Saturday, January 4, 2020

Militiaman dies in Basilan gun attack

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Jan 4, 2020): Militiaman dies in Basilan gun attack


A militiaman was killed in an ambush-style shooting incident in the province of Basilan, the military said Saturday, January 4.

Major Arvin John Encinas, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesperson, said the incident happened around 8:55 a.m. Saturday in Fuente Maluso Village, Maluso, Basilan province.

Encinas identified the fatality as Kali Jalaidi Ismali, 43, a militiaman and a resident of Pamucalin Village, Lantawan in the same province.

He said investigation showed the victim was driving his motorcycle from Fuente Maluso en route to Pamucalin, Lantawan when shot by a lone gunman with a caliber .45 pistol.

He added that Ismali succumbed to a single bullet wound in the head. An empty shell of caliber .45 pistol was recovered at the crime scene.

The Westmincom official said the police are still conducting investigation to determine the motive as well as identify the culprit behind the incident.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1838503/Zamboanga/Local-News/Militiaman-dies-in-Basilan-gun-attack

NDF/Sison: Trump commits multiple murder in line with US imperialist terrorism

Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Jan 4, 2020): Trump commits multiple murder in line with US imperialist terrorism



By Jose Maria Sison
Chairperson Emeritus
International League of Peoples’ Struggle

By ordering the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and the Iranian and Iraqi officials accompanying him at the Baghdad airport, US President Trump has blatantly committed multiple murder as well as aggression against the sovereignty of Iraq and Iran in violation of international law as well as US law which prohibits such aggressive act without the prior declaration of war by authorization of the US Congress.



Trump himself has boastfully and arrogantly admitted the criminal act that he ordered the assassination of Soleimani and his Iranian and Iraqi companions in two cars. His crime of multiple murder is in line with the aggressive and terrorist character of US imperialism. As the No. 1 terrorist in world history and contemporary times, US imperialism has committed acts of aggression, destroying the lives and properties of millions of people, even without the formal declaration of war. Imperialist aggression is the worst kind of terrorism which the people suffer and abhor.

Those who support the terrorist act of Trump try to depict Soleimani as a terrorist. But in fact the latter is well known as a master strategist against terrorist groups, such as the Islamic State, Al Nusra and the Al Qaeda, which US imperialism has employed at one time or another. Soleimani and his Iranian and Iraqi companions are well known to have fought the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, starting from the time the US and Israel had just created and deployed the Islamic State as a weapon for invading Iraq, Iran and Syria.



Iranians tear up a US flag during a demonstration in Tehran against the American strike on Baghdad airport that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guards leader Qassem Soleimani © AFP via Getty Images

In committing his criminal act, Trump is short-sightedly motivated by his selfish desire to overcome his current impeachment and to win the next presidential elections through warmongering and arousing the jingoistic sentiments that favor US imperialism. But the criminal act has serious consequences. The oppressed peoples and self-respecting countries in the Middle East are justly outraged, aroused and mobilized to fight against US imperialism. So are the people of the world, including the American people, who are against the aggressive and terrorist acts of US imperialism.

In accordance with its own original intent, US imperialism will commit further terrorist acts of aggression as in the Middle East. It will continue to lose trillions of dollars in military expenditures without being able to expand stable economic territory. The US public debt will increase at an accelerated rate even as the US military industrial complex profits. But in the Middle East, the combination of Iran, Iraq, Syria and other countries will further isolate the US and will avail of the support of China and Russia. Thanks to Trump’s hyperterrorism, the strategic decline and downfall of US imperialism is accelerating.###

https://ndfp.org/trump-commits-multiple-murder-in-line-with-us-imperialist-terrorism/

NDF/Sison: On the current ceasefire and further steps forward

Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Jan 4, 2020): On the current ceasefire and further steps forward



By Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
January 5, 2020

The current reciprocal ceasefire agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), which was supposed to have started last December 23, 2010, will soon end on January 7, 2020.

By and large, the two parties have complied with the ceasefire agreement and allowed it to serve as a goodwill and confidence building measure for enhancing the environment for the resumption of the GRP-NDFP negotiations.

Since last December 26 when the GRP provided the NDFP with copies of the SOMO and SOMO, there has been no incident in which one side fired at the other side. The few allegations of ceasefire violations have not disrupted the nationwide implementation of the reciprocal unilateral ceasefire agreement.

Such allegations can be threshed out by the GRP and NDFP negotiating panels and the Joint Monitoring Committee under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

It is widely expected that in connection with the ceasefire agreement, the GRP ought to release on humanitarian grounds sickly and elderly political prisoners, especially eleven NDFP consultants who were previously arrested and detained in violation of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.

The release of the aforementioned political prisoners on humanitarian grounds will ensure the success of the formal meeting to resume the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations within January. As regards to the rest of the political prisoners, they can look forward to the general amnesty that is already slated for proclamation upon the approval of the Interim Peace Agreement.

The formal meeting to resume the peace negotiations has the task of reaffirming all previous joint agreements since The Hague Joint Declaration of 1992, causing the presidential issuances terminating and preventing peace negotiations to be superseded and setting the agenda for negotiating and approving the Interim Peace Agreement (IPA).

The IPA has three components: 1. the general amnesty and release of all political prisoners; 2. approval of the articles of CASER on land reform and national industrialization; and 3. coordinated unilateral ceasefires.

I am happy about the recent press statement of Secretary Bello expressing considerateness to the general position of the NDFP and to the specific matter of political, legal and security requisites for my travels outside the Netherlands.

Indeed, it is highly desirable for me to meet President Duterte in order to accelerate the progress of the peace negotiations. I continue to agree that I meet him in a country near the Philippines after the approval and signing of the IPA; and that I return to the Philippines in connection with the mutual approval of the CASER.

The CASER will benefit the entire Filipino people, including families of adherents to the GRP and NDFP, through land reform and the generation of jobs under the program of national industrialization. These provide the economic and social substance for a just peace. ###

https://ndfp.org/on-the-current-ceasefire-and-further-steps-forward/

CPP/Panay: Daba-daba | Disyembre 2019 (Ispesyal nga Isyu)

Panay regional publication posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 4, 2020): Daba-daba | Disyembre 2019 (Ispesyal nga Isyu)

JANUARY 04, 2020

2019 Daba-Daba Panay Publications Regions

Download PDF

https://cpp.ph/2020/01/04/daba-daba-disyembre-2019-ispesyal-nga-isyu/

CPP/Southern Taglog: Kalatas | Disyembre 2019

Southern Tagalog regional publication posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 4, 2020): Kalatas | Disyembre 2019

JANUARY 04, 2020

2019 Kalatas Publications Regions Southern Tagalog

Download PDF

https://cpp.ph/2020/01/04/kalatas-disyembre-2019/

CPP: Revolutionary forces are united behind NDFP in quest for just and lasting peace

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 4, 2020): Revolutionary forces are united behind NDFP in quest for just and lasting peace



The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) declares that all revolutionary forces under its leadership are fully united behind the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in its quest for a just and lasting peace and the possible revival of formal peace negotiations with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP).

The Party and the Filipino people welcome the measures of the Duterte government to reopen talks with the NDFP more than two years after it ended talks, imposed martial law in Mindanao and launched an all-out war. It has placed the entire country under de facto martial law rule since last year. The Party is confident that the unilateral ceasefire declarations simultaneously declared by the CPP Central Committee and by MalacaƱang last December 22 will help set the atmosphere and boost the formal talks. The promised release of the NDFP’s consultants can be effected soon.

The CPP looks forward to the possible reopening of talks in January. The talks can pick up from the agenda left off in 2017. Negotiations on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socioeconomic Reforms (CASER) must immediately resume.

Pressing social problems and inequities such as rising prices of basic commodities, low wages, widespread joblessness, rural displacement, homelessness and so on, continue to incite the toiling masses to take up arms. These problems can be decisively addressed through the CASER and its focus on such cornerstone policies as land reform and national industrialization.

Forging the CASER will be the first decisive step at addressing the roots of the armed conflict and attaining just and lasting peace. We urge the negotiating panels of the NDFP and GRP to exert all effort to accelerate discussions on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socioeconomic Reforms (CASER) and schedule its signing at the soonest possible time. It will serve as a great motivation for the possible homecoming of NDFP Chief Political Consultant Prof. Jose Ma. Sison.

