Thursday, May 7, 2020

CPP/Ang Bayan: Luyo-luyo sa produksyon ng pagkain

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 7, 2020): Luyo-luyo sa produksyon ng pagkain



Sa tantya ni Tatay Lery, magtatagal lamang ng tatlong linggo ang ipinagiling na palay na naging parte niya sa pakiki-ani sa kabilang baryo. Ito na ang huling imbak na bigas ng pamilya. Kung dati’y nakapagpapadala ng pambili ng bigas ang kanyang anak na namamasukan sa Maynila, ngayon ay wala na itong naiaabot dahil nawalan ng trabaho sa ilalim ng lockdown.

Dahil sa lockdown, lalupang lumiit ang kinikita ng mga magsasaka sa Barangay Dasig. Ang mga pamilya nina Tatay Lery at kanyang kakolektibo sa sangay ng Partido sa lokalidad na si Tatay Utê ay kabilang sa karamihang hirap sa pagbili ng bigas. Ito’y dahil maliban sa kalakha’y nyugan ang baryo, marami ang nawalan ng kabuhayan dulot ng bagyong Tisoy noong Disyembre 2019.

Sa ganitong sitwasyon, napapanahon ang panawagan ng Partido na ikampanya ang produksyon ng pagkain upang tugunan ang kagutuman na pinalala ng lockdown. Sa Barangay Dasig at sa buong larangang gerilya, sama-samang nagbubungkal ang mga magsasaka upang umagapay sa paglaban sa kakulangan ng pagkain.

Dati nang may gumugulong na kampanya sa produksyon sa larangan. Noong maagang bahagi ng dekada 2010, muling pinasigla ang sama-samang produksyon ng bawat tsapter ng Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid at Makibaka. Pinairal ang mga ito bilang kooperatiba at naglaan ng mga parsela ng lupa upang gawing gulayan, hayupan o pangisdaan.

Sa pinakabatayan din ay gumagana ang “luyo-luyo” (bayanihan) ng magkakagrupo sa mga balangay. Sa ilang grupong balangay na nabawasan ng myembro o di kaya’y humupa ang sigla, nagbuo ng mga “grutul” (grupong tulungan) mula sa natitirang mga myembro.

Sa panibagong bwelo, hinikayat ng mga kasama ang pag-asa ng mga magkababaryo sa sarili nilang lakas. Sa nakaraan, ilan sa mga proyekto ng mga samahan, grupong balangay at grutul ay nakatuon sa pagganansya. Bagama’t nakakukuha sila ng pagkain mula sa itinanim, pangunahing layunin pa rin ng kanilang ani ang maibenta sa bayan. Nakakuha ito ng mamumuhunan, ngunit dahil sa iba’t ibang kadahilanan ay nangalugi pa rin ang mga ito.

Sa panibagong bwelo sa Barangay Dasig, si Tatay Utê at pitong iba pang maralita ang magkakasama sa grutul. Pawang mga benepisyaryo sila ng rebolusyong agraryo, at nabigyan ng karapatang magbungkal sa kanilang binubungkal na lupa. Pero hindi ito naging produktibo dahil sa nagdaang bagyo. Isa lamang ang grutul nina Tatay Utê sa mga binuong grupo sa baryo at sa klaster ng mga barangay.

Nakapaghawan na sila sa paanan ng Mt. Salig na malapit sa baryo. Kung magtutuluy-tuloy ang init, pwede na nilang sunugin ang pinagtabasan para makapagsimula na ng pagtatanim. Nakahanda na rin ang mga buto ng petsay at sitaw, na balak nilang itanim sa unang yugto. Kinalap ito ng mga kasamang nangangasiwa sa larangang gerilya. Naglaan din ng suportang bigas sa mga residente bilang kagyat na pantawid-gutom.

Oras na makapagtanim na sina Tatay Utê, ilang linggo lamang ang bibilangin at may mapipitas nang gulayin. Sa malaon, magtatanim ang grutul ng kamoteng kahoy, saging at mas pangmatagalan na palay at gabi.

Hindi na nga nakatuon sa merkado ang aanihin, kaya’t ang itatanim ay husto lang sa pangangailangan ng mga grutul. Paglilinaw ng mga kasama, pangunahing layunin ng kampanya ay magkaroon ng sapat na pagkain sa mesa ang pamilya ng mga magsasaka. Kung mayroon mang labis, maaari itong ipagbili sa mga kababaryo.

Pero sa malapit na hinaharap, saan manggagaling ang bigas ng mga magniniyog ng Baryo Dasig?

Kinokoordina ng komiteng larangan ang kampanya sa produksyon sa mga klaster. Sa gayon ay matutumbasan ng ani ng ibang baryo ang kakulangan ng iba pa. Sa kaso ng Baryo Dasig, maaaring magtanim ng karagdagang gulayin ang mga grutul upang ipampalit ito sa palay, na siya namang pangunahing produkto ng barangay sa ibaba. Planado rin ang produksyon ng mga palayan sa ibaba upang maglaan ng ipampapalit sa mga gulayin ng mga baryo sa ilaya.

Hindi na hihintayin ni Tatay Lery ang magiging resulta ng taniman nina Tatay Utê upang pumaloob rin sa grutul. Inaasahan ng mga kasama na mahihikayat ang iba pang magsasaka na magbuo rin ng mga grutul, o mas mainam pa’y ireaktiba ang mga tumamlay na grupong balangay.

Hitik sa mga aral ang mayamang karanasan ng Barangay Dasig sa rebolusyon. Para kay Tatay Lery, hindi na kailangang maghintay na matapos ang lockdown upang muling makapagpadala ang anak. Batid niyang sa loob mismo ng baryo, sa hanay nilang mga magsasaka, ay makahahakbang sila paalpas sa kagutuman.

[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/2020/05/07/luyo-luyo-sa-produksyon-ng-pagkain/

CPP/Ang Bayan: 76 aktibista, boluntir, inaresto sa Araw ng Paggawa

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 7, 2020): 76 aktibista, boluntir, inaresto sa Araw ng Paggawa




Magkakasunod na inaresto ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ang 76 na aktibista at boluntir sa Metro Manila, Rizal at Iloilo kasabay ng paggunita sa Pandaigdigang Araw ng Paggawa noong Mayo 1.

Kabilang sa kanila ang sampung boluntir na nagkakawanggawa at namimigay ng libreng pagkain sa mga maralitang residente sa Marikina City. Iniutos ni Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro ang kagyat na pagpapalaya sa mga inaresto at iginiit na wala silang nilabag na batas.

Sa Quezon City, apat na kabataang boluntir at 14 na residente ang inaresto habang namimigay ng libreng pagkain sa Barangay Central. Apat na aktibista rin ang inaresto sa Valenzuela City dahil lamang sa paglahok sa isang protesta sa internet. Dalawang manggagawa rin ang inaresto sa Rodriguez, Rizal.

Inaresto rin ng mga pulis ang 42 indibidwal sa Jaro District, Iloilo City habang naghahanda para sa isang karaban upang kundenahin ang pagpaslang sa koordineytor ng Bayan Muna sa Iloilo na si Jose Reynaldo “Ka Jory” Porquia. Sinampahan ng patung-patong na kaso ang mga biktima kabilang ang dating mga kasamahan ni Porquia, kanyang anak at pitong kasapi ng midya. Pinalaya lamang ang 42 pagkatapos magbayad ng pyansang P12,000 kada inaresto o higit kalahating milyon sa kabuuan.

Si Porquia, 59, ay binaril nang siyam na beses ng apat na hindi nakilalang lalaki sa Barangay Santo Niño Norte, Iloilo City noong Abril 30.

Sa parehong araw, inaresto ng mga elemento ng 202nd IBde ang 16 na manggagawa ng Coca-Cola sa loob ng pagawaan ng kumpanya sa Santa Rosa, Laguna. Dinala sila sa Camp Vicente Lim sa Calamba City at ipinrisinta sa midya noong Mayo 1 bilang “sumukong” mga kasapi ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan.

[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/2020/05/07/76-aktibista-boluntir-inaresto-sa-araw-ng-paggawa/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Protesta sa Mayo Uno

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 7, 2020): Protesta sa Mayo Uno

Hindi napigilan ng pasismo ni Rodrido Duterte ang pagkakaisa at protesta ng mga manggagawa at ibang sektor sa Pandaigdigang Araw ng Paggawa. Pinangunahan ng Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) ang pangangalampag sa rehimeng Duterte sa mga kagyat na kahingian ng mga manggagawa sa harap ng krisis pangkalusugan. Nagkaisa sila sa temang “Kalusugan, Kabuhayan, Karapatan, Ipaglaban!”

Tumayong may sapat na pagkakalayo ang ilang manggagawa, guro at kabataan sa harap ng isang gusali sa UP Diliman. Nagsagawa rin ng mga pagkilos at raling iglap ang mga manggagawa ng Paperland sa Quezon City, Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Harbor Centre sa Tondo, Manila at iba pa.

Naglunsad din ang KMU ng “online protest” o protesta sa internet na nilahukan ng iba’t ibang sektor. Ayon sa datos, nagrehistro ito ng 50,000 views o bilang ng nakapanood. Naglunsad din parehong protesta ang mga balangay ng KMU sa Southern Mindanao, Central Luzon, at Southern Tagalog.

[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/2020/05/07/protesta-sa-mayo-uno/

CPP/Ang Bayan: ABS-CBN, tuluyan nang ipinasara

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 7, 2020): ABS-CBN, tuluyan nang ipinasara


Iniutos ng National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ang pagsasara ng lahat ng programa ng kumpanyang ABS-CBN sa radyo at telebisyon matapos mawalan ng bisa ang prangkisa nito noong Mayo 5. Ang pagpapasarang ito ay pangalawa na sa kasaysayan ng istasyon. Ang una ay noong Setyembre 1972 sa ilalim ng diktador na si Ferdinand Marcos.

