NPA rebels hopeful about peace process but…

From Rappler (Dec 27): NPA rebels hopeful about peace process but…

Communist guerrillas in Northern Mindanao celebrate the CPP's 48th anniversary in Medina, Misamis Oriental



WOMEN FIGHTERS. A platoon of rebel women of the New People's Army in Northern Mindanao scramble for formation in Medina, Misamis Oriental on December 26, 2016. Photo by Bobby Lagsa/Rappler

Nearly 100 armed fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) marched from the mountains to Barangay Bag-o in Medina, Misamis Oriental, to join families and supporters in their celebration of the 48th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Monday, December 26.

The guerrillas here said they have high hopes for the peace process between the Duterte administration and the rebels represented by the party's political arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF). (READ: Communist rebels celebrate anniversary in Duterte's city)

 

About 5,000 supporters and sympathizers joined the celebration, waving red flags as they watched activists perform on a makeshift stage and hold a peace forum organized by bishops, priests, and nuns from various religious orders.

 

Alfredo “Ka Paris” Mapano, one of the released political prisoners who serves as adviser of the NDF in the talks, gave the rebels an overview of the peace process, assuring them that the contentious negotiations on the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-economic Reform, or Caser, are almost done and will again be tackled in January 2017, when the talks resume in Rome.

 

“We want the peace talks to [succeed], but it’s not easy,” Mapano said. Formal negotiations began in August 2016.

 

Betrayal

 

NPA leader Nicolas “Ka Sagi” Marino pointed out that the President promised the release of all 434 political prisoners. His failure to fulfill this promise so far “is a betrayal to the people,” he said.

 

Marino declared that the NPA units in Mindanao grew the most in the last few years – 16% – of all NPA forces in the Philippines. “Mindanao has the biggest number of forces, equal to the combined Luzon and Visayas fighters,” Marino said.

 

 

NORTHERN MINDANAO FORCE. NPA guerrillas from Northern Mindanao gather in Medina, Misamis Oriental on December 26, 2016. Photo by Bobby Lagsa/Rappler

 

The military estimated that there are close to 4,000 NPA members in Mindanao, but said only a little more than half of them are armed.

 

Bishop Felixberto Calang of the Iglesia Filipina Independente said they’re banking on the political capital of President Rodrigo Duterte as the key to a just and lasting peace.

 

But he lamented Duterte’s “tactless remarks”, saying they’re “worrisome".

 

Calang urged both parties to sign the bilateral ceasefire agreement, which has been pending for months now due to the deadlock on the release of prisoners.

 

The CPP on Monday, December 26, said the rebels are willing to sign the deal, provided it will only take effect once the remaining prisoners are released in January. –

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/156723-npa-rebels-northern-mindanao-cpp-anniversary

Ka Parago’s wife calls for strengthening of revolutionary struggle

From the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Dec 26): Ka Parago’s wife calls for strengthening of revolutionary struggle

Visitors during the 48th anniversary celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines take turns in getting their photos taken at a booth with a life size image of NPA commander Leoncio Pitao, aka Kumander Parago in Barangay Lumiad, Paquibato district on Monday, Dec. 26. (Zea Io Ming C. Capistrano)

 

The widow of a famous rebel leader urged the people to continue with the revolutionary struggle during the celebration of the 48^th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines here.

 

Despite her continued grief, Evangeline Pitao, wife of slain Ka Parago or Leoncio Pitao who was the commander of the New People’s Army 1st  Pulang Bagani Company, was among the thousands of attendees during the National Peace Assembly of the CPP in Barangay Lumiad, Paquibato district here on Monday.

Read: NPA mass base shown in Ka Parago’s burial 

Aside from Kumander Parago, Evangeline also lost her daughter, Rebelyn, who was raped and killed in March 2009.

Evangeline said the place of the CPP anniversary is all too familiar for her since it is where the former NPA commander spent his revolutionary life. Pitao said she was overwhelmed by the crowd present in the event.

“Nadasig jud ko sa kadaghan sa masa kay wala jud ko nag-expect ingani ka daghan mao maski dili malikayan na sakit sa akoa na namatay siya pero isip rebolusyonaryo akong bana masabtan man (I was moved by the number of people who attended here  because I didn’t expect thousands of people will  participate. That’s why even if it hurts for me that he was killed, I still understand because my husband was a revolutionary),” she said.

Evangeline said that the death of her husband should be an inspiration for  the people to continue with the revolutionary struggle.

“Nakita nato tanan ang effect sa diria tung naghead pa siya sa command, daghan kayo ang tao na nagsupport mao dapat madasig jud ta (I witnessed how he made an impact on the lives of the people when he led the command here. There so many people who are supportive, that is why we should be inspired),” she said.

She said  that despite the death of her husband, people can see how the revolutionary party strengthened their forces despite the massive military operations.

“Mas nakita nato gaina unsa na sila kakusog, grabe na nuon ang nagsupporta nila mao makawala jud ug kasubo sa iyang pagkamatay (I saw awhile ago how strong their forces have become and the support is overwhelming. Somehow, this has !essened my grief over his death),” she said.

Evangeline shared her enthusiasm as she saw the photo booth with the picture standee of her husband.

“Ang ako apo, pagkita niya sa photo booth niingon jud siyag ‘Si lolo!’ (When my gandson saw the photo booth, he shouted ‘my grandfather!’)” she said.

Meanwhile, she shared that she may have accepted the death of her husband,  but she cannot accept the death of her daughter who was allegedly killed by the Military Intelligence Group under the 10^th Infantry Division of the AFP.

“Ang dili jud nako madawat kay ang pagkamatay sa akong anak na si Rebelyn kay dili man tawon siya New People’s Army, teacher man tawon to siya (What I can’t accept is the brutal death of my daughter Rebelyn because she was not an NPA, she was a teacher),” she said.

Forensic findings showed that Rebelyn was raped and heavily tortured.

Read: A year after: No justice in sight for Rebelyn Pitao

Evangeline said that she still worries for the safety of her family even after the death of her husband, adding that they are still vigilant since they might still be under surveillance by the Army’s intelligence.

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/ka-paragos-wife-calls-for-strengthening-of-revolutionary-struggle/

CPP at 48: ‘People’s democratic revolution’ essential to achieve lasting peace

From the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Dec 26): CPP at 48: ‘People’s democratic revolution’ essential to achieve lasting peace

Six platoons of the 1st Pulang Bagani Company performs a tactical inspection during the 48th anniversary celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Barangay Lumiad, Paquibato district in Davao City on Monday morning, Dec. 26, 2016. (Zea Io Ming C. Capistrano/davaotoday.com)

 

The Communist Party of the Philippines formally launched Monday the “National Peace Assembly for Just and Lasting Peace” which highlights the importance of the “people’s democratic revolution” to achieving a genuine lasting peace.

 

The launching has coincided with the CPP’s 48th founding anniversary dubbed as one of the longest Maoist communist revolution in Asia.

“People’s War is for people’s peace. The people’s democratic revolution advances in order for us to achieve a genuine lasting peace,” Ka Wendell, a New People’s Army, told DavaoToday in an interview.

He said the launching of the “National Peace Assembly for Just and Lasting Peace” aims to show its full support to the ongoing peace talks between the communist group and the government.

“We strengthen our principle that both justice and long lasting peace will only be achieved through the fulfillment of the national and democratic objectives of the people,” the NPA rebel said.

