Indonesian terrorist Zulkarnaen sentenced to 15 years’ jail

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 20, 2022): Indonesian terrorist Zulkarnaen sentenced to 15 years’ jail (By Amanda Hodge / The Australian)

A TOP Indonesian terror suspect who evaded capture for 18 years despite a $7 million bounty has been sentenced to 15 years’ jail – though not for his alleged role in the 2002 Bali bombings after a Jakarta court found the statute of limitations for those charges had expired.

Aris Sumarsono, 58, or Zulkarnaen, former military commander of Indonesian militant group Jemaah Islamiyah, was facing a possible life sentence for charges related to the Bali attack, in which 202 people were killed including 88 Australians, as well as for his alleged role in establishing a terror training camp in the Philippines.

The militant was named a suspect soon after the October 2002 attacks on Padi’s Pub and the Sari nightclub in Bali’s Kuta tourist strip but eluded capture until his 2020 arrest in Lampung, the same southern Sumatra town where JI bombmaker Taufik Bulaga was arrested a week earlier.

A three-judge bench in the East Jakarta District Court dismissed charges that Zulkarnaen masterminded the deadly Bali attack but found him guilty of harboring fellow terrorist Taufik Bulaga, and of withholding information of terrorism plans and ­activities.

The same court sentenced ­Bulaga to life imprisonment last month for his involvement in three terrorist strikes on central Sulawesi between 2004 and 2006 that killed 29 people. He too avoided indictment on Bali bombings-related charges.

District Court Chief Justice Alex Adam Faisal said the bench had no choice but to dismiss charges submitted by prosecutors ­related to the Bali bombings – which Zulkarnaen had denied – “because they had passed their time limit”, which was 20 years.

“The verdict is still ­related to the Bali bombing in the sense that the defendant had the information about that incident but hid it,” Justice Faisal said, adding the senior JI operative – who attended sentencing via Zoom – “was aware of all JI activities”.

“Before the Bali bombing he was very involved in JI activities but he began to distance himself before the incident. He was not involved in the incident but, yes, he had the information. He was also aware of the equipment used. He also hid Taufik Bulaga though he knew he was on the run.”

Zulkarnaen argued during his trial, which began last September, that he was a leader of JI’s military wing but had little involvement in the Bali bombings because he was focused on sectarian conflicts in Ambon and Poso, and in the southern Philippines.

Other militants convicted for their roles in the Bali attacks, ­including Umar Patek and Ali Imron who were sentenced to 20 years and life in jail respectively, also gave evidence that Zulkarnaen knew about the plot but played no operational role.

Still, for more than two decades Zulkarnaen was one of Indonesia’s most senior terrorism figures, and the only Indonesian to be included on the US ­“Rewards for Justice” program that offered a $A7 million bounty for his capture.

He became JI’s operations chief in 2003 after the arrest of his predecessor, Encep Nurjaman, also known as Hambali, in Thailand, and has been on a UN ­Security Council al-Qa’ida sanctions list since 2005 for associations with Osama bin Laden or the Taliban. 

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2022/01/indonesian-terrorist-zulkarnaen.html

NPA anti-personnel mines recovered in Eastern Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 20, 2022): NPA anti-personnel mines recovered in Eastern Samar (By Sarwell Meniano)

ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES. The map of Giporlos, Eastern Samar where police operatives recovered anti-personnel mines on Wednesday (January 19, 2022). The recovery has stalled possible terrorist attacks by the New People’s Army. (Google image)

Police recovered on Jan. 19 four anti-personnel mines (APMs) in the mountains of Giporlos, Eastern Samar, stalling possible terrorist attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA).

Joint operatives from the Eastern Samar police provincial office and Giporlos police station recovered the landmines on Wednesday morning in the vicinity of upland Huknan village in Giporlos town, police said in its report released on Thursday.

The intelligence-driven operation was done through information from a former rebel who helped the operatives locate the APMs beside a river just four kilometers away from a community.

Near the explosives, police also found a motorcycle, 12 volts battery, and a piece of detonating wire.

The area is said to be under the NPA’s Front Committee South East of Sub Regional Committee. Giporlos is about 100 kilometers northeast of Tacloban, the regional center of Eastern Visayas.

Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Orbito, commander of the Army’s 63rd Infantry Battalion, lauded their counterparts in the Philippine National Police for recovering the mines intended to attack government forces and even civilians.

“These are being used by NPA for their stationary attacks. This should be avoided since these are prohibited by international law. We are happy that a former rebel helped our authorities since this indicates that they are not supportive (of) the NPA’s armed struggle,” Orbito said in a phone interview on Thursday.

The international community adopted the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention prohibiting the acquisition, production, stockpiling, and use of the weapon.

More than 160 states are party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention that went into effect in 1999.

The incident validates that the communist terrorist group is still using anti-personnel mines and this could be used to launch treacherous attacks, according to the Army official.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (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 July last year, the National Democratic Front has also been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Philippines’ Anti-Terrorism Council.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165933

NPA rebel surrenders to Army in NegOr

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 20, 2022): NPA rebel surrenders to Army in NegOr (By Mary Judaline Partlow)

VOLUNTARY SURRENDER. A member of the New People's Army voluntarily surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion in Ayungon, Negros Oriental on Wednesday (Jan. 19, 2022). The surrenderer also handed over a handgun with a magazine and ammunition to the government troops. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army)

An active member of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) of the Philippine Army in Barangay Tambo in Ayungon, Negros Oriental on Jan. 19.

A media release from the 94IB on Thursday identified the rebel as alias "Dener", a squad leader of the NPA's Central Negros Front 2 who voluntarily surrendered in Barangay Tambo on Wednesday morning.

Before his surrender, he was allegedly involved in propaganda and recruitment in the hinterlands of Binalbagan, Himamaylan, and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental.

He was also said to be involved in 10 armed engagements with government troops while with the insurgency movement for almost a decade but hardships, hunger, and false promises of the NPA leaders led to his decision to surrender, the Army media release said.

"Dener" also surrendered a .45-caliber pistol with magazine and ammunition to the Army battalion.

He is currently undergoing stress debriefing before his enrollment in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which provides welfare assistance, livelihood assistance, and incentives for the surrendered firearm.

Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Brigade commander, lauded the efforts of the 94IB, saying "Dener's" surrender "adds up to the increasing number of NPA and Militia ng Bayan members who finally woke up from the deceptions of the CPP-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front) and decided to come out for good and avail (of) the amnesty program of the government.”

Pasaporte encouraged other members of the CPP-NPA to “abandon the armed struggle” and avail of the E-CLIP.

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.

The NDF has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165922

Protect children from NPA recruitment: RTF-ELCAC

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 20, 2022): Protect children from NPA recruitment: RTF-ELCAC (By Perla Lena)

CAPTURED. A minor is captured during an encounter between the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and the terrorist rebel group in Sitio Manlibod, Barangay Sandayao, Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental on Jan. 15, 2022. Western Visayas’ Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict on Thursday (Jan. 20, 2022) condemned the recruitment of children by the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army - National Democratic Front turning them into armed combatants. (Photo courtesy of 62nd IB, Philippine Army)

The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) in Western Visayas (Region 6) urged peace-loving individuals and groups to come together to protect children from being recruited by the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army - National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and be turned into combatants.

“Let us protect our children from the deceptive recruitment of the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist organization,” the task force's statement released on Thursday said through its spokesperson, Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales.

The statement was issued after the capture of two minors in an encounter between the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and the rebel group in Sitio Manlibod, Barangay Sandayao, Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental on January 15.

The capture of the two, according to the statement, has strengthened the fact that the CPP-NPA-NDF recruits and exploits children by training them to be fighters and in the process destroy their families.

“We renew our call to all well-meaning and peace-loving citizens of Panay and Negros Island and the rest of the Filipino nation to condemn the atrocities committed by the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist organization,” the statement said.

The appeal was also directed toward civil society organizations, genuine human rights advocacy groups, and churches.

The task force said the terrorist group is a “chronic human rights violator” that does not respect the rights of children and its ideology is based on violence, deception, terror, and chaos.

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.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the NDF as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165932

NPA war materiel, documents seized in Nueva Ecija

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 20, 2022): NPA war materiel, documents seized in Nueva Ecija (By Jason De Asis)

WAR MATERIEL. Government troops on Thursday (Jan. 20, 2021) recovered some war materiel and subversive documents from the communist terrorist group in Barangay Minuli, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija. The items include a printer, 79 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, two reams of bond paper, ink, and communist leaflets. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 91IB)

Government troops on Thursday recovered war materiel and subversive documents belonging to the New People's Army 9NPA) in Barangay Minuli, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.

Combined elements of the Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion (91IB), and 84th Infantry “Victorious” Battalion (84IB) discovered the items following the information given by a civilian and a former member of the dismantled Kilusang Larangang Gerilya-Sierra Madre (KLG-SM) of the NPA.

Those recovered in the area include a printer, 79 rounds of .45-caliber ammunition, two reams of bond paper, ink, 37 communist leaflets, among others.

Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, commander of 91IB, said the troops gained the complete trust and confidence of the former rebel identified as alias JR/Oscar/Joey, who surrendered to the troops last Monday.

“During the conduct of custodial debriefing, the former rebel voluntarily relayed the information to the government troops,” Rubio said in an interview.

Following his surrender, the rebel also yielded an M14 rifle, a magazine, and nine rounds of ammunition.

Rubio urged the remaining members of the dismantled KLG-SM to also come forward and lay down their arms.

He said it is now the time to embrace peace and the government’s offer of a comfortable life through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“We welcome anyone who wanted to embrace a new life with peace and will ensure that they will get all the assistance they need through E-CLIP. Let us continue to support peace and development projects to end armed conflict,” Rubio added.

Col. Joseph Norwin Pasamonte, commander of the 703rd Infantry Brigade, lauded the full cooperation of the surrenderer as “it manifests his trust and confidence with the authorities.”

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Costelo, acting commander of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), said the accomplishments resulted in the decisive conduct of focused military operations of the Army coupled with the full cooperation of the former rebels and the communities.

“Malaking bagay ang tiwalang ibinibigay ng ating mga former rebels na nagbalik-loob na sa pamahalaan dahil katuwang na natin sila upang tuluyang masugpo ang terorismo sa ating nasasakupan (The trust being given by the former rebels who returned to the fold of the government is a big thing because they are now our partners in totally defeating terrorism in our areas of jurisdiction. We assure them that we value the pieces of information they disclosed and we will work on it immediately,” Costelo said.

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

In July last year, the National Democratic Front has also been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Philippines’ Anti-Terrorism Council.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165984

Army chief vows to further upgrade aviation regiment

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 20, 2022): Army chief vows to further upgrade aviation regiment (By Priam Nepomuceno)

COURTESY CALL. Philippine Army chief, Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (2nd from right) meets with Army Aviation Regiment commander Col. Andre Santos (2nd from left) and two rotary-wing pilots of the unit at the PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday morning (Jan. 18, 2022). Brawner pledged to support the upgrade of the unit to ensure that it is capable of supporting ground units in dealing with various security threats. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

The Philippine Army (PA) is committed to upgrading its Aviation Regiment to ensure that it is capable of supporting ground units in dealing with various security threats.

"The PA leadership will push down mission-essential equipment to Army units nationwide. Rest assured, the command is committed to upgrading the Aviation Regiment into a modern and capable unit that will assist our ground forces in dealing with a multitude of threats,” Army commander Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement Wednesday night.

He made this commitment after Aviation Regiment commander Col. Andre Santos and two rotary-wing pilots of the unit paid him a courtesy call at the PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday morning.

The pilots are R-44 pilot-in-command, Capt. Pearl Esher Taladro, and co-pilot, 1st Lt. Tynnel Jonden Bañas.

They made the visit during their first long-range flight aboard their R-44 Raven training helicopter, which took off from Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, and landed at the PA headquarters.

After their courtesy call, the officials and pilots flew from the Army headquarters to Fort Magsaysay for another training flight.

On Tuesday afternoon, Army aviators conducted a separate flight mission from Nueva Ecija to Taguig.

These flights are part of the continuing skills enhancement of PA rotary-wing aviators.

As this developed, Brawner also inspected the Army Aviation Regiment’s two helicopters that flew in a round-trip proficiency flight mission from Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija to Fort Bonifacio on Wednesday.

Santos led the Army aviators in a long-range proficiency training flight using the Robinson R-44 Clipper II and the Bolkow BO-105M multi-purpose helicopters in a round-trip flight mission.

