NDF-Ilocos: Long live the 48th anniversary of the NDFP!
NDFP is in best position to lead the establishment of a broad united front vs Duterte

As the NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT – ILOCOS celebrates the founding of the national alliance, it lauds the #CommunityPantry movement as a spontaneous act of compassion and solidarity among poor Filipinos. While Filipinos continue to languish due to Rodrigo Duterte’s refusal to efficiently solve the pandemic and its ensuing worsening economic burdens, such community initiatives serve to unite the basic classes to progressive sectors and even the enlightened part of the middle class. It is an amazing display of nationwide collectivism ignited after an unassuming pantry sprung up in one barangay in Metro Manila followed within a week by around 350 more.

Socialist Ideal for Democratic Struggles

Most predictably, within that same week, the Duterte regime and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is already harassing the individuals behind them. They remain blind to the fact that it was widespread poverty that pushed the masses to espouse the socialist ideal “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan. Kumuha ayon sa pangangailangan.” As evidenced by the rash decision of the NTF-ELCAC to profile the volunteers, vilify the movement itself and attempt to require permits, the Duterte regime is in a state of panic.

But repression only further unites the Filipino people. It confirms that taking matters into their own hands is a valid and necessary form of struggle. To rely on the people instead of depending on a lame duck leader such as Duterte is a socialist ideal long promoted by the national democratic movement. It continues to promote this ideal, together with wholly integrating with the masses and uniting the basic classes of peasants and workers to other progressive sectors.

Role of the NDFP

The NDFP is an important player in the broad united front against Duterte because of its commitment to the accurate analysis of the political economy of the country, as well as its most relevant demands that reflect the genuine interests of the Filipino people. For example, vaccination programs in the region are set to roll out by June or July, which is still two to three months’ worth of wait barring any delay. Postponement in implementation must be alleviated by efficient mass vaccination so as to avoid being continually overwhelmed by the staggering number of daily cases. All revolutionary and progressive forces must assert that these be given at the soonest possible time, totally free and without any electoral motive. Lastly, the NTF-ELCAC must not be allowed to use the vaccination program for their own twisted anti-Communist agendas.

Meanwhile, it is most urgent to address the people’s worsening economic plight. The people’s need for food and commodities understandably affect the rising number of cases. In Region 1, for instance, people are forced to attend to their livelihood despite slogans to stay home due to the lack of adequate relief assistance from local government units and appropriate medical measures such as contract tracing, mass testing and mass vaccination. The possibility of perishing from actual hunger is as big a threat as contracting Covid-19.

The national democratic organization continues to struggle for economic justice. While the #CommunityPantry movement is laudable, to expect the individuals behind them to sustain the effort is not fair. There exists a ruling class that exclusively enjoys and hogs riches to themselves despite the fact that it was the peasant and working classes that created this wealth. The reactionary government represents the ruling class; it should be made to systematically ensure the livelihood and welfare of the entire Filipino people, not pantry-style and donor-dependent but through land reform, agricultural support, industrialization, decent real income nationwide and provision of basic social services.

To further isolate Duterte, national democratic forces should also draw a sharp line between local officials that stand with the people and those that support the tyrant blindly. Expose the NTF-ELCAC as Duterte’s primary goons bent on indiscriminately intimidating the people and suppressing all initiatives to mitigate their situation and push for political change. The abolishment of the fascist NTF-ELCAC should be echoed in all economic demands.

As NDF-ILOCOS pledges to unite all marginalized sectors in the overthrow of the most detested Duterte, it also salutes all comrades that have sacrificed their lives in the advancement of the people’s rights and interests. Their noble deeds are reflected on present revolutionary efforts to weaken the worldwide capitalist system that allowed the mismanagement of the pandemic to the detriment of the impoverished majority of the world population. Under the leadership and guidance of the COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES and with the steady advance of the armed revolution waged by the NEW PEOPLE’S ARMY, the NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES continues to prosper in its task of uniting the broadest masses in one united front.

Advance the national democratic struggle to its completion!
Build and lead a broad united front for the ouster of the Duterte regime!