He likewise urged President Rodrigo Duterte to fulfill his campaign promises such as to release all the political prisoners and to end the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ counter-insurgency program “Oplan Bayanihan.”

Monday’s CPP anniversary celebration and launching of the national peace assembly was hosted by 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion-NPA Southern Mindanao.

According to Rubi Del Mundo, spokesperson of the NDFP in Southern Mindanao Region, the celebration paid homage to the “Party’s absolute leadership of the Filipino revolution as it also condemned the unfulfilled promises of the Duterte government in granting amnesty to the more than 400 political detainees in the country.”

Del Mundo said it also condemned the reported “ceasefire violations committed by AFP, PNP and paramilitary in some 500 villages nationwide.”

Meanwhile, NDFP Consultant Concha Araneta, pointed out that National Peace Assembly is “the only way to annihilate the roots of violence and unrest is to realize the land distribution for the millions of peasants in the country.”

“To respect the ancestral domain of indigenous people and Moro people, to abolish the wage slavery and end the exploitation of all workers, and to attain justice for all victims of human rights abuses and oppression. And the only way to pursue peace is only by waging the national democratic revolution and the people’s war,” she added.

Thousands of visitors coming from the country’s 10 regions namely: National Capital Region, Bicol, Southern Tagalog, Cordillera, Panay, Southern Mindanao, North Central Mindanao, North Eastern Mindanao, Far South Mindanao and Western Mindanao regions have attended the CPP anniversary celebration including top government officials and NDFP consultants.

The CPP anniversary celebration kicked off at around 8:30 a.m with six platoons of the 1st Pulang Bagani Company-New People’s Army Southern Mindanao mounting a formation followed by cultural presentations and a peace forum.

 http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/cpp-at-48-peoples-democratic-revolution-essential-to-achieve-lasting-peace/

NDF Negros backs peace effort

From the Visayan Daily Star (Dec 27): NDF Negros backs peace effort

The National Democratic Front-Negros expressed its support to the ongoing peace talks between the government and NDF-Philippines.

NDF-Negros spokesperson Frank Fernandez, who led a peace forum on Thursday somewhere in southern Negros, said the election of Rodrigo Duterte as Philippine president paved the way to a prospect of peaceful settlement of the armed conflict.

Fernandez said Duterte has shown his sincerity by establishing confidence building measures and positive moves, that were reciprocated by the Communist Party of the Philippines, as recommended by the NDFP, by declaring a unilateral ceasefire on August 28 till now.

Through this peace process, he said, it is not impossible for the people to achieve economic and political reforms, noting that the center of talks in Oslo, Norway focuses on how to formulate the Comprehensive Agreements on Socio-Economic Reform (CASER), which he described as the “heart and soul” of the peace talks.

The CPP, political wing of the New People's Army, yesterday marked its 48th founding anniversary.

Col. Francisco Delfin, 303 rd  Infantry Brigade commander, who supervises the internal peace security operations in Negros island, said he is hopeful that the elusive peace will soon reign in Negros, with the ongoing peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front.

Delfin also described as “good” the fact that Fernandez finally appeared, as he also encouraged NPA members to have faith in the peace talks.

But he dismissed the NPA claims that they are gaining strength in Negros as “purely propaganda.”

DELFIN'S ASSURANCE

 

Delfin assured that the Philippine Army in Negros will continue to strictly adhere the ongoing unilateral ceasefire.

Fernandez claimed that there are some forces within the Duterte administration who are trying to deceive the NDFP and the revolutionary forces, for them to surrender.

Despite the unilateral ceasefire ordered by President Duterte, he said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines continues the implementation of OplanBayanihan, by conducting military offensives against the NPA.

In a statement it issued, however, the CPP raised the possibility that the Party will recall the declaration of unilateral ceasefire if the planned Enhanced OplanBayanihan will be implemented by the AFP, and if the government will not the release the detained political prisoners.

While the NDFP and the party are ready to sign the bilateral ceasefire, it will only take effect if the political prisoners will be released, and for the military to stop their operations in the countrysides.

CPP CALLS TO YOUTH

 

The CPP is also calling the youth, farmers, laborers and students in urban centers to join the NPA.

Fernandez, who was rumored to be sick and bedridden, surfaced Thursday last week, to prove that he is alive and healthy, and presented to the local media in a clandestine press conference  the armed strength of the NPA, disproving military claims that they already a spent force.

A platoon-sized unit of the armed NPA, being secured by another platoon of rebel fighters, held a parade and review, witnessed by about 3,000 supporters.

Fernandez, who has a bounty of P5 million for his arrest, has been very elusive to authorities, who have been hunting him down for several decades now.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2016/December/27/topstory6.htm

Photo: CPP Anniversary

From MindaNews (Dec 17): Photo: CPP Anniversary



A female fighter gives command to a New People’s Army platoon before performing for the crowd at the 48th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines in barangay Mananom-Bago, Medina town, Misamis Oriental on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016. The National Democratic Front is engaged in peace talks with the Duterte administration to end the longest running communist insurgency in Asia. MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo

http://www.mindanews.com/photo-of-the-day/2016/12/cpp-anniversary-2/

Top Duterte execs attend assembly of Reds in Davao

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Dec 27): Top Duterte execs attend assembly of Reds in Davao

Peace gathering coincides with celebration of CPP’s 48th anniversary



Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno speaks at the gathering of communist rebels, leftist leaders and peace advocates in a New People’s Army camp in Paquibato District in Davao City. —KARLOS MANLUPIG

A glittery golden hammer and sickle superimposed on a background of crimson cloth hangs in the middle of a gymnasium in the city’s Paquibato District.

Thousands of people gathered, ignoring the sweltering heat, in the first national peace gathering of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) inside a guerrilla base.

The peace gathering, attended by an estimated 25,000 people, coincided with the commemoration of the 48th founding anniversary of the CPP. It was attended by ranking communist leaders including National Democratic Front’s (NDF) senior adviser Luis Jalandoni and negotiator Connie Ledesma.
Also present were NDF consultants Concha Araneta, Porferio Tuna and Ariel Arbitrario.

Several government officials, including Labor Secretary and government peace panel chair Silvestre Bello III, Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno, Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, National Anti-Poverty Commission chief Liza Maza and Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglungsod, also arrived.

Unlike previous CPP anniversary celebrations dominated by fiery speeches, this year’s anniversary gathering provided a space for people to interact with peace panel members and consultants and to discuss prospects of ongoing negotiations with the government.

Land reform key to peace

Jalandoni said the NDF will push its agenda for genuine land reform during the negotiations.
“Genuine land reform is the key for peace because 75 percent of our population are farmers. This is really essential,” Jalandoni said.

But Jalandoni said it would not be easy to explain, and landlords and companies would not easily agree on the distribution of lands to the farmers.

“What is our prospect?” he asked. “We believe that this will be a big struggle because hacenderos would not agree to a genuine agrarian reform,” Jalandoni said.

That’s why, he said, it is important that a strong mass movement should complement the ongoing efforts of the peace panel.

He said the fate of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (Caser), would depend on the strength of the mass movements for agrarian reform.

Jalandoni also said this is the reason the New People’s Army would not surrender especially in areas where agrarian unrest continues.

“The NPA will not surrender especially in areas where it is needed,” Jalandoni said.

