Correction: MIM Notes 216

MIM Notes reprinted without comment an article by Jose Maria 
Sison, exiled founding chairpersyn of the Communist Party of the 
Philippines, which referred to "the rising anger of the Islamic 
countries and people that are outraged by the anti-Moro and anti-
Muslim genocidal war [waged by the u.$.-backed Philippine 
government] and are supporting the [Moro Islamic Liberation 
Front's] declaration of jihad."

It is correct to point out the spreading international opposition 
to the warmongering u.$.-puppet regime in the Philippines, which 
is not limited to Islamic countries. It is also correct to support 
the Moro people's right to self determination. However, MIM Notes 
did not distinguish "jihad," a religious concept, from protracted 
people's war, which is based on the class alliance of the 
proletariat and peasantry in the oppressed nations.

The u.$.-puppet government of the Philippines annexed the Moro 
homelands in 1946, despite the fact that Spanish and Amerikan 
colonizers had never subjugated the Moro people. The MILF 
correctly considers this annexation an "illegal usurpation of 
their legitimate rights for freedom and self-determination."(1) 
Consequently, the MILF does not consider itself bound by the 
Philippine constitution and rejects the sham peace deal signed by 
the moderate Moro National Liberation Front. Its long term goals 
include "self-reliance" and "to overcome criminalities, poverty, 
ignorance and sickness." 

These positions and policies are indicators of the progressive 
wing of the national bourgeoisie of an oppressed nation. In the 
oppressed nations, sectors of the bourgeoisie can unite with the 
oppressed classes in struggles against imperialism. Here in 
Amerika we have said that our future is linked to that of the 
Black bourgeoisie, represented in part by some Islamic groups.(2)

MIM believes that while the national bourgeoisie can play an 
important role in anti-imperialist struggles, only proletarian, 
socialist leadership will be able to mobilize the vast majority of 
the population to resist imperialist aggression. We believe a 
secular socialist government will best be able to overcome 
"poverty, ignorance and sickness." We failed to make this clear in 
MIM Notes 216.

Notes:

1. Interview with MILF Leader Sheikh Salamat Hashim, 
http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/ph2.htm

2. MIM gains exposure to Islam, MIM Notes 148.