CPP/NPA: NPA stands up to corrupt Aquino regime as Oplan Bayanihan falters in Western Samar

Posted to the CPP Website (Aug 31): NPA stands up to corrupt Aquino regime as Oplan Bayanihan falters in Western Samar

Vicente Magbuhat
Spokesperson
NPA Western Samar Provincial Operations Command (Arnulfo Ortiz Command)

The Arnulfo Ortiz Command (AOC) of the New People’s Army-Western Samar said today the NPA continues to hold the moral high ground and the terrain against the Aquino regime’s Oplan Bayanihan in the province. “The NPA is fighting for social justice and waging superior guerrilla warfare against a regime that is starting to unravel from corruption, puppetry and violence against the people,” said Ka Vicente Magbuhat, AOC spokesperson. “Thus the NPA remains unfazed against the military’s Oplan Bayanihan, which is furthering the interests of the rotten Aquino regime by committing state brutality against the people in the guise of “community spirit”. The Arnulfo Ortiz Command is rising to the occasion and earning victories in fighting intensive and extensive guerrilla warfare against Oplan Bayanihan.”

Ka Vicente Magbuhat noted the NPA is pursuing justice against human rights violators whom the Aquino regime coddle and reinvigorate with Oplan Bayanihan. “The Arnulfo Ortiz Command acknowledges the carrying out of the death penalty meted by the people’s court on retired Police Sr. Insp. Severino Solis last March 19 in Catbalogan City. Solis, 60, was a former police intelligence officer who participated in enforced disappearances, torture and extra-judicial killings in Catbalogan as a henchman of the butcher Gen. Jovito Palparan in 2005 and onwards. He was directly involved in the enforced disappearance of 67-year-old Patricio Abalos in 2005, who was tagged as an NPA supporter and who remains missing to this day. He was also directly involved in the extra-judicial killing of Bayan Muna leader Dominador de Luna. Solis committed many other human rights violations against social activists and the people under the Arroyo regime but remained unpunished. The death sentence was carried out by the special operations group of the Arnulfo Ortiz Command.”

The AOC spokesperson also said violations of international humanitarian law have not disappeared but have merely been reinvented as “community spirit” under Oplan Bayanihan. “The troopers of the 8th Infantry Division used to camp in the midst of civilian communities in violation of international humanitarian law. But now the 8th ID soldiers are living right inside the houses of civilians for as long as three to six months in the course of their “peace and development” operations. That’s “community spirit” all right – using civilian communities as human shields in a warzone! While also pretending to deliver fictitious social services, the 8th ID soldiers harass those they accuse as NPA supporters, impose curfews, restrict the free movement of civilians, ruin livelihoods, and force the people to live in the shadow of fear. These are now happening in the hinterland villages of Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Paranas, Motiong, Jiabong and Villareal.”

Heeding the people’s outcry, the AOC carried various guerrilla offensives against the 8th ID human rights violators. Ka Vicente Magbuhat noted at least 26 Aquino government forces were killed and 13 wounded in the following armed engagements between the NPA and 8th ID since Nov. 2012:

• Nov. 2012 – NPA fighters ambush operating troops of the 43rd IB, killing two and wounding one in Brgy. Bagacay, Matuguinao.
• Nov. 28, 2012 – NPA fighters punish enemy spy Laguyo de la Cruz and confiscate an M2 rifle and a .45 pistol in Brgy. Mahayag, Matuguinao.
• March 5, 2013 – NPA fighters harass combined elements of the 87th IB and 81st CMO Coy, killing four and wounding four more in Brgy. Canvais, Motiong.
• March 7, 2013 – NPA fighters ambush and kill seven from the same enemy units as in March 5 between Brgy. Canvais and Brgy. Sto. Niño, Motiong.
• March 11, 2013 – NPA fighters defend themselves and kill ten soldiers from the 87th IB in the latter’s raid on a guerrilla camp between Brgy. San Andres and Brgy. Hagbay, San Jose de Buan.
• March 13, 2013 – A soldier is killed and another one wounded when NPA soldiers have an encounter with 87th IB troops in Brgy. Hagbay, San Jose de Buan.
• March 19, 2013 – Human rights violator Sr. Insp. Severino Solis is meted punishment by the NPA special operations group in Catbalogan City.
• April 22, 2013 – NPA fighters encounter and wound seven from a unit of the 87th IB in Brgy. Agbalati, Catbalogan City.
• May 30, 2013 – NPA fighters ambush Chief Insp. Douglas Eloja, Paranas police chief, and three other policemen, who were allowed to escape unscathed as a warning over their abuses against the people, who complain of beatings and corruption by the town police.

Ka Vicente Magbuhat said the NPA will certainly intensify guerrilla offensives in Western Samar to further isolate and rock the Aquino regime to its foundations. “The NPA is cherished by the people for advancing their nationalist and democratic interests. On the other hand, the AFP is despised by the people for its mercenary character and brutal attacks on the people’s democratic rights. The NPA will surely carry out more offensives in support of the people’s struggle against the corrupt, fascist and pro-imperialist Aquino regime. Oplan Bayanihan and the Aquino regime are on their way to history’s garbage dump.”

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20130831_npa-stands-up-to-corrupt-aquino-regime-as-oplan-bayanihan-falters-in-western-samar