‘Brother, . . . Open Your Mind,’ Kin of General Urges

MANILA — One brother appealed to another across the gulf of Philippine politics Wednesday to stop supporting deposed President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Leftist rebel leader Antonio Zumel published an open letter to Gen. Jose Maria Zumel, his older brother, who took part in the failed coup that ended Tuesday.

The younger Zumel is a former journalist who went underground when Marcos imposed martial law in 1972.

In his letter, the leftist wrote:

“Dear brother, I ask you now, as I did before martial law, to open your mind to the realities of our society and to align yourself with our people instead of with our exploiters and oppressors.

“I don’t mind telling you that I and perhaps other kin were greatly saddened by your affinity and service to the Marcos dictatorship, which caused so much pain and suffering to our people.”

Antonio Zumel has been named as a negotiator representing Communist guerrillas in cease-fire talks with the Aquino government.

He evaded arrest for 14 years and is believed to be chairman and spokesman of the National Democratic Front, an umbrella organization of leftist groups, including the Communist Party and its fighting arm, the New People’s Army.

Gen. Zumel, who was close to the Marcos family, commanded the Philippine Military Academy for about four years until Marcos was toppled in February.