FACT CHECK | Robin Padilla’s claim that only the Philippines is dealing with insurgency is false

March 31, 2022 , 03:47 PM

(March 31, 2022 – UPDATED) – Senatorial candidate Robin Padilla claimed in a media interview that the Philippines is the only country dealing with rebellion, speaking in the context of communist insurgency.

His statement is false.

CLAIM:

Padilla, who’s running under Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan in the 2022 elections, told Global Daily Mirror that the Philippines should work toward attaining peace. He said the armed struggle still being waged by the New People’s Army (NPA) for more than five decades should come to an end.

“Nakakahiya na tayo. Isipin mo, Pilipinas na lang ang may rebelyon. Tingnan mo naman mga kapitbahay natin. Para tayong North Korea. Hindi man tayo formal na meron tayong democratic at communist na (lipunan) pero parang ganun na rin tayo,” said Padilla.

A former action star, Padilla clarified that he’s not against communism per se since other countries also have communist parties but he stressed that he does not support the protracted armed fighting. The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Padilla issued the remarks after saying he will continue supporting the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, which is notorious for red-tagging government critics, should he win a senatorial seat.

RATING: FALSE

FACTS:

It has been established that the Philippines has one of the longest communist insurgencies in the world. On Tuesday, the NPA marked its 53rd anniversary, stressing its goal of strengthening its ranks to push through with the revolutionary armed struggle.

But the Philippines is not the only country in the world dealing with communist insurgency.

In India, two groups—the People’s War Group and the Maoist Communist Centre—joined forces to form the Communist Party of India (Maoist), which international news outlet The Diplomat described as the “single largest armed group operating inside India.”

Its armed wing is known as the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army. Estimates peg the total population at 8,000 to 10,000 but the figures vary. Al Jazeera, an international news channel, reported that the CPI (Maoist) has a splinter group known as the Tritiya Prastuti Committee.

Rebels in India have a strong presence in the so-called Red Corridor but government forces claimed that their numbers have dwindled due to intensive counterinsurgency operations. The CPI (Maoist) has been banned by the Indian government since 2009.

In Turkey, rebel groups like the Maoist Communist Party of Turkey and the Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist-Leninist, among others, also have their respective military wings. Recent reports said they are still present mostly in the Tunceli area.

Moreover, the Philippines, a fully democratic country, is a far cry from North Korea, which identifies itself as an independent socialist state.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Padilla, an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, is one of the leading senatorial aspirants in the 2022 elections, garnering 47.3% in the survey conducted by Pulse Asia last February.

Under Duterte’s heavy-handed rule, the government employed a more aggressive attack against communist rebels and other dissenters.

Padilla has been fact-checked by the media in the past. Daily Guardian published a report on his claim that Andres Bonifacio was a victim of extrajudicial killings while Altermidya refuted his claim on the brutal drug war. Both Daily Guardian and Altermidya are part of Facts First PH.

Padilla’s latest statement, posted on Global Daily Mirror’s Facebook page, has garnered 764 reactions, 139 comments, and 23 shares. The video, meanwhile, where Padilla uttered his claim has 117 reactions, 34 comments, and 3,900 views as of writing.

News 5 is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, e-mail info@factsfirst.ph. Message News 5’s Facebook page if you want to have any claims fact-checked. Read our fact-checking policy here.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The article has been updated to correct the information about the anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA). It was the NPA, not the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), that marked its 53rd anniversary last Tuesday. CPP’s anniversary is on December 26.

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