Neoliberalism and state terrorism in the Philippines: the fingerprints of Phoenix

Abstract

State terrorism is a form of terrorism which sometimes occurs when governments implement neoliberal policies lacking widespread support. From 2001 to 2010, the Philippines experienced a wave of assassinations implemented to destroy the infrastructure of the New People's Army, a Maoist group engaged in warfare against the state. These killings, reminiscent of the Phoenix Program in Vietnam, were initiated to eliminate the articulation of a counter-hegemonic project. In studying terrorism, it is essential to examine terrorism carried out by the states. Terrorism must not be confined to acts committed by non-state groups acting against the neoliberal order.

Keywords:

• Philippines
• neoliberalism
• state terrorism
• Phoenix Program

Notes

1. Macapagal-Arroyo ceased being the President in July 2010 but, in a highly unusual move, ran for the House of Representatives and became a Congressional representative.

2. The Fraser Institute is a neoliberal think-tank located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Every year it surveys the firms of the global mining industry to assess the investment attractiveness of various jurisdictions.

3. While the creation of an independent commission to investigate the killings by the very government allegedly responsible for carrying out the killings may sound bizarre, one must bear in mind that contradictions often occur within the context of state terrorism with some state agencies masterminding state terrorism and other agencies of the same state simultaneously working on improving human rights conditions. As Blakeley (2009, p. 37) wrote, ‘No state or government can be seen as a single decision maker, or as a homogenous group. Rather it is a complex web of connections between numerous entities that have varying degrees of autonomy.’

4. There were also many victims of extrajudicial killings who are people who have little, if anything, to do with the CPP or the NPA but who ran afoul of some powerful interest in society, such as mining companies, logging companies, plantation owners or local politicians. As Parreno (2010, p. 42) stated, ‘Activists are among the most passionate advocates for reform and change. Their work takes them more often than not, bitterly at odds with the advocates of the status quo and who incidentally occupy the pinnacles of power in Philippine society.’ Accurately differentiating these victims from those killed by the AFP is very difficult.

5. This PowerPoint presentation is entitled ‘JCICC AGILA 2007’.

6. India, with its Naxalite insurgency, is another country implementing neoliberal policies while coping with a Maoist insurgency (Mehra 2011).