Vol. VI, No. 24 - December 31, 2024
General Romeo Brawner Jr.’s recent statement on the 56th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is a desperate attempt to undermine the revolutionary movement’s resilience. His assertion that the New People’s Army (NPA) has only “one weakened guerrilla front” is not just misleading but deliberately crafted to bolster the illusion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) supposed success in “ending armed struggle.”
Curiously, General Brawner does not identify the location of this supposed “last front,” leaving the public to question the sincerity of his declaration. Meanwhile, the AFP continues military operations across no fewer than 20 provinces, deploying troops, drones, and artillery in pursuit of what they characterize as a “decimated” force. If the NPA has truly been reduced to a single weakened front, why does the AFP require such extensive, costly, and destructive operations?
This narrative also disregards the broader political context. The AFP’s campaign is not merely a military offensive but a means to suppress dissent and maintain the status quo of US-backed state power. The revolutionary movement in the Philippines led by the CPP has long been and remains the most consistent and determined opposition to US imperialist intervention, bureaucrat capitalist corruption, and the AFP’s reign of terror. The revolutionary forces serve as a formidable barrier to the Marcos regime’s betrayal of national sovereignty, particularly through agreements that expand US military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
General Brawner’s claims of a “leadership vacuum” within the CPP betray the AFP’s frustration. Despite assassinations, extrajudicial killings, abductions, and arrests targeting revolutionary leaders, the movement continues to stand firm. The CPP’s Central Committee has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to advancing the people’s struggle for genuine democracy and social justice. As the CPP’s anniversary message from the Central Committee highlighted, the worsening conditions under the Marcos regime—subservience to foreign powers, rampant corruption, rising poverty, and relentless state-sponsored violence—make the revolution ever more urgent and just.
Instead of celebrating fictitious victories, the AFP would do well to reflect on its role in perpetuating the very conditions that drive people to join the armed struggle. General Brawner’s statement inadvertently underscores the enduring relevance of the revolutionary movement. His rhetoric cannot mask the fact that the revolutionary movement remains a significant force—one that continues to inspire and mobilize Filipinos to resist oppression and fight for a genuinely free and just society.
The Filipino people see through the AFP’s lies. They recognize that the revolution is not a spent force but a growing tide fueled by the regime’s betrayal of national interests, widening inequality, and escalating state repression. If anything, Brawner’s statement is a testament to the fact that the revolutionary movement remains the single greatest threat to a system that thrives on exploitation, poverty, and violence. It is a system that must—and will—be dismantled through the collective struggle of the fighting Filipino masses.
The revolutionary movement’s strength lies not only in its resistance to oppression but in its capacity for self-criticism. The ongoing Rectification Movement within the CPP exemplifies this commitment. By addressing errors, strengthening ideological foundations, and deepening its roots among the masses, the movement is forging a path toward resurgence. General Brawner’s hollow proclamations will falter as the revolutionary movement surges forward, more determined and united than ever.