Joma calling shots anew for CPP-NPA

MANILA, Philippines - Self-exiled rebel leader Jose Maria Sison is again calling the shots for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) following the arrest of the group’s chairman Benito Tiamzon in March, a security official said yesterday.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to talk to the media, said Sison would likely play the role until a permanent successor to Tiamzon is named.

“They (CPP) cannot just appoint a successor. They have a process. It has to undergo a voting process by the central committee. But the central committee cannot convene as some of its members are in jail while others are in The Netherlands,” the official said.

“For now, Joma (Sison) is the one dictating orders but he can only deal with policies because one has to be here to lead the revolution,” he added.

The source said it might take about a year before the CPP-NPA could name Tiamzon’s successor.

Security forces arrested Tiamzon, his wife Wilma, and five other rebels in Aloguinsan, Cebu on March 22.

Officials said the couple’s arrest would demoralize the members of the communist movement.

The source said Sison served as founding chairman of the CPP until he left for The Netherlands in 1987.

“When he left the country, he could no longer be the chairman because the chairman should be in the country,” he said.

The source said the chairman should be in a full duty status, not in jail out of the country.

The arrest of the Tiamzons happened exactly a week before the 45th anniversary of the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the CPP.  It also came two days after Benito’s 63rd birthday.

 The National Democratic Front (NDF), which represents the communists in the peace talks with the government, said the arrest was illegal as the Tiamzons were working as peace consultants.