This is a re-posted op-ed piece.
How does it advance the communist cause to burn down dozens of trucks, heavy equipment and facilities of private mining companies? The New People’s Army members who attacked three mining facilities in Surigao del Norte claimed they were striking a blow for the environment. But communist China is heavily engaged in mining to meet the needs of its people. Communist Vietnam welcomes mining companies.
That attack in Surigao had nothing to do with the environment and everything to do with banditry. The mining firms refused to give in to NPA demands for “revolutionary taxes” so the attack was launched. Money handed over willingly is a donation to the communist cause; given under duress, it’s money earned from extortion. It’s plain banditry and has no place in a legitimate rebellion.
Mining companies aren’t the only victims. NPA attacks – on privately owned agricultural estates, buses, telecommunications towers – have derailed development and scared away businessmen from the places where job-generating investments are most needed. Among the 5,000 mining personnel affected in the Surigao raid were Japanese executives, and they can’t be expected to bring home positive stories about the investment climate in the Philippines.
Destruction of the capitalist economy must be a goal of any self-respecting communist. It is up to the government to preserve, protect and nurture that capitalist economy toward growth. This won’t be achieved if state security forces cannot be relied upon to protect the lives and property of non-combatants. This week Human Rights Watch condemned the continuing NPA attacks on civilians. Those attacks were made possible by poor security measures.
Security forces cannot invoke ongoing peace efforts with the communist movement in the failure to thwart the attack in Surigao. Even during a truce, government forces must maintain a defensive stance. Extortion and destruction of private property do not further any cause and must be stopped.
The attack also raises questions about the sincerity of communist leaders in pursuing peace, and the extent of their control over NPA members, especially since they live overseas and National Democratic Front leader Luis Jalandoni has acquired Dutch citizenship. A Palace official called the attack in Surigao a “confidence-erosion measure” in the peace process.
It doesn’t look good for any government to abandon peace efforts. But in pursuing peace, the government should also not abandon its responsibility to protect the public from extortion and violent attacks.
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Source: The Philippine Star, Editorial, Oct. 6, 2011
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