Saturday, May 30, 2020

NPA terrorists attack Villagers in hinterland barangay in MisOr

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 30, 2020): NPA terrorists attack Villagers in hinterland barangay in MisOr (By 65IB)

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The Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army Terrorists (CNT) attack and burn one Christian Church and four residential houses in Zone 2, Brgy Limonda, Opol, Misamis Oriental, around 3:50 a.m., May 28. (65IB/PA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 30 – The Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army Terrorists (CNT) attacked and burned one Christian Church and four residential houses in Zone 2, Brgy Limonda, Opol, Misamis Oriental, around 3:50 a.m., May 28.

Based on the field reports, Edward Villarias, Kicy Tingcan, Edmar Burlat and Ambilino Sambuhay owned the residential houses burned by terrorist leader alias "Decoy" and several members of ACE Company, Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC 5), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

On the statement of one of the Barangay council member, he said, "Dako amo kahiubos sa ilaha kay nganu ila man hilabtan ang amo balay. Pobre kaayu amo pamuyo, naa pay COVID, dili mi ka panginabuhi ug normal, tapos karun in ani pa nahitabo."

(We feel very oppressed by what they've done to our houses. With poor life, then there's COVID, we can't work and earn for sustenance, now this happened).

P

hilippine Army talks to residents after the incident. (65IB/PA)

He added, “Duha ka tao ang nakita namo nga nag sunog sa balay gamit ang gasolina ug naa clay dala nga armas."

(We saw two men burning the houses using gasoline and they have firearms.)

Barangay Chairman Michael Sambulay said, "Amo na ge safety daan amo mga tao para ma protektahan laban sa mga NPA. Andam me makig away kung ila me hilabtan. Ila na gikuha mga pagkaon sa mga bahay pati mga binuhi nga manok."

(We already assured the safety of the residents to protect them against the NPA. We are ready to fight against them if they continue their oppressive acts. They already took foods from the households as well as the raised chickens).

As the 65IB and PNP personnel responded to the crime scene, GMA Kapuso bags with can goods , biscuits, jelly ace and toys for children were distributed to the affected residents.

According to their statements, they will file complaints for the violations of Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code known as Article 320 Destructive Arson and Violation Against IHL that caused severe damages to properties of non-combatants, the civilian residents.

Lt. Col. Benjamin Pajarito Jr, Commanding Officer of 65IB said, “Your army will support and assist the affected residents in filing criminal charges against the NPA Terrorists. On incidents like this, we are now working with the PNP and Local Government Units in tracking down these terrorists. We call on the people to help us in tracking these criminals. Let us help one another prevent such terrorists’ acts because they do not care nor respect Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law. As of press time, our unit continues to conduct our operations against the terrorists.”

These actions of the Communist NPA terrorists, as a non-state armed group, violates the privisions of Additional Protocol 2 of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) which is being enforced by Philippine’s Republic Act 9851, otherwise known as an “Act Defining and Penalizing Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and other Crimes against Humanities” by attacking civilian population intentionally causing great suffering to the people especially in these times of the CoViD-19 pandemic.

The innocent people of Limonda are non-combatants, who should not be attacked and are, therefore, protected under existing laws. (65IB/PA)

15 NPA supporters yield to gov't troops in Aurora

From the Philippine News Agency (May 30, 2020): 15 NPA supporters yield to gov't troops in Aurora (By Jason De Asis)



SURRENDERED. Fifteen supporters of the Komiteng Larangang Guerilla (KLG) Sierra Madre of the Communist Party of the Philippine-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) pledge their loyalty to the government in Barangay Dianawan, Maria Aurora, Aurora on Saturday (May 30, 2020). The rebel supporters surrendered to government troops in Barangay Dianawan, Maria Aurora. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 91st Infantry Battalion) 

BALER, Aurora – At least 15 supporters of the Komiteng Larangang Guerilla (KLG) Sierra Madre of the Communist Party of the Philippine-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) surrendered on Saturday to government troops in Barangay Dianawan, Maria Aurora here.

The surrenderers are categorized as underground mass organization (UGMO) members and also members of the Panlalawigang Alyansang Magbubukid ng Aurora (Pamana).

Lt. Col. Reandrew Rubio, acting commanding officer of 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion Philippine Army, said the surrender was the result of the retooled community support program (RCSP) operation efforts by the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) with the special participation of local officials, other stakeholders, and the communities.

Rubio said the surrenderers disclosed they are dissatisfied with the false promises of their leaders and the pattern of deception being done by the communist terrorists.

“I am hoping that they are here honestly seeking for peace, that they are doing this by heart, mind, and soul,” he said.

“I am encouraging you (surrenderers) to inform other Pamana members about the government’s efforts toward peace and development and explained to them that our government is open for dialogue to end the local communist armed conflict in this province,” Rubio added.

During the simple ceremony, the 15 surrenderers pledged to withdraw their support to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDF) and took their oath of allegiance to the government.

Maj. Rhoderick Bagunu, chief of police of the Aurora Police Station, said he is thankful that the surrenderers are now on the side of the government.

“Makikita sa tinagal-tagal ngayon lang nangyari ang maraming nagbabalik-loob. Sana ay iparating din sa iba pang tao ang mabuting ginagawa ng gobyerno para sa ating bayan (We can see that for a longer period, it is only now that many returned to the fold of the law. I hope the good things that the government is doing to our town would be conveyed to other people),” Bagunu said.

Dianawan barangay chair Cresencio Mico also appreciated the immediate response of his constituents to end the local communist armed conflict.

“I am happy for their response and support to the government. Rest assured that we will continue to provide livelihood training and other development programs with the help of concerned government agencies and other stakeholders,” Mico said.

After the activity, the military troops distributed rice to the surrenderers and leaflets on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) from UP Baler extension campus.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104440

ICRC vehicles ferrying injured ‘NPAs’ stopped in Surigao Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (May 30, 2020): ICRC vehicles ferrying injured ‘NPAs’ stopped in Surigao Sur (By Alexander Lopez)



STOPPED. Two vehicles belonging to the International Committee on Red Cross and one from the local Red Cross are intercepted in a quarantine checkpoint in Barangay Payasan, Lianga in Surigao del Sur around 10 a.m. Friday (May 29) by the police and the military. Authorities say they received reports that the said vehicles are ferrying alleged members of the communist New People’s Army, who were wounded in recent skirmishes with government troopers in the province. (Photo courtesy of SDSPPO)

Three vehicles carrying wounded individuals, who are suspected members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA), were intercepted by authorities in a quarantine checkpoint in the Surigao del Sur town of Lianga around 10 a.m. Friday (May 29).

Col. James T. Goforth, Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office (SDSPPO) director, said two of the vehicles are registered with the International Committee on Red Cross (ICRC) and one with the local Red Cross.

“We received information that wounded NPA members are being transported using ICRC vehicles. These NPA combatants were wounded during the series of encounters that took place in the province in the past weeks,”
Goforth told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Saturday (May 30).

Goforth said the quarantine checkpoints in the province manned by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the military were immediately alerted after they received the information.

Goforth said the vehicles stopped at a quarantine checkpoint in Barangay Payasan, Lianga, included a white Toyota Hi-Ace van ambulance with Red Cross logo bearing plate number WOG 769 driven by Ian Dominguez Adlawan, 38, a resident of Nabunturan, Davao de Oro.

The white ambulance was carrying a wounded person identified as Noel Dadang, 30, with a gunshot wound on his left rib and parietal area.

Dadang, who refused to declare his address, was escorted in the said ambulance by Marjun G. Tagalog and Leo Haniff C. Ko, all residents of Zamboanga del Norte, police said.


Goforth said the second vehicle is a white Toyota Land Cruiser with ICRC logo and plate number 30613 driven by Marjun Velez Gabia, 46, a resident of Purok 4, Agro Compound, Barangay 76-A, Davao City.

The second vehicle was carrying Jea Angeles Perez, 22, a resident of Purok 4, Barangay Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur.

Perez, who was accompanied inside the vehicle by Rogelio Idul, Jr. and Reynaline Esguerra, both residents of Davao City, has a bullet wound on her right leg.


The third vehicle was a Toyota Land Cruiser with ICRC logo bearing plate number 30614 driven by Jose Junrie Quisquis Lomoljo, 40, a resident of Tukananes, Cotabato City.

Goforth identified the passengers of the third vehicle as Tara Feodora Montgomery, 35, a British national, and Jaymore Rala. Both passengers of the third vehicle refused to provide their address to authorities.

“The wounded NPA members were from Janipaan, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur. Both were wounded during the series of encounters with government forces,” Goforth said.

He added that the Red Cross and ICRC vehicles were heading to Davao Region for the treatment of the wounded individuals in a medical facility in the area.

Goforth said the Red Cross and ICRC vehicles and the wounded individuals were turned over to Col. Ringo C. Zarzoso, the director of the Agusan del Sur Provincial Police Office (ADSPPO).

