Wednesday, May 26, 2021

45 years after, PH-Russia ties make strides

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): 45 years after, PH-Russia ties make strides (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)  



President Rodrigo Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin (Presidential Photo)

The Philippine-Russian relations are making strides over the past few years, particularly under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, marking a "dramatic reinvigoration" in several areas of cooperation, including on trade, defense, and security.

"From being at the margins of Philippine foreign policy, attention has shifted with the aim of establishing a robust, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial partnership with Russia founded on shared interests, sovereign equality, and pragmatism. Under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, we have seen a dramatic reinvigoration of Philippine-Russia relations," Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Elizabeth Buensuceso said in a virtual conference to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the two nations' diplomatic relations on Tuesday.

Recent years witnessed an increase in high-level engagement between the two nations, strengthening their cooperation across political, economic, and socio-cultural sectors.

In just five years, Buensuceso said, 30 agreements were signed in the fields of defense, security, military-technical cooperation, mutual legal assistance, extradition, nuclear energy, transport, higher education, intellectual property, agriculture, trade, tourism, and nuclear medicine, among others.

Their defense cooperation received a big boost under a 2017 agreement between the Department of National Defense and Russia’s Ministry of Defense.

And while this deal already expanded the two nations' cooperation, she said there is still a "vast potential for collaboration" to explore, including on counter-terrorism and cyber-security, as well as combatting cyber-terrorism and drug trafficking.

On economic cooperation, Buensuceso said the total trade between Manila and Moscow 10 years ago doubled from USD486.3 million to USD862.8 million in 2020, making Russia the Philippines' 19th trading partner out of 224 countries.

Although the pandemic caused the bilateral trade turnover to shrink to less than USD1 billion in 2020, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said this figure "cannot be considered as an adequate match to the potential we have in our economic cooperation."

On their agriculture cooperation, Manila made good progress in exporting its products to Russia, including 15 healthy, organic, and ethically harvested coconut food products.

"The Philippines now has more products in the mainstream Russian market, both under the Russian brand and under Philippine brands. The Philippines looks forward to more collaborative activities with Russia. The pandemic has not stopped us from enhancing our economic cooperation," she said.

'Vaccine, space, energy'

The Filipino diplomat said Manila is also keen on partnering with Moscow on vaccine procurement and manufacturing as the global community continues to battle the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

"As the virus will be with us for many years to come, in one form or another, the Philippines is interested in cooperating with Russia in localizing vaccine manufacturing," she said.

"Vaccine cooperation with Russia is not only limited to the Covid-19. The Philippines and Russia could participate in joint cooperation projects for producing vaccines for other viral diseases in the future, especially when the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines is established."

Their space cooperation is another area the two nations could collaborate in after the country established its space agency, Buensuceso said, adding Manila could learn from Russia's advanced technological know-how on space exploration.

On energy, she urged Russian companies to participate in the Philippine oil and gas exploration and development through the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program.

Buensuceso said Manila and Moscow could also cooperate on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

"As the Philippines works to enhance its energy security, Russian investments and technology can greatly contribute to diversifying our energy resources," she said.

While Philippine-Russian bilateral ties have grown significantly over the years, Buensuceso noted the "enormous potential" for further cooperation through existing bilateral consultation mechanisms.

This said, both nations must sustain the exchange of visits and exchanges between Philippine and Russian officials at all levels, she said.

Modern diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) were established on June 2, 1976.

When the USSR was dissolved on Dec. 26, 1991, the responsibilities and obligations arising from bilateral agreements were assumed by the Russian Federation, which the Philippines formally recognized on Dec. 28, 1991.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141484

Use all assets in defending PH interests, Sobejana tells troops

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): Use all assets in defending PH interests, Sobejana tells troops (By Priam Nepomuceno)



MEETING THE TROOPS. AFP chief, Gen. Cirlito Sobejana, is given the arrival honors during his visit to the Philippine Navy at the Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig City on Tuesday (May 25, 2021). Sobejana urged military personnel to use all available assets and resources in securing the country's interests. (Photo courtesy of Naval Public Affairs Office)

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, called on military personnel to use all available assets and resources in defending the country's interests.

"Intensify our efforts in decisively bolstering our defenses and securing our country’s interests. With the available resources on hand, the AFP shall effectively maximize the utilization of these newly acquired assets in defending what is rightfully ours," Sobejana said during his visit to the Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig City on Tuesday.

It was Sobejana's first visit to a naval installation since assuming the top AFP post in February.


During the visit, he commended sailors and marines for their efforts in defending the nation.

"(They) have exemplified steadfastness as they vigilantly secure our territory through the conduct of relentless maritime security operations. Indeed, it is the men and women of the PN (Philippine Navy), who stand tall at the front lines, as we deploy naval and air assets to assert our sovereign rights," he added.

Sobejana earlier assured that the AFP would continue to support the maritime activities of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF WPS) to protect the country’s territorial waters.

Aside from the AFP, other agencies have deployed vessels and other assets for maritime patrols in the WPS, among them the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Philippine National Police - Maritime Group.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141485

Boat captain, 30 fishers thank PH Navy for WPS rescue

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): Boat captain, 30 fishers thank PH Navy for WPS rescue (By Christine Cudis)



RESCUED. Navy sailors aboard the BRP Emilio Jacinto rescue fishermen from the FB Pauline 2 in the West Philippine Sea last Monday. The fishermen safely arrived in Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday (May 25, 2021). (Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy)

The captain of the FB Pauline 2 and its crew thanked Philippine Navy (PN) personnel for immediately rescuing them after their boat sustained damage off Nares Bank in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

"Habang nangingisda kami sa West Philippine Sea, nabutasan kami at lumubog kami. Agad po kaming na-rescue ng Philippine Navy gamit ang BRP Emilio Jacinto PS35. Maraming salamat sa ginawang pagtulong at pagsagip sa amin habang nasa laot (While we were fishing in West Philippine Sea, our boat sustained a hole which sank eventually. Before that, we were able to make a call to nearby boats then we were immediately rescued by the Philippine Navy. We are thankful for the rescuers for saving our lives)," Placido Asusina said in a video message on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, 46-year-old Arnel Mangampo, owner of the fishing boat, said the sailors' quick response to their distress call saved the lives of his fellow fishermen.

"Nagpapasalamat na lang po talaga tayo na walang nawala sa mga kasama nating mananagat, dahil na rin sa tulong ng ibang kasamahan at mabilisang pag responde ng Navy (We are just being grateful that none of our fellow fishermen perished because of help from a boat nearby and the immediate response of our Navy," Arnel Mangampo, 46, said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

He added that the fishermen are now recuperating from the stress of nearly losing their lives while out at sea.

"Hindi po muna pinag-uusapan kung kailan ang susunod na laot nila. Nagpapahinga pa sila ngayon at nagpapalakas (We have not discussed yet any schedules for their next trip at sea. They are still resting)," Mangampo said.

He added that the fishing boat is somewhere 300 nautical miles off the shores of Palawan.Sunken fishing boat FB Pauline 2

On Monday, Naval Forces West (NFW) commander Commodore Donn Anthony Miraflor said a radio report from another fishing boat FB EspaƱola was received on Sunday on FB Pauline 2 sustaining "hull derangement" in the area and requires assistance.

FB EspaƱola received Asusina's radio message and forwarded it to the NFW before proceeding to the area where FB Pauline 2 was located.

Miraflor said the NFW immediately dispatched the information to all of its naval assets. The offshore patrol vessel BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35) was the first to arrive at the scene on Monday noon as it was patrolling the area.

The ship and its crew immediately helped the distressed fishermen who were all taken aboard and given medical assistance, food, and accommodation.

The fishermen arrived in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday noon.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141495

Protecting youth from Reds secures bright future for PH: Badoy

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): Protecting youth from Reds secures bright future for PH: Badoy (By Priam Nepomuceno)



NTF ELCAC spokesperson, Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy (File photo)

The collective action of individuals and groups in preventing the youth from falling prey to the recruitment of communist terrorist groups will help secure a bright future for the country, a spokesperson of the government's anti-insurgency body said on Wednesday.

“If we do not educate our youth and no one would speak the truth about these problems, the future of our nation might be bleak and we would bear the consequence,” National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) spokesperson, Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy said in a statement.

Badoy added that it is incumbent upon the country’s leaders, lawmakers, teachers, and parents to open the eyes of the younger generation and let them know about “the real enemy” of the country – insurgency and armed communism.


In her recent guest appearance at the radio program of Task Force Balik-Loob, “Balik-Loob sa Pagbabago", Badoy said the NTF ELCAC is also focused on keeping the youth safe from the deceptive propaganda of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA).

This is aside from the programs that encourage NPA rebels to return to mainstream society and provide government services to far-flung communities.

She also pointed out that the revelations and testimonies of former rebels (FRs) recruited in their universities, including “Ka Amihan,” “Ka Red” and “Ka Chan-Chan,” who also spoke before a Senate inquiry, must be taken seriously.

Recognizing the intelligence and inquisitiveness of the “millennials and Gen Z,” Badoy also expressed her wish for the youth to be effective leaders in the future by ensuring a more peaceful environment for them.

She added that through the collective effort of various stakeholders, the NPA and the Milisya ng Bayan (MB) will not have additional recruits to beef up their ranks.

