E/CN.4/1991/17 page 69 Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which itself is part of a broader coalition, the National Democratic Front (NDF). The NDF demands comprehensive land reform, fundamental redistribution of wealth and power and removal of the United States bases. The NDF and its component groups have been declared illegal by the Government; mere membership of these organizations is a felony and punishable under the Revised Penal Code. The ruthless campaign against the insurgent movements and affiliated groups under the regime of President Marcos led to serious violations of human rights and to an increasing popular resistance resulting in the 1986 revolution. The new Government released most political detainees and started a reconciliation process. Early in 1987 the negotiations on a cease—fire broke down and the Government decided to resume the armed struggle. 211. A counter-insurgency strategy was developed, the so-called "total approach strategy", consisting of various phases. The first phase is called the "clearing phase" and is aimed at the destruction of the rebel forces by the mobile military units. The second phase is the "holding phase" wherein control over the recovered areas is transferred to the territorial (police) forces. The third phase, the so-called "consolidation phase", is meant to involve to an increasing degree the civilian authorities and "the committed citizenry" (the so-called civilian volunteer organizations, CVOs) to defend the society against undermining activities. The final phase is called the "development phase" and is aimed at solving the underlying causes of the insurgency by initiating livelihood projects, campaigns against illiteracy, etc. 212. It is this "total strategy approach" which is highly controversial in Philippine society. This controversy determines to a large degree the human rights discussion, since according to many sources the total approach strategy has led to a similar pattern of human rights violations as that prevalent under the Marcos regime. 213. Although the armed forces claim that the total approach strategy has been relatively successful, according to its own statistics there were at the end of 1989 still about 7,000 "insurgent-affected" barangays (the smallest administrative local unit) which is about one sixth of the total number; whereas the strength of the NPA was estimated at nearly 20,000 regulars. 214. Apart from these insurgent movements there have been a number of coup attempts by dissident military groups of which the RAM (Reform the Armed Forces Movement), headed by cashiered Lt. Colonel Gregorio Honasan, is the most important. From 1986 until 1989 there were six such attempts, and during the Special Rapporteur's visit a seventh coup attempt took place in Mindanao. This attempt was crushed in two days and unlike the previous ones, was not concentrated in the capital. Since August 1990 the capital area has been the target of more than 40 bomb attacks which are also attributed to these dissident military groups. 215. As a result of the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts the armed forces have a preponderant position in Philippine society. It should be noted, however, that under article II, Section 3 of the Constitution it is explicitly stated that civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military, and that article VII, Section 18 of the Constitution states that the President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Philippines.