Jalandoni said the Left’s relationship with President Duterte remains to be strong and this would be crucial in the peace process.

The CPP is not willing to die for Mr. Duterte, but Jalandoni said the movement remains a strong ally of the administration and may be able to protect it from coup plots.

Speaking at the gathering, government chief negotiator Bello expressed Mr. Duterte’s full commitment to completing the peace process with the communists.

Bello also appealed to the NPA to understand that while they wish the immediate release of at least 434 political prisoners languishing in jails in the country, the government is required to observe legal procedures to do so.

Sueno said he has directed all local government units to open their doors for dialogues with local communist leaders.

He said local government units should collaborate with, rather than antagonize, rebel forces on the ground.
 http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/856929/top-duterte-execs-attend-assembly-of-reds-in-davao
 

Duterte envoys beef up peace ties with MILF ‘rogue’ commander

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 27): Duterte envoys beef up peace ties with MILF ‘rogue’ commander

The ongoing peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) got a much-needed gain after President Rodrigo Duterte’s envoys were able to touch base with an alleged MILF renegade commander.

Ernesto A. Alcanzare, lead organizer of a peace education and advocacy campaign Yes for Peace, shared the positive news through an email sent to PIA-NCR, which detailed the mission undertaken by government representatives when they head out to the mountain lair of Commander Bravo, whose real name is Abdullah Macapaar, on Nov. 10.

Alcanzare said the team was composed of Presidential Adviser on OFWs and Muslim Concerns Secretary Abdullah Dabs Mama-o as Head of Delegation; Mama S. Lalanto, al Haj, former Asst Postmaster General & Member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Postal Corporation and Adviser of Yes for Peace; Atty Jam Dimaporo – Head, National Bureau of Investigation of Iligan City representing the civilian security sector; Mayor Casan Maquiling–Municipality of Munai, Lanao del Norte representing the Local Government units; and Bai Monera Maquiling–Lalanto who served the link to Commander Bravo representing women.

He said Commander Bravo (MILF Northwestern Mindanao Front), was accompanied by representatives of the MILF Central Committee and MILF Brigade Commanders Abu Hanif and Anu Anisa with other MILF Commanders.

DXSM Radio Manager Abu Mujahid Mamutuk was mutually accepted by both parties to be part of the process for objective coverage as well as witness the proceedings of the meeting, he said.

During the meeting, the representatives of the MILF Central Committee reiterated that they will abide by the provisions of the peace agreement prior to the signing of a Final Peace Agreement and support President Duterte’s Six-Point Peace and Development agenda intended to bring lasting peace in Mindanao.

Secretary Mama-o then briefly discussed the Six-Point Peace and Development agenda of the President for peace in Mindanao and the whole Philippines:

1) Meaningful implementation of the FAB (Final Agreement on the Bangsamoro) and the CAB (Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro) towards healing in the Bangsamoro; 
 
2) Completion of implementation of remaining commitments under the GPH-MNLF (Government of the Philippines – Moro National Liberation Front) Peace Agreement for a just closure; 
 
3) Accelerated signing and implementation of peace accords with communist insurgents; 
 
4) Immediate conclusion of the peace process with the CPLA (Cordillera People’s Liberation Party) and the RPMP-RPA-ABB (Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggawa ng Pilipinas – Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade); 
 
5) Peace promoting catch-up socio-economic development in conflict affected areas; and 
 
6) Building of a culture of peace and conflict sensitivity.

Alcanzare said Commander Bravo strongly belied accusations that he will establish an independent government and his alleged links with drug lords which he claimed to have erroneously reported by media based on unfounded claims of those who seek to discredit him as a legitimate MILF founder.

He said Bravo also reiterated his support to whatever agreement the MILF Central Committee will enter with the government and expressed his support to President Duterte’s all out war against drugs.

Alcanzare, meanwhile welcomed the initiative taken by Lalanto to pro-actively bridge the gap between the government and an armed rebel group.

“The success of Secretary Mama-o’s meeting with Commander Bravo organized by Director Lalanto, Mayor Maquiling and Bai Monera Lalanto ushers pursuant to President Duterte’s directive ushers in the most important phase of our campaign – mobilizing people’s participation to ensure the success of the comprehensive peace process,” he said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/261482466314/duterte-envoys-beef-up-peace-ties-with-milf-rogue-commander

Straits of Malacca safer now

From Malaysia Outlook (Dec 22): Straits of Malacca safer now

The narrow Straits of Malacca poses tough task for authorities to maintain security in the waterway.

The Straits of Malacca has become safer, a situation experts attribute to increased enforcement against pirates in what is one of the world’s busiest trade routes.

There has been just one reported case of piracy or robbery in the Straits of Malacca in the first 11 months of this year, according to the latest monthly report of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre.

It is a reversal of the situation last year, when these crimes in the strait shot up to 104, a sharp rise from 48 in 2014.

Almost half the world’s total seaborne trade passes through the strait each year.

There were, however, 77 piracy or robbery incidents for the whole of Asia in the first 11 months of this year, a 60% annual plunge from 193.

This drop is a five-year low, said ReCAAP’s November report, which was released earlier this month.

“The situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia has witnessed continuous improvement,” the report said.

It also highlighted that there was not a single incident involving the hijacking of tankers for theft of oil last month.

Oil siphoning from vessels had been, until recently, a major issue particularly in the Straits of Malacca, said Collin Koh, research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies’ maritime security programme.

One reason for the plunge in attacks on oil tankers is that both Malaysia and Indonesia have set up special taskforces to tackle such piracy in the Straits of Malacca, said Koh.

“Nowadays we see better coordination and cooperation among the littoral states,” he added, pointing out that the maritime industry has also adopted security measures.

Straits of Malacca is now safer for vessels.

For instance, some ships place barbed wires along areas where pirates can board easily and brief crew to be more vigilant when sailing through danger areas, he said.

But the ReCAAP report flagged increasing cases of crew kidnappings in the Sulu-Celebes Sea, off eastern Sabah, as a major concern.

It cited one attack on Nov 11, when 10 armed pirates boarded a Vietnam-registered bulk carrier, the Royal 16, on the high seas, abducting six crew members and fleeing in a speedboat.

This is the ninth case since March, the report said, adding that there were four failed attempts last month.

The ReCAAP urges ships to re-route from the area where possible, and also notes that pirates have been targeting ships of larger tonnage like the Royal 16 since October. Previously, they would go after smaller vessels such as tugboats and fishing trawlers.

The situation in the Sulu-Celebes Sea is “alarming”, it said, adding that increased patrols are needed to tackle the problem of crew abduction.

It needs to be addressed in a timely manner as there is significant seaborne trade between Asean countries passing through that waterway, said Koh.

He added: “The Straits of Malacca might be more important compared to the Sulu Sea in the eyes of the international community, but this is not the case for the Asean countries.”

http://www.malaysiaoutlook.com/straits-of-malacca-safer-now/

Kidnap Of Four Sarawakians Jolts Nation

From the Malaysian Digest (Dec 27): Kidnap Of Four Sarawakians Jolts Nation

MARITIME kidnappings and hijackings in waters off Sabah’s east coast continued to raise concern during the past year.

 

However, there was a positive development last November, when Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak in Putrajaya.

 

The Philippines government has granted permission for Malaysian law enforcement vessels in pursuit of kidnappers to enter Philippine waters.