Nagulat ang mga mamamahayag ng istasyon dahil kapapangako lamang ni House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano na palalawigin ang permiso nito hanggang Hunyo 2022. Gayunpaman, matagal nang pinag-initan ni Rodrigo Duterte ang istasyon, na aniya’y hindi tumanggap ng kanyang mga patalastas noong tumatakbo siya sa pagkapresidente. Noon pa nangako ang Kongreso na hindi na nito palalawigin ang prangkisa. Matagal nang bunyag sa publiko na nais bilhin ang istasyon ng isang kumpanyang Chinese na kasosyo ng kroni ni Duterte na si Dennis Uy. Itinaon ang pagsasara sa panahong nakapailalim sa “total lockdown” at nakaepekto na ang curfew sa barangay kung saan matatagpuan ang mga studio ng kumpanya.

Mariing kinundena ng iba’t ibang sektor ang pagpapasara sa istasyon. Nagpahayag ng kanilang protesta ang mga empleyado at artista ng ABS-CBN, mga organisasyon ng mamamahayag, abugado, manggagawa, negosyante at maging mga upisyal at ahensya ng gubyernong Duterte. Ayon sa Defend Jobs Philippines, sa halip na maglabas ng pansamantalang pahintulot sa kumpanya, pagtataksil sa mahigit 11,000 manggagawa ng ABS-CBN at kanilang mga pamilya ang ginawa ng NTC. Ayon sa National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, atake sa kalayaan sa pamamayahag ang pagsasara sa pinakamalaking kumpanya sa brodkas sa Pilipinas.

Tinukoy ni Marco Valbuena, Chief Information Officer ng PKP, na si Duterte ang nasa likod ng pagsasara ng network. “Animo’y hari, gamit ni Duterte ang tiranikong kapangyarihan para masunod ang kanyang kagustuhan. Nais niyang lahat na malaking negosyo ay lumuhod sa kanya at magbayad ng tributo,” ani Valbuena.

[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/2020/05/07/abs-cbn-tuluyan-nang-ipinasara/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Pinsala ng lockdown sa mga bata at kabataan

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 7, 2020): Pinsala ng lockdown sa mga bata at kabataan

Wala pang katulad na pagsasara ng mga eskwelahan ang ipinatupad ng mga bansa sa ngalan ng pagsugpo sa Covid-19. Ayon sa United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), nasa 190 bansa ang nagsara ng mga paaralan, at pinaglagi sa kani-kanilang mga bahay ang may 1.5 bilyong bata at kabataan. Nagdulot ito ng laganap na gutom sa mga bata sa maraming bahagi ng mundo.

Dahil isinara ang mga eskwelahan, nanganganib ang buhay ng 370 milyong bata na nakaasa sa mga ito para sa pagkain. Malaking bahagi sa kanila ay nasa mga bansang dumaranas ng gera at interbensyong militar. Bulnerable rin ang mga batang nasa mga evacuation center na nadisloka dulot ng mga sakuna at militarisasyon.

Pinatindi ng mga pagsasara ang hindi pagkakapantay-pantay ng mga estudyante. Kalakhan ng mahihirap na estudyante ay walang paraan para ipagpatuloy ang kanilang pag-aaral. Kumpara sa kanila, mas nakaaalwan ang mga estudyanteng mula sa may-kayang pamilya na may internet at kompyuter sa kani-kanilang mga bahay. Ibinaba ng lockdown ang kakayahan ng mahihirap na estudyante na matuto, lalupa’t kalakhan sa kanila ay nakatira sa siksikang mga bahay kung saan walang angkop na espasyo at kalagayan para sa pag-aaral, walang mga libro at ibang gamit pang-eskwela, at walang lugar kung saan maaaring lumabas at makapaglaro. Sa Pilipinas, ang kalagayang ito ay pinalala ng malawakang gutom, kawalan ng kita at mahihigpit na restriksyon sa paggalaw ng mga magulang at guro. Malakas ang panawagang tapusin na ang semestre o taong akademiko at bigyan ng pasadong grado ang lahat.

Marami nang mga pag-aaral ang nagpapatunay na mababa ang tsansa ng mga batang mag-aaral na mahawa sa Covid-19. Wala ring malakas na ebidensyang syentipiko na napipigilan ng pagsasara ng mga eskwelahan ang pagkalat ng Covid-19 dahil natuklasang hindi naman madaling mahawa ang mga bata. Mas maigi, ayon sa mga pag-aaral na ito, ang pagkwarantina ng mga may sintomas at maysakit kaysa buu-buong pagsasara ng mga paaralan. Noong Marso, naglabas ang United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) ng gabay para sa wastong pagpapagana ng mga klase at eskwelahan sa mga bansang tinamaan ng pandemya.

Dati nang may mga rekomendasyon ang UNESCO sa paggamit ng mga eskwelahan at pagpapatuloy ng pagkatuto sa panahon ng mga pandemya. Kabilang dito ang paggamit sa mga eskwelahan para sa diseminasyon ng tamang impormasyon at pangangalaga sa kalusugan, pagtutuloy sa angkop na mga aktibidad at paglalabas ng angkop na mga materyal. Iginiit nito na kinakailangang panandalian lamang ang pagsasara sa mga eskwelahan.

Sa mga bansang pinakatinamaan, pinagkaitan nito ng kita ang mga manggagawa sa edukasyon, habang pinabigat ang responsibilidad ng mga magulang na gumagampan ng krusyal na mga tungkulin sa mga ospital tulad ng mga nars at duktor.

[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/2020/05/07/pinsala-ng-lockdown-sa-mga-bata-at-kabataan/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Pandemya sa gutom at kahirapan, idudulot ng mga lockdown at restriksyon

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 7, 2020): Pandemya sa gutom at kahirapan, idudulot ng mga lockdown at restriksyon



Pandemya ng gutom at “hindi mawaring epekto sa kalusugan at ekonomya” ang idudulot ng matitinding restriksyong ipinataw ng mga estado kaugnay ng pandemyang Covid-19. Ito ang babala ng United Nations (UN) na nagsabing posibleng mas marami pa ang mamamatay dulot ng mga hakbang na ipinatupad para lunasan ang sakit.

Hirap at sakit

Pinatitindi ng mga lockdown ang dati nang mga di pagkakapantay-pantay sa mga lipunan. Lalo nitong itinulak sa kahirapan ang dati nang mahihirap na bahagi ng populasyon. Ayon pa sa UN, ang mga restriksyon at lockdown na nakatuon sa “pagsugpo” ng Covid-19 ay nagpakitid sa mga merkado at pumigil sa trabaho ng milyun-milyon at bumura sa kanilang kakayahang bumili ng mga kinakailangan. Milyun-milyon na ang nawalan ng trabaho sa buong mundo, pangunahin ang mga kontraktwal at mala-proletaryado. Pangunahing naapektuhan ng kawalan ng kita ang kakayahan ng mga pamilya na bumili ng sapat ng pagkain.

Kasabay nito, maaring sumirit ang presyo ng mga pagkain sa pandaigdigang merkado dahil sa pagkaputol sa daloy ng suplay hindi lamang ng pagkain, kundi pati ng mga gamit sa produksyon. May mga paghina na rin sa ani at operasyon ng mga kumpanyang agrikultural sa malalaking bansang eksporter ng pagkain.

Lubos na maaapektuhan ang mga bansang nakaasa sa pag-angkat ng batayang pagkain, tulad ng bigas, kung ipagkakait o itataas ang presyo ng mga ito ng mga bansang eksporter. Babala ng UN, hindi magiging panandalian at hindi madaling masosolusyunan ang daranasing hirap ng mamamayan.

Isa ang Pilipinas sa inilalarawan ng UN na mga bansang dati nang may mataas na insidente ng gutom. Ang mga dumaranas ng gutom, na matatagpuan hindi lamang sa siksikan na mga komunidad sa mga syudad kundi pati sa malawak na kanayunan, ay may mataas na risgong mahawa ng Covid-19 at iba pang karaniwang sakit dahil sa malnutrisyon. Sila rin ang nasa mga lugar kung saan walang mga klinik, at matinong patubig at sanitasyon. Ang mga nasa syudad ay walang espasyo para maipatupad ang tamang social distancing o pagkwarantina ng kanilang mga maysakit na kapamilya. Sa kanayunan, salat na salat ang gamit at kasanayang medikal, gayundin ang mga pasilidad para sa mga mahahawa ng sakit. (Tingnan ang artikulo sa Ang Bayan, Abril 7 .) Tulad sa kaslunsuran, milyun-milyong mamamayan sa kanayunan ang dumaranas ng gutom dulot ng kawalan ng trabaho, mababang kita at kawalan ng lupa.

Lalong magdurusa ang mahihirap dahil sa pagkasira ng mga ekonomya na idinulot ng mga lockdown at restriksyon. Ang matitinding restriksyon sa byahe at produksyon ay nagdulot ng pagkaputol sa daloy ng suplay ng mga produkto at paggawa. Kasama ang Pilipinas sa mga bansang nawalan ng kita mula sa turismo at remitans ng mga migranteng manggagawa. Nakatakdang mawasak ang dati nang mahihinang imprastruktura ng lokal na ekonomya. Dahil pinili ng estado na umutang kaysa baguhin ang mga alokasyon sa badyet nito, deka-dekada pang pagdurusahan ng mamamayan ang gastos sa lockdown.

Gutom sa ngayon at hinaharap

Ayon naman sa World Food Organization (WFO), mahigit 30 bansa ang daranas ng kakulangan ng pagkain. Sampu sa mga bansang ito ay dati nang may mahigit isang milyong populasyon na walang nakakain bago pa ang pandemya. Mangangailangan ng $350 milyon para mapakain ang pinakanagugutom. Dagdag na problema ng mga ahensyang internasyunal na hindi nila maihatid ang pangkagipitang ayuda dahil sa mga pagbabawal at mahihigpit na restriksyon sa pagbyahe.

Sa ngayon, tinataya ng grupo na 812 milyon na katao ang dumaranas ng gutom araw-araw. Nasa bingit naman ng gutom ang 135 milyon. Madadagdagan pa ang bilang na ito ng 130 milyon sa pagtatapos ng taon.

