Editorial:
The dominance of militarists within the Macapagal-Arroyo regime poses a threat to the peace talks

Basahin ang artikulong ito sa Pilipino

The Communist Party of the Philippines welcomes the scheduled resumption of peace negotiations this coming April between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP). As in the past, the Party and NDFP stand ready to uphold the fundamental national and social interests of the people, devoid of any illusion that negotiations constitute the sole or main means of achieving genuine and lasting peace.

The Party is conscious of the Macapagal-Arroyo regime�s counterrevolutionary dual tactics. Its declaration of "all-out peace" does not negate the basic policy of pursuing counterrevolutionary war. The revolutionary forces shall do their utmost to secure signifi cant gains through the peace talks. Nonetheless, it is sure to confront many obstacles strewn along the way by the militarists. All their maneuvers to sabotage the negotiations must be resisted by all forces who would want the talks to succeed.

Leading the pack of militarists nestled at the top of the Macapagal-Arroyo regime are the executive secretary, Gen. Renato de Villa; former president and current "special ambassador" Gen. Fidel Ramos; and the defense secretary, Gen. Angelo Reyes. Also included in this group are at least six other generals appointed by Macapagal-Arroyo to various positions in her cabinet as well as other government posts.

The presence of these militarists in leading positions under the Macapagal-Arroyo government currently poses the main threat against the peace talks. The release of all political prisoners has continually been opposed by General de Villa. The planned and orderly release of prisoners of war by the NPA was likewise sabotaged by the militarists in a botched rescue operation on March 8.

The militarists are in a position of power within the Macapagal-Arroyo regime. Despite a prior declaration of "all-out peace" by Macapagal-Arroyo, they continue the policy of all-out war and militarization in the countryside. Even their self-declared suspension of offensive military operations has been wantonly violated.

To the militarists, revolutionaries are criminals and membership in the revolutionary movement is a crime. They will utilize all means, mainly armed suppression, to achieve the ulimate goal of crushing the revolutionary armed struggle and preserving reactionary power.

For them, the peace negotiations are useful if the latter could be used to deceive the revolutionary forces, render them passive or eventually effect the revolution�s surrender. They will likewise try to achieve tactical military and political objectives.

At every turn in the peace talks, they rabidly insist on the existence of a single constitution and government in the country; and block all opportunities for the recognition of the revolutionary movement�s status of belligerency.

For the peace negotiations to advance signifi cantly under the Macapagal-Arroyo regime and in order to forge agreements under the talks� substantive agenda, all maneuvers by militarists to sabotage and collapse the negotiations must be opposed and frustrated.

The NDFP and its negotiating panel must persevere in advancing their revolutionary integrity and the nationaldemocratic interests of the Filipino people. They must fi ght for the implementation of all previous agreements, including CARHRIHL.

The Party encourages all patriotic and democratic forces to be vigilant of, expose and resist, the maneuvers of the militarists against the peace talks. We must demand from Macapagal-Arroyo the ouster of the leading militarist elements within her government, especially Gen. Renato de Villa.

The NDFP�s position in the negotiations and any significant gain attained from the peace talks are based on our armed revolutionary strength. With or without the peace talks, we must continue to strengthen the NPA and the revolutionary armed struggle. In the final analysis, this is the basis for achieving just and lasting peace.

March 2001
English Edition

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