Last April 17, 2024, the Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines published the statement of the Anti-Terrorism Council redesignating the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) as ‘terrorist organizations.’ In a separate seven-page resolution, the ATC also designated a certain Elizabeth Pineda Principe as a ‘terrorist’ for being a member of the CPP and the NPA.
Marco Valbuena, CPP Information Officer in a statement responded: “By insisting on its ‘terrorist’ designation of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the Marcos regime wants the people to see the world through upside-down lenses that reverses their perception of reality. In truth, it is the Marcos regime, with the support of the US, that is the real terrorist.”
Valbuena further stated that in less than two years in office, Marcos has “unleashed terrorist attacks on the Filipino people to fulfill his goal of ending the revolutionary armed resistance.” Valbuena cited Marcos Jr.’s multi-million-peso nationwide bombing campaign in recent months that have terrorized communities, especially the elderly and children.
Valbuena also pointed out the spate of civillian killings and summary executions of revolutionaries committed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He also mentioned the “growing pattern of illegal abductions and disappearances of activists who are given the choice of renouncing their principles or remaining under secret detention or being extrajudicially killed.”
“The above cases are just the tip of the iceberg,” Valbuena added pointing out how similar cases of aerial bombings, civilian massacres and enforced disappearances continue to grow. According to Valbuena, Marcos Jr.’s “utter disregard of international humanitarian law has earned Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, the moniker “The Terrible Terrorist”.”
“Under the leadership of the CPP, the NPA will continue to wage revolutionary armed struggle to fight alongside the people and defend their socioeconomic and political rights, especially in the face of the aggressive push of the Marcos regime to dispossess them of their land and livelihood in favor of foreign multinational corporations. In the face of Marcos fascist terrorism, the people have no other choice but to intensify their armed struggle,” concluded the CPP.
