REVOLUTIONARY STRUGGLE IN THE Also by Leonard Davis RESIDENTIAL CARE: A Cümmunity Resüuree SEX AND THE SOCIAL WORKER CARING FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS THE PHILIPPINES: Peüple, Püverty and Pülities RIVERS OF PAIN, BRIDGES OF HOPE Revolutionary Struggle in the Philippines

Leonard Davis Reader, Department 01 Applied Social Studies City Polytechnic 01

Palgrave Macmillan ISBN 978-1-349-19864-1 ISBN 978-1-349-19862-7 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-349-19862-7

© Leonard Davis, 1989 Softcover reprint or the hardcover I st edition 1989 978-0-333-44847-2

All rights reserved. For information, write: Scholarly and Reference Division, St. Martin's Press, Inc., 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010

First published in the of America in 1989

ISBN 978-0-312-02818-3

Library ofCongress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Davis, Leonard. Revolutionary struggle in the Philippines/Leonard Davis. p. cm Bibliography: p. Includes index. ISBN 978-0-312-02818-3 1. Philippines--Politics and govemment--1986--2. Revolutions­ -Philippines. I. Title. DS686.614.D38 1989 959.9'046--dcI9 88--37946 CIP Ta the Bakun martyrs Contents

List of Plates and Maps Vlll Preface x List of Abbreviations xii

Glossary XV

Map ofthe Philippines XVIIl

1 A Country in Crisis 1 2 Revolutionary Roots 18 3 Revolutionary Power 48 4 Profiles 70 5 US Bases in the Philippines 92 6 Wornen in the Struggle 119 7 Faith, Politics and the Church 156 8 The Wider Context 174 9 Epilogue 185

Appendices Appendix I A Chronicle of Events in the Philippines: 7 February 1986 to 31 July 1988 189 Appendix II Vigilante Groups 200 Appendix III Concessions given to the Military after the Coup Attempts of 1986 and 1987 207

Bibliography 209 Index 212

VB List of Plates and Maps

Plates

1. (a) Terrorised by war; (b) Uncertain of the future 2. (a) Jose : his last moments; (b) Plaque in Old Paco Cemetery; (c) Rizal Park: his final resting pi ace 3. (a) Urban poverty: horne for a family of six in ; (b) Rural poverty: cutting sugar cane on the island of Negros 4. (a) Yes to the Constitution, 2 February 1987; (b) love political rallies. Many, however, end in tragedy 5. (a) A villager recalls the horrors of a military attack on his horne; (b) This child received abullet wound in the encounter; (c) 13- year-old boy murdered by agents of the military (Photo: Anon.) 6. (a) Davao City: stronghold of the vigilantes; (b) Vigilantes act out the violence of the cinema 7. (a) Disputing the illegal detention of a farmer; (b) The peasant tells his story on release 8. (a) Trinidad Tecson, called the Mother of Biak-na-Bato, won farne for her exploits in battles during the revolution; (b) , like her husband General , refused to surrender and was exiled in Hong Kong; (c) Maria Lorena . Barros (Photo: Anon.); (d) The New People's Army continuesto recruit many young women into its ranks (Photo: Lito Ocampo). 9. (a) Consolacion Buscayno Arcilla; (b) Arcilla Mallari; (c) Benigna Rivera; (d) Judy Taguiwalo 10. (a) Guerrilla training in Northern Luzon (Photo: Lito Ocampo); (b) US Embassy rally, 1986 (Photo: Lito Ocampo) 11. (a) 12 July 1988: rally of priests and nuns, Mendiola Bridge, Malacaiiang (Photo: Lito Ocampo); (b) 27 June 1988: members of the New People's Army talking with a nun in Negros Occidental (Photo: Lito Ocampo) 12. (a) The author with Rodolfo 'Rudy' Salas, alleged sometime chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines and commander-in-chief of the New People's Army (Photo: Anon.), (b) Carrying on the tradition? Son of Juanito Rivera, who was arrested on 15 November 1987 13. (a) Conservative or radical? To what extent is the church divided?; (b) Large numbers attend mass in the barrios; (c) The Roman Catholic Church has a long history in the Philippines

VIII List 0/ Plates and Maps IX

14. (a) Original Ten-Point Plan of the National Democratic Front; (b) Aquino has failed to control the security forces 15. (a) National Democratic Front literature has become increasingly professional; (b) Policies have been formulated for most aspects of the new people's democratic republic 16. (a) Political assassinations occur daily; (b) What is his future? Peasant farmer or guerrilla?

