Monday, May 6, 2019

NPA leader found dead in Batangas

From the Philippine Star (May 7, 2019): NPA leader found dead in Batangas
MANILA, Philippines — Police and military personnel recovered on Sunday the decomposing body of a New People’s Army (NPA) leader in San Juan, Batangas.

Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, 202nd Infantry Brigade commander, said the fatality was identified by his relatives as Domingo Raso, who was believed killed in an encounter in Sitio Maquitib, Barangay Quipot on April 29.

According to intelligence reports, Raso was a platoon leader and member of the secretariat and executive committee of the NPA’s sub-regional military


Raso’s body was discovered after residents of Sitio Mambog, Barangay Sampiro complained about an ”unusually foul odor.”

“According to the people in the area, there is a possibility that crows, monitor lizards and even stray dogs have feasted on the face of the slain terrorist leader in the past five days since the body was left by fleeing rebels,” Lt. Col. Jonathan Mariano, First Infantry Battalion commander, said.

5 suspects, including 2 MILF members, nabbed in Sultan Kudarat drug bust

From the Manila Bulletin (May 5, 2019): 5 suspects, including 2 MILF members, nabbed in Sultan Kudarat drug bust
ISULAN, SULTAN KUDARAT – Anti-narcotics operatives busted a local drug network following the arrest of five of its members, including two alleged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in a drug bust operation here over the weekend.

Naravy Duquiatan, Philippine Drug Enfocement Agency-12 regional chief, said PDEA agents and police anti-narcotics operatives conducted the drug entrapment operation along the national highway in Barangay Kalawag here which resulted in the arrest of Noraida Sabang, 34; Namraida Sengkong, 32; Baldido Nasser, 25; Zainoden Until, 29 and Anwar Macapendeg, 26. Until and Macapendeg were said to be members of MILF based on the identification cards confiscated from them.

Duquiatan said the arresting lawmen seized from them some 100 grams of shabu worth P700,000.

The PDEA official said the suspects are members of the Ameril drug group, operating in Central Mindanao whose leader Allan Ameril was nabbed in a drug bust in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat last year.

She said the arrested suspects came from Cotabato City aboard a Toyota Hi-ace van who agreed to deliver the illegal drugs to a PDEA poseur buyer here when they were collared.

Charges for selling illegal drugs were filed against the suspects.

Meanwhile, PDEA agents and policemen arrested two notorious drug traffickers in an entrapment operation in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Juvenal Azurin, PDEA regional chief for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, identified the suspects as Basir Benito, 26, a teacher, and Simen Sambolawan, who yielded about 51 grams of methampetamine hydrochloride worth P350,000 in a drug bust operation in Barangay Kabengi, Datu saudi Ampatuan town.

PDEA tagged the suspects as notorious drug traffickers operating in Maguindanao.

Charges for selling the illegal substance have been filed against the suspects who are currently detained at the detention facility of PDEA-BARMM regional office in Cotabato City.

13-year-old ‘red fighter’ captured in NegOcc

Posted to Panay News (May 6, 2019): 13-year-old ‘red fighter’ captured in NegOcc

A 13-year-old boy, who is allegedly a member of the New People’s Army (NPA), was captured in Sitio Dawhan, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

The 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (62IB) identified the minor as “red fighter” and turned him over to the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Himamaylan City.

Lieutenant Colonel Egberto Dacoscos, 62IB commanding officer, said the young NPA fighter was nabbed after his comrades fled during a 15-minute gunfight between military troops and rebels around 7 a.m. on Saturday.


Dacoscos said he deployed troops to Sitio Dawhan after receiving information about the presence of the communist rebels harassing and extorting the residents.

“We appreciate the bravery of our civilian-partner stakeholders who reported the presence of these abusive terrorists,” the army official said.

After the troops secured the area, seven backpacks with subversive documents, an improvised explosive device and a rebel flag were recovered.

“The Philippine Army and Philippine National Police are always ready to help you against these terrorists, we need to drive them out so that we can have progress in our community,” Dacoscos stressed.

https://www.panaynews.net/13-year-old-red-fighter-captured-in-negocc/

China slams US warships operation in South China Sea

From Al-Jazeera (May 6, 2019): China slams US warships operation in South China Sea

China says the entry of vessels in disputed sea is a violation of its sovereignty amid tense ties between two nations.

The South China Sea is one of a growing number of flashpoints in the US-China relationship [File: US Navy Handout/Reuters]

The South China Sea is one of a growing number of flashpoints in the US-China relationship [File: US Navy Handout/Reuters]

Two US warships sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Monday, the US military said, in a move condemned by Beijing at a time of tense relations between the world's two biggest economies.

The US guided-missile destroyers Preble and Chung Hoon travelled within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands, a US military spokesperson told Reuters news agency.

Commander Clay Doss, a spokesman for the Seventh Fleet, said that the "innocent passage" was "to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law."

The Chinese navy asked the US vessels to leave after they entered waters in the Spratly Islands, which Beijing calls Nansha, the foreign ministry said.

"The relevant actions of the US warships violated China's sovereignty and undermined peace, security and good order in the relevant sea areas," ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a press briefing.

"The Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition" to the operation, Geng added, noting that the ships had entered "without permission".

The South China Sea is one of a growing number of flashpoints in the US-China relationship, which also include a trade war, US sanctions and self-ruled Taiwan.

US President Donald Trump dramatically increased pressure on China to reach a trade deal by announcing on Sunday he would raise US tariffs on $200bn worth of Chinese goods this week and target hundreds of billions more soon.
Competing claims
The US military has a long-standing position that its operations are carried out throughout the world, including in areas claimed by allies, and that they are separate from political considerations.

Monday's operation, which was first reported by Reuters, was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing's efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, where Chinese, Japanese and some Southeast Asian navies operate.

China claims almost all of the strategic South China Sea and frequently lambastes the United States and its allies over naval operations near Chinese-occupied islands.

Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan have competing claims in the region.

China and the US have repeatedly traded barbs in the past over what Washington says is Beijing's militarisation of the South China Sea by building military installations on artificial islands and reefs.

China defends its construction as necessary for self-defence and says it is the US that is responsible for ratcheting up tensions in the region by sending warships and military planes close to islands Beijing claims.

"China will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea," Geng said, urging "the US to stop such provocative acts".

Last month, China's navy chief said freedom of navigation should not be used to infringe upon the rights of other countries.

In January, China's foreign ministry lodged a "stern complaint with the US" after its navy vessel sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands, claimed by China, in the South China Sea.

The latest freedom of navigation operation comes weeks after a major naval parade marking 70 years since the founding of the Chinese navy. The US sent only a low-level delegation to the Chinese navy anniversary events.

Campaign materials of Bayan Muna, Kabataan seized in NPA camps

From the Manila Bulletin (May 6, 2019): Campaign materials of Bayan Muna, Kabataan seized in NPA camps

Soldiers seized campaign materials of partylist groups in a raid in an alleged encampment of the New People’s Army (NPA) in a remote area of Rizal town in Palawan, with the military saying it was a proof of these groups’ links with the Communist rebels.



(WESTMINCOM / MANILA BULLETIN)

Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said that aside from campaign materials for partylist groups Bayan Muna and Kabataan, military intelligence operatives also seized a sniper rifle, several bullets and suppressor for an M14 rifle.

He said the operation was conducted in Barangay Culasian in Rizal town over the weekend.

“This could indicate the truth that some people are helping them in the New People’s Army,” said Arevalo.

The military has been accusing militant partylist groups as front legal organizations of the NPA.

The military has already sought the assistance of the Commission on Elections on this allegation, saying it is a violation of existing election rules.

Militant partylist groups representatives, for their part, assailed the AFP for Red-tagging them.

“We should remember that the AFP has been warning candidates and partylist groups to refrain from paying to the NPA,” said Arevalo.

Recently, the military also revealed that they also recovered campaign materials after a brief gun battle with communist rebels in Negros Occidental.

The military, according to Arevalo, is still in normal alert.

Hundreds flee North Cotabato village after NPA attack on Army post

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 6, 2019): Hundreds flee North Cotabato village after NPA attack on Army post

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Hundreds of civilians left their homes at Sitio Katindu in Barangay Malibatuan, Arakan town, following an attack by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels at a nearby detachment on Monday morning, a police official said.

