Filipinos in Spain condemn CPP-NPA

Placard-bearing rallyists denounced CPP founder Jose Maria Sison and pressed for his repatriation so that he could be held accountable for the CPP-NPA’s atrocities against the Filipino people. (PNA photo)

MADRID, Spain – They may be far away from home but Filipinos here expressed condemnation over the atrocities of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) perpetrated in the Philippines.

In a rally staged on April 28 at the Rizal monument in Islas Filipinas, in this Spanish capital city, overseas Filipinos called for the end of the 50-year-old communist group.

Placard-bearing rallyists denounced CPP founder Jose Maria Sison and pressed for his repatriation so that he could be held accountable for the CPP-NPA’s atrocities against the Filipino people.

Aware of the reported funding grants received by CPP-NPA front organizations from Belgium, European Union, and other European countries, the protesters urged the European governments to cease financial support to these communist-linked organizations noting that the money is used to advance their terrorism and anti-people activities especially the exploitation of indigenous people, children and other marginalized sectors.

They also expressed support to the petition filed before the Commission on Elections on April 26 urging the cancellation of registration of party-list groups identified with the CPP-NPA namely, Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (MAKABAYAN), Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Action (GABRIELA), with senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares as the lone individual respondent.

Petitioner Angela O. Aguilar, who is reportedly current secretary general of Kababaihang Maralita, a non-government organization, and former CPP “kadre” and ACT member, said she has personal knowledge that MAKABAYAN party-list groups and Colmenares are connected with the NPA.

Aguilar said statements such as “Oust Duterte” that are exhibited in the tarpaulins, clearly indicate the groups’ unlawful intent to overthrow the duly constituted government and undermine the security of the country.

They called on their fellow Filipinos not to vote for party-list groups associated with the CPP-NPA, in the May 13 elections.

The CPP-NPA, which was founded by exiled leader Sison, was declared by the United States of America, European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as a terrorist group.