After 56 years, where to now?

(Conclusion)

While these organizations try to maintain a legal facade, former rebels have confirmed their deep ties to the CPP-NPA-NDF. The Party Group (PG) system ensures that the communist party directives flow into the legal organizations, subtly steering their activities toward supporting the insurgency. “You cannot separate the legal from the armed struggle because they work hand in hand.The parliamentary struggle exists to support the armed struggle,” a former rebel claimed. To prevent this connection from being exposed, which effectively crippled the party’s ability to recruit new members, these party-list groups and all the party’s allied organizations have been pushing for the criminalization of what they call “red-tagging.”

Many youth members, idealistic and eager for change, are unknowingly funneled into the recruitment process of the CPP-NPA through legal organizations affiliated with the Makabayan Bloc. As one former rebel revealed, “At first, they will invite you to legal activities like group study, but what will be taught in that activity is short course on Philippine society and revolution).” Maikling Kurso sa Lipunan at Rebolusyong Pilipino or MKLRP is the shortened version of “Lipunan at Rebolusyong Pilipino” (Philippine Society and Revolution) authored by “Amado Guerrero,” the nom de guerre of CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison. By putting all the blame of the ills of the society on the government, the recruits are gradually conditioned to believe that armed struggle is the only solution.

They cited a real-life example of a young student, who was recruited under the guise of activism. “Many youth  died already. Their parents asked, Why is my child involved in the armed conflict. Why does he carry firearm?’” A former rebel mentioned the case of a young lawyer who recently perished as an NPA member, emphasizing the tragic fate of recruits who abandon their education and future in the name of revolution.

The former rebels shared that they were taught to embrace a simple life and sacrifice for the cause but while inside, they discovered inconsistencies from top leaders. “In theory, a simple way of living is taught in the movement but look where its leaders are caught – in condominium units and apartment,” one said. What breaks his heart is that while they recruit from the poor who are hungry and suffering, they live a life of comfort using the resources of the movement.

Beyond deception and exploitation, another horrifying reality lurks within the movement – the abuse of women. A former rebel revealed that numerous incidents of sexual exploitation have taken place within the ranks of the NPA.

With over five decades of failed rebellion, former members are calling for an end to the deception. “They have been for 56 years since 1968 but the majority of the Filipino people don’t believe them,” one former rebel stressed. Despite the narratives pushed by leftist groups, the declining numbers of the insurgents prove that Filipinos are rejecting the ideology.