Town police chief Captain Jose Marie Molina said at least 20 rebels of Guerilla Front 53 tried but failed to overrun a military detachment in the village. He said NPA’s invasion try merely resulted to a firefight that lasted almost 30 minutes.

According to Molina, four regular members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 19th Infantry Battalion and backed by members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) ably defended their camp and prevented the rebels from coming closer.

“There are no reported casualties but civilians left their homes in the sitio (sub-village),” Molina noted.

About a hundred individuals temporarily stayed at the village hall while the military cleared the area.

Molina said villagers were advised to stay in safer areas and wait for instructions from military authorities on when it would be safe to return.

Village officials tended to the basic needs, particularly food and water, of affected civilians.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) has sent a team to assess the situation of evacuees for possible assistance.

In February, the village council passed a resolution declaring NPA rebels as persona non grata and vowed not to support their activities.

The same resolution also manifested the support of village officials and residents to the military by giving information regarding the presence of rebels in their place.

Philippines: Mindanao Humanitarian Situation as of 02 May 2019

Posted to the Relief Web (May 2, 2019): Philippines: Mindanao Humanitarian Situation as of 02 May 2019

INFOGRAPHIC from UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Published on 06 May 2019


Download PDF (944.92 KB)


Over 51,400 people are displaced due to three simultaneous law enforcement operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against non-state armed groups in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Sulu in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Local authorities are leading the response, supported by the Red Cross and humanitarian partners. Access is a challenge in remote areas, especially in the island provinces of Sulu.

DISPLACEMENT IN MAGUINDANAO

46,360 Displaced population

More than 46,000 people remain displaced due to security operations against remnants of the Bangasamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao since March, particularly in areas within Salbu, Pagatin, Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak, also known as the SPMS box.

DISPLACEMENT IN LANAO DEL SUR

940 Displaced population

In Lanao del Sur, more than 940 people are still displaced due to the armed encounters between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the remnants of the Maute armed group. The remaining displaced people in Lanao del Sur are sheltered in schools, madrasahs or are staying with host families.

DISPLACEMENT IN SULU

4,170 Displaced population

In the island provinces of Sulu, 4,170 people are still displaced due to continuing armed conflict between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the non-state armed organization Abu Sayyaf Group.

MARAWI CONFLICT

66,000 Displaced population

Nearly two years after the Marawi conflict, over 66,000 people remain displaced, mostly staying with host familes while more than 900 families (an estimated 4,500 people) are still sheltered in four evacuation centres. The government plans to transfer 364 families to the Boganga temporary shelter before end of March. Task Force Bangon Marawi continues to conduct the IDP profiling in the most affected areas in Marawi City. The Task Force conducted a two-day consultation for residents of the most affected areas on 18 March. During the consultation, IDPs were updated the rehabilitation of Marawi City, and were given an opportunity to air their sentiments and concerns.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs:
To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.

https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-mindanao-humanitarian-situation-02-may-2019

CPP/Sison: Prospects during and after the May 13 elections

Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 6, 2019): Prospects during and after the May 13 elections

JOSE MARIA SISON
CHIEF POLITICAL CONSULTANT
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES
MAY 06, 2019



1. The opposition senatorial candidates will surely win because of their powerful issues against the tyrannical, treasonous, mass murdering, plundering and inflation-generating Duterte regime.

2. But Duterte has the power and opportunity to rig the elections because of his total control of Comelec officials, personnel and computer machines and the Comelec-deputized military and police officers in Mindanao and in designated “trouble spots” in Luzon and the Visayas to ensure the success of electoral cheating. It is ominous that Namfrel is prevented from performing its role as electoral watchdog. And publlc school teachers belonging to ACT and the opposition poll watchers are being red-tagged and being intimidated en masse.

3. The broad masses of the people, the opposition parties and cause-oriented organizations are well aware of the scheme of the Duterte regime to rig the elections. When the rigging occurs, they will certainly be outraged and be ready to rise up against the regime.

4. The Duterte regime will harp on its false electoral victory and undertake more draconian measures in order to suppress the broad opposition and railroad the bogus federalism to complete the process of establishing a fascist dictatorship and to counter the prosecution of Duterte and his criminal cohorts by the International Criminal Court upon the end of his term.

5. At the same time, the regime may approach the anti-Duterte conservative opposition and the Catholic Church with threats and offers of reward and compromise. It remains to be seen how the anti-Duterte conservative opposition will respond to the Duterte approaches and take into account the broad united front and mass movement against Duterte.

6. The regime may approach the National Democratic Front of the Philippines for the resumption of the peace talks if only to split the broad mass movement against the regime. But it is more likely that the regime will never make the approach to maintain its consistent line of scapegoating the CPP and NPA as the excuse for its draconian policies and measures. In the first place, the NDFP will respect the outrage of the people over the electoral rigging and will support the people’s movement for the ouster of the tyrant Duterte.

7. Most of the anti-Duterte conservative oppositionists will reject Duterte’s threats and offers of compromise for patriotic and democratic reasons and for the wisdom and long-term advantage of siding with the people’s movement to oust Duterte.

8. Although continuously targeted for red-tagging and exemplary murders, the cause-oriented organizations and their leaders will be more determined than ever to undertake protest mass actions and seek the ouster of the tyrannical Duterte regime.

9. Because of Duterte’s election rigging and his drive for bogus federalism and fascist dictatorship, he will be the cause of continuous turbulence and turmoil in the Philippines. His imperialist patrons can eventually junk him for being more of a liability than an asset as they did Marcos. They have the levers for turning the finances and armed forces of the Philippines against an already untenable puppet like Duterte.

10. Because of the foregoing prospects, the armed revolutionary movement of the people will have more far more fertile ground for growing in strength and advancing towards greater victories in the people’s democratic revolution. It is the most steady and reliable force of the Filipino people against the Duterte regime, whatever are the twists and turns in the struggle between the regime and the unarmed legal opposition forces and at whatever rate the imperialist masters allow Duterte to stay in power. ###

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statement/prospects-during-and-after-the-may-13-elections/

CPP/NDF-CNL-Northern Luzon: Rejoinder to the Pro-US imperialist and pro-CIA Rightwing of the AFP

NDF-Christians for National Liberation-Northern Luzon propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 5, 2019): Rejoinder to the Pro-US imperialist and pro-CIA Rightwing of the AFP

CHRISTIANS FOR NATIONAL LIBERATION
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES
REV. FR. NEO PADRE AGLIPAY
SPOKESPERSON
CNL-NORTHERN LUZON
MAY 05, 2019

This is a rejoinder to the April 30, 2019 Philippine News Agency (PNA) article, entitled “AFP backs efforts to expose ‘Red links’ of party-list groups”. In said article, Major Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., AFP deputy chief of staff for civil-military operations of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC), declared that “the military strongly supports efforts…to expose the links of some party-list groups to the CPP-NPA”. He proclaimed his highest appreciation to a certain Angela O. Aguilar who petitioned the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to cancel the registration of Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan), Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Action (Gabriela), with senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares because of their “links to the CPP-NPA terrorist movement”.

More particularly, Major Gen. Parlade Jr. said: “We need more Aguilars to tell their story. We need more former rebels like Father Balweg, whom the NPAs silenced, to expose the true colors of these Kamatayan Bloc and the politicians who are supporting them. We need more to speak about these crook politicians kowtowing with the Kamatayan (Makabayan) bloc and its armed NPAs that perpetuate their selfish agenda rather than national Interest.”

In concrete terms, Maj. Gen. Parlade Jr. and his co-rightwing commanders in the AFP’s GHQ are just using their seeming ignorance of who Conrado Balweg and what his Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) were all about in order to camouflage what the tyrannical US-Duterte Regime (USDR) and it’s fascist AFP-PNP-CAFGU really mean by “national interest”. To state bluntly, not only the NPA but all the revolutionary organizations of the struggling masses in Northern Luzon have already declared since 1986 that Balweg and his CPLA forces are counter-revolutionary enemies of the workers, peasants, national minorities, urban poor, youth and students, women and other democratic classes and sectors. The so-called Mount Data “peace pact” between Conrado Balweg and Corazon Aquino on Sept. 13, 1986 was the total integration of Balweg and the CPLA into the fascist armed forces with their counter-revolutionary goal to create a bogus autonomy to continue and heighten the national oppression of the Cordillera people. And the main objective of the CPLA and the US-Aquino Regime (USAR) was to appease the Cordillera people and stop them from the struggle for their right to self-determination and democracy (RSDD) by creating a fake Cordillera autonomy.

