WASHINGTON, DC, September 21-“Who are the terrorists? U.S. Imperialists” was the cry as 100 students and workers marched to the Philippines Embassy at the end of a conference entitled “Reject the Fascism and Plunder of the U.S.-Marcos Regime.” Over 150 people attended the conference, part of a tour calling for “Justice for Brandon Lee” and featuring an interview with this young man who was nearly killed by soldiers under President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019 and left a quadriplegic. Showing the heroic qualities of a revolutionary fighter, he continues to speak out against the fascism of the Philippine government and U.S. imperialism. He previously organized with the Ifugao Peasant worker Movement against large scale destructive mining, dams, and energy projects by imperialist corporations. These projects destroy the environment and displace indigenous people.
Progressive Labor Party (PLP) members joined the conference to share our communist ideas and learn more about the conditions of the Philippines. PLP members were received warmly while engaging in comradely discussion about the need to focus revolutionary activity on achieving communism rather than national liberation. Several participants in the conference asked to be contacted by PLP members based on receiving CHALLENGE and having robust discussions with us.
Philippines under martial law
The Philippines have been under martial law for 52 years. Intensifying this oppression, the government imposed a deliberately ambiguous anti-terrorism law in 2020 that “red tags” all opponents of the government. Speakers and performers shared their anger at this fascist regime, shouting militantly “Payt Latte“ (Fight to the End) and singing songs of armed struggle.
The U.S. government’s counterinsurgency in the Philippines has worked hand in glove with the local bosses and landlords to divide workers for decades. Two young workers from the Philippines spoke of the reality of martial law forcing communist organizers to work underground. The U.S. government has been consistent in backing dictators for 52 years of martial law in support of landlords and mining companies at the expense of workers and indigenous farmers. It has paid $1 billion to the Philippines’ rulers since 2015 to support fascist repression there while using its nine military bases to intimidate its imperialist rivals.
Mass movements against capitalism
The Cordillera Peoples Alliance includes Brandon Lee’s Ifugao Peasant organization and has been under constant military oppression. Their bold struggles against the corporations do not call for communism but nevertheless they are “red tagged” and accused of being rebels in the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. This party follows the mistaken strategy of first fighting for national liberation and at a later time for socialism and then finally for communism.
Many students from the University of Maryland came to the conference as members of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines, known on campus as TERPCHRP. The campaigns in the Philippines have attracted groups of multiracial students across the country. This bodes well for the rise of an internationalist mass movement against capitalism. PLP is trying to provide more leadership to this mass movement so that it keeps its “eye on the ball” of fighting for communism directly.
Inter-imperialist rivalry in play
China like the U.S. has a strong interest in the Philippines and had been investing in projects especially under the previous President Rodrigo Duterte. Currently the new Marcos regime is allying itself more with the U.S. Not surprisingly, military incursions by China in the Philippines waters have increased, as China challenges the U.S. for control of the South China Sea and its bases and shipping lanes.
We in the PLP struggle for a communist revolution as the only solution for workers in the Philippines, the U.S., and the rest of the world’s working class. Engaging with the students and members of human rights organizations we met at the conference is an opportunity not to be missed in advancing this goal!
