ALAB-Katipunan organisers were overjoyed when the organising coalition-particularly the bishops decided to transform themselves into a permanent co-ordination of the tri-people peace movement. Sectoral discussions are underway, and the KASAMA KA coalition will be formally launched in the coming weeks. [JD] * qG[SI- 200! 8 ss 102g
International Viewpoint #313 July 1999 21
ЗA PANGULO
PILIPINAS
* Philippines udittalb
"Kill the pushers!
Mark Johnson accompanied RWP-P activists to a 'red' slum in one provincial capital People here used to pay rent. But now the landlord wants to expel them, so that he can sell the land. He thinks he can get P1500/m? (US$40). None of the residents have that kind of money. The men occasionally work as day labourers or drivers. Some of the women sell snacks by the side of the road. But without seed capital from outside, even this kind of business is impossible for most families.
The Communist Party of the Philippines organised this district for over 30 years. Many young people were recruited join the communist guerrillas in the rural area.
But-because of this recruitment potential-the CPP's Maoist leadership neglected community organisation. Local campaigns would attract state attention? something undesirable for a "red base,' they argued.
Leaders of the breakaway RWP-P, now the province's largest communist group, are trying to overcome this legacy, but progress is painfully slow. The intensity of urban organising is much lower than in the party's rural base areas. Only 29 of the 300 households are organised.
The residents' organisation has prevented the development of prostitution in the district, but is unable to confront the drug gangs which have mushroomed in recent years.