Though much of the electricity network needs modernization, whenever the power fails in the Philippines these days, most people will suspect sabotage by the rebel National People’s Army, (NPA) for whom power lines and generating stations have become favorite targets. The disruptions caused by a blackout such as that two years ago which robbed 35 million people on Luzon of power is a telling piece of propaganda for a group of Communist insurgents who oppose the country’s busy capitalism and the government’s close ties with Washington. Yesterday the NPA tried to bring about another blackout when they attacked a 600MW power station only 50 miles from Manila. They were repulsed by army guards after a fierce firefight. At least three soldiers and three NPA men died in the assault.
Why one may ask, are classic Maoist insurgents apparently flourishing at a time when the Communist creed they advance has been so roundly discredited most everywhere else in the world? How can as many as 9,000 rebels be able to sustain themselves despite the concerted campaign of the Philippine authorities backed vigorously by US advisers since 9/11?
The law of physics which states that every action creates and equal and opposite reaction applies equally to politics. Extremism creates and fosters extremism. Inflexibility breeds and sustains inflexibility. There is an argument that the failure to undo the extreme corruption and inequalities that developed over the long Marcos years has brought about the no less debilitating reaction of doctrinaire Marxism. These rebels are of course criminals, who whip up support among communities that see no future for themselves with the legitimate government. And where there is no support, they use murder and terror and robbery to gain their ends.
Nevertheless their existence is evidence of the continuing failure of successive post-Marcos governments to redress the awful inequalities and distortions in Filipino society. The vested interests who grew rich and powerful under Marcos are still running the country. The promised reforms have taken far too long to happen. After the disappointment of the Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos administrations, there came the humiliation of Joseph Estrada’s two-year presidency before he was impeached and succeeded by his deputy, Gloria Arroyo.
After wavering, Arroyo has now decided to stand for re-election this year. But can she really do better in a second term? At every turn, politicians have promised to make radical changes but far too little has happened. The army has mutinied. The Maoists seem to be growing in strength. If reforms do not come soon, the equal and opposite reaction to official failure could be extremely unpleasant.