Kabilang sa kailangang abutin ng grupo ang 30 milyon na buong nakaasa sa WFO para sa araw-araw na pagkain. Kung hindi aabot sa kanila ang ayuda, posibleng 300,000 ang mamamatay sa loob ng tatlong buwan.

Sa Pilipinas, apektado ang daloy at siklo ng produksyon ng pagkain nang higpitan ang transportasyon ng sariwang pagkain mula sa mga prubinsya tungo sa mga syudad at sa pagitan ng mga prubinsya. Malaki ang idudulot na pinsala ng restriksyon sa galaw ng mga magsasaka at manggagawang-bukid sa darating na taniman ng palay at mais.

https://cpp.ph/2020/05/07/pandemya-sa-gutom-at-kahirapan-idudulot-ng-mga-lockdown-at-restriksyon/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Pitong hakbang ng pasismo sa panahon ng pandemya

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 7, 2020): Pitong hakbang ng pasismo sa panahon ng pandemya



Una, balewalain ang banta ng sakit na Covid-19 sa kalusugan at kabuhayan ng mamamayan. Sa loob ng mahigit dalawang buwan, hanggang sa unang linggo ng Marso, ipinagkibit-balikat ni Duterte at ng kanyang binuong Inter-Agency Task Force ang kaalamang nakapasok na ang bayrus sa bansa at na kumalat na ito sa mga prubinsya, partikular sa Central Visayas.

Pangalawa, balutin sa takot at gulantangin ang milyun-milyon. Ipinailalim ni Duterte sa lockdown ang buong Metro Manila noong Marso 12, sunod ang Luzon noong Marso 16. Walang pag-aaaral, paghahanda sa lokal na kalagayan o kahit babala sa mamamayan. Sa loob ng 24-oras, binaha ni Duterte ang mga syudad ng libu-libong pulis at sundalo sa tabing ng pagtse-tsek ng temperatura ng mga bumabyahe. Tumigil ang mga pabrika at trabaho, liban sa ginawaran ng katayuang “esensyal” at mga negosyong direktang nagsisilbi sa dayuhan. Nagkandarapa ang lokal na mga upisyal sa halos lahat ng syudad at prubinsya, na nadala sa pananakot na “daan-libo ang mamamatay” sa bayrus at nagdeklara ng kani-kanilang lockdown. Itinayo ang mga tsekpoynt sa buong bansa at pinigilan ang milyun-milyong mamamayan na umuwi, magtrabaho, bumili ng mga pangangailangan, magtungo sa ospital at pumunta sa kung saan nila gusto. Inaresto, ikinulong, pinarusahan at sa ilang pagkakataon ay binaril ang mga sumuway sa utos ng mga pulis at sundalo.

Pangatlo, likhain ang imahe ng “gera” at ilagay ang mga sundalo at pulis sa tuktok at unahan ng tugon ng gubyerno sa pandemya. Tinututukan ni Duterte ng baril ang bayan kahit pa ang kalaban ay “hindi nakikitang kaaway.” Nilunod at nilito niya sa impormasyon ang bayan sa pamamagitan ng araw-araw, marami at magkakatunggaling mga pahayag sa midya para idiin ang pangangailangang “sumunod na lamang” sa mga hakbang ng kanyang rehimen. Tinawag niyang “pasaway” ang mga lumalabas sa kanilang mga bahay dulot ng kagustuhang kumita, makakain o dulot ng matinding pagkabagot. Sila ay brutal na pinarurusahan at ipinahihiya. Iniutos ni Duterte na barilin ang lahat na sumuway sa lockdown matapos lumabas sa komunidad ang grupo ng mga maralita para igiit na bigyan sila ng ayuda. Itinakda ng utos na ito ang tindi at saklaw ng pang-aabuso ng pulis, sundalo at maging ng mga upisyal ng lokal na gubyerno at barangay sa pagbalewala sa mga karapatan ng mamamayan. Ipinataw ang mga 12-oras at 24-oras na mga curfew, 48-oras na total lockdown ng mga barangay at sityo, at iba pang mga arbitraryo at pahirap na ordinansa at resolusyon.

Pang-apat, ibigay sa AFP at mga heneral nito ang kumand sa araw-araw na pagpapatupad ng lockdown. Itinalaga ni Duterte si Delfin Lorenzana bilang hepe ng National Task Force Covid-19 (NTF), si Eduardo Año bilang papangalawang hepe, si Carlito Galvez bilang punong tagapagpatupad at si Rolando Bautista tagapangasiwa sa pamamahagi ng ayuda. Lahat sila’y may karanasan sa kontra-insurhensya pero walang kahit anong bakgrawnd sa mga usaping pangkalusugan ng mamamayan. Ibinigay rin ni Duterte sa Office of the Civil Defense ang pamumuno sa lahat ng mga task force sa antas rehiyon at higit dito, ang pagbili at pamamahagi ng gamit medikal para sa mga manggagawang pangkalusugan at ospital.

Panlima, angkinin ang emergency powers para dagdagan ang awtoridad. Kabilang dito ang pagpapailalim ng bilyun-bilyong pondo sa upisina ng presidente, pag-agaw ng mga pribadong kumpanyang “nagkakait” ng serbisyo o pasilidad, at pagpapatahimik sa kanyang mga kritiko sa ngalan ng pagsugpo sa pagkalat ng “maling impormasyon.”

Pang-anim, gutumin ang mga tao, tipirin at ipitin ang ayuda. Para pagtakpan ang kakulangan sa pondo, ibinunton ni Duterte ang sisi sa mga lokal na upisyal na silang sumalo sa kawalan ng hanapbuhay at kita, transportasyon, sanitasyon at mga serbisyong publiko, paglaganap ng gutom at iba pang sosyo-ekonomikong pinsala na idinulot ng lockdown. Gamitin ang gulo na ibinunsod ng kaguluhan sa proseso ng pamamahagi nito para itulak ang implementasyon ng National ID System.

Pampito, ipatanggap na ang pasismo ang siya nang “bagong normal” o magiging kaayusan kung saan mananatili ang halos lahat ng mga restriksyon sa galaw at karapatan ng mamamayan. Ito’y kaayusang wala namang pinagkaiba talaga sa dating sistema, pero asahan na ang higit na malalalang anyo ng pagsasamantala at pang-aapi sa bayan. Kabilang dito ang mas pinasidhing sarbeylans sa mga pagkikita at pagtitipon sa ngalan pagsubaybay sa posibleng muling pagkalat ng bayrus.

[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/2020/05/07/pitong-hakbang-ng-pasismo-sa-panahon-ng-pandemya/

CPP/Ang Bayan: La­long pa­hi­rap, pa­nu­nu­pil at ko­rap­syon sa ta­bing ng Covid-19 lockdown

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 7, 2020): La­long pa­hi­rap, pa­nu­nu­pil at ko­rap­syon sa ta­bing ng Covid-19 lockdown



Sinasamantala ng rehimeng Duterte ang pandemyang Covid-19 sa Pilipinas upang palawigin ang mga pasistang hakbang na ipataw nito sa ngalan ng “pagsugpo” sa sakit. Ang tinatawag nitong “bagong normal,” sa kaibuturan, ay ibayong pagpapasahol sa pinakamalalalang aspeto ng malakolonyal at malapyudal na sistema. Sa ilalim nito, lalong brutal na pasismo, mas malalalang patakarang neoliberal at mas masahol na korapsyon ang paiiralin ng tiranong si Duterte.

Mahigit 50 araw mula nang ipataw ni Duterte ang “lockdown” sa Luzon at iba’t ibang panig ng bansa na nagdulot na ng walang kapantay na gutom at hirap sa mamamayan at sumisira sa ekonomya ng bansa. Hanggang ngayon, wala pa ring ginagawang inisyatiba ang kanyang gubyerno para sa malawakang siyentipikong pagsisiyasat sa tunay na bilang ng nahawa ng sakit na Covid-19 at bagsik nito sa mga dinadapuan. Kulang, mabagal at kalat-kalat ang mga pagsisikap nito sa mass testing, at kulang na kulang ang pondo at tauhan para mag-eksamen ng mga sampol.

Nananatiling nasa dilim ang mamamayang Pilipino sa kung ano ang batayang siyentipiko at pangkalusugan ng nagpapatuloy na militaristang lockdown na tinawag na general at enhanced community quarantine (GCQ at ECQ) at kung ano na ang naabot nito. Habang pinananatiling bulag at balot ng takot sa Covid-19 ang mamamayan, namamayagpag naman si Duterte at ang kanyang pasistang pangkat sa pagpapatupad ng mas malulupit at masasahol na hakbangin at patakaran.

Sa nagpapatuloy na lockdown, walang patumanggang niyuyurakan ng mga pulis at sundalo ni Duterte ang saligang mga karapatan ng mamamayan. Kahit walang kinalaman at katunaya’y taliwas sa deklarasyong pangangalaga sa pampublikong kalusugan, daan-daan libong mamamayan ang pwersahang ikinukulong sa kanilang mga bahay sa tinawag na mga “total lockdown.”

Niroronda ng mga armadong tauhan ni Duterte ang mga maralitang komunidad at mga pribadong subdibisyon upang papaghariin ang takot at pangamba. Kaliwa’t kanan ang dinadampot, pinoposasan, binubugbog, ikinukulong at labis na pinahihirapan kahit sa simpleng mga pagkakamali. Maraming lugar ang nakapailalim sa curfew. Kaliwa’t kanan ang mga tsekpoynt. Bawal magprotesta. Bawal magreklamo. Ipinaiilalim at kinokontrol ng pulis at militar maging ang pagtutulungan at pagbibigay ng ayuda, lahat sa ngalan ng “social distancing.”

Sa kanayunan, lalo pang sumisidhi ang panunupil ng AFP sa masang magsasaka kaakibat ng pinatitinding operasyong kontra-insurhensya. Labis na paghihirap at paghihikahos ang dulot sa mga magsasaka ng mga tsekpoynt at pagrerekisa, pagbabawal na magsaka, pagkontrol sa dami ng pwedeng bilhin, paghahalughog sa mga bahay, paninindak para pwersahing makipagtulungan sa militar, at iba pang paraan ng paniniil.