Aside from being one of the spokespersons of the NTF ELCAC, Badoy also heads the Strategic Communication Cluster of the national task force.

The NTF ELCAC was created under Executive Order Number 70 and mandated to implement a whole-of-nation approach in ending the local communist armed conflict with good governance as its primary guiding principle.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141525

Joma losing control over NPA, senile, or lying: Parlade

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): Joma losing control over NPA, senile, or lying: Parlade (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Lt. Gen. Anthony Parlade Jr., AFP Southern Luzon Command chief (PNA File photo)

Either he is losing control over the New People's Army (NPA), growing senile, or lying through his teeth.

Thus, said Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) chief, Lt. Gen. Anthony Parlade Jr., reacting to the denial of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Maria "Joma" Sison on his orders to assassinate ranking officials of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC).

"Is senile Jose Maria Sison losing his control over his vicious and blood-thirsty attack dogs, New People's Army?" he said in a statement Tuesday night.

Sison earlier denied sending out the NPA hit squad, consisting of three assassins, who were neutralized and killed after a shootout with government troops in Buena Rosa Subdivision, Barangay Macabling, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna on May 21.

"How can 'Joma', the 'master red-tagger', deny that he gave those instructions to eliminate officials of NTF ELCAC when just last January 2, 2021, he reiterated this order to organize his murder squad to attack NTF ELCAC officials and counter-revolutionaries?" he said.


Parlade was referring to Sison's acknowledgment that there is "popular demand for punitive actions and revolutionary justice for unrelenting attacks against unarmed activists, peasants and innocent civilians" in the urban areas by the military, police, and other paramilitary forces.

"Professor Sison acknowledged that such popular demand is widespread and that the conditions are ripe for the return of armed city partisans to counter the assassinations and impunity by the Duterte regime," a CPP press release dated Dec. 28, 2021, read.

The increase in guerrilla fronts are "enough basis" for the deployment of small NPA teams to conduct armed partisan operations in the cities to mete out revolutionary justice and easily withdraw to its safety, added the statement released by CPP spokesperson Marco Valbuena.

With this warning seen in broad daylight, Parlade said the NTF ELCAC had no choice but to take the necessary security precautions.

"In fact, we already took action prior to that which resulted in the killing of five of their murder squad in Baras, Rizal last 17 December 2020, among them were identified as Carlito Simon, Jonathan Alberga, Nino Alberga, and Llyod Natividad. The CPP and their allies, especially the Kamatayan (Makabayan) Bloc and Karapatan, have since tagged the incident as (the) 'Baras 5' incident," he added.

These militant groups, he said, are quick to claim that the fallen NPA hitmen in Baras are farmers.

He added that these groups have forgotten the fact that many high-powered weapons and explosives along with laptops and subversive documents were recovered shortly after the incident.

"All claimed that the fallen were farmers. Maybe, except that they yielded two M-16 automatic rifles, one Uzi submachine gun, one .45 caliber pistol, a .38 caliber revolver, grenades, several laptops, cellphones, ATM cards which they use to withdraw money from their extortion victims and subversive documents," he added.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

"In fact, the fallen hitmen last Friday, who were identified as Rommel Rizza alias 'Jomar/Bernie', Commanding Officer, Regional Special Operations Group (CO, RSOG); CO, Main Regional Guerilla Unit (MRGU); and Execom Member, Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC); 'Ka Blue/Billy', Medic/Supply Officer, RSOG, STRPC; and 'Ka Dean', Intelligence Officer, RSOG, STRPC also yielded (an) M-16 rifle, two .45 caliber pistols, several electronic devices, and subversive documents," Parlade said.

He added that the NPA hit squad that was neutralized in Sta. Rosa, Laguna were survivors of the Batas, Rizal encounter.

They were able to escape from that raid in Baras. So let's hear the lies again of Karapatan and the Makabayan Bloc, regarding this treacherous plans of Joma which went kapoof," Parlade said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141578

Defer House probe on rescued IP kids in Cebu: NTF-ELCAC

 From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): Defer House probe on rescued IP kids in Cebu: NTF-ELCAC (By Filane Mikee Cervantes)



Lawyer Marlon Bosantog, NTF-ELCAC spokesperson for Legal Affairs and IP Concerns (PNA File photo)

A spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Wednesday called for the deferment of the House Human Rights Committee's hearing on the rescue operations by the police and military for Indigenous People (IP) children who were held against their will at the University of San Carlos in Talamban, Cebu City.

During the House hearing, lawyer Marlon Bosantog, NTF-ELCAC spokesperson for Legal Affairs and IP Concerns, said the congressional investigation is prejudging the case that is yet to attain final resolution.

"Your Honors, the subject issue at hand is a live case, a suit pending. A live case we mean a case now under the rigors and crucible of due process," he said.

Bosantog said while the criminal cases filed against seven persons – two datus (chieftain), two teachers, and three adult IP students – who were arrested during the rescue of the IP students inside a Cebu City university earlier this year were dismissed, a motion for consideration can still be filed.

Earlier, the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the kidnapping, serious illegal detention, human trafficking and child abuse charges against Chad Errol Booc, Segundo Lagatos Melong, Benito Dalim Bay-ao, Moddie Langayed Mansimoy-at, Esmelito Paumba Oribawan, Roshelle Mae C. Porcadilla and Jomar Benag.

"The period for the filing of the motion for reconsideration by the State is yet to lapse or expire. The order of dismissal therefore is not final and executory," Bosantog said.

He added that the dismissal was due to a lack of jurisdiction.

He clarified that there were findings in the prosecutor’s resolution that the elements of the crimes were actually committed, yet the venue for filing of the complaints is improper.

"A simple reading of the order of the prosecutor admits existence of the elements constituting the crimes as charged yet the venue for the filing of the criminal complaints is improper, hence, it was dismissed primarily on the issue of lack of jurisdiction," he said.

He said the crimes were committed while transporting the IP students from Davao del Norte to the University of San Carlos in Cebu City.

"And lack of jurisdiction, we understand, does not vest any authority on the prosecutor to resolve the case, even granted that the crimes were committed. The prosecutor, in fact, made the observation that the criminal complaints be filed appropriately in Cebu City or in Davao city where the crimes were committed," he said.

Bosantog said the hearing should also include all necessary parties including the House Committees on Indigenous Peoples' Concern, Education, and Children's Welfare.

A police report said of the 19 rescued IP students, 15 are minors — nine are from Talaingod, Davao del Norte, five from Sultan Kudarat, and one from Zamboanga. Their ages are said to be between 14 and 17 years.

The four others, of Talaingod, Davao del Norte are above 18 years old.

The children were reportedly taken away from their families by teachers of Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanogon without the parents' consent.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141543

NTF ELCAC spox condemns crimes committed vs. IP kids

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): NTF ELCAC spox condemns crimes committed vs. IP kids



A spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC)on Wednesday emphasized the need to put an end to crimes committed against indigenous people (IP) children, noting that they are experiencing the same pattern of radicalization that could eventually harm them.

Gaye Florendo, NTF-ELCAC assistant spokesperson for the Public Affairs and on Indigenous Peoples Concerns, made the remark during the House Committee on Human Rights’ hearing on the rescue operations by the police and military for IP children who were held against their will at the University of San Carlos campus in Cebu City last February.

“We are seeing the same pattern of activities and radicalization at parehong katanungan bakit kailangan dalhin galing sa kabundukan ng Talaingod, Davao del Norte papuntang Cebu? Bakit kailangang ilayo at walang contact sa mga magulang ng tatlong taon (and we have the same question, why do they need to bring them from the mountains of Talaingod, Davao del Norte to Cebu? Why do they need to be separated without contact with their families for three years)?”
she said.

Florendo said the NTF-ELCAC has several testimonies from personal conversations to prove that
“what is going on in these schools are very different from what we are hearing today.”


“May mga ocular inspections which found itong mga bakwit schools to be run like training camps, walang free and prior informed consent from the IP community, walang (Department of Education) accreditation, Mr. Chair. Mga gurong walang accreditation, walang learner’s number, at may sarili pang national anthem, Mr. Chair. Magugulat po kayo (There were ocular inspections which found that these evacuate schools are run like training camps, without free and prior informed consent from the IP community, no DepEd accreditation, Mr. Chair. Teachers with no accreditation, learner’s number, and they even have their own national anthem. You’ll be surprised),” she added.

Florendo also noted that kids as young as five years old were already taught political discourses which ultimately led to a disconnection with their families.

She emphasized that the government should not be condemned for doing its job of safeguarding IPs from communist recruitment and indoctrination.


'Prejudgment'

At the hearing, NTF-ELCAC spokesperson on legal affairs and IP concerns, lawyer Marlon Bosantog strongly rebuked House Resolution No 1590 entitled “Resolution Urging the House of Representatives through the Committee on Human Rights, to condemn and investigate, the raid and mass arrests against Lumad evacuees seeking sanctuary in Talamban Cebu by elements of police and the military”, claiming that it assumes a “prematurity that has neither basis in fact nor in law, in the simple conscience of man or due process of law.”

