Name: Reyes, Maita Angela G.

Course & Section: AB-FS301

Subject: IPEN11F International Political Economy
Professor: Jumel G. Estrañero
Date: February 25, 2018

“UNITY RATHER THAN DIVISION”

Britannica defines the term insurgency “as historically restricted to rebellious acts that
did not reach the proportions of an organized revolution. It has subsequently been
applied to any such armed uprising, typically guerrilla in character, against the
recognized government of a state or country” (Retrieved February 25, 2018 from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/insurgency). In the Philippines, it has the presence of
the New People’s Army (NPA), military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines,
Marxist-Leninist (CPP-ML), formed and founded by Bernabe Buscayno ("Commander
Dante") and Lucio Manlapaz. It is a Communist organization devoted to accomplishing
power in by means of revolutionary insurrection (Retrieved February 25, 2018 from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/New-Peoples-Army).

Two political philosophy or ideology drives and guides insurgency. One is Maoism, or
“Mao Zedong’s Thought”. It is a doctrine composed of revolutionary ideology and
methodology developed by Mao Zedong and his associates in the Chinese Communist
Party from the 1920s until Mao’s death in 1976. A number of groups have identified
themselves as Maoists outside of China. These are rebels from Nepal, in India called
Naxalites (Retrieved February 25, 2018 from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Maoism).
The Philippines’ CPP was originally Maoist, however they broke away from it and
formed the New People’s Army shortly afterwards following the second political
philosophy, Marxism-Leninism. Marxism developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
(mid-19th century) consists of three related ideas: philosophical anthropology, a theory
of history, and an economic and political program (Retrieved February 25, 2018 from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Marxism) While Leninism, a Soviet Marxism by
Vladimir Ilich Lenin, saw Communist Party as an exceptionally committed intellectual
elite who had a scientific comprehension of history and society in the light of Marxist
principles, were focused on ending capitalism and instituting socialism in its place, were
bent on forcing through this transition after having achieved political power, and were
keen on attaining this power by any means possible, including violence and revolution if
necessary (Retrieved February 25, 2018 from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Leninism).
The CPP-NPA seeks to overthrow the Philippine government in favor of a new people’s
democratic state led by the working class, and the group likewise seeks to expel U.S.
influence from the Philippines. The CPP-NPA fundamentally models its armed struggle
on China’s Maoist movement, concentrating particularly on the possibility of an
extended people's war and mobilizing the masses in rural areas. The organization uses
guerrilla tactics, situated in mountains or the countryside, against small police or military
units(Retrieved February 25, 2018, from
http://web.stanford.edu/group/mappingmilitants/cgi-bin/groups/view/149). Just recently,
Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP public affairs chief, said that since the military is conducting
focused military operations, they are expecting the NPA to boost the number of its
fighters (Reyes, 2017)

“The label is not fun but true to its sense, NPA is a terrorist group. They are not just
plain criminals and destabilizers but evil terrorists ravaging stratified areas in the
Philippines” (Estrañero, 2017).

Regardless of what and where the upbringing is from, one must ponder thoroughly if the
methods that they are using to pursue their objectives and goals are worth fighting for.
Most importantly, one must consider the dreadful consequences of their actions that
more or less, would be taken upon by innocent people. I agree that the NPA is a
terrorist group. I don’t believe in violence, murder, abduction, and corruption in the
pursuance of one’s aims.

In traditional international law, insurgency was not perceived as belligerency, and

insurgents lacked the protection customarily extended to belligerents. In International
Humanitarian Law protection is extended if it is, “organized armed groups by virtue of
the fact that they exercise de facto governmental functions” (Kleffner, 2011). Since the
NPA “cannot even attain a de facto status as a well-grounded organization” (Estrañero,
2017), it is not considered as belligerent.

Communism is a political and economic tenet that aims to replace private property and
a profit-based economy with open proprietorship and public control of at least the major
means of production (e.g., mines, mills, and factories) and the natural resources of a
society. Communism is thus a form of socialism—a higher and further developed form,
as indicated by its supporters (Retrieved February 25, 2018 from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/communism). Activism is a “a precept or practice that
stresses direct vigorous action especially in support of or opposition to one side of a
controversial issue” (Retrieved February 25, 2018 from https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/activism). Political economy can be comprehended as the study
of how a country—the public’s household—is overseen or governed, taking into account
both political and economic factors (Retrieved February 25, 2018 from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/political-economy).

Communism involves activists who are concerned and in dire want of change. Political
economy’s relation with the two is apparent, showing how one state’s policy in the
government influences or dictates the economy’s markets, paves the possibility of an
uprising from activists of communist groups if it’s not consistent with their objectives.

The NPA is too stubborn and “too greedy in power” (Estrañero, 2017). They are only
causing infliction and division and it’s leading them nowhere. It seems to me that they
are not convincing anyone with the “change” that they are fighting for. Again, I don’t see
the efficiency of their method (violence) at all. Their threat to the urban areas can only
cause unwanted and unnecessary fear that might turn away potential investors or
businesses to the country’s economy. They are slowing down the pace of the country
towards continuous development. Most importantly and sadly, I cannot fathom how this
is affecting the rural areas of the country. They are the most vulnerable to the harmful
promises that the NPA is giving. Instead of the “good life”, their futures are put on the
line to destruction.

Peace talks between the government and the NPA has been terminated and are now
called terrorists. The NPA has not live up to the end of the bargain by causing continued
hostilities during the negotiations.

The government must first take action in assuring that the citizens’ welfare and security
is a priority. Most especially in the rural areas where the recruitment and violence is
persistent. Second, a stronger policy that will eradicate insurgency or rebellion is highly
recommended in order to avoid the uprising of the same organization that is mislead by
the belief that violence against innocent targets is the only way to pursue one’s aims.
Third, high and intensive security against the NPA’s connection with other organizations
outside of the country must be established to weaken their standing and limit their
resources. Fourth, the government should inform and educate the people of the
Philippines about the existence of such communist groups in manner that doesn’t show
irrationality and bias. In other words, they must only state the truth and nothing but the
truth. Lastly, the government, the President specifically, must listen to his people’s
concerns, especially to the youth. He should hear out his people’s cries rather than just
drive them away. I believe that in this way, we may avoid uprisings that will only cause
division rather than unity.