Maps

Map of the Philippines xviii Airspace under United States Air Force control 106 Preface

In the preparation of this book, I have often asked myself a number of questions: What went wrang after came to power? Why do Filipinos perpetuate a revolutionary struggle that many thought should have come to an end in February 1986 when left the country? Wh at do Filipinos seek that is seemingly not possible under Aquino? The answers to these ques­ tions are explored in this volume, ta king further some of the facts presented and the ideas developed in my earlier book, The Philippines: People, Poverty and Politics. Over aperiod of nearly 10 years, I have observed - and been involved in - the plight of people in the Philippines: abject poverty; chranic illness; endemie disease; premature death; unemployment; sub-standard housing; widespread prostitution; the abuse of children; corruption; and militarisation. Coretta King, widow of Martin Luther King, has described institutional violence:

Starving a child is violence. Suppressing a culture is violence. Neglecting school childrcn is violence ... Ignoring medical needs is vio1ence. Contempt for poverty is violence. And the lack of will-power to help humanity is a siek and sinister form of violence. Powerful patterns of political behaviour are emerging in the Philip­ pines, both reflecting outcomes that have oeeurred elsewhere in the world, and perhaps anticipating global trends in any set of eireum­ stances where people are no Ion ger prepared to tolerate - at any cost - human rights violations; the obscenity of grass inequality between rich and poor; and the humiliation of foreign domination for economic and political ends. I have found two publications particularly helpful in the prepara­ tion of this book: Makibaka! whieh was praduced by Filippijnen­ groep, Holland; and the first issue of Babaylan, by the Centre for Women's Resourees. Both eontained source material by anonymous authors, the former on the history of the struggle, and the latter on pre-colonial Philippine women, praviding background information for Chapters 2 and 6 respeetively. The profile of Maria Lorena Barros in Chapter 6 is based on an anonymous appreciation taken fram the same issue of Babaylan. Many people have given valuable assistance in the preparation of

x Preface XI this book. Several have been quite 'special' - intellectually, or practically or in allowing me to interview them. Most 'contacts' wish to remain anonymous. To live in the Philippines, and to be identified with an 'opposition' group - moderate, progressive or radical - may bring surveillance and arrest. Yet, many people I have come to know risk their lives every day. I am grateful to Jeremy Callaghan, Registrar ofWaikato University, Hamilton, New Zealand - and formerly of the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong - for his support and critical appraisal of the text. Kitty Kwok of the Department of Applied Social Studies, City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, worked extemely hard to type and re-type several drafts of each chapter, and to meet the final deadline. I would like to acknowledge her help. Some of the photographs were taken by Lito C. Ocampo - a freelance photojournalist based in Manila, and a member of the National Press Club of the Philippines - whose work appears regularly both nationally and internationally. I am pleased to be able to use his pictures, and he is credited with these. The other photographs, with three exceptions, were taken by the author. My wife, Maylene - a Filipina - has encouraged me throughout the process of preparation, research and writing, providing numerous Tagalog-English translations, and acting as interpreter during several interviews in the Philippines. In addition, she has answered my innumerable questions relating to Filipino culture, custom and practice, thereby making a particular contribution to the finer points of my understanding. To Maylene, therefore, I offer a sincere thank­ you.

LEONARD DAVIS List of Abbreviations

ABB ABCP Anti-Bases Coalition of the Philippines AFP Armed Forces of the Philippines AI Amnesty International AMIHAN National Federation of Peasant Women AMRSP Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines AMT Aguman ding Malding Talapagobra - General Workers' Union ASEAN Association of South-east Asian Nations ATOM August Twenty-One Movement AWARE Alliance of Women for Action towards Reconciliation AWIT Association of Women in Theology BAYAN Bagong Alyansang Makabayan BEPZ Export Processing Zone BHB Bagong Hukbong Bayan BMA Bangsa Moro Army BRC Barrio Revolutionary Committee BSDU Barrio Self-Defence Unit BUDC Barrio United Defence Corps CAFGU Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit CARP Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Programme CBCP Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines CHDF Civilian Horne Defence Force CIA Central Intelligence Agency CNL Christi ans for National Liberation COMRADE Council of Military Reforms Advisors in the Defence Establishment CPAR Congress for People's Agrarian Reform CPP Communist Party of the Philippines CSG Security Graup CTs Communist Terrorists C 3I Command, Contral, Communications and Intelligence DOD Department of Defence EO Executive Order