“This resolution, if nothing else, aims to create a prejudgment, bias, and prejudice against the State without the facts undergoing the scrutiny of procedural due process. The Honorable Secretary (National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.) wishes to invoke due courtesy due to a coordinated branch of the government. Respect for a coordinate branch reinforced by the traditional courtesy that marks inter-departmental relations, as the Supreme Court defines it. And arguing further in this line, the resolution, unashamed, aims to diminish and erode the constitutional principle of interdepartmental courtesy, where a co-equal branch of government operates under the power vested to it by the same Constitution. Without proof and establishment of wrongdoing, we stand today on the precipice of outright condemnation,” Bosantog said.

Bosantog also pointed out the fact that the resolution was designed to condemn and investigate in a manner like “putting the cart before the horse.”

“Your Honors, the title of the resolution alone admits the attempt to hide wrongdoing. The phrase lumad evacuees seeking sanctuary also meant minor children as young as 13 years old trafficked without the consent of their parents and harbored and confiscated in areas living together in a cramped environment with adults not their parents or kin,” he said.

“To declare also there is a mass arrest is outright falsehood, almost if not all rescued children were reunited with their parents and were brought back to their communities or ancestral domains, and not all arrested individuals are members of the indigenous cultural communities. These are uncontestable facts, yet there is an attempt to obviate the truth to create and peddle a desirable falsehood,” he added.

He later asked the House panel to defer its scheduled hearing, citing that the subject is a “live case”, among others.

Reports showed that of the 19 rescued IP students, 15 are minors — nine are from Talaingod, Davao del Norte, five from Sultan Kudarat, and one from Zamboanga. Their ages are said to be between 14 and 17 years old while four others from Talaingod, Davao del Norte are above 18 years old.

The children were reportedly taken away from their families by teachers of Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanogon without the parents' consent.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141582

Break away from CPP-NPA, communists urged

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): Break away from CPP-NPA, communists urged (By Azer Parrocha)



Secretary Salvador Panelo, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel (File photo)

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Wednesday urged those who believed in communism to break away from armed groups whose goal is to instill fear and terror in the minds of the public.

In his online commentary show “Counterpoint”, Panelo said communism is not inherently bad or illegal but noted that armed groups like the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) tarnished the good intentions sought by communism.

“Kung naniniwala kayo na maganda yung layunin ninyo, break away. Gumawa kayo ng sarili niyong grupo na hindi kasama yung mga komunistang rebeldeng gusto pabagsakin ang pamahalaan (If you believe your goal is good, break away. Create your own group that does not include the communist rebels who want to overthrow the government),”
he said.


Panelo said communists should not react negatively when labeled as communists if they believed that their intentions are good.

“Bakit ba kayo nagri-react pag kayo’y tinawag na komunista? Unang-una, hindi naman krimen ang maging isang komunista. Ano bang masama kung sa pananaw ninyo maganda nag komunismo? Eh sa totoo lang maganda naman ang komunismo, ang problema nga lang yung pamamaraan ng pagtatayo niyo ng mga patakarang pang komunista ay dinadaan niyo sa armadong rebelyon sa pagpatay ng mga kalaban ninyo, pagpatay ng mga ayaw maniwala sainyo, pagpatay ng mga pulis ng mga sundalo, pagsira ng ari-arian. ‘Yan ang problema kasi (Why do you react negatively when you’re called communists? First, it’s not a crime to be a communist. What’s wrong about having communist ideology? To be honest, communism is good, the problem is when you carry out communism through armed rebellion by killing your enemies, killing those who don’t believe in your ideologies, killing cops and soldiers, and destroying property),” he said.

He said communists who refused to be associated with the CPP-NPA should wear their tag as a “badge of pride.”

“Kung naniniwala kayo dun sa inyong mga paniniwalang politikal na hindi naman tutungo dun sa armadong rebelyon, hindi po krimen ‘yan. Dapat nga pag kayo’y sinabihan ng ‘Komunista ka’ kung naniniwala ka diyan, that should be a badge of pride. Dapat nga magiging proud ka kasi tinutukoy ka na isa kang tao na gusto mong tumulong sa bayan (If you believe in that political belief that will not result in armed rebellion, that’s not a crime. When people say ‘You’re a communist’, if you believe in it, it should be a badge of pride. You should be proud because you’re being labeled as someone who wants to help your countrymen),” he added.

Meanwhile, Panelo urged the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to also investigate atrocities committed by the CPP-NPA from 2010 to 2020.

“Dapat noon pa, matagal na ninyong alam ‘yan. Iniimbestigahn niyo lang pag mayroon kayong narinig na ‘O yung mga pulis, mga sundalo may ginawa ganito’ pero yung kalaban ng estado, ‘yun yung dapat ninyong i-concentrate (It should have been a long time ago. You only investigate reports that cops and soldiers do this and that but enemies of the state should be your priority),” he said.

Last week, the CHR vowed to investigate the 1,506 atrocities and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) violations committed by the CPP-NPA from 2010 to 2020.

This, after Brig. Gen. Jose Alejandro S. Nacnac, Director of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Center for the Law on Armed Conflict (AFPCLOAC) on May 20 submitted to CHR Commissioner Karen Dumpit a list of hundreds of willful killings by the CTG for the same 10-year period.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141603

Kalinga’s ex-rebels see gov't help with ELCAC programs

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): Kalinga’s ex-rebels see gov't help with ELCAC programs (By Liza Agoot)



REBEL RETURNEE. Marcelino IbaƱa, chair of the Kalinga Rebel Returnee Association (KRRA), on Monday (May 24, 2021) said they are confident of the government’s help thru the whole of nation approach that is embodied under Executive Order (EO) 70 which aims to end the local communist armed conflict (ELCAC). He said the 1,500 members of the association have started to receive government help such as training programs provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)

The Kalinga Rebel Returnees Association (KRRA), which was recently registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), sees the government standing side by side with them for a much better life in this province.

Marcelino IbaƱa, chairman of the KRRA, said Monday they are confident that after years of seeking help, their situation will be better compared in the past under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and thru the whole of nation approach that is embodied in Executive Order (EO) 70 that aims to end the local communist armed conflict (ELCAC).

KRRA has about 1,500 members.


He said their group was able to get recognition and was registered as an organization in government offices like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), as well as the provincial government, giving them a legal personality eligible to receive government aid.

“The government cannot give to an organization which has incomplete documents. The governor of Kalinga and the Sanggunian (Panlalawigan) saw the papers of KRRA and they approved us,” he said.

“With the help of the province, we have our papers now. We understand now how the government works and with our papers, we can already access assistance for our members who are former rebels, who returned to the fold of the law for a peaceful life,” IbaƱa said in the Ilocano dialect.

IbaƱa said their members have already received various trainings from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

They have also approached the Department of Agriculture (DA) for livelihood assistance in the form of farm equipment, among others.

IbaƱa said DA-Cordillera regional director Cameron Odsey has committed to help them but said it will not be fully given yet considering the limited resources which have to be spread out to all other requests.

“We requested for livelihood, cows, carabaos, tractor for the field to help our members who have nothing after coming from the mountains,” IbaƱa said.

He said they informally created their group in 2014 but did not receive government aid. It was only in 2021 when they received their SEC document after its filing in 2019.

IbaƱa said that with the government extending aid, others like them will be enticed to go down the mountains.

“We want our colleagues at the mountains to see this, the government helping us. We want them to see that it is not the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army) that can help but the government,” he added in the dialect.

“Dakayu nga kakadwi mi dita bantay bumaba kayu lumakay kayu ditan, awan met ti makatulong kadakayo nu di ket ti gobyerno so that you will be like us, free. Narigat lang nu dita kayu dita bantay nga malamlamok lang (to you our brothers at the mountains who are getting old, come down. There is nobody who can help you but the government so that you will be free like us. It is difficult if you are just there being bitten by mosquitoes),” he added.

IbaƱa was in the movement from 1987 to 1994 and was able to join the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) thru the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU). He expressed hope that former rebels would group themselves just like in Kalinga. He said rebel returnees have to form an association including in Cagayan, Isabela and other parts of the country so they could also get more government services.

Partner for peace

Governor Ferdinand Tubban, in an interview, said the KRRA has become an active member of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) that helps convince other rebels to surrender and avail of the government’s sincerity to help them renew their lives.

“We are thankful because at least some rebel returnees have become part of the government especially as members of the PPOC. I think this is a good thing they are doing to convince others to return to the fold of the law,”
Tubban said.


He said that with the whole of nation approach, government agencies are working together to aid the former rebels.

“Yan ang isang lalong nagpatibay ng kanilang loob na ang gobyerno natin ay talagang bibigyan sila ng mas magandang buhay (that one is giving them the confidence that our government will give them a good life),” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141434

PNP Kalinga uses drone to find marijuana plantations

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): PNP Kalinga uses drone to find marijuana plantations (By Liza Agoot)



DRONE SURVEILLANCE. Col. Davy Vicente Limmong, Kalinga Police Provincial Director, on Monday (May 24, 2021) said law enforcement agencies in the province are using drone cameras to find marijuana plantation sites. He said that it takes about two to five days to reach areas where the plantation sites are located allowing them to uproot, burn and destroy the plants. (Photo courtesy of istockphoto.com)

 Government forces in this province are now using drones to locate and eradicate marijuana plantations in the province.