Brawner lauded the Aviation Regiment for its modernization efforts, particularly in training additional aviators, rotary-wing pilots, and multi-engine rating personnel.

He also commended the regiment’s efforts in upgrading its array of standardized doctrine towards its aviators to further capacitate them in a fast-changing operational environment.

“As you push yourselves in giving your best on your training, I commend all men and women manning the Army Aviation Regiment. Despite the challenging time and situation, you commit to capacitating yourselves for the development and transformation of our modernized Army aviation. You have all the support of the Philippine Army leadership as you evolve into a modern and capable Army Aviation Regiment that is a source of national pride,” Brawner said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165910

BRP Tarlac in Cebu for 4th typhoon relief mission

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 20, 2022): BRP Tarlac in Cebu for 4th typhoon relief mission (By Priam Nepomuceno)

RELIEF MISSION. Philippine Navy personnel haul boxes of relief goods from the BRP Tarlac upon its arrival in Cebu for another relief mission on Tuesday (Jan. 18, 2022). The Navy said Wednesday (Jan. 19, 2022) these relief items would be distributed to typhoon-affected families in Cebu, Bohol, Surigao provinces, and Leyte. (Photo courtesy of Naval Forces Central)

The landing dock BRP Tarlac (LD-601), one of the largest ships of the Philippine Navy (PN), arrived in Cebu on January 18 for its fourth relief sortie for communities affected by Typhoon Odette last month.

In a statement Wednesday night, the PN said the ship successfully docked at Pier 4, Cebu City, carrying 450 tons of relief goods and essential items from various government agencies, PN units, and stakeholders to be distributed to families affected by the typhoon in Cebu, Bohol, Surigao provinces, and Leyte.

The assorted relief goods and cargoes will be sorted out by personnel of the central office of the Civil-Military Operations and the headquarters of the Naval Forces Central in Cebu, and distributed to different areas using all available surface assets.

The BRP Tarlac is part of the 27-ship flotilla deployed by the Navy to help communities battered by “Odette”.

Commander Benjo Negranza, PN spokesperson, earlier said they have been using their resources to assist disaster-stricken areas to ensure the timely delivery of relief goods to typhoon victims.

The BRP Tarlac left Pier 15, South Harbor in Manila for Cebu on January 16.

During its third relief sortie on January 8, the ship transported its biggest haul of relief goods and essential rolling cargoes to the calamity-stricken areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The BRP Tarlac was loaded with 542,206 kg. of relief goods and 50 tons of rolling cargo when it arrived in Cebu.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165915

Mandatory military service to help build strong PH: AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 20, 2022): Mandatory military service to help build strong PH: AFP (By Priam Nepomuceno)

File photo

The implementation of mandatory military service for Filipinos will help instill patriotism among citizens and help them contribute to nation-building efforts, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Thursday.

"We welcome the proposal as this is attuned to the times while the government is faced with adversities and challenges, aligned with our aspirations for the citizenry to contribute to nation-building," AFP spokesperson, Col. Ramon Zagala, said in a message to reporters.

This is in support of the call of vice presidential bet, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, for mandatory military service for all Filipinos upon turning 18.

Zagala said having mandatory military service would enable the AFP to create a strong manpower base.

"Rendering mandatory military service will only help us to establish a base for strong armed forces, and therefore a strong nation," he said.

The Department of National Defense (DND) also expressed support for the measure.

"We in the DND support the mandatory military service of 18-year-old Filipinos. There are several advantages: First, the military will have a ready and steady trained pool of reservists to defend the country and do HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) work; second, the training and discipline that they will acquire will make them better citizens; third, service to the country will be inculcated in them," Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement.

Lorenzana, however, noted that the implementation of the measure might encounter a lot of challenges.

"First are the funds and resources. Training camps would need to be established all over the land, and manpower and funds must be allocated to accommodate the millions who will reach the age of 18 every year. Second are the anticipated objections of those who are not inclined to serve in the military. Third, we are not on a war footing and there will be little need of a general mobilization," he said.

Lorenzana said the implementation of a mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in private and public schools is the better alternative.

"We are already starting to implement this in the State Universities and Colleges. This program, which targets the (Grade 11 to 12) levels, will produce a huge number of youths who will form part of our reservists. We feel that the product of the ROTC program is more than sufficient to meet our requirements for warm bodies in case of conflict and in times of calamities and disasters," he added.

During the UniTeam Alliance's virtual caravan on Wednesday, Duterte said she would ask Congress to pass a measure on the imposition of mandatory military service for all 18-year-old citizens, both male and female.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165938

HR Defenders bill ‘dangerous’: NTF-ELCAC

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 20, 2022): HR Defenders bill ‘dangerous’: NTF-ELCAC

NTF-ELCAC spokesperson for sectoral concerns Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy (File photo)

The National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Thursday expressed its opposition anew to the Human Rights Defenders bill, describing it as "dangerous" and potentially "unconstitutional".

The statement comes after the House of Representatives approved the bill on third and final reading last Monday, with 200 affirmative votes, zero negative, and no abstention.

House Bill 10576 or the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act seeks to grant human rights defenders the right to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms; form groups, associations, and organizations; solicit, receive, and utilize resources; seek, receive and disseminate information; and develop and advocate for human rights ideas, among others. A counterpart measure, meanwhile, is pending in the Senate.

Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy, NTF-ELCAC spokesperson for sectoral concerns, said the bill could "serve and protect the interest of terrorist organizations such as the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF)."

"This bill, if passed into a law, will open the floodgates of abuse and torment on our people by terrorists like the CPP-NPA-NDF and it will make the Anti-Terrorism Law that was recently declared constitutional by the Supreme Court ineffective and toothless," she said.

She said the NTF-ELCAC condemned “in no uncertain terms” the approval of the bill “that is dangerous as it is unconstitutional and labeled to mean the very opposite of what it pretends to be -- the Human Rights Defenders Bill.”

Badoy argued that the bill offers "a porous and overboard definition" of human rights defenders and that its basic premise is "the same basic premise of the CPP-NPA-NDF that the State is the No.1 violator of human rights."

READ: Human rights defender bill ‘flawed, unconstitutional’

"[It] is really hilarious that these pretend-legislators have arrogated unto themselves, through this ludicrous bill, the right to define who are and aren’t ’human rights defenders' -- a definition so porous in its broadness that even the ISIS, the Abu Sayyaf and of course, the CPP-NPA-NDF can be defined as human rights defenders," she said.