Since then, the fascist rightwing AFP top commanders have developed the indigenous people (IP) centric approach wherein the CPLA forces became part of the fascist AFP’s military operations plan (Oplan) against the Filipino people – Corazon Aquino’s Oplan Lambat Bitag I, II & III; Ramos’ Oplan Lambat Bitag IV and Oplan Sandugo I & II; Estrada’s “All-out War” and Oplan Balangai; Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) I & II; Aquino II’s Oplan Bayanihan & Peace-and-Development Team (PDT) operations; and tyrant Duterte’s Oplan Tokhang “war against drugs”, Oplan Kapayapaan war of suppression, anti-Moro war and martial law in Mindanao. Thus, the fascist AFP’s IP centric approach has always been and continues to be an essential part of the reactionary AFP’s “triad military operations” – intelligence, combat and civil-military operations. Like the national minorities in the Cordillera, the Lumad and Moro people in Mindanao have been and continue to be victimized by the reactionary AFP’s IP centric approach. Of course, all the fascist AFP’s aforesaid oplans have been and continue to be under the direct guidance of the US Counter-Insurgency (COIN) Guide, being shoved by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to the topmost military and police commanders inside the reactionary AFP-PNP.

What, then, do tyrant Duterte Regime (USDR) and his top AFP-PNP commanders really mean by “national interest”? In reality, what they mean is the promotion through state fascism of the economic, political and even cultural interests of US imperialism, the big comprador bourgeoisie, the big landlords and greedy bureaucrat capitalists in government under the leadership of tyrant Duterte. State fascism is concretely seen in the perpetuation of the countless killings of the Filipino people. In tyrant Duterte’s 2Å“-year presidency, more than 20,000 Filipinos from the urban poor, workers, peasants, Lumads, Moro people, other national minorities, the women and the youth have already been murdered by his terrorist and reactionary army and police. Duterte’s Oplan Tokhang “war against drugs”; his Oplan Kapayapaan war of suppression throughout the country; his anti-Moro war in Mindanao that has led to the total destruction of Marawi and untold hardships to hundreds of thousand Maranaos; and his martial law in Mindanao which he has extended and whose scope has now included Samar, Negros and Bicol, have all resulted to countless extra-judicial killings and have completely abandoned the respect of human rights and the international humanitarian laws. Included in the countless EJKs are 10 mayors, 6 vice mayors, and 3 Catholic priests, namely, Fr. Tito Paez and Fr. Richmond Nilo both of Nueva Ecija, and Fr. Mark Ventura of Cagayan. Disbelieving in the “stupid God” of the Roman Catholic Church, ranting against and threatening to kill the bishops and priests for being critical of his despotic rule, autocrat Duterte has been advised by his devilish “personal god” to shroud the country with tyranny through his anti-Filipino wars.

Not satisfied with its fascist acts, the US-Duterte Regime moreover kills the Filipino people, especially the workers, peasants and national minorities, through the TRAIN law and the “Build, Build, Build” projects, like the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project (CRPIP) in the province of Kalinga. Instead of emancipating the destitute populaces from feudal, comprador bourgeois and foreign capitalist exploitation by genuinely promoting agrarian reform and national industrialization, totalitarian Duterte leads daily the Filipino masses to poverty, sickness and death.

In his issuance of Executive Order No. 70, Duterte has formed the “Whole-of-Nation Approach”, the “12 Pillars” the “National Task Force” (NTF), which he heads, with the declared aim of ending the armed revolution through the “whole-of-nation” approach and “delivery of basic services” to supposedly “address the root causes” of the armed conflict. However, tyrant Duterte does not really want to address the basic reasons of the ongoing armed struggle. Instead of continuation the national peace negotiations between the GRP and the NDFP for the correct resolution of the armed conflict, and instead of denouncing US imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism as the root causes of the people’s chronic impoverishment and of the ongoing and intensifying armed conflict, Duterte blames the New People’s Army (NPA) as the reason of poverty and the lack of development in Philippine society.

Under the guise of his daydream “to end the local communist armed conflict” by 2019, despotic Duterte fully makes use of the “Whole-of-Nation Approach”, the “12 Pillars”, and the “National Task Force” (NTF) to perpetuate countless massacres of civilians, including the ruthless slaughter of NDFP peace consultant Randy Felix Malayao by Duterte’s death squad inside a bus in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya last Jan. 30, 2019. EO No. 70 hides tyrant Duterte’s vicious wars being mounted by the pro-US imperialist and fascist AFP and PNP, and justifies the worsening and widespread killings, abductions, torture and other crimes perpetrated by the reactionary government’s armed forces. Through his EO No. 70, murderer Duterte is aggravating the deteriorating social and economic conditions of the Filipino masses through taxes, high prices, depressed wages, contractualization, rice tarrification, corruption and promoting shabu smuggling and trade, and excessive loans especially from China to sell out Philippine sovereignty.

Actually and in fact, Duterte’s fantasy “to end the local communist armed conflict” by 2019 through his “Whole-of-Nation Approach”, his “12 Pillars” and his “National Task Force” is just a façade, says Professor Jose Maria Sison, NDFP Chief Political Consultant, of tyrant Duterte’s need for the continuance of the armed conflict as his excuse to impose on the Filipino people a de facto martial law nationwide and eventually a full blown fascist dictatorship through charter change to a bogus kind of federalism. And to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of EO No. 70’s “Whole-of-Nation Approach”, “12 Pillars” and “National Task Force”, killer Duterte has positioned ex-military officials to various agencies of government, and has directed the military and police to militarize the whole national and local bureaucracy in order to meddle in the coming May 13, 2019 elections to have his agents sit in congress and local governments, and to harass and discredit progressive candidates and party-lists. Through his fascist military and police, satanic Duterte has stepped up further various surveillances, baseless arrests, red-tagging and has repetitively trumped up criminal charges against the legal democratic forces and all critics and political oppositionists, including members of the NDPF peace negotiation panelists and consultants. Thus since 2018 to the present, there are six (6) NDFP consultants who have been illegally arrested, namely: Renante Gamara, Edilberto Silva, Vicente Ladlad, Rafael Baylosis, Rey Casambre and Frank Fernandez. As a whole, therefore, the GRP-NDFP agreements on JASIG and CARHRIHL have been violated again and again by the GRP under tyrant Duterte.

Furthermore through EO No. 70, tyrant Duterte and his fascist army and police have been and are coercing all government agencies to implement “localized peace negotiations” that are nationally directed and supervised a priori. But the fact remains that localized peace negotiations, under the command of the AFP-PNP, will neither solve the root causes of the people’s war being waged by the NPA and the Filipino armed masses, nor respond to the Filipino people’s aspiration for a just and lasting peace. And more to hide the total failure their “localized peace negotiations”, the top AFP commanders go on inventing daily hundreds of fake news about thousands of NPA combatants and also thousands of NPA mass supporters whom they claim as “voluntary surrenderees to the AFP”. A very recent example of this is the fake news about the “44 Communist NPA Terrorists Mass Supporters surrendering to the 81st IB” at Brgy. Tablac, Candon City, Ilocos Sur last May 1, 2019. In reality, these are mere civilian beneficiaries of the reactionary government’s counter-insurgency 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program).

In the final analysis, tyrant Duterte’s “Whole-of-Nation Approach”, “12 Pillars” and “National Task Force” have certainly enflamed and will continually intensify the Filipino masses’ aspiration to arm themselves and join the NPA in the armed struggle for national liberation and people’s democracy. More and more see the importance that armed revolutionary resistance is necessary, just and legitimate for the Filipino masses to liberate themselves from Duterte’s rampant fascism, corruption, plunder, repression and abuses in order to achieve a just and lasting peace by firming up the people’s democratic power to overthrow the landlord-comprador bourgeoisie dominated state, and by establishing a truly democratic government that genuinely represents and serves the Filipino people’s interests, and that advances the agrarian revolution and national industrialization in order to lay the foundations of a Philippine socialist society.

Simultaneously and whatever would be the result of the mid-term elections, which will surely be fraudulent, it is crucial and essential for all patriotic and democratic forces, including the bishops, priests, pastors and sisters and the rest of the Filipino people to unite themselves in a powerful convergence to oust Duterte in the coming months or so. As experienced by the struggling Filipino masses during the ouster of dictator Marcos in 1986 and corrupt Estrada in 2001, the most effective is for the millions of people to make the streets their parliament and inspire the patriotic sections of the AFP and PNP to start withdrawing their support from the brutal, corrupt and tyrant Duterte.

