54th Anniversary and new actions of the New People’s Army (NPA)
Credits of the image to the website, Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC): https://philippinerevolution.nu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/northern-samar-armed-action-1024×502.jpeg
The NPA is celebrating its 54th anniversary these weeks. As to the relevance of this event, the Apolinario Gatmaitan Command of the AGC-NPA (Negros Island Regional Operational Command) mentions the following in an April 1 release: ‘’On the 54th anniversary of the NPA, the challenge is not only to defend the people from the fascist onslaught of state forces but to promote their democratic rights and interests, as well. Now, more than ever, the NPA must be the weapon of the oppressed and exploited masses to destroy imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism.’’ And continues mentioning the CPP (Communist Party of Philippines) too: ‘’The Communist Party of the Philippines has already laid down our urgent tasks. Difficulties in launching armed struggle, implementing agrarian revolution and building organs of political power must be resolved with utmost determination.’’
One of the places where the NPA is acting, is at the island of Negros, where in the above-mentioned statement, the AGC-NPA mentions the following: ‘’More than perfunctory festivities, we mark this year’s commemoration with greater resolve to overcome all hardships in order to defeat the current fascist onslaught against the Negrosanon people, thereby creating opportunities to further expand the people’s war on the island.’’
As AGC-NPA Commander Apolinario Gatmaitan commented, not only have there been celebrations, but several actions have been carried out in the past few days. For example, in the province of Rizal, where it can be read in Ang Bayan, that on March 31, the 80th IB (Infantry Battalion) of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) of the Philippine State was ambushed in Sitio Karayupa, in the barangay (barrio) of San Rafael, Rodriguez, killing a state soldier. In this neighborhood, the locals were abused and mistreated by the military.
In this same Ang Bayan statement, another action is reported, in this case carried out in the island of Negros, where two handguns were seized from two thugs who were roaming around Sityo Manlama in the Montilla neighborhood, municipality of Moises Padilla. The following is reported about these thugs: ”The weapons were recovered from Eddie Abarquez and his thug Lemark Nueva. Abarquez uses the weapon to assault and terrorize the residents he wants to wrest land from.’’
On how the oppression of the Filipino people all over the country and the struggle of the oppressed in the country are linked, the AGC-NPA’s Apolinario Gatmaitan Commando explains: ”This current system, as I stated earlier, is ruled by big compradors and landlords and creates a crisis that incites the people to fight back and join the armed revolution. Thus, it ensures the defeat of the Marcos regime’s counterrevolutionary war.’’