In turn, Zarzoso handed over the vehicles with the wounded individuals to proper authorities in Davao Region, particularly in the province of Davao de Oro.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104401

DILG to Reds: Free AJ Lucena, youth from communist terrorism

From the Philippine News Agency (May 30, 2020): DILG to Reds: Free AJ Lucena, youth from communist terrorism



Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año 

The battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has further strengthened the government’s resolve against communist terrorist groups (CTGs) as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) calls on leftist groups to free Alice Jasper "AJ" Lucena and other recruited youth “from the virus of communist terrorism.”
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año renewed this call on Saturday as the Supreme Court (SC) en banc directed leftist leaders to respond to the Show Cause Order issued on May 19 against respondents Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, Anakbayan spokesperson Alex Danday, Anakbayan recruiters and members Chary delos Reyes, Bianca Gacos, and Jayroven Ballais Villafuerte, and lawyer Maria Kristina Conti.
The Show Cause Order was issued after the May 8 filing of petitions for the issuance of the writ of habeas corpus and amparo by Francis and Relissa Lucena, the parents of AJ, against the respondents.

AJ, now 18 years old, was a minor two years ago when she was recruited by leftist youth organizations and had been missing since July 2019. In August 2019, AJ spoke in a press conference held by leftist lawmakers in Congress, saying she voluntarily joined the CTGs.

“These CTGs cannot justify their recruitment of minors and child warriors which is a clear violation of international law. They cannot wash their hands of the brainwashing activities they do to mislead the youth towards communist terrorism,” Año said.

“Kayong CTGs ang limang dekada nang peste sa lipunan. Mas matindi pa kayo sa Covid-19. Pinapatay niyo ang kinabukasan ng kabataan at dinudurog ninyo ang puso ng mga magulang na nawawalan ng mga anak,” he said.

( You CTGs are pestering society for five decades. You are worse than Covid-19. You are killing the future of the youth and you're crushing the hears of the parents who lost their children.)

“You infect and contaminate our youth with your pretentious and false notion of nationalism. Kaya kayo hindi nagtatagumpay ay dahil hindi totoong para sa bayan ang inyong adhikain (You are not succeeding because you have a bogus cause). Stop spreading the virus of communist terrorism,” he added.

He also called on the youth to "maintain distancing, physically and online, from these leftist groups. Sanitize yourself of their polluted beliefs.”

He said that the DILG, a member of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), lauds the Lucena couple for filing the petitions before the Supreme Court.

“The DILG, together with the Philippine National Police (PNP), supports the Lucena couple in their unceasing efforts to get back their daughter from the custody of CTGs. As the law says, the family, being the foundation of the nation, is a basic social institution that public policy cherishes and protects. To the Lucena couple, we are behind you in our common fight against the recruitment of minors by the communist terrorist groups,” he said.

The lawyer of the Lucena couple contends that AJ’s life, liberty, and security were violated when she was a minor and is aggravated by the occurrence of the Covid-19 pandemic because she has no proper support, has become an out-of-school youth, and has no gainful employment.

The suit also sought a court order directing and ordering the immediate transfer of AJ to the care and custody of her parents in compliance with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, compelling everyone to stay at home with their families.

Año assured them that the DILG will help in getting AJ back to her parents in compliance with the law and Constitution which states that the natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the government.

The Constitution also mandates the State to promote and protect the youth’s physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104400

DND chief hails Congress for approving new measure vs. terrorism

From the Philippine News Agency (May 30, 2020): DND chief hails Congress for approving new measure vs. terrorism (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Saturday lauded two committees of the House of Representatives for approving a measure that will boost the law against terrorism and effectively repealing Human Security Act of 2007.

"The DND welcomes the approval by the House Committees on Public Order and Safety, and National Defense and Security of a proposed bill which will strengthen the government's response against terrorism," he said in a message to reporters.

Lorenzana noted a new and stronger law against terrorism is needed as the Human Security Act of 2007 is no longer capable of meeting the evolving terror threats.

"The Human Security Act of 2007 is no longer responsive to the evolving nature of the threats we face, hence the need for a new law," he said.

On Friday, the House Committee on Public Order and Safety and Committee on National Defense and Security, chaired by Masbate Rep. Narciso Bravo Jr. and Iloilo Rep. Raul Tupas, respectively, approved the still-unnumbered substitute bill, which seeks to prevent, prohibit, and penalize terrorism.

Bravo said the House bill is similar to the Senate version that was approved in February to fast-track its passage and avoid convening a bicameral conference.

“We have to approve today a bill that is similar to the Senate bill to avoid the necessity to convene a bicameral conference committee," he said.

The proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 would provide a strong legal backbone to support the country's criminal justice response to terrorism, provide the law enforcers the much-needed tools to protect the people from the threat of terrorism and, at the same time, safeguard the rights of those accused of the crime.

The Senate version introduced provisions imposing life imprisonment without parole on those who will propose, incite, conspire, and participate in the planning, training, preparation, and facilitation of a terrorist act; as well as those who will provide material support to terrorists, and recruit anyone to be a member of a terrorist organization.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104403

BRP Davao del Sur fetches 12 more stranded Pinoys in Sri Lanka

From the Philippine News Agency (May 30, 2020): BRP Davao del Sur fetches 12 more stranded Pinoys in Sri Lanka (By Priam Nepomuceno)  May 30, 2020, 1:55 pm



Photo courtesy of PN Public Affairs Office

The Philippine Navy's Naval Task Force 82, which consists BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), on Friday made a brief stop in Colombo, Sri Lanka to pick up 12 more Filipino tourists and overseas workers stranded there due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a statement Saturday, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, Philippine Navy (PN) public affairs office chief, said the 12 repatriates are certified and tested negative for Covid-19 before being allowed to board the BRP Davao del Sur.

"The onboarding process was similar to the protocols observed during the earlier repatriation of 18 Filipinos in India. They are placed in an isolated room separate from the first batch with strict and round-the-clock monitoring by a medical team," she said.

Roxas said the voyage from Cochin, India to Sri Lanka was also a validation for newly-repaired BRP Ramon Alcaraz engine room that caught fire shortly after leaving the Indian port on May 7.

Repairs to the ship were completed on May 27. Following this, Alcaraz and the Davao del Sur, which initially proceeded alone on May 9 but was forced to seek shelter anew in Cochin due to heavy weather caused by Cyclone "Amphan" that battered eastern India and Bangladesh.

"All its (BRP Ramon Alcaraz) systems are up and running and can sustain longer travel. The two PN vessels will immediately set sail directly to South Harbor, Manila upon completion of water and fuel replenishment," she said.

The two ships were deployed to Oman last February as a contingency measure should a large evacuation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) be needed following tensions between the United States and Iran.

They sailed from Sultan Qaboos, Oman last April 21 and arrived in India on April 29 to fetch a donation of 200,000 pieces of face masks from a Filipino businessman based in the country, as well as Filipino tourists who were stranded due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104407

Centino is new 4th ID Chief

From the Manila Bulletin (May 30, 2020): Centino is new 4th ID Chief (By Mike Crismundo)

CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – A seasoned senior Army officer, who has led successful anti-insurgency campaigns in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur provinces, has been appointed as the new commanding general of the Army’s Fourth Infantry Division (4th ID) effective Friday (May 29).



Army Chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert I Gapay (right) presided over the turnover of leadership from Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio M. Gacal (center) to the incoming 4th ID Chief Maj. Gen. Andres C. Centino (left)
(Philippine Army / MANILA BULLETIN)

The 4th ID, the largest Army maneuvering division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) station in Southern Philippines, covers the provinces and cities in Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga Region 13 and Northern Mindanao (Region 10).

Army Chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert I Gapay presided over the turnover of leadership from Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio M. Gacal to the incoming 4th ID Chief Maj. Gen. Andres C. Centino.

Centino, who graduated at the top of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988, has been serving in the Army for 32 years.

Prior to his appointment as the 44th 4ID Commander, he was assigned as the Chief of Staff for Operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and was then the former Brigade commander of the Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade based in Camp Datu Lipus Makapandong in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.


“Let us brace the challenges ahead of the fight in front of us and be more focused on the tasks before us,” he said.

“Considering the limited time, we must be relentless on our pursuit. I enjoined also our partners to continue our elaborative efforts in harnessing our skills and capabilities,” said Centino in his remarks.

Centino also aims to put a premium on the improvement of training systems, leaders development program, non-commissioned officers’ empowerment, reserve force development, and civilian human resource component strengthening.

“I will sustain your gains and ensure that what you have set out to do shall come into fruitition,” Centino told his predecessor.

Gacal was also credited with the neutralization of top New People’s Army (NPA) leaders and the mass surrender of Communist-fighters and supporters in Northeastern Mindanao.

Gacal, who was also a member of the PMA “Maringal” Class of 1988 is set to assume position as the Inspector General of the AFP based in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, received the Distinguished Conduct Star award.

Air Force pilot Erickson Gloria is new military commander guarding West PH Sea

From Rappler (May 30, 2020): Air Force pilot Erickson Gloria is new military commander guarding West PH Sea (By JC Gotinga)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines announces changes in key positions as Lieutenant General Erickson Gloria takes over the Western Command based in Palawan



NEW WESCOM CHIEF. Lieutenant General Erickson Gloria is appointed commander of the AFP Western Command. Photo from the Armed Forces of the Philippines

A decorated tactical and rescue pilot from the Air Force is the new military commander in Palawan, whose primary mission includes safeguarding the West Philippine Sea.