"And once identified as 'human rights defender, they will be exempt from sacrosanct laws of the land and cannot be touched by the Anti Money Laundering Council because looking into financial records of a 'human rights defender' will be a crime once this ridiculous bill is passed into law," she added.

Badoy said under the proposed measure, "human rights defenders cannot be identified as members of the CPP-NPA-NDF even if they are indeed members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and they will be exempt from Terrorism Financing Laws."

"How then can the government protect the Filipino people from terrorism if we cannot stop terrorism financing or take off masks of terrorists who pretend to be human rights defenders? This is a bill therefore that eradicates the notions of state, judiciary, and due process and bypasses government agencies and the laws of our land," she said.

"There is no other recourse, therefore, but for this bill to be junked," she added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1165975

Kalinaw News: EastMinCom’s relentless ops led to the surrender of more NPA members, recovery of firearms

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 20, 2022): EastMinCom’s relentless ops led to the surrender of more NPA members, recovery of firearms



NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – A series of focused military operations continue following the directive of LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, the Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, to finally curb the diminishing forces of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Eastern Mindanao, four CTG members surrendered anew while various firearms and subversive documents were recovered by the troops from January 16 to 17.

Three CTG members identified as Angel Iligan alias Beboy/Ervin including two minors both 17 years old, who are all members of Guerilla Front (GF) 16, North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) voluntarily yielded to the troops of 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) in Brgy. Mahanub, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte on January 16.

They were followed by a CTG personality identified as Isagani Lina Pepito Alias Rex/Abby, who surrendered to the troops of 8IB under the 403rd Brigade (403Bde) in Bukidnon on the same day.

Pepito is the Team Leader of Team Baking, Squad 1, Platoon Dario, one of the remnants of the dismantled GF89, Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) which was absorbed by Headquarters Force Neo (HQF-NEO) of the Regional Sentro De Gravidad Compaq (RSDG COMPAQ).

Following an encounter from troops of 901st Bde’s 30IB seized an AK47 rifle, 11 magazines with ammunition, a rifle grenade, five 40mm ammunition, two sets of anti-personnel mines, and six backpacks with personal belongings from the CTG’s Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) 16C1 and 16C2, both under the GF16, SRC Northland, NEMRC in Brgy Motorpool, Tubod, Surigao del Norte on January 16.

On the same day, combined troops of 403Bde’s 8IB and 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion were also able to seize an M16A1 rifle, a Modified R4 rifle, eight backpacks, eight ponchos, four sacks of rice, and three backpacks of assorted food supplies after an encounter with a CTG under the RSDG Compaq, NCMRC at Sitio Nahawan, Brgy. Busdi in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

In a separate incident, combined forces of 1003rd Brigade’s 27IB, 56IB, 89IB, 3IB, and intelligence units successfully recovered five high-powered firearms and another war materiel from the remnants of Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit of SRC5, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee composed of three M16 rifles, an M653 rifle, an M203 Grenade Launcher, nine magazines and five 40mm ammunitions after former rebels disclosed their location at Sitio Palisan, Brgy Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte on January 17, 2022.

LtGen. Almerol lambasted the CTG for its continued recruitment of minors to be used in its terroristic activities, which is a blatant violation of the International Humanitarian Law. He added that troops will coordinate with the Social Welfare and Development Office to ensure that the minors will be taken care of.

The Commander also said that EastMinCom’s continued conduct of intensified combat operations is in response to the bulk of information that was shared by former rebels and concerned citizens to the troops.

“This accomplishment is part of our ramped-up initiatives against the CTG in order to meet the goal of ending the local communist armed conflict by 2022,” he added.

He likewise bared that the demoralization brought about by hunger, lack of leadership, and successive defeats of the CTG in Eastern Mindanao, made its members realize that they are fighting an unwinnable revolution.

“These former rebels revealed their bitter and unfair experience in the hands of their CTG leaders. It made them surrender and decide to return to the folds of the law,” he said.

Meanwhile, the EastMinCom Commander once again urged the remaining CTG members to come forward and lay down their arms, embrace a new life, and avail the government’s assistance being offered to them.

“Now is the time to make peace with the government and embrace its offer of a comfortable life through the Enhanced Comprehensive Integration Program (ECLIP),” LtGen. Almerol expressed.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/eastmincoms-relentless-ops-led-to-the-surrender-of-more-npa-members-recovery-of-firearms/

Kalinaw News: Communist terrorist documents and paraphernalia seized in Nueva Ecija

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 20, 2022): Communist terrorist documents and paraphernalia seized in Nueva Ecija



Camp Aquino, Tarlac City – Combined elements of the 91st Infantry Battalion and 84th Infantry Battalion of the Joint Task Force Kaugnay recovered enemy documents, paraphernalia, and war materiel in Barangay Minuli, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, around 3:00 in the morning of January 20, 2022.

Maj. Gen. Andrew Costelo, Northern Luzon Command’s (NoLCom) Acting Commander, disclosed that the enemy documents, paraphernalia, and war materiel were discovered following a tip-off from concerned residents of Barangay Minuli in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.

“Based on the report from Joint Task Group (JTG) Agila Commander Col. Joseph Norwin Pasamonte, combined elements from the 91st Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Reandrew Rubio and 84th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, were conducting peace and security efforts when concerned residents who are victims of the lies, deceptions, and terroristic activities of the communist terrorists revealed the location of the enemy documents and war materiel,” said Maj. Gen. Costelo.

In a statement, JTG Commander Col. Pasamonte disclosed that the following items were discovered from the area: one (1) Canon printer, 79 rounds of Caliber 45 ammunition, two (2l packs of bond paper, five (5) inks ( two black, one blue, one red, one yellow and one pink), 37 pieces Communist leaflets, two (2) staplers, one (1) ruler, four (4) syringes, and a cutter.

“The communist terrorists’ subversive documents, paraphernalia, and war materiel were brought to Headquarters 91IB, for proper disposition and documentation,” said Col. Pasamonte. He also commended the troops for another accomplishment and directed them to heighten their efforts in sustaining their momentum to eliminate the remaining members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in their area of operations.

Meanwhile, Commander of JTF Kaugnay and NoLCom’s Acting Commander Maj. Gen. Costelo said that “the series of accomplishments of the troops on the ground is a result of the unwavering support of the local government units and the Filipino people who have gone tired of the ploys and deceptions of the communist terrorist group.”