 

According to reports, this meant Malaysian vessels could continue their pursuit of kidnappers who cross into Philippine waters. Malaysian enforcement units will have to inform Philippine authorities when in pursuit of suspects in Philippine waters.

 

It was reported on Nov 10 that this year alone, 10 Malaysians have been kidnapped for ransom and from the total, five are still being held.

 

Earlier this year, four Sarawakian sailors kidnapped off Pulau Ligitan in Sabah on April 1 were released by their Abu Sayyaf captors.

 

Reports indicated that the four were released following talks involving Malaysian and Filipino negotiators.

 

Brothers Wong Teck Kang, 31, and Wong Teck Chii, 29, their cousin, Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21, and another man, Wong Hung Sing, 34, were the crew on a tugboat returning to Sarawak from the Philippines during the incident.

 

Other cases included:

 

April 2: Eight armed men raided the MV Masfive 6, a Malaysian tugboat, off the eastern coast of Sabah after the crew unloaded timber in Manila. On April 4, it was confirmed that the crew was safe and unharmed.

 

April 15: Four Indonesian sailors were kidnapped by armed men who tried to hijack a tugboat and a barge between Malaysian and Philippine waterways. A fifth sailor was shot but was rescued and survived.

 

June 6: A tugboat, Ever Prosper, and a barge, Ever Dignity, were attacked by armed pirates off Mukah, Sarawak. The incident was reported to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. The 10 crew members were saved, although one suffered an injury to his eye.

 

Aug 8: Four unidentified gunmen kidnapped an Indonesian captain northeast of Sabah after failing to get the RM10,000 ransom they had demanded. The gunmen released two other crew members, a Malaysian and an Indonesian.

 

Oct 18: A trawler, the Ever Ocean Silk, and a barge, the Ever Giant, were hijacked about 62 nautical miles off Bintulu port on their way from Tawau, Sabah to Port Klang. All 10 of the crew members were rescued. The number of robbers was not determined, but they were in two boats.

 

http://malaysiandigest.com/news/649997-kidnap-of-four-sarawakians-jolts-nation.html

Wounded ASG leader, escort bagged in Zamboanga City operations

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 27): Wounded ASG leader, escort bagged in Zamboanga City operations

Western Mindanao Command (WMC) troopers together with operatives of the Zamboanga City police have successfully arrested a wounded Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) sub-leader and his companion during operations at the Zamboanga Peninsula Medical Center Monday evening.

WMC spokesperson Major Filemon Tan identified the arrested bandit leader as Hairulla Asbang alias Ahadi and his escort identified only as Jaber.

Asbang's arrest at 6:45p.m. was based on the virtue of warrant of arrest for kidnapping with murder and kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by Branch 10, 9th Judicial Region, Dipolog City, and for kidnapping with homicide issued by Branch 34, 11th Judicial Region in connection with the Samal kidnapping case.

Asbang was admitted at the said hospital at 7:30 a.m Monday for medical treatment of his gunshot wound which was incurred during a previous encounter with government troops in Sulu.

Tan said Asbang is now under tight watch by soldiers and police while custodial debriefing in the said hospital.

Appropriate legal procedures are also underway.

The military continues to support the police in the intensified conduct of law enforcement operations to expedite the arrest of Abu Sayyaf members.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=951093

Communist peace consultant vows support for Duterte

From ABS-CBN (Dec 26): Communist peace consultant vows support for Duterte



NPA rebels hold rifles during the 48th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Rod Bolivar, ABS-CBN News

Hundreds of members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) under the North Central Mindanao Regional Command gathered in Barangay Mananum Bag-o in Medina, Misamis Oriental, on Monday to celebrate the 48th reestablishment anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

National Democratic Front (NDF) peace consultant Alfredo "Ka Paris" Mapano said their cause will continue until the the government fully addresses social economic issues in the country such as land reform, industrialization, and better services for the poor.

Mapano said they will continue to support President Rodrigo Duterte because of his stand against foreign imperialism and because the President is a self-proclaimed "leftist and socialist".

"However, we will still criticize the administration especially on specific issues such as the Marcos burial and extra-judicial killings because of the war on drugs," Mapano said.

Mapano is set to leave the country on January 18 to attend the 3rd round of the peace talks between NDF and the government in Rome, Italy.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/26/16/communist-peace-consultant-vows-support-for-duterte

Commies condemn Duterte government

From the Mindanao Examiner (Dec 26): Commies condemn Duterte government

Communist rebel leader Jose Maria Sison has condemned the Philippine government for reneging on its commitment to free hundreds of political prisoners languishing in jails across the country.

Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the chief political consultant for the National Democratic Front negotiating peace with Manila, said the Duterte government violated the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

 

“The non-release of political detainees also runs counter to the possible declaration of the bilateral interim ceasefire agreement between the NDF and the Philippine government and the acceleration of the peace negotiations,” he said during the 48th founding anniversary of the CPP.

 

Duterte has repeatedly said he will not free the prisoners unless the NDF agreed to sign a bilateral ceasefire with the Philippine government.

 

But Luis Jalandoni, former chief of the NDF peace negotiating panel, and now senior adviser, stressed that the NDF will not lay down its arms even as it is engaged in peace talks with the Duterte government.

 

Jalandoni also warned that “as human rights abuses are perpetrated with the continued implementation of counter-revolutionary program Oplan Bayanihan and Enhanced Oplan Bayanihan, it will be forced to withdraw its ceasefire declaration to protect the masses and defend communities.”

 

Communist rebels accused the Philippine military of violating its own truce by deploying troops in areas where the New People’s Army (NPA) is actively operating.

 

A rebel leader, Ka Wendell, said the communities are clamoring for an end to the ceasefire as they face threats from military troops that continue to operate in peasant and Lumad communities.

 

NDF consultant Eduardo Genelsa said: “Mindanao continues to be resilient and to advance despite escalating enemy attacks because communists, cadres, NPA combatants, and revolutionary forces have vigorously waged the armed struggle and raised the people’s war to greater heights.”

 

NDF leaders have asserted that “there can be no peace until the roots of armed struggle are addressed decisively. The revolutionary forces are now stronger more than ever to wage armed revolution, gain concrete benefits for the people, and ultimately attain justice and true peace.”

 

Rubi del Mundo, a rebel spokesman, said the anniversary celebration was participated by more than 15,000 people in Paquibato District in Davao City where they also held so-called National Peace assembly hosted by the NPA’s 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion.

 

The 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion also condemned the unfulfilled promises of the Duterte government in granting amnesty to the more than 400 political detainees and in the numerous ceasefire violations committed by police and military, and pro-government militia groups in some 500 villages across the country. 

 

The rebels, led by NDF consultant Porferio Tuna, Jr., also gave tribute to NPA leader Leoncio Pitao, alias Ka Parago, who was killed along with his medical aide by government troops in June 2015 in Paquibato District.

 

Tuna also hailed the NPA as the “true army of the masses – determined, disciplined and strong defender of the people.”

 

“The only way to annihilate the roots of violence and unrest is to realize the land distribution for the millions of peasants in the country, to respect the ancestral domain of indigenous people and Moro people, to abolish the wage slavery and end the exploitation of all workers, and to attain justice for all victims of human rights abuses and oppression. And the only way to pursue peace is only by waging the national democratic revolution and the people’s war,” the CPP said.