Join the New People’s Army! Advance the People’s War to higher stages! Oust the brutal, corrupt and tyrant Duterte! He has no more right to rule the Filipino people. He has to be changed by a nationalist and democratic leader who would truly support the Filipino people’s aspiration for a just and lasting peace, and for national liberation and democracy.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statement/rejoinder-to-the-pro-us-imperialist-and-pro-cia-rightwing-of-the-afp/

CPP/NPA-Northern Samar: CSP/PDT Operations ng 20th IB, sinalubong ng sunod-sunod na aksyong militar

NPA-Northern Samar propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 5, 2019): CSP/PDT Operations ng 20th IB, sinalubong ng sunod-sunod na aksyong militar

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY
NPA - NORTHERN SAMAR (SILVIO PAJARES COMMAND)
MAY 05, 2019

Naging matagumpay ang inilunsad na sunod-sunod na mga aksyon militar ng pinagsama-samang pwersa ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan, Yunit Milisya at Special Operations Group (SOG) laban sa mga elemento ng 20th IB na nagkakampo sa loob ng mga komunidad ng Las Navas, Northern Samar.

Nitong Abril 16, 2019, isa ang patay at isa ang sugatan mula sa 20th IB ng paputukan sila ng BHB sa Brgy Quirino, Las Navas. Dagdag pa rito, pinaputukan din ang mga sundalong nakatira sa Brgy. San Francisco, Las Navas kung saan isa rin ang nagtamo ng malalang sugat.

Dalawa naman ang patay sa isinagawang espesyal na operasyon noong Abril 17, 2019 sa Brgy Catotoogan, Northern Samar kung saan dalawang ding .45 calibre ang nakumpiska ng SOG. Kabilang ang mga sundalong napatay sa mga aktibong kabahagi ng mga iligal na aktibidad sa baryo gaya ng sugal.

Humigit kumulang sa 10 aksyong militar ang isinagawa laban sa mga elemento ng 20th IB na namalagi sa mga nasabing baryo kung saan hindi bababa sa platoon size ang kanilang naging kaswalti (patay at sugatan) simula pa nung 2017.

Ang nasabing aksyong militar ay sagot sa matagal nang reklamo ng mga residente sa mga nasabing baryo na direktang kinakampuhan ng mga elemeno ng 20th IB gayundin sa mga kalapit na baryo, bunsod ng mga paglabag ng mga sundalo sa karapatang pantao sa tabing ng Community Support Program/Peace and Development Team (CSP/PDT) na program sa ilalim ng Oplan Kapayapaan ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Ang pagkampo ng mga sundalo sa loob ng baryo at sa kabahayan ng mga sibilyan ay labag sa karapatan ng mga sibilyan na ligtas at mapayapang pamumuhay, na laman ng international humanitarian law at Protocol I at II ng Geneva Conventions at pinirmahang CARHRIHL sa pagitan ng GRP at NDFP.#

CSP/PDT Operations san 20th IB, gintapo san susrunod nga aksyon militar

Madinaugon nga iginlansar san gintig-ob nga pwersa san Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB), Yunit Milisya ngan Special Operations Group (SOG) an sunud-sunod nga aksyon militar kontra sa mga elemento san 20th IB nga nagkakampo sulod san mga komunidad san Las Navas, Northern Samar.

San Abril 16, 2019, sayo nga elemento san 20th IB an patay ngan sayo naman an samaran san paputkan sira san BHB sa Brgy Quirino, Las Navas. Kadungan sini, ginpaputkan liwat an mga sundalo nga naistar sa Brgy San Francisco, Las Navas diin sayo an grabe nga samaran.

Patay naman an duha (2) nga sundalo sa ginhimo nga espesyal nga operasyon sadton Abril 17, 2019 sa Brgy Catotoogan, Northern Samar diin duha liwat nga .45 calibre an nakumpiska san SOG. Ini nga mga sundalo in aktibo nga napartisipar ngan nagpapaguhap san mga iligal nga aktibidad sa kabaryuhan sugad san huygo.

Sobra-kumulang sa 10 nga aksyon militar an ginhimo kontra sa mga elemento san 20th IB nga naukoy sa nasabi nga baryo diin diri mamenos sa platoon size an ira nagin kaswalidad (patay ngan samaran) tikang pa sadton 2017.

An nasabi nga aksyon militar in baton sa maiha na nga reklamo san mga molupyo sa mga nasabi nga baryo nga direkta nga ginkakampuhan san mga elemento san 20th IB ngan sugad man san mga agpiki nga baryo dara san mga panalapas sa tawhanon nga katungod sa tahub san Community Support Program/Peace and Development Team (CSP/PDT) nga programa ilarum san Oplan Kapayapaan san rehimen US-Duterte. An pagkampo san mga sundalo sa sulod san baryo ngan sa mga panimalay san mga sibilyan in talapas sa katungod san mga sibilyan sa kalibrihan sa kinabuhi ngan murayaw nga pag-ukoy nga gin-uunod san internasyunal nga makatawo nga balaud ngan Protocol I ngan II Geneva Conventions ngan ginpirmahan nga CARHRIHL giutan san GRP ngan NDFP.#
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statement/csp-pdt-operations-ng-20th-ib-sinalubong-ng-sunod-sunod-na-aksyong-militar/

MILF: Galvez leads visit of DBP President, agri investor to MILF’s Camp Bilal

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Website (May 5, 2019): Galvez leads visit of DBP President, agri investor to MILF’s Camp Bilal


MUNAI, Lanao del Norte – Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. brought a top official of a government financial institution, private investor, as well as non-government organization (NGO) to the hinterland Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Camp Bilal under the command of Hadji Abdullah G. Makapaar, popularly known as Commander Bravo, to discuss economic opportunities for residents in the area.

In a two-day visit, Galvez accompanied Emmanuel G. Herbosa, president of the state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and businessman John Perrine, who has been a long-time agri-business investor in Mindanao, and Reynaldo Antonio D. Laguda executive director of Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) to meet Makapaar, now a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), to explore the possibility of establishing an abaca plantation.

“We are bringing in a banker, an investor, and developmental NGO to help develop these communities into productive agricultural areas. This is part of our measures to fast-track the implementation of camp transformation, which is under the normalization track of the peace agreement,” Galvez said.

The Annex on Normalization, which is largely focused on the decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons, also covers the rehabilitation and transformation of MILF camps into peaceful and resilient communities.

Herbosa took advantage of the visit to discuss the DBP’s program to help finance agricultural production with residents, while Perrine expressed his company’s interest to venture into abaca production in farm areas within the camp.

Laguda for his part committed to mobilize resources from the business community to help in the camp transformations.

During the visit, Galvez said the group participated in the regular meeting among base commanders and residents under the MILF North Western Mindanao Front to explain to them the Normalization process.

Quoting Makapaar, Galvez said the MILF commander was “very happy” for the visit, saying the meeting is an indication of “genuine partnership” among the government, the MILF and private sector.

The proposed abaca production venture targets to generate employment for over 3,000 people.

“With this development, the livelihood and employment in this area is ensured. The government needs the help of the private sector to bring in the needed economic opportunities,” Galvez emphasized.

Government Implementing Peace Panel members OPAPP Director and Chief-of-Staff David B. Diciano, and Ariel Hernandez were also present during the visit.

Prior to the visit last May 2 and 3, a community development planning workshop for Camp Bilal was carried out in partnership Balay Mindanaw and Heneliban Foundation.

This is to help the residents in the camp to come up with a blueprint that will serve as guide for them to develop their community.

Galvez said Camp Bilal is among the initial camps of the MILF identified in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) that will undergo a transformation process. Other camps include Camp Bushra, Camp Rajamuda, Camp Abubakar, Camp Bad’r, and Camp Omar.

Aside from Camp Bilal, the team also visited Camp Nasser and Camp Pokta, which are all are under the command of Makapaar.

Galvez noted that the government is now gearing towards the full implementation of the Normalization Program following President Rodrigo Duterte’s issuance of Executive Order No. 79 that aims to harmonize the government’s efforts in line with the Normalization Track of the Bangsamoro peace agreement.

