Today, Kabataang Makabayan (KM)-Negros celebrates the 61st historical founding anniversary of KM, the revolutionary organization of the youth. For more than six decades, KM has led and won countless struggles to advance the national democratic revolution. This is imperative to our firm commitment of following the brave footsteps of Andres Bonifacio, a young revolutionary leader, whom we also celebrate today.

The youth of today endures innumerable burdens. In the island of Negros, young people and their families face land dispossession and exploitation. As early as 13-years old, many are forced to work precariously in sugarcane plantations only to receive meager pay of as low as ₱120. Youth from urban poor communities face constant threats of demolitions and inaccessible social services. Students who manage to go to schools, struggle with a commercialized, colonial, and repressive education system. Those who managed to find jobs make ends meet with hand-to-mouth salaries below the living wage.

While millions of people suffered including the youth, Marcos Jr in cahoots with his corrupt allies, plundered billions of kickbacks from flood control projects. He is totally uncloaked as the King of Corruption. He and his minions are now biting their nails, scrambling on how to escape the intensifying Filipino people’s wrath and demand for accountability.

Because of this, there has been an upsurge of mobilizations all over the country. The youth has been at the front lines of these mass demonstrations against systemic corruption. We congratulate every youth formation who have historically succeeded in organizing consecutive walkouts and other forms of militant actions. In the coming months, more youth will channel their energy in organizing at urban poor communities, factories, and the countryside. Only by integrating their efforts and intellect with the basic masses can they realize their real potential.

This enthusiasm and vigor is a manifestation of the seething outrage from the younger generation who refuse to leave their future on the hands of imperialist-backed state plunderers.

However, ending corruption, social inequality, injustice, and repression will require greater commitment, discipline, and sacrifice from the youth. Every chapter of KM must go beyond their comfort zones and self-critically identify their weaknesses in organizing and education work in order to further expand and strengthen its organized ranks. We must take seriously the study of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, Philippine society, and our accumulated revolutionary experience. This is especially pivotal in raising our capabilities and developing correct tactics to sustain the burgeoning youth rebellion. If left undone, the movement may fall into the snares of adventurism or reformism.

As we are challenged to be at the forefront of the fight against bureaucrat capitalism, we know from history that a simple regime change will not end systemic corruption and injustice. We have to change the semi-colonial and semi-feudal Philippine society, and plant the seeds of a people’s democratic government.

To do this, the youth must partake in the ongoing armed resistance, wage agrarian revolution, and build organs of political power at the countryside. It is with great pride that we say that there has been an increasing number of young people who support and join the New People’s Army over the past years. They become valiant Red fighters and intelligent cadres in guerilla zones.

In line with this, KM-Negros raises its clenched fists to its members who courageously sacrificed their lives fighting for the cause of just and lasting peace. We are proud to say that Cheene Dacalos, Nica dela Cruz, Dee Supelanas, and Ericson Acosta, to name a few, were members of our revolutionary organization. They have fully grasped the true essence of a Kabataang Makabayan–filled with determination to thread the example of Bonifacio who persevered in advancing the then national democratic revolution. Their endurance of hardships and necessary sacrifices will be forever etched in our hearts and memories.

With overflowing optimism, we know for sure that more and more youth—filled with their strength and ardor, will spend the summer of their lives flooding the streets and the people’s army to forward the revolution, until victory is won!