Red Revolution

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 1 JAN 1989

Jones, Manila correspondent for the Washington Post , spent much of 1987-1988 in ``red zones'' in the Philippines talking with Communist leaders, guerrillas of the New People's Army and Filipinos living in Communist-controlled rural barrios. His access to outlaw sources was remarkable, and so is his book, a detailed, objective depiction of a clandestine revolutionary movement in the midst of its protracted struggle. Jones scores an impressive coup in presenting convincing evidence that the 1971 Plaza Miranda bombing (its victims were leading critics of Ferdinand Marcos) was not conceived by Marcos but by the Communist Party of the Philippines. The rebel leadership expected the bombing to spark an uprising that would lead to an early Communist victory. Things didn't work out that way, but the bombing, according to the author, was a brilliant tactical move in view of Marcos's fierce response and the ability of the CPP to exploit it. Jones expects the struggle to simmer on for years, and notes that the Aquino government has made ``precious little headway'' against the movement. Photos not seen by PW.