412 NPA Tactical Offensives in 490 days

Source: http://www.philippinerevolution.org/cgi-bin/statements/statements.pl?author=ndfm;date=060506;language=eng

NDF-Mindanao Current Report: 412 NPA Tactical Offensives in 490 days

Jorge "Ka Oris" Madlos
Spokesperson
National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Mindanao
May 06, 2006

The revolutionary movement in Mindanao has intensified in the last 16 months, keeping in pace with the nationwide intensification of the armed struggle and the broadening and heightening of the mass struggle for the ouster of the ever-hated US-Arroyo regime. In the coming days and months, we expect more sustained and broadened armed struggle and open mass struggle in the island.

In the last 490 days, since January 2005 up to the end of April 2006, the 35 NPA Guerilla Fronts in the whole island of Mindanao launched 412 small, medium and big tactical offensives spread throughout the 19 out of 25 provinces, in almost 200 municipalities and cities. As a result, the NPA confiscated almost 300 assorted firearms from the AFP, PNP, CAFGU and other paramilitary units through raids, ambushes, sniping, harassments and punitive actions. Among these were the successful raids against six PNP municipal stations and two Army-CAFGU detachments, five major ambushes and special operations.

These current NPA victories in Mindanao have further strengthened the people’s army in arms, morale and discipline, and inspired hundreds more recruits. These were made possible by the ever-expanding and deepening mass base in the whole island, covering a million of directly influenced population, plus a good number of indirectly influenced. The revolutionary agrarian reform campaign launched by the NPA in the countryside strengthened and broadened the mass support for the Red fighters.

On the other hand, we have recorded 304 enemy troops killed in combat or an equivalent of one battalion, aside from the more than 200 wounded. This happens in the midst of the spreading dissension and factionalism within the AFP-PNP-CAFGU as a result of corruption, favoritism, and the illegitimacy of the Arroyo presidency. Their morale is in its lowest ebb compared to the previous years as more and more AFP-PNP-CAFGU officers and men realize the justness of the NPA and the people’s struggle on one hand, and the bankruptcy of their mercenary organization on the other hand.

As the reactionary regime puts emphasis on their effort to co-opt the Moro people’s armed struggle, it is now deploying around 70 % of its 3 army divisions, including its Marines and Special Forces against the 35 NPA guerilla fronts in Mindanao. The US-Arroyo regime’s Oplan Bantay Laya wishes to regain the initiative in Mindanao by employing sheer force against the NPA coupled by the killings of legal mass leaders and activists. A dirty tactic it employed in Southern Tagalog, Samar and Central Luzon regions. We can expect more state-sponsored human rights violations in Mindanao in the coming months.

In line with the nationwide effort to Oust Arroyo, the open mass movement in Mindanao has broadened and gained strength. More and more personalities, groups and sectors have joined the legitimate effort to oust the illegitimate president Arroyo. People have expressed their disgust with the regime by joining rallies, symposia and other related activities.

Last July 2005, about 25,000 poured to the streets of the major cities and town centers across the island. This was followed by a new wave of protests on February this year. On May 1, in commemoration of the International Labor Day, around 20,000 people have again filled the city streets of Davao, Gen. Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Surigao, Ozamis, Dipolog, Pagadian, Iligan, Bislig and Tandag, supporting the workers’ demands and seeking for Arroyo’s ouster.

We are witnessing now a surging revolutionary tide in the island of Mindanao in support for the immediate ouster of Arroyo and more so for a comprehensive march of the revolutionary armed struggle.