Col. Davy Vicente Limmong, Kalinga police provincial director, said they have resorted to the use of drone to capture still and video images of marijuana plantation sites.

“Gumagamit tayo ng drone para matuntun natin ang ibang location ng plantation. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit medyo tuluy-tuloy ang ating mga marijuana eradication sa lahat ng lugar (We use drone so that we can identify the location of plantation sites. This is the reason why our eradication activities in different areas are continuing),” Limmong said in an interview on Monday.

As of January 2021, there were 18 eradication operations conducted by the Kalinga police. The biggest haul was that of last week where more than PHP50 million worth of fully grown marijuana plants and seedlings were uprooted and burned.

He said that plantation sites are far which take them about two to three days, sometimes five days to reach.

“Medyo hirap tayo at kinukuha natin nang mga ilang araw two to three days to five days. Pag akyat doon, hahanapin at medyo mahirap din ang paghahanap ng mga tanim na ito (it is difficult to reach the plantation sites. We take about two to three up to five days to reach them and locate them. It is difficult to look for these plants),” he said.

He added that “ang mga nagtatanim lang ang nakakaalam paano makapunta sa lugar (it is only the cultivators who know how to reach the place).”

Limmong said the plantation sites have gone much farther from the residential areas, making it difficult to locate them.

He said they also coordinate with other agencies like the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and concerned barangay officials who pinpoint the location of the plantation sites.

Aside from scouring new areas using the drone, he said they also constantly return to previously discovered plantation sites and more often find new marijuana plants.

The police officer mentioned of areas in Tinglayan which are constantly discovered to have plantation sites.

Limmong said they have difficulty apprehending cultivators because plantation sites are usually on public land or open spaces.

The officer expressed optimism that the marijuana cultivation problem in Kalinga can be eradicated once and for all.

“We can do that, we were able to stop it in 2016 but we need help not only on the enforcement side. We need to discourage the residents and give them alternative livelihood,” Limmong said.

He said that information education campaign is an essential part of the continuing activity of the Kalinga police to rid the province of the marijuana problem.

Governor Ferdinand Tubban, who is on his first term, in a separate interview, said “matagal na usapan (na 'yan). Ang gamut dyan is kung may development sa area (that has been the topic for a long time. The solution there is development)."

He said the local government has a road convergence program with the Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Labor and Employment (DOLE) which is being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“That is the best solution, give them development because the areas have potential for any product that has a market. That will stop marijuana cultivation,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141464

Region 8 poor sectors vow to help end insurgency

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): Region 8 poor sectors vow to help end insurgency (By Sarwell Meniano)



FIGHTING THE 'REDS'. The sectoral representatives pledging their support to the government's fight against insurgency during the conclusion of Eastern Visayas' two-day regional conference on peace and development in Catbalogan City, Samar on Tuesday (May 25, 2021). The participants in the conference have pledged to help wipe out the aged-old insurgency in the region through active participation in peace and development efforts. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)

Sectoral representatives in Eastern Visayas have pledged to help wipe out the aged-old insurgency in the region through active participation in peace and development efforts.

Representatives from the indigenous group, farmers and fishermen, women, peasants, laborers, and youth sectors signed the Eastern Visayas Peace and Development Manifesto during a two-day conference at the M Grand Convention Center here that concluded Tuesday night.

Jennifer Cabadonggan, 38, leader of the 80-member Mamanwa tribe in Basey, Samar said they have been supportive of the efforts of the government to fight insurgency.


"We have been living in peace. I am happy for the new major road project traversing our village and the establishment of an army battalion in our community to achieve this," Cabadonggan said.

The tribe moved to Basey town in 2012 after they were displaced by armed conflict and mining in San Jose de Buan town.

The site where they settled in Guirang village used to be a conflict-stricken area until the government started the road construction in 2015, a shorter link of Samar and Eastern Samar provinces, and the establishment of a nearby army camp in 2019.

The tribe asked the government's help to own land for planting and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Cabadonggan is just one of the 150 sectoral representatives who joined the regional conference.

The conference generated a list of issues and concerns from sectoral representatives to help end the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the region.

"In this activity, we have invited people in the grassroots and not the business leaders or local government officials. This exemplifies that the government seriously addresses the needs of the marginalized sector," said Major Gen. Pio DiƱoso III, commander of the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Eastern Visayas regional director Darwin Bibar said the output of the two-day event will serve as a reference for the Social Reform Agenda of the Basic Sectors which will be presented during the National Multi-Sectoral Peace and Development Assembly with President Duterte in June.

"The government may not be able to address all issues raised in this conference, but the administration is doing its best to win the trust of people," Bibar said.

DiƱoso said the manifestation of support and consultation is a plus factor in the government's drive to eliminate the NPA.

"Our soldiers and policemen have been spending PHP5 billion to eliminate the NPA in a year in the region. That is the direct cost of insurgency. We could build more roads without the NPA," the army official added.

In the manifesto, participants pledged to support the provision of necessary government interventions to conflict-stricken communities.

The signing is one of the initiatives of the Eastern Visayas regional task force on ending local communist armed conflict (RTF-ELCAC) under the sectoral unification, capacity building, empowerment, and mobilization cluster.

The formation of the RTF-ELCAC operationalizes EO 70 issued by Duterte on Dec. 4, 2018. The directive also institutionalizes a “whole-of-nation approach” in attaining an inclusive and sustainable peace.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141519

Army lauds Leyte village execs for surrender of 25 rebels

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): Army lauds Leyte village execs for surrender of 25 rebels (By Sarwell Meniano)



ABANDONING THE COMMUNIST MOVEMENT. The 25 former rebels and staunch supporters pledge their support to the government in a ceremony held on May 25, 2021 in San Antonio village in Hilongos, Leyte. The Philippine Army lauded village officials in the upland community for facilitating the surrender of the rebels. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army 802nd Infantry Brigade)

The Philippine Army has lauded village officials in an upland community in Hilongos, Leyte following the recent surrender of six former spies of the New People’s Army (NPA) and 19 of their staunch supporters.

Brig. Gen. Zosimo A Oliveros, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, praised village chief Francisco Piredo and 10 fellow community officials of San Antonio forming the barangay task force on ending local communist armed conflict.


“San Antonio village in Hilongos serves as an example to all village task forces in Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte provinces. This is proof that with the cooperation of the local task forces, residents, police, and military, we will achieve real peace and development. I encourage other local task forces to lead the development of peace programs in their communities so that we can achieve real development," Oliveros said in a statement on Wednesday.

The army identified five of the six NPA members as Jerry, Paquiao, Paulino, Mando, and Tayo.

According to the surrenderers, they were forced to affiliate with the NPA out of fear.

Under the command of armed rebels, the six served as spies in their villages. Some of them became members of the San Antonio Farmers' Movement formed by the NPA.

The village was identified as one of the infiltrated areas of the terror group in Leyte with locals forced to provide support to its armed struggle, however, "despite their support, the communist terrorist group has committed atrocities in the village,” Oliveros added.

On Aug. 15, 2019, four armed rebels fatally shot then-village chief Vergilio Loquias while fishing in a creek.

In the 1980s, at least 36 villagers in San Isidro were killed by the NPAs in the so-called “Oplan Venereal Disease.” It has killed about 300 Leyte residents suspected as military informants.

“The surrender of six former rebels and 19 die-hard allies is proof that the task force is an instrument to achieve true peace and development in our area. I am calling on all people in our village not to let NPA enter our community again for them not to destroy the peace we are enjoying right now,” said village chief Francisco Piredo. The official relayed his statement to the Philippine Army.

Currently, the local government of Hilongos is studying the recommendations of the barangay task force on the benefits and services to be provided to rebel returnees for them to start a new life with their families.

San Antonio can be reached through a two-hour motorcycle ride from the town center and 30 minutes hike to the village situated near the boundary of Bontoc town in Southern Leyte province.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141523

Army deploys 82IB to boost internal security in Cebu

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): Army deploys 82IB to boost internal security in Cebu (By Mary Judaline Partlow)

The 82nd Infantry Battalion (82IB) of the Philippine Army was deployed to Barangay Nangka in Balamban, Cebu to intensify efforts against the remaining Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army rebels (CPP-NPA) in the area.

Maj. Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, in a media release on Wednesday, said the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines had requested the deployment of the battalion “to augment in the clearing and dismantling of the remaining guerilla fronts”.


The 82IB deployment is also seen to “address the gap and security vacuum, particularly in Cebu Island”.

Soldiers of the battalion started arriving by batch in Cebu in early May and went through a 14-day quarantine period as a measure against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, welcomed the soldiers, saying their mission is to “dismantle the remaining (insurgents) in the provinces of Cebu and Siquijor”.

"We assure the peace-loving people of these provinces that their Army in Central and Western Visayas will not stop its fight until they attain an NPA-free community,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.

The 82IB was previously based in Miag-ao, Iloilo.

