Figures from opposition bloc Liberal Party and the Communist Party of the Philippines are allegedly joining forces in a destabilization plot against President Rodrigo Duterte even though they have different political ideologies.
The plot, called “Red October” by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, alleges that Duterte would be ousted by October 2018. According to them, it is the month of international celebrations for communists, Marxists and the indigenous people.
“Red October” is the term used for the revolution that happened in Russia in 1917 when people overthrew the ruling autocracy and established the Soviet Union.
The Communist Party of the Philippines denied the military’s claims, saying that the accusations were the administration’s excuse to justify actions against legitimate protests.
“The CPP denounces the Armed Forces of the Philippines for conjuring this fictional plot which clearly aims to set the stage for applying increasingly draconian measures against the Filipino people,” they said in a statement.
“Actually, the real question is not whether there is such a conspiracy, but what Duterte and the AFP are plotting for October? Is this a foreshadowing of a declaration of martial law by October?” they added.
Vice President Leni Robredo, the opposition coalition’s chairperson, also refuted the Liberal Party’s alleged involvement in the ouster plot.
She stated that the military is “undermining” the country’s democracy through its “baseless” claims.
“Baseless allegations that link my involvement in legitimate opposition activities with illegal actions, particularly when they come from high ranking military officials, undermine not just the opposition but also our democracy,” the vice president said.
Other members of the opposition have also voiced out their thoughts against the ouster plots.
The accusation of destabilization is downright false. It is ridiculous. Dissent is not destabilization.
— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) September 9, 2018
Red and yellow don’t mix
While LP and the CPP are both tagged in the same “Red October” conspiracy, the parties have different belief and principles when it comes to politics.
The Liberal Party is a political party founded by then-Senate President Manuel Roxas, then-Senate President Pro-Tempore Elpidio Quirino and former 9th Senatorial District Senator José Avelino.
It thrives on liberalism, social liberalism and populism as its ideologies. Their political position is leaning on the center to center-left of the spectrum.
Their slogan is “Ituloy ang daang matuwid” and their values charter consists of “kalayaan, katuwiran” and “bayanihan” (freedom, justice and solidarity). They also call themselves “Partido ng Taumbayan” or the People’s Party.
Some of its notable members include late Naga City mayor and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, late Zamboanga City mayor and Martial Law critic Cesar Climaco and late senator and modern democracy icon Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
Meanwhile, the CPP is a revolutionary organization formed by Jose Maria Sison. It is based on communism and Marxism-Leninism-Maoism philosophies.
Their political position is leaning on the far-left of the spectrum. While they have no slogan, they have an anthem called “Pandaigdigang Awit ng mga Manggagawa.”
CPP believes in armed revolutions, conflicts and rebellion to achieve their goals. They pattern their perspectives from the theories of Karl Max, Friedrich Engels, Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong.
They are related to the New People’s Army, who have been tagged as a foreign terrorist organization by the US State Department and the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy. — Artwork by Uela Altar-Badayos