Unearthing a hidden undercurrent

The revelation that a neophyte legislator in the House of Representatives has ties to the Communist Party of the Philippines is like unearthing a hidden undercurrent in the political landscape.

The exposé of former communist combatants during Wednesday's Senate panel inquiry on the radicalization and recruitment of the youth for the armed revolution is like a seismic wave that has rippled through the corridors of power. Could it be that a long-buried secret has been brought to light, casting a dramatic glow on the political stage?

Ariane Jane Ochate Ramos, alias Marikit, the former secretary of the New People's Army's Guerrilla Front 55, Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, said Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel is a member of the CPP but not of the latter's armed wing — the New People's Army.

Another former CPP-NPA cadre, Kate Raca, said she worked directly with Manuel in recruiting for the underground communist youth group Kabataang Makabayan and the CPP at the University of the Philippines.

Kate, a former teacher in Palawan who joined the NPA as an instructor in 2019, claimed she knew Manuel very well because she worked with him when he was the UP student regent.

"We facilitated NPA recruitment at the University of the Philippines, so I am sure he will deny this, my good old friend and workmate Raoul Manuel," she said.

Who wouldn't be surprised? Arianne and Kate tossed a lit match into a powder keg of political discourse, stirring ideological tempests and casting a shadow of suspicion over the newcomer's every move.

Manuel's denial is to be expected, so says Arianne. "He will deny it, like we always do because it is our responsibility to hide our identities as members of underground mass organizations and the CPP."

Carrying an air of intrigue and paradox, the revelations bring to the fore the complex interplay between past and present, allegiances and transformations.

In political theater, this exposé is the equivalent of a dramatic plot twist, instantly altering the narrative and injecting a potent dose of controversy into the storyline. Like a polarizing character in a gripping drama, the neophyte legislator's communist affiliations become a focal point that would trigger debates, impassioned speeches, and perhaps even a few behind-the-scenes power plays.

Arianne and Kate's revelations went beyond mere affiliations. Their courage goes beyond personal narratives; they serve the higher purpose of aiding legislation by bringing to light possible threats to national security, guided by a commitment to truth and a sense of duty to their country.

The red-tagging issue in the Philippines has long been shrouded in controversy, often resulting in a climate of fear and intimidation. The decision of these former rebels to speak out in a public forum, under the scrutiny of the law, adds a layer of authenticity to their claims. By doing so, they expose themselves to potential reprisals from the very groups they once belonged to.

Inevitably, the implications stir the waters of unforgiving public perception. Like a stone cast into a tranquil pond, the revelation sends out waves of uncertainty and skepticism, challenging the balance of trust between the people and their elected representatives in Congress.

Whether we like it or not, peace-loving Filipinos will now scrutinize the solon's every step, and his every word will be dissected for signs of either ideological allegiance or genuine commitment to the democratic process.