Rebels Not Supported by People, Aquino Says

President Corazon Aquino told the country’s 24,000 Communist rebels Sunday that they have lost the battle for the hearts and minds of the Filipino people.

“People power is here to stay,” Aquino said in a speech at a suburban army camp. She was referring to her victory over deposed President Ferdinand E. Marcos just over a year ago. She added that political survival hinges on remaining “in step with the people. . . .”

“That is the reality that confronts a stubborn Communist insurgency that has yet to know that it has already lost its heart and soul . . . the hope and trust of the people,” Aquino said. “The battle for hearts and minds was won a year ago.”

‘National Will’

Apparently incensed by stepped-up guerrilla attacks after a cease-fire ended Feb. 8, she warned that “those who misread the national will and overestimate their public support will fall by the wayside.”

Aquino, who is trying to unite the military behind her government, was speaking to a luncheon of 400 artillery officers.

The officers presented her with a written promise of support and gave her a two-foot-long artillery shell casing to keep the document in.

Meanwhile, an opposition alliance that includes politicians linked to Marcos announced candidates for May congressional elections. The 24 candidates in the opposition Grand Alliance for Democracy include Marcos’ former running mate, Arturo Tolentino, and former Labor Minister Blas Ople, who served under Marcos during his entire 20-year rule.

Enrile in Group

Also in the group is former Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, a main figure in the anti-Marcos rebellion who later split with Aquino.

“We are forgetting past differences for the sake of democracy,” said Francisco Tatad, the coalition’s spokesman. “At stake is the survival of democracy in the Philippines.”

The Manila Times reported Sunday that Marcos has funneled about $15 million into the country through Hong Kong to finance pro-Marcos candidates. The newspaper said that Enrile and others in the alliance were angry over Marcos’ attempts to influence the selection of right-wing candidates.

At a separate news conference, the leftist People’s Party announced it will field seven candidates calling for land reform.

The party contends that the Aquino government has “zealously protected and advanced its own version of elite rule.”

Former Top Communist

The party’s candidates include former Communist guerrilla leader Bernabe Buscayno, founder and former commander of the Communist New People’s Army. Buscayno, 43, served 10 years in jail during the strong-arm rule of Marcos. Aquino freed him one month after she swept to power in a civilian-backed military uprising in February, 1986.

A leftist candidate of such background as Buscayno has not been allowed to run in a Philippine election since the official Communist Party of the Philippines was outlawed in 1955.

Also among the leftist candidates are peasant leader Jaime Tadeo, former beauty queen-turned-activist Nelia Sancho and Gov. Jose Burgos of Ilocos Sur in northwestern Luzon.

Aquino and candidates she supports for Senate seats planned a rally today in Batangas province south of Manila to launch their campaign for the May 11 congressional elections.