xii List of Abbreviation\' X 111

GABRIELA General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership and Action. HB House Bill HMB Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan Huk Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon TB Infantry Battalion IMTAS Intensive Military Training Areas JUSMAG Joint United States Military Advisory Group KAMAY Kapisanan ng mga Madre sa Maynila KASAMA ng mga Samahan Manggagawa Katipunan Kataastaasan at Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan KBL Kilusang Bayong Lipunan KM Kabataang Makabayan KMP Kilusang Magbubukid sa Pilipinas KMU Kilusang Mayo Uno KOMUT Koronadal Movement for Unity and Tranquility KPMP Kalipunang Pambansa ng mga Magasaka sa Pilipinas LIC Low Intensity Conflict MAKTBAKA Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan - a pioneer, women's national liberation movement. MAKTBAKA Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan - a member organisation of the National Democratic Front. MBA Military Bases Agreement MNLF Moro National Liberation Front MSP Makabayang Samahan Pankalusugan NAFLU National Federation of Labour Unions NAJFD Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Freedom and Democracy NAKASAKA Nagkahiusang Katawhan Alang sa Kalinaw NDF National Democratic Front NFPC Nuclear Free Philippines Coalition NOW-RP National Association of Wornen Religious in the Philippines NPA New People's Army NRC National Revolutionary Council NJC National Security Council OIC Organisation of Islamic Conference PADS Philippines Air Defence system XIV List o[ Abbreviations

PAL Philippine Air Lines PBMA Philippines Benevolent Missionaries Association PC PKM Pambansang Kaisahan ng mga Magbubukid PKM Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid PKP Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas PMA Philippine PMP Pagkakaisa ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas PnB Partido ng Bayan POC Peace and Order Council PRG Provisional Revolutionary Government Rand R Rest and Recreation RCSU Regional Constabulary Security Unit RSU Regional Security Unit SAC Strategie Air Command SAMAKA Samahan ng Mag-aaral at Kabataang Kababaihan SB Senate Bill SEALS Sea, Air and Land Services SLBM Submarine-Iaunched Ballistic Missile SOF Special Operations Forces SRF Ship Repair Facility SYP Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda TFDP Task Force Detainees of the Philippines UFO United Farmers' Organisation UP University of the Philippines USAF United States Air Force USAFFE United States Armed Forces in the Far East USAID United States Agency for International Development USIS United States Information Service WACL World Anti-Communist League WATCH Women's Alliance for True Change WO MB Women Giving Life to a New Order (originally Women for the Ouster of Marcos and Boycott) WPD Western Police District Glossary abaca hemp Aguman ding Malding General Workers' Union Talapagobra alJerez lieutenant Alsa Masa Masses Uprising armado armed man babaylan priestess Bagong Alyansang Makabayan New Nationalist Alliance Bagong Hukbong Bayan New People's Army barangay sm all community, smaller than a barrio ; formerly, a type of boat barangay tanod volunteer groups engaged in civic work, originally not armed barrio village bola machete camote sweet potato carabao water buffalo cavan sack cofradia religious lay brotherhood dalaga maiden datu chieftain don cella maiden hacienda sugar plantation Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng National Liberation Army; also Bayan People's Liberation Army 19lesia ni Kristo Church of Christ Ilaga Rats ilustrados native intelligentsia indio native, not yet Filipino Ka Brother , Sister Kabataang Makabayan Patriotic Youth Kalipunang Pambansa ng mga National Society of Peasants in Magasaka sa Pilipinas the Philippines Kataastaasan at Highest and Most Respectable Kagalanggalangang Katipunan Society of the Sons of the ng mga Anak ng Bayan People

xv XVI Glossary

Katipuneros Members of Katipunan Kilusang Mayo Uno May First Movement Kilusang Bagong Lipunan New Society Movement Kilusang Magbubukid sa Movement of Filipino Farmers Pilipinas The Philippine League Makabayang Samahan Patriotic Health Association Pangkalusugan Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Free Movement of New Women Kababaihan mestizos those of mixed blood mujer indigena native woman Nagkahiusang Katawhan Alang Uni ted People for Peace sa Kalinaw nipa types of grass used in making huts nunal mole Pagkakaisa ng Magbubukid sa United Farmers of the Pilipinas Philippines Pambansang Kaisahan ng mga National Union of Pe asants Magbubukid Pambansang Katipunan ng mga National Association of Peasants Magbubukid panuinge, or pangginggi old card game Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas Philippine Communist Party Partido ng Bayan People's Party polo labour pool sacada sugar-cane worker Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda Armed Propaganda Unit sitio housing si te Tadtad Chop-chop Tigre, EI The Tiger '0 0 0 the coffins of Lando and Leonor stand as powerful reminders: the real cutting edge of our struggle against the dark forces of fascism lies in respect - nay, reverence - for the rights of the least of uso The communists in our country today are like the blacks of South Africa, the Jews of Hitlerised Europe, the Christians of Imperial Romeo To own them as brothers, human beings and fellow Filipinos is to open ourselves to a red smear from organised forces cunningly, gradually separating us from the basic humanity that is the only basis of peace in a savagely torn world 0 0 0 Now is the time to remember how, in their lonely struggle, it was the Left that taught us the price of militant resistance in our time because they died first and in greater numbers in the struggle against

Marcos 000 Who cannot yet stop weeping at the high price of being fully human in our country?'

Philippine Enquirer Sylvia L. Mayuga 19 Novemher 1986

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