By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
Chairperson, International League of Peoples’ Struggle
1 March 2008
I congratulate the people and the broad united front of patriotic, progressive and ecumenical forces for their resounding success in massing 75,000 rallyists in the inter-faith rally at Ayala Makati yesterday, despite the scare tactics and obstructions carried out by the Arroyo regime in a futile attempt to reduce attendance.
The fake president and her retinue of bureaucratic sycophants and military bully boys should be able to read the handwriting on the wall. They have been weighed and grievously found wanting. Their days are numbered. Their doom is in the horizon.
The next objective of the broad united front and the broad mass movement is to assemble at least 100,000 people at the focal point in the national capital region or even 500,000 people at the Rizal Park. The level of 100,000 to 500,000 protest rallyists is bound ignite the withdrawal of support from the regime by the bureaucracy and the military.
The size of the gigantic rally can be anticipated on the basis of prior success in holding widespread buildup rallies in communities, workplaces, farms, schools and other places in Metro Manila and the provinces. The groundswell of such buildup rallies will render impotent the pro-Arroyo military and police officers.
The tactics of mass mobilization used in the First Quarter Storm of 1970 and in the ouster of presidents in 1986 and 2001 are applicable to a large extent. There are advantages to avail in the public detestation of the crimes of the Arroyo regime, the accumulation of rich experience in mass mobilization, the higher development of mass organizations, unprecedented cooperation in the broad united front and the availability of old and new technology for efficient communications. ###