The implementation of the Normalization track runs in parallel with the political track of the CAB, which is the passage and ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and the subsequent establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The Normalization phase’s four main components include security, socio-economic development, confidence-building measures, and transitional justice and reconciliation.

For this year, the Normalization track targets to decommission at least 12,000 combatants and their weapons.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1792/galvez-leads-visit-of-dbp-president--agri-investor-to-milf---s-camp-bilal

Kalinaw News: One more NPA with two (2) high powered firearm surrendered to 73IB

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 5, 2019): One more NPA with two (2) high powered firearm surrendered to 73IB



MALAPATAN, Sarangani Privince- a member of the terrorist group NPA voluntarily surrendered on saturday, May 5 2019 bringing along with him 2 high powered firearms.

The NPA member identified as @ jongiong, VCO, Platoon Dos, South /Central, SRC1 TALA (GF71), FSMR, resisdent of sitio lanao canpanglao, Datal bukay, Glan, surrendered to Cpl Jeffrey Lambojo (Inf) PA, detachment commander of Akbungkod TPB, sitio akbungkod, Kinam, Malapatan through the intercession of CAAs Markie Dewil and Jimmy Binaton bringing along with him two (2) carbine rifles with serial numbers ‎5757345 and 91665..


It can be recalled since the start of this year, four (4) NPA members already surrendered to this unit. All these surrenderees have the same grounds why they return to the folds of the law – they are all tired of fighting against the government forces couoled with hardship and the failed promises of their recruiters, and they discern the continuous operation of the govt forces thwarting their offensives.

” The govt forces is focused on defeating the CPP-NPA Terrorists as it hinders peace and security. Thus, we are reiterating our call on other NPA members to lay down their arms, surrender and avail the Enhanced Comorehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).” COL MARION T ANGCAO INF (GSC) PA, Commander, 73IB said.

” We shall continue to uohold our core purpose of serving the people and securing the land. With the support of the Local Government Unit and local officials of Sarangani Province, we can together defeat and end the CPP-NPA Terrorists evil interventions.” he added..


Kalinaw News: Joint AFP and PNP law enforcement opns arrested four lawless elements

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 6, 2019): Joint AFP and PNP law enforcement opns arrested four lawless elements



Pres.Quirino, Sultan Kudarat- four lawless elements were arrested in a joint law enforcement operation of 33IB, CIDG BARMM, 2nd Mech Coy, and 43rd SAC, 4th SAB in Brgy Bulod, Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao at 8:30 am May 04, 2019.

The government troops, while serving the warrant of arrest against Teddy Biang who has a criminal case for violation of section 11 article of RA 9165 (Possession of Illegal Drugs), also apprehended three others for Possession of Prohibited Drugs (shabu) and high-powered firearms.

The troops also recovered cash amounting to Php 385,000 considered as drug money, assorted ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and other deadly weapons.

After the clearing operation, as they pursue the retreating cohorts of Teddy Biang, the troops also discovered an IED factory and a make shift drug den surrounded by marijuana plantation. Recovered inside the drug den are dried marijuana, seeds, and scrap metals being used for manufacturing of IEDs.

The Barangay Officials with the assistance of the government forces agreed to uproot the marijuana and decided to burn the drug den in order to prevent further drug activities in the area.

“According to our source, the recovered assorted firearms and other deadly weapons were to be used to disrupt the safe and orderly conduct of midterm national and local election 2019,” says Ltc Elmer M Boongaling, CO 33IB.

“The arrest of these lawless elements and drug personalities will certainly help in making our area of operation more safe and secure for the people,” Col Efren F Baluyot, Commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade said.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Cirilito E Sobejana, Commander of the 6th Infantry Kampilan Division lauded the effort of 33IB, CIDG BARMM, 43rd SAC 4th SAB for the successful operation.


Division Public Affairs Office 6th Infantry Division Philippine Army
Maj Arvin G Encinas
Chief, Public Affairs Office, 6ID, PA
Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
+6391775226469

https://www.kalinawnews.com/joint-afp-and-pnp-law-enforcement-opns-arrested-four-lawless-elements/

Kalinaw News: Troops recover NPA high powered firearm with Bayan Muna and Kabataan Party List election campaign materials in South Palawan

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 6, 2019): Troops recover NPA high powered firearm with Bayan Muna and Kabataan Party List election campaign materials in South Palawan



Camp General Artemio G Ricarte, Puerto Princesa City – Western Command’s operatives from the Joint Task Force Peacock recovered one (1) high powered firearm of the New People’s Army with Election Campaign Materials in Barangay Culasian, Rizal, Palawan following a joint intelligence operation conducted on 03 May 2019.

Joint Task Force Peacock through the combined elements of the 18th Special Forces Company and JITG West led by MIG 22 conducted a joint intelligence operation that resulted to the recovery of one (1) .50 caliber “Barret Type” sniper rifle, 16 rounds of cal .50 ammunition, suppressor for M14 Rifle, assorted communist ideological books, dental paraphernalia and several assorted campaign posters of BAYAN MUNA and KABATAAN Party List Group.

This latest recovery is a successful feat for the Armed Forces as we continue to degrade the communist terrorist capability. This was made possible through the cooperation of the communities who are actively supporting us in our fight against communist terrorism and all forms of security threats and are clearly rejecting the NPA as a whole.

“We are calling the attention of the COMELEC to look into this matter, with the recovery of campaign posters of the BAYAN MUNA and KABATAAN Party List Group. Likewise, we continuously urge our local stakeholders for peace to sustain the cooperation that has been established through information sharing,” Vice Admiral Rene V Medina AFP, the Commander WESCOM said.

“We also once more call on our fellow Filipinos who still hang on to the false hopes and deceptions peddled by the CPP-NPA to come out from hiding, lay down their arms, and surrender. They should take advantage of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Programs of the National Government and the LSIP of the Provincial Government which facilitates their smooth reintegration to mainstream society thru financial aid and other socioeconomic and psychological interventions,” Vice Admiral Medina added.

Kalinaw News: NPA leader found dead; Body dumped by comrades

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 6, 2019): NPA leader found dead; Body dumped by comrades



Camp General Mateo Capinpin, TANAY, – Joint Army and PNP forces recovered the body of an NPA terrorist who is believed to have been killed during the April 29 encounter at Sitio Maquitib, Brgy Quipot, San Juan, Batangas at around 2:39 p.m. Sunday.

The decomposing body was discovered by combined elements of 1st Infantry Battalion and San Juan police after receiving information from concerned citizens about “an unusually foul odor” in the vicinity of the town’s Sitio Mambog, Brgy Sampiro.


Brigadier General Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr, Commander of the 202nd Infantry (UNIFIER) Brigade which has operational jurisdiction over the area, said that the military immediately responded to the complaint by sending troops to the area. This resulted to the discovery of the cadaver of an NPA who was later on identified by his relatives as Domingo Raso.​

According to BGen Burgos, Raso was “a 56-year-old NPA, known in the underground movement as alias Anghel,” who, per intelligence community, is “an Executive Committee and Secretariat member of the communist terrorists’ Sub-Regional Military Area 4C as well as a platoon leader of the NPAs” in the area.


He added that “as of the moment, our priority is to help the family of their comrade, whom they abandoned, in giving him the dignified burial that every other human being deserves”. ​Lt Col Jonathan Manio, Commander of 1st Infantry Battalion, said that “the body of alias Anghel was not even buried by his comrades. They just covered him with leaves and treated him as if a piece of garbage that can just be dumped anywhere”.

He condemned such act saying that “if they are willing to desecrate the body of their dead leader, we can expect that they are also ready to do it to ordinary fighters and civilians” which, according to him, runs “contrary to the propaganda lines that the enemies-of-the-state have been preaching”.

Public Affairs Office, 2ID, PA Camp General Mateo Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal Cp Number: 0977- 277- 1986 Email Add:dpao2id@gmail.com, kayzylducusin@gmail.com Like us on our Facebook page: 2 nd infantry Jungle Fighter Division​In photos released by the military, it was notable that the cadaver was missing its face as if it has been decomposing for a long time.

“According to the people in the area”, there is a possibility that “crows, monitor lizards and even stray dogs have feasted on the facial tissues of the slain terrorist leader” for the past five days “since it was left exposed by the fleeing NPA terrorists”, said Lt Col Manio.

