Members of the League of Parents of the Philippines, Liga Independencia Pilipinas, and Yakap ng Magulang hold a press conference at a restaurant in Manila on Friday (Dec. 10, 2021) in commemoration of Human Rights Day. The groups have consistently denounced the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army and asked voters not to vote for party-list groups affiliated with insurgents. (PNA photo by Joey Razon)

Rosadio also thanked the Supreme Court for upholding the constitutionality of provisions of the anti-terror law.

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

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the NDF as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1162427