 

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/commies-condemn-duterte-government/

Leftist rebels to hold Duterte to his word

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Dec 26): Leftist rebels to hold Duterte to his word

CAGAYAN DE ORO. A group of Red fighters take a break under the shade of decades-old acacia trees at the old town plaza in Barangay Mananum Bag-o, Medina town, Misamis Oriental during the 48th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Monday, December 26. (Joey P. Nacalaban) 

 

MEDINA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL -- A peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) yesterday said the Left will not shirk from criticizing government policies it sees as detrimental to the interests of the people despite its alliance with the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

 

Speaking at the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), Alfredo ‘Ka Paris’ Mapano said the Left is expecting Duterte to address the root causes of the decades-old armed conflict, just as he promised in the campaign.

 

 But Mapano said the NDFP, the united front of the revolutionary movement, is also hopeful that the third round of talks will bring both parties closer to reaching an agreement on the much needed socio-economic reforms.

 

 The third round of talks between the Left and the government will be held on January 18 to 24, 2017 in Rome, Italy.

 

 Mapano was speaking at the sidelines of a peace forum held in Barangay Mananum Bag-o, Medina town, Misamis Oriental for the 48th CPP founding anniversary.

 

The CPP-initiated peace forum was organized by the group’s North Central Mindanao regional command.

 

In attendance during the CCP-NCMR's annual event were religious leaders from the Roman Catholic, Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) and United Church of Christ in the Philippines churches who have been active in the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP).

 

Around 5,000 mass supporters of the New Peoples Army from different parts of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao and Agusan del Norte were present at the village plaza.

 

IFI Bishop Felixberto Calang expressed his optimism that the peace talks will yield positive results.

 

"We are attending this event to get the perspective of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and their views on the peace process and also towards socio-economic reforms. We hope to hear these things on the peace talks and hopefully the effects would be the transformation and change within our society and its economic advantages towards the way of life of the Filipino people, with this we should be vigilant and look closely in the process in both sides of the table," said Calang.

 

"It is important that while our government and the NDF is working on the talks towards peace we should not be left behind in this undertaking. We should be in the forefront in the talks for peace because it is us the people who will benefit from this. We should not allow anyone who will block and hinder our path towards peace. We have high hopes since our government in the leadership of President Duterte has been in the forefront of the ongoing talks, we hope that the two parties will push on and move forward amid the trails and hardship in achieving peace," said the prelate added.

 

PEPP serves as a third party facilitator for both parties in Mindanao.

 

At present, both the CPP and the country's armed forces are enjoying the unilateral ceasefire as part of the peace negotiations.

 

During the anniversary, more than a hundred armed fighters of the New People's Army were also present as a show of force.

 

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2016/12/26/leftist-rebels-hold-duterte-his-word-516956

2 suspected Abu Sayyaf member arrested inside Zamboanga hospital

From ABS-CBN (Dec 26): 2 suspected Abu Sayyaf member arrested inside Zamboanga hospital

Two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were arrested inside a private hospital in the city Monday.

Police identified the two suspected bandits as Hairulla Asbang, a known sub-leader of the ASG operating in Sulu.

His companion, who was also arrested inside the hospital, was positively identified by a government witness as a member of the terrorist group.

Authorities, however, are still verifying his identity.

Asbang has been in the hospital for a few days due to a gunshot wound on his leg.

Police believe he sustained his injury in the intensified military operations in Sulu.

Asbang has been provided additional security inside the hospital until he is discharged.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/26/16/2-suspected-abu-sayyaf-member-arrested-inside-zamboanga-hospital

Farmer leader says peace talks with Reds key to genuine land reform

From the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Dec 23): Farmer leader says peace talks with Reds key to genuine land reform

Pedro Arnado, chairperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Southern Mindanao Region said that the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio Economic Reforms will enable the House Bill No. 555 or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill to pass into law. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)

 

A farmers’ group said that the third round of peace talks with the National Democratic Front will be an important step towards achieving genuine land reform.

 

Pedro Arnado, chairperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Southern Mindanao Region said that the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio Economic Reforms will enable the House Bill No. 555 or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill to pass into law.

“Karon sa ikatulong round, sa panghinabing kalinaw, seryoso kini. Sugdan na nila paghisgot ang CASER para mupabor kini nga mamahimong balaud ang Genuine Agrarian reform Bill nga nakatak-ang sa congress” (This third round of peace talks is very important because they will be discussing the CASER which will enable the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill to pass as a law), Arnado said in a news conference on Thursday, Dec. 21.

Arnado claimed that there is no other way to pass the bill filed by Anakypawis Partylist in 2004 by then representative, Crispin Beltran. Succeeding representatives of the partylist has refiled it including the incumbent Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano in 2008. Also, incumbent Anakpawis Partylist representative Ariel Casilao filed the bill in congress of July this year.

The bill, according to Arnadao, would distribute farmlands at no cost to farmers with the benefit of strong agricultural support in the form of subsidies.

The present land reform program, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program required farmers to pay amortization of 30 years. Without adequate support from the government, many farmers had to sell back their lands, rendering them landless again, Arnado said.

“Wala nay lain pang gituohan. Kana gyud ang pinakabutang para marehistro sa GRP nga bitbiton sa NDF, nga wala nay laing mu apod apod sa yuta pinaagi sa kaseryoso ug pagkamatinu-danon luyo sa konsepto nga libre siya” (We believe there is no other way to register this concern to the GRP, and the NDF will bring this to the table. No other bill will truly and sincerely redistribute the lands freely), Arnado said in a phone interview with Davao Today.

Arnado also emphasized the importance of CASER, which he said will favor the interests of the poor.

“Mainition kaning CASER nga hisgutanan kay ang agenda man sa kabos nga katawhan ang gibitbit niini. Kana man ang kamatuoran: nga kinahanglan luwason ug depensahan ang gagmay gikan sa pagpahimulos sa mga dagko” (CASER is a very important topic because this emphasizes the agenda of the poor. This is the truth: the poor have to be saved and defended from the oppression of the rich), Arnado said.

The government and the National Democratic Front are set to sit down for the third round of peace talks in Rome on January 18-25. The main agenda will be the CASER which will include contentious issues like agrarian reform and national industrialization.

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/farmer-leader-says-peace-talks-with-reds-key-to-genuine-land-reform/

Top Cabinet officials attend CPP’s 48th anniversary in Davao City

From the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Dec 26): Top Cabinet officials attend CPP’s 48th anniversary in Davao City

VISITORS. (L-R) National Democratic Front of the Philippines Senior Adviser Luis Jalandoni greets Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno during the 48th anniversary celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Paquibato district in Davao City on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016. (Zea Io Ming C. Capistrano/davaotoday.com)

 

Top government officials attended the celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ 48th anniversary here on Monday, Dec. 26.

 

Among the visitors were GRP peace panel chief negotiator Silvestre Bello III and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael “Mike” Sueno.

Bello congratulated the CPP for their anniversary.

“We hope on this occasion, maipaliwanag nila yung proseso na nangyayari between the government and the NDF para sa ganun ay magkakaroon ng suporta dito sa peace negotiations,” he told reporters in an interview.

He said they want to encourage the “bigger table” to be active in the peace negotiations, adding that they do not want a similar thing which happened in Colombia where the people rejected the peace deal.

