Philippine Communist Party
Encyclopedia
The original Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (Filipino
for 'Communist Party of the Philippines') was established on November 7, 1930, and it is now often called PKP-1930 to separate it from its far more known splinter-group, the Communist Party of the Philippines
.
). The founders of PKP came out of the Partido Obrero, a left-wing worker-centred faction of the Nacionalista Party, followed by the Progressive Workers Party, which had been established in the 1920s. The PKP was initially headed by Crisanto Evangelista
. On October 26, 1932 the PKP was banned by the Philippine Supreme Court, in which five of the nine judges were American. This caused the PKP to go underground. In late 1932, a legal Marxist party, the Socialist Party, was created under the leadership of Pedro Abad Santos
. In 1935 PKP was accepted into the Comintern
. In 1937 the PKP was legalized again, under the commonwealth in response to the growing threat of fascism in Germany
and militarist Japan
. And in 1938 the Socialist Party was merged into the PKP. The PKP participated in a Popular Front
for municipal elections in 1940, which did well on the island of Luzon
, where six communist mayors were elected.
(People's Army against Japan) was created in 1942. The Hukbalahap carried on a struggle against the Japanese occupation for the next three years. After the end of Japanese occupation, the PKP found itself in a considerably strengthened position in the working class and peasant movements. The Congress of Labor Organizations was created in July 1945 under PKP management. In 1946 PKP participated in the presidential elections within the Democratic Alliance
. The increasing influence of the PKP in the struggle for national independence was met with a reaction by the US and its mostly wealthy allies in the Philippines. The PKP was repressed, as were other mass worker and peasant organizations.
In 1948, the PKP began an armed struggle against the government. The party was banned that year. In early 1950, the PKP created the People's Liberation Army
(Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan) which was made up of about 10,000 soldiers. In October 1950, the entire secretariat of the Central Committee of the PKP was arrested, including General Secretary Jose Lava (and would remain in prison for the next two decades).
In the course of the armed struggle, PKP and the People's Liberation Army sustained large losses. By the end of 1954 the armed struggle was effectively over, although it took a few more years to die out, after which the PKP pursued a course of peaceful (legal and illegal) action. Although they created another guerilla force similar to the Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan, known as the Bagong Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan; more commonly known as the Army ng Bayan (or Ermeng Bayan according to the CPP), under Pedro Taruc and Sumulong.
In 1964, Jose Maria Sison
co-founded the Kabataang Makabayan (Patriotic Youth) with Nilo S. Tayag. This organisation rallied the Filipino youth against the Vietnam War
, against the Marcos presidency, and corrupt politicians. On December 26, 1968, he formed and chaired the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines
(CPP), an organisation within the Communist Party founded on Marxist-Leninist-Mao Zedong Thought
, stemming from his own experiences as a youth leader, labour, and land reform
activist. This is known as the "First Great Rectification" movement where Sison and other radical youths criticised the existing Party's leadership and failure. The reformed CPP included Maoism within the political line as well as the struggle for a National Democratic Revolution in two-stages, consisting of a protracted "People's War" as its first part to be followed by a Socialist Revolution. On December 26, 2007, the Communist Party of the Philippines
commemorated its 39th anniversary. Jose Maria Sison
confirmed its birth, at Barangay
Dulacac along the boundaries of Alaminos
, Bani
and Mabini
, Pangasinan
, where the December 26, 1968 "Congress of Reestablishment" was held; the site was a hut near the house of the Navarette family, the parents-in-law of Arthur Garcia, one of the CPP founders. Sison announced that communist guerillas held "cultural activities" and celebrated the 39th anniversary of the movement.
Soon after this, the leadership of the PKP sought to eliminate and marginalise Sison. However, the reorganised CPP had a larger base and renewed political line that attracted thousands to join its ranks. The old leadership and its followers was pro-Soviet
, while the other, mostly younger faction was oriented towards Maoism
. On December 26, 1968, the Maoist faction announced it was re-establishing the Communist Party of the Philippines
. Over time the Maoist party eclipsed the pro-Soviet faction, which is now commonly referred to as PKP-1930.
The PKP-1930 survived the martial law era as pro-government supporters, after being pardoned by President
Ferdinand Marcos
. They supported the government in its land reform programme, attempt for Land Collectivisation, and the "Democratic Revolution from the centre" envisioned by Marcos. The Maoist faction, led by Jose Maria Sison, continues to fight to this day. As of now, the PKP-1930 is a minor party and was lately led by Pedro P. Baguisa, and issues the publication Ang Komunista and being led by Antonio Paris
.