Pinakatarget ng pasistang mga patakaran ni Duterte ang mga demokratiko at makabayang pwersa at mga kritikong naglalantad sa kulang na kulang at makupad na pagbibigay ng ayuda sa panahon ng lockdown, sa lubhang kulang na suporta sa mga manggagawang pangkalusugan, sa pagpapabaya sa mga pampublikong ospital at sa naunang pagbabalewala at kulang na paghahanda sa pagkalat ng Covid-19, at iba pang malalaking kabulastugan sa panahon ng pandemya.

Sa aktwal, ipinataw na ni Duterte ang paghaharing militar at pulis sa pamamagitan ng lockdown. Layunin nitong lumpuhin ang demokratikong paglaban ng mamamayan at iratsada ang pagpapatupad ng anti-mamamayang mga patakarang neoliberal na matagal nang nais ipatupad ng reaksyunaryong estado.

Sa pahayag mismo ng Malacañang, hindi kaiba ang “bagong normal” sa tinatawag nitong “GCQ” kung saan mahigpit na kinokontrol at minamanmanan ng estado ang galaw ng bawat myembro ng buu-buong komunidad. Sinasabing mananatili ang kaayusang ito hanggang maka-imbento ng gamot, na ayon sa mga siyentista ay maaaring abutin nang 18 buwan (o hanggang Disyembre 2021).

Gamit ang pagdadahilang kailangan pa rin ng “social-distancing,” pananatilihin ng rehimen ang pagbabawal sa mga pagtitipon. Idadahilan nito ang pagkalat ng bayrus para panatilihin ang pagbabawal sa pamamasada ng maraming drayber ng dyip at traysikel, gayundin ang paglabas at pagtatrabaho ng milyun-milyong malamanggagawang kontraktwal. Mananatili ang mga tsekpoynt sa pagdadahilang kailangang kunin ang temperatura ng mga dumadaan. Pahihigpitin nito ang mga “hakbang pangkalinisan” para ipasara ang maraming maliliit na negosyo. Bubuksan nito ang mga eskwelahan at pabrika, pero patuloy nitong ipagbabawal ang malalaking pagtitipon ng mga estudyante at manggagawa. Itinutulak ni Duterte ang mapanupil na National ID System sa ngalan ng mas episyenteng pamimigay ng ayuda o para sa “pagsubaybay sa bayrus.”

Sa ngalan ng pagpapaluwag sa mga daan, ipagbabawal ng rehimen ang pagpasada ng mga lumang dyip para mapalitan ang mga ito ng bagong mga sasakyan mula sa China na hawak ng malalaking negosyante. Sa tabing ng pagpapaluwag ng mga syudad, itutulak nito ang malawakang demolisyon ng mga komunidad ng mga maralita sa ilalim ng programang “Balik Probinsya” upang mapasakamay ng malalaking burgesyang komprador at mga dayuhang kapitalista ang mga primera klaseng lupa sa Kamaynilaan.

Sinamantala rin ni Duterte ang pandemya nang ipataw niya kamakailan ang 10% dagdag na buwis sa inaangkat na krudong langis na tiyak na ipababalikat sa mamamayan. Habang minamadali ng rehimen ang planong kaltasan ng buwis ang malalaking kapitalista sa ngalan ng muling pagbuhay ng ekonomya, tumatanggi naman itong pakinggan ang kahilingan na ibasura o isuspinde ang pagpapatupad ng TRAIN Law na nagpataw ng mabigat na buwis sa mga saligang konsumo. Dagdag na buwis din ang malao’y ipatutupad kapalit ng humigit-kumulang $4 na bilyong bagong utang ng Pilipinas sa World Bank, ADB at iba pang ahensya.

Sa gitna ng krisis pangkalusugan at sumasadsad na ekonomya, lalong lumalala ang burukrata-kapitalistang pandarambong. Sinasamantala ni Duterte ng kanyang mga kroni at burges komprador ang krisis para magkamal ng malaking tubo. Tampok sa mga ito ang pagkopo ng pamilyang Villar at ni Dennis Uy sa mga kontrata para sa pagtatayo ng mga quarantine center.

Ginagamit ni Duterte ang kanyang paghahari-hariang diktador upang paluhurin sa kanyang kagustuhan ang lahat ng malalaking burgesya-kumprador. Ang ilang buwan nang pagbabanta niya sa pamilyang Ayala at kay Manny Pangilinan ay humantong kamakailan sa kunwari’y “paghingi ng patawad” ni Duterte na drama lamang para pagtakpan ang bilyun-bilyong pisong mga aregluhan.

Noong isang araw, ipinag-utos ng rehimeng Duterte ang pagpapasara sa ABS-CBN, isang tahasang atake sa malayang pamamahayag. Sinamantala niya ang lockdown para walang makapag-ipon para magprotesta. Pinag-iinitan ni Duterte ang ABS-CBN dahil hindi ito basta sumusunod sa kanyang kumpas. Matagal nang pinipiga at iniipit ng mga burukratang kapitalista ang ABS-CBN para makipag-areglo kapalit ng kanilang prangkisa o kaya’y obligahin itong ibenta ang kumpanya sa mga naglalaway na kroni ni Duterte at kasabwat nilang mga dayong kapitalista.

Sagadsaring paniniil, pang-aapi at korapsyon ang “bagong normal” sa ilalim ng pasistang rehimeng Duterte. Habang nagbabanta si Duterte na idedeklara ang batas militar, ipinatutupad na niya ang mga elemento ng absolutong paghaharing diktador at tuluyan nang pinapatay ang natitirang kalayaan at demokrasya. Ang kalayaan ay para na lamang kay Duterte at sa kanyang mga kampon: Kalayaan para lalo pang magkamal ng yaman at tubo. Kalayaang gamitin ang pera ng bayan para sa sariling kapakanan. Kalayaang ikulong ang lahat ng hindi yuyuko. Hawak ni Duterte sa leeg ang demokrasya at handang tuluyang sakalin anumang oras.

Ang buong Pilipinas ay nasa ilalim na ng hindi deklaradong batas militar ni Duterte. Lalong sinisiil, pinahihirapan at pinagnanakawan ni Duterte ang buong bayan. Gayunman, deklarado man o hindi, ang batas militar ay isang malaking batong mahuhulog sa sariling ulo ni Duterte.

Dapat itakwil ng buong bayan ang “bagong normal” na walang iba kundi ang pagpapatuloy ng mga elemento ng lockdown at iba pang mga patakarang lalong nagpapatindi ng dati nang bulok na sistemang panlipunan. Dapat nilang hingin kung ano ang siyentipikong batayan ng nagpapatuloy na lockdown, mga tsekpoynt, curfew at lahat ng mga paghihigpit na labis-labis na pinarurusahan. Sa ngalan ng demokrasya at kalayaan, dapat nilang tipunin ang tapang para malikhaing suwayin at hamunin ang mga panggigipit sa ilalim ng militaristang lockdown ni Duterte.

Dapat pandayin ang pinakamalawak na pagkakaisa ng lahat ng demokratikong uri at sektor laban sa “bagong normal” na di deklaradong batas militar ni Duterte. Dapat magsama-sama ang pinakamaraming sektor para kundenahin at labanan ang pagpapasara sa ABS-CBN at iugnay iyon sa pagpapabaya ni Duterte sa mga manggagawang pangkalusugan, sa mabagal at kulang na kulang na ayuda sa panahon ng lockdown, sa pagtangging isuspinde ang pagbabayad-utang at itigil ang kontra-insurhensya para paburan ang pangangailangan sa pampublikong kalusugan, sa mga brutalidad at pang-aabuso ng mga pulis at sundalo sa karaniwang mamamayan, sa korapsyon ni Duterte, at sa pagsupil sa batayang karapatang magpahayag ng hinaing at damdamin at magrali sa lansangan.

Dapat isagawa ang malawakang kampanyang propaganda at edukasyon sa masa. Dapat ilantad ang mga kasinungalingan at di siyentipikong satsat ni Duterte hinggil sa Covid-19 at igiit ang pangangailangan para pamunuan ng mga siyentista at manggagawang pangkalusugan, hindi ng mga pasista, ang pagharap ng bansa sa pandemya. Dapat singilin si Duterte sa paggamit sa pandemyang Covid-19 para isulong ang kanyang iskemang itatag ang isang pasistang diktadura. Dapat ilantad ang mga patakarang neoliberal na lalong nagpapahirap sa masa at magkaisang ipaglaban ang mga panawagang ibasura ang TRAIN law at iba pang pahirap na buwis, ang karapatan sa disenteng pabahay, karapatan sa trabaho, at iba pang mga demokratikong kahilingan.

Dapat patuloy na palakasin ng Partido ang kanyang mga sangay at komite sa kalunsuran at kanayunan. Dapat patuloy na palakasin ng Partido ang kilusang lihim upang tiyakin na tuluy-tuloy na napapalakas at napalalawak ang kanyang organisasyon kahit pa sa ilalim ng pasistang panggigipit at panunupil. Kaalinsabay nito’y dapat lalong palakasin ng Partido ang ugnayan nito sa malawak na masa upang tuluy-tuloy silang napupukaw, naoorganisa at napakikilos. Dapat mahusay na pamunuan ng Partido ang masa na ipaglaban ang kanilang mga demokratikong karapatan at ang kanilang kagalingang pangkalusugan at panlipunan.

Mabibigo si Duterte at ang kanyang pasistang pangkatin sa hangarin nilang tuluyang supilin ang paglaban ng taumbayan. Habang lalong sumisidhi ang panunupil, pagpapahirap at pagnanakaw ng pangkating Duterte sa panahon ng pandemyang Covid-19, lalong nag-aalab ang damdamin ng sambayanan na manindigan at lumaban. Lalong nalalantad ang bulok na naghaharing sistemang malakolonyal at malapyudal at napupukaw ang sambayanan na bagtasin ang landas ng pambansa-demokratikong rebolusyon.

