‘NPA, at 35, is still biggest threat to RP democracy’

DAVAO CITY – National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales declared yesterday the communist New People’s Army (NPA) – which marks its 35th founding anniversary today – as still the biggest threat to democracy.

"The NPA is the biggest threat to our democracy. Now, the communist party has decided to further their objectives by joining politics," Gonzales told The STAR during an overnight visit here Saturday.

He also said the NPA remains the longest-running threat to national security as it marks its 35th anniversary today. The estimated 8,000 rural-based NPA have been waging a rebellion since 1969 – one of Asia’s longest insurrections.

Gonzales said the communist guerrilla group is trying to influence the outcome of the May 10 elections with its sympathizers joining the electoral exercise.

He claimed several organizations and individuals allied with the communist movement have tried to influence the outcome of the May 10 general elections by seeking election as party-list groups or individually participating in local elections.

"An entire guerrilla organization of over 8,800 armed men is being used to coerce and influence the outcome of the oncoming elections," Gonzales said.

He maintained his accusations that several left-leaning lawmakers are channeling their funds to further the cause of the communist movement.

He cited Bayan Muna party-list Representatives Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza and Crispin Beltran, whom he accused of using their Countryside Development Funds in areas where the NPA rebels are known to operate.

The three militant lawmakers strongly denied Gonzales’ accusations and challenged him to present proof of his claims.

"I just would like to see where the P600 million in Countryside Development Fund of these lawmakers went," Gonzales said.

Aside from actually joining the political exercise, communist guerrillas are also stepping up collecting "revolutionary taxes" and "permit to campaign" fees from candidates seeking to campaign in self-declared areas of influence, Gonzales said.

He also said recent offensives launched by NPA rebels on civilian installations such as the attack on a power plant in Ormoc City last Friday indicated the desire of the communists to coerce and undermine the democratic processes. — With Benjie Villa, Roel Pareño, Christina Mendez