Communist rebels kill 4 police in Philippines

[Spike]

Communist rebels fatally shot a Philippine police officer in his home Saturday, then killed three others who rushed to his aid, police said.

New People's Army guerrillas barged into the home of Senior Police Officer Joseph Evangelista and immediately shot him in Pandan township in the island province of Catanduanes.

Other guerrillas ambushed and shot dead three officers who rushed to the residence after hearing the gunfire, said regional police chief Senior Superintendent Balligi Tira.

The rebels fled with the slain officers' weapons and ammunition and were being pursued by police, Tira said.

The rebels are known to be active in Catanduanes, about 360 kilometers (225 miles) east of Manila, and claim to have a presence in 71 of the Philippines' 81 provinces.

A sharp rise in attacks has prompted President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to order security forces to cut the 7,000-strong guerrillas force in half by 2010.

The rebels withdrew from Norwegian-brokered peace talks in 2004 after accusing the government of instigating their inclusion on U.S. and European lists of terrorist groups.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/06/16/...nist-Rebels.php (http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/06/16/asia/AS-GEN-Philippines-Communist-Rebels.php)

I read that the New People's Liberation Army will not attack the American occupation forces in order to not provoke a reaction. This is a rather cowardly stance which needs immediate rectification.

[sexyguy]

Who are you to determine the tactics of the people there?

[Sand Castle]

It's pretty smart to attack stronger enemies, like the US, last. The stronger ones take longer to get rid off and it's hard to fight them and the smaller forces at the same time.

[Janus]

I read that the New People's Liberation Army will not attack the American occupation forces in order to not provoke a reaction.
Not according to this site:


Activities

The NPA primarily targets Philippine security forces, politicians, judges, government informers, former rebels who wish to leave the NPA, rival splinter groups, and alleged criminals. Opposes any US military presence in the Philippines and attacked US military interests, killing several US service personnel, before the US base closures in 1992. Press reports in 1999 and in late 2001 indicated that the NPA is again targeting US troops participating in joint military exercises as well as US Embassy personnel. The NPA claimed responsibility for the assassination of two congressmen from Quezon in May 2001 and Cagayan in June 2001 and many other killings. In January 2002, the NPA publicly expressed its intent to target US personnel if discovered in NPA operating areas.
NPA (http://ftp.fas.org/irp/world/para/npa.htm)

[Spirit of Spartacus]

Even if the NPA has actually decided not to attack US forces for the moment, I think its a temporary tactical measure.

They know the situation on the ground much better than we do.

[Amusing Scrotum]

Originally posted by [email protected] 21, 2007 12:11 am
Who are you to determine the tactics of the people there?

Well, he's not "determining" anything. He's simply commenting on their tactics, and criticising them. Something that, funnily enough, you'd expect to find on a forum which deals with political debate -- indeed, this board wouldn't be this board if it weren't for the fact that people comment, and criticise, the tactics and programmes of various groups.

And, given that, your response is utterly pointless. Indeed, it borders on being spam -- given the fact that it isn't actually an attempt to engage in political debate. No, it's just a blanket statement devoid of any serious political content. Which, frankly, is not good enough for a board like this.

Which means "sexyguy", that you've either got to get with the programme, and actually debate the point raised by Spike. Or feck off to another board; a board that has standards low enough to mean that your banalities can actually pass off as political debate.
_ _ _ _ _

On topic, it's a bit much to call the NPA "Communist rebels". They may like to see themselves as communists, but their practice is more in line with that of a group like the IRA than a group of communists.

I mean their orientation certainly doesn't seem to lean towards mass, working class action.

[sexyguy]

Amusing Scrotum,


I read that the New People's Liberation Army will not attack the American occupation forces in order to not provoke a reaction. This is a rather cowardly stance which needs immediate rectification. Spike


Who are you to determine the tactics of the people there?Sexyguy



“Well, he's not "determining" anything. He's simply commenting on their tactics, and criticising them.” Amusing Scrotum

Yes, you are right, and I was commenting on his tactics and criticising them, because as you say: “…this board wouldn't be this board if it weren't for the fact that people comment, and criticise, the tactics and programs of various groups.”



“And, given that, your response is utterly pointless.”

Not at all, but more blunt than Spike normaly deservers I will concede, and if Spike wants an apology or further explanation, public or otherwise, he can have one. But I am willing to bet that Spike has a better appreciation of the political significance of my blunt remark than you seem to have. In any event, there is nothing new, surprising, or remarkable about communists being blunt with each other, we have thick skins, and Spike, unless I am very much mistaken, is a communist.

The point.
It is a fashion among petit-bourgeois ‘lefts’ to aim haughty condemnations, instructions and denunciations at revolutionary fighters around the world. Now, Spike is capable of answering or expanding on the topic for himself if he wants to, but if he was offering critical comradely advice on the tactics of the NPLA, I’m telling him bluntly that it came across as sounding like a petit-bourgeois ‘left’ which I suspect was not his intention, who knows?

I don’t want to divert this thread into a discussion about how we conduct discussion, but if you want to pursue the matter, please try and learn some more about communist politics first.

[Morello]

Originally posted by [email protected] 21, 2007 12:11 am
Who are you to determine the tactics of the people there?
Agreed.