It is now placed under the operational control of Task Group Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor to handle security operations and sustain efforts in the islands, the media release said.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141510

Families claim bodies of NPAs slain in Bohol encounter

From the Philippine News Agency (May 26, 2021): Families claim bodies of NPAs slain in Bohol encounter (By John Rey Saavedra)



SLAIN INSURGENTS. Soldiers from the 47th Infantry Battalion and 302nd Infantry Brigade help load up the caskets of five New People's Army rebels slain in an encounter with government troops in Bilar, Bohol on Tuesday (May 25, 2021). 1st Lt. Elma Grace Abulencia, the Battalion CMO officer, on Wednesday (May 26, 2021) said the families of the fatalities have claimed the bodies of their kin. (Photo courtesy of 47th IB CMO)

The families of the five New People’s Army (NPA) rebels killed in an encounter with government troops in Bilar, Bohol on Tuesday morning claimed the bodies of their kin early Wednesday.

1st Lt. Elma Grace Abulencia, 47th Infantry (Katapatan) Battalion civil military operations officer, said the five communist terrorist group (CTG) members were identified as Joseph Bautista alias Bryan, 33 of Inabanga; Romeo Nabas alias Marlon, 54, from Batuan; Marvin Terig alias Chris, 22, from Danao; Junrey Bucar alias Justin, 20, from Bilar; and Edionela Nuera alias Mia, 18, from Trinidad, all in Bohol.

“After the encounter, the 47th Infantry (Katapatan) Battalion immediately took the corpses to a funeral home in Sagbayan so that they will be given a decent and proper arrangement for burial before being given to the family,” Abulencia said in a statement.

She said the local government units (LGU) were also informed so that they can give immediate assistance to the bereaved families.

Even though they were considered as enemies of the state, the government troops took care of the remains of the five CTGs who were abandoned by their comrades as they fled from the pursuing soldiers, Abulencia said.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Central Command commander, Lt. General Roberto Ancan, commended the local government of Bohol and the residents of Barangay Cabacnitan in Bilar for supporting military efforts to eradicate CTGs in the province.

“We also recognize the invaluable support of the local government unit of Bohol for their unwavering support and commitment to sustain the Peace and Security of the province. Same gratitude goes to the local residents of Barangay Cabacnitan in reporting the presence of the Communist NPA Terrorists, which resulted to the success,” Ancan said in a statement posted on its official social media page Tuesday afternoon.

Ancan also praised the government forces under the “Joint Task Force Spear” of the 3rd Infantry “Spearhead” Division and the 47th Infantry “Katapatan” Battalion for successfully neutralizing and recovering the remains of the five NPAs.

The troops from 47th IB recovered from the clash site two M16 rifles; five .45-caliber pistols, a bandolier, three short magazines of M16 with 30 rounds of ammunition, six cellular phones, a laptop, a grenade, a hand-held radio, and various subversive documents with high intelligence value.

In 2010, the AFP through its Civil Relations Service, declared Bohol as insurgency-free, along with Cebu, Siquijor, Guimaras, Biliran, Marinduque, Romblon, La Union and Aurora.

The military made such declaration if the communist movement became non-existent or too insignificant to affect the lives of residents in a certain area.

However, in September 2020, former Police Regional Director Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatious Ferro observed a rise in CTGs' activities in Bohol during the past three years.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1141536

CPP/Ang Bayan: Bakwit School 7 freed

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2021): Bakwit School 7 freed



After three months of detention, the Bakwit School 7 were finally released on May 14 following a Davao del Norte court’s dismissal of the trumped up charges filed against them. The Bakwit School 7 are Chad Booc, Roshelle Mae Porcadilla, Benito Bay-ao, Segundo Milong, Jomar Benag, Esmelito Oribawan and Moddie Mansimuy-at. They were arrested during a police raid inside a campus of the University of San Carlos in Cebu City on February 15. They were falsely charged with kidnapping and illegal detention of Lumad children.

Earlier, the military and police forcibly took into custody 26 Lumad students and forced them to go home to Mindanao. Among them, eighteen along with their parents today remain under military custody.

Despite the court’s decision, the NTF-ELCAC threatened on May 19 that it plans to file new charges against the seven.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippine sand 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/2021/05/21/bakwit-school-7-freed/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Residents rally for aid in Congress

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2021): Residents rally for aid in Congress



The 10K Ayuda Network picketed protest last May 17 in front of Congress in Quezon City to demand the immediate distribution of aid for all, implementation of the ₱10,000 Ayuda Bill, ₱100 daily wage subsidy, paid “leave” for Covid-19 positive workers, and a ₱15,000 subsidy for farmers. The mobilization was held in conjunction with the opening of session in Congress.

The group submitted to Rep. Stella Quimbo, principal author of the Bayanihan 3, the petition for aid which was signed by around 14,000 individuals.

The 10k Ayuda Network is an alliance of sectoral organizations launched on May 15 to demand another tranche of cash aid for families affected by the lockdown.

FIGHT VS. LAYOFF. Workers of the Alaska Milk Corporation in San Pedro, Laguna mounted two successive protests on May 17 and May 19 after the company management threatened mass layoffs. Alaska Milk is owned by Dutch multinational Royal FrieslandCampina.

FREE SASAH STA. ROSA! Youth groups protested in front of the Ateneo de Naga University, Main Campus in Naga City on May 14 to demand the release of Sasah Sta. Rosa of Jovenes Anakbayan, and urge university administration to support the call.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippine sand 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/2021/05/21/residents-rally-for-aid-in-congress/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Joseph Canlas, victimized by the state twice over

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2021): Joseph Canlas, victimized by the state twice over



Hundreds of activists and farmers aboard 20 vehicles joined a caravan to accompany the ashes of Joseph Canlas back to his hometown in Arayat, Pampanga last May 14. Canlas, vice chairperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, died early morning of May 11 due to complications caused by Covid-19. He was arrested on March 30 and was detained for two months in congested prison cells in Angeles City and City of San Fernando where he contracted the virus. Canlas was elderly and suffering from diabetes.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippine sand 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/2021/05/21/joseph-canlas-victimized-by-the-state-twice-over/

CPP/Ang Bayan: State forces arrest 2 peasant leaders in Caraga

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2021): State forces arrest 2 peasant leaders in Caraga



Joint elements of the police in Caraga and 3rd Special Forces Battalion (SFB) arrested Marcela Diaz, 59, on May 14 at 4 a.m. in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur based on a trumped up frustrated murder charge. Diaz is a member of the Kapunungan sa mga Mag-uuma sa Surigao del Sur, which has long been red-tagged by the military for actively fighting for the rights of farmers to land. Diaz’s relatives demanded her immediate release as she has stage 4 cancer. She is detained at Camp Rafael Rodriguez in Butuan City.

On the same day, state forces arrested Virgilio Lincuna, 70, member of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Caraga, in Barangay Ban­za, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte based on a trumped up murder charge. He was previously detained in 2019 after being slapped with trumped up charges. Lincuna is a stroke survivor suffering from partial paralysis and can barely walk.

On May 17, policemen arrested Elisa “Tita” Lubi, national chairperson of Karapatan, based on trumped up charges. She was released on the same day after posting bail.

Killing. Suspected members of a anti-communist group gunned down Briccio Nuevo, Jr., lay minister of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, in Barangay Poblacion Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on May 4. Nuevo has long been red-tagged by Kagubak, a vigilante group that is operated by the police and military in the province.

Abduction. Suspected military elements abducted Ed Navalta, coordinator of the Camarines Sur People’s Organization in District 1 on May 18, 5 p.m. in the town of Ragay, Camarines Sur. His whereabouts are still unknown.

Militarization. Ten barangays in Tinambac, Camarines Sur are have been occupied by the 9th ID since the second week of May. This includes the barangays of San Roque, San Ramon, Salvacion, Pantat and Turo where soldiers are conducting house to house searches.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippine sand 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/2021/05/21/state-forces-arrest-2-peasant-leaders-in-caraga/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Ambush in Panay

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2021): Ambush in Panay



Five soldiers of the Scout Platoon of the 61st IB were killed and five others were wounded in an ambush mounted by the NPA-Panay along the boundary of Miag-ao, Iloilo and Sibalom, Antique on May 15. The said military unit is reponsible for the massacre of the Tumandok 9 and the killing of John Farochilin, a barangay official and peasant leader in Miag-ao, last year.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippine sand 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/2021/05/21/ambush-in-panay/

CPP/Ang Bayan: #NDF48 commemoration in Northern Samar

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2021):  #NDF48 commemoration in Northern Samar



The peasant masses and people’s army in Northern Samar held a joyous celebration to mark the 48th anniversary of the Na­tio­nal De­mocra­tic Front of the Phi­lip­pi­nes (NDFP) on Abril, in the face of the focused military operations of the enemy in the area which has been ongoing for half a year now. Residents from six barrios attended the celebration and pledged to further oppose militarization in the area.

During the program, comrades discussed the current situation in the area which has been under focused military operations since December last year. The report stressed why the revolution is the only solution to the hardships faced by the people.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippine sand 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/2021/05/21/ndf48-commemoration-in-northern-samar/

CPP/Ang Bayan: What did Samarnons gain from RCSP?

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2021): What did Samarnons gain from RCSP?



In Samar province, at least 11 barrios in the town of Calbiga, five in Pinabacdao, and five in Hinabangan have been under relentless Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) since 2019. During this period, the Duterte regime poured millions of funds into these barrios for various projects which remain incomplete.

