Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 30) — President Rodrigo Duterte once again denounced several Makabayan bloc organizations, claiming they have been serving as “legal fronts” of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
During his taped address aired Tuesday night, Duterte backed Lorraine Badoy, spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, who earlier claimed that several members of the Makabayan Bloc are cooperating with the communist rebels to “end” the government.
“I’ll tell you that Lorraine Badoy is right,” the President said.
Duterte said communist rebels have penetrated Congress through the Kabataan, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Alliance of Concerned Teachers and Gabriela party-lists.
“They are legal fronts ng the Communist Party of the Philippines… Ang gusto nila tapusin itong gobyernong ito (They want to end this government),” he said.
“Makita naman ninyo (You can see), the way they talk, behave,” he added. “Until the end of my day, I would continue to criticize and say something about itong mga (these) party-lists.”
Duterte also accused the Makabayan bloc—known for their progressive positions on national issues—of “being used by the rich or businesses.”
“Either binili nila ang party-list or nag-create sila because they can do it with their money,” he said. “Lahat ng negosyo dito na malalaki sa Pilipinas, nagbibigay sa NPA (New People’s Army).”
[Translation: Either they bought the party-list or they created it because they can do it with their money. All big businesses in the Philippines give money to the NPA.]
The NPA is the armed wing of the CPP. In December 2020, the Anti-Terrorism Council designated the CPP and the NPA as terrorist organizations.
The Makabayan bloc has repeatedly denied they are members of the CPP.
Badoy also red-tagged Vice President Leni Robredo. Badoy claimed that CCP founder Jose Maria Sison and the Makabayan bloc’s endorsement of Robredo’s presidential bid is an indication that the Vice President has “formed a tactical alliance with these communist terrorists.”
READ: Badoy faces 3 new Ombudsman complaints for red-tagging Robredo
Robredo has refuted claims linking her to the CPP.
