The Rev. Conrado Balweg’s break-away from the Communist Party of the Philippines (Special Edition, May 9) comes as no surprise. The radical movement has always tried to force out and discredit popular leaders they could not control.

Up to now, for instance, Mr. Teopisto Guingona is still attacked by members of the Bagong Alyasang Makabayan (BAYAN) for having led the moderates’ walk-out from that organization. BAYAN consistently describes Mr. Guingona’s BANDILA as a splinter, renegade organization which deserted the mainstream.

Then, there’s the shameless way in which the radicals in GABRIELLA engineered the resignation of Dr. Pardo de Tavera from that organization’s chairmanship.

The many decent people who think they can work with these radicals should take these events to heart. These people throw you overboard the moment you disagree with them and the to add insult to injury, slander you all over town as a traitor to the cause.

Karla V. Castillo