Joma Sison: Alliance of Concerned Teachers not communist front

MANILA, Philippines — Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison has denied that the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) is a front organization of the CPP.

In a statement posted on the National Democratic Front website on Wednesday, Sison said he did not identify the teachers’ group as a front of the communist movement, contrary to the claim of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde.

“Albayalde is a big liar. I never identified or enumerated any legal organization as a front or façade of the CPP. The language is entirely that of the un-intelligent witch-hunting police dogs like Albayalde,” Sison said.

“I have always respected organizations adhering to the line of national independence and democracy as democratic formations independent of the CPP,” he added.

He said the alleged witch hunting being conducted by the police and military against democratic organizations was meant to intimidate critics of the government.

Sison said the Duterte administration wants to discredit the opposition.

“The witch hunt against ACT and other movements is part of the scheme of the government to intimidate and discredit the opposition to ensure that the administration candidates would win in the midterm elections,” he said.