Lieutenant General Erickson Gloria, previously The Deputy Chief of Staff (TDCS) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), took the helm of the AFP Western Command (Wescom) on Thursday, May 28.
Gloria took over from the Navy’s Vice Admiral Rene Medina, who retired after leading Wescom for almost 14 months. A change-of-command ceremony was held at Camp General Artemio Ricarte in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Maringal” Class of 1988, Gloria holds a command pilot rating in the Philippine Air Force. Early in his military career, he was awarded different aircrew qualifications ranging from pilot, element lead, flight commander, test pilot, and instructor pilot for the UH-1H and Bell 205 helicopters.

Gloria also qualified as a pilot of the Sikorsky S-76A, logging more than 2,500 accident-free flight hours. For this, he was awarded the Command Pilot Badge.


His other earlier posts include Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, J1, Wing Commander of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, Deputy Commander of the Air Mobility Command, and Deputy Commander of the Air Logistics Command.

Gloria also previously commanded Search and Rescue air squadrons in Palawan and General Santos City.


Other new appointments
Replacing Gloria as AFP TDCS is Lieutenant General Antonio Ramon Lim, previously the AFP Inspector General.

Taking over as AFP Inspector General is Major General Franco Nemecio Gacal, previously the Commander of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (PA 4ID) in based in Eastern Mindanao.

Gacal is Gloria’s classmate from the PMA Maringal Class of 1988.

Replacing Gacal as commander of the PA 4ID is Major General Andres Centino, also from PMA Class ’88. He was previously the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3.

The new Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3, is Major General Edgardo de Leon, erstwhile Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations, J7.

Taking De Leon’s place as J7 chief is Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, the former Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training, AJ8.


“The reliefs and designations [of officers] are integral to and part of the dynamism of the uniformed services. The AFP ensures that it puts the right person on the right job who will carry out our mandate no matter what assignment is put upon their shoulders,” AFP chief General Felimon Santos Jr said in a statement.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/262412-air-force-pilot-erickson-gloria-new-military-commander-west-philippine-sea

4 ‘Reds’ get tired of armed struggle, surrender in Ecija

From the Journal Online (May 29, 2020); 4 ‘Reds’ get tired of armed struggle, surrender in Ecija (By Steve A. Gosuico)

After getting tired of the armed struggle, four alleged active members of the communist New People's Army rebels gave themselves up to authorities in separate areas in Nueva Ecija on Wednesday.

In Gabaldon, Lt. Col. Alexander C. Aurelio, former chief of the provincial intelligence branch said
two NPA rebels surrendered without their firearms to the police and military in Bgy. Malinao following negotiations being jointly facilitated by the 1st provincial mobile force company, the local police, the regional mobile force battalion 3, and the Army's 703rd Brigade and the 91st Infantry Battalion.

The two rebel surrenderees are identified as alias Jex/Lei/Mali/Carding/Supremo, 19, of Bgy. 28, Caloocan City, and alias Jerome, 23, of Malinao, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija.


"Pagod na sila sa kanilang maling pakikibaka kaya nagbalik-loob na sila sa ating pamahalaan," said Lt. Col. Aurelio, who now heads the 1ST PMFC after its erstwhile chief was transferred to the Police Regional Office 3 in Camp Olivas, Pampanga.

Aurelio described alias Jex/Lei/Mali/Carding/Supremo as a former youth organizer of the leftist group Anakbayan while alias Jerome was formerly designated as medic/assistant gunner of Platoon dos, Kumiteng Larangang Gerilya-Sierra Madre under codename Conan.

In San Jose City, Lt. Col. Marco A. Dadez, company commander of the 2nd PMFC based here said two NPA rebels yielded to them and the military at 1 p.m.
Dadez identified the two rebels as Ka Robert, 34, a municipal employee, of Bgy. Alalay-Grande, and Ka Ramon/Ka Bengson, 52, municipal driver, of Bgy. San Isidro, both of Lupao, Nueva Ecija.

Dadez said they were former members of the Arcadio Peralta command operating in the area of Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Aurora or KLG Caraballo.

Col. Leon Victor Z. Rosete, provincial police director said the four rebel surrenderees are now under police custody for proper documentation and for tactical debriefing.

Tesda-12 to train ex-NPA rebels

From the Manila Times (May 30, 2020): Tesda-12 to train ex-NPA rebels (ByJulmunir I. Jannaral)

Some 45 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in South Cotabato are set to undergo skills training under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) programs as part of the national government’s enhanced reintegration program.

As members of Militia ng Bayan (MB) and members of the Under Ground Mass Organization have already rejected communist ideology and returned to the fold of the law
as the government continues its efforts to end the insurgency in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic in a program held recently in Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu municipality of South Cotabato.

Rafael Abrogar II, Tesda-12 regional director, on Friday said preparations are ongoing for the training of the rebel returnees under I-PEACE –the Indigenous Peoples Empowered as Agripreneurs towards a Collective End.


“We will assure you that Tesda will guide them every step of the way to change lives through TechVoc,” Abrogar said during the program.

One of the Tesda programs is for food security in the area through an agriculture program that would provide proper training not only to the rebel-returnees but for their families as well.

Ronnie, an NPA supporter for six years, said because of the continued efforts of the government to reach out to them, they have agreed to surrender and promised to support government efforts to curb the insurgency in the province.

“I have my family and there is a need to protect them and it has been a long time that I wanted live with them, but I could not because we had to keep on hiding from the government military. I’m tired of that life,” Ronnie said in the local dialect.

Together with representatives from government agencies, South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. extended cash assistance to the returnees.

Lake Sebu Mayor Floro Gandam assured his support for members of the Indigenous Peoples, who were former members of the rebel groups.

13 former rebels in Zamboanga del Sur to receive cash assistance

From the Manila Bulletin (May 30, 2020): 13 former rebels in Zamboanga del Sur to receive cash assistance (By Bonita Ermac)

ILIGAN CITY – At least 13 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, who have surrendered to the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion unit, received livelihood and immediate cash assistance during the culmination of their Values Formation and Psycho-Social Activity at the Executive Function Hall, Provincial Capitol Compound, Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur, on Friday, May 29.



53rd Infantry Battalion, PA / MANILA BULLETIN

The cash assistance amounted to a total of P845,000 — with P50,000 livelihood assistance and P15,000 immediate cash assistance given to each former rebel.

The assistance was part of their benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) given after the Values Formation and Psycho-Social Activity spearheaded by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of the province.

Present at the turnover of assistance were DILG Provincial Director Moh Taga Arakama and Provincial Board Member Dang Mariano, representing Gov. Victor J. Yu, the Chairperson of E-CLIP Committee.

2 wounded NPA members found onboard Red Cross ambulances

From Tempo (May 30, 2020): 2 wounded NPA members found onboard Red Cross ambulances



FRONTLINERS check on three vehicles of International Committee of the Red Cross which were found carrying two wounded New People’s Army (NPA) members at a provincial quarantine checkpoint in Purok 3, Barangay Payasan, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on Friday. (Photo courtesy of PRO 13-RPIO)

Frontliners manning a provincial quarantine checkpoint intercepted three Red Cross ambulances transporting two wounded New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on Friday in Purok 3, Barangay Payasan, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, the Caraga Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) reported.

Nine other individuals, including a British national, were also found onboard the ambulances.

PRO 13 identified the two wounded persons as Jea Angeles Perez, 22, who sustained a gunshot wound in the right leg; and Noel Dadang, 32, who suffered bullet wounds in the chest and head.

Prior to the interception, police and military personnel were alerted after receiving information about the transport of alleged wounded NPA rebels using International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) vehicles.

PRO 13 reported that around 10:55 a.m. on Friday, Caraga cops and 9th Special Force Company troopers flagged down the three Red Cross vehicles.

During inspection, they found inside the vehicles 11 persons, including two alleged wounded NPA rebels and one British national.

In coordination with the officials of Agusan del Sur and Davao police officials, the wounded persons were referred to Davao Regional Medical Center for medical treatment.

Upon reaching the regional quarantine checkpoint in Barangay Pasian, Monkayo, Davao de Oro, Philippine Army personnel received the convoy and escorted them to Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. (Mike Crismundo)

http://tempo.com.ph/2020/05/30/2-wounded-npa-members-found-onboard-red-cross-ambulances/

COVID-19 crisis forces 50 NPAs to surrender in Sarangani

From the Manila Bulletin (May 29, 2020): COVID-19 crisis forces 50 NPAs to surrender in Sarangani (By Joseph Jubelag)

Some fifty members of the New People’s Army (NPA) yielded Thursday to police authorities in Kiamba, Sarangani.

Police Regional Office 12 Director Brig. Gen. Michael John Dubria said
the NPA surrenderers belonged to the NPA Guerilla Front 73 operating in Sarangani and South Cotabato, and were presented to Saragani Gov. Steve Solon and Kiamba Mayor Danny Martinez.

Dubria said
the surrenderers also yielded 10 assorted high-powered firearms, including a rifle grenade and fragmentation grenade.