The GRP and the NDFP are expected to agree on issues as genuine land reform and national industrialization as key measures to resolve the seething socioeconomic crisis.

With the NDFP ever willing and open to discuss and resolve the roots of the armed conflict through negotiations, the success of peace talks rests mostly on the shoulders of President Duterte.

The Filipino people hope that Duterte has now realized the futility of his militarist approach. For more than two years, he has allowed the AFP to take lead in trying to resolve the armed conflict by waging a relentless all-out war against the New People’s Army (NPA) and a bloody campaign of suppression against the people.

The regime’s approach is being proven counterproductive. Having the deep and wide support of the masses, the NPA is proving itself resilient against the all-out offensives of the AFP. In the first half of this year, more than 250 AFP soldiers were killed in its military offensives in Mindanao alone. Instead of pacifying the people, the AFP’s “surrender” and “persona non grata” drives, marked by killings, arbitrary arrests, threats and intimidation, are fomenting deep and widespread hatred against Duterte and his regime and inciting the people to wage resistance.

Without changing course in his approach to counterinsurgency, Duterte is bound to fail in the last three years of his reign in his declared aim of “ending the local communist armed conflict.” The NPA will remain ever so strong and determined to wage armed resistance in defense of the people’s rights and in pursuit of their national and democratic interests. In the face of pressing social problems and fascist repression, the Filipino people are bound to erupt in mass protests.

The Filipino people must resist the militarist forces who constantly oppose efforts to attain a just and lasting peace through negotiations. These forces are mainly in the AFP and PNP and in the security and defense establishment whose officers are loyal to the US. To them, war is big business. It is dogheaded in waging an endless war against an undefeatable enemy because it ensures steady streams of profit for their war industry and their cohorts in the Philippine military and police.

These forces, led by Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, have publicly opposed the simultaneous unilateral ceasefire declaration issued by their own commander-in-chief. Contrary to the spirit of the 15-day ceasefire, the AFP continues to mass its forces in the areas where the NPA have withdrawn for the duration of the ceasefire in the hope of forcing the NPA to engage in battle to preempt the scheduled talks.

The Party urges all peace advocates to unite and support the scheduled formal talks and help push for the success of peace negotiations. Support the clamor for genuine land reform and national industrialization as key policies to resolve the roots of the armed conflict. Push for the forging of the agreement on socioeconomic reforms. Oppose the militarists and their scheme to sabotage the talks. #

https://cpp.ph/2020/01/04/revolutionary-forces-are-united-behind-ndfp-in-quest-for-just-and-lasting-peace/

CPP/NPA: Ka Oris: NPA fully supports the CPP-CC’s Unilateral Ceasefire Declaration

NPA propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 4, 2020): Ka Oris: NPA fully supports the CPP-CC’s Unilateral Ceasefire Declaration

KA ORIS
SPOKESPERSON
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY
JANUARY 04, 2020



The New People’s Army, through its National Operations Command (NOC), expresses full support to the letter and spirit of the unilateral ceasefire declaration issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines last December 22. The NPA-NOC reiterates the CPP-CC’s nationwide ceasefire order to all commands and units of the New People’s Army (NPA) and the people’s militias that took effect last 0000H of 23 December 2019 2359H of 7 January 2020.

The New People’s Army fully adheres to the objective of the ceasefire as outlined by the CPP-CC’s ceasefire declaration, to wit: “The purpose of the reciprocal and unilateral ceasefires is to generate a positive atmosphere conducive to the holding of informal talks preparatory to the formal meeting to resume the peace negotiations. These shall be measures of goodwill and confidence building during the traditional celebrations of Christmas and New Year holidays.”
All units and members of the NPA are duty bound to implement the CPP-CC order that further states: “During the ceasefire period, all NPA units and people’s militias shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive military operations against the armed units and personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other paramilitary and armed groups attached to the GRP.”

At the same time, the NPA-NOC echoes the precautionary reminder of the CC that while maintaining a defensive mode, units of the NPA and people’s militias “shall nonetheless maintain a high degree of militancy and vigilance against any hostile actions or movements contrary to the ceasefire order. Active-defense operations shall be undertaken only in the face of clear and imminent danger and actual armed attack by hostile forces.”

It should be noted that on the first day of the ceasefire the AFP-PNP-CAFGU and other paramilitary units under the supervision of the AFP have violated their own ceasefire in Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Agusan del Sur. There are also still unconfirmed reports of similar violations, as well as build up of military forces in NPA areas, committed by the GRP armed forces in other regions nationwide. It is therefore imperative that all units and personnel of the NPA and people’s militias shall not let down their guards against possible enemy attacks during the duration of the ceasefire and ready to give battle if the situation demands as a measure of self-defense.

To be able to monitor the overall implementation of the said nationwide ceasefire the CC further ordered: “All branches and committees of the CPP, units of the NPA and people’s militias and revolutionary mass organizations should closely monitor any hostile actions being carried out by the armed units and personnel of the GRP. Such information should be reported to the concerned commands of the New People’s Army and leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines.”

In this regard, all NPA political officers and guides must immediately report any military incident in their respective areas of operations to their respective commands and Party committees. All reports must also be submitted to the NPA-NOC as well as the Central Committee and its Information Bureau. To fully inform the public regarding the actual conduct and situation of the ceasefire on the ground, all NPA spokesperson at all levels should issue appropriate press releases and make themselves available to the media regarding said incidents in their AOR.

https://cpp.ph/statement/ka-oris-npa-fully-supports-the-cpp-ccs-unilateral-ceasefire-declaration/

CPP: Strengthen the Party! Lead the people’s resistance against the fascist rampage of the US-Duterte regime!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 4, 2020): Strengthen the Party! Lead the people’s resistance against the fascist rampage of the US-Duterte regime!


With unremitting revolutionary commitment and determination, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) marks its 51st founding anniversary today as the Filipino people confront the US-Duterte regime’s heightened fascist suppression and all-out attacks against the people and their revolutionary movement. Infused with Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, a firm grasp of objective conditions, and boundless optimism, the Party is ever determined to strengthen itself and lead the Filipino people in their struggles against all forms of oppression and exploitation and advancing the national democratic revolution.

The US-Duterte regime’s heightened campaign of fascist suppression against the people manifests the deep-seated and chronic crisis of the ruling system. It reflects the desperation of the ruling reactionary state to preserve the moribund semicolonial and semifeudal system. This intensification comes as the irresoluble crisis of the ruling system, as well as continuing depression of the global capitalist system, subjects the broad Filipino masses to worsening forms of oppression and exploitation and incites them to wage all forms of struggle to defend their national and democratic interests.

The continuing and worsening economic depression of the world capitalist system is generating myriad forms of contradictions. In the past year, these have broken out in rising interimperialist conflict over economic and trade policy and sources of raw materials. There have been large-scale demonstrations in various countries and workers strikes, on the one hand; and rising fascism and state suppression, on the other.

The local socioeconomic crisis continues to worsen as the Duterte regime steps up implementation of long-discredited neoliberal economic policies espoused by the IMF and World Bank, and other imperialist agencies. The regime continues to perpetuate the country’s dependence on foreign-debt and imported commodities and capital goods. The economy remains non-industrial and backward. Except for pockets of semiprocessing and large agribusiness linked to the international operations of multinational corporations, local manufacturing and agriculture remains backward and small-scale. Large resources, including foreign borrowings, are being wasted on infrastructure, energy, tourism and other projects that generate massive profits for foreign big corporations and their local big business partners.

Unemployment is on the rise as the economy’s capacity for job creation is unable to keep up with growing surplus labor. This oversupply of labor, on the other hand, presses down on wages. Labor export remains the reactionary state’s central band-aid policy under the Duterte regime.

Social conditions of the broad toiling masses continue to deteriorate as wage and income levels cannot cope with increasing costs of living. Burdensome taxes have resulted in rising prices of food and other basic necessities. This is made worse by import dependence and all-out liberalization of rice imports which have threatened local agricultural production and food security. Millions suffer from homelessness, lack of public health and education services and general urban decay. In the rural areas, millions of peasants suffer from feudal, semifeudal and other forms of oppression.

There is widespread landlessness and disposession of agricultural and ancestral land in the face of aggressive encroachment and expansion of multinational mining and plantation operations, as well energy, tourism and other infrastructure projects. There is grave lack of social services in rural areas, especially among the minority peoples.