BGen Elias Escarcha, Acting Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, lauded the troops for dealing the NPAs decisive loses during armed skirmishes and called on the few remaining terrorists in the region to “put down their arms, return to the folds of law, avail the government’s compensation package through E-CLIP, become productive members of the society and become partners of the Filipinos in attaining the much coveted peace, prosperity and development”.

The military believes that “many other terrorists have died after an encounter against joint elements of soldiers and intelligence operatives” last April 29 at San Juan wherein they recovered two firearms, explosives, documents and other war materiel.

​They called on the people to report other cadavers that could have been dumped by the NPAs in their communities. ​Sitio Mambog is less than two kilometers away from the encounter site.


Division Public Affairs Office 2nd Infantry Division Philippine Army
Cpt Patrick Jay Retumban
Chief, DPAO, 2ID, PA
Camp General Mateo Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal
09772771986

https://www.kalinawnews.com/npa-leader-found-dead-body-dumped-by-comrades/

Cops detonate explosives

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 6, 2019): Cops detonate explosives

The explosives surrendered by members of the defunct Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Boncayao Brigade under the Tabara-Paduano Group were detonated in Brgy. Gahit, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, Saturday.

PCapt. Jaynick Bermudez, EB Magalona police officer-in-charge, said yesterday that the explosives, composed of 20 rifle grenades and 50 ammunition of an M-203 grenade launcher, that had been surrendered last year, and being stored at the town police station, already showed signs that they it may prematurely explode.

The detonation of explosives was initiated by the Explosives Ordnance Division of the PNP, and witnessed by representatives of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, Bureau of Fire and Protection, local police and rescue unit of EB Magalona.

Known now as Kapatiran para sa Progreso ng Panlipunan, or Brotherhood for Social Progress, the defunct RPA-ABB has 716 registered members nationwide, with the bulk of its forces stationed in Negros Island.

Reports from OPPAP said that the RPA-ABB possesses more than 400 firearms and 300 explosives.

The RPA-ABB entered into a peace agreement with the government in year 2000.



http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/May/06/topstory10.htm

NPA recruit nabbed in encounter: Army

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 6, 2019): NPA recruit nabbed in encounter: Army

Patrolling Army soldiers foiled an attempt of the New People’s Army to sabotage their election security operations, following an encounter Saturday in Sitio Dawhan, Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, said yesterday that the encounter between his troops and 20 suspected NPA rebels lasted for 15 minutes, and the rebels later scampered in various directions, leaving behind a 13-year-old rebel recruit, whose identity he has withheld.

Dacoscos said they were able to recover an improvised anti-personnel landmine, a Communist Party of the Philippines flag and seven back packs containing personnel belongings.


Traces of bloodstains were also discovered by Army soldiers at the withdrawal sites, and bolstered reports of civilians that five rebels were either injured or killed in the gunbattle, he added.

The arrested minor has been turned over by the Philippine Army to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

In previous months, the 62IB also figured in two encounters with suspected NPA rebels in the same barangay, that also resulted in the seizure of a rebel camp, recovery of two improvised explosive devices, ammunition for an M60 machine gun.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/May/06/topstory8.htm

3 more groups ask SC for protection against red-tagging

Posted to the often pro-Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) online publication the Davao Today (May 6, 2019): 3 more groups ask SC for protection against red-tagging

Human rights group Karapatan, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, and GABRIELA also filed a petition for a writ of Amparo and habeas data before the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday, May 6, citing “threats to life, liberty, and security” amid accusations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that their organizations are communist fronts.
The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), which was recently granted by the SC the same petition for the protection of its members against red-tagging provided assistance to the groups during the filing of the petition.


The respondents of the recent petition filed by progressive organizations include President Rodrigo Duterte, Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., AFP Civil-Military Operations Chief General Antonio Parlade Jr., Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, and other military and government officials.

The groups also asked the SC to order the respondents to disclose all the information on the petitioners gathered and have them destroyed.

“Our filing of the petition for the writs of Amparo and habeas data is a response to the worsening attacks, terrorist-tagging by the Philippine military and the ongoing smear campaign against human rights defenders,” Karapatan National Chairperson Elisa Tita Lubi said.

She added that, “Human rights advocacy is not a crime, yet human rights workers are being killed, threatened, harassed, and jailed on trumped-up charges. We have never taken all these attacks sitting down, as we continue to work to confront this perilous political climate with all available remedies.”

Karapatan stressed that the “dangerous” rhetoric of the military, President Duterte, and other officials in the government labeling the organization as CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army) front has “resulted to glaringly numerous killings and other human rights violations against its human rights workers.”

The group cited the killing of Karapatan Southern Mindanao Deputy Secretary-General Benjaline Hernandez in April 2002, Karapatan Southern Tagalog Secretary-General Eden Marcellana in April 2003, Karapatan Negros Oriental coordinator Elisa Badayos, killed while leading a fact-finding mission in November 2017,

Other cases cited by the group include the killing of Marian Uy Acob of Kawagib rights in October 2018 after she received threats from the military. Escalante City Councilor Bernardino “Toto” Patigas from Negros Occidental, a long-time human rights advocate and survivor of Escalante massacre was gunned down by unknown assailants after branded as CPP-NPA sympathizer.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay and Clarizza Singson of Karapatan Negros also reported having received death threats through text messages after Patigas was killed.

“From 2001 to 2019, at least 48 human rights defenders of Karapatan have been killed by State forces. Most, if not all, of our human rights workers, even our former colleagues, are subjected to threats, surveillance, harassment, red-tagging, and judicial harassment. We have been publicly vilified even in online spaces, and we frequently receive death threats through text messages,” said Palabay.

The petition also cited incidents where President Duterte repeatedly tagged Karapatan as a “communist front” in at least six public speeches.

Karapatan said that despite some United Nation Special Rapporteurs already calling out the attention of the President due to its vilifying statements, government officials continued to attack the organization, including the diplomatic missions of members of the national task force (NTF) to end local communist and armed conflict in the European Union accusing Karapatan and organizations like Ibon Foundation, RMP and Lumad schools in Mindanao as CPP-NPA “fronts”.

“We are appealing to the Supreme Court to see the merit of our petition, the dangers of our work, and eventually decide in favor of human rights defenders who have courageously stood alongside marginalized sectors in the country. We call on the Supreme Court to recognize that our work and activism involves the full exercise of our civil and political rights and is in no way tantamount to a crime,” Palabay said.

In a separate statement, GABRIELA said that the group for long has been a target of vilification by the government because of their people-oriented advocacies.

“Our leaders and members have been victims of harassment, killings, and enforced disappearances because the state is afraid of us, being one of the most vocal critics. This is not the first time we have experienced red-tagging but this is one of the worse and bloody anti-people campaign of the state,” said Joms Salvador, GABRIELA secretary general.

Salvador said they filed the petition for writ of Amparo and writ of habeas data to “protect the right to privacy and to protect the members and allies of the organization against state-orchestrated harassments by filing trumped-up cases against them.”

“The government’s whole-of-nation approach has targeted legitimate people’s organizations in its doomed-to-fail attempt to curb the ever-growing armed struggle in the countryside. We have time and again explained that we are not a terrorist group and do not fund such groups. Our long-time partners from the international community such as Viva Salud have stood with us in proving our legitimacy and innocence from AFP’s baseless accusations,” Salvador explained.

On May 3, the SC issued a writ of Amparo and habeas data in favor of NUPL.

The Court has referred the petition to the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals (CA) directed for the immediate raffle of the case.

The CA was further directed to hear the petition on May 14, 2019, and to decide the case within 10 days after submission of the case for decision, according to NUPL.

The Court also ordered respondents including President Duterte, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Security Adviser (Ret.) Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., among others “to make a verified return” of the writ of Amparo and habeas data on or before May 8, 2019, and comment on NUPL’s petition.

http://davaotoday.com/main/human-rights/3-more-groups-ask-sc-for-protection-against-red-tagging/

NPA rebel killed in Northern Samar clash

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (May 6, 2019): NPA rebel killed in Northern Samar clash

A MEMBER of the New People’s Army was killed while an undetermined number of other rebels were wounded in a clash between government troops and the terrorist group Sunday night in Las Navas, Northern Samar.

The encounter occurred 9 p.m. in Tagan-ayan village as soldiers acted on a report of concerned citizens on the presence of five armed rebels in their area, the Philippine Army reported on Monday.

