I'm not 100% familiar with the background to this story, but here it goes.
The Philippine Communist Party is a designated Terrorist group by the United States State Department as it has been involved in an insurgency since 1969. The Party is an underground organisation working to overthrow the Philippine government and end U.S. influence in the country. It's armed wing is the New People's Army.
Communist Party of the Philippines - Wikipedia
New People's Army - Wikipedia
Communist rebellion in the Philippines - Wikipedia
This video may help explain some of the context to this long-running conflict:
I've read about the assassination of the Filipino Communist, Julius Giron, and his wife and an aide, on reddit's r/commmunism but I can't seem to find many independent sources to give the story more context. The American based "Freedom Road Socialist Organisation" (FRSO) says that:
"FRSO stands in solidarity with the national democratic movement of the Philippines and the Communist Party of the Philippines. On this sad occasion of the murder of Julius Giron, we vow to build on that solidarity, and we reiterate our demand to end all U.S. aid to the Duterte regime.
...
The people of the Philippines share a common enemy with the American people - U.S. monopoly capitalism. Every step forward for the revolutionary movement in the Philippines is an advance for both peoples. We see your losses as our losses, and we join with you in morning these martyrs. Likewise, your victories are a win for the people of the United States, and we celebrate each of your successes."
FRSO condemns the murder of Communist Party of the Philippines leader Julius Giron
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines issued a statement:
The NDFP Peace Negotiating Panel, its consultants, personnel and staff extend their most heartfelt condolences to the comrades, family, relatives and friends of Comrade Julius Giron who was martyred in Baguio City recently, together with two companions.
We render the highest salute to Comrade Julius for his selfless commitment and lifelong dedication to the revolutionary movement of the people for national freedom, democracy, social justice and genuine peace.
Comrade Julius was one of our senior consultants in the GRP-NDFP peace talks on social, economic and political reforms, as well as end of hostilities and disposition of forces. He was holder of Document of Identification (DI) number 978410 under the name of Arnold Cruz as National Consultant 1, which entitled him to protection and immunity under the JASIG (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees).
While in detention during the years of the Marcos dictatorship, we came to know of Comrade Julius’ artistry. He was a good painter and headed the painting group inside prison. Indeed, his deep love for the Cordillera people is reflected in his paintings and poetry which are on display in his wake.
The martyrdom of Comrade Julius and his companions inspires us even more to firmly pursue the Filipino people’s struggle for national and social liberation and for genuine and lasting peace.
Here is some further commentary from the Morning Star of the UK's Communist Party of Britain:
The CPP [Communist Party of the Philippines] said that the killing was aimed at undermining talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, a coalition of revolutionary forces and trade unions to which Mr Giron was a consultant.
Mr Duterte designated the CPP a terrorist organisation in 2017 after peace talks failed. He signed Executive Order 70 soon after, which created a task force to end the “communist conflict.”
Since then he has been accused of waging a war of suppression against the party, which said that he had “long wanted to eliminate Giron.”
Communist Party of the Philippines condemn murder of its leader by Duterte regime
I am nevertheless interested in hearing your thoughts, so feel free to add some discussion and context on this story and issues arising from it if you wish.
**Please Note this is in the Communist Only Sub-forum**
Feel Free to send me a Private Message or a Profile Post if you want me to Post this content on the main forums. Thanks.
Communism (from Latin communis, "common, universal") is a philosophical, social, political, economic ideology and movement whose ultimate goal is the establishment of a communist society, namely a socioeconomic order structured upon the ideas of common ownership of the means of production and the absence of social classes, money and the state. (Wikipedia)
The Philippine Communist Party is a designated Terrorist group by the United States State Department as it has been involved in an insurgency since 1969. The Party is an underground organisation working to overthrow the Philippine government and end U.S. influence in the country. It's armed wing is the New People's Army.
Communist Party of the Philippines - Wikipedia
New People's Army - Wikipedia
Communist rebellion in the Philippines - Wikipedia
This video may help explain some of the context to this long-running conflict:
I've read about the assassination of the Filipino Communist, Julius Giron, and his wife and an aide, on reddit's r/commmunism but I can't seem to find many independent sources to give the story more context. The American based "Freedom Road Socialist Organisation" (FRSO) says that:
"FRSO stands in solidarity with the national democratic movement of the Philippines and the Communist Party of the Philippines. On this sad occasion of the murder of Julius Giron, we vow to build on that solidarity, and we reiterate our demand to end all U.S. aid to the Duterte regime.
...
The people of the Philippines share a common enemy with the American people - U.S. monopoly capitalism. Every step forward for the revolutionary movement in the Philippines is an advance for both peoples. We see your losses as our losses, and we join with you in morning these martyrs. Likewise, your victories are a win for the people of the United States, and we celebrate each of your successes."
FRSO condemns the murder of Communist Party of the Philippines leader Julius Giron
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines issued a statement:
The NDFP Peace Negotiating Panel, its consultants, personnel and staff extend their most heartfelt condolences to the comrades, family, relatives and friends of Comrade Julius Giron who was martyred in Baguio City recently, together with two companions.
We render the highest salute to Comrade Julius for his selfless commitment and lifelong dedication to the revolutionary movement of the people for national freedom, democracy, social justice and genuine peace.
Comrade Julius was one of our senior consultants in the GRP-NDFP peace talks on social, economic and political reforms, as well as end of hostilities and disposition of forces. He was holder of Document of Identification (DI) number 978410 under the name of Arnold Cruz as National Consultant 1, which entitled him to protection and immunity under the JASIG (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees).
While in detention during the years of the Marcos dictatorship, we came to know of Comrade Julius’ artistry. He was a good painter and headed the painting group inside prison. Indeed, his deep love for the Cordillera people is reflected in his paintings and poetry which are on display in his wake.
The martyrdom of Comrade Julius and his companions inspires us even more to firmly pursue the Filipino people’s struggle for national and social liberation and for genuine and lasting peace.
The CPP [Communist Party of the Philippines] said that the killing was aimed at undermining talks between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, a coalition of revolutionary forces and trade unions to which Mr Giron was a consultant.
Mr Duterte designated the CPP a terrorist organisation in 2017 after peace talks failed. He signed Executive Order 70 soon after, which created a task force to end the “communist conflict.”
Since then he has been accused of waging a war of suppression against the party, which said that he had “long wanted to eliminate Giron.”
Communist Party of the Philippines condemn murder of its leader by Duterte regime
I don't have much background knowledge or a strong opinion on this, particularly as it cuts across the "one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist" distinction. Nevertheless, it is an interesting news story which shines a light on the continuing role of communist insurgencies in the Philippines and in many countries around the world. These stories generally do not receive mainstream media coverage because it tends to go against the narrative that communism is "dead" and often shines a light on morally ambiguous relationships between the U.S. government and authoritarian regimes. Sharing this may perhaps bring new issues to discussion that people (including myself) are unfamiliar with.I am nevertheless interested in hearing your thoughts, so feel free to add some discussion and context on this story and issues arising from it if you wish.
**Please Note this is in the Communist Only Sub-forum**
Feel Free to send me a Private Message or a Profile Post if you want me to Post this content on the main forums. Thanks.
Communism (from Latin communis, "common, universal") is a philosophical, social, political, economic ideology and movement whose ultimate goal is the establishment of a communist society, namely a socioeconomic order structured upon the ideas of common ownership of the means of production and the absence of social classes, money and the state. (Wikipedia)
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