The grievious social and economic conditions of the broad masses of the Filipino people are in stark contrast to the accumulation of wealth and high-style living of the ruling classes of big bourgeois compradors, big landlords and bureaucrat capitalists. They wallow in luxury and spend money on jewelry, foreign travel, palacious homes, real estate and expensive gadgetry.

The worsening social and economic conditions of the people and sharp inequities indicate the deep crisis of the ruling social system. It is further exposed by the crisis of the ruling political system and its resort to open fascist rule.

The Duterte regime has placed the entire country under undeclared martial law since December 2018 through Executive Order 70, combined with Mindanao martial law and Memorandum Order 32. The entire reactionary state is now a virtual civil-military junta in the form of the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict headed by Duterte and fomer AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon. It has a network of regional task forces led by active and retired military and police officers. With the chief executive himself at the helm, the entire reactionary state is focused on counterinsurgency and fascist suppression in an unprecedented manner since the Marcos dictatorship. Through intimidation (red-tagging and drug-listing) and threats of assassination, local government officials, as well as court judges, are being forced to serve as pawns in the AFP’s suppression drive and take part in the AFP’s “persona non grata” drive against the NPA and mass-oriented organizations.

The liberal faƧade of the ruling system is slowly being eroded with Duterte taking full control of the entire reactionary political system. Through the recent farcical elections, manipulated through hacking of the automated counting system, Duterte seized majority control of the Senate and Lower House. Progressive forces in the House are being eased out of parliament and are constantly being attacked and red-tagged. Majority of the Supreme Court justices is composed of Duterte appointees.

The rottenness of the reactionary state is laid bare as bureaucrat capitalists and criminal syndicates jockey for a greater share of the operations under Duterte. Duterte’s farcical war on drugs which has killed tens of thousands of ordinary people has been exposed by the involvement of top officers of the police in drug recycling. Duterte’s drug war aims merely to establish his overlordship of illegal drug trafficking in the country.

In cities and town centers, the Duterte regime has mounted sustained attacks against legal and democratic mass-oriented organizations using red-tagging, surveillance and intimidation, arrests and prolonged detention, filing of trumped-up charges, and extrajudicial killings. The attacks have been most intense in factories, campuses and urban poor communities. There are now more than 600 political prisoners, more than half of which were arrested since 2016.

In the countryside, the regime has mounted a relentless fascist onslaught against the peasant masses. This is being carried out primarily in areas where there is strong opposition to mining, plantations and other other destructive projects of big corporate interests.

It has employed full-scale state terrorism to force the masses to surrender their democratic rights and suppress their struggles for land and to uphold their economic well-being. Entire peasant villages where people have actively defended their rights and welfare, have been illegalized and subjected to military suppression. There are at least 730 detachments and camps of paramilitary and regular AFP troops and police combat forces, 50% more since imposing martial law in 2017, now dot the rural villages and interior areas of Mindanao. Civilians are arbitrarily accused by the military of being “NPA supporters” and face threats of being arrested or killed unless they cooperate with the AFP. To deceive the people, Duterte has presented himself as a champion of land reform, distributing meaningless titles, in a vain attempt to draw the support of the peasant masses away from the NPA. The AFP, moreover, has implemented the heavily-funded and corruption-laden E-CLIP with promises of P50,000 for anyone who “surrenders,” in a vain effort to obscure the deep social and political roots of the armed conflict.

The strategic aim of the Duterte regime’s suppression campaign against the peasant masses is to isolate the people’s army, put it into a purely military situation, force the NPA to narrow corridors in rough terrain and subject it to focused military offensives with superior military force. This tactic has been applied in full-scale in Mindanao regions since 2017 and is now being carried out in other parts of the country. The AFP has employed relentless artillery shelling and aerial bombing (rockets and 500-pound explosives supplied and funded by the US military) and strafing in the vicinity of civilian communities to terrorize and weaken the resolve of the masses and Red fighters to fight.

The enemy’s offensives have largely been frustrated by the NPA. The people’s army has employed guerrilla tactics of concentration, dispersal and shifting and availed of the deep and widespread support of the masses of peasants and minority people. Units of the NPA have successfully countermaneuvered and mounted tactical offensives. In the first half of 2019, the AFP suffered more than 353 casualties (252 killed-in-action) in Mindanao, putting out of action at least one battalion of fascist troops.

Two years after unilaterally ending peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the Duterte regime has once again reopened channels for a possible revival of talks. The regime has publicly declared willingness to end martial law in Mindanao. While alert to the duplicitous aims of the fascist regime, and keenly aware of the fact that the entire country is under undeclared martial law through EO 70, the NDFP has taken a principled stand, and has welcomed the approach of Duterte’s representatives. The NDFP has reiterated its position that previous agreements must be respected and that future negotiations must address primarily the socioeconomic roots of the armed conflict. It is keenly aware of the demand of broad masses of the Filipino people for thorough reforms to end de facto martial law rule. The Party leadership has positively acted on the recommendation of the NDFP panel to declare a unilateral ceasefire from December 23 to January 7 to help boost peace talks and generate people’s support.

The prevailing socioeconomic crisis and the grave oppression and exploitation of the people continue to generate conditions favorable and necessary for the people to wage all forms of revolutionary struggle. Keenly aware of these conditions, the Party and all revolutionary forces must heighten its efforts to arouse, organize and mobilize the Filipino people in their millions.

In the cities, workers’ strikes as well as various forms of demonstrations by public health workers, school teachers and employees are bound to increase as the demand for wage increases and job security become even more urgent in the face of rising cost of living and deteriorating social conditions. Student activism will continue to intensify as protests in the face of rising cost of education and worsening attacks against campus rights by fascist state agents. In the countryside, peasant unrest will continue to spread and erupt in mass protests in the face of widespread rural crisis resulting from land dispossession, liberalization of rice imports, land-use conversion, massive loss of jobs and state disregard of the plight of the people. Overall, the spirit of patriotism will continue to rise in the face of aggressive encroachment into the country’s sea and land resources by foreign big business interests. The people’s struggle for democracy will heighten incessantly in the face of relentless fascist suppression.

The Party must continue to strengthen itself in an all-round manner—ideologically, politically and organizationally, in line with the Central Committee’s Five-year Program. The Party must continue to assiduously study and apply Marxism-Leninism-Maoism in all fields of work, sum-up its experiences, root out the causes of weaknesses and shortcomings, and further improve its methods of work and leadership. The Party must spread and deepen its roots among the masses in order to effectively lead the people in their democratic mass struggles and all forms of revolutionary resistance, and sustain and carry forward the people’s war to higher levels.

In the cities, the Party must continue to build its branches among the workers, semiproletariat and petty-bourgeoisie. The broad masses must intensify their struggle for democratic reforms, amplify the demand for higher wages and salaries, job security, and increase in state subsidies for public health and education. At the same time, they must raise the patriotism of the people by linking and raising the democratic struggles of the broad masses to the question of imperialist domination and the need to defend the country’s sovereignty and patrimony.

The Party must continue to strengthen the NPA and advance the people’s war in a comprehensive manner. While the NPA has withstood the enemy’s all-out war, it must also pay attention to further consolidation in order to surmount the enemy’s bigger attacks in the future. The Party must strengthen the politico-military training of its cadres and NPA Red fighters in order to further steel their discipline and determination, raise the capacity of the people’s army to carry out extensive and intensive guerrilla warfare and heighten its ability to arouse, organize and mobilize the broad peasant masses in an ever-expanding manner.

The Party, the NPA and all revolutionary forces in the countryside must be able to mobilize the broad peasant masses, as well as the rural semiproletariat, in a widespread movement to carry out the Party’s minimum program for land reform and address the well-being of the people. The more extensive this mass movement, the more the NPA can expand and the wider the bearth for waging armed struggle. In doing so, we can frustrate the enemy’s objective of isolating the NPA and pacifying the masses. Thus, the Party and the NPA must be good in social investigation, paying attention to the big and small problems of the people, and working with the masses to raise their collective capacity to struggle for their social and economic demands.

We must develop a widespread anti-imperialist and antifeudal movement to resist the aggression and plunder of the country’s wealth and patrimony by multinational corporations. The Filipino people must resist the oppressive neoliberal policies and loan conditionalities imposed by foreign big banks, both those affiliated with China and the US imperialists. They must raise the demands for genuine land reform and national industrialization as key policies to address the chronic crisis of the ruling system.