Solon said the former rebels will be provided with livelihood assistance under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the provincial government.

Martinez said the municipal government will provide housing units for the surrenderers.

One of the surrenderers, alias Commander Tiger, said they opted to surrender due to the hardship and difficulties they were experiencing amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis which had adversely displaced them from their communities.

He said he and other colleagues have given up their allegiance to the NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), as they promised to rejoin mainstream society and live a peaceful life.

As a gesture of withdrawing their support from the NPA, the surrenderers set on fire an NPA flag after the program.

NDF/Sison: Killing of social activists is high priority of state terrorism under Duterte regime

Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (May 30, 2020): Killing of social activists is high priority of state terrorism under Duterte regime



By Jose Maria Sison, NDFP Chief Political Consultant

It is clear that the Duterte regime is engaged in the killing of leading social activists as a high priority of state terrorism. The people are outraged and are demanding justice. The honor list of martyred social activists is rapidly growing.

The social activists can fight back by multiplying their ranks through perseverance in arousing, organizing and mobilizing the masses openly and yet letting the revolutionary forces accumulate strength that is not exposed to their enemy.

They should be guided by the lesson that when the fascist scheme of Marcos became clear from 1969 to 1971 the revolutionaries waged mass struggles and at the same time developed the urban underground and sent more activists to the countryside for people’s war.

I have noted that there are those who demand that justice be obtained by the armed revolutionary movement with lightning strikes against the human rights violators and plunderers to counter the rampage of state terrorism.

They point out that the Duterte regime is hell-bent on launching a campaign of mass arrests and mass murder in urban areas in a vicious scheme to suppress the legal democratic forces and the broad opposition and impose fascist dictatorship on the people.

According to insiders in the Duterte regime, the butcher-in-chief and his minions in the National Task Force-ELCAC and the so-called Anti-Terrorism Council have a consensus that they can wipe out the cause-oriented organizations and the entire opposition by murdering Tokhang-style 100,000 social activists in the name of anti-communism.

The decision to carry out punitive actions against the urban-based human rights violators and plunderers belongs to the revolutionary forces of the people. Such actions can also compel more armed minions of the tyrannical regime to do guard duty in urban areas and trunk lines and lessen the number of enemy troops in the countryside.

The Duterte regime is escalating the oppression and exploitation of the people as the domestic ruling system and the world capitalist system are debilitated by the rapidly worsening economic and political crisis. The people are being forced to fight back under conditions favorable to armed revolution.###

https://ndfp.org/killing-of-social-activists-is-high-priority-of-state-terrorism-under-duterte-regime/

CPP/News Story: BHB-Northern Samar, sunod-sunod na hinaras ang RCSP tim ng 20th IB

Propaganda news story posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 27, 2020): BHB-Northern Samar, sunod-sunod na hinaras ang RCSP tim ng 20th IB

NEWS STORIES
MAY 27, 2020



Sunod-sunod na hinaras ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan-Northern Samar (Rodante Urtal Command o RUC) ang mga elemento ng 20th Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army na naglulunsad ng operasyong Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) sa Barangay San Miguel, Las Navas.

Noong Mayo 8, hinaras ng mga Pulang mandirigma kasama ang milisyang bayan ng BHB-RUC ang mga elemento ng 20th IB sa pangunguna ng isang Sgt. Agosto na nakakampo ilang metro ang layo sa eskwelahan. Dalawang sundalo ang malubhang nasugatan.

Noong tanghali ng Mayo 9, isang sundalo ang namatay matapos iisnayp ng BHB-RUC. Sa galit ng mga sundalo, pinaputukan nila ang dalawang bahay ng mga magsasaka sa Zone 7 ng nasabing barangay. Nakuha ng mga upisyal ng barangay ang mga bala sa mga sako ng bigas at dingding ng bahay. Pinagbakwit na ang mga residente ng nasabing purok. Kinagabihan, muling hinaras ng BHB-RUC ang mga sundalo.

Mula pa Marso 9 nagsasagawa ng operasyong RCSP ang 20th IB sa San Miguel gayundin sa mga kalapit nitong baryo ng Perez, Quirino at San Francisco. Hindi pa ito umaalis kahit noong epektibo ang tigil-putukan ng GRP. Tuloy-tuloy rin ang kanilang pananakot at sapilitang pagpapasurender sa mga residente at upisyal ng barangay. Bagamat labas-pasok sa mga baryo, wala silang ginagawang pag-iingat laban sa pagkalat ng coronavirus gaya ng pagsuot ng face mask o social distancing habang nakikihalubilo sa mga residente. Nangunguna pa ito sa mga pagtitipon gaya ng pagsasabong.

Matagal nang pinag-iinitan ng 20th IB ang Brgy. San Miguel. Mga elemento ng 20th IB ang itinuturo ng mga residente na pumatay sa kanilang kapitan na si Apolinario “Kap Pening” Lebico noong Mayo 2019, halos isang taon na ang nakalilipas. Aktibong tagasuporta ng kampanya laban sa militarisasyon ng kanilang baryo si Lebico. (Koresponsal)#

https://cpp.ph/statement/bhb-northern-samar-sunod-sunod-na-hinaras-ang-rcsp-tim-ng-20th-ib/

CPP: No negotiations for new VFA! Abrogate all lopsided US-Philippine military agreements!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 27, 2020): No negotiations for new VFA! Abrogate all lopsided US-Philippine military agreements!

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES
MAY 27, 2020



Today marks the 21st anniversary of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which is set to expire on August 9, 74 days from now, after a notice of termination was filed by the Philippine government last February 11.

The Party reiterates the Filipino people’s patriotic demand that there be no negotiation for another VFA and demand for the complete abrogation of all other military treaties between the US and the Philippines which reinforce US imperialist hegemony in the Philippines and in the Asia-Pacific region.

Over the past 21 years, the VFA has served as one of the starkest reminders of the country’s status as a US neocolony, under which the US has been given unlimited access to bring in their troops and use the country’s airspace and sealanes. Under the VFA, the US military has maintained permanent rotational presence in the country, with at least several hundred troops in the country at any given time.

Since 1999, the US military used the VFA to establish military facilities across the country, including those inside Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City, where several hundred US troops conducted trainings and launched counterguerrilla operations against the revolutionary forces of the Moro and Filipino peoples. Reinforced with the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) which gives the US military the right to establish military facilities inside AFP camps across the country.

Under the VFA, American troops who committed murder, rape and other crimes in the country were able to escape just punishment. The criminals behind the following remain free:

1. The March 2000 mauling of taxi driver Marcelo Batestil in Cebu by three US soldiers.

2. The May 16, 2002 terrorist bombing at the Evergreen Hotel by CIA operative Michael Meiring who was taken by US embassy officers from Philippine police and whisked back to the US.

3. The July 25, 2002 Basilan shooting of Buyong-buyong Isnijal by US soldier Reggie Lane.

4. The May 25, 2004 massacre of the Malla brothers in Barangay Sipangkot, Umapoy Island, Tawi-Tawi involving at least four US soldiers.

5. The June 21, 2004 killing of Arsid Baharon who was shot by an American soldier in an area turned into a firing range in Barangay San Roque, Zamboanga City.

6. The November 1, 2005 Subic rape case of “Nicole” by US Lance Corporal Daniel Smith who was convicted, detained inside the US embassy and later repatriated to the US after forcing the victim to recant her testimony.

7. The November 30, 2007 barging into the Panamao District Hospital by US soldiers who threatened and ordered hospital personnel to shut down that day.

8. The February 4, 2008 massacre of eight civilians in Barangay Ipil, Maimbung, Sulu involving US soldiers and troops of the AFP.

9. The April 19, 2009 rape of college student “Vanessa” inside a Makati City hotel.

10. The February 2, 2010 murder of Gregan Cardeño, a Filipino interpreter working for US troops, who was found dead inside Camp Ranao.

11. The October 11, 2014 rape and murder of Jennifer Laude in Olongapo City by US Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton who is now detained inside a US facility inside Camp Aguinaldo.

It is a matter of patriotic duty that the Filipino people demand justice for all the crimes perpetrated by the US under the VFA. They must demand justice as well for the innumerable crimes committed by American troops since its 1898 war of aggression, occupation, suppression and colonization of the country.

The Filipino people must militantly oppose any move to take back the notice of termination, renegotiate the treaty, or negotiate a new agreement that will allow US military forces to maintain permanent presence in the country.

The Filipino people must denounce the US State Department for its certification to allow the Duterte government to purchase as much as $1.5 billion worth of US helicopters and military hardware that will be used in the US-directed counterinsurgency war which has resulted in widespread violations of human rights.

The Filipino people must demand an end to US neocolonial rule in the country and seek an end to all other lopsided military treaties which give US soldiers extraterritorial rights in the country, including the EDCA and the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

The Filipino people must demand the pullout of all US troops in the Philippines and the dismantling of American military facilities inside Camp Aguinaldo, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City, Camp Ranao in Marawi City and inside the PNP Academy in Cavite.

