Francis Wurtz
President GUE/NGL
European Parliament
20 March 2003
Mr Satur Ocampo
Bayan Muna
Philippines
Dear Mr Satur Ocampo,
The Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) assassinated Mr Romulo Kintanar on 23 January 2003. The CPP-NPA has officially claimed this assassination. In the declarations which have followed the murder, the CPP spokesperson pointed out that Mr Kintanar had been “sentenced to death” for the first time in 1993-1994 (as well as other former leaders of the party). He stated that further assassinations could be envisaged and even threatened by name several persons who today belong to different political organisations.
Our parliamentary group, the GUE/NGL, can only condemn absolutely this policy of the CPP-NPA. We say it all the more firmly because our Group has been actively involved in recent months in defence of the CPP and of Mr Jose Maria Sison, so that they not be put on the “terrorist” list of the European Union.
At the time of these initiatives, our group also received you, Bayan Muna parlementarians. We wished to explore with you the possibilities for collaboration, as we were doing in a spirit of solidarity and pluralism with other Left lists in the Philippines (in particular those of Akbayan and Amin of Mindanao).
We are waiting today for our Philippine partners to firmly condemn the assassination of Mr Romulo Kintanar and to call on the CPP-NPA to radically change their policy. In particular, this party must officially announce that all “death sentences” pronounced against its former activists and leaders are definitely lifted.
This question has, in our opinion, huge importance. It must surely have the same for you.
Awaiting your response, please accept our most sincere greetings
Francis Wurtz
President of the GUE/NGL