We must also expose the link between the intensifying use of fascist violence by the Duterte regime to serve the interests of foreign multinational corporations, big mining, agribusiness and energy companies. The Filipino people must militantly fight for democracy and resist the US-Duterte regime’s campaign of suppression. The Party and all democratic forces must bring together the Filipino people in a broad united front to demand justice for all victims of fascist state violence and struggle to end the tyrannical regime.

The Party is optimistic that the Filipino people will continue to intensify their democratic and revolutionary struggles in the coming year. Duterte is bound to be isolated by his crimes, corruption and abuse of power. The fascist lies and promises of the Duterte regime are rapidly being exposed in the face of the worsening crisis of the ruling system and the sufferings of the Filipino people. The need to wage national democratic revolution has become ever clear.

End Duterte’s de facto martial law and fascist reign of terror!
Struggle for national democracy!
Carry forward the people’s war!
Long live the Communist Party of the Philippines!
Long live the Filipino people!

https://cpp.ph/2020/01/04/strengthen-the-party-lead-the-peoples-resistance-against-the-fascist-rampage-of-the-us-duterte-regime/

Kalinaw News: CNT Medical Officer surrenders in Nueva Vizcaya

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 4, 2020): CNT Medical Officer surrenders in Nueva Vizcaya



CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela – A Communist-NPA-Terrorist (CNT) Medical Officer with several war materiel and medical paraphernalia voluntarily submitted himself to the joint elements of 502nd Infantry Brigade and Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Police Office in Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya on December 03, 2019.

The continuous Joint AFP-PNP Operations under 502IBde,5ID,PA and PRO2 in the implementation of their campaign to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) under EO 70 in the region led to the surrender of a CNT identified as @ JAYJAY, a Medical Officer of Platoon Uno of Komiteng Larangan Guerilla Quirino-Nueva Vizcaya (KLG Q-NV), listed #14 of 3rd Quarter 2019 Periodic Status Report (PSR). Along with him is (1) Cal. 38 Revolver w/ six (6) ammunitions; two (2) hand grenades; two (2) pieces of 40mm ammunition; and one back pack containing First Aid kit with acupuncture paraphernalia and personal belongings.

Brigadier General Laurence E Mina, Commander, 502 Brigade, commended the efforts of the involved troops for the significant accomplishment in continuously achieving peace not only in the province but in the whole region.

“The voluntary surrender of AKA JAYJAY is considered a big distress to the CPP-NPA-Terrorists group and a clear manifestation of the degrading strength of the CNTs touring in the region. We are performing at our finest to condemn the atrocities of the communist movement and we continue to encourage the public to report any suspicious activities to the respective authorities to contribute in this fight against communist insurgency”, BGen Mina said.​

Consequently, Major General Pablo M Lorenzo, commander of 5ID, also urged the other remnants of the CNTs to return into the folds of the law and live peacefully together with their families.

“The CNTs in Cagayan Valley are in disarray and inconsequential to the point that many of them are abandoning the armed struggle to topple our democratic government. @ JAYJAY and the Former Rebels made the correct and life-changing decision to join the mainstream of society in order to live peaceful and productive lives that everyone of us deserves. Hence, we are calling on the remaining CNTs to lay down their arms and avail the ECLIP program. Now more than ever is the ripe time to start a new life. Rest assured, you will also be accepted with open arms by a caring and supportive government and society”, MGen Lorenzo concluded.

Looking back at 2019: Basilan becomes an investment frontier

From the Philippine Star (Jan 4, 2020): Looking back at 2019: Basilan becomes an investment frontier (By John Unson)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Residents of Basilan will remember 2019 as the year the 11 towns and two cities in the island province together became the Bangsamoro region’s new investment frontier.

A transnational firm, the Davao-based Unifruitti Group, and its local partners agreed in 2019 to establish a 1,000-hectare Cavendish banana plantation in Lamitan City, capital of Basilan.

To take off this year, the venture, supported by Lamitan City Mayor Rose Furigay, Basilan Gov. Jim Salliman and Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman, will initially employ no fewer than a thousand local laborers, according to officials of the Regional Board of Investments-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Hataman is the lone congressional representative of Basilan, one of the five provinces inside the core territory of BARMM.

Besides the 1,000-hectare banana farm in Lamitan City, the Unifruitti Group and its local counterparts are also keen on putting up this year another plantation just as large in Basilan’s Lantawan town, a former bastion of the Abu Sayyaf.

It was in 2019 when the provincial government of Basilan got another Seal of Good Local Governance, or SGLG, from the office of Local Government Secretary Eduardo AƱo, its second in just two years.

Lamitan City, which has more than 40 barangays, received an SGLG in 2016, in 2017, in 2018 and in 2019.

The yearly grant of an SGLG to LGUs is based on governance efficiency and involvement of local officials in domestic humanitarian, peace and security programs.

Basilan’s Sumisip and Maluso towns also each received three SGLGs in the past three years.

The provincial government launched last December a first ever P20 million ice plant project in Maluso, the fishing capital of Basilan, to boost the marketability, via proper refrigeration processes, of daily catch surplus from the territorial seas of the province to markets in the Zamboanga peninsula.

Muslim and Christian residents in Basilan are not accustomed to eating fishes preserved in ice owing to the abundance of supply that entrepreneurs process into dried fishes if not sold in the local markets.

The construction of the first ever P20 million ice plant facility in Maluso is a joint project of the office of Basilan’s governor and the mayor of the municipality, the now second-termer Hanie Bud.

Business groups in Basilan are optimistic of more improvements in the investment climate in potential economic hubs, particularly Isabela City, with two neophyte but idealist officials, Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman and Vice Mayor Kifli Salliman, now at the helm of the city government.

Turabin-Hataman and Salliman, both elected to office only last May 2019, have jointly brokered via diplomatic maneuvers the now markedly visible interfaith solidarity among Isabela City’s Muslim and Christian communities that for years were divided by religious and political differences.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of WestMinCom, said Saturday what ushered in the dramatic improvements in the security situation in Basilan is the common peace initiative of local leaders dubbed Program Against Violent Extremism, or PAVE.

The PAVE, being administered by the provincial government and the office of the congressional representative in the province, have secured the surrender in the past three years of more than 200 Abu Sayyaf members in Basilan.

The now reforming former Abu Sayyaf gunmen are presently being reintroduced to mainstream society via inter-agency rehabilitation programs meant to turn them into productive unarmed residents as they thrive in peace in their respective hometowns.

Many of them were toured around the country in 2019 in educational trips facilitated by provincial officials and the WestMinCom for them to understand the need for peace for Basilan to fully rise from underdevelopment due to armed conflicts.

Duterte to AFP: Protect freedom, democratic values

From the Philippine Star (Jan 5, 2020): Duterte to AFP: Protect freedom, democratic values (By Christina Mendez)

After several days of not showing up in public, President Duterte presided over the change of command ceremonies at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City yesterday and gave marching orders to new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Filemon Santos Jr. to protect freedom and the people’s democratic values.

Away from the public eye for several days, Duterte read a prepared speech during the simple rites at the Tejeros Hall that was also attended by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Sens. Ronald dela Rosa and Christopher Go and Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari.

Duterte also assured the military of his full support as he called for solidarity within the AFP.

The 74-year-old commander-in-chief also ordered the new AFP chief to continue its mandate to fight all forms of threats against the sovereignty of the country.

“Under the command of Gen. Santos, I am confident that the AFP will further achieve more milestones in the campaign to protect our freedom and democratic values,” the President said.

“It is my hope that you will carry out programs that will elevate the competence, the probity and integrity of our uniformed personnel,” he added.

Duterte told Santos to uphold the integrity of his profession at all times while he leads the military in the fight against security threats to the nation.

“May this momentous occasion renew your commitment to defend our homeland from lingering and emerging security threats as you uphold the safety of our families and communities,” he said.

At the start of his speech, Duterte also commended outgoing AFP chief Gen. Noel Clement for his successful tour of duty as chief of staff that lasted for about three months.

“Your stint at the helm of our military will be remembered for your principled and irreproachable leadership in fighting insurgency and securing our sovereignty,” the Chief Executive said. “I likewise laud your spirited efforts in spearheading the humanitarian assistance and disaster response of the AFP.”

