CPP/Ang Bayan: Soldiers ravage villages like madmen

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 21, 2020): Soldiers ravage villages like madmen

State agents mercilessly killed Ro­lan­do Patiño Ley­son, Sr., 78, last September 12 in Ba­ra­ngay San Ped­ro, Si­son, Surigao del Norte. Five armed men raided his house and shot him 20 times. Leyson was targeted just because his son is a known New People’s Army (NPA) commander in the province.

Earlier on September 8, tricycle driver Jojie Udtohan Gayoso was also killed by the same group in the same village. Gayoso was Leyson’s friend.

In Eastern Samar, elements of the 78th IB killed a mentally challenged man at Sitio Sitio Ka­bu­ga­wan, Ba­ra­ngay Aro­ga­nga, Do­lo­res on August 16. The victim was killed after throwing a coconut at a soldier. The soldiers coincidentally came across with the victim near the site where they encountered an NPA unit.

In Negros Oriental, 62nd IB troopers arrested Nonna Espinosa and nine others at Sityo Ilihan, Barangay Buenavista, Guihulngan City on September 10. They are still being held incommunicado.

In Neg­ros Occi­den­tal, three farmers were also harassed by 62nd IB troopers occupying Ba­ra­ngay Bud­la­san, Can­la­on City on September 17. Ernie Jacol­be and Gil­bert Re­yes were tending their carabaos when they were harassed by soldiers. The soldiers also threatened Reyes’ brother, Romeo. Houses at Sitio Natuling were also ransacked and personal belongings stolen by the soldiers. Another group of youngsters were also harassed by the soldier in an adjacent barangay.

In Wes­tern Sa­mar, more barangays are now being rampaged by the 87th IB and 14th IB under the guise of the Re­too­led Com­mu­nity Sup­port Prog­ram. Military operations now cover ba­ra­ngays Hag­bay and Ca­tay­du­ngan in San Jo­se de Buan, in addition to 33 other barangays the military has been occupying since May. Eight of these barangays were hamletted, wherein only three residents at a time are being allowed to leave the barangay.

Driver leader arrested in Bicol

Joint elements of the military and police arrested Ra­mon Rescovil­la on September 9 while he was on his way home to Da­ra­ga, Albay. A gun and grenade was planted in his bag as evidence. He was then brought to a precint where he was beaten up. He was slapped with a trumped-up murder charge.

Rescovil­la is the vice president of the Pi­nag-i­sang Sa­ma­han ng mga Tsu­per at Ope­ra­tor Na­ti­on­wi­de (Pis­ton) and concurrently serves as the spokesperson of Con­dor-Pis­ton Bicol.

In Ca­ma­ri­nes Nor­te, state forces arrested broadcaster Rom­mel Fe­nix and four other journalists last September 15. They were charged with libel by the governor and other local government officials.

A day earlier, journalist Jo­bert Berca­sio was gunned down in Ba­ra­ngay Ca­bid-an, Sor­so­gon City on September 14. Berca­sio is the 17th journalist killed under the Duterte regime.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/09/21/soldiers-ravage-villages-like-madmen/