“Your defenders of the North will remain committed in their sworn mandate that peace and development will continue to prosper in North and Central Luzon,” Maj. Gen. Costelo added.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/communist-terrorist-documents-and-paraphernalia-seized-in-nueva-ecija/

Kalinaw News: Active NPA rebel surrenders due to CTGs false promises, hunger, and exhaustion in Negros Oriental

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 20, 2022): Active NPA rebel surrenders due to CTGs false promises, hunger, and exhaustion in Negros Oriental



CAMP GERONA, Minoyan, Negros Occidental – An active member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) voluntarily surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion in Brgy. Tambo, Ayungon, Negros Oriental morning of January 19, 2022, due to Communists Terrorist Groups (CTGs) false promises, hunger, and exhaustion.

Samson Ones Tillo @Dener was a Squad Lead of the Central Negros Front 2. Prior to his surrender, he was actively involved in propaganda and recruitment in the hinterlands of Binalbagan, Himamaylan, and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental. In almost a decade with the CTG, he was involved in 10 armed engagements with the government troops. He surrendered with him a cal.45 pistol with magazine and ammo. The joint efforts of the 94th Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Angelo Guzman, Commanding Officer facilitated Tillo’s surrender.

The NPA local guerrilla leader revealed that the continuous hardships, hunger, and false promises of NPA leaders have prompted him to surrender. He also revealed the alleged continuous exploitation of the NPA among the masses in the outlying sitios of Central and Southern Negros.

@Dener is now undergoing custodial and stress debriefing prior to his enrollment to the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in order to receive immediate welfare assistance, livelihood assistance, and incentives for the surrendered firearm.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Brigade Commander lauded the effort of 94IB and the brave decision of @Dener to go back to the folds of law and said, “The surrender of Samson Ones Tillo adds up to the increasing number of New People’s Army and Militia ng Bayan who finally woke up from the deceptions of the CPP-NPA-NDF and decided to come out for good and avail the amnesty program of the government.

Your Army in Negros is encouraging other members of the Communists CPP-NPA Terrorists to abandon the armed struggle, it is high time to abandon the communist terrorist organization and avail the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) program being offered by our government,” BGen Pasaporte added.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/active-npa-rebel-surrenders-due-to-ctgs-false-promises-hunger-and-exhaustion-in-negros-oriental/

Kalinaw News: CGPA inspects Army Aviation choppers

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 20, 2022): CGPA inspects Army Aviation choppers



FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr. inspected the Army Aviation Regiment’s two helicopters that flew in a round-trip proficiency flight mission from Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija to the Army’s main headquarters in Fort Bonifacio on January 19, 2022.

Army Aviation Regiment Commander Col. Andre Santos led the All-Army aviators in a long-range proficiency training flight using the Robinson R44 Clipper II and the Bolkow BO 105M multi-purpose helicopters in a round-trip flight mission. The said training is part of the continuous skills enhancement of rotary-wing aviators as the Phillippine Army is committed to enhancing and developing a transformed and modern Army aviation to capacitate all Army aviators in its future mission supporting the ground forces.

Lt. Gen. Brawner lauded the Aviation Regiment for its modernization efforts, particularly in training additional aviators, rotary-wing pilots, and multi-engine rating personnel. He also commended the regiment’s efforts in upgrading its array of standardized doctrine towards its aviators to further capacitate them in a fast-changing operational environment.

“As you push yourselves in giving your best on your training, I commend all men and women manning the Army Aviation Regiment. Despite the challenging time and situation, you commit to capacitating yourselves for the development and transformation of our modernized Army aviation. You have all the support of the Philippine Army leadership as you evolve into a modern and capable Army Aviation Regiment that is a source of national pride,” Lt. Gen. Brawner said.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/cgpa-inspects-army-aviation-choppers/

Kalinaw News: MTF-ELCAC distributes live goats to former CTG supporters in Tarlac

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 20, 2022): MTF-ELCAC distributes live goats to former CTG supporters in Tarlac



FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija –As part of the commitment to sustain the livelihood of the CSP-organized People’s Organization in the recently cleared CTG-affected areas, the MTF-ELCAC of Mayantoc, Tarlac turned over a total of 69 live goats to the members of Sitio Padla Tribe Association in a simple ceremony held in Mayantoc Municipal Hall, Barangay Poblacion Sur, Mayantoc, Tarlac on January 15, 2022.

The recipients were Indigenous People (IP) belonging to Abelling Tribe who were victims of the CTGs and forced to become couriers, supporters, lookouts, and agents for resource generation. They withdrew their support to the CTGs and pledged their allegiance to the government after the immersion of the CSP teams in their barangay.

During the activity, a lecture on goat raising was conducted by the MTF ELCAC followed by an awareness drive on the deceptive recruitment of the CTGs among the IPs by the representative from RTF-ELCAC 3 Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management (SAKM) Cluster and the distribution of leaflets containing E-CLIP benefits.

“Tayo’y dapat magpasalamat dahil hindi tayo pinapabayaan ng ating pamahalaan, alagaan at pagyamanin natin ang tulong na ibinigay nila sa atin at tulungan natin silang protektahan ang ating pamayanan sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtulungan sa mga kasundaluhan,” said Mr. Dario Jose the IP Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Mayantoc.

On his part, Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Henry Z Cabusao, the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion expressed his gratitude for the cooperation of the residents of Sitio Padla and the sincerity of the MTF-ELCAC.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa pakikipagtulungan ng mga residente ng Sitio Padla upang maprotektahan ang kanilang pamayanan laban sa mga terorista, ganun din sa mga masisipag na lingkod bayan ng MTF-ELCAC Mayantoc sa patuloy nilang pagpupursige na maibigay at maipabot ang tulong sa ating mga kababayang naging biktima ng mga terorista lalo na sa malalayong pamayanan”, said Lt. Colonel Cabusao.

Colonel Joseph Norwin Pasamonte, Commander of 703rd Infantry (AGILA) Brigade, Philippine Army cited the continued efforts of the MTF-ELCAC by helping the former CTG supporters get back on their feet.

Meanwhile, the Commander of the 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division, Major General Andrew D. Costelo PA urged the former CTG supporters not to waste the livelihood opportunity afforded to them by the government and encouraged them to be an advocate of peace and development.

