Alsa Masa
Alsa Masa | |
---|---|
Dates of operation | 1984 1986 –1987 | –1985
Country | Philippines |
Motives | Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit |
The Alsa Masa was a rightwing vigilante group
Background
By the early 1980s, there had been about a decade of conflict between the Martial Law regime of President Ferdinand Marcos and the New People's Army of the Marxist–Leninist-Maoist Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
The CPP was established during the time of Marcos' first term as president by remnants of an earlier Marxist–Leninist party which had effectively been defeated by prior Presidential administrations. Barred from running for a third term as president, Marcos managed to extend his hold in power beyond two constitutionally-allowed four year terms by putting the Philippines under martial law in September 1972, citing social unrest in the wake of the economic instability created by his own debt-driven government spending during his reelection campaign.[7][8] Marcos played up the then still newly-formed Communist Party of the Philippines to help justify the declaration of Martial Law,[7][9]: "43" but this had the effect of mythologizing the group and making it easier to recruit Filipinos fleeing the administration's political suppression, or angered by the regime's numerous human rights abuses.[9][10]
Marcos had taken full control of the
During 1982, Marcos' forces gained several significant victories against the CPP in Mindanao, notably the death of prominent party thinker and idealogue Edgar Jopson in September.[16] But from 1983 onwards, various major events led to many Mindanaoans being radicalized and joining the NPA's ranks.[4]
The
Formation
In 1984, rightwing vigilantes headed by Marcos supporter and
Reconstitution
The Alsa Masa was then reconstituted in 1986 with the support of Philippine Constabulary Davao City Metropolitan Command commander Lt. Colonel Franco Calida.[25]
The Alsa Masa's efforts, coinciding with infighting within the NPA itself, caused the NPA in Mindanao to launch a hunt for deep penetration agents among their ranks and had the effect of reducing NPA presence in Davao. Meanwhile, Alsa Masa itself was documented to be committing human rights violations.[26][27]
Local responses in Davao
Most Davao residents remained staunchly against violence from either extreme.
People Power revolution
In February 1986, the Marcos regime was overthrown by the civilian-led
After 1987
In July 1987, the Aquino government created a concept called the
References
- ^ ISSN 0895-5018.
- ^ ISSN 0275-0392.
- ^ a b c d "IN THE KNOW: Alsa Masa". INQUIRER.net. 2018-11-19. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ a b c Arguillas, Carolyn O. (January 8, 2011). "Q and A with Jorge Madlos: "We were wrong in our political line"". MindaNews. Archived from the original on 2023-06-10.
- ^ a b c "Voices From Mindanao: Fear is not a good foundation for getting Mindanao out of the rut". February 8, 2020. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
- ^ a b "The Communist Insurgency in the Philippines: Tactics and Talks – Asia Report N°202 – 14 February 2011" (PDF). International Crisis Group. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-09-16.
- ^ a b c Celoza, Albert (1997), Ferdinand Marcos and the Philippines: the political economy of authoritarianism, Greenwood Publishing Group
- ^ "Declaration of Martial Law". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines.
- ^ OCLC 19266663.
- ^ "A History of the Philippine Political Protest". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
- ^ "Alfred McCoy, Dark Legacy: Human rights under the Marcos regime". Ateneo de Manila University. September 20, 1999.
- OCLC 57452454.
- ^ "Gone too soon: 7 youth leaders killed under Martial Law". Rappler. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
- ^ a b "3,257: Fact checking the Marcos killings, 1975–1985". www.manilatimes.net. April 12, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-04-12. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
- ^ Robles, Raissa (2016). Marcos Martial Law: Never Again. Filipinos for a Better Philippines, Inc.
- ^ "The Life and Death of Edgar Jopson". Human Rights Violations Victims' Memorial Commission. Government of the Republic of the Philippines. 2021-09-21.
- ^ Jun Ledesma (September 29, 2023). "Davao City's war versus terrorists and criminals".
- ^ from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- ^ "You Can Die Any Time". Human Rights Watch. April 6, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
- ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- ^ Guyot, E., 1988. Alsa Masa:" freedom Fighters" Or" death Squads?" (Vol. 16). Institute of Current World Affairs.
- ^ Mydans, Seth (1987-04-04). "Right-wing vigilantes spreading in the Philippines". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2023-11-22.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
- ^ May, Ronald J. 1992. Vigilantes in the Philippines: From Fanatical Cults to Citizens’ Organizations https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/9a765d5c-1000-44a0-b37a-534bac82f646/content
- ^ Fineman, Mark (1987-03-15). "Philippine Vigilantes Forming to Face Rebels : Aquino Government Appears to Endorse Action; Thousands Deputized as Movement Spreads". Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- JSTOR 762379.
- ^ "Philippines: Drop Proposal for New Militia". Human Rights Watch. 2021-07-01. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- OCLC 644320116.
- ^ ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
- ^ Tupas, Jefry (February 5, 2012). "Davao's 'Nanay' passes away". InterAksyon.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
- ^ Fineman, Mark Jr.; Williams, Nick (1987-01-30). "Philippine Reds Quit Peace Talks". Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ Abasola, Leonel (September 27, 2022). "Solon seeks more benefits for WPS security forces, CAFGU members". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.