NAGBIGAY ng pinakamataas na parangal ang Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) kay National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)-Northeast Mindanao Region spokesperson Maria Malaya na namatay sa isang matinding labanan sa pagitan ng New People’s Army at Philippine Army sa Barangay Pianing, Butuan City noong Pebrero 12.
Ayon sa CPP, na si Malaya, 71-anyos, (ipinanganak na Myrna Sularte) ay miyembro ng Central Committee at Political Bureau, ng Mindanao Commission at nagsilbing kalihim ng Northeast Mindanao Regional Party Committee.
Si Malaya ay biyuda ng tagapagsalita ng NPA na si Jorge Madlos (Ka Oris) na ang pagkamatay ay inihayag niya noong Oktubre 2021.
“The leadership and entire membership of the Communist Party of the Philippines, all Red fighters and commanders of the New People’s Army, and all revolutionary forces of the Filipino people, raise their clenched fists and pay tribute to Ka Maria Malaya (Myrna Sularte), one of the leading cadres of the Party and beloved warrior of the oppressed masses of workers, peasants and the Lumad people of Mindanao,” anang CPP sa isang kalatas noong Pebrero 14.
Sinabi ng CPP na si Malaya ay isang mahusay na kadre ng militar, at pinarangalan siya sa pagtulong sa NPA na umunlad nang komprehensibo sa hilagang-silangan ng Mindanao.
“Under Ka Maria’s unwavering leadership, the NPA and the people waged an unyielding struggle against the destructive and exploitative mining companies, plantations and ecotourism projects which drove the toiling masses away from their communities and devastated the environment,” anang Partido.
Ayon sa CPP,lumaki si Malaya sa kaginhawaan at nagtapos sa agro-technology sa kolehiyo ngunit pinili niya ang landas ng simpleng pamumuhay at mahirap na pakikibaka na katuon sa inaapi at pinagsasamantalahang masa.
“Not for one moment did her commitment to the revolutionary cause waver,” sabi ng Partido.
Sumali si Malaya sa CPP noong 1977 sa pinakamadilim na sandali ng batas militar ni Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
“She unfailingly fulfilled her duties as Party cadre and leader of the NPA, even when she was diagnosed with cancer which she managed for more than two decades through a disciplined regimen of proper food and treatment.”
Sinabi ng CPP na nagkakamali ang militar sa pag-iisip na ang pagkamatay ni Malaya ay lumikha ng kawalan ng pamumuno sa mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa sa Northeast Mindanao.
“In reality, the region has no dearth in veteran and young cadres who are more than capable of picking up the mantel of Ka Maria’s leadership and carrying forward her legacy. The Party has a well-established system of succession in place, ensuring continuity and stability of Party committees.”
Binigyan diin ng CPP na nagbigay-inspirasyon si Malaya at tumulong sa pag-oorganisa ng paglaban ng masang Manobo lumad sa pagtatanggol sa kanilang mga lupaing ninuno, at pagpigil sa higit pang pagsalakay ng tinatawag na mga proyektong pangkaunlaran sa Mindanao.
“For this, she earned the ire of the big bourgeois compradors and multinational corporations, who contributed funds to arm and train units of the enemy armed forces and paramilitary groups to fight the NPA, and ‘neutralize’ Ka Maria,” giit ng CPP.
“As the blood of revolutionary heroes once flowed through Ka Maria’s veins, so does her blood now flow in the veins of a new generation of Party cadres and Red fighters. They are determined, as Ka Maria once was, to advance the people’s war from one stage to the next, towards complete victory,” pagtatapos ng CPP. (ROSE NOVENARIO)