“The efforts of the MTF-ELCAC benefiting the former CTG supporters are in itself a manifestation of sincerity to encourage the remaining supporters to cut their ties with the terrorist organization. We, in the Army, fully support this kind of initiative of our partner stakeholders, as part of our sustainment of peace efforts,” said MGen Costelo.

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

https://www.kalinawnews.com/mtf-elcac-distributes-live-goats-to-former-ctg-supporters-in-tarlac/

CPP/Ang Bayan Propaganda News & Analysis: Mga namatay sa tuberkulosis, dumami sa panahon ng pandemya

Ang Bayan daily propaganda news & analysis posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 20, 2022): Mga namatay sa tuberkulosis, dumami sa panahon ng pandemya

 





January 20, 2022

Tumaas ang bilang ng mga namatay sa sakit na tuberkulosis (TB) noong 2020 — pinakamataas sa nakaraang sampung taon — dahil sa pagkatigil ng mga batayang serbisyong pangkalusugan sa panahon ng pandemya. Kasunod ang TB sa Covid-19 sa mga nakahahawang sakit na sanhi ng pinakamaraming namatay tao sa buong mundo noong 2020. Umabot sa 1.5 milyon katao ang namatay dahil dito.

Sa panahon ring ito, bumaba ang bilang ng mga kasong nadayagnos at sa gayon ay hindi nagamot. Mula 7.1 milyong naiulat na kaso noong 2019, nasa 5.8 milyon na lamang ang nadayagnos noong 2020. Napakababa nito kumpara sa 10 milyon na tinatayang mahahawa ng sakit para sa taon. Sa taya ng WHO, aabot sa 4.1 milyon ang di nadayagnos at kung hindi magagamot ay nanganganib na mamamatay.

Bumaba din ang bilang ng mga may TB na nagpagamot nang 21%.

Ayon sa World Health Organization, mayor na dahilan ng pagbaba ng naiulat na mga kaso ng TB ang paggamit ng maraming estado sa mga rekurso para sa pagsugpo nito tungo sa pag-apula ng Covid-19. Malaking dahilan din ang pahirap na mga lockdown na pumigil sa maraming mamamayan na makatamasa ng batayang mga serbisyong pangkalusugan.

Sa buong mundo, isa ang Pilipinas sa may pinakamataas na bilang ng kasong hindi naiulat. Pinamakataas ang tantos ng mga kasong di naulat sa India (41%), Indonesia (14%), Pilipinas (12%) at China (8%). Isa rin ang Pilipinas sa 30 bansa na may pinakamaraming namatay sa TB.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/mga-namatay-sa-tuberkulosis-dumami-sa-panahon-ng-pandemya/

CPP/Ang Bayan Propaganda News & Analysis: Panukalang mandatory military service ni Sara Duterte, binatikos

Ang Bayan daily propaganda news & analysis posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 20, 2022): Panukalang mandatory military service ni Sara Duterte, binatikos

 





January 20, 2022

Inulan ng batikos ang pahayag ni Sara Duterte-Carpio na kung mananalo siya bilang bise presidente, itutulak niya na gawing rekisito sa lahat ng kabataang Pilipino na magsilbi sa militar. Sa isang panayam noong Enero 19, sinabi ni Duterte-Carpio na hindi lamang ROTC (Reserved Officers Training Course) ang itutulak niya kundi ang pagpasok mismo ng kabataan sa Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Bumaha sa social media ang batikos, laluna mula sa kabataan. Sinariwa nila ang kaso ni Mark Welson Chua, ang mag-aaral ng University of Sto. Tomas na nasawi sa kamay ng mga upisyal sa ROTC ng unibersidad noong 2001. Pinatay si Chua matapos ilantad niya at kapwa kadete na si Romulo Yumul noon ang mga iregularidad sa programa at pang-aabuso ng mga upisyal sa mga kadete.

Para sa grupong Karapatan, marami nang kaso ng tortyur, iligal na pag-aresto at detensyon, at iba pang mga paglabag sa karapatang-tao na isinasagawa sa ngalan ng “pagsasanay” ng kabataan. “Labag ito sa sibil at pampulitikang karapatan gaya ng karapatan malayang pag-iisip, paniniwala laluna kung sapilitan kang pinagserbisyo para sa di-makatwirang digma o panunupil ng estado,” ayon kay Cristina Palabay, pagkalahatang kalihim ng grupo.

Ayon naman kay Marco Valbuena, chief information officer ng PKP, ipinakikita lamang ng panukalang ito ni Duterte-Carpio ang kanyang pasistang pag-iisip. Wala itong layunin kundi ang gawing bulag na tagasunod sa pasistang kaayusan ang kabataang Pilipino. Hihimok lamang ito sa mas maraming kabataan na itaguyod ang diwa ng paghihimagsik.

“Lalabanan ng mga kabataan ang mga ambisyon ng mga itong hangad na maging diktador,” pagwawakas ni Valbuena.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/panukalang-mandatory-military-service-ni-sara-duterte-binatikos/

CPP/NDF-Bicol: True mark of Elections 2022: Red-tagging the Marcos-Duterte tandem’s opposition and violence against the people who fight against Marcos-Arroyo-Duterte faction’s dominion

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 20, 2022): True mark of Elections 2022: Red-tagging the Marcos-Duterte tandem’s opposition and violence against the people who fight against Marcos-Arroyo-Duterte faction’s dominion

 


Ma. Roja Banua

Spokesperson

NDF-Bicol

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

January 20, 2022

Cronies and puppets of the US-Duterte regime’s attacks against all their political rivals are of the dirtiest kind. To ensure the seat of power for the Marcos-Duterte tandem, the Marcos-Arroyo-Duterte faction touts the red-tagging of their opponents in the upcoming May 2022 elections. Because the revolutionary movement stands as the beacon of struggle against the bureaucrat capitalists’ avarice, they are attempting to connect all their political opponents to progressive groups and the CPP-NPA-NDF – from Leni Robredo, candidate for presidency, to candidates vying for local positions.

By this tactic, firstly, they appear to criminalize affiliation to legitimate progressive organizations in an attempt to weed out popular support and isolate these organizations. Secondly, this spells danger as the people’s experiences show that baseless red-tagging is as good as a death warrant. The public fully knows that for the bloodhound AFP-PNP and its agents, malicious red-tags are enough basis for individuals to be targeted by their threats and killings.