Duterte also lauded Clement for his “faithful adherence to the military professional service (that) inspires your troops to continue serving with valor, heroism and selflessness.”

“To all soldiers, I assure you that you will always have my full support and confidence as we build a more stable and peaceful nation for our people. Be assured that this administration will assist the men and women of the AFP as we overcome the challenges we face as a nation,” he said.

“I trust that you will work in unison with the incoming chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Filemon Santos Jr. as you remain steadfast in protecting our country against lawlessness and terrorism,” Duterte added.

Duterte expressed confidence that the AFP will also be at the forefront in protecting democracy as well as in assisting the Philippine National Police in the maintenance of peace and order.

“Together, let us embody solidarity as we pursue a more peaceful future for all. Thank you for your service at mabuhay ang sundalong Pilipino!” the President said.
Communist insurgency

Santos declared that under his leadership the military will focus its resources on the remaining communist insurgents but admitted that the country’s communist insurgency problem is not likely to end under his term.

He said the military would continue to be proactive against local terrorist groups who pledge allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“Not within my term but within the term of the President, we are confident that we will end that (insurgency),” Santos said.

Likewise, the AFP will continue to go hard against the Abu Sayyaf and the groups who pledge allegiance to ISIS.

“We shall effectively counter their narratives through good governance practices, build community trust and earn the people’s respect. Vigilance, support and cooperation from the local populace are needed in order to surpass and prevent any future terroristic plans from occurring and avoiding the unnecessary loss of lives,” Santos said.

Sen. Dela Rosa said Santos should focus on ending the country’s communist insurgency.

Dela Rosa said though the AFP has been gaining momentum in the campaign against communism, Santos, who he described as a “silent worker,” should continue the efforts in addressing insurgency.

Dela Rosa also expressed doubts on the sincerity of the camp of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Ma. Sison in entering into another round of peace talks with the government since the communist rebels have violated previous ceasefire agreements with the government.

He also noted that the forces of the CPP and New People’s Army have already weakened, considering the number of their members who returned to the fold of the law.

This developed as the Navy’s missile frigate passed the second phase of sea trials held off South Korea.

Despite hurdling grueling sea trial, Korean-made BRP Jose Rizal will still take two more sea trials before her scheduled delivery either in April or May this year.

The government procured BRP Jose Rizal and her sister ship BRP Antonio Luna that were launched in November by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

The ship’s propulsion console, fresh water generator and steering gear were tested while sailing in various speed and sea conditions.

BRP Jose Rizal’s radars were also tested along with the frigate’s fuel consumption.

Designed with maximum top speed of 25 knots, the missile-firing frigate has a cruising speed of 15 knots and range of 4,500 nautical miles.

The first sea trials were held in the waters of Ulsan, Busan and Mokho in November last year.

For the third and fourth sea trials, which are still to be scheduled, the warship’s weapons systems’ effectiveness will be tested. -With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Jaime Laude

Durugin na! New AFP chief vows to use all resources to defeat Reds

From Politiko (Jan 4, 2020): Durugin na! New AFP chief vows to use all resources to defeat Reds



While supportive of all government efforts to bring the local communist insurgency to a peaceful end, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is more than willing to use all its assets and resources to crush the movement’s remaining supporters and members.

“The AFP can now focus all its resources, manpower and firepower on the remaining communist terrorist armed groups who insist on not giving up the armed struggle, in spite of the goodwill shown to them by the administration in giving cash, livelihood training and even housing,” newly-appointed AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Filemon Santos said on Saturday during his speech at his assumption-of-command ceremony at the Tejeros Hall, AFP Commissioned Officers Country, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Santos said the AFP will also immediately neutralized those who insist on political power through armed struggle.

He also cited the significant gains have been by the government in reducing the security threat posed by the communist rebels through Executive Order which created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and institutionalized a whole-of-nation-approach in attaining exclusive and sustainable peace.

He added these initiatives are effective solutions against communist terrorists unlike in the past where local chief executives left the insurgency problem solely to the military and the police to deal with.

“Under Executive Order No. 70 all government agencies from the national, regional, provincial, cities, municipalities, all the way down to the barangay level are now involved and have delegated roles and responsibilities in this whole-of-nation-approach, this multi-pronged approach addresses the motivation for insurgency and will hopefully put an end to treacherous life cycle,” he added.

“Government agencies their corresponding units at all levels cooperate and interact, support, provide practical solution and solve problems and issues on the ground that are being exploited by these communist terrorists in order to stir up our countrymen fight against government through armed struggle, by doing so, there will be no reason for CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front) to agitate, organize and mobilize this vulnerable sectors and communities,” Santos said.

He said these initiatives are aided by good governance practices and the efficient delivery of service which create resilient communities that can thwart the return of communist terrorist groups in the provinces and cities.

“The AFP will continue to be proactive against local terrorist groups such as Abu Sayyaf, and those groups who pledged allegiance to ISIS, we shall effectively counter their narratives through good governance build community trust and earn the people’s respect. Vigilance, support, cooperation from the local populace are needed in order to suppress and prevent any future terroristic plan from occurring and avoiding unnecessary loss of human lives and damage to property,” Santos said.

He added that the AFP should always be battle-ready to counteract any threats that confront its desire for peace.

Santos pledged to serve the nation loyally to the best of his abilities and expressed his thanks to President Rodrigo R. Duterte for the trust given to him to head the AFP.

He replaced Gen. Noel S. Clement, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985, who retired from military service as he will be reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on January 5.

Clement was appointed AFP last September 24 replacing his classmate Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., who retired from the service after his 56th birthday.

Santos, a member of PMA Class 1986, commanded the Nueva Ecija-based 7th Infantry Division before his appointment as Eastern Mindanao Command head in January of last year.

Ceasefire holding; Sison says he is ready to meet Duterte in Hanoi

From MindaNews (Jan 4, 2020): Ceasefire holding; Sison says he is ready to meet Duterte in Hanoi  (By FROILAN GALLARDO)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 04 January) — Despite a shaky start, the 16-day holiday truce between the Philippine government appears to be holding and is expected to raise the prospects of reviving the peace negotiations, Jose Ma. Sison, founding chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines said.

Sison also said that while it is still too early in the day, he is ready to meet President Duterte “one-on-one” in Hanoi as suggested by the government panel.

There are complaints of violations of the December 23, 2019 to January 7, 2020 ceasefire “but the Philippine government is not withdrawing. Nor shall the Communist Party,” Sison told reporters in Butuan City via Skype from Utrecht, The Netherlands on December 30.


SIGNED. Government peace panel chair SIlvestre Bello III (r) and NDF peace panel chair FIdel Agcaoili exchange copies of the Interim Joint Ceasefire Agreement signed on April 5, 2017 in The Netherlands. but will take effect only when the guidelines and ground rules are approved. President Rodrigo Duterte called off the talks in November 2017 and declared the CPP-NPA as terrorists in December that year. Last month, a 16-day ceasefire from December 23, 2019 to January 7, 2020, was agreed upon by government and the NDF. Photo courtesy of OPAPP

“I think, on the whole, the ceasefire will be a success. I don’t foresee any action by the government that could spoil the ceasefire,” Sison said.

Communist rebels called off a plenum and mass wedding of their supporters in Bacuag, Surigao del Norte on December 30, as soldiers swarmed the venue.

Ka Oto, spokesperson of the New People’s Army (NPA) Front 16, informed a group of reporters invited to cover the plenum not to proceed anymore because the situation was “unsafe”.

Sison said the deployment of Army soldiers in Bacuag town was “ a hostile and provocative action.”

But “it was not enough to pull out,” Sison said, adding there is “no great cause for the NDF to withdraw from the negotiating table.”

The Philippine government also accused the communist rebels of violating the truce when NPA rebels attacked a police and Army units in Camarines Norte and Iloilo, killing a soldier and wounding several policemen last December 23.

President Rodrigo Duterte did not call off the ceasefire.

Sison said the success of the ceasefire, could pave the way for another informal meeting of both parties by the second or third week of January.

He said the informal meeting is in preparation for the formal resumption of the peace talks to be held most likely in Oslo. The government of Norway has been facilitating the peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)

Ex-Communist rebel yields gun for books: DND

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 4, 2020): Ex-Communist rebel yields gun for books: DND  (By Martin Sadongdong)

The Department of National Defense (DND) continues to urge Communist rebels, especially young fighters, to lay down their arms and avail of the national government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to have a better chance at life.



DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong (AP / MANILA BULLETIN)

In a statement Saturday, Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said E-CLIP helps former rebels as they make their transition back to mainstream society through financial and educational assistance, livelihood training and psycho-social support among others.

One such case was a rebel known as “Kim,” who was allegedly a medical officer for a New People’s Army (NPA) unit in Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur.

Andolong said Kim got involved in the Communist group as a young medic, treating wounded and sick comrades in the mountains until she decided to surrender to the military and avail of the Task Force Balik Loob’s E-CLIP.

Kim had since returned to school after surrendering, and is due to graduate from senior high school in March along with other former rebels who decided to give up arms.

Kim told the military that she was planning to take up a business and finance course in college.

At present, Kim is being protected and supported by a unit of the Army inside their camp in Pagadian City while she continues with her studies, Andolong said.

“Kim is now looking forward to a better future and is helping the Philippine Army in preventing her fellow youth from experiencing what she went through inside the CTG [communist-terrorist group],” Andolong stated.

The Defense official also said that Lim has started speaking in various fora “to expose the deceptive ways that the New People’s Army (NPA) uses in recruiting students and barangay residents in Pagadian.”

No mention of West Philippine Sea in new military chief’s speech

From Rappler (Jan 4, 2020): No mention of West Philippine Sea in new military chief’s speech (By JC Gotinga)

Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr praises President Duterte’s ‘localized peace talks’ with communist guerrilla fronts, and vows to focus military efforts on stamping out the rebellion



NEW AFP CHIEF. Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr was installed as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on January 4, 2020. Screengrab from RTVM

The new military chief, Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr, vowed to defend the government against communist rebels, in his assumption speech that covered the range of the Philippines’ security concerns except China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

Besides saying that defense cooperation with international allies and a modernization program would enable the military “to protect the integrity and sovereignty of our national territory,” Santos did not mention the West Philippine Sea during the change-of-command ceremony on Saturday afternoon, January 4, during which he officially took over as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from General Noel Clement, who was retiring from the service.

China’s occupation and militarization of islets in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea – what’s called the West Philippine Sea – is one of the Philippines’ biggest security challenges, and is usually among the subjects of military chiefs’ public addresses.

Santos otherwise showed himself well-versed in the country’s security issues, especially the communist insurgency. He began by highlighting the achievements of Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70), President Rodrigo Duterte’s policy of “localized peace talks” with individual fronts of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and affiliated militias.

Having been the commander of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) since January 2019, Santos said he “witnessed” how “good governance practices and the efficient delivery of basic services” in the Davao region as part of efforts to “end local communist armed conflict” made for “resilient communities that thwart the return of the communist terrorist groups.”

Santos mentioned the governors of Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte, as well as Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, the President’s daughter, as local executives who have successfully implemented EO 70.

“Thus, the Armed Forces can now focus its resources, manpower, and firepower on the remaining communist-terrorist armed groups who insist on not giving up the armed struggle in spite of the good will shown to them by the administration…. We will immediately neutralize those who insist on seizing political power through armed struggle,” Santos said.

President Duterte led the ceremony on Saturday – his first public appearance since missing two scheduled events on Friday, January 3, because he was “not feeling well.”

China in the room

Among the dignitaries who attended the change-of-command ceremony was Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian.

Duterte has broadened the Philippines’ relations with China by taking a decidedly non-aggressive approach to the West Philippine Sea dispute. China insists on owning about 80% of the strategic and resource-rich waters despite a 2016 international arbitral award that affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights. Duterte has refrained from demanding China’s compliance.

“Warmer” bilateral ties have led to financial and economic agreements worth billions of pesos in loans and loan pledges from China. Some critics have described the agreements as “debt traps.”

Out in the West Philippine Sea, Filipino fishermen and seafarers have faced harassment from Chinese vessels in areas like Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal and Recto (Reed) Bank. China Coast Guard ships maintain a constant presence in these places, while Chinese warships have occasionally been spotted traversing Philippine seas. Chinese fishing boats act as militias exercising de facto control of the waters.

To fight the communists

But to the Duterte administration, the communist rebels from the NPA and its affiliate groups are the more imminent enemy, and the military is under pressure to end the decades-old insurgency.

“We are confident that we will end that before the end of the President’s term [in 2022],” Santos told reporters after Saturday’s ceremony.

As the government plans to revive wholesale peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines, the NPA’s parent organization, the military earlier said it would continue operating under EO 70 until otherwise ordered by the President, the military's commander-in-chief.

Security officials like Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who supervises the military, have expressed doubts about negotiating with the communists, saying it could buy them time to regroup and relaunch offensives against the government.

Instead, the security establishment prefers the “localized” approach of EO 70.

Santos said nearly 1,200 communist guerrillas have surrendered and availed of the government’s “reintegration” incentives in the Eastmincom area in 2019 – a sign that the strategy was working.

Peace in Mindanao
Now at the helm of the entire military, Santos has 7 months to steer efforts against communists and jihadists – yet another major security challenge.

He said the military would “counter the narratives” of extremists through good governance and “earning the people’s respect.”

Under his watch, the military would see to the implementation of the Bangsamoro peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, seen as the key to ending violence in Muslim Mindanao.

International cooperation and the military’s modernization are also crucial to securing the country’s southern borders, where terrorists from other countries enter undetected by authorities.

As Eastmincom chief, and during earlier assignments in Mindanao, Santos became quite familiar with the conditions that breed violence. In Eastern Mindanao, which includes the President’s hometown Davao City, the threats have mostly been from communist rebels.

Santos will be military chief until August 3 when he turns 56, the mandatory age of retirement for members of the military.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/248526-no-mention-west-philippine-sea-new-military-chief-speech

NPA medical officer surrenders in Nueva Vizcaya – military

From GMA News Online (Jan 4, 2020): NPA medical officer surrenders in Nueva Vizcaya – military

A communist New People's Army medical officer surrendered to authorities in Nueva Vizcaya province, the Philippine Army's 5th Infantry Division revealed in a Saturday statement.

The NPA medical officer, identified only as "Jayjay," belonged to Platoon Uno of Komiteng Larangan Guerilla Quirino-Nueva Vizcaya.
Jayjay surrendered himself to elements of the 502nd Infantry Brigade and Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Police Office in Villaverde town on Friday.

He also surrendered his .38 caliber revolver with six rounds of ammunition, two hand grenades, two 40 mm rounds, and a backpack containing a first aid kit with acupuncture paraphernalia and personal belongings.

"The voluntary surrender of AKA JAYJAY is considered a big distress to the CPP-NPA-Terrorists group and a clear manifestation of the degrading strength of the CNTs touring in the region," said 502nd Brigade commander Brigadier General Laurence E. Mina. "We are performing at our finest to condemn the atrocities of the communist movement and we continue to encourage the public to report any suspicious activities to the respective authorities to contribute in this fight against communist insurgency.”

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/721030/npa-medical-officer-surrenders-in-nueva-vizcaya-military/story/

For the 5th time, the Armed Forces Chief of staff is from EastMinCom

From MindaNews (Jan 4, 2020): For the 5th time, the Armed Forces Chief of staff is from EastMinCom (By CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS)

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 03 January) — For the fifth time under the Duterte administration, the new Armed Forces Chief of Staff is again from the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) based in Davao City, where Presidentt Rodrigo Duterte served as mayor for 22 years.

The President named EastMinCom chief, Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos, Jr., a 1986 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, as the new AFP chief of staff vice Gen. Noel Clement who will turn 56, the mandatory retirement age in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, on January 5.

The turnover rites will be on Saturday, January 4 at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Santos, who assumed the post of EastMinCom chief on January 21 last year, will serve the top post for seven months, unless Duterte extends his stay.

Santos will be 56 on August 3 this year.

In his three and a half years in office, Duterte, the first Mindanawon President, has named a total of seven AFP Chiefs of Staff: Ricardo Visaya from July 1, 2016 to December 7, 2016; Eduardo Ano from December 7, 2016 to October 26, 2017; Rey Leonardo Guerrero from October 26, 2017 to April 18, 2018; Carlito Galvez, Jr. from April 18, 2018 to December 11, 2018;/j Benjamin Madrigal, Jr. from December 12, 2018 to September 24, 2019; Noel Clement from September 24, 2019 until Santos succeeds him on January 4.

Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos, Jr. (R) listens to Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal during the latter’s visit to the Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao City on February 5, 2019. Like Santos, Madrigal was EastMinCom chief before he assumed the post of Armed Forces Chief of Staff in December 2018. Photo from EastMinCom

All seven appointees had stints in Mindanao but five served in the EastMinCom: Guerrero, Madrigal and Santos as EastMinCom chief, and Ano, Madrigal and Clement as 10th ID chief.

Galvez was chief of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) based in Zamboanga City while Visaya was commander of the 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City before moving on to the Southern Luzon Command as commander, his last post before becoming AFP Chief of Staff on July 1, 2016, Day 1 of the Duterte administration.

After their retirement as AFP Chief of Staff, President Duterte appointed them to vital posts: Visaya is now Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration; Ano is Local Governments Secretary; Guerrero was Administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) from April 30, 2018 to October 24, 2018 and since October 25, 2018 has been the Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs; and Galvez is Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Duterte named Guerrero as AFP Chief of Staff in late October 2017 even if Guerrero was turning 56 on December 17 that year. He extended his term until April 18, 2018.

Santos served as the 11th commander of EastMinCom. Before that, he was commander of the 7th Infantry Division in Nueva Ecija, was Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the Philippine Army, Assistant Division Commander of the 6th Infantry Division based in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao; Commander of the 703rd Brigade; Group Commander, Intelligence and Security Group and Group Commander, Civil Military Operations Group, of the Philippine Army, Chief Military Personnel Officer of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Golan Heights; Assistant Chief of Unified Command for Operations, U3 of Central Command, AFP; and Commanding Officer of 63rd Infantry Battalion of the 8th Infantry Division.

He also served as Commanding Officer of the 11th Intelligence and Security Unit in Davao City. According to Eastmincom spokesperson Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, he headed the unit in 2003.

In his junior years, Santos was a Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Company Commander, and Battalion Intelligence Officer of the 39th Infantry Battalion in North Cotabato.

Guerrero, who was named Task Force Davao chief in 2010 and commander of the 701st Infantry Brigade in Davao Oriental in 2012, served as EastMinCom chief from November 22, 2015 to October 25, 2017. Madrigal succeeded him as EastMinCom chief from November 15, 2017 to January 21, 2019 and Santos succeeded Madrigal from January 21, 2019 to January 4, 2020.

Before his appointment as Philippine Army Chief and later as AFP Chief of Staff, Ano served as commander of the 10th Infantry Division from July 15, 2014 to July 16, 2015. Madrigal succeeded Ano as 10th ID chief from July 6, 2015 to September 1, 2015 and Clement from May 31, 2017 to December 22, 2018. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

Quickie generals: The military's revolving door needs to be shut

From Rappler (Jan 4, 2020): Quickie generals: The military's revolving door needs to be shut (By JC Gotinga)

(UPDATED) Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says the AFP ‘could have done better’ if its top commanders served for at least 3 years, instead of the usual one year or less



LOOK UP. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, President Rodrigo Duterte, and General Noel Clement watch a drone show during the Armed Forces of the Philippines' 84th founding anniversary ceremony on December 17, 2019. Photo by Richard Madelo/Presidential photo

(UPDATED) – Lieutenant General Felimon Santos Jr is the 7th military chief to serve under President Rodrigo Duterte, and he will be on board for 7* months until he retires from the service in August, and then he will have to be replaced. Before Santos, General Noel Clement was military chief for just over 3 months, until his retirement on January 5.

Before Duterte, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III had 6 military chiefs, practically one for every year of his term as president. Before Aquino, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo went through 11 military chiefs in her over 9 years in MalacaƱang.

This is the so-called “revolving door policy” of presidents when appointing the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP), a practice that became a trend in the post-Marcos era after 1986.

It is anchored on a law that requires the “compulsory retirement” of members of the military service once they reach the age of 56. The president may opt to extend their term for some time, but only under extraordinary conditions. Otherwise, no matter the position or circumstance, an officer’s time is up on his or her 56th birthday.

Job requirements

It’s a disservice to the service that even Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has acknowledged.

“The disadvantage of a brief stint is that there is not enough time for the CSAFP to really have his leadership felt by the organization. When a CSAFP retires, there is a ripple effect down the line as those commanders likewise may have stayed only a short time in their commands before going up the ladder of command,” Lorenzana told Rappler.

It takes a long time for officers to rise through the ranks of the military, gaining their stars and stripes from every assignment and posting along the way, until they are deemed ripe for top leadership posts: commanding general of the Army, flag officer-in-command of the navy, commanding general of the air force, and, of course, chief of staff of the entire organization.

It’s definitely the plum post, but being the CSAFP – second only to the president who is commander-in-chief – is a demanding job that takes getting used to.

“Normally, a CSAFP spends 6 months to one year familiarizing himself with his job, crafting a strategy or campaign plan, getting to know his commanders, getting to know his counterparts in the region, and visiting them,” Lorenzana said.

“The second and third year is spent to implement his plans and programs. He also participates in defense and security fora and conferences in the region and in other countries. The last 6 months of his term, he makes farewell visits to major AFP units and his counterparts in the region,” the defense chief added.

Imagine: Santos needs to do all these in 7* months. Clement had 3 months.

Since 2000, there have been 27 CSAFPs. Only 6 of them stayed beyond one year in the position. The longest within that period was General Hermogenes Esperon Jr, who was CSAFP for one year and 295 days, from July 22, 2006 to May 12, 2008. He is currently President Duterte’s national security adviser.

How did it come to be this way?

Well, military officers fall in line.

Just as militaries follow an inviolable chain of command, they also put a premium on seniority. The upperclassman gets priority. Presidents risk riling up the ranks should they pick junior officers to command their seniors, if only to have them around longer before they retire.

In the end, the president chooses from a list of the most senior – and oldest – officers.

At times, appointments are given as a reward for a display of loyalty, or for having shared history with the appointing power.

Although the military must, in theory, be apolitical, the reality is their career advancement, their salaries, and even their lives, can be controlled by the country’s political leaders.

The government’s Official Gazette describes the period after World War II, when the newly-independent Philippines was organizing itself into a republic, and when the rapport between the military and the civilian government was taking shape:

“This was a period of great challenges to the Armed Forces as the country grappled with the Huk Rebellion, requiring reforms in the Armed Forces. It was also a period when a new generation of officers, who had only had junior rank during World War II, rose in seniority, and the Armed Forces as a whole grappled with the pressures of political accommodations with congressional and executive leaders due to officers having to be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments in Congress.”

It was former president Ferdinand Marcos who lowered the compulsory retirement age from 60 to 56 through Presidential Decree 1650 in November 1979. The decree did not clearly state why.

Interestingly enough, Marcos had the country’s longest-serving CSAFP: General Romeo Espino, from January 15, 1972 to August 15, 1981, or 9 years and 212 days. Those were the martial law years.

After the fall of the Marcos dictatorship in February 1986, former president Corazon Aquino appointed then-general Fidel Ramos as CSAFP. Ramos, together with then-defense secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, had sparked the People Power uprising that put her in power.

When Ramos retired from the military service less than two years later, Aquino appointed him defense secretary, and Ramos’ protĆ©gĆ©, then-general Renato de Villa replaced him as CSAFP. Ramos became president after Aquino in 1992.

3-year term

To make the post of military chief matter morethan just a token appointment from the president to loyal generals, Lorenzana is repushing a proposal to give CSAFPs, service commanders, area commanders and other officers in sensitive posts a fixed term of 3 years – even if it means staying in active service beyond the age of 56.

A similar measure was vetoed by former president Noynoy Aquino III in 2012, citing a legal impediment on extending the service of military officers, even if the 1987 Constitution actually sets a 3-year limit to the CSAFP’s term.

“While the AFP had been doing well ever since the 2000s when the term of the chief of staff and the service commanders is averaging less than one year, I believe the AFP could have done better if the CSAFPs have served a term of at least 3 years,” Lorenzana said.

“The most important reason for a longer and fixed term of the CSAFP is that it provides continuity and stability in the organization. He is also able to plan and implement programs and projects for the organization,” the defense chief added.

When Clement assumed the top military post in September 2019, he could not promise anything much besides “continuity.” With so short a stint as CSAFP, the least he could do was not cause a disruption before stepping down after the holidays.

