A MOVEMENT, spearheaded by former leaders and members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP), is emerging across the Davao region and Mindanao, calling for a new path to peace and development.
The group, as articulated in a recent press statement, rejected the violent “people’s war” and instead championed collaboration with the government.
The former rebels, who have embraced the government’s “whole-of-nation” approach to ending insurgency, assert that they have been instrumental in achieving an insurgency-free Davao Region.
However, they warn that the threat of resurgence remains, citing the CPP-NPA-NDFP’s continued efforts to exploit elections for recruitment and strengthening.
“We know because it had been part of our political work when we were members of the organization,” the statement declared, highlighting the group’s insider knowledge of the NPA’s tactics. They allege that the CPP-NPA-NDFP utilizes legal fronts, including political candidates and party-list organizations, to secretly advance their agenda within the Philippine Congress and other government agencies.
The former rebels specifically condemned the Makabayan bloc, a coalition of 12 senatorial candidates and 7 party-list groups, accusing them of being fronts for the CPP-NPA-NDFP. They named prominent figures such as Liza Maza, Jerome Adonis, and Representatives Arlene Brosas and France Castro, among others, and called for their rejection in the upcoming elections.
“We have no fear in exposing the truth,” the statement emphasized, dismissing accusations of “red-tagging.” They acknowledged the threats to their lives but vowed to continue exposing what they described as the “lies and deception” of the Makabayan bloc.
Addressing accusations of being “red-taggers, traitors, and paid hacks,” the former rebels defended their decision to turn their backs on the armed struggle. They questioned the true allegiance of the CPP-NPA-NDFP, accusing them of being “utterly corrupt” and willing to compromise their principles for personal gain.
“The CPP-NPA-NDFP has no shame in allying with what they once called the ‘ruling class,’” the statement said, pointing to the group’s alleged desperation and weakness.
The former rebels expressed optimism about their reintegration into communities, stating that they have been “warmly welcomed back” and are committed to championing the people’s interests. They vowed to continue advocating for land rights, livable wages, and free education while acknowledging the need for continued improvement in the government’s approach.
On the 56th anniversary of the New People’s Army, the group issued a strong call: “Reject the violent armed struggle of the CPP-NPA-NDFP! Reject the deception of the Makabayan bloc and CPP-NPA-NDFP to use the elections for armed struggle! Unite and forge a new path of struggle—the new path toward achieving lasting and true peace and development! Long live the Filipino people!”
The statement underscores a significant development in the Mindanao peace process, with former rebels actively denouncing their former comrades and calling for a united front against the resurgence of armed conflict.
On March 29, Friends Reformed former rebel (FRs) members of Kalinaw Southeastern Mindanao burn the logos of CPP-NPA-NDF, and photos 11 of senatorial candidates they have identified as legal-fronts as they emphasize their act of denouncing the CPP-NPA-NDF and its legal allies.
On the same day, “Kalinaw ug Kalamboan, Singgit sa Katawhan” march rally organized by the Kalinaw SEM coincides with the 56th anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA),
Kalinaw SEM now forms part of the Joint Regional Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict XI as a civil society representative member.