In Bikol, one such example is the fear of incumbent Catanduanes Vice Governor Shirley Abundo, gubernatorial candidate under the banner of Aksyon Demokratiko, of the implications of her being affiliated to the progressive organization Gabriela. Despite the fact that even according to the reactionary government’s own laws, it is not illegal nor of violation of any law if she is indeed a member or an ally of the said legitimate group. Because of the actual experience of the region, bespeaking the military and police’s utter disregard of rights in their killing frenzy, electoral candidates such as Abundo are forced to distance themselves lest they be targeted and met with violations of their human rights.

Incumbent Sorsogon Vice Governor Manuel “Wowo” Fortes, running for a congress seat for 2nd district Sorsogon under Lacson’s Nacionalista Party Coalition, rival party of the Marcos-Duterte faction, also suffer from harassment and intimidation of connections to the revolutionary movement. Even supposed Duterte allies such as incumbent Cawayan Mayor Edgar Condor, who is running for another term as mayor under PDP-Laban, fell victim to the incessant red-tagging in Masbate.

Other candidates running in opposition of the current administration also face various forms of intimidation. Some of them are Bernie Patiag, candidate for councilor for the town of Talisay, Camarines Norte under the Aksyon Demokratiko party and Jun Alegre, independent candidate for provincial board member for Albay’s 2nd district. Both of them are members of the press who are currently experiencing intimidation and threats against their safety and livelihood from the hands of their political opponents.

What is laughable is that in their frantic bid to whitewash their schemes, the police and military sells the ridiculous narrative that progressive organizations and the revolutionary movement are behind the threats and red-tagging. Who in their right minds would believe that individuals and organizations would red-tag themselves and knowingly put their own safety in the mercy of the savage military and police?

It is undeniable that the Duterte faction’s indiscriminate branding of all its political opponents and even some of its allies gives it reason to eliminate all hindrances to its continual domination. This is no different from the attacks, bastardization of rights and assassination of all red-tagged ordinary citizens who denounce US-Duterte regime’s anti-people policies. This is the reality of the many progressive leaders arrested, charged with trumped-up cases, imprisoned or killed in Bikol.

However, red-tagging victims must not cower in fear but instead must awaken to the fact that the US-Duterte regime does nothing except kill and remove all obstacles to his desire to remain in power. Those who sincerely want to serve the people must realize the need to oust Duterte and make him accountable for his thousands of crimes against the people. Even those who are allies of the Duterte faction must understand that blindly following the tyrant will not guarantee their safety. The dictator is ready to destroy and betray anyone. These Duterte allies must sever their ties from the MAD faction and join the ranks of the Filipino people.

The reactionaries have long been trying to smear the people’s struggle. But it never succeeds as the masses only hold on tighter to their own strength as their weapon to finally save themselves from the quandary of poverty. For the people who struggle, the color red is the color of hope. This is the only color they yearn to see in the east where the sun shall rise as they attain genuine victory.

https://cpp.ph/statements/true-mark-of-elections-2022-red-tagging-the-marcos-duterte-tandems-opposition-and-violence-against-the-people-who-fight-against-marcos-arroyo-duterte-factions-dominion/

CPP/NDF-Bicol: Bikolanos, intensify the people’s struggle! Frustrate US-Duterte regime’s latest surge of attacks this election period!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 20, 2022): Bikolanos, intensify the people’s struggle! Frustrate US-Duterte regime’s latest surge of attacks this election period!

Ma. Roja Banua

Spokesperson

NDF-Bicol

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

January 20, 2022

Relatives of slain couple Sylvestre Fortades, Jr., 70 years old and Rosemarie Galias, 68 years old, both active members of Anakpawis Partylist and SAMASOR-KMP cry for justice. The senior citizens were gunned down by unidentified men in Brgy. San Vicente, Barcelona, Sorsogon last January 15. This is the first case of extrajudicial killing this 2022. Fortades and Galias are the 227th and 228th victim of political killings in the region since Duterte began his term. This marks the rise in cases and victims especially now that the elections is fast approaching.

Just like its predecessors, the US-Duterte regime is merciless in its ceaseless elimination of anyone who stands in the way of Duterte’s desire to remain in power and elect whoever has his blessings in the upcoming elections. Bikol consistently sees high numbers of political killings as it moves towards elections. From January to June 12, 2019, during the mid-term elections under Duterte, the region has recorded 22 victims of extrajudicial killings. Four of which were victims of a massacre.

US-Duterte regime’s desperation to silence his political rivals knows no bounds. Even to the extent of overlooking the rapid spread of Covid-19 Omicron variant just to continue assailing and killing the Bikolano people who fight for their rights. This shall worsen the region’s record as the massacre and extrajudicial killing capital of the country. From July 2016 to December 2021, the region has already recorded 226 victims of political killing.

The US-Duterte regime is well aware that he cannot easily stifle the Bikolanos who are unwavering in their struggle and defense of their rights. That is why Duterte bets his last card in an attempt to curb the mounting rage of the Bikolanos against him.

Along with the condemnation of this recent political killing, NDF-Bikol calls on all Bikolanos to intensify their fight against US-Duterte regime’s schemes to undermine the people’s unities in the region. It is just for them to try creative ways in order to rise above the even more repressive restrictions and lockdown and be able to launch protests and mobilizations that shall carry the people’s demands forward. Now is the time to further strengthen the people’s unity. Duterte may use up all his bullets to suppress the infuriated Bikolanos but thousands upon thousands shall continue to rise in the felled Bikolanos’ places and shall struggle against his nefarious intentions.

https://cpp.ph/statements/bikolanos-intensify-the-peoples-struggle-frustrate-us-duterte-regimes-latest-surge-of-attacks-this-election-period/

CPP/NDF-Bicol: Oppose Build, Build, Build’s aggressive upheaval of Bikolanos’ lives and livelihood!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 19, 2022): Oppose Build, Build, Build’s aggressive upheaval of Bikolanos’ lives and livelihood!

Ma. Roja Banua

Spokesperson

NDF-Bicol

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

January 19, 2022

NDF-Bikol enjoins the Bikolanos from the six provinces of the region to prepare themselves and heighten their struggle to defend their lives and livelihood. The US-Duterte regime has let loose its final salvo of implementing neoliberal programs and projects in Bikol. Certainly, in the name of neoliberalization, the regime shall instigate violent and aggressive steps to ensure completion of these giant projects. The reactionary government and the China Railway Groups has already signed the contract for the Philippine National Railways-South Long-haul (Calamba-Daraga) last January 17. The contract amounts to P142 billion – the largest project the US-Duterte regime has undertaken under Build, Build, Build.

