National Democratic Mass Organization Explained

National Democratic Mass Organization (NDMO) is a collective term in the Philippines for sectoral mass organizations that subscribe to National Democratic principles,[1] with many of these serving as fronts for the Communist Party of the Philippines. [2]

These organizations are frequently red-tagged by the Philippine government and the military, as NDMOs recognize, but do not openly support,[3] the Communist rebellion in the Philippines[4] because of their belief that the roots of poverty such as imperialism, feudalism, and "bureaucrat capitalism" are still very much alive in the Philippines.[5] In a statement, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary-general Renato Reyes explained that they refuse to condemn armed struggle in the Philippines because they claim that doing so “will only lead to the denial of the social basis of armed conflict and falls right into the militarist approach.”[6]

Notable examples of NDMOs in the country include Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Anakpawis, GABRIELA, and Kabataan Partylist.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: On Lisandro Claudio and red-tagging. Manila Times. June 17, 2019.
  2. Web site: Ex-rebels: Vote for ‘KABAG’ party-list bloc is vote for Reds. Manila Times.
  3. Web site: Ramos . Christia Marie . 2020-11-24 . Zarate, Casiño say doors on political settlement with CPP-NPA should remain open . 2022-05-06 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  4. Web site: Stinus-Cabugon. Marit. 2019-06-17. On Lisandro Claudio and red-tagging. 2021-11-11. The Manila Times. en.
  5. Web site: Kabataan Party List founds Katipunan chapter in Ateneo. The GUIDON. March 2017.
  6. Web site: Why Bayan won't condemn NPA, armed struggle to avoid red-tagging. 2022-05-06 . www.gmanetwork.com . en.
  7. Web site: Filipino American National Democratic Activism: A Lens to Seek Historical Justice for U.S. Imperialism in the Philippines . Oberlin College. 2018.