[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/2020/05/07/lalong-pahirap-panunupil-at-korapsyon-sa-tabing-ng-covid-19-lockdown/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Further hardships, repression and corruption behind the Covid-19 lockdown

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 7, 2020): Further hardships, repression and corruption behind the Covid-19 lockdown



The Duterte regime is using the Covid-19 pandemic in the country to extend the fascist measures imposed in the name of fighting the disease. What it calls the “new normal,” in essence, is aggravating the worst aspects of the semicolonial and semifeudal system. Under this, more brutal fascism, worse neoliberal policies and exacerbated corruption will reign under the tyrant Duterte.

It has been more than 50 days since Duterte imposed the lockdown in Luzon and other parts of the country which has wrought unprecedented hunger and hardships on the people and damage to the economy. Up to now, his government has yet to undertake initiatives to carry out widespread scientific study about the real extent and virulence of the Covid-19. Its efforts at mass testing are lacking, slow and disparate, and funds for examining samples are grossly insufficient.

The Filipino people remain in the dark about the scientific and health basis of the continuing militarist lockdown called the general and enhanced community quarantine (GCQ and ECQ) and what these have achieved so far. While the people are kept blind and shrouded in fear of the Covid-19, Duterte and his fascist minions are carrying out more cruel and worse measures and policies.

Under continuing lockdown, Duterte’s police and soldiers trample with impunity on the people’s basic rights. Hundreds of thousands of people are forcibly locked up in their homes under the so-called “total lockdown” that has nothing to do with, and in fact, is contrary to public health.

Fear and distress reign as Duterte’s armed men roam the streets in poor communities as well as private subdivisions. People all over are being accosted, handcuffed, beaten, detained and tortured even on simple misdemeanors. A number of places are under curfew. Checkpoints abound. Protests and expression of grievances are prohibited. Mutual help and relief work are being controlled by the police and military in the name of keeping “social distance.”

In the countryside, repression against the peasant masses is worsening alongside AFP counterinsurgency operations. Checkpoints and searches, restrictions on farming, limits on the amount of purchases, house searches, intimidation to force people to cooperate with the military and other forms of suppression cause gross suffering and hardships on peasants.

The ultimate target of Duterte’s fascist policies are the democratic and patriotic forces, and critics who expose the sorely lacking and slow distribution of state subsidy during the lockdown, the grave lack of support for health workers, the neglect of public hospitals and the early disregard and lack of preparations for the spread of the Covid-19 and other big failures during the pandemic.

Duterte has already imposed military and police rule through the lockdown. This aims to paralyze the people’s democratic resistance and railroad anti-people neoliberal policies that the reactionary state has long wanted to impose.

Malacañang itself has said that the “new normal” will be no different from the GCQ where the state rigidly controls and monitors the movement of entire communities. They wish to maintain this setup until a vaccine is supposedly invented, which according to scientists may take 18 months (or until December 2021).

Using “social distancing” as an excuse, the regime plans to continue prohibiting gatherings. Claiming to act against the virus, it plans to continue preventing jeepney and tricycle drivers from plying their routes, as well as millions of contractual workers from going to work. The checkpoints will remain using “temperature checks” as justification. It will use sanitation measures to cause the closure of many small businesses. It will open schools and factories, but will continue to prohibit mass gatherings of students and workers. Duterte is pushing for the repressive National ID System in the name of “efficient distribution” of relief and “virus monitoring.”

In the name of decongesting the streets, the regime is set on prohibiting old jeeps and replace them with the new vehicles from China, that are controlled by big capitalists. To supposedly decongest cities, it will carry out widespread demolitions of urban poor communities under the “Balik Probinsya” program to pave the way for big bourgeois compradors and foreign capitalists to control prime real estate in Metro Manila.

Duterte also took advantage of the pandemic to recently levy an additional 10% tax on imported crude oil which will surely be shouldered by consumers. While the regime is fast-tracking plans to cut corporate taxes in the name of reviving the economy, it refuses to heed the calls to repeal or suspend the TRAIN Law which imposed oppressive taxes on basic commodities. Additional taxes are also set to be imposed in exchange for the country’s more or less $4 billion new loans with the World Bank, the ADB and other agencies.

Amid the public health crisis and economic downturn, bureaucrat capitalist plunder is worsening. Duterte, his cronies and the big bourgeois compradors are taking advantage of the crisis to make bigger profits. This include the cornering of contracts for building quarantine centers by the Villar family and Dennis Uy.

Duterte is using authoritarian rule to make all the big bourgeois compradors kneel before him. Recently, Duterte “asked for forgiveness” for his months of haranguing the Ayalas and Manny Pangilinan, which is mere public drama to hide the billions of pesos worth of “settlements.”

The other day, Duterte ordered the closure of ABS-CBN, a brazen attack against press freedom. He took advantage of the lockdown so that no one can protest the act. Duterte has long set his eyes on ABS-CBN because it is not easily compliant with Duterte wishes. Bureaucrat capitalists have long arm-twisted ABS-CBN to force it to cooperate in exchange for its franchise or to compel it to sell the company that is being drooled over by Duterte’s cronies and their foreign capitalist partners.

The “new normal” under the Duterte fascist regime means all out repression, oppression and corruption. While threatening to declare martial law, Duterte has already implemented the elements of absolute dictatorial rule and is killing off what remains of freedom and democracy. Freedom is now only for Duterte and his minions: freedom to rake in wealth and profits; freedom to use the people’s money for their self-serving aims; freedom to jail anyone who does not bow. Duterte holds democracy by the neck, ready to be squeezed anytime.

The entire country is already under Duterte’s undeclared martial law. Duterte is further suppressing, oppressing and taking away the people’s money. However, declared or otherwise, martial law is a big rock that Duterte is lifting but will only drop on his own head.

The entire people must reject the “new normal” that is mere continuation of the lockdown elements and other policies that only aggravate the country’s rotten state. They must ask what scientific basis do checkpoints, curfews and all other and stringent measures have. In the name of democracy and freedom. they must bring together their courage and creatively defy and challenge the restrictions and Duterte’s militarist lockdown.

The people must build the broadest unity of all democratic classes and sectors against Duterte’s undeclared martial law. The biggest number of sectors must unite and fight against the shutdown of ABS-CBN and show its connection to Duterte’s neglect of health workers, to the slow and insufficient economic aid during the lockdown, to his refusal to suspend debt payments or costly counterinsurgency operations to favor the needs of public health, to the brutalities and abuses by police and military force, to Duterte’s corruption and his suppression of all basic rights including the right to express oneself and join street demonstrations.

There must be widespread propaganda and education work among the masses. Duterte’s lies and unscientific blabber about the Covid-19 must be exposed, while amplifying the clamor for health workers and scientists, not fascists, to lead the country’s response to the pandemic. Duterte must be held accountable for using the Covid-19 pandemic to push his scheme to establish a fascist dictatorship. The people must expose neoliberal policies for imposing greater hardship on the masses, while uniting to demand the repudiation of the TRAIN law and other oppressive taxes, for decent housing, right to work and other democratic demands.

The Party must continue to strengthen its branches and committees in the cities and countryside. The Party must continue to strengthen the underground movement to ensure that its organization continually gains strength even under the fascist clampdown and suppression. At the same time, the Party must strengthen its links with the masses in order to arouse, organize and mobilize them. The Party must effectively lead the masses in their fight for their democratic rights, and for their health and social well-being.

Duterte and his fascist clique will fail in their objective of suppressing the Filipino people’s resistance. While the Duterte clique escalates suppression, oppression and corruption during the Covid-19 pandemic, the people’s desire to stand and resist becomes ever more intense. The rotten ruling semicolonial and semifeudal system is more thoroughly exposed, rousing the people to tread the path of national democratic revolution.

[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/2020/05/07/further-hardships-repression-and-corruption-behind-the-covid-19-lockdown/

Kalinaw News: 200,000 PPE arrives in Davao City via Phil Navy Ship

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 8, 2020): 200,000 PPE arrives in Davao City via Phil Navy Ship (By Eastern Mindanao Command)



NSFA, Panacan, Davo City – The Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) facilitated the arrival of the 200,000 sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) aboard the BRP Bacolod City (LS550) at Sasa Wharf, Sasa, Davao City earlier today, May 8, 2020.

Commodore Antonio C Palces AFP, the Commander of NFEM welcomed the officers and crew of BRP Bacolod City (LS550) who was tasked to haul the said PPE from Zhangzhou Harbor, Port of Xiamen, People’s Republic of China last April 21, 2020, after it was procured by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the Department of Health.

Meanwhile, health protocols were strictly observed during the arrival while quarantine procedures to yhe cargoes were undertaken by the Bureau of Quarantine prior to the turn-over of the equipment to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region XI, the agency that will lead the distribution of PPE to the Frontliners in the entire Mindanao.




[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/200000-ppe-arrives-in-davao-city-via-phil-navy-ship/

Kalinaw News: 9 Soldiers receives medal for combat

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 8, 2020): 9 Soldiers receives medal for combat (By 94th Infantry Battalion, 3ID, PA)



A total of 9 soldiers received medals for demonstrating exemplary actions during encounters against the Communist NPA terrorists in the area of operations of 94th Infantry (Mandirigma) Battalion, Philippine Army (94IB)

Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade Commander, pinned them the Military Commendation Medals (MCM) during the awarding rites held at the Brgy Hall, Brgy Tambo, Ayungon, Negros Oriental near the Headquarters 94IB, yesterday, May 7, 2020.

On April 30, 2020, the joint AFP-PNP elements of 94IB and PNP personnel of Bindoy Municipal Police Station while conducting community security patrols clashed with undetermined number of NPA terrorists in Sitio Namunduan, Brgy Cambudlas, Bindoy, Negros Oriental.

The said encounter resulted in the minor wounding of one (1) soldier while two (2) NPA members killed and undetermined number of casualties based from the heavy bloodstains found in the NPA position and route of withdrawal.

The troops were able to recover at the encounter site the following war materials; One (1) Shotgun with live ammunitions, one (1) bandoliers with magazines and live ammunitions, two (2) Backpacks, one (1) rifle grenade, six (6) pairs of rain boots, medical supplies and paraphernalias, subversive documents, & other personal belongings. Troops are still pursuing the fleeing NPA terrorists.