To create an illusion that counterinsurgency bring development, the government and military launched various road and bridge construction projects, as well as projects by national and local government agencies, the National Greening Program, livelihood programs by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), surrender programs and many others.

After two years, however, not a single infrastructure was completed. Construction projects progress very slowly. In fact, the government has just started bulldozing to pave the way for these road projects. Its plan to cement the road in Barangay Guinbanga, Calbiga remain unaccomplished. Because of this, residents by themselves had to construct a temporary bridge using logs. “I think that these projects will not be completed,” commented one resident. “Funds for these could have already been pocketed,” he added.

The military is currently using the billions of pesos allocated for the Barangay Development Program (BDP) of NTF-ELCAC to further put barrios under their control. The implementation of the BDP is linked to repression and abuses perpetrated by soldiers. For instance, the AFP promised all barangays ₱20 million each if they will allow soldiers to encamp inside villages or if residents will “clear their names” or “surrender.” In other barrios where no one voluntarily surrendered, the soldiers list down the names of individuals who they target to coerce into surrendering.

“Blood, lives, and disruption to our livelihood.” These are what residents got from RCSP operations, said farmer Ka Ruben.

Peasant communities under RSCP operations will never forget the killing of the barangay captains of Daligan and Beri in Calbiga, the wife of the captain of Sinalangtan, a farmer in Buluan, and a youngster in Minata. All of the victims were killed by soldiers. Meanwhile in Pinabacdao, two farmers were killed in Canlubo and another in Magdawat. Scores of farmers have also been mauled and tortured.

RCSP operating troops also promote gambling in communities such as illegal cockfighting and card games, illegal fishing in rivers using toxic chemicals and electrocution, illegal logging, abuse of women and rape of minors.

Even farmers recruited into the CAFGU have quit after suffering abuses by soldiers. Of the promised ₱35,000 monthly salary, they receive only around ₱6,000, paid to them every two to three months. They also suffered beatings, verbal abuse and discrimination.

“Every time I pass by these roads and bridges which are being constructed, I couldn’t help but remember the fate suffered by my fellow farmers who were killed in the name of these projects. No amount of money or project can compensate for their lives.”

The regime’s promise that these road projects will improve farmgate prices is a lie. “Farmgate prices have actually even become lower and the cost of transportation has even increased.”

“I am convinced that the only way for the poor to achieve development and peace is through struggle,” concluded Ka Ruben.” (Correspondence from Larab)

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippine sand 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/2021/05/21/what-did-samarnons-gain-from-rcsp-2/

CPP/Panay ROC: 8 tropa ng militar na nasawi sa labanan, bigwas ng NPA-Panay sa pasistang AFP

Posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 19, 2021): 8 tropa ng militar na nasawi sa labanan, bigwas ng NPA-Panay sa pasistang AFP

JULIO MONTANA
SPOKESPERSON
PANAY REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

MAY 19, 2021



Read in: Hiligaynon

Binabati ng Coronacion “Waling-waling” Chiva Command, rehiyunal na kumand sa operasyon ng NPA sa Panay ang matagumpay na ambus ng isang yunit ng NPA-Panay sa ilalim ng Mt. Napulak Command sa mga nag-ooperasyong pinagsanib na tropa ng 61st IBPA at 79th IBPA sa sitio Anoy, Brgy. Cabalaunan, Miag-ao, Iloilo noong alas 10:00 ng umaga ng Mayo 15, 2021. Lima ang namatay sa aktwal na labanan, habang ang 3 sugatan ay napag-alamang nasawi din kalaunan habang ginagamot. Ang mga kaswalti ng AFP ay kinuha ng 2 helikopter sa lugar ng labanan pagkatapos ng clearing ng kanilang nagrespondeng mga tropa. Sa panig ng NPA, ligtas na nakaatras ang lahat ng pwersa pagkatapos ng ilang minutong pakikipagpalitan ng putok sa kaaway.

Ang ambus ay isinagawa ng NPA bilang aktibong depensa laban sa mga mersenaryong tropa ng 3IDPA na namamaslang, naghahasik ng takot at nanggigipit sa mga magsasaka sa Miag-ao at San Joaquin sa probinsya ng Iloilo at Sibalom at Hamtic sa probinsya ng Antique mula pa noong huling bahagi ng Enero 2021, hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Sa kasagsagan ng kanilang kampanya ng terorismo sa kanayunan na binansagang RCSP, isang binatang magsasaka sa Sibalom ang pinaslang, marami ang pinagtangkaang patayin, at Mas marami pang pinaratangang NPA, pinipilit na magsurendir at pilit pinagdedeklara ng kung anu-ano laban sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan.

Sa pahayag sa lokal na midya, 1 sugatan lamang ang inamin ng tagapagsalita ng 3IDPA mula sa nabanggit na labanan. Kagaya rin ito sa mga nakaaraang labanan sa NPA kung saan pilit na itinatago sa publiko ng mga matataas na opisyal at tagapagsalita ng 31D,PA ang kanilang mga kaswalti. Ito ba’y dahil nahihiya silang aminin na nalamangan sila sa isang laban ng NPA na paulit-ulit nilang sinasabi na humihina na? At kung totoong ikinararangal nila ang kanilang pagiging sundalo, bakit itinatago sa publiko sa halip na ipagmalaki ang mga tauhan na nasasawi sa labanan? Dahil ba umiiwas silang makita ang ngiti o marinig ang palakpakan ng mga masang biktima ng kanilang mga kalupitan at pang-aabuso sa pagkamit ng hustisya?

Dapat dagdag na magsumikap ang NPA-Panay para mas paramihin at palakasin pa ang mga taktikal na opensiba upang makakuha ng dagdag na armas at patuloy na singilin at pagbayarin ang mga pasistang tropa ng AFP at PNP sa kanilang mga napakaraming krimen laban sa mamamayan.#

https://cpp.ph/statements/8-tropa-ng-militar-na-nasawi-sa-labanan-bigwas-ng-npa-panay-sa-pasistang-afp/

CPP/IB: CPP: NPA ambush vs perpetrators of Tumandok Massacre is ‘partial fulfillment’ of justice

Posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 22, 2021): CPP: NPA ambush vs perpetrators of Tumandok Massacre is ‘partial fulfillment’ of justice

INFORMATION BUREAU
COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

MAY 22, 2021


The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) congratulated today the New People’s Army (NPA) in Panay for its successful ambush last week against the fascist troops of the 61st IB in the boundary of Iloilo and Antique provinces.

According to the NPA field report, a Scout Platoon of the 61st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army was operating in the boundary of Miag-ao, Iloilo and Sibalom, Antique when it was ambushed by Red fighters on the morning of May 15.

“This is in partial fulfillment of the vow to exact justice for the Tumandok people and other victims of the crimes perpetrated by the 61st IB and other units of the AFP,” said CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena, pointing out that the AFP unit was involved in the bloody Tumandok massacre in December 30, 2020. The Party had called on the NPA to heed the Tumandoks’ calls for justice and avenge the massacre.

“It is also a retribution for the killing of peasant leader John Farochilin killed last year by elements of the 61st IB in the same area,” Valbuena added.

Five soldiers were killed in the ambush while five others were wounded. This included a certain Ssg. Antot who was wounded and later on died in the hospital.

The commanding officer of the 61st IB, Colonel Joel Benedict G. Batara, denied that they were ambushed by the NPA, and instead claimed that residents tipped off the NPA’s location leading to an encounter. Batara said further that their troops only suffered one wounded casualty.

Valbuena chided Batara for denying their casualties. “What kind of arrogant officer is he who cannot give recognition to men who died under his command.”

Some residents of Miag-ao posted on their social media accounts that the AFP was flying helicopters in the area after the firefight, likely to ferry casualties away from the eyes of the local residents.

“With the deep and wide support of the people, the NPA will never rest in their efforts to attain justice for all the victims of the terrorist tyranny of the US-Duterte regime,” ended Valbuena.

Valbuena urged soldiers of the 61st IB, to leave the AFP that is being used to oppress the downtrodden masses. “Surely, many of you know of the atrocities perpetrated by the military against peasants, workers and toiling people.”

https://cpp.ph/statements/cpp-npa-ambush-vs-perpetrators-of-tumandok-massacre-is-partial-fulfillment-of-justice/

CPP/NDF-Sison: Esperon is lying in claiming that I have issued an order to kill the NTF-ELCAC talking heads

Posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 22, 2021): Esperon is lying in claiming that I have issued an order to kill the NTF-ELCAC talking heads

JOSE MARIA SISON
CHIEF POLITICAL CONSULTANT
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

MAY 22, 2021



National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon is a big liar in claiming that I have released an order to kill the so-called talking heads of NTF-ELCAC and other officials of the security sector of the Duterte regime.

His claim is a pure concoction because I am not in any position to issue such an order to any organ, unit or individual in the CPP and the NPA. Whoever is the current CPP chairman cannot issue an order, like the tyrant Duterte, without collective decision-making.

I am proud to carry the historic title of CPP Founding Chairman and to comment on Philippine and global issues. But I have not personally participated in any collective decision-making by the CPP Central Committee since my arrest in 1977 and long-term detention from 1977 to 1986.

