Communist Party of the Philippines

December 03, 2019

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) denounces the Philippine National Police (PNP) for awarding medals to its officers who were behind the mass arrest last October 31 where 57 workers, cultural workers and activists and organizers were rounded up in Bacolod City.

The mass arrest is the single worst case of abuse of law by the Duterte regime’s police and military forces in its relentless drive to crack down against criticism and dissent and illegalize mass-oriented organizations. The anti-democratic drive is being carried out under Duterte’s Executive Order 70 and his National Task Force for counterinsurgency.

The arrested activists are being groundlessly accused of being members of the NPA.

By awarding the abusive police officers, the PNP confirmed that their medals of merit are badges of state terrorism. In doing so, it is further emboldening its fascist police and military officers to commit far worse abuse of law.

The democratic mass-oriented organizations must further steel their ranks and anticipate a further intensification of the Duterte regime’s fascist crackdown.