In the momentous occasion of the 57th anniversary of the reestablishment of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), we convey our red salute and militant greetings to all Party cadres and members, Red commanders and fighters of the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command-New People’s Army (RJPC-NPA), militant membership of revolutionary mass organizations, allies and the broad masses of Northern Negros Who, amid immense difficulties and great sacrifices, withstood the fascist onslaught of the US-Marcos regime and thwarted its brutal campaign of suppression, as well as, vigorously opposed the equally grievous neoliberal economic policies of Marcos Jr’s servile to US imperialism kleptocratic government.

We raise our clenched fist and rifles to honor our revolutionary martyrs who laid down their lives for the liberation of the oppressed and exploited masses. Let us emulate their unwavering courage, utmost dedication to revolutionary duties, unshakable spirit of serving the people and steadfastness in the face of adversities. Let their examples inspire us to advance the revolutionary struggle to greater heights. In particular, we honor the memories of Kerima Lorena “Ka Ella” Tariman, Marilyn “Ka Mona” Badayos, Charity “Ka Elay” Amacan, Dindo “Ka Eidel” Pogoy and many other heroes of the masses.

The current rectification movement, now in its third year, yielded positive gains that strengthened and reinvigorated the Party and the entire revolutionary movement.

In Northern Negros, the Party from the front committee to the section committees and party branches and groups are more determined than ever to further deepen the rectification movement to root out the longstanding ideological, political and organizational errors and weaknesses that resulted in the regression of the revolutionary struggle and gross damage to the Party and the revolutionary forces.

The RJPC-NPA under the absolute leadership of the Party’s front committee and its main instrument in advancing the revolution is fully committed to the fullfillment of the tasks set forth by the rectification movement of resolutely combating conservatism and intensifying guerilla warfare in wider areas with an end-in-view of raising the people’s war to a new and higher level.

The revolutionary mass movement is likewise advancing in manifold ways and forms with anti-feudal and anti-facist struggles expanding and connected to the anti-imperialist and broader anti-bureaucrat mass movements.

The Party is now in better position to seize the worsening crisis of the semi-colonial and semi-feudal ruling system and bring forth the strengthening of the armed struggle and the significant expansion of the NPA and the revolutionary mass movement.

Exceedingly favorable conditions for advancing the revolution

Despite being at the center of Negros island’s sugar-based economy where the bulk of sugar mill centrals and sugarcane haciendas are concentrated, extreme poverty and inequality has been the mainstay in the socio-economic life of Northern Negros.

Farm workers cultivating and harvesting sugarcane in the vast haciendas of big landlords,comprador bourgeoise and bureaucrat capitalists have to endure a slave-like wage system and receive no social benefits at all in exchange for few crumbs that is neither consumerate to their hard labor nor enough to feed their families.

The already dismal state of farm workers is further aggravated by “pakyaw” work system and the prevalence of so-called “commissioners” who acted as intermediaries between the hacienderos and farm workers and take portion of latter’s earnings.

Mill workers are facing contractualization and continually subjected to unjust and inhumane working conditions.

As the consequence of the unbridled implementation of sugar import liberalization that ran on full tilt in the first half of Marcos Jr’s administration, the sugar industry is now in crisis. Characterized by record millgate price drops, reduced production yields and lower demand for domestic sugar as imported products flooded the local markets.

This situation affected not only the farm and sugar mill workers, but also the small planters, as well as, the big planters and millers who griped over high production cost and low profit rates. But the most gravely affected of them all are the farm and mill workers who are now facing the prospect of losing their chief source of livelihood.

Aside from the sugar crisis, the people of Northern Negros are facing the brunt of catasthropic neoliberal economic programs such as the massive construction of renewable energy projects like solar farms, creation of additional plantations for other export crops, allowing local and foreign fishing vessels to plunder the resource-rich municipal waters, mining and quarrying and similar destructive undertakings. To pave the way for these projects,vast tracts of lands were subjected to land-use conversation and , reclassification while the fishing grounds of marginal fisherfolks undergone reclamation.

Militarization and cases of human rights violations in impacted areas run high as the 79th IB, 6SAB (PNP- SAF), RMFB, PMFC and other fascist running dogs of the ruling class run amuck to quell any expression of dissent and solidarity among the affected populace.

All of these prompted the people to get organized and launched myriad forms of resistance. The party can avail of these exceedingly favorable conditions to heighten and accelarate efforts to arouse, organize and mobilize the masses in their greater numbers along the path of people’s democratic revolution.

Achievements and challenges

Under the guiding light of the ongoing rectification movement, the Party and the revolutionary movement in Northern Negros has achieved notable gains and on a steady course towards solid advance.

Party membership expanded by more than 30% and new Party branches were established in wide areas covering sizeable population and significant terrain. Those weakened by fascist attacks were promptly reorganized and reconstituted. Regardless of the intensity and brutality of the fascist attacks it unleashed, the enemy failed to destroy or totally incapacitate even one Party branch.

More and more Party members, especially in the localities, have finished the basic party course and other ideological studies and heightened their understanding of the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism (MLM).

With the help of the masses and by adeptly adopting to the prevailing military situation, study meetings were held clandestinely right in the very nose of the enemy’s focused military operations and intelligence networks.

Through prompt investigation of the situations, problems and issues confronting the masses, the Party were able to synthesize them into appropriate call to action and initiate mass movements. This further solidify the unbreakable bond between the Party and the oppressed masses.

Timely criticism sessions and evaluation of work helped in drawing lessons and raising practical experience into theory that will serve as guide in further practice and to improve the style of work suited to the prevailing condition and the demand of the masses.

Membership of underground mass organizations grew by almost 50% while revolutionary contacts expanded threefold.

RJPC-NPA units doubled its areas of operation and enhanced its capacity to conduct offensive operations in population centers and areas near the provincial capital.

It successfully carried out a total of 19 offensive and counter-offensive actions that eliminated more than 10 army regulars and police mobile forces, 18 spies, one middle level drug peddler and two rapists. 11 assorted short and high powered firearms were seized.

Nothwithstanding these achievements, there’s so much work to be done and there’s no room for complacency. Under the guidance of the Party, RJPC-NPA will continue to strive and stand up amid all challenges in confronting the intensifying enemy attacks.

Firmly holding the banner of rectification movement, let us advance with greater resolve to surmount all difficulties and win greater victories.