Col Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade Commander lauds the bravery and selfless dedication of the operating troops to secure and protect the community of Bindoy.

“The medal symbolizes your bravery in facing our enemy and selfless dedication on your oath to protect the people and the country. As your Brigade Commander, I want to recognize your collective efforts and may this simple occassion motivate you to do more and perform well on your next mission. Let us continue our efforts in going after the Communist NPA Terrorists and show to them the true grit of 94th Infantry “MANDIRIGMA” Battalion, Col Pasaporte added.






[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/9-soldiers-receives-medal-for-combat/

Kalinaw News: AFP completes 29 Emergency Quarantine Facilities

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 8, 2020): AFP completes 29 Emergency Quarantine Facilities (By Armed Forces of the Philippines)



CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through its various engineering units completed the construction of 29 Emergency Quarantine Facilities (EQF) within and outside Luzon since March 28.

The facilities were built through the efforts of the Office of The Chief Engineer, AFP led by Major General William Ilagan in partnership with the WTA Architecture and Design group, San Miguel Foundation, and other donors. Each EQF was built by 20 soldiers within five to six days using power tools and around four truckloads of materials.

Ten EQFs were constructed in Military Facilities under the WTA and Group Projects led by Architect William Ti Jr. These are in Manila Naval Hospital, GHQ Dispensary, CGEA, QC, Phil Air Force Hospital, Pasay City, Fernando Air Base, Batangas, Cavite Naval Hospital, Army General Hospital, V. Luna General Hospital, and Libingan ng mga Bayani, Taguig City. Four of the sites were completed by soldiers from various Army, Air Force and Naval engineering units.

Under the same project, 9 out of the 49 EQFs in civilian facilities were constructed by all-soldier teams. These were in Quezon City General Hospital; Ospital ng Muntinlupa, Muntinlupa City; Bulacan Medical Center, Malolos; Sacred Heart Hospital, Bulacan; Caloocan City Medical Center; La Consolation University General Hospital, Bulacan; Sta Ana, General Hospital, Manila; Emmanuel Hospital,San Miguel, Bulacan; and Baliuag District Hospital, Bulacan.

“In these unprecedented events, we are grateful of the kindness, generosity, and compassion from our stakeholders especially to WTA, in supporting the AFP in its battle against the corona virus disease (COVID19). We dedicate our effort in accomplishing the EQFs to the community and to support our hospitals and medical workers, as they take the frontline to Combat COVID19. We are one with you is in this battle,” said Major General Ilagan.

Meanwhile, 10 EQFs were completed by engineering units under the San Miguel Foundations Projects. These include facilities in Eastern Mindanao Command Hospital in Davao City, Central Command Hospital in Cebu City, Western Mindanao Command Hospital in Zamboanga City, and Western Command Hospital in Palawan.

In Davao City, a generous group partnered with AFP through the Eastern Mindanao Command to construct one EQF in Southern Philippines Medical Center. In Quezon City, engineering units completed three facilities for the AFP Health Service Command and two at the AFP General Headquarters Training School, Camp Aguinaldo.

Eleven more projects in Luzon are slated for construction by different engineering brigades and are expected to be completed before the enhanced community quarantine ends. The EQFs are designed for hospitals and institutions that are at maximum capacity to provide proper facility for patients who need to be quarantined. These temporary structures are meant to increase the capacity of hospitals, and house patients suspected with COVID19 to keep them from spreading the infection.

All personnel of the construction teams are required to follow measures to control the spread of COVID19. Wearing of face masks and personal protective equipment and maintaining social/physical distancing are being practiced in the construction sites.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines extends its profound gratitude to our partners and stakeholders for their efforts to help our government fight the deadly COVID19 through the construction of emergency quarantine facilities,” AFP Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos Jr said.

“The leadership is also grateful for the services of our military engineers and personnel in the construction of the facilities. As our country go through a very trying time, we are proud to have members who continue to risk their wellbeing to help our people threatened by the dreaded virus,” he added.







[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/afp-completes-29-emergency-quarantine-facilities/

Kalinaw News: Former Rebels receive cash assistance and food packs from the government and 10ID MSAAG

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 8, 2020): Former Rebels receive cash assistance and food packs from the government and 10ID MSAAG (By 10TH INFANTRY DIVISION)



Mati City, Davao Oriental – As a gesture to alleviate the economic crisis brought by COVID-19, members of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) Committee of Davao Oriental chaired by Honourable Nelson L Dayanghirang and Co-Chaired by the 701st Brigade Commander, BGEN JOSE ERIEL M NIEMBRA AFP distributed Php 7,000.00 to the 42 FRs who are still awaiting to be processed in the E-CLIP program.

Since mass gatherings and trainings are not allowed during the quarantine period, the E-CLIP programs for FRs are on hold. Joining the provincial government in alleviating the hardship of these FRs is the DSWD which also provided Php 5,000.00 each as part of the Social Amelioration Program and the 10ID Multi Sector Advisory and Action Group which provided packs of foodstuffs.

The activity transpired at the Covered Court of Headquarters 701 st Brigade at Sitio Magay, Brgy Don Martin Marundan, City of Mati, Davao Oriental at 9 o’clock in the morning of May 6, 2020.

The 42 FRs who received the benefits from the Government and 10ID MSAAG came from the provinces of Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, Agusan Del Sur and Lingig, Surigao del Sur quad-boundaries.

Part of the ceremony is the display of 58 firearms that were seized and recoveredfrom the NPA’s possession from January 1, 2020 up to this date.

Also in attendance are MGEN REUBEN S BASIAO, Commander 10ID, PA and his Staff, Hon Michelle Rabat, Mayor of Mati City, Mr Orle Cabaobao, Provincial Director of DILG, Ms Grace Q Subong, OIC, DSWD Region XI, PCol Joselito L Loriza, Provincial Director of DOPPO and the 10ID MSAAG Headed by its chairman Mr. Ednar G Dayanghirang.

With more communist terrorist members coming back to the folds of thelaw even during this time of pandemic, it also of paramount importance to look into the plight of FRs especially on their day-to-day needs.





[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/former-rebels-receive-cash-assistance-and-food-packs-from-the-government-and-10id-msaag/

Kalinaw News: Former rebels support “ALPAS sa COVID-19”

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 8, 2020): Former rebels support “ALPAS sa COVID-19” (By 8th Infantry Battalion.)



IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON. May 07 – As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues, former rebels of the 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion started the food sufficiency program under Urban Agricultural Program dubbed as “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra COVID-19 Program (ALPAS sa COVID-19).

In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-NOMIARC), the former rebels were able to plant several vegetable seedlings in the land area under the Arm to Farm Program of the 8th Infantry Battalion.

After two to three months, the former rebels will be able to harvest these vegetables that they can sell in the markets. Aside from their contribution to the food production as the main intent of ALPAS sa COVID-19, it also serves as their source of income.

Aka Jerry, one of the former rebels commented, “Dako ang akong pasalamat nga naay ing-ani nga programa ang atong gobyerno. Makahatag kini ug dugang nga income para sa muabot nga panahon nga makatabang pud sa among mga panginahanglanon.”
(I am grateful that the government has this kind of program. This program will give us extra income in the future that will help us to support our needs.)

“I commend the initiatives and dedication of our former rebels. This unit will continue to provide interventions to our former rebels while they are waiting for their E-CLIP benefits,” said LTC Edgardo V Talaroc Jr, Commanding Officer of 8th Infantry Battalion.

ALPAS sa COVID-19 intends to promote and sustain food production in urban areas amidst the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/former-rebels-support-alpas-sa-covid-19/

Kalinaw News: JTFC awards medals to wounded soldiers

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 8, 2020): JTFC awards medals to wounded soldiers (By 57th Infantry Battalion)



The Commander of Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), Maj. Gen. Diosdado C Carreon, awards on May 05, 2020 the Wounded Personnel Medals (WPMs) to personnel who were wounded in action during encounters with different threat groups in the JTFC Joint Area of Operation (JAO). The Commander was assisted by JTFC Chief of Staff Col. Michael A Santos.

The Wounded Personnel Medal is awarded as a fitting recognition for bravery and heroic acts resulting to being wounded in action while performing duties against terrorist actions.

The personnel who were awarded the medals are admitted and are recuperating from bullet wounds in Camp Siongco Station Hospital at the 6th Infantry Division Headquarters, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

PFC Lyndon A Matias of 57th Infantry Battalion was wounded when the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) harrassed the group of soldiers conducting security patrol as part of implementing the community quarantine last May 3, 2020 in Brgy Talibadok, Datu Hoffer,Maguindanao.

CAA Noli Martin of Division Cafgu Affairs Unit (DCAU) was wounded from a firefight while conducting route security last March 27, 2020 in Barangay Maitumaig, Datu Unsay Maguindanao.

“These personnel risks their lives and fought galantly to preserve peace in Central mindanao. The JTFC will forever be gratefull for their selfless service and their acts of bravery is one thing that I, as their Commander, will always be proud of.” Gen Carreon said.

CAA Nhor T Guiaman of Division CAFGU Affairs Unit (DCAU) was wounded from an encounter last March 27, 2020 in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan Maguindanao.



[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/jtfc-awards-medals-to-wounded-soldiers/

Kalinaw News: 88 Former rebels received cash for work assistance in Surigao Del Sur – Army

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 7, 2020): 88 Former rebels received cash for work assistance in Surigao Del Sur – Army (By 4th Infantry Division)



TAGO, Surigao del Sur, May 7 – A total of 88 Former Rebels who surrendered to the Army’s 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion and have returned to the folds of the law received a Cash for Work assistance, yesterday May 6, 2020, held at Sitio Ibuan, Brgy Mampi, Lanuza, this province.

The 88 Former Rebels received a total amount of 844,800 pesos under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

It can be recalled that a total of 88 Former Rebels from March 2018 had voluntarily surrendered to the Community Support Programs (CSP) of the 36th Infantry Battalion and availed the government intervention package to former rebels, the Enhanced Comprehensive and Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

The distribution of TUPAD cash for work assistance was spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) headed by Ms. Genebelle Bal, Provincial Head of DOLE, SDS facilitated by the Local Government Unit of Lanuza lead by Alfredo Antojado, Municipal Administrator.

