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

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



Photo courtesy of PN Public Affairs Office

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Centino is new 4th ID Chief

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/30/centino-is-new-4th-id-chief/

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://journal.com.ph/news/provincial/4-reds-get-tired-armed-struggle-surrender-ecija

Tesda-12 to train ex-NPA rebels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/05/30/news/regions/tesda-12-to-train-ex-npa-rebels/728142/

13 former rebels in Zamboanga del Sur to receive cash assistance

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

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



53rd Infantry Battalion, PA / MANILA BULLETIN

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

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

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

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/30/13-former-rebels-in-zamboanga-del-sur-to-receive-cash-assistance/

2 wounded NPA members found onboard Red Cross ambulances

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COVID-19 crisis forces 50 NPAs to surrender in Sarangani

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/29/covid-19-crisis-forces-50-npas-to-surrender-in-sarangani/

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

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



By Jose Maria Sison, NDFP Chief Political Consultant

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NEWS STORIES
MAY 27, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES
MAY 27, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JUANITO MAGBANUA

NPA-NEGROS ISLAND

APOLINARIO GATMAITAN COMMAND

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

MAY 27, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://cpp.ph/statement/pasaporte-and-the-afp-pnp-are-the-women-abusers-not-the-npa/

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

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

ILAYA KANAWAY

NPA-SOUTHERN PANAY

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

MAY 28, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Indi magkahahadlok. Sa baylo, manindugan kag magbato!

Batu-an ang inutil nga rehimeng US-Duterte!

Labi nga isulong ang Armado nga Paghimakas!

Mag-entra sa New People’s Army!

https://cpp.ph/statement/dugang-naman-nga-mga-biktima-sang-kapintas-sang-61st-ib-kag-12th-ib/

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

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

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES
MAY 30, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SALVADOR LUMINOSO

NPA-PALAWAN

BIENVENIDO VALLEVER COMMAND

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

MAY 30, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

https://cpp.ph/statement/18th-sfc-na-may-pakana-ng-malawakang-hamletting-ng-mga-palawan-binigwasan-ng-bvc-npa-palawan/