Esperon is obviously covering up two obvious instances of extrajudicial killings (one in Baras, Rizal and now Sta. Rosa City, Laguna) by referring to my name, linking it to the alleged NPA suspects who were killed and without offering any evidence against me.

I have more evidence to show that Philippine authorities have been plotting to assassinate me in The Netherlands since early last year. The Dutch police no less have called my attention to this threat since March last year.

An informant has also come forward last year to report that there is such a plot to assassinate me. Since then, I have taken all necessary precautions.

Esperon may be correct in surmising or assessing that the talking heads of the NTF-ELCAC deserve to be the target of armed retaliation by people whom they offend.

But why do they deserve being the earliest target of retaliation and not the masterminds of state terrorism like Duterte and Esperon who are more despicable to the people than their parrots.

Since Friday, Esperon has been spreading his lie through the government propaganda agencies, the social media, the troll armies and the corporate media.

Newspapers and press agencies of the corporate media have published the lie of Esperon without calling my attention before publishing it.###

https://cpp.ph/statements/esperon-is-lying-in-claiming-that-i-have-issued-an-order-to-kill-the-ntf-elcac-talking-heads/

CPP/CIO: On 4th anniversary of the bombing of Marawi

Posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 23, 2021): On 4th anniversary of the bombing of Marawi

MARCO VALBUENA
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

MAY 23, 2021



The Party and revolutionary forces extend greetings of solidarity to the Moro people, especially the people of Marawi City, on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the Duterte regime’s terrorist war and bombing of Marawi.

We sympathize with the people of Marawi, more than 320,000 of whom remain in evacuation centers. They remain homeless four years after Duterte’s war of destruction and subsequent military occupation of the city in the guise of fighting the Maute group.

Today, it is the AFP and US military forces who occupy Marawi, claiming the Moro people’s land for expanding their military reservation (Camp Ranao).

The memories of the bombing of Marawi four years ago was aroused recently by images of the US-supported Israeli bombing of Palestinian homes and infrastructure in Gaza Strip. Like the people of Marawi, the Palestinians are being driven away from their homeland.

Four years since the destruction of Marawi, promises of “rehabilitation” and “rebuilding” remain unfulfilled, despite the availability of billions of pesos worth of funds. It is likely that these funds are already in the pockets of Duterte’s corrupt officials.

The Party and revolutionary forces reiterate their support for the people of Marawi, and the Moro people in general, in their fight to return to their homes and in their struggle for their right to genuine self-determination.

https://cpp.ph/statements/on-4th-anniversary-of-the-bombing-of-marawi/

CPP/IB: CPP slams Parlade, SOLCOM for kidnapping political prisoner’s child

Posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 24, 2021): CPP slams Parlade, SOLCOM for kidnapping political prisoner’s child

INFORMATION BUREAU
COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

MAY 24, 2021



The Communist Party of the Philippines denounced today the treacherous and brutal kidnapping of the 4-year old child of political prisoner Emilia Marquez last May 12. The child, MJ, was forcibly taken from his guardians in their home in Barangay Pitogo, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro by operatives of the 203rd Brigade.

The child’s guardians were held at gunpoint by ten heavily armed operatives to force them to hand over MJ. Soldiers also attempted to run over MJ’s guardians as they were leaving with the child according to reports of the National Democratic Front-Mindoro.

“Gen. Parlade and the SOLCOM are criminals for kidnapping the 4-year old child,” said CPP Chief Information Marco Valbuena.

Marquez was arrested in 2017 while taking care of then one-month old MJ in a hospital in Calapan City. She was also part of the Morong 43 health workers detained by the military during the Arroyo regime. Facing trumped up charges, MJ’s father was forced to seek safety.

“We believe MJ was kidnapped by the AFP to put pressure on his mother to cooperate with the military and turn against herself and the people’s cause. It is also a dirty tactic to pressure his father to surrender,” added Valbuena.

“This crime is part of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (NTF-ELCAC) war of suppression against dissenters and progressives,” Valbuena said. He cited the case of Baby River who “was practically murdered by the police” after being denied post-natal care when she was forcibly separated from her mother political prisoner Reina Mae Nasino.

This is not the first time that the AFP has resorted to such dirty tactics. In 1989, the then 5-year old daughter of CPP spokesperson Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal, Andrea, and her grandmother were forcibly taken by the military to pressure his father to surrender.

“We condemn in the strongest terms Gen. Parlade and his criminal gang in the SOLCOM. They must be punished for their crimes and abuses against children’s rights,” Valbuena said.

The CPP ended with a call on human rights organizations and people’s organizations to echo the demand #ReleaseMJ and demand the release of his mother from political detention.

https://cpp.ph/statements/cpp-slams-parlade-solcom-for-kidnapping-political-prisoners-child/

CPP/CIO: Four alleged members of “NPA hit squad” were summarily executed

Posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 24, 2021): Four alleged members of “NPA hit squad” were summarily executed

MARCO VALBUENA
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

MAY 24, 2021



Four members of a so-called “NPA hit squad” who died during a raid in Barangay Macabling, Sta. Rosa, Laguna on May 21 were not killed in a “shootout” contrary to the claims of the police and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

An initial fact-finding investigation conducted by Karapatan Southern Tagalog, acting on the request of the family of Rommel Rizza, ascertained that the victims were summarily executed by the 202nd Infantry Brigade (AFP) and Philippine National Police-Special Action Forces (PNP-SAF) under the pretext of “serving an arrest warrant” against Rizza.

They also determined that there were four victims and not three as claimed by police reports.
In its initial report yesterday, the human rights group belied the “nanlaban” storyline concocted and peddled by the PNP and NTF-ELCAC. Residents in the area interviewed by the fact-finding team said they only heard eight gunshots during the incident, belying the police story of a firefight.

The report of the team suggests that the victims were likely killed while asleep or lying down as evidenced by bloodstains on their beds.

We are still determining the identities of those killed.

The massacre follows the pattern of “Tokhang”-style killings perpetrated by state agents against unarmed activists and revolutionary leaders. These operations are typically conducted under the pretext of “law enforcement operations” in the wee hours of the morning.

https://cpp.ph/statements/four-alleged-members-of-npa-hit-squad-were-summarily-executed/

NPA-Negros: AFP band-aid projects are military milking cows

Posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 25, 2021): NPA-Negros: AFP band-aid projects are military milking cows

JUANITO MAGBANUA
SPOKESPERSON
NEGROS ISLAND REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND (APOLINARIO GATMAITAN COMMAND)
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

MAY 25, 2021


The Apolinario Gatmaitan Command-New People’s Army (AGC) in Negros Island called on all democratic forces to militantly expose and oppose the fraudulent projects under the so-called Barangay Development Program (BDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

In a statement, the AGC said that “the BDP is basically the pork barrel of the NTF-ELCAC or of the Duterte regime’s military junta and as such does not address the fundamental demands of the Filipino people especially the clamor of the peasant masses for genuine land reform.”

According to AGC spokesperson Ka Juanito Magbanua, “The BDP projects, most of which are unprogrammed or were not subjected to feasibility studies, will only fatten the pockets of corrupt AFP bureaucrats even as these are also being used to deceive the rural poor and justify the continued militarization of the countryside.”

The NTF-ELCAC earlier announced that it is allotting P20 billion to fund various BDP projects spread over 215 “insurgency-cleared barangays.” According to the Negros Occidental provincial government, P500 million-worth of “infrastructure projects” for 25 barangays in seven local government units has already been downloaded and ready for disposal. “This shows how the military and local governments that are either complicit or captive of Duterte’s desperate whole-of-nation approach to “counterinsurgency” are prioritizing deceptive and brutal fascist measures instead of finding necessary solutions to the current Covid 19 pandemic,” Magbanua said.

Fourteen of the so-called 25 “insurgency-cleared barangays” of Negros Occidental are located in Escalante City, five in San Carlos City, two in Victorias City, and one each in EB Magalona, Himamaylan City, Manapla, and Cadiz City.

“With the 2022 elections just a year away, the billions of pesos of funds of the NTF-ELCAC will also serve as the AFP’s election funds in support of pro-military or pro-Duterte candidates.” Magbanua said.

The BDP moreover, according to the AGC, only aims to conceal the deep-seated socio economic problems of the peasants and the people with band-aid solutions. “The NTF-ELCAC will surely fail in its declared aims of putting an end to the revolutionary armed struggle by way of these inconsequential and pork-laden projects that merely cover up the roots of peasant unrest in the countryside; as long as the peasants, workers and other sectors that form the majority of the masses remain poor, oppressed and exploited, more and more best sons and daughters of the people are further compelled to tread the just revolutionary path of armed resistance,” Magbanua said.

The NPA in Negros, according to the AGC, is ever more determined to launch tactical offensives in order to frustrate the Duterte’s vicious counterrevolutionary war and to carry forward the revolutionary people’s war until victory.

https://cpp.ph/statements/npa-negros-afp-band-aid-projects-are-military-milking-cows/

CPP/Negros Island ROC: Mga Kabutigan kag Pagpahambog sang 3ID Phil. Army

Posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 25, 2021): Mga Kabutigan kag Pagpahambog sang 3ID Phil. Army

JUANITO MAGBANUA
SPOKESPERSON
NEGROS ISLAND REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND (APOLINARIO GATMAITAN COMMAND)
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

MAY 25, 2021



“Guba nga plaka” ang pasulit-sulit nga kabutigan kag pagpahambog sang 3IDPA nga wasakon sini ang mga Larangan gerilya sa isla sang Negros paagi sa ila commanding officer nga si Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya kag tagpamaba nga si Maj. Cenon Pancito III.