The activity was attended by TESDA SDS, Provincial Director, Rey Cueva, together with Ms. Genebelle Bal, Provincial Head of DOLE, SDS, Dir Pedrito Alacaba, DILG SDS, Ms. Hershey Nunez, Provincial E-CLIP Focal Person, Lt Col Jezreel J Diagmel, Commanding Officer 36IB, Engr. Charline Binghoy, OIC, NCIP SDS, Ms. Paz Eloiza Aquino, DAR Operation Officer, Alfredo Antojado, Municipal Administrator of Lanuza, and the former rebels and locals of Sitio Ibuan, Mampi.

In a statement, Lt Col Jezreel J Diagmel, Commanding Officer of 36IB said that the TUPAD cash for work assistance is a manifestation that the government is sincere in its efforts in helping the Former Rebels in mainstreaming to the society.

“We recognized the efforts of the DOLE Surigao del Sur for giving importance to the Former Rebels in this time of COVID 19 crisis. Through the TUPAD, even when they are in the disadvantaged and isolated community, the government is still working to reach them out and provided their needs as they battle to survive their daily life,” Lt Col Diagmel said. “The most important is your acceptance and your commitment to the government to be resilient individuals in order to contribute to the attainment of just and lasting peace in the province”, Lt Col Diagmel ended.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/88-former-rebels-received-cash-for-work-assistance-in-surigao-del-sur-army/

Kalinaw News: PRLEC pilot community receives aid amid COVID pandemic in Surigao Sur – Army

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 7, 2020): PRLEC pilot community receives aid amid COVID pandemic in Surigao Sur – Army (By 4th Infantry Division)



TAGO, Surigao del Sur, May 7 – The Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) pilot community received aid amid COVID 19 pandemic crisis yesterday May 6, 2020, held at Sitio Ibuan, Brgy Mampi, Lanuza, this province

A total of 139 families have benefited the said assistance, all from Sitio Ibuan, Brgy Mampi, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur.

It can be recalled that Sitio Ibuan is a former stronghold of the Communist NPA Terrorist in the province of Surigao del Sur. The first in the province to declare CPP-NPA as “Persona-Non Grata” condemned and renounced all forms of affiliation to any CPP-NPA organization. It became a pilot community project for peace and development interventions of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) under the EO 70 of the government which calls for the Whole of Nation Approach to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict.

The PRLEC of Surigao del Sur chaired by TESDA has distributed a total of 30 sacks of rice and 139 relief goods composed of canned goods, noodles, and soap intended to the locals of the said place. The said sacks of rice were donated through the Congressional Office of the 1st District of Surigao del Sur, while relief goods were donated by the PRLEC members through contribution coming from their own personal savings.

Also, during the activity, a total of 88 former rebels who surrendered to the Army’s 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion and returned to the folds of the law received a total worth of 844,800 pesos under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Displaced Workers (TUPAD), a cash for work assistance by the Department Of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The activity was attended by TESDA SDS, Provincial Director, Rey Cueva, together with Ms. Genebelle Bal, Provincial Head of DOLE, SDS, Dir Pedrito Alacaba, DILG SDS, Ms. Hershey Nunez, Provincial E-CLIP Focal Person, Lt Col Jezreel Diagmel, Commanding Officer 36IB, Engr. Charline Binghoy, OIC, NCIP SDS, Ms. Paz Eloiza Aquino, DAR Operation Officer, Alfredo Antojado, Municipal Administrator of Lanuza, and the former rebels and locals of Sitio Ibuan.

In his message, Lt Col Jezreel J Diagmel, Commanding Officer of 36IB lauded the efforts and the bold move of the member of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster and the Local Government Unit of Lanuza for their never-ending support to the Former Rebels and leading the fight in combating insurgency amid COVID19 crisis.

“I am impressed with the convergence initiative of the PRLEC Surigao del Sur in helping the Former Rebels and the locals of Sitio Ibuan in battling the long-running insurgency in the province. It is a manifestation that the government is sincere to achieve a genuine reform in ending the local communist armed conflict,” army official added “Once again, I’m calling everyone to take part in this quest. Let us end this futile armed struggle, let us join hands and work in unison and converge our efforts and resources for us to achieve the peace that we are longing for,” Lt Col Diagmel concluded.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/prlec-pilot-community-receives-aid-amid-covid-pandemic-in-surigao-sur-army/

Kalinaw News: Sixteen (16) former rebels are reintegrated back to their communities

Posted to Kalinaw News (May 7, 2020): Sixteen (16) former rebels are reintegrated back to their communities (By 8th Infantry Division)



Las Navas, Northern Samar – After three (3) months of stay at “DARANGPAN” in Northern Samar, 16 Former Rebels (FRs) have officially restored their civil rights as Filipino citizens and reintegrated back to their communities. They were provided with cash assistance, rice and foodstuffs by the provincial government of Northern Samar through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) during the Send-off Ceremony held at Catarman, Northern Samar on May 5, 2020.

“DARANGPAN” is a Waray term for shelter, a home for social integration also called a halfway house. It is a civilian facility which will serve as Center for reintegration of former rebels who expressed the desire to return into the folds of the law. It is meant to facilitate the systematic assessment, processing, delivery of immediate intervention and development of individual reintegration plans, program and services for the spiritual and moral healing, and transformation of former rebels.

Seven of the sixteen FRs are residents of the town of Palapag, while nine FRs are from the town of Mapanas, Northern Samar. They were received by their respective local government units upon their return to their localities.

Atty. Francis John Tejano, Municipal Mayor of Mapanas welcomed the nine FRs together with their families who accompanied them in Darangpan. “I officially welcome the nine former rebels who submit themselves back to the folds of the law. I am glad that they chose to live a peaceful life, of which, the LGU of Mapanas, Northern Samar is here to embrace them and share with them the good governance under my leadership” Mayor Tejano, said.

Lieutenant Colonel Juan Gullem, the 20th Infantry Battalion Commander also appeal to the remaining NPAs in the area to avail the program of the government. “To the remaining NPAs in my area of operations, I urge you to take advantage of the government’s social integration program. It will provide you an opportunity to live peacefully in the company of your families and loved ones. A reality that is denied to you by the failed promises of the NPA leaders and communist cadres for the sake of their personal interest”, Lieutenant Colonel Gullem added.

It can be recalled that on April 23, 2020 high powered firearms, ammunitions, explosives, medical supplies/medicines, and subversive documents were recovered when the operating troops of 20th Infantry Battalion assaulted an NPA lair in Brgy P. Rebadulla, Catubig, Northern Samar. It also resulted to the death of an armed NPA and recovery of one (1) KG-9 submachinegun in a 5-minute firefight during a follow through encounter at said place on April 27, 2020.





[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/sixteen-16-former-rebels-are-reintegrated-back-to-their-communities/

Soldiers to help run 'mega swabbing center' in Taguig

From Rappler (May 6, 2020): Soldiers to help run 'mega swabbing center' in Taguig (By JC Gotinga)JC Gotinga

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will provide non-medical support to the national government's COVID-19 testing center at Enderun Colleges in Bonifacio Global City


SWAB CENTER. Cabinet officials inspect the government's 'mega swabbing center' at Enderun Colleges in Taguig City on May 6, 2020. Photo from the Department of National Defense

More soldiers are heading to the front lines of the battle against the novel coronavirus, this time as non-medical support staff at one of the government's "mega swabbing centers."

On Wednesday, May 6, the government opened a swab test center at Enderun Colleges in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It is one of 4 "mega swabbing centers" to be set up in the Greater Manila Area to increase the country's capability to test people for COVID-19.

The testing center at Enderun will be managed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana after inspecting the facility with Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, coronavirus policy chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr, and testing chief Vince Dizon.

An initial contingent of 64 soldiers will work as encoders and bar coders of samples to be taken by medical technologists at the facility. Lorenzana said more soldiers will join them soon. All military personnel drafted for the testing effort will be trained beforehand.

With the country's healthcare industry stretched thin, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea has called on all agencies to lend their workforce to efforts to care for patients and fight the pandemic, the defense chief added.

"Swab testing" is the shorthand for the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for the coronavirus, the so-called "gold standard" in terms of reliability. DNA samples of suspected patients are taken through a nasal swab.

To stay updated on news, advisories, and explainers, check out our special coverage page, “Novel Coronavirus Outbreak.”

The swabbing center at Enderun is expected to be able to run 1,000 to 1,500 RT-PCR tests per day, Duque said.

The government aims to be able to do 30,000 tests for the coronavirus by May 30, as it opens more testing centers and laboratories in different parts of the country. It earlier failed to reach its target of 8,000 tests daily by April 30.

The Greater Manila Area has one of the highest concentrations of COVID-19 cases in the country, which is why the government prioritized setting up "mega swabbing centers" in it, Dizon said in a virtual briefing on Tuesday, May 5.

The other "mega swabbing centers" are at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, and the Palacio de Manila in Malate, which opened on Tuesday.

The AFP has been enforcing the enhanced community quarantine or lockdown in parts of the country – in a "support role" to the Philippine National Police.

Besides this, it has lent its trucks, ships, and planes to transport medical equipment, supplies, and people amid the lockdown.

The military is also in charge of national quarantine facilities at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The AFP Medical Corps of doctors and nurses are deployed to these facilities.

The Philippines is racing to contain the coronavirus outbreak as its cities, municipalities, and provinces begin easing quarantine restrictions later this month. Metro Manila is set to go on general community quarantine on May 15, unless the government decides to extend the enhanced version of the lockdown.

