Philippines: Reds vow to expand armed fronts nationwide

INQ7.net ^ | Dec. 25, 2003 | Lira Dalangin-Fernandez

[Tailgunner Joe]

COMMUNIST rebels in the Philippines vowed to expand armed fronts all over the country to the size of a company from a small group of about 10 to back their offensives against the government, according to a document from the insurgents, a copy of which was obtained by INQ7.net.

In the Three-Year Plan of 2003-2005 of the Communist Party of the Philippines released a day before its 35th founding anniversary, Armando Liwanag, chairman of the CPP central committee said, they would build guerilla fronts to cover majority of the municipalities, launch "regional strike forces," and increase the number of fighters by 20 percent.

The CPP's armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), were mainly operating in the provinces.

Both organizations are on the list of the United States terrorist organizations.

"We must resolutely intensify the people's war and launch tactical offensives as frequently as we can win them.

"This is the only way for us to accumulate armed strength and advance towards the overthrow of the ruling system and the empowerment of the workers and peasants," Liwanag, a nom de guerre used by CPP founding head Jose Maria Sison, said in his anniversary message.

Liwanag said his group was geared towards "boldly advancing" the revolution amid the "worsening global and national crisis."

The NPA operates in 128 guerilla fronts, comprising about 8,000 barrios or 20 percent of the country's total barrios, Liwanag said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has placed the NPA rebels from 9,000 to 10,000 fighters.

"We must attain company strength in every guerilla front, with one platoon as center of gravity. We must aim at having a platoon as center of gravity in every municipality," Liwanag said, adding, "Each region in the country would have six guerilla fronts.

Aside from this, Liwanag vowed to organize "regional strike forces that would mark a new level of development in our people's war."

NPA organizing in the countryside would also intensify to increase their "mass base" to 30 to 40 percent every year in the next three years, said Liwanag.

Liwanag said the daily worsening economic and political crisis in the country would pave the way for a "protracted" revolution of the people from the countryside.

[MEG33]

Prayers for the Phillipines.

[risk]

bttt

[RightWhale]

The 'commie' rebels are Islamists. Muslims are not well thought of there. This is going to go on a long time if Philippines insists on going it alone, but apparently is is part of the war against terrorists, so it will be dealt with eventually.

[toddst]

Perhaps we'll be invited to return our bases to the Philippines - soon. Some there are no doubt sorry we were ever asked to leave.

[backhoe]

-Jemaah Islamiah- Islamic Community, or Islamic Threat?--

Oddly enough, I am currently culling links from the Dark Underbelly series relating to "Jihad, Terror, and anti-Semitism across the world"-- and naturally, it is taking far longer than I had hoped it would.

I'll try to post them tomorrow and notify you all.

[Chu Gary]

"The 'commie' rebels are Islamists. Muslims are not well thought of there. This is going to go on a long time if Philippines insists on going it alone, but apparently is is part of the war against terrorists, so it will be dealt with eventually."

Back in the '60's, they were referred to as the HUKs and were in Mindanao as I recall. Same types of maroons now with the same mission with little hope of accomplishing said mission - the folks in the PI are not revolutionaries.

[Imal]

They'll get more press if they kidnap an heiress and have her help them rob a bank.

[RightWhale]

A coworker is from there. He said once that Muslims are not well thought of there. There is an automatic mental association with the thugs.

[Quix]

Evidently some commie regions are in need of a scorched earth visit.

Doesn't seem like anything less will do the trick there. Ditto for the radical Moslem areas.

[Quix]

Good.