The Bikolanos are no stranger to BBB projects’ sudden outpour and consequent disruption in the region. Ten of such projects were already completed in Bikol. These include the Bicol International Airport in Albay, Pasacao-Balatan Tourism Coastal Highway in Camarines Sur and the Sorsogon City Coastal Bypass Road. All of these projects have wrought destruction on agricultural lands, livelihoods and housing of the Bikolano masses. Just like those that came before it, the neoliberal project PNR South Long Haul will surely cause massive dislocation. Since the project’s first conception in 2017, around 600,000 households have been projected to be demolished from Manila to Bikol. Almost half a million of this figure will be in Bikol while 15,000 households will be affected from Manila to Batangas and another 25,000 will be uprooted from Manila to Quezon.

What’s worse is that the Filipino people will surely pay greatly for the loans from China to be used to fund the project. Aside from the fact that the burden to pay the debt will be shouldered by the masses in the form of staggering taxes, the sovereignty of the country and the Philippines’ territories from which many Filipino communities’ livelihoods depend on is being held as collateral.

Moreover, during the whole term of Duterte until January 2022, 1,467 cases of the Bikolanos’ rights violations in the name of these projects were recorded. It goes without saying that this latest big-ticket project will surely worsen the surge in violations of socioeconomic rights and civil liberties of the masses in the region.

However, all throughout these travails, the people has shown resilience in the face of all blows of violence and exploitation the merciless and greedy Duterte regime wields against them. With the imminent commencement of the PNR South Long Haul project, NDF-Bikol encourages all Bikolanos to further fortify their ranks. Fight for every Bikolano’s right to live and earn a living. The valiant masses who rise up can be assured that NDF-Bikol will always be with them every step of the path towards victory.

https://cpp.ph/statements/oppose-build-build-builds-aggressive-upheaval-of-bikolanos-lives-and-livelihood/

CPP/NDF-Bicol: Tutulan ang marahas na pagsagasa ng Build, Build, Build sa buhay at kabuhayan ng mga Bikolano!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jan 19, 2022): Tutulan ang marahas na pagsagasa ng Build, Build, Build sa buhay at kabuhayan ng mga Bikolano!

 


Ma. Roja Banua

Spokesperson

NDF-Bicol

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

January 19, 2022

Nananawagan ang NDF-Bikol sa mga Bikolano sa lahat ng anim na prubinsya na maghanda at paigtingin ang pakikibaka upang ipagtanggol ang kanilang buhay at kabuhayan. Pinaarangkada na ng rehimeng US-Duterte ang huling hirit nito sa pagpapatupad ng mga neoliberal na mga programa at proyekto sa rehiyon ng Bikol. Tiyak na sa ngalan nito, ubos kayang magsasagawa ang rehimen ng mararahas na hakbangin maisakatuparan lamang ang naturang dambuhalang proyekto. Pinirmahan nitong Enero 17 ang ang kontrata sa pagitan ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno at ng China Railway Groups para sa proyektong Philippine National Railways-South Long-haul (Calamba-Daraga). Nagkakahalaga ito ng P142 bilyon – pinakamalaking kontrata na pinasok ng rehimeng US-Duterte para sa Build, Build, Build (BBB).

Hindi na bago para sa mga Bikolano ang walang pagtatanging pagragasa ng mga BBB na proyekto sa rehiyon. Mahigit 10 na sa mga proyektong ito ang naitayo sa Bikol. Kabilang dito ang Bicol International Airport sa Albay, Pasacao-Balatan Tourism Coastal Highway sa Camarines Sur at Sorsogon City Coastal Bypass Road. Ang lahat ng mga proyektong ito ay sumagasa sa mga lupaing taniman, kabuhayan at panirahan ng masang Bikolano. Tulad ng mga nauna rito, malawakang dislokasyon din ang tiyak na idudulot ng neoliberal na proyektong PNR South Long Haul. Mula nang balakin ang proyekto noong 2017, tinataya nang nasa 600,000 kabahayan ang idedemolis mula Manila hanggang Bikol. Halos kalahating milyon sa kabuuhang bilang ng palalayasin ay sa rehiyong Bikol habang 15,000 kabayahan ang apektado mula Manila hanggang Batangas at 25,000 naman kung mula Manila hanggang Quezon.

Ang masakit pa, tiyak na ang pondong uutangin mula sa Tsina para sa proyektong ito ay pagbabayaran nang malaki ng sambayanang Pilipino. Liban sa ipapabalikat ng rehimen sa masa ang pagbabayad-utang sa porma ng nakalululang buwis, nakakolateral din ang soberanya ng bansa at ang mga teritoryo ng Pilipinas na pinagkukunan ng kabuhayan ng maraming mga komunidad.

Gayundin, sa buong panahon din ng panunungkulan ni Duterte hanggang Enero 2022, nakapagtala ng 1,467 kaso ng mga paglabag sa karapatan ng mga Bikolano alang-alang sa pagtatayo ng mga naturang proyekto. Ang panibagong dambuhalang proyekto ay tiyak na magpapatindi pa sa pagdami ng bilang ng mga kaso ng paglabag sa karapatan sa ekonomya at kalayaang sibil ng mamamayan sa buong Bikol.

Ngunit sa buong panahong ding ito, nagpakita ng katatagan ang mamamayan ng rehiyon sa bawat hambalos ng karahasang ipinataw sa kanila ng malupit at gahamang rehimen ni Duterte. Sa gitna ng nakaambang pagpasok ng PNR South Long Haul project, hinihikayat ng NDF-Bikol ang mga Bikolano na higit na patatagin pa ang kanilang hanay. Ipaglaban ang mga karapatan sa buhay at kabuhayan ng bawat Bikolano. Makakaasa ang magigiting na mamamayang lumalaban na kasama nila ang NDF-Bikol sa bawat hakbang nila tungo sa tagumpay.

https://cpp.ph/statements/tutulan-ang-marahas-na-pagsagasa-ng-build-build-build-sa-buhay-at-kabuhayan-ng-mga-bikolano/