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
for 'Communist Party of the Philippines') was established on November 7, 1930, and it is now often called PKP-1930 to separate it from its far more known splinter-group, the Communist Party of the Philippines
Communist Party of the Philippines
The Communist Party of the Philippines is a leading communist party in the Philippines. It remains an underground political organization since its founding on December 26, 1968 and has been operating in clandestine manner since its founding...
.
History
The party was established on November 7, 1930 (the anniversary of the October RevolutionOctober Revolution
The October Revolution , also known as the Great October Socialist Revolution , Red October, the October Uprising or the Bolshevik Revolution, was a political revolution and a part of the Russian Revolution of 1917...
). The founders of PKP came out of the Partido Obrero, a left-wing worker-centred faction of the Nacionalista Party, followed by the Progressive Workers Party, which had been established in the 1920s. The PKP was initially headed by Crisanto Evangelista
Crisanto Evangelista
Crisanto Evangelista was a Filipino Communist politician of the first half of the 20th century.On May Day 1913, together with Herminigildo Cruz, he had attempted to guarantee basic workers' rights and unify the trade unions in the country.After defecting from the Nacionalista Party with its left...
. On October 26, 1932 the PKP was banned by the Philippine Supreme Court, in which five of the nine judges were American. This caused the PKP to go underground. In late 1932, a legal Marxist party, the Socialist Party, was created under the leadership of Pedro Abad Santos
Pedro Abad Santos
Pedro Abad Santos was a Filipino doctor, lawyer, Marxist and politician who later became a leader of the first of two Philippine communist rebellions from the 1930s to the 1950s.-Early years:...
. In 1935 PKP was accepted into the Comintern
Comintern
The Communist International, abbreviated as Comintern, also known as the Third International, was an international communist organization initiated in Moscow during March 1919...
. In 1937 the PKP was legalized again, under the commonwealth in response to the growing threat of fascism in Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
and militarist Japan
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
. And in 1938 the Socialist Party was merged into the PKP. The PKP participated in a Popular Front
Popular front
A popular front is a broad coalition of different political groupings, often made up of leftists and centrists. Being very broad, they can sometimes include centrist and liberal forces as well as socialist and communist groups...
for municipal elections in 1940, which did well on the island of Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, where six communist mayors were elected.
Resistance against Japan and the United States
During World War II the PKP helped organize the fight against the Japanese invasion. Under PKP leadership, the HukbalahapHukbalahap
The Hukbalahap , was the military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines , formed in 1942 to fight the Japanese Empire's occupation of the Philippines during World War II. It fought a second war from 1946 to 1954 against the pro-Western leaders of their newly independent country...
(People's Army against Japan) was created in 1942. The Hukbalahap carried on a struggle against the Japanese occupation for the next three years. After the end of Japanese occupation, the PKP found itself in a considerably strengthened position in the working class and peasant movements. The Congress of Labor Organizations was created in July 1945 under PKP management. In 1946 PKP participated in the presidential elections within the Democratic Alliance
Democratic Alliance (Philippines)
The Democratic Alliance of the Philippines is made up of nationalist and progressive forces, primarily former members of the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas. Most supported Sergio Osmeña and the Nacionalista Party against Manuel Roxas and the Liberal Party during the 1946 elections...
. The increasing influence of the PKP in the struggle for national independence was met with a reaction by the US and its mostly wealthy allies in the Philippines. The PKP was repressed, as were other mass worker and peasant organizations.
In 1948, the PKP began an armed struggle against the government. The party was banned that year. In early 1950, the PKP created the People's Liberation Army
Hukbalahap
The Hukbalahap , was the military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines , formed in 1942 to fight the Japanese Empire's occupation of the Philippines during World War II. It fought a second war from 1946 to 1954 against the pro-Western leaders of their newly independent country...
(Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan) which was made up of about 10,000 soldiers. In October 1950, the entire secretariat of the Central Committee of the PKP was arrested, including General Secretary Jose Lava (and would remain in prison for the next two decades).
In the course of the armed struggle, PKP and the People's Liberation Army sustained large losses. By the end of 1954 the armed struggle was effectively over, although it took a few more years to die out, after which the PKP pursued a course of peaceful (legal and illegal) action. Although they created another guerilla force similar to the Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan, known as the Bagong Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan; more commonly known as the Army ng Bayan (or Ermeng Bayan according to the CPP), under Pedro Taruc and Sumulong.
