On its 53rd anniversary, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Secretary General Elias Dipasupil stressed the call to unite and arouse the Filipino people against the growing threat of US imperialist wars and its use of the Philippines as launchpad for its wars of aggression.
Under the call “people’s war against imperialist war”, the NDFP declared that the Philippine revolutionary movement is well-positioned to carry forward the path of armed revolution especially with its strengthening and renewed vigor in recent years as allied organizations continue to expand and consolidate in line with the rectification movement launched by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in 2023.
In his anniversary message, Dipasupil warned about the US imperialism’s tightening control over the Philippines as it seeks to further extract and monopolize the country’s remaining mineral wealth, and vast tracts of land to build plantations and tourism projects. The US puppet Marcos regime has recently surrendered 1,620 hectares to the full control of American imperialists under the so-called Pax Silica initiative that aims to support US warfare through the creation of a manufacturing hub for artificial intelligence and rare earth minerals.
More outrageously, the US continues to expand its military presence in the Philippines, stationing more and more American troops, missiles, and war matériel in EDCA sites and in secret military facilities in strategic parts of the country, and carries out larger military exercises and war games, the NDFP stated.
Citing the writings of Ka Joma Sison, Julie de Lima said that since its founding 53 years ago, the NDFP has won great political victories as an indispensable and crucial weapon of the Filipino people in carrying out the general line of people’s democratic revolution through protracted people’s war alongside the New People’s Army and under the leadership of the CPP.
How well-positioned the revolutionary alliance is in facing these challenges may be gleaned from the expansion of the membership of the allied organizations of the NDFP, the robustness of their underground activities and propaganda work, and the steady stream of urban-based revolutionary activists specifically from the youth and students and the middle forces going to the countryside to join the New People’s Army and undertaking revolutionary work among peasant communities.
During and around the anniversary itself, NDFP allied organizations heartily conducted and launched various militant and creative activities, discussions and study sessions.
Kabataang Makabayan (KM) chapters in Manila, Mindoro and Batangas launched a lightning rally, posted statements and carried out paint-and-post operations (OP-OD), respectively in Manila.
Liga ng Agham para sa Bayan (LAB, or League of Scientists for the People) chapters also carried out OP-OD in various parts of Metro Manila.
Katipunan ng mga Gurong Makabayan (Kaguma, or Alliance of Patriotic Teachers) chapters launched separate rallies on sidewalks and crowded areas and the UP campus to celebrate the anniversary.
Artista at Manunulat ng Sambayanan (Armas, or People’s Artists and Writers) launched a series of OP-OD in Metro Manila led by the chapters of Mithi Paglaya, Kerima Tariman, and Ronnel Rhay Phoben Madrigal.
A Compatriots chapter in Australia held a gathering to mark the NDFP anniversary and read messages of solidarity among others, from the Communist Party of Australia–Marxist-Leninist and the Marxist Workers Party.
Inside guerrilla areas all around the country, the New People’s Army (NPA) together with the Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid held community gatherings, meetings and cultural performances.
International parties and organizations also conveyed their greetings, including Anti-Imperialist Action Ireland, Communist (Maoist) Party of Afghanistan, and Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle/Friends of the National Democratic Front (FFPS/FNDF).
During all the gatherings, and activities, and in different statements, participants honored the martyrs and heroes of the Filipino people, including the Toboso 19—the Red fighters, civilian organizers, and journalist massacred in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental. They joined the popular call for justice for the Toboso 19.