War is the inevitable consequence of imperialism. The correctness of Vladimir Lenin’s analysis is now clearly shown by US imperialism’s wars of aggression under the fascist madman Donald Trump. Hoping to control sources of oil and minerals, the US is now using its full military might in wars of aggression that crush the sovereignty of independent countries, with blatant disregard of all international rules or laws of war.

In league with the Zionist state of Israel, the US has for three weeks now bombed Iran without restraint, killing over 1,000 Iranians. At the same time, Zionist Israel has killed over 1,000 in bombings and ground invasion of neighboring Lebanon against the Hezbollah group. In only two months, the US invaded Venezuela, Cuba, and threatened Colombia, Mexico, Greenland, and other countries.

Despite being at a disadvantage, Iran continues to fiercely defend its independence. Contrary to Trump’s desire to incite an uprising against the anti-US government, millions have poured into the streets to denounce US aggression. Iran has every right to defend itself against foreign aggression. Its restrictions of oil passage through the Hormuz Strait and strikes on neighboring countries which host US military bases are desperate measures to halt the brutal aggression of US imperialism.

As a result of the US war in the Middle East, countries worldwide are being thrusted to the brink of stagflation—unprecedented price surges of commodities amid stagnation or recession from collapsing production, and mass unemployment. The Philippines now faces the threat of severe economic crisis and sharp plunge in standards of living. The country faces the possibility of oil supply shortages. The impact of rising oil prices is twice as heavy as profit-greedy oil companies impose exhorbitant increases.

Due to rising costs of production and transportation, prices of nearly all commodities, including rice (now at ₱60 per kilo), meat, fish, vegetables, and service charges, have shot up and will continue to shoot up. In addition, the peso’s value against the dollar has continually declined, which will further drive up prices of imported goods (including oil). Marcos allowed increases in airfare and ship fare, but has dismissed calls for fare increases by jeepney drivers’ and small transport operators, forcing many to stop plying their routes due to losses.

The living standards of the Filipino people are bound to further sink as they suffer low wages, grossly inadequate income, or joblessness. The refusal to heed the demand for living wages is a severe blow to workers. Factory shutdowns loom, worsening unemployment. The toiling masses labor tirelessly just to make ends meet for their families.

The bureaucrat capitalist Marcos regime is deaf to the people’s cries and a burden on the masses. Marcos colludes with greedy oil companies in price increases, which brings higher tax collections. Useless are the paltry subsidies, aid, and limited “free rides.” The “4-day workweek” is an added burden, especially on daily wage earners. The Marcos government is utterly inutile in protecting millions of Filipino migrants in the Middle East. Marcos calls for “further belt-tightening,” when people are already gasping for air, while Marcos splurges on a ₱1-million a night New York hotel room. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and US military squander billions of people’s funds on Balikatan exercises that will last a few months. The corruption of Marcos and plunder of public funds is a great burden on the people. The rivalry between the ruling Marcos and Duterte factions intensifies, although both, in fact, are corrupt and subservient to foreign imperialist interests. Fascist repression continues unabated against the people’s intensifying resistance.

Filipinos must unite and collectively fight for their welfare amid war and crisis. Strengthen international solidarity to demand an end to US aggression in Iran and support the Iranian people’s defense of national independence. They must oppose the use of the Philippines as springboard for US wars of aggression, call for the dismantling of EDCA bases and military facilities, and demand an end to the lopsided treaties which bind the Philippines to US interests and drag it into imperialist wars. At the same time, they must fight for an immediate rollback in oil prices, repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, urgent increases in workers wages and employee salaries, and removal of VAT and other taxes to quickly lower commodity prices. Jeepney drivers’ and operators’ demand for fare increases is just and must be fought for.

Advance the struggle for genuine national independence, to break free from US imperialism’s armed control and economic and political domination in the country. The US imperialists uses the puppet Marcos regime and the mercenary AFP to maintain its semi-colonial rule over the Philippines. The Filipino people need the strength of arms to overthrow the puppet state and free the country from the armed clutches of the imperialist eagle.

This is the historic mission of the New People’s Army under the leadership of the Party, together with the entire people. Amid imperialist war, the upcoming celebration of the 57th anniversary of the NPA carries more profound significance in reaffirming our resolve to advance the people’s democratic revolution through protracted people’s war, which brings the people hope to end US imperialist rule in the country, and attain a bright future. Though still small and weak, the NPA is determined to expand and strengthen in the countryside, with sights set on the rise of the Red sun in the eastern horizon.