As of Wednesday, the country has recorded 10,004 COVID-19 cases, with 658 deaths and 1,506 recoveries.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/260130-soldiers-help-run-coronavirus-mega-swabbing-center-taguig

LOOK: PH Navy ships in India to pick up face masks, repatriate Filipino tourists

From Rappler (May 7, 2020): LOOK: PH Navy ships in India to pick up face masks, repatriate Filipino tourists (By JC Gotinga)

The naval vessels will bring home some 200,000 face masks donated by a Filipino businessman



NAVY VESSELS. The BRP Davao del Sur (R) and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (L) docked in Conchin, India. Photo from the Philippine Navy

Two Philippine Navy vessels docked in Cochin, India on Wednesday, May 6, to bring home some 200,000 face masks and fetch a group of Filipino tourists who were stranded because of travel bans due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The landing dock ship BRP Davao del Sur and the patrol ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz arrived in India from Oman on April 29, the Philippine Navy said in a media release. The vessels remained in anchorage while waiting for their cargo to be ready. India’s southern naval commander Commodore Sanjay Nagar led a welcome ceremony for the Philippine ships.

On Wednesday, a total of 59 boxes of face masks were loaded onto the vessels. The Filipino sailors adhered strictly to stringent safety measures and wore personal protective equipment as they handled the boxes, which they then disinfected, the Navy said.



DONATIONS. Sailors from the Philippine Navy load boxes of face masks onto the BRP Davao del Sur. Photo from the Philippine Navy

To stay updated on news, advisories, and explainers, check out our special coverage page, “Novel Coronavirus Outbreak.”


This cargo of 200,000 face masks is the first batch of an expected total of one million pieces donated by Filipino businessman Paul Dantes of LegalZoc, coursed through the Office of Civil Defense.

Meanwhile, around 20 Filipino tourists stranded in India boarded the BRP Davao del Sur in Cochin. All bore medical certificates clearing them of COVID-19, but they will be isolated within the vessel and will be supervised by a medical team throughout the voyage home, the Navy said.

The two vessels are expected to arrive in the Philippines within May.



LANDING DOCK. The BRP Davao del Sur is one of the Philippine Navy's two landing dock ships, with a cavernous galley for transporting troops and assets. Photo from the Philippine Navy

The ships left the Philippines for Oman in January, when a US attack on an Iranian military general in Iraq threatened to escalate violence in the Middle East. The government sent the ships to help repatriate Filipinos in the region, but the mission did not push through because political tensions had eased.

The Navy and the rest of the Philippine military – the Army and the Air Force – have lent their transport assets to efforts to fight the pandemic. Their trucks and smaller vessels have been ferrying frontliners in the absence of public transport, while their ships and planes have been hauling equipment from abroad and around the Philippines.

Military personnel are also deployed to checkpoints, quarantine facilities, and medical testing centers.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/260191-philippine-navy-ships-india-pick-up-face-masks-repatriate-filipino-tourists

Military told to behave properly on social media

From Rappler (May 7, 2020): Military told to behave properly on social media

Although a number of military members posted their opinions about ABS-CBN going off the air, the AFP says the directive was prompted by social media posts and comments ‘from the past’



MILITARY TROOPS. Special Forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. File photo by Darren Langit/Rappler

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reminded its military and civilian personnel, and their dependents to “maintain proper behavior in their online and social media activities,” it said in a statement on Thursday, May 7.

AFP chief of staff General Felimon Santos Jr issued a directive to the commanders of the military’s major services – the Army, Navy, and Air Force – and its unified commands all over the country on Wednesday, May 6.

"All AFP military, civilian human resource, to include dependents, are directed to practice caution in publicizing personal opinion especially when engaging in social media activities," Santos’ directive stated.

Santos cited an AFP policy on social media use, first published in 2016, which called for "proper etiquette and a high standard of conduct and behavior in any and all online interaction or activity."

The policy prohibits the military and their civilian support staff from posting or sharing materials that violate the law, or any “information that harms or puts other people in embarrassing, inconvenient, and or humiliating positions, or puts the AFP or any of its units in bad light."

Opinions ‘not strictly prohibited’

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Although the rule does not “strictly prohibit” AFP members and employees from posting their personal opinions, they are ordered to ensure that their posts are not misconstrued as representing the organization’s official position.

"Each member of our organization has a responsibility to protect not only our physical structures and the lives they contain, but more importantly the people's trust and confidence that took many years to build," Santos said.

"Our ranks and positions as public servants hold us to higher standards of discipline and behavior, and we are expected to live up to these in every aspect of our lives," the military chief added.

Santos issued the directive a day after the National Telecommunications Commission ordered the country’s largest TV network, ABS-CBN, off the air over alleged issues with its government franchise to broadcast through a terrestrial channel.

Although a number of military members posted their personal views on the subject on their personal pages, AFP Public Affairs chief Captain Jonathan Zata told reporters the memo was issued “on account of posts and comments monitored on social media in the past.”

“We normally send this reiteration to remind AFP personnel about proper decorum on social media, and not necessarily as a result of an incident. We try to be as proactive as we can, especially now that most Filipinos have ample time to be in front of computers,” Zata said.

Propriety

In the directive, the military chief also reminded commanders and spokespersons to follow the “Security-Accuracy-Propriety-Policy Rule” published in a 2007 memo.

“Security” means preventing unauthorized persons from having access to official or classified information.

“Accuracy” means all data, names, figures, quotations, and statements should be correct.

“Propriety” means only the authority with the official capacity may disclose military information to the public.

“Policy” refers to “the adherence to a broad course of action or guidance adopted by the government in pursuit of certain objectives.”

The AFP has roughly 150,000 uniformed members, 12,400 civilian staff, and 70,000 Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit paramilitary troops.

The military is madated to be apolitical. However, its members' career advancement is largely dependent on the President, their commander-in-chief who dispenses promotions, and on Congress, which may approve or block those promotions.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/260226-military-told-behave-properly-social-media

Farmer illegally arrested in Quezon after surgery

From the pro-CPP/NPA/NDF online propaganda publication Bulatlat (May 8, 2020): Farmer illegally arrested in Quezon after surgery (By Janess Ann J. Ellao)


By JUSTIN UMALI

SANTA ROSA, Laguna – A farmer in Quezon province was arrested yesterday, May 4, on his way home after being discharged from a hospital in Lucena.

Leoben Holeto, 19
, was on his way home to Lopez, Quezon after undergoing a successful appendectomy. He, however, along with his mother, was barred from passing a military checkpoint manned by the 85th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, where he was accused of being a member of the New People’s Army.
Holeto was later arrested and taken to a TESDA Training Center in Lucena where he is detained as of press time.


Human rights watchdog Karapatan Quezon assailed his arrest, stating that military “should be doing service to the people and assisting them in the fight against the pandemic” instead of going on an all-out attack against them.

A report from Karapatan Quezon also stated that Holeto and his mother were forced to cooperate, threatening them that they will be charged of murder and rebellion.

This is not be the first time that the 85th Infantry Battalion was criticized in recent weeks for harassing farmers in the Quezon province.

On March 16, a soldier harassed a tricycle driver in Barangay Olongtao Ibaba, Macalelon and accused him of being a so-called “NPA sympathizer.” Soldiers took his phone and searched his belongings at gunpoint. Meanwhile, a resident of Magsaysay village in General Lunda, Nomeriano Fuerte, was arrested on April 13 even without a warrant on a mere suspicion that he is a member of the NPA.

Residents, too, are being forced to admit that they are “NPA members.” On March 19, several residents of the municipalities of Lopez, Catanauan, Macalelon, Unisan, Agdangan, Padre Burgos, and Atimonan were presented to the public as NPA surrenderees.

In San Francisco, Lopez, soldiers forced residents to agree to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP, which supposedly provides a “complete” assistance to former rebels, including financial aid.

There were also at least three reports of ransacking, such as in the villages of Malabahay and San Vicente in the town of Macalelon and the house of spouses Romeo and Helen Llagas.

Karapatan Quezon and peasant group Tanggol Magsasaka – Timog Katagalugan are demanding Holeto’s immediate release, and for the “AFP and the Duterte regime to actually serve and protect the Filipino.”

The group said, “they have just proven once more than their supposed ‘work’ will never be in the service of the masses,” said Karapatan Quezon in a statement, “but rather for the satisfaction of their fascist overlords.”

https://www.bulatlat.com/2020/05/08/farmer-illegally-arrested-in-quezon-after-surgery/

Esscom issues latest wanted list now with 21 names

Posted to the Daily Express (May 6, 2020): Esscom issues latest wanted list now with 21 names



LAHAD DATU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) today updates a list of foreign national suspects who are wanted for involvements in cross-border crimes in the waters of the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).
Of the 21 names on the list, three were new entries, namely Mamay Aburi, Basaron Arok dan Alvin Yusof @ Arab Puti.

ESSCom commander Datuk Hazani Ghazali said these 21 individuals were believed to be involved in kidnap for ransom groups (KFRG) on the east coast of Sabah.

“They were involved in planning crimes the whole of last year and are still active, they are wanted to assist into the investigation of cases on the east coast of Sabah,” he said when contacted today.

He also described the effort to trace kidnapping cases in the waters of the ESSZone as akin to a game of cat-and-mouse.

“They (the suspects) are waiting for an opportunity while in hiding,” he said.

Also listed as wanted were Abu Sayyaf leaders, namely, Salip Mura and Hatip Hajan Sawadjaan.

In addition, Idang Susukan, the suspect who was responsible for decapitating Malaysian Bernard Then Ted Fen, kidnapped at a seafood restaurant in Sandakan on May 2015, was also on the wanted list.

Among the others on the list are Apo Mike @ Majan Sahidjuan; Al Munjir Yadah; Raden Abuh, Marajam @ Manajan Asiri; Sangbas @ Anjang; Hamsan Pakkan @ Black Cobra; Sabri Madrasul @ Salip Jul; Ben Tatoh Quirino; Titing Alihasan @ Iyot Panday; Jul @ Jun Hasan; Jul Aksan Abdurajan @ Halimaw; Tampi @ Bunju; Long Sahirin; Halip Ibrahim and Haibin Mubin @ Apo Kuhambo.

Hazani said the latest list was released after an investigation by ESSCom including confirmation from the authorities in the Philippines.

Anyone with information on the individuals in the wanted list could contact the ESSCom operations room at 089-863181 or send a Whatsapp message to 013-8803585 or 019-2305909.

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/152043/esscom-issues-latest-wanted-list-now-with-21-names/