‘Ridiculous’: why do Philippine communist rebels keep rejecting Marcos Jnr’s amnesty offers?

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has dismissed the government’s most recent amnesty proposal as “ridiculous”, with observers saying there is little chance of ending the world’s longest running insurgency unless its root causes are addressed.

Earlier this month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr ordered an amnesty programme for the armed revolutionaries that would allow them to avoid prosecution for any crimes carried out as part of the insurgency. A previous amnesty programme offered in November was also summarily rejected.

Marco Valbuena, chief information officer of the CPP, sees no reason for the government to extend this kind of proposal.

“Why should the revolution seek absolution from the oppressors when it is the oppressors and exploiters who have done the people wrong?” the rebel leader told This Week in Asia on Thursday.

Communist guerillas forces, which are spread across the Philippines, mainly in rural areas, have been locked in armed skirmishes with the government since the late 1960s. However, the CPP says the fighting will carry on unless the roots of the armed conflict, namely widespread poverty and unjust policies, are addressed.

Marcos Jnr’s administration has been pushing a narrative that the decades-long conflict with the communist insurgents is coming to a close. Government and military officials have so far claimed that the rebels are on the run with their numbers dwindling, and just 11 “weakened” bases still operating in the country.

In March, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) promised to eradicate the guerillas by the end of that month.

National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año claimed in early April that about 1,500 insurgents had initially expressed a willingness to take the