“It’s supposed to be a peace forum. Hopefully to encourage the bigger table, because ours is a smaller table. The bigger table is where we explain to the people what is the value of the peace negotiations, that’s why we are here,” Bello said.

Bello said the peace agreement will be “acceptable to the people.”

“So this early we want to explain to the people the process, what we talked about, what we have agreed upon, what will be its final outcome,” he added.

Progressive leaders appointed to Cabinet positions and Makabayan bloc representatives were also present.

Those who were present include National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Liza Maza, Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglungsod, Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Mae Fe Templa, Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Carlos Zarate and Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Ariel Casilao.

Around 8 a.m. Monday, throngs of people gathered in an open farm field in the guerrilla zone in Barangay Lumiad, Paquibato district here eager to see the tactical formation of the Pulang Bagani Battalion.

The parade of colors started, followed by the six platoons from the New People’s Army Pulang Bagani Company consisting of 155 armed rebels.

NPA amazons carried the flags of various underground revolutionary organizations affiliated with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in front of the formation.

As the NPAs entered the field, some of the audience started shouting “Long live the Communist Party of the Philippines! Long live the NPAs!”

After the formation, a program followed inside the barangay gymnasium where a large emblem of the CPP dominated the stage.

The celebration also coincided with the launching of the “National Peace Assembly for Just and Lasting Peace.”

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/top-cabinet-officials-attend-cpps-48th-anniversary-in-davao-city/

NDF-SMR: CPP anniversary celebration, national peace assembly’s battlecry: People’s war is for People’s Peace

Propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Dec 26): CPP anniversary celebration, national peace assembly’s battlecry: People’s war is for People’s Peace  

NDFP Southern Mindanao Region
Press Release

More than 15,000 revolutionary forces and representatives from at least 10 regions in the country, peace advocates, officials from both Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines made up the fiery, artistic and militant celebration of today’s 48th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines and National Assembly for Just and Lasting Peace in Paquibato district, Davao City.

The activity was divided into two parts: the whole day National Peace assembly, and the night concert-rally for the CPP celebration. Participants came from the National Capital Region, Bicol, Southern Tagalog, Cordillera, Panay, Southern Mindanao, North Central Mindanao, North Eastern Mindanao, Far South Mindanao and Western Mindanao regions.

The national peace assembly and CPP anniversary celebration, hosted by 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion-NPA Southern Mindanao, paid homage to the Party’s absolute leadership of the Filipino revolution as it also condemned the unfulfilled promises of the Duterte government in granting amnesty to the more than 400 political detainees in the country and in the numerous ceasefire violations committed by AFP, PNP and paramilitary in some 500 villages nationwide.

The December 26 celebration kicked off at around 8:30 am with six platoons of the 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion-New People’s Army Southern Mindanao mounting a battalion formation at an open field some 200 meters away from the barangay covered court where the program was held. More than 200 NPA combatants stood in stiff attention amid a tactical inspection presided by NDF consultant Porferio Tuna, Jr.

In his message to the Army, Tuna hailed the New People’s Army as the true army of the masses–determined, disciplined and strong defender of the people. He also gave salute to martyred NPA commander Ka Parago who was killed in an enemy raid in Paquibato last year.

At the formal opening of the National Peace Assembly, representatives from the GRP and NDF marched, flanked by NPA guards and bearers of flags of NDF member organizations. An NDF choir sang flaming songs in chorale. A Lumad Datu (tribal chieftain) and Moro leader gave a rousing oranda (song) and prayer.

In militant dances and speeches led by NDF consultant Concha Araneta from Panay, the resounding message of the National Peace Assembly and CPP anniversary was clear: People’s War is for People’s Peace. The only way to annihilate the roots of violence and unrest is to realize the land distribution for the millions of peasants in the country, to respect the ancestral domain of indigenous people and Moro people, to abolish the wage slavery and end the exploitation of all workers, and to attain justice for all victims of human rights abuses and oppression. And the only way to pursue peace is only by waging the national democratic revolution and the people’s war.

In his audio visual message gave by NDF Chief Political Consultant, Jose Maria Sison, took the occasion to condemn the Duterte government for reneging on its commitment to the peace negotiations, particularly on the amnesty and freedom of all political prisoners. This is in violation to the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). The non-release of political detainees also runs counter to the possible declaration of the bilateral interim ceasefire agreement between the NDF and the GRP and the acceleration of the peace negotiations.
In a press conference, former chief of the NDF peace negotiating panel and now senior adviser Luis Jalandoni stressed that the NDF will not lay down its arms even as it is engaged in peace talks with the Duterte government. Jalandoni also warned that as human rights abuses are perpetrated with the continued implementation of counter-revolutionary program Oplan Bayanihan and Enhanced Oplan Bayanihan, it will be forced to withdraw its ceasefire declaration to protect the masses and defend communities.

Ka Wendell, master of ceremonies of the celebration, said the communities are clamoring for an end to the ceasefire as they face threats from COPD and PDOP military troops that continue to operate in peasant and Lumad communities. Disciplined as they are, the NPA Red fighters stood ground to abide with the CPP’s unilateral ceasefire declaration and in respect to the ongoing GRP-NDF peace negotiations.

At the press conference and later at the open forum with the assembly participants, NDF leaders took turns to explain the various provisions of the next substantive agenda for the peace talks, the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-economic Reforms (CASER).

NDF consultant Eduardo Genelsa said Mindanao continues to be resilient and to advance despite escalating enemy attacks because communists, cadres, NPA combatants, and revolutionary forces have vigorously waged the armed struggle and raised the people’s war to greater heights.

NDF leaders assert that there can be no peace until the roots of armed struggle are addressed decisively. The revolutionary forces are now stronger more than ever to wage armed revolution, gain concrete benefits for the people, and ultimately attain justice and true peace. Indeed, today’s celebration highlighted the militant battlecry: there can be no just and lasting peace without the people’s war.

For reference:
(sgd.) Rubi del Mundo
NDF–SMR spokesperson

https://www.ndfp.org/cpp-anniversary-celebration-national-peace-assemblys-battlecry-peoples-war-peoples-peace/

CPP/Sison:Pakikiisa sa panawagan ng PKP sa paghayag ng matinding galit ng bayan sa mga pangakong di-natupad ng GRP

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Dec 26): Pakikiisa sa panawagan ng PKP sa paghayag ng matinding galit ng bayan sa mga pangakong di-natupad ng GRP

                
Jose Maria Sison
Tagapangulong Tagapagtatag, Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas
Punong Konsultant Pampulitika, Pambansang Demokratikong Prente ng Pilipinas

December 26, 2016

 

Mahal na mga Kasama at Kaibigan,

 

Nais ko munang magpaabot ng Mapulang Saludo at mainit na rebolusyonaryong pagbati sa Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas, Bagong Hukbong Bayan, Pambansang Demokratikong Prente ng Pilipinas (NDFP), lahat ng mga lokal na organo ng demokratikong pamahalaang bayan at sa malawak na masa ng sambayanan ngayong ika-48 anibersaryo ng muling pagtatatag ng PKP sa teoretikong patnubay ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo.