The Filipino people must call for an end to the Operation Pacific Eagle-Philippines under which the US military has used to heighten military interventionism in the country in the guise of “anti-terrorism” since 2017. They must demand an end to interventionist US military operations in the country, including drone and electronic surveillance by Dyne Corporation and other US military contractors.

The demand for an end to US neocolonial rule and military domination is in line with the Filipino people’s aspiration for genuine national sovereignty. US military domination in the country is a magnet for military aggression by the imperialist rivals of the US, including China. In line with this aspiration, the Filipino people also denounces China for its deployment of military forces in the South China Sea and the construction and operation of military facilities, especially in the areas within the territorial boundaries of the Philippines.

Achieving national liberation in the political, economic and military fields aim to end the imperialist oppression and plunder of the country which has condemned the country to a perpetual state of backwardness and crisis. The demand for social justice and genuine national liberation are the key elements in the Filipino people’s national democratic revolution.

https://cpp.ph/statement/no-negotiations-for-new-vfa-abrogate-all-lopsided-us-philippine-military-agreements/

CPP/NPA-Negros Island: Pasaporte and the AFP-PNP are the women abusers, not the NPA

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 28, 2020): Pasaporte and the AFP-PNP are the women abusers, not the NPA

JUANITO MAGBANUA
NPA-NEGROS ISLAND
APOLINARIO GATMAITAN COMMAND
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY
MAY 27, 2020



The AFP’s recent claim that “NPA commanders are sexually abusing their women comrades” based on the contraceptives they found in an alleged abandoned camp is another one of their age-old lies brought out of the blue and downright illogical.

The NPA strictly adheres to the ‘3-8’ or ‘tres-otso’, the three main rules of discipline and eight points for attention, which includes a point against the exploitation of women. Additionally, romantic relationships and marriage are considered as serious matters for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the NPA. Comrades and the masses are educated about family planning. The People’s Democratic Government has several statutes that involve the respect of women’s rights and their emancipation.

In the NPA, women are treated equally with men, enjoying every right the same as a male comrade. On the other hand, women are treated as objects in the AFP, as even their female troops are victims of patriarchal treatment and are mostly limited to office and mental work.

Rather, it is the AFP, PNP with their command er-in-chief Duterte at the helm who have consistently violated women’s rights. Some of their misogynistic feats include Duterte’s command of ‘shooting the NPA fighters directly in the vagina’, various rape jokes that get downplayed by his mouthpieces, military and police abuses all over the nation (such as the recent ‘sex- for-pass’ scheme) that objectify women even during the lockdown period in the current public health crisis, and their long rotten practice when conducting RCSP (Retooled Community Support Program) and other operations in different barangays here in Negros Island where they seduce and lure different women for their temporary amusement. Military detachments in Negros and in the Philippines are infamous for prostitution and exploitation of women.

It would be more productive if the US-Duterte regime focus on dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Billions of pesos are wasted on funding military overspending, enforced surrenders, bounty hunting, and operations stained with massive corruption. Taxpayer money would be better spent on healthcare and social services than on the AFP’s juvenile and baseless propaganda, which are futile to say the least. Pasaporte should consider suggesting the realignment of the AFP’s intelligence funds away from their not-so-intelligent bickering and pointless tirades.

Duterte and his military clique with their desperate albeit archaic smear campaigns have done nothing but backfire and expose their hypocrisy, bigotry and fascism. The AFP-PNP’s attempts to discredit the NPA have proven to be useless, with 51 years of the CPP-NPA as proof. Women, LGBT and the entire Filipino masses are witnesses to their crimes and are ever certain to commit themselves to the armed revolution’s just cause. ####

CPP/NPA-Southern Panay: Dugang Naman nga mga Biktima sang Kapintas sang 61st IB kag 12th IB

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 28, 2020): Dugang Naman nga mga Biktima sang Kapintas sang 61st IB kag 12th IB

ILAYA KANAWAY
NPA-SOUTHERN PANAY
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY
MAY 28, 2020



Nadugangan naman ang listahan sang pagpang-abuso sang 61st IB kag 12th IB PA sa isla sang Panay.

Sa Sityo Takas, Brgy. Bagay, Igbaras, Iloilo, sadtong Mayo 11, 2020, alas 12 sa udto, ginsakit nila si John Mark Esapol, 32 anyos kag ginpisa-pisa interogar si Waldo Odango Jr., 46 anyos. Lunsay sila mga sibilyan nga mangunguma sa nasambit nga baryo.

Samtang, sa Sityo Igculibao, Brgy. Cabladan, Sibalom, Antique, sining damlag lang, Mayo 22, 2020 natabo ang pagkuot kag pagpamahog sa 2 ka mangunguma nga mag-asawa. Iligal sila nga gindakop mga alas-6 sang sirom kag ginbuy-an mga alas-11 na sa tungang-gab-i.

Antes sang ini nga mga insidente, natabo man ang pagpang-abuso sang militar sadtong Abril 18, 2020 nga kun sa diin ginpatay nila ang isa ka lider mangunguma nga konsehal sa Brgy. Onop, Miag-ao, Iloilo kag kadungan sini, may 11 pa ka mga mangunguma nga taga Brgy. Igpanulong kag Tordesillas, Sibalom, Antique ang ginpangdakop, ginpangtortyur kag ginpasakaan sang mga himu-himo nga kaso. Upod man sa ginpangdakop ang 5 ka menor de edad nga ila man ginpatu-patuan nga mga child warrior sang NPA.

Ang mga pagpang-abuso nga ini natabo sa pihak sang kapigaduhon kag pag-antus sa krisis sang COVID-19. Imbes nga dapat tutukan sang gubyernong Duterte ang pagtapna sang COVID-19 kag buligan ang pumuluyo, padayon kag pinasingki nga militarisasyon ang ginapatuman sini. Indi ayuda ang ginadala nila sa kaumhan kundi pagsabwag sang kakugmat kag kapintas. Wala ini nagapangilin nga maggasto sang 75 bilyones para sa pagpamakal sang mga moderno nga armas kag kagamitan militar, samtang sa pihak nga bahin, palpak ang ginapatuman nga Social Amelioration Program. Maski sa tunga sang COVID-19 nga pandemya, handum kag dumot sini sa gihapon ang mapintas nga pagwasak sa rebolusyonaryo nga kahublagan. Tuyo sini nga “pahubsan sang tubig ang isda”, amo nga maski sin-o diri sa kaumhan, kapin sa mga kabaryuhanan nga ginahulagan sang NPA, may katalagman nga mangin biktima sang mga pasista, bayaran nga mga suldado ni Duterte. Wala sang pili nga pagbayolar sa tawhanon nga kinamatarung ang ila ginalarga kapin sa masang mangunguma.

Ginahingalitan lamang sang rehimeng US-Duterte ang kahimtangan nga may krisis sang COVID-19 para ipatuman sang militar kag kapulisan sini ang ala Martial Law nga lockdown kag mga restriksyon. Nagapabor lamang ini sa labi nga pagpamintas agud limitahan kag lubos nga lupigon ang pagbato sang pumuluyo.

Apang, mas gamhanan ang pagbato sang minilyon nga ginagutom nga pumuluyo amo nga sa baylo, wala sang liwan nga pakadtuan ini kundi ang labi nga pagbaskog sang armado nga paghimakas kag ang labi nga paglapad sang pulang gahum nga nagahatag sang masanang nga buwas-damlag sa pumuluyo halin sa kadulom sang pagpang-ipit sang mapiguson kag mahimuslanon nga sistema.

Indi magkahahadlok. Sa baylo, manindugan kag magbato!

Batu-an ang inutil nga rehimeng US-Duterte!

Labi nga isulong ang Armado nga Paghimakas!

CPP: Fight Duterte’s scheme to extend emergency powers for fascism and unbridled corruption

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 30, 2020): Fight Duterte’s scheme to extend emergency powers for fascism and unbridled corruption

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES
MAY 30, 2020



The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) calls on the Filipino people and all revolutionary forces to fight the regime’s attempt to railroad the extension of the Rodrigo Duterte’s emergency powers under the Bayanihan Act which is set to expire next month.

The extension will only give Duterte, his cohorts and favored capitalists much wider latitude for siphoning hefty kickbacks and profits from huge funds supposedly intended for combating Covid-19. It would also extend his authority to usurp legislative authority and set himself up as strongman with the AFP and PNP as his attack dogs.

Over the past days, Malacañang has been pushing to extend Duterte’s emergency powers by three more months, or six months “if necessary.” The pronouncement is very much in line with Duterte’s propensity to “unli-extend” draconian powers, like he did with martial law in Mindanao which lasted for almost 1,000 days. As before, his minions in the Senate and House of Representatives are set to rush to rubberstamp this.

Over the past two months, Duterte used his emergency powers to realign hundreds of billions of public funds to the pockets of big bureaucrats, amend fiscal policies, and make special purchases under the guise of Covid-19 response, all without the benefit of public bidding, transparency or accountability.

With Duterte’s imprimatur, Health Sec. Francisco Duque III ordered the procurement of grossly overpriced medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) and Covid-19 testing kits. Among those purchased were nucleic acid extraction machines for P4 million which can be bought for less than half the cost at P1.75 million, as well as PPE (P1,800 per set) and swabbing kits (P1,600 each) which are priced at P400-P1,000 and P600 respectively.

