“We saw in 2019 how the anti-imperialist and democratic struggles of the people spread throughout the world, in the heartlands of monopoly capitalism. Despite the restraining effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns, the mass struggles against imperialism continued in the streets as well through the electronic media in 2020. In fact, the pandemic has further exposed the anti-social and anti-environmental character of the capitalist system and at the same time aggravated the crisis of this system.”
Thus remarked Prof. Jose Ma. Sison, founding chairperson of the Communist Party of the Philippines and chief political consultant of the NDFP peace panel, during the cyber launching of his latest book, Resist Neoliberalism, Fascism and Wars of Aggression, held today via Zoom participated in by several dozens of activists, academicians, advocates, supporters and friends from around the world.
Providing an overview of his latest book, Professor Sison said it reflects the severity of the global crisis as well as the crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system in the Philippines and the consequent upsurge of anti-imperialist and democratic struggles in 2019. It also provides readers, he notes, with insights on the root causes of the social discontent and turbulence that have continued in 2020 and are predicted to intensify in the coming years and decade.
Giving a brief overview of the Philippine situation, Luis Jalandoni, Chief International Representative of the NDFP, said while the revolutionary forces continue to grow significantly under the Duterte fascist regime, it continues to be isolated and exposed internationally as the Duterte regime faces international condemnation for its crimes against the Filipino people, and which even the International Criminal Court has found to have a basis for trying the regime for crimes against humanity.
Prof. Lisa Itoh, professor at the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, and secretary general of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines, and commenting on Sison’s latest book, noted the breath and depth of Sison’s writings which reflect the larger narrative of Philippine society and revolution. She also took note of the diverse audience that Sison has as reflected in the various forms and media in which he writes.
Professor of sociology Dr. Peter Chua of the San Jose State University of California, said that throughout Sison’s articles, messages and interviews, one can find important pointers, guidance and insights to aid in the further development of those forces struggling for social change. One clear guidance, Professor Chua said of Sison’s writings relates to political education in terms of their incisive contents as well as an approach that advancaes a democratic and disciplined style of study.
Prof. Sarah Raymundo, Director of the U.P. Center for International Studies, in her remarks on the book said the theme in Sison’s latest book encapsulates a mode of resistance that can very well be recognized as his vital contribution to revolutionary theory and proletarian internationalism.
During the open forum, when asked about the lessons that could be learned by the Philippine mass movement in the struggle of African-Americans in the US led by the Black Lives Matter movement, Prof. Chua said addressing black issues should fundamentally address the economic situation of black Americans specifically in the margins of American society. He said the BLM movement highlighted the repression and police brutality toward African-Americans, and the consequent domestic and international solidarity it generated.
Addressing the issue of regime change in the Philippines in 2022, Professor Sison stressed that Duterte still pursues his ambition to rule as a fascist dictator or else he can choose his successor like his daughter, Sara, and decide the results of the elections because his close business and political crony Dennis Uy, controls the TIM Corporation which is the Philippine partner of Smartmatic. It was through the TIM-Smartmatic mechanism that Duterte was able to rig the 2019 mid-term elections, obtain a supermajority in both houses of Congress and make the likes of Bato dela Rosa and Bong Go senators.
“If Duterte insists on becoming a fascist dictator, there would be an explosion of protests, and if he survives a few more years because of a chosen successor, it would be for a short span of time as bigger cracks will appear in the system and in the long run, as his US and Chinese imperialist handlers would consider him a liability to their interests in the long run,” Sison emphasized.
The cyber launch was also highlighted by a video film showing the global resurgence of people’s resistance amidst the worsening economic and political crises and escalating oppression and exploitation, and a closing MTV titled “Pulang Saludo” (Red Salute) dedicated to Professor Sison who will be celebrating his birthday on February 8, 2021.
The cyber launch was hosted by Dr. Joi Barrios of the Department of Southeast Asian Studies of the University of California-Berkeley. The cyber launch was organized and produced by the Media Communications Group of the NDFP International Information Office.#