“Bugtaw nga nagadamgo” lamang ang militar kag ang rehimeng Duterte sa ila mga kabutigan kag pagpahambog. Pila na ka rehimen ang nag-agi sa pungsod, pasulit-sulit nga nagataghol nga wasakon ang bug-os nga rebolusyonaryong kahublagan sang CPP-NPA-NDF sa bilog nga pungsod upod man diri sa isla sang Negros.

Ang pag-eskalar sang pasismo nga ginalunsar sang 3IDPA idalum sa mapintas nga rehimeng US-Duterte sa mga larangan gerilya sa isla. Tuyo sang militar nga punggan ang nagahimakas nga pumuluyo para sa matuod nga reporma sa duta kag pungsodnon nga industriyalisasyon diin padayon nga ginabayolar ang tawhanon nga kinamatarung kag hungod nga paglapas sang laye sang gyera. Ang pagpamahug, pilit nga pagpa-ako nga mga katapo sang NPA kag pagpasurender sa mga inosenteng sibilyan, ilegal nga pagpang-aresto, pagpamatay kag iban pa nga porma sang pagpamintas sa mga pumuluyo sa kaumahan kag kasyudaran, nagahublas lamang ini sang matuod nga kinaiya sang AFP bilang reaksyunaryo kag pasista nga makinaryas sang estado batok sa pumuluyo.

Ang AFP, PNP kag iban pa nga makinaryas sang rehimeng Duterte ang “tigreng papel” kag wala sang kapasidad sa pagwasak sang rebolusyonaryong kahublagan ilabe na sang CPP-NPA-NDF sandig sa maragtason nga inagihan sa pagsulong sang armadong paghimakas kag hugot nga pagsuporta sang pumuluyo sa rebolusyon sa pungsodnon nga sakop partikular na sa isla sang Negros.

Ang CPP-NPA-NDF upod sa rebolusyonaryong kahublagan sa isla ang indi masarangan nga lutuson sang nagahari nga sahi paagi sa pasistang makinaryas sini nga armadong hubon kaangay sang AFP, PNP kag RPA-ABB dira sa ila pasismo kag mga pagpatalang, nagapa-igting lamang ini sang kundisyon sa pagpamigos kag pagpanghimulos nga nagatulod sa pagdismaya kag pagdiskontento sang pumuluyong Negrosanon. Nagapabor ini sa paglig-on kag pagdako sang kusog sang nagahimakas nga pumuluyo sa pagpa-abante sang demokratikong rebolusyon kag pangmalawigon nga inaway banwa.

Partikular sa Negros, ang malapit 4 milyones nga populasyon sa isla, kapin sa 75% sini ang naga-antus sang atrasado nga produksyon kag barato nga kusog pangabudlay ilabe na ang mga mamumugon sa kampo kag mga mamumugon sa industriya sang kalamay. Nagresulta ini sang lapnagon nga kaimulon kag kagutom bunga sang dumuluong nga monopolyo kapitalismo, lokal nga pyudalismo kag burukrata kapitalismo bilang ginkilala nga sandigan nga problema sang pumuluyong Pilipino. Kag ang kadam-an nagapati nga ini ang kawsa sang nagaluntad nga gyera sibil sa pungsod.

Bilang monocrop nga industriya sa kalamay nga kinaiya sang isla, ang malala nga krisis nga ginaatubang sang nagahari nga sahi sa malakolonyal kag malapyudal nga kinaiya sang pungsod ang nagapasingki sang pagpa-abanse sang inaway banwa batok sa reaksyonaryong estado sang rehimeng US-Duterte. Ang ini nga rehimen sa iya pagpabaya sa mga kontra-pumuluyo nga mga patakaran ang sentro nga ginabasol sang nagahari nga sahi nga amo ang kabangdanan sa pagpasingki sang krisis sang sosyo-ekonomiko kag pulitika sa isla.

Mas labi nga nagabug-at ang gina-atubang nga krisis sang nagahari nga sistema sa isla bangud sang nagapadayon nga krisis sa sobra nga produksyon sang sistemang kapitalismo kadungan sang COVID-19 nga pandemya nga nagresulta sang pagkaguba sang daloy sa ekonomiya sang pungsod, lapnagon nga kawad-on sang trabaho kag pag-usmod sang palangitan-an sang malapad nga pumuluyong Negrosanon kag masang anakbalhas.

Ginabasol man ang rehimeng Duterte sa pagka-bankarote sang mga pundo para sa sosyal nga serbisyo bangud sang domestiko kag kalibutanon nga krisis sa ekonomiya, korapsyon sang burukrasya kag sobra nga gasto militar. Ang Duterte nga rehimen ang sentro man nga ginabasol sa pagsabotahe sang negosasyon kaangot sa kalinong sa tunga sang NDFP kag GRP sa paglab-ot sang “just and lasting peace.”

Ang Duterte nga rehimen upod sa pasistang militar ang ginakangil-aran sang pumuluyong Pilipino labi na sang Negrosanon sa pagtraidor sa pungsodnon nga soberiniya sa hambalanon sang isyu sa West Philippine Sea, tiraniya, lapnagon kag brutal nga pagpamatay nga nagbiktima sang gatusan nga mga inosenteng sibilyan paagi sa maduguon nga SEMPO/Oplan Sauron sadtong Disyembre 2018, red tagging kag pagpamatay sang mga aktibista, human rights defenders kaangay nila Atty. Ben Ramos sadtong Nobyembre 2018 kag Zara Alvarez sadtong Agosto 2020 kag iban pa nga mga kritiko sang rehimeng Duterte kadungan sa ila pagpangawat sa pundo sang gobyerno kag taktika sa pagpatalang.

Padayon nga nagabaskog ang armadong rebolusyon sa pungsodnon nga sakop. Pabilin ang masobra 110 nga mga larangan gerilya sang New People’s Army sa bilog nga pungsod kag nagapabilin man ang pagdako sa isip sang mga katapuan sang Bag-ong Hangaway sang Banwa, mga katapo sang rebolusyonaryong masa kag isip sang mga katapuan sang Partido Komunista sang Pilipinas dira sa mga larangan gerilya sa Norte, Central kag Sur nga bahin sang isla nga nagatindog nga base sang inaway gerilya, nagapahulag sa masa sa pagpundar sang organong gahum pulitika sa pihak sang pagpang-atake militar idalum sang Oplan Kapanatagan kag NTF-ELCAC.

Ang malapad nga nagahili-ugyon nga prente sang patriotiko kag progresibo nga pwersa ang malaparon kag nagadalum nga naga-uswag sa isla batok sa tiraniyang Duterte bilang nagapanguna nga target sang popular nga oposisyon. Ini nga nagahili-ugyon nga prente upod sa rebolusyonaryo nga pwersa sang anakbalhas sang sahing mamumugon kag mangunguma, mga progresibo nga pwersa sang mga nahanunga kag konserbatibo nga oposisyon.

Ang maukod man nga pagtungod sang Communist Party of the Philippines sa adlaw-adlaw nga ideological, political kag organizational work sa pagpalig-on sa iya hanay kag bug-os nga rebolusyonaryong kahublagan dira sa iya absoluto nga pagpamuno, indi mapunggan ang likom sini nga pagrekrut, pag-edukar kag pagtalana sang iya mga katapuan sa kaumahan kag kasyudaran. Ang pag-ipit sa pumuluyo sang mapintas nga rehimen kag makinaryas sini, ang magtulod sa pagpatapo sang pumuluyo labi na sang Negrosanon sa Partido Komunista sang Pilipinas kag magpasakop sa armadong paghimakas nga ginalunsar sang New People’s Army.

Ang tanan nga patriotiko kag progresibo nga pwersa ang nagapalig-on sang ila kaugalingon sa paghimo sang nagakaigo nga pamaagi sa pagligwin kag pagpatalsik sang rehimeng Duterte. Kag kadungan man sini ang pagpasingki sang NPA sang inaway banwa sa suporta sang mga yunit milisya, yunit pangdepensa upod sa mapalad nga masa sang pumuluyong Negrosanon dira sa pagtungod sang integradong hilikuton sang armadong paghimakas, agraryong rebolusyon kag pagtukod sang baseng masa paagi sa pagsulong sang lapnagon kag masingki nga pagpakig-away gerilya sandig sa nagalapad kag nagdalom nga baseng masa matapos ang 52 ka tuig nga pagsulong sang inaway banwa.

Paslawon ang mas masingki pa nga pagpang-atake militar sa isla kag igiit ang demokratikong kinamatarung sang pumuluyo!

Ilunsar ang lapnagon kag madinalag-on nga taktikal nga opensiba kag i-angat ang armadong rebolusyon kag inaway banwa sa mas mataas pa nga halintang!

https://cpp.ph/statements/mga-kabutigan-kag-pagpahambog-sang-3id-phil-army/