Having imported from China at least 11 million PPE sets at P21.8 billion since March, Duterte and his officials would have pocketed at least P10.8 billion (with PPE priced at P1,000 per set) to P17 billion (at P400 per set). This is in the purchase of PPE sets alone.

With emergency powers, Duterte and his officials act without obligation to reveal procurement contracts or disclose what companies are involved in the purchase of these billions worth of PPE sets and medical equipment using public money.

Neither is the regime transparent nor accountable to the people in implementing its emergency amelioration programs wherein hundreds of billions of pesos have been appropriated to. According to its reports as of May 25, the regime has already disbursed a total of P163.41 billion for its emergency amelioration programs for various sectors supposedly benefiting 17.4 million indigent families (approximately 70% of the total number of households), as well as 4.9 million displaced workers, drivers, farmers and OFWs.

Amid prevalent reports of large numbers of people not receiving any aid, and without accounting, it is not highly unlikely that billions of pesos of so-called amelioration funds also ended up lining the pockets, not only of some unscrupulous barangay officials, but of Duterte’s key officials themselves who hold the keys to the country’s treasuries. This is set to further worsen as funds for SAP distribution will now be coursed through the military and police which are extremely notorious for corruption and abuse of power.

Worse, for close to three months under military lockdown, families on the average received a mere P5,743, which is equivalent to a meager subsidy of P75 per day. The said amount is way too insufficient to make ends meet especially in this time of pandemic. Under Duterte’s emergency powers, government incompetence and bureaucratic red tape has further worsened. As a result, 10.7 million families (or 79% of the 13.5 million targeted aid recipients of SAP funds) suffered and waited for over a month before they received the first tranche of subsidies. Until today, 370,667 families are yet to receive the subsidy intended for them. The second tranche of subsidies have yet to be released.

Duterte used his emergency powers for unbridled corruption and suppression of democratic rights. Over the past months, his regime failed to put into place a comprehensive plan to undertake mass testing, tracing and isolation as the key strategy to contain the pandemic, and instead resorted to imposing a military lockdown as a sledgehammer militarist approach to managing the Covid-19 pandemic.

Further extension of emergency powers will only expand the worse of the regime’s tyranny and corruption. Duterte will certainly invoke this to give a new push to the stalled implementation of its Build, Build, Build program under the guise of reviving the economy in order to further plunder public funds and line up the pockets of his minions and favored capitalists. The people are bound to suffer more as this will give Duterte the power to issue new and higher taxes to fleece the poor while allowing his favored big business oligarchs to rake in greater profits.

https://cpp.ph/statement/fight-dutertes-scheme-to-extend-emergency-powers-for-fascism-and-unbridled-corruption/

CPP/NPA-Palawan: 18th SFC na may pakana ng malawakang hamletting ng mga Palaw’an, binigwasan ng BVC-NPA-Palawan

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 30, 2020): 18th SFC na may pakana ng malawakang hamletting ng mga Palaw’an, binigwasan ng BVC-NPA-Palawan

SALVADOR LUMINOSO
NPA-PALAWAN
BIENVENIDO VALLEVER COMMAND
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY
MAY 30, 2020



Barangay Bunog, Rizal Palawan: Matagumpay na naisagawa ng isang tim ng Bienvenido Vallever Command – NPA Palawan ang operasyong haras sa detatsment ng 18th Special Forces Company na nakabase sa Mantayog Falls.

Ang detatsment sa Mantayog Falls ang nagsisilbing patrol base ng mga Army at Marines na naglulunsad ng Focused Military Operation sa lugar at mga kanugnog na sityo at barangay.

Ang isinagawang aksyon ng NPA bilang ay tugon sa reklamo ng mga masang walang awang binabantaan, hinaharas at pinipigilang maghanapbuhay ng mga marines at army na nag-ooperasyon sa mga baranggay na saklaw ng Quezon at Rizal. Nakatanggap din ng ulat ang BVC laban sa mga anti-sosyal na gawain ng mga nagkakampong marines at army sa Brgy. Bunog na mula nang magkaroon ng kampo sa lugar ay lumaganap na ang mga nakawan na ang mga biktima ay mga maliliiit na magsasaka at katutubong Palaw’an.

Naging biktima ng hamletting ang halos 100 pamilyang Palaw’an at sapilitang inipon sa tinatawag na IP Village, ito ay sa kalagitnaan ng krisis dulot ng pandemyang CoVid19 at ng militaristang lockdown sa buong probinsya.

Naninindigan ang BVC na tumatalima pa rin ito sa atas ng Partido na hindi magiging target ng mga taktikal na opensiba ang mga militar, pulis at mga pulitiko na nagsasagawa ng humanitarian response para sa krisis ng CoVid19. Ngunit ang mga elemento ng militar na ginagamit na pantabing ang CoVid19 para ilusot ang kanilang operasyon ay mananatiling target sa pamamarusa ng rebolusyunaryong kilusan.

CPP/NPA-Palawan: Relief Operations para sa CoVid19, Pantabing ng JTF – Peacock sa Operasyong Militar

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 30, 2020): Relief Operations para sa CoVid19, Pantabing ng JTF – Peacock sa Operasyong Militar

SALVADOR LUMINOSO
NPA-PALAWAN
BIENVENIDO VALLEVER COMMAND
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY
MAY 30, 2020



Habang matapat na tumatalima ang New Peoples Army sa patakaran ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas na hindi magiging taget ng mga taktikal na opensiba ang elemento ng militar, pulis at reaksyunaryong gobyerno na nagsasagwa ng humanitarian response kaugnay ng CoVid19, ang lokal na pamahalaan naman ni Jose Chavez Alvarez at Lucilo Bayron ay garapalang ginagamit ang krisis na ito upang maisakatuparan ang mala-demonyo nilang plano para sa 20 milyong piso bounty hunting price laban sa mga di umano ay lider ng rebolusyunaryong kilusan.

Napatunayan ng BVC na ginagamit lamang ni Alvarez at ng Joint Task Force Peacock ang mga relief operations upang maisagawa ang kanilang kontra-rebolusyunaryong mga pakana at maghasik ng takot sa mamamayan. Tulad ito ng nangyaring pabalat bungang pamamahagi ng relief goods sa Brgy. Marufinas at Panggangan ng Puerto Princesa City kung saan habang namamahagi ng relief ay nagpapakita sila ng mga larawan ng mga pinaghihinalaang kasapi ng NPA. Kalinsabay ang propagandang may patong ang ulo ng mga ito at maaaring pagkakitaan. Hindi lamang ito sa Puerto Princesa City nangyari, naganap na rin ang mga kahalintulad sa mga baranggay ng Iraan at Bunog sa Rizal, sa mga bayan ng Brooke’s Point at Sofronio Española, San Vicente, Roxas at Taytay.

Habang nananawagan ang mga Palawenyo ng bigas at ayuda sa kabuhayan, mga naka-imprentang tarpaulin at flyers ng mga di umano ay lider ng rebolusyunaryong kilusan ang isinusubo sa kanila ng JTF – Peacock. Sa halip na ilaan sa Social Amelioration Program ang natitirang kabang yaman ng mga Palawenyo, inaksaya na ito sa mga flyers, tarpaulin at kung anu-ano pang propagandang pang-saywar.

Iginigiit ng mga tutang tagasunod ni Rodrigo Duterte na walang umiiral na Martial Law; ngunit sa panahong hindi na pinapagana ang gobyernong sibil at militaristang pamumuno ang namamayani tulad ng kasalakuyang umiiral, ano pa nga ba ang tawag dito? Tila pilit na ipinapalunok sa mamamayang Palawenyo na magiging ‘New Normal’ na ang Martial Law.

Muli, nananawagan ang BVC sa mga makabayang pulitiko na igiit ang kasarinlan ng gobyernong sibil laban sa militaristang paghahari ng pangkating Alvarez at Duterte. Dapat higit kailanman ngayon nila ipagtanggol ang mandatong ipinagkaloob sa kanila ng mamamayan. Manindigan laban sa JTF – Peacock at Oplan Kapanatagan na ginagamit lamang sila para sa kontra-rebolusyunaryong kampanya at panunupil sa mamamayang dapat una nilang pinagsisilbihan.

CPP/NPA-Palawan: 2nd Palawan Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd PPMFC) at San Vicente Mayor Amy Alvarez, mga hambog at sinungaling! Ambush sa San Vicente, hindi kagagawan ng NPA-Palawan!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 30, 2020): 2nd Palawan Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd PPMFC) at San Vicente Mayor Amy Alvarez, mga hambog at sinungaling! Ambush sa San Vicente, hindi kagagawan ng NPA-Palawan!

SALVADOR LUMINOSO
NPA-PALAWAN
BIENVENIDO VALLEVER COMMAND
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY
MAY 30, 2020

Katamaran, Kayabangan at Kabulaanan. Ito ang nakikitang dahilan ng Bienvenido Vallever Command(BVC) kung bakit mas madali para sa 2nd PPMFC at kay Mayor Amy Alvarez na ituon ang sisi sa grupo ng NPA na nagsagawa diumano ng pang-aambus noong ika-21 ng Mayo sa New Agutaya San Vicente, Palawan na ikinasugat ng isang pulis.

