Remove Communist Party of the Philippines from Terror List

The 11th of October marks the first anniversary of John Key designating the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New Peoples Army (NPA), as terrorist groups under the Terrorism Suppression Act.

“The terrorist designation of the CPP/NPA is baseless. This movement has never engaged in tactics such as bombing public transport or kidnapping tourists for ransom”, said Cameron Walker spokesperson for Auckland Philippines Solidarity.

“The Terrorism Suppression Act defines terrorism in such a broad way that nearly any type of guerrilla warfare or armed struggle can be covered. Had this legislation existed in the 1980s it is likely that Nelson Mandela’s ANC would have been designated, as it engaged in armed struggle against the Apartheid regime and was called a terrorist group by then Prime Minister Muldoon."

The NPA has been engaged in armed struggle with the Philippines government since 1969.

The terrorist designation means New Zealand cannot play a meaningful role in facilitating peace talks between the Philippines government and the CPP/NPA

"Labelling one side of the conflict terrorists means the New Zealand government cannot be a neutral arbiter between the two parties” said Walker.

“Since the US and European Union designated the CPP/NPA in 2002 they have not contributed to helping peace negotiations between the movement and the Philippines government. Political violence has intensified in the Philippines.”

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has extended its counterinsurgency campaign against the CPP/NPA to target civilians involved in trade unions, legal left wing political parties and other advocacy groups. Since 2001 the Filipino human rights organisation Karapatan Monitor has documented 1251 extrajudicial killings of political activists in the Philippines. Forty five of these killings have happened since President Aquino was elected last year.

In contrast to the US and EU, Norway has refused to designate the CPP/NPA as terrorists and this year has hosted peace negotiations between the movement and the Philippines government.

“New Zealand should follow the lead of Norway and help support a fair and just resolution of the conflict in the Philippines”.

Auckland Philippines Solidarity website: http://aps-nz.org/

ENDS