No casualty was reported on the government side composed of troops from the 20th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army based in the said town.

Soldiers recovered a submachine gun with one magazine and nine rounds of 9mm “ball ammunition” from the clash site.

The military brought the body of the slain rebel to the local police by airlifting it from the upland village through a helicopter.

“There are reports that wounded rebels were sighted at the rural health unit and Catubig Hospital seeking for medical attention. Coordination is now made with our police counterparts to track down the location of reported wounded NPAs for the filing of an appropriate criminal case,” the 20th IB said in a statement.

Government troops have stepped up patrol operations against rebels as they have been reportedly attempting to collect permit to campaign fees from some politicians.

The 4th class town of Las Navas has been known as the site of recent atrocities committed by NPAs.

On April 25, the village chief of San Miguel was gunned down by rebels while on board a motorcycle. The village official was a known supporter of the military.

A week earlier, a 10-year-old boy was killed when communist rebels detonated a landmine in an attempt to attack soldiers.

On April 16, two soldiers were killed by rebels while inspecting an ongoing road project in San Antonio and Catotogan villages, also in Las Navas.

The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is considered as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines

https://mindanaoexaminer.com/npa-rebel-killed-in-northern-samar-clash/

Sayyaf killed, soldier wounded in Sulu clash

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (May 6, 2019): Sayyaf killed, soldier wounded in Sulu clash

An Abu Sayyaf militant was reported killed and an army soldier wounded in a firefight in the town of Patikul in Sulu province in southern Philippines, the military said Monday.

The Western Mindanao Command said the weekend clash broke out in the village of Kan Ague between the pro-ISIS group and members of the 32ndInfantry Battalion.


The fighting lasted 20 minutes with the military alleging that a militant was slain and that an army man had been injured. “A firefight ensued which lasted for 20 minutes after which enemy withdrew towards southeast direction. This resulted to the death of one ASG member and the slightly wounding of one soldier,” the military said.

It did not say whether troops recovered the slain militant or if the casualty report was based on intelligence report as it usually quote in many armed clashes in Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, all in the Muslim autonomous region.

The military said Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, has ordered an intensified campaign against the Abu Sayyaf to ensure peaceful elections next Monday.

“The Western Mindanao Command continuously conducts intensified military operations to deter the different threat groups from creating havoc. We are also intensifying our security preparations for the 2019 midterm elections next Monday,” Dela Vega said.

The Abu Sayyaf is still holding several Filipino and foreign hostages in the troubled region. (The Zamboanga Post)

Security forces intercept trucks full of gunmen in Pagadian City

From the Mindanao Examiner (May 6, 2019): Security forces intercept trucks full of gunmen in Pagadian City

PAGADIAN CITY – Security forces on Monday afternoon intercepted two trucks full of gunmen in Pagadian City in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur.

Soldiers and policemen seized assorted automatic weapons, mostly rifles, from the passengers after stopping the vehicles in the village of Danlugan.

Both vehicles had no license plates and many of those intercepted were using bonnets, according to a man who witnessed when security forces stopped the trucks and interrogated the drivers.

“These people were all using bonnets. Their vehicles have no plate numbers and its conduction stickers were covered by a tape,”
said the witness, who took video from his cell phone and uploaded it on Facebook page BM Marlyn Revelo.
At least 15 people were ordered out of the vehicles as soldiers searched the trucks for weapons. The arrest of the men coincided with the election gun ban and heightened security in the country as Filipinos go to polls on May 13 to vote for new set of national and local government officials.

An unidentified army commander ordered passengers – in front of village officials, journalists and policemen, including an official from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) – to disembark one by one from the trucks as he warned them of severe consequences if they resist violently or try to fight off security forces.

“We are searching your vehicle in front of the Barangay Captain, the COMELEC…isa-isa lang tayo bababa at kung gagawa kayo ng karahasan alam na po ninyo kung ano ang mangyayari sa inyo,” the commander said as soldiers surrounded the trucks.

The passengers, their hands raised in the air as a gesture of peaceful surrender, disembarked one by one as civilians watching not far away, cheered and clapped the soldiers who were leading the unidentified men in front of a makeshift table on the middle of the road. An army truck and several military vehicles were also spotted nearby.

The men were later frisked and searched by soldiers for any weapons and some of them yielded guns. Others carried what looked like talisman. The army official also called a police officer to read the (Miranda Warning) rights of those arrested.

Both the spokespersons of the 1st Infantry Division Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson and Major Helen Galvez, of the regional police, said they were still waiting for the official report.

The identities of the arrested gunmen were not immediately available.

https://mindanaoexaminer.com/security-forces-intercept-trucks-full-of-gunmen-in-pagadian-city/

Tagalog News: Ex-NPAs, hinimok ang mga aktibong rebelde na sumuko na

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 6, 2019): Tagalog News: Ex-NPAs, hinimok ang mga aktibong rebelde na sumuko na



Tribal Filipino Program in Surigao del Sur o TRIFPSS na eskwelahan sa Km. 9, Brgy. Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur na hindi akreditado sa Department of Education. (PIA-Caraga)

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN -- Hinikayat ngayon ng mga dating miyembro ng rebeldeng grupo na New People’s Army o NPA na magbalik-loob na ang ilan pang nagpaiwang aktibo sa pagpapalaganap ng maling idelohiya laban sa pamahalaan.

Pinatunayan ni Edward Gultia, labinsiyam na taon na nagsilbi dati bilang guro sa institusyong TRIFPSS o Tribal Filipino Program in Surigao del Sur, na ang nasabing paaralan ay pinamumunuan umano ng NPA at hindi akreditado ng Department of Education o DepEd.

“Ang itinuturong iligal doon sa kabundukan ay siya ring itinuturo namin sa TRIFPSS, kung saan ang mga mag-aaral ay tinututuruang mamulat na may galit sa gobyerno,” sabi ni Gultia.


Ibinahagi naman ni Sonny Boy Acebedo, dating estudyante ng TRIFPSS na bini-brain wash sila ng NPA sa pamamagitan ng pagtuturo sa kanila ng maling impormasyon tungkol sa gobyerno, at sa murang edad ay tinuturuan na umano sila sa paghawak at pagkamit ng baril upang labanan ang gobyerno.

“Noong Grade three pa lang ako pagpasok ko sa TRIFPSS nagtaka ako bakit iba ang itinuturo nila. Tinuturuan nila kami na magalit sa gobyerno. Kapag wala naman kaming pasok tinuturuan kami ng mga NPA kung paano humawak ng baril,” sabi ni Acebedo.

Ayon naman kay Datu Jomar “Nahikyad” Bocales, municipal tribal chieftain ng Lianga, Surigao del Sur, ang mga doctrinang itinuturo ng TRIFPSS at ALCADEV o Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development ay taliwas sa gawain ng demokrasyang pamahalaan kung saan ang mga mag-aaral ay hinihimok umano na sumali sa teroristang grupo ng npa. Ito’y kinumpirma rin umano ng kanyang kontak sa loob ng kilusang NPA.

Sinabi naman ni Datu Rico Maca, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative o IPMR ng munisipyo ng San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, na pinipigilan umano ng mga NPA na namumuno ng TRIFPSS at ALCADEV na maimplementa sa kanilang lugar ang Indigenous Peoples Education o IPED curriculum framework ng DepEd.

“Nakita natin ang koneksyon ng NPA at TRIFPSS. Kaya pinapatay nila ang mga datu na sumuporta sa IPED,” sabi ni Maca.

Umaasa ang mga former rebel na gawin din ng mga aktibong NPA na itama ang rebolusyunaryong pakikibaka nang sa ganun ay magkaroon ng pagkakataong mamuhay ng normal at maayos sa kani-kanilang komunidad.

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1021643

NPA rebel killed in Northern Samar clash

From the Philippine News Agency (May 6, 2019): NPA rebel killed in Northern Samar clash


SLAIN REBEL. Soldiers carry the body of a New People's Army (NPA) member killed in a clash in Las Navas, Northern Samar Sunday night (May 6, 2019). Government troops have stepped up their patrol operation against rebels as the NPA has been reportedly attempting to collect permit to campaign fees from some politicians. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army's 20th Infantry Batallion)

A member of the New People’s Army was killed while an undetermined number of other rebels were wounded in a clash between government troops and the terrorist group Sunday night in Las Navas, Northern Samar.