But curveballs came up even during his 3 months – the fatal hazing and torture of cadet 4th class Darwin Dormitorio that exposed the gruesome practice persisting at the Philippine Military Academy, and the proposed revival of peace talks with communist rebels, which would have crucial ramifications on military operations against the New People’s Army.

Clement won’t be around to see both issues through, and Santos has 8 months to deal with them before passing it on to the next general.

Positives

If anything, the civilian government benefits from military generals retiring in their prime, the defense secretary said.

“The saving grace in retiring these excellent officers young is that they are eligible to work in the civilian government positions where they are currently performing very well. The loss of the AFP is the civilian government sector’s gain,” said Lorenzana, a retired Army general himself.

President Duterte has, in fact, filled his Cabinet with ex-generals, saying he finds them dependable because of their training in the chain of command.

Long-term view

But Lorenzana’s concern is the military’s future, and in a world where global armed conflict does not seem as remote as it did a few years back, the Philippines could use a well-oiled defense establishment.

As the government spends billions of pesos acquiring new assets and weapons to build a credible military, the other aspect of “modernizing” the AFP is to rationalize how it is governed.

Always having a leader who’s bound to retire in a few months is counterproductive to that goal. As Lorenzana pointed out, other Southeast Asian countries’ military leaders stay on for an average of 3 years, even more. Only the Philippines has a revolving door for its generals.

“Our CSAFP, with very short time, cannot develop personal and professional relationships and network with his counterparts, which is vital in our defense engagements with our neighbors,” the defense chief said.

And those “neighborhood alliances” are crucial as bigger powers close in on international and territorial waters, and as terrorists from other parts of the world sneak in through thinly-patrolled borders.

Hence, the generals on top of the country’s security must be around for a longer term, long enough to have to see through their own decisions, and be accountable for them should anything go wrong, instead of conveniently slipping from public view with their retirement benefits. – Rappler.com

[Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story said General Felimon Santos will serve as military chief for 8 months. Santos will serve as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from January 4 to August 3. This has been corrected.]

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/248480-quickie-generals-military-revolving-door-needs-shut

Philippines: Revolutionary forces are united behind NDFP in quest for just and lasting peace

Posted to Fight Back! News--News and Views from the People's Struggle (Jan 3, 2020): Philippines: Revolutionary forces are united behind NDFP in quest for just and lasting peace

Fight Back News Service circuiting the following Dec. 28 statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) declares that all revolutionary forces under its leadership are fully united behind the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in its quest for a just and lasting peace and the possible revival of formal peace negotiations with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP).

The Party and the Filipino people welcome the measures of the Duterte government to reopen talks with the NDFP more than two years after it ended talks, imposed martial law in Mindanao and launched an all-out war. It has placed the entire country under de facto martial law rule since last year. The Party is confident that the unilateral ceasefire declarations simultaneously declared by the CPP Central Committee and by MalacaƱang last December 22 will help set the atmosphere and boost the formal talks. The promised release of the NDFP’s consultants can be effected soon.

The CPP looks forward to the possible reopening of talks in January. The talks can pick up from the agenda left off in 2017. Negotiations on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socioeconomic Reforms (CASER) must immediately resume.

Pressing social problems and inequities such as rising prices of basic commodities, low wages, widespread joblessness, rural displacement, homelessness and so on, continue to incite the toiling masses to take up arms. These problems can be decisively addressed through the CASER and its focus on such cornerstone policies as land reform and national industrialization.

Forging the CASER will be the first decisive step at addressing the roots of the armed conflict and attaining just and lasting peace. We urge the negotiating panels of the NDFP and GRP to exert all effort to accelerate discussions on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socioeconomic Reforms (CASER) and schedule its signing at the soonest possible time. It will serve as a great motivation for the possible homecoming of NDFP Chief Political Consultant Prof. Jose Ma. Sison.

The GRP and the NDFP are expected to agree on issues as genuine land reform and national industrialization as key measures to resolve the seething socioeconomic crisis.

With the NDFP ever willing and open to discuss and resolve the roots of the armed conflict through negotiations, the success of peace talks rests mostly on the shoulders of President Duterte.

The Filipino people hope that Duterte has now realized the futility of his militarist approach. For more than two years, he has allowed the AFP to take lead in trying to resolve the armed conflict by waging a relentless all-out war against the New People’s Army (NPA) and a bloody campaign of suppression against the people.

The regime’s approach is being proven counterproductive. Having the deep and wide support of the masses, the NPA is proving itself resilient against the all-out offensives of the AFP. In the first half of this year, more than 250 AFP soldiers were killed in its military offensives in Mindanao alone. Instead of pacifying the people, the AFP’s “surrender” and “persona non grata” drives, marked by killings, arbitrary arrests, threats and intimidation, are fomenting deep and widespread hatred against Duterte and his regime and inciting the people to wage resistance.

Without changing course in his approach to counterinsurgency, Duterte is bound to fail in the last three years of his reign in his declared aim of “ending the local communist armed conflict.” The NPA will remain ever so strong and determined to wage armed resistance in defense of the people’s rights and in pursuit of their national and democratic interests. In the face of pressing social problems and fascist repression, the Filipino people are bound to erupt in mass protests.

The Filipino people must resist the militarist forces who constantly oppose efforts to attain a just and lasting peace through negotiations. These forces are mainly in the AFP and PNP and in the security and defense establishment whose officers are loyal to the US. To them, war is big business. It is dogheaded in waging an endless war against an undefeatable enemy because it ensures steady streams of profit for their war industry and their cohorts in the Philippine military and police.

These forces, led by Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, have publicly opposed the simultaneous unilateral ceasefire declaration issued by their own commander-in-chief. Contrary to the spirit of the 15-day ceasefire, the AFP continues to mass its forces in the areas where the NPA have withdrawn for the duration of the ceasefire in the hope of forcing the NPA to engage in battle to preempt the scheduled talks.

The Party urges all peace advocates to unite and support the scheduled formal talks and help push for the success of peace negotiations. Support the clamor for genuine land reform and national industrialization as key policies to resolve the roots of the armed conflict. Push for the forging of the agreement on socioeconomic reforms. Oppose the militarists and their scheme to sabotage the talks.

Antique to create task force vs. insurgency in 590 villages

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 3, 2020): Antique to create task force vs. insurgency in 590 villages (By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay)



INTENSIFIED ELCAC DRIVE. The University of Antique main campus in Sibalom town is shown in a file photo hosting the Campus Peace and Development Forum facilitated by the provincial task force in 2019. The Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict will be organized down to the barangay level this year to intensify the campaign for inclusive and sustainable peace. (Photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique -- The government campaign to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) will further be intensified this year with the organization of task forces in the 590 barangays of Antique province.

The plan was confirmed by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Antique Director Cherryl Tacda in an interview on Friday.

“Task force ELCAC will be organized in the barangays of the province,” Tacda said. The task force has been organized at the provincial and municipal levels in Antique.

She said organizing the task force down to the barangay level is provided for in Executive Order (EO) 70 that was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Dec. 4, 2018 to attain inclusive and sustainable peace in the country by institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach.

Tacda further said that the respective mayors of the 18 towns in the province could help much as they take their responsibility in ensuring the organization of the barangay task force ELCAC.

In Antique, the Provincial Task Force (PTF) ELCAC was created on Sept. 26, 2019, through EO 119 issued by Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao in adherence to EO 70.

With the creation of PTF-ELCAC, several activities were conducted by the provincial government, such as the October 24-25 medical-surgical-dental mission and information caravan in San Remigio and Valderrama towns, which are considered as conflict areas with the continuing presence of members of the New People’s Army.

About 1,500 individuals in the two municipalities availed of services brought to them through a convergence effort of different national government agencies and local government units.

Information, education, and communication campaigns were also held at Saint Anthony’s College and the University of Antique so students would not be lured by the insurgents who were reportedly recruiting young members in schools.

A Provincial Youth Leadership Summit was held at Saint Anthony’s College in San Jose de Buenavista last November 8-10 while a Campus Peace and Development Forum was held at the University of Antique main campus in Sibalom on December 5.

Meanwhile, Tacda said the municipality of San Jose de Buenavista held a covenant signing of local officials, police, school principals and other stakeholders on November 11 in support of EO 70, declaring the communist rebels as persona non grata. (

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1089938