"The best they could do is to work to replace an existing government with leaders coming from their own ranks but who will not in any way disturb the status quo."
How low can they go?
The other day, Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano joined two other lawmakers in a press briefing to air their grievances against the Duterte administration. They called on the people and other groups to oppose the rumored imposition of martial law.
And just to tickle the imagination of the groups they are counting on for support, Alejano declared it is no crime to be a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Of course, Alejano’s group is enjoining the support of all those critical of the Duterte administration, calling for the end of the rule of the foul-mouthed president, and CPP is among them.
Alejano was referring to RA 7636 which repealed RA 1700 otherwise known as Anti-Subversion Act. However, it was obvious Alejano was twisting the interpretation of the law just to provide lip service to one of the most unholy alliances.
RA 7636 comes with a pre-condition that in order for the communist party to be legalized and recognized as a legitimate group, it should first renounce violence or armed struggle. RA 7636 does not have to be explicit on this as it clearly qualifies it does not in any manner repeal, amend or modify the provisions of the Revised Penal Code, the provision on the penalties for armed rebellion included.
Presently, there are two recognized communist parties in the country—the 1930 Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas, now led by Pedro Baguisa, and the CPP, allegedly led by its founding chairman, Jose Ma. Sison.
While the PKP has long given up on armed struggle, the CPP which adheres to the principles of Marx, Lenin and the teachings of Mao Zhe Dong, is pushing for armed rebellion as the main form of its struggle. It adheres to one of Mao’s principles: “Political power emanates from the barrel of the gun.”
Ergo, the CPP has not and will not abandon its armed revolution.
So, how does Alejano reconcile his statement that membership in the CPP is not illegal, RA 1700 having been repealed already, with that of the fact that CPP refuses to be recognized legally has it has not given up armed struggle, and has, for the record, admitted control over its armed wing, the New People’s Army?
In fact, Alejano and his group should now stop forging a united front with the Left as even Machiavelli himself, if he were alive, could not justify their end.
The objective of the Left, be it the legal or the underground, is to overhaul the social, political and economic structure of the state, and eventually reverse the social pyramid, putting the basic masses over that of the oligarchs and their minions (Something which will not happen even in the event of a CPP takeover as the basic masses will only be then represented by the intelligentsia. And if this sounds familiar, this is so because this is how a party-list operates—the marginalized never getting to be represented by themselves).
And this is what Alejano’s group and all of their putschist followers cannot and will not tolerate or accommodate. The best they could do is to work to replace an existing government with leaders coming from their own ranks but who will not in any way disturb the status quo.
It’s about time Alejano and his group-oriented the people on the true character of every group they are trying to enjoin for support. Their end will never justify their means.