Split
Remnants of the PKP worked from the underground to rebuild the organistaions and affiliated groups.In 1964, Jose Maria Sison
José María Sison
Jose Maria Sison is a writer and activist who reorganized the Communist Party of the Philippines and added elements of Maoism to its philosophy....
co-founded the Kabataang Makabayan (Patriotic Youth) with Nilo S. Tayag. This organisation rallied the Filipino youth against the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, against the Marcos presidency, and corrupt politicians. On December 26, 1968, he formed and chaired the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines
Communist Party of the Philippines
The Communist Party of the Philippines is a leading communist party in the Philippines. It remains an underground political organization since its founding on December 26, 1968 and has been operating in clandestine manner since its founding...
(CPP), an organisation within the Communist Party founded on Marxist-Leninist-Mao Zedong Thought
Maoism
Maoism, also known as the Mao Zedong Thought , is claimed by Maoists as an anti-Revisionist form of Marxist communist theory, derived from the teachings of the Chinese political leader Mao Zedong . Developed during the 1950s and 1960s, it was widely applied as the political and military guiding...
, stemming from his own experiences as a youth leader, labour, and land reform
Land reform
[Image:Jakarta farmers protest23.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Farmers protesting for Land Reform in Indonesia]Land reform involves the changing of laws, regulations or customs regarding land ownership. Land reform may consist of a government-initiated or government-backed property redistribution,...
activist. This is known as the "First Great Rectification" movement where Sison and other radical youths criticised the existing Party's leadership and failure. The reformed CPP included Maoism within the political line as well as the struggle for a National Democratic Revolution in two-stages, consisting of a protracted "People's War" as its first part to be followed by a Socialist Revolution. On December 26, 2007, the Communist Party of the Philippines
Communist Party of the Philippines
The Communist Party of the Philippines is a leading communist party in the Philippines. It remains an underground political organization since its founding on December 26, 1968 and has been operating in clandestine manner since its founding...
commemorated its 39th anniversary. Jose Maria Sison
José María Sison
Jose Maria Sison is a writer and activist who reorganized the Communist Party of the Philippines and added elements of Maoism to its philosophy....
confirmed its birth, at Barangay
Barangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
Dulacac along the boundaries of Alaminos
Alaminos
Alaminos may refer to:* Alaminos, Cyprus* Alaminos, Guadalajara in Spain* Alaminos, Pangasinan, Philippines* Alaminos, Laguna, Philippines...
, Bani
Bani
Gurbani is the term used by Sikhs to refer to any compositions of the Sikh Gurus. Gurbani is composed of two words: 'Gur' meaning 'the Guru's' and 'bani' meaning 'word'....
and Mabini
Mabini
Mabini may refer to:*Apolinario Mabini , Philippine revolutionary leader*BRP Apolinario Mabini , a vessel in the Philippine Navy*The Mabini Academy, a school in Lipa City, Batangas, PhilippinesPlaces in the Philippines:...
, Pangasinan
Pangasinan
Pangasinan is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The provincial capital is Lingayen. Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, with the total land area being 5,368.82 square kilometers . According to the latest census,...
, where the December 26, 1968 "Congress of Reestablishment" was held; the site was a hut near the house of the Navarette family, the parents-in-law of Arthur Garcia, one of the CPP founders. Sison announced that communist guerillas held "cultural activities" and celebrated the 39th anniversary of the movement.
Soon after this, the leadership of the PKP sought to eliminate and marginalise Sison. However, the reorganised CPP had a larger base and renewed political line that attracted thousands to join its ranks. The old leadership and its followers was pro-Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, while the other, mostly younger faction was oriented towards Maoism
Maoism
Maoism, also known as the Mao Zedong Thought , is claimed by Maoists as an anti-Revisionist form of Marxist communist theory, derived from the teachings of the Chinese political leader Mao Zedong . Developed during the 1950s and 1960s, it was widely applied as the political and military guiding...
. On December 26, 1968, the Maoist faction announced it was re-establishing the Communist Party of the Philippines
Communist Party of the Philippines
The Communist Party of the Philippines is a leading communist party in the Philippines. It remains an underground political organization since its founding on December 26, 1968 and has been operating in clandestine manner since its founding...
. Over time the Maoist party eclipsed the pro-Soviet faction, which is now commonly referred to as PKP-1930.
The PKP-1930 survived the martial law era as pro-government supporters, after being pardoned by President
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
. They supported the government in its land reform programme, attempt for Land Collectivisation, and the "Democratic Revolution from the centre" envisioned by Marcos. The Maoist faction, led by Jose Maria Sison, continues to fight to this day. As of now, the PKP-1930 is a minor party and was lately led by Pedro P. Baguisa, and issues the publication Ang Komunista and being led by Antonio Paris
António Paris
António Cândido Duarte Paris is a former Portuguese footballer who played as a defender.- External links :* *...
.