Ex-rebels caution voters against electoral infiltration

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By Ivy Tejano

DAVAO CITY – A group of former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front condemned the organization’s ongoing armed conflict, urging Filipinos to reject violence and support lasting peace and progress.

In a statement on March 29, the Kalinaw Southeastern Mindanao Inc. affirmed that former rebels support the government’s whole-of-nation approach to combat insurgency, emphasizing that they advocate for land rights, fair wages, and free education legally.

The former rebels warned that even though NPA forces have been dismantled in the Davao Region, the insurgency continues through political tactics. They said the CPP-NPA-NDF exploits elections to regain power by directing resources and political backing to allied party-list groups.

“As former members, we know firsthand how the CPP-NPA-NDF uses elections to infiltrate government institutions and strengthen their armed struggle. Their candidates and party-list groups operate under the directives of the Party, using democratic processes to further their cause,” the statement read.

The former rebels specifically criticized the Makabayan bloc, naming its senatorial and party-list candidates—including Bayan Muna, Kabataan, ACT Teachers, Gabriela, and Health Workers Partylist—as part of the CPP-NPA-NDF’s alleged attempt to manipulate politics.

Despite being accused of red-tagging, KSM maintained that revealing the truth is essential to safeguarding democracy and preventing insurgency from resurfacing. The former rebels stressed that they have rejected armed violence but remain committed to serving the people.

“Now is the time to pursue a path toward genuine peace and lasting progress,” the group said in line with the 56th anniversary of the NPA, highlighting the government’s continued efforts to end decades of armed conflict in the Philippines.