Filipinos in New Zealand and Hong Kong held separate assemblies on March 29 to establish their respective Compatriots branches. Compatriots is the revolutionary organization of Filipinos outside the Philippines and an allied organization of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

The assemblies were held on the 57th New People’s Army (NPA) anniversary. The founding was symbolically timed to the anniversary to strengthen their aim of supporting the armed struggle of the people’s army and joining the people’s democratic revolution through protracted people’s war.

More than 50 members gathered for the assembly in New Zealand. They gave the highest tribute to the NPA for its valiant role and contribution in building a revolutionary government that truly serves the toiling masses.

Compatriots-Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (Makibaka, or Patriotic Movement of New Women) attended the assembly and emphasized that women’s participation in the people’s war is important because it will ensure a bright future for children and the Filipino people. “A future where no one will be forced to work abroad and leave their children behind, a socialist society where each woman is truly respected, and each family is truly cared for, and where every family is truly cared for,” according to Compatriots-Makibaka.

Compatriots-Kabataang Makabayan (KM, or Patriotic Youth) also participated in the activity. It urged fellow young Filipinos to visit the motherland, live among the masses, and join the NPA.

Filipino migrants in Hong Kong gathered and studied the orientation, constitution, and program of Compatriots as part of the branch-building. They also collectively sang revolutionary songs and watched videos of Red fighters. At the end the program, Compatriots-Hong Kong members took an oath and vowed to fulfill their duty in advancing people’s war.

In connection with the NPA anniversary, Compatriots chapters in the Netherlands, the US, and Australia also carried out activities. These included operation pinta-operation dikit (postering and graffiti operations) in Sydney and Melbourne to showcase the NPA and its anniversary.

According to Compatriots, amid a deep crisis, the Filipino people have no other path to take but armed revolution and the people’s democratic revolution. “This is a just solution in dismantling US imperialism, bureaucrat capitalism, and domestic feudalism,” the group said.

It urged all chapters around the world to show support for the NPA by returning to the Philippines and directly participating in the people’s democratic revolution in the countryside. “Let us not watch from afar as we, our families, and our people bear the brunt of crisis, plunder, and state fascism back home,” it said. “Let us cherish the NPA by joining their ranks and taking up the struggle directly.”