MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte straightforwardly called the Makabayan Bloc a legal front of the communist group on Monday (November 30) following the death of Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Campos Cullamat’s daughter in an encounter with the military.
The President said they are not red-tagging left-leaning groups but identifying them as one.
“Itong mga legal fronts ng komunista, lahat iyan (These communist legal fronts, all of them) – Makabayan, Bayan – they are all legal fronts. Gabriela,” he said.
“We are not red tagging you. We are identifying you as members in a grand conspiracy comprising all the legal fronts that you have organized headed by NDF (National Democratic Front) tapos ang (also the) New People’s Army at (and the) Community Party of the Philippines,” he added.
The President said the incident now supports the claim of the Armed Forces of the Philippines against the members of the Makabayan Bloc.
READ: Lorenzana sees strong link between Makabayan Bloc and CPP-NPA with Jevilyn Cullamat’s death
He questioned the group’s real intention which no longer represents an ideology.
“(This is) communal war ito. There is no longer any ideology. Gusto lang nila umagaw ng gobyerno (All they want is to take over the government,)” President Duterte noted.
Members of the Makabayan Bloc have long been denying any links to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The entire network has a number of member groups including Bayan Muna, ACT Teachers, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan, Katribu, Migrante, Akap-bata, Courage, Piston, Kalikasan and Aking Bikolnon. MNP (with reports from Rosalie Coz)
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