Ang mapanlinlang na pahayag na ito ng PNP at ni Mayor Alvarez ay pinabubulaanan ng Bienvenido Vallever Command (BVC) at tahasang naming pinasisinungalingan. Gawa-gawa lamang ang naturang ambus upang maghanap ng masisisi ang PTF-ELCAC para sa kanilang kontra-insruhensyang operasyon. Mahigpit na tumatalima ang NPA-Palawan sa kautusan ng BVC sa lahat ng mga yunit nito nagbabawal sa armadong aksyon ng NPA laban sa lahat ng mga indibidwal, grupo at sektor (maging military man o pulis) na nakatalagang maghatid ng suplay sa mga apektado ng pandemyang Covid-19. Maliban kung ginagamit lamang ng mga mersenaryong Pulis at Militar ang pabalat-bungang mga relief operations upang tabingan ang mga operasyong militar na saklaw ng aming mga larangan at sonang gerilya.

Marami nang natatanggap na reklamo ang aming himpilan na habang limitado ang galaw ng mga karaniwang mamamayan ay sinasamantala naman ng mga Marines at pulis ang kanilang kapangyarihan upang dahasin ang mga lider masa at gipitin ang mga pinaghihinalaang may koneksyon sa rebolusyunaryong kilusan. Pipiliting sumuko at ipapailalim sa E- CLIP bilang mga pekeng surenderi at makakurakot ng malaking pondo sa kaban ng bayan.

Ibinibigay rin ng BVC ang simpatya kay Patrolman Jayson Javares Catanduanes na naging kaswalti sa nasabing ambush. Tiyak naming biktima sya ng ganid at pansariling interes ng kanilang mga opisyal upang magkaroon ng magandang dahilan ang kabagalan ng kanilang paghahatid ng mga relief sa mga taong epektado ng palyado, magulo, pabago-bago at di maintindihang patakaran ng gubyerno sa pagharap sa Covid-19. Hindi malayong ang nangyari sa kanya ay resulta ng isang planado at maruming taktika ng kanilang mga opisyal upang bigyang katwiran ang mga operasyong ilulunsad ng mga militar at pulis laban sa NPA.

Sasamantalahin ng mga utak-pulburang pasimuno ng PTF-ELCAC ang pagkakataon habang nasa yugto ng pangangamba ang mamamayan sa kanilang kalusugan dulot ng CoVidl9. Isinusugba naman ng JTF – Peacock ang mga pulis at sundalo sa kahibangang kontra-rebolusyonaryong kampanya nito dahil sa mga pangakong tatapusin ang CPP-NPA sa pagtatapos ng 2019 na muling pinalawig hanggang 2021. Nais ipaabot ng BVC sa hanay ng mga pulis at mga sundalo na palaging bukas ang pintuan nito para sa makabayan at prinsipyadong pakikipagtulungan.

Kung sinasabi ng lokal na pamahalaan ng San Vicente na abala sila sa pakitang-taong pagbibigay ng ayuda sa mga biktima ng militaristang lockdown dulot ng CoVidl9, ang mga yunit naman ng BVC ay higit na abala sa mga sonang gerilya upang abutin ang higit na maraming masa na kapos pa sa kaalaman hinggil sa pandemyang CoVidl9. Isinasagawa ng mga yunit ang pagtuturo ng kumprehensibong pangangalaga sa kalusugan, madaliang pag-agap sa sakit at sama-samang magtulungan upang maisaayos ang kalusugan at pagkain ng gipit na mamamayang hindi man lamang pinansin ng ipokritong pamahalaan ng Palawan at ng republika ng Pilipinas sa kabuuan.

Habang ipinagmamalaki ni Jose Chavez Alvarez at Amy Alvarez ang kanilang mga nagawang pagtugon sa krisis ng CoVidl9 sa San Vicente at buong Palawan, hindi maitatago ang tunay na reyalidad: May malawak na diskuntento sa hanay ng masang Palawenyo! Malaganap ang matinding kagutuman at kahirapan sa buong lalawigan. Ito ang naghahawan ng landas para sa rebolusyunaryong kilusan at Bagong Hukbong Bayan!

Mabuhay ang New Peoples Army!

Mabuhay ang National Democratic Front of the Philippines!

Mabuhay ang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas!

Mabuhay ang Nakikibakang Palwenyo!

https://cpp.ph/statement/2nd-palawan-provincial-mobile-force-company-2nd-ppmfc-at-san-vicente-mayor-amy-alvarez-mga-hambog-at-sinungaling-ambush-sa-san-vicente-hindi-kagagawan-ng-npa-palawan/

CPP: Enough is enough! Fight for people’s democratic rights and interests amid pandemic!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 30, 2020): Enough is enough! Fight for people’s democratic rights and interests amid pandemic!

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES
MAY 28, 2020



After around three months, the Covid-19 pandemic continues to claim victims, cause unemployment and widespread hunger, and threaten the entire Filipino people. This is because the Duterte government’s response to the pandemic has been slow and inadequate, heavily reliant on profit-oriented big business, marred by corruption, and militarist and oppressive especially against the poor.

Instead of strengthening the health system, specifically in capacitating the country for mass testing, the Duterte regime has resorted to repeated lockdowns as a sledgehammer militarist approach to a medical problem. It has intensified the suppression of the people’s democratic rights. This has resulted in an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and further economic devastation for the Filipino people.

To help prevent the spread of the virus, the Filipino people, especially the toiling masses and the middle classes, have sacrificed a lot in the past three months under the Duterte regime’s martial law lockdown and “enhanced community quarantine.” However, their sacrifices have not been matched with rapid and sufficient response from the Duterte government.

The regime has failed to deliver promptly and adequately the food and economic assistance it promised. With Duterte’s imprimatur, public funds have been realigned to the pockets of corrupt bureaucrats and military officers through overpriced purchases and outrightly false accounts. Feeding its own corruption, it continues to push its neoliberal agenda that relies on foreign investments and debt-dependent infrastructure projects at a time of global economic downturn. It continues to prioritize funding for purchasing helicopters and other war matériel.

Meanwhile, the health system remains weak and grossly lacks funds. Without mass testing and contact tracing, the government remains blind to the real extent of the Covid-19 spread. It is holding the Filipino people hostage to the narrow “vaccine first” mantra to deflect attention from the corrupt handling of public funds and justify the undemocratic measures against the people, while ordering the easing of restrictions on big business operations and infrastructure projects.

The regime has failed to manage the contagion. Its militarist mindset prevents it from taking take the necessary and appropriate health measures, and continues to rely on martial law measures and suppressing the people as its overriding response to the crisis.

Enough is enough with government incompetence, corruption, militarism and mispriorities amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The Filipino people must unite and raise their voices to assert their democratic rights and interests amid the pandemic.

1. Demand that the government fund free mass testing efforts to serve as the commanding heights of the country’s pandemic response, instead of lockdowns and wholesale quarantines. Set up sufficient number of public laboratories for Covid-19 testing. Demand the mass mobilization of health workers and people’s volunteers for contact tracing.

2. Demand emergency funding to strengthen and establish public hospitals and medical facilities across the country, provide sufficient protective equipment for nurses, doctors and health workers and raise their wages. Raise the capacity of public health facilities to handle Covid-19 cases, as well as to attend to other medical cases and health emergencies. Demand free hospitalization of Covid-19 cases to encourage infected people to seek treatment.

Demand funding to establish state enterprises for mass production of testing equipment, as well as personal protective equipment including face masks, face shields, goggles, aprons, gowns and others to lessen dependence on importation and answer demands of the local market. 

Demand increased funding support for Filipino scientists to conduct research to develop a vaccine and call for international cooperation for vaccine development.

3. Demand prompt and complete delivery of sufficient food and economic assistance as promised and allow access to jobs and various means of livelihood to prevent mass hunger from causing more illnesses and deaths on top of Covid-19. Demand suspension of payments for electricity, water and rent and prohibit disconnections and evictions. Demand transparency in the disbursement of public funds and hold government officials accountable for overpricing and other forms of corruption.

4. Demand democratic access to exact and real-time data and critical information, including geoinformation showing where there are Covid-19 cases and where there are none to enable the people to proactively and appropriately act to stop the spread the virus. Ensure patient confidentiality. Respect the people’s right to privacy and ensure that social and health data remain in the hands of the public sector, and beyond the reach of private companies to exploit.

5. Demand wider community-based public education to raise the people’s scientific knowledge about the virus. Demand the government to listen to the people. Demand a stop to the suppression of the press which impede the flow of critical information with regard the pandemic and other social and national concerns. Put a stop to censorship and political harassment of private citizens and red-tagging of activists in social media and other platforms. Support the demand to immediately allow ABS-CBN to return to broadcast over free-air.

