NDF – NCR marks 55 years of NPA, underscores rectification movement and importance of armed struggle

Member organizations of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in Metro Manila marked the 55th year of the New People’s Army (NPA), one of the NDFP member groups and the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In the last 55 years, the CPP, NPA, and NDF staunchly wield the armed struggle and the united front as two weapons in waging the people’s democratic revolution against imperialism, bureaucrat capitalism, and feudalism.

Underground revolutionary youth group Kabataang Makabayan Lucille Gypsy Zabala Brigade (KM – LGZ) and artists group Artista at Manunulat ng Sambayanan – Marlon Caacbay Brigade (ARMAS – MC) joined the lightning rally in the intersection of Recto and Quiapo in Manila, four days before the actual anniversary of the armed group.

“Danas na danas ng mamamayan ng NCR ang busabos na pamumuhay ng mga manggagawa dulot ng mababang pasahod, kontraktuwalisasyon at mataas na implasyon, ang ‘di makamtan na karapatan sa edukasyon para sa lahat ng kabataan at ang patuloy na panghaharas sa mga maralitang komunidad at pagpapalayas sa kanilang mga tirahan dulot ng mapanirang mga proyekto na pinapangunahan ng Philippine National Police – National Capital Region, 11th at 12th Civil Military Operations at NTF-ELCAC!” said NDF – NCR in a statement.

[The marginalized sectors in NCR are experiencing the oppression with workers suffering to low wages, contractualization, and high inflation. The youth also suffer from the unattainable right to education and the continuous harassment in impoverished communities, resulting in forced evictions due to destructive projects led by the Philippine National Police – National Capital Region, 11th and 12th Civil Military Operations, and NTF-ELCAC]

According to NDF – NCR, the above-mentioned conditions emphasized the necessity for various sectors including the workers, youth, women, to urban poor to participate in waging armed struggle with the NPA to attain social justice, genuine agrarian reform, national industrialization and freedom.

“Kolonyal, burgis, at pyudal ang namamayaning bulok na kultura sa Pilipinas na pinapalaganap sa sistema ng edukasyon, simbahang katoliko, at pagkonsumo ng mga midya […] Samantalang kultura ng kawalang pananagutan naman ang namamayani sa walang habas na pagsupil sa paglaban ng mamamayan at sa bawat pagbubuo ng mga organisasyong bibigkis sa kanilang mga pambansang kahingian,” said Artista at Manunulat ng Sambayanan – Marlon Caacbay Brigade (ARMAS – MC) in a statement.

[The prevailing rotten culture in the Philippines is colonial, bourgeois, and feudal, propagated through the education system, the Catholic Church, and media consumption. Meanwhile, a culture of impunity reigns supreme in the relentless suppression of people’s resistance and in every formation of organizations advocating for their national demands]

NDF – NCR echoed the call in CPP’s 55^th anniversary statement to continuously struggle and apply the rectification movement in practice.

“Lagumin ang karanasan sa lahat ng larangan ng pagrerebolusyon. Magbalik-aral at isabuhay ang ating kilusang pagwawasto. Gamiting gabay ang mga aral at prinispyo ng Partido upang pangingibawan ang mga kontradiksyon at kahinaan na sagka sa pagsulong ng rebolusyon. Pagtibayin ang paninindigan ng bawat manggagawa at kabataan na itaguyod ang Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo at batayang mga prinsipyo ng Partido. Itanghal ang armadong pakikibaka bilang pangunahing anyo ng pakikibaka at itaas ang diwang makabayan!” said NDF – NCR.

[Assess all experiences across all fields in waging revolution. Review and apply the lessons of our rectification movement. Use the teachings and principles of the Party as a guide to resolve contradictions and weaknesses hindering the advancement of the revolution. Strengthen the proletarian spirit of every worker and youth to uphold Marxism-Leninism-Maoism and the fundamental principles of the Party. Elevate armed struggle as the primary form of struggle and raise the patriotic spirit!]

The group also honored revolutionary martyrs including Andres Bonifacio, Jose Maria Sison, Alfredo Jasul, Lorena Barros, Lucille Gypsy Zabala, Maria Sheena Trinidad, Marlon Caacbay, Ericson Acosta, and Precious Alyssa Anacta.