The encounter occurred 9 p.m. in Tagan-ayan village as soldiers acted on a report of concerned citizens on the presence of five armed rebels in their area, the Philippine Army reported on Monday.

No casualty was reported on the government side composed of troops from the 20th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army based in the said town.

Soldiers recovered a submachine gun with one magazine and nine rounds of 9mm "ball ammunition" from the clash site.

The military brought the body of the slain rebel to the local police by airlifting it from the upland village through a helicopter.

“There are reports that wounded rebels were sighted at the rural health unit and Catubig Hospital seeking for medical attention. Coordination is now made with our police counterparts to track down the location of reported wounded NPAs for the filing of an appropriate criminal case,” the 20th IB said in a statement.

Government troops have stepped up patrol operations against rebels as they have been reportedly attempting to collect permit to campaign fees from some politicians.

The 4th class town of Las Navas has been known as the site of recent atrocities committed by NPAs.

On April 25, the village chief of San Miguel was gunned down by rebels while on board a motorcycle. The village official was a known supporter of the military. 

A week earlier, a 10-year-old boy was killed when communist rebels detonated a landmine in an attempt to attack soldiers.

On April 16, two soldiers were killed by rebels while inspecting an ongoing road project in San Antonio and Catotogan villages, also in Las Navas.

The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is considered as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1068964

Soldiers, cops discover marijuana plantation in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (May 6, 2019): Soldiers, cops discover marijuana plantation in Maguindanao



BUSTED. An Army trooper from the 33rd Infantry Battalion checks on marijuana plants they discovered while chasing gunmen in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao, Saturday. (Photo by 33rd IB)

Military personnel hunting drug syndicate members stumbled on a marijuana plantation, a drug den, and factory for improvised bombs in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao, on Saturday.

Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling, Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB) commander, said members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and his men were serving search warrants against Teddy Biang for criminal charges when they discovered the plantation.

Biang, his two siblings, and another suspect were arrested. Authorities seized cash amounting to more than PHP380,000, high-powered firearms, illegal drugs, and communication sets.

Boongaling told the Philippine News Agency that 33IB troopers were running after scampering cohorts of Biang when they discovered a one-hectare marijuana plantation, a drug den and house with bomb-making equipment in Barangay Bulod at past 9 a.m.

“The marijuana plants were uprooted and torched in the area while others were brought to local police as evidence,” Boongaling said.

Citing a military informant, Boongaling said the seized rifles and pistols, including homemade bombs, are going to be used to disrupt the conduct of elections in Sultan sa Barongis.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1068951

Abu Sayyaf man dies, soldier hurt in Sulu clash

From the Philippine News Agency (May 6, 2019): Abu Sayyaf man dies, soldier hurt in Sulu clash

A follower of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed while a soldier was wounded in a clash as focused military operations continue against the ASG in the province of Sulu, an official said Monday.

Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the encounter occurred around 9:55 a.m. Sunday in Sitio Kan Udang, Barangay Kan ague, Patikul, Sulu.

Dela Vega said the troops from the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion were conducting focused military operations when they chanced upon a group of 10 ASG bandits that triggered a 20-minute firefight.

Dela Vega said the firefight resulted in the death of an ASG bandit and the wounding of a soldier, adding the ASG bandits fled towards the southeast direction of the clash site.

“The Western Mindanao Command continuously conduct intensified military operations to deter the different threat groups from creating havoc,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1068981

HNP-HTL alliance bets warned vs. paying NPA campaign permit

From the Philippine News Agency (May 6, 2019): HNP-HTL alliance bets warned vs. paying NPA campaign permit

The Hugpong ng Pagbabago-Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod alliance said it will junk its own local candidates if they bow to the New People’s Army (NPA) by paying the so-called “permit-to-campaign” extortion scheme.

HNP is a regional party founded by Mayor Sara Duterte while the HTL is a local party formed by then-mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte in the 1990s.

Majority of the candidates for the city council are members of the HTL, which formed an alliance with HNP last year.

“The alliance will outright junk candidates who will be giving in to the demands of the NPA, a terrorist organization behind countless of horrendous crimes against the people,” said an HNP-HTL statement released to the media Monday.

HNP-HTL said that paying to the NPA makes candidates "terrorists themselves."

NPA's "permit-to-campaign" extortion has been practiced during elections by some candidates in order to gain access to far-flung areas where rebels have a known presence.

“The election ensures that people freely exercise their right to choose their leaders -- and the NPA extortion scheme is an absolute travesty of the essence of the election,” HNP-HTL said.

“Paying the NPA is tantamount to bowing down to them and subscribing to their destructive ideology. It is also as good as playing blind to the crimes they committed in the past and supporting the crimes and more acts of terrorism they will commit in the future,” it added.

In February, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año had called on the public not to vote for candidates who support or who have links with communist rebels.

Based on the consolidated figures gathered by intelligence groups, Año said a total of PHP195.5-million was accumulated by the NPA from its various extortion activities nationwide during the 2016 and 2018 elections.

He said that PHP300,000-PHP650,000 were collected by the communist rebels from governors and vice governors; PHP200,000-PHP500,000 from mayors; and PHP50,000-PHP100,000 from barangay officials.

DILG has earlier released a memorandum reminding all local chief executives and LGU officials that giving any form of support to communist rebels is punishable by law.


https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069003

Troops deployed for election duty in Zambo, Lanao, MisOcc

From the Philippine News Agency (May 6, 2019): Troops deployed for election duty in Zambo, Lanao, MisOcc



SEND-OFF. Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan, the Army's 1st Infantry Division commander (right), wishes for the success of the mission as he leads on Monday the deployment of the 1st Division Provinsional Battalion to render election security duty. (Photo by Leah D. Agonoy)

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur -- The Army’s 1st Infantry Division has deployed a battalion of troops to render election duties within its area of jurisdiction.

The 1st Division Provisional Battalion, composed of 355 soldiers and policemen, was organized to render security duty to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the May 13 mid-term polls.

Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan, the Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, led the battalion’s send-off ceremony in Camp Cesar Sang-an in Barangay Pulacan, this town, on Monday.

Ancan, who is also the Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces) commander, said the troops were deployed in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Misamis Occidental.

Ancan ordered the troops to be culturally-sensitive and respectful, as well as cautious in their actions “so that we may continue to sustain the progress that we have achieved in the pursuit of our mission”.

“Do your job in securing the different precincts and the cultural community while they address to the threat groups and completely support the campaign for peaceful and free elections,” he said.

He also reminded the troops to "prove their flexibility to adopt to the operational environment, commitment to duty and professionalism in selflessly serving the people and protecting the country wherever the call of duty brings them".

Lawyer Jossil Macute, provincial election supervisor, said there is an “intense political rivalry and has reported sightings of the communist groups in the hinterlands while private armed groups wearing bonnets were also reported in his office harassing (people) in the barangays.”

Given the current situation, Macute said they intensified peace-keeping operations with joint checkpoints of the police and military.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069006

Task Force sends more troops to Iligan, Lanao Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (May 6, 2019): Task Force sends more troops to Iligan, Lanao Norte


FOR PEACEFUL, ORDERLY ELECTIONS. Troops from the Army's 2nd Mechanize Infantry Brigade based in Iligan City during the send off ceremony Monday morning (May 6). (Photo by Divina M. Suson)
ILIGAN CITY--The Task Force Piniliay (election) sent off on Monday morning troops from the Army's 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade for deployment to the different areas in Lanao del Norte and Iligan City to ensure peaceful and orderly elections.

Col. Alex Aduca, deputy brigade commander and the chief of Task Force Piniliay, said the troops are composed of three battalions and three companies.

During the send-off ceremony held inside the brigade's camp here, Aduca reminded the troops of three things: "Remain non-partisan and apolitical, ensure the security of all constituents, and ensure your personal safety.

"Hindi tayo pumapanig kanino mang kandidato, panatilihin nating magiging neutral tayo para hindi tayo malagay sa alanganin (We don't side with any candidate, we will maintain our neutrality so that we won't be put into trouble)," Aduca said.

The troops were also reminded to ensure the security not only of the voters and the candidates but also of those who are serving the elections such as the board of election tellers, and volunteers who will assist the board of canvassers.

The 2nd Mechanized Brigade covers Iligan City, which has 44 barangays and 184,058 registered voters, and Lanao del Norte province which has 506 barangays and 504,069 registered voters.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069041