6. Demand measures to address the already grave social and health impact of the pandemic and the 3-month lockdown on vulnerable sectors such as the elderly, those with underlying illnesses (including mental conditions), healthworkers, pregnant women, women in general, as well as people who were forced to evacuate due to militarization and natural calamities. Address the needs of women who aside from being at the forefront of homes and their children’s educations, are also at the frontlines of the Covid-19 battle as the majority of healthworkers are female. Demand an end to sexual exploitation and abuse as women and girls are forced into prostitution by the crisis or by the police and military in exchange for favors.

7. Demand the immediate decongestion of prisons. Demand the mass release of elderly prisoners, and political prisoners, as well as those convicted of non-violent crimes with short sentences.

8. Demand immediate removal of restrictions on livelihood and work, travel, education and other economic, social, religious and political activities within and across regions, provinces, cities and towns where there are no cases or very minimal number of cases of Covid-19. Demand the removal of police and military checkpoints where grave abuses happen everyday. Demand the restoration of the people’s right to peaceably assemble in a safe manner in their communities and public spaces to express the people’s grievances.

9. Demand appropriate and targeted quarantine measures to the smallest possible area (street or barangay) to carry out testing, isolate the infected, treat the sick, protect the vulnerable in order to break the virus’ chain of transmission. Carry out targeted quarantine in a democratic and acceptable manner with the participation of community organizations and local health volunteers. Ensure socio-economic support for residents of communities that are to be quarantined.

10. Demand immediate removal of restrictions against peasants/farmers from working in their farms. Demand the withdrawal from rural communities of AFP soldiers whose presence and operations increase the probability of spreading the virus in the countryside.

11. Demand a safe working environment for workers and employees and demand companies to provide safety equipment, free distribution of hygiene kits, face masks or face shields, free and regular Covid-19 testing, and higher hazard pay for workers during the pandemic.

12. Demand the right to safe public mass transportation by having more trains to prevent congestion. Provide subsidies for jeepney and tricycle drivers and operators and smaller bus companies to enable them to provide health safety in their public utility vehicles and compensate for loss of income while they are forced operate below capacity without raising fares.

13. Demand funding to establish health protocols and infrastructure in public and private schools to allow students to resume classes in a safe environment. This includes more schools and classrooms to reduce class sizes, more teachers, more public spaces for sports and play, as well as regular testing for teachers and school personnel. Demand state funding for alternative teaching methods to supplement classroom learning. Demand a reduction in the cost of telecommunications and internet access to facilitate supplementary online education.

14. Demand economic subsidies and assistance for workers, peasants and low-income families in order to surmount the crisis and help stimulate economic demand and domestic production. Demand emergency subsidies for workers and returning overseas Filipino workers who lost their jobs due to the economic crisis, drivers and other transport workers and other small income earners. 

Demand wage increases and a national minimum wage to raise the standards of living of workers across the country. Demand the rescinding of the government order allowing companies to “voluntarily” reduce wages. Demand full support for returning overseas Filipino workers by providing free testing, quarantine accommodations and transportation to their hometowns.

15. Demand a suspension of land rent, cancellation of peasant debt and funding support for agricultural production for small farmers to help increase food production. Demand free distribution of land to peasant tillers.

16. Demand funding support for small businesses and small professionals to enable them to resume economic activity in a safe manner and continue to earn reasonable profits. Demand fund support for small landlords to compensate for suspension of house and land rent.

17. Demand a suspension of automatic debt payments. Demand the immediate realignment of intelligence and confidential funds of Malacañang and other government agencies. Demand a suspension of the AFP modernization program for the purchase of helicopters, missiles, artillery systems and bombs. Demand the suspension of the TRAIN law, the withdrawal of Duterte’s oil tax and a rollback in the prices of fuel and other basic commodities. Demand higher taxes on big business and imposition of taxes on the financial and non-financial assets and luxury spending of the biggest capitalists and landlords, and oppose the plan to cut corporate taxes and give tax deductions to big corporations. Oppose the plan to impose new taxes on consumers.

The Filipino people must unite to resist the attempt to railroad the extension of Duterte’s emergency powers by three or six more months. Three months under Duterte’s emergency powers have only redounded to an undemocratic, fascist, profit-oriented and corruption-ridden response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The fight against the contagion can only be effectively carried out by the Filipino by demanding Duterte and his ilk of incompetent, corrupt and militarist-minded officials to resign.

If Duterte refuses to heed the people’s clamor, it is incumbent upon the Filipino people to unite and act collectively to cause the ouster of the tyrant Duterte. A successor government must take immediate steps to establish a broad emergency humanitarian front to unite the Filipino people in their collective effort to fight the Covid-19.

https://cpp.ph/statement/enough-is-enough-fight-for-peoples-democratic-rights-and-interests-amid-pandemic/

CPP: Anti-Terror bill will complete Duterte’s martial law rule

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 30, 2020): Anti-Terror bill will complete Duterte’s martial law rule

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES
MAY 30, 2020



The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) condemns the railroading yesterday of the proposed Anti-Terror Bill in the House of Representatives which was approved at the committee-level by cohorts of the Duterte fascist regime. The Party calls on all democratic forces to exert all efforts to militantly oppose the fascist law.

The rush to enact the Anti-Terror Law is clearly being directed by the National Task Force and Malacañang itself. Duterte and his ilk of militarist officers led by Delfin Lorenzana, Eduardo Año and Hermogenes Esperon wants to have their bloody hands on the Anti-Teror Law to further consolidate the fascist regime and suppress dissent. To preeempt public outrage and distract the people, Duterte outrightly lied claiming there is “no martial law” just a few hours earlier.

The Filipino people are disgusted at how Duterte’s cohorts in the leadership of the House of Representatives are pushing the Anti-Terror bill while the Filipino people’s attention is focused on the Covid-19 pandemic and surviving the economic crisis brought about by Duterte’s corruption, military lockdown and failed response.

Duterte-Año-Lorenzana-Esperon urgently want to put into place martial law measures without the name in the face of rising indignation over the corruption-riddent, incompetent, and militarist response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Duterte wants martial law powers to silence and terrorize the people but is afraid that outright declaration will backfire and instead rouse widespread people’s protests.

Over the past years, even without formal declaration, Duterte has built his house of martial law through 950-day martial law in Mindanao, Memorandum Order 32, Executive Order 70, the establishment of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and most recently, through three-months of emergency powers under the misnomered “Bayanihan Heal As One” law.

Duterte is rushing the Anti-Terror Law and the extension of emergency powers to reinforce the fascist order which he has succeeded to impose through the Covid-19 military lockdown and which he intends to perpetuate under the “new normal” of checkpoints and continuing militarist restrictions in the guise of stopping the disease but actually serving to strengthen his fascist reign and scheme to impose a fascist dictatorship.

The proposed Anti-Terror Law, first approved by the Senate in February to replace the Human Security Act of 2007, will be the last brick to complete the Duterte regime’s martial law infrastructure, short of outright declaration.

It will put into place the worst draconian measures that Duterte-Año-Lorenzana-Esperon junta have long wanted to impose to terrorize and silence the people and establish absolute rule.

The draft Anti-Terror Law contains deliberately vague and overly broad definitions of “terrorism” and “support for terrorism” in order to serve as a wide net to cast over the Filipino people and all their democratic forces. It extends the powers of the military and police to arrest and detain anyone to 14-24 days without warrant or filing charges, practically suspending the writ of habeas corpus, a fundamental right even under the 1987 constitution. Moreover, it removes any military or police liability from damages which will surely result in even worse forms of abuse of power.

Over the past years, officers of the AFP and PNP have been arbitrarily accusing critics of the regime of being communist fronts or supporters or abettors or linked to the CPP and NPA. In their anti-communist zealotry, the AFP and PNP see red wherever they look, and accuse every one who stands for the people’s interests of being a communist. The Anti-Terror Law will give the military and police the license to pounce on anyone it wants to accuse of being a communist or communist-supporter.

By calling the proposed law as an “Anti-Terror Law,” the fascist Dutertards are taking advantage of the universal abhorrence to terrorism to fool the people to accept the draconian measures. Over the past years, the fascists have been trying to falsely equate communism with terrorism, or even social activism with terrorism, when in fact, communists, as all other democratic forces, are among the most militant opponents of the use of terrorism to instill fear on the people.

In fact, right now, the biggest terrorist in the country is Duterte himself who has ordered the killing of tens of thousands in the drug war, who ordered the destruction of Marawi City, who has ordered police and military raids and massacres against peasant communities, mass arrests, military control of rural villages, the use of attack helicopters to drop bombs causing widespread terror and other fascist crimes.

With absolute powers, the ruling Duterte clique will carry out the worst forms of corruption, completely surrender the country’s national sovereignty and subservience to the imperialist US and China, bury the country deeper into debt, impose more taxes on the people, press down wages, favor foreign big capitalists, purchase more fighter jets, helicopters and bombs, and impose even worse neoliberal policies that will cause more sufferings on the Filipino people.

The Filipino people must see through the thin legal veil of Duterte’s martial law, break out of the restrictions imposed by the regime and creatively and militanty wage collective resistance amid the pandemic in order to assert their democratic rights and protect the people’s interests against the corrupt, fascist and anti-people regime.

https://cpp.ph/statement/anti-terror-bill-will-complete-dutertes-martial-law-rule/