Ka Leody says he’ll address NPA’s demands on land reform, injustice to end decades-long insurgency

Presidential aspirant and labor leader Leody de Guzman said he plans to end the decades-long insurgency problem in the country by meeting the demands of the New People’s Army (NPA), specifically on land reform and social injustices.

“Ang aking diskarte ay [tutugunan] ko ang lahat ng demands ng mga NPA na nakasulat doon sa kanilang dokumento at nabasa ko lahat, napakamakatarungan naman ang kanilang kahilingan sa tunay na reporma sa lupa,” he said during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Presidential Candidates Forum.

(My solution is to address the demands of the NPA which are stipulated in their documents. I believe that their demands are just, specifically on land reform.)

De Guzman mentioned how the past presidents failed to implement the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform in the country.

He then reiterated his promise to push for a genuine agrarian reform program.

At the same time, De Guzman said the NPA is fighting the government due to the social injustices where the rich are favored while the poor are subject to oppression.

“Hangga’t ganyan ang hustisya sa atin, e hindi talaga mapipigil ang paglaban ng mga tao at pag-abot sa paghawak ng armas. Kaya sa tingin ko kapag natugunan natin ang kanilang kahilingan mauubusan ng dahilan ang NPA na maghawak pa ng armas,” he said.

(As long as we tolerate this justice system, we cannot stop the people from taking up arms. That's why in my view, if we give what they are asking for, the NPA will no longer have reasons to rebel against the government.)

Beyond the problem in land reform and social justice, De Guzman said the urge of the communist rebels to go against the government is rooted on the “historical problem” which was left unresolved up until today.

“May malalim silang ipinaglalaban na problema ng ating lipunan. Historical problem ang pinanghuhugutan ng kanilang paglaban kaya kinakailangan i-address. ‘Pag na-address ‘yun kusa silang magbababa ng kanilang armas,” he said.

(Their rebellion has deep roots. They fight the government because of historical problems. That's why we need to address it. Once we are ablet o address it, they will automatically drop their arms.)

Mandatory military service

On the other hand, De Guzman nixed the mandatory military service which was earlier proposed by vice presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

He explained that the Philippines is not like South Korea which is “at war” with North Korea.

“Hindi ako sang-ayon sa pamamaraan ng giyera o baril o pagpatay. Walang mananalo d’yan sa paghahanda sa giyera dahil ang nanalo diyan ay ang mga malalaking kapitalistang gumagawa ng bala at armas,” he said.

(I do not favor wars or the use of guns. No one wins in any war. Only the capitalists who produces weapons and ammunitions wins in that situation.)

De Guzman said the government should focus on the fight against poverty and climate change.

“Yun ang dapat gawin at hindi yung utak pandarahas. Hindi effective ang paraang ‘yan,” he added

(That's what we need to do and we should not instill a mind that is for violence. That is not effective.)

Further, De Guzman said he would only encourage businessmen who treat their employees as “partners” to uphold his “labor first policy.”

“Di ko inaasahan ang mga kapitalistng gustong magsamantala sa mga manggawa,” he said, referring to those who are for contractualization, lower income for workers, and unjust firing of employees.

(I don't expect capitalists who take advantage of their workers to uphold this policy.)

He then vowed to provide “huge funds” to support the micro, small and medium enterprises so the government could strengthen local industries.

This, he said would prevent importation and it would likewise boost exportation of local products. — RSJ, GMA News