 

Araw ito ng pagdiriwang sa natipon at bagong mga tagumpay ng Partido, hukbong bayan at mamamayan sa bagong demokratikong rebolusyon sa pamamagitan ng matagalang digmang bayan. Araw din ito ng pagpapahayag ng matinding galit ng bayan sa hindi pagtupad ng rehimeng Duterte sa mga pangako nito kaugnay ng negosasyong pangkapayapaan, laluna ang amnestiya at pagpapalaya sa lahat ng bilanggong pulitikal na nasa listahan ng NDFP alisunod sa Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) at Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) at kaugnay ng posibleng bilateral interim ceasefire agreement at planong pabilisin ang negosasyong pangkapayapaan.

 

Ito ang araw para ipamalas ng mga peace rallies sa buong bansa ang pagkakaisa ng mamamayang Pilipino sa kanilang mithiin ng makatarungan at matagalang kapayapaan. Kaugnay nito, isang pambansang asembliya ang idinadaos sa isang sonang gerilya sa Davao City. Lahat ng sektor ng lipunan na naghahangad ng makatarungan at matagalang kapayapaan ay inaasahang lalahok sa mga mapayapang pagtitipon at pagkilos sa kalagayang may mga deklarasyon ng reciprocal unilateral ceasefire. Imbitado rin ang mga kinatawan ng rehimeng Duterte na dumalo upang marinig mismo nila ang sigaw ng mamamayan para sa hustisya. Naghahapag tayo ng mga reklamo at konstruktibong pagpuna sa pag-asang magbunga ang mga ito ng pakinabang para sa mamamayan.

 

Wala tayong ibang layunin kundi ipanawagan ang amnestiya at pagpapalaya sa lahat ng bilanggong pulitikal at bigyang-daan ang bilateral ceasefire agreement. Kayang lutasin ang mga usaping ito sa loob lamang ng ilang oras. Hindi tayo dapat mabahura sa ganitong mga bagay nang dahil lamang sa patingi-tinging tawaran sa napakahabang panahon. Maaari tayong bumuo ng matatag na bilateral ceasefire agreement batay sa mga aral na mahahalaw natin sa panahon ng unilateral ceasefire declarations. Dapat itigil ang Oplan Bayanihan at dapat hindi palitan ng isa pang brutal na oplan sa ilalim ni General Año na nandukot kay Jonas Burgos. Dapat may sapat na distansyang itakda sa pagitan ng mga armadong pwersa at yunit ng GRP at NDFP sa pamamagitan ng pagpapanatili sa baraks ng AFP sa antas-batalyon o mas mataas pa at pagpapanatili sa erya ng mga kampuhan sa kaso ng BHB sa antas-kumpanya.

 

Dapat tapusin at pirmahan ng mga panel ng GRP at NDFP sa loob ng una o ikalawang taon ng rehimeng Duterte ang mga komprehensibong kasunduan sa mga repormang sosyo-ekonomiko, mga repormang pampulitika at konstitusyunal at pagtigil ng labanan at disposisyon ng mga pwersa nang sa gayo’y may di kukulangin sa tatlo o apat na taon upang subaybayan ang implementasyon ng naturang mga kasunduan sa mga batayang reporma at mabigyang-daan ang kooperasyon ng mga kadre, Pulang mandirigma at rebolusyonaryong pwersa sa rehimeng Duterte sa sistemang panlipunan, pang-ekonomya, pangkultura, pampulitika at panseguridad ng isang tunay na independyente, demokratiko, progresibo at masaganang Pilipinas.

 

Pangunahing hangarin ng NDFP at ng rebolusyonaryong pamahalaang bayan sa mga repormang sosyo-ekonomiko ang pagpapaunlad sa ekonomya sa pamamagitan ng pambansang industriyalisasyon at tunay na reporma sa lupa. Pangunahing hangarin din nila sa mga repormang pampulitika at konstitusyunal ang pagtataguyod ng pambansang soberanya at mga demokratikong prinsipyo. Bukas din sila na tumayong katuwang ng rehimeng Duterte sa pagtatatag ng Federal Republic of the Philippines at magbalangkas ng bagong konstitusyon na nagbabawal sa pasistang diktadura, mga dinastiyang pulitikal, warlordismo at pagwawaldas ng mga pambansang rekurso.

 

Dapat malugod nating idaos ang ikatlong serye ng pormal na usapan ng mga panel ng GRP at NDFP sa Roma sa Enero 19 – 24, 2017. Ang Reciprocal Working Committee ng NDFP ay dadalo sa usapan taglay ang 84-pahinang borador nito ng Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER). Ang Reciprocal Working Group of the NDFP on Political and Constitutional Reforms ay may inihandang panimulang borador ng Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms (CAPCR) na di-kukulangin sa 20 pahina. Ang Reciprocal Working Group of the NDFP on the End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces (RWG-EHDF) ay susubaybay sa takbo ng usapan upang makahalaw ng kaalaman sa pagbabalangkas ng borador sa nakaatas ditong komprehensibong kasunduan.

 

Nananatiling maaliwalas ang hinaharap ng negosasyong pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng GRP at NDFP kung isasaalang-alang natin na matagumpay na nagpapatuloy ang mga serye ng usapan. Tiyak na maisusulong ang pag-uusap tungkol sa CASER at iba pang bagay sa ikatlong serye ng pormal na usapan. At tamang itakda sa usapan sa Roma ang ikaapat na serye sa isang nyutral na lugar. Magtatagpo ang dalawang panig para mag-usap anuman ang maging katayuan ng negosasyon tungkol sa bilateral ceasefire agreement; at kahit sa kalagayang may mga aksyon ang hukbong bayan para ipagtanggol ang sarili laban sa mga panghihimasok ng armadong pwersa ng kaaway sa teritoryo ng demokratikong pamahalaang bayan o kahit tapusin na ng panig ng NDFP ang unilateral interim ceasefire declaration nito dahil sa mararahas na panghihimasok ng sandatahang lakas ng kaaway.

 

Kahit pa magmatigas ang GRP sa di-pagbibigay ng amnestiya at di-pagpapalaya sa lahat ng bilanggong pulitikal alinsunod sa JASIG at CARHRIHL at kaugnay sa isang bilateral ceasefire agreement, ang NDFP ay mananatiling bukas sa negosasyong pangkapayapaan habang nakikipaglaban sa larangan. Pananagutan ng GRP ang pagkaantala ng bilateral ceasefire agreement dahil sa di nito pagtupad sa pangako na gawaran ng amnestiya at palayain ang lahat ng bilanggong pulitikal. Walang pagpipilian ang NDFP kundi tumalima sa linya ng digmang bayan para palakasin ang hukbong bayan at iba pang pwersang rebolusyonaryo upang maiwasan nitong mahulog sa bitag ng pagsuko at pasipikasyon sa pamamagitan ng walang-taning na tigil-putukan na tiyak na magbabawas sa interes ng GRP na makipagnegosasyon para sa mga sustantibong adyenda ng usapang pangkapayapaan. ###







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English

IN UNITY WITH THE CPP’S CALL FOR PEOPLE’S EXPRESSION OF INDIGNATION
OVER DUTERTE’S UNFULFILLED PROMISES IN PEACE NEGOTIATIONS

By Jose Maria Sison
Founding Chairman, Communist Party of the Philippines
Chief Political Consultant, National Democratic Front of the Philippines
December 26, 2016

Dear Comrades and Friends,

Let me first give the Red salute and warmest revolutionary greetings to the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the local organs of people’s democratic government and the broad masses of the people on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the reestablishment of the CPP under the theoretical guidance of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.

This is a day of celebrating the accumulated and recent victories of the Party, the people’s army and the people in the new democratic revolution through protracted people’s war. This is also the day for the people to manifest their indignation over the Duterte regime’s failure to fulfill its promises in the peace negotiations, especially the amnesty and release of all political prisoners listed by the NDFP in compliance with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and in consonance with a possible bilateral interim ceasefire agreement and the plan to accelerate the peace negotiations.

This is the day for peace rallies nationwide to demonstrate the Filipino people’s unity for a just and lasting peace. In this regard, a national assembly is held in a guerrilla zone somewhere in Davao City. All sectors of society that are desirous of a just and lasting peace are expected to join the peaceful actions under conditions of the reciprocal unilateral ceasefire declarations. Representatives of the Duterte regime have also been invited to attend in order to hear for themselves the people’s outcry for justice. We make complaints and constructive criticism in the hope of obtaining positive results for the benefit of the people.

We have no other objective but to demand the amnesty and release all political prisoners and give way to a bilateral ceasefire agreement. These matters can be settled in a few number of hours. We should not get stuck on such matters by dealing with them piecemeal over a long period of time. We can make a stable bilateral ceasefire agreement by learning lessons from the period of unilateral ceasefire declarations. Oplan Bayanihan should be terminated and should not be replaced by another brutal oplan under General Año, who kidnapped Jonas Burgos. Safe distances must be kept between the armed forces and units of the GRP and the NDFP by restricting them to barracks at battalion or higher level in the case of the AFP or areas of encampment in the case of the NPA at company level.
The GRP and NDFP negotiating panels should finish and sign the comprehensive agreements on social and economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms and end of hostilities and disposition of forces within the first or second year of the Duterte regime and there will be at least three or four years to observe the implementation of the agreements on basic reforms and allow the cooperation of the cadres, Red fighters and revolutionary forces with the regime in the social, economic, cultural, political and security system of a truly independent, democratic, progressive and prosperous Philippines.

The main interest of the NDFP and the People´s Revolutionary Government in social and economic reforms is economic development through national industrialization and genuine land reform. Also, their main interest in political and constitutional reforms is upholding national sovereignty and democratic principles. They are also willing to co-found the Federal Republic of the Philippines with the Duterte regime and make a new constitution that prevents fascist dictatorship, political dynasties, warlordism and dissipation of national resources.

We should welcome the third round of formal talks to be held between the GRP and NDFP negotiating panels in Rome from January 19 to 24, 2017. The Reciprocal Working Committee of the NDFP will be going to these talks with its 84-page proposed draft of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER). The Reciprocal Working Group of the NDFP on Political and Constitutional Reforms will be ready with a rough draft of at least 20 pages of the Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms (CAPCR). The Reciprocal Working Group of the NDFP on End of Hostilities and Disposition of Forces (RWG-EHDF) will be observing the talks to gain insight for drafting its assigned comprehensive agreement.

The prospects are still bright in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations if we consider that the rounds of talks are proceeding successfully. The discussion on CASER and on other matters can certainly progress during the third round of formal peace negotiations. It would be alright for the talks in Rome to schedule the fourth round in a neutral venue. The two sides can meet to talk whatever is the status of the talks on the bilateral ceasefire agreement; and even if the NDFP would end its unilateral interim ceasefire declaration due to the ruthless incursions on its territory of the enemy armed forces.

Even if the GRP remained unwilling to amnesty and release all political prisoners in compliance with the JASIG and CARHRIHL and in consonance with a bilateral ceasefire agreement, the NDFP would still be willing to negotiate peace while fighting in the battlefield. The delay in reaching the bilateral ceasefire agreement is the responsibility of the GRP, because of its refusal to fulfill its promise of amnesty and release of all political prisoners. The NDFP has no choice but to pursue the line of people´s war in order to strengthen the people´s army and other revolutionary forces as the means to avoid the pitfall of capitulation and pacification through an indefinite ceasefire that would certainly result in a lack of interest on the part of the GRP to negotiate the substantive agenda of the peace negotiations.

https://www.cpp.ph/pakikiisa-sa-panawagan-ng-pkp-sa-paghayag-ng-matinding-galit-ng-bayan-sa-mga-pangakong-di-natupad-ng-grp/

CPP/CPDF: Invigorate the minority people's movement in advancing our right to self-determination!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Dec 26): Invigorate the minority people's movement in advancing our right to self-determination!

               
Simon “Ka Filiw” Naogsan, Sr.

Spokesperson

Cordillera People’s Democratic Front

December 26, 2016

The National Oppression perpetrated by the reactionary state against the national minorities in the Cordillera continues to take its toll up to the present regime. Extractive and destructive large-scale foreign mining corporations and hydro-electric energy plants continue to plunder our ancestral lands and its rich natural resources, destroy our lives, our livelihood and our communities. We continue to be denied adequate public services. Even during times of calamities, we are denied adequate support from the reactionary government.

National Oppression being suffered by the national minorities of the Cordillera and other parts of the country have reached ethnocidal level. This is exacerbated by the continuing onslaught of the anti-people Oplan Bayanihan against the communities of the Cordillera. The Peace and Development Teams (PDT) are continuously being implemented even at the time of the current ongoing peace talks and ceasefire declarations in a desperate move to weaken our indigenous unity and revolutionary strength. This includes the ‘IP Centric’ approach, to recruit fellow Igorots to the ranks of the AFP and CAFGU. Even in the urban centers, protest movements are brutally suppressed. This was clearly shown in the brutal dispersal of the indigenous people’s rally in front of the US Embassy last October 19. All of these are deliberate moves to sabotage the ongoing peace talks while the struggles and democratic rights of the Filipino people are continuously suppressed.

Nonetheless, the Cordillera People’s Democratic Front (CPDF) continues to recognize the ongoing peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP as another venue to negotiate and root out the ongoing civil war being waged by the Filipino people including the national minorities. The armed struggle is rooted in the rotten social system ruled by imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism personified and perpetrated by the reactionary state. It is this system that perpetrates national oppression against national minorities.Thus, we should be vigorous and broaden the national minority people’s movement in propagating the analysis of our situation, and pursue militant and armed struggle for our socio-economic rights and for self–determination.

In this connection, the CPDF urgently issues the following calls:

1. Popularize the 10-Point Program of the CPDF.
2. Concretize this program in every community and set up the CPDF chapters and alliances that shall unite all people to implement the program.
3. Expose the scheme of the ruling class and the reactionary state that continue to landgrab and plunder our ancestral lands, blow militarization, government neglect of public services and welfare, discrimination, corruption and non-recognition of indigenous socio-political systems, and bulgarization and commercialization of cultures.
4. Militantly confront the anti-national minority peoples schemes by mass mobilizations and campaigns from the local up to the national levels.

In the 48 years of leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines, it ably showed its continuous adherence in fighting for the rights of all national minorities for self-determination. There is no other political party more sincere in advancing this right. The CPDF pins its utmost trust that only with the continuing leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines will genuine regional autonomy be achieved under the revolutionary democratic government of the people.

Long live the Communist Party of the Philippines in its 48 years of leadership for advancing the national minority peoples’ movement!

https://www.cpp.ph/invigorate-national-minority-peoples-movement-advancing-right-self-determination/