MILF: IMT-Mindanao Mission 12 conducts First Aid Training for BIAF Medical-Dental Staff

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 2): IMT-Mindanao Mission 12 conducts First Aid Training for BIAF Medical-Dental Staff



A press release by Media Officer of the International Monitoring Team-Mindanao Mission 12 (IMT-Mindanao Mission 12) sent to Luwaran said that Capt (Dr) Wan Nuruddin Shah Bin Wan Johan, Medical Officer of the monitoring team conducted the First Aid Training for medical staff of Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) on 19 April 2017 at the General Headquarters of Medical and Dental Department of BIAF-MILF at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

The objective of the training is to increase knowledge on basic first aid and health awareness of the medical staff of BIAF-MILF. The training was attended by 40 participants from the Medical and Dental Department of BIAF-MILF headed by Mr Najib Gintau.

The training was well participated and very productive. The Medical Officer also distributed medicines and medical supplies to the Medical and Dental Department of BIAF-MILF. The program was a success and will be continued in the future.



http://www.luwaran.net/home/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/1173-imt-mindanao-mission-12-conducts-first-aid-training-for-biaf-medical-dental-staff

MILF: IMT-Mindanao Mission 12 undertakes Confidence Building Measures with a visit at 6th ID, PA Headquarters in Camp Siongco

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 2): IMT-Mindanao Mission 12 undertakes Confidence Building Measures with a visit at 6th ID, PA Headquarters in Camp Siongco



International Monitoring Team-Mindanao Mission 12 (IMT-M 12) have undertaken a Confidence Building Measures (CBM) Program on 21 April 2017 with a visit to the Camp Siongco Military Hospital, 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army at Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao where four (4) wounded in action (WIA) soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were receiving medical treatment resulting from the Law Enforcement Support Operation (LESO) in Barangay Elian, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

The CBM program was attended by the MILF CCCH Chairman, Hon. Butch Malang, the GPH CCCH Chairman, BGen Earl D Baliao AFP, the Head Combine Secretariat of GPH CCCH and GPH AHJAG, Director Carlos T Sol Jr. and the Chief of Staff of the IMT M-12, Col Ayub Khan bin Mohammad Khan of the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces (RMAF) who represented the Head of Mission.

The program was a success where it enhanced the trust between the two parties. It is hoped that this CBM program could be continuously organized by both parties in the future.

MILF CCCH Chair Butch Malang shakes hands with a wounded soldier at Camp Siongco Hospital, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

http://www.luwaran.net/home/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/1172-imt-mindanao-mission-12-undertakes-confidence-building-measures-with-a-visit-at-6th-id-pa-headquarters-in-camp-siongco

CPP/Sine Proletaryo: People's War Bulletin: Lapanday Tactical Offensive

Sine Proletaryo video posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 3): People's War Bulletin: Lapanday Tactical Offensive



People's War Bulletin: Lapanday Tactical Offensive
NPA 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion razes manufacturing plants, seizes 39 firearms in Davao
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyuOAw2Fco0

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/

CPP: Mga hamon sa Partido at sa uring manggagawang Pilipino

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 1): Mga hamon sa Partido at sa uring manggagawang Pilipino



Mensahe ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas sa uring manggagawang Pilipino sa Mayo 1, 2017
Mga hamon sa Partido at sa uring manggagawang Pilipino

Communist Party of the Philippines
1 May 2017

Bilang taliba ng uring manggagawang Pilipino, nakikiisa ang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) sa paggunita sa Pandaigdigang Araw ng Manggagawa. Sa araw na ito, marapat magbalik-tanaw at humalaw ng mga aral sa mahigit isandaantaon ng mga pakikibakang manggagawa upang bigyang-liwanag ang daan ng mga pakikibakang
manggagawa sa mga darating na panahon.

Walang katapusan ang pagdurusa ng masang anakpawis sa ilalim ng malakolonyal at malapyudal na sistema sa Pilipinas at pandaigdigang sistemang kapitalista.
Pasan-pasan nila ang mababang sahod, malawakang disempleyo, tagibang na mga kontrata at mapang-aping kalagayan sa pagtatrabaho. Sa kanayunan, pinagdurusahan
nila ang iba’t ibang anyo ng pyudal at malapyudal na pagsasamantala, kawalan ng lupa at pang-aagaw ng malalaking asendero, plantasyon at mga minahan.

Sumasadsad ang kabuhayan ng masang anakpawis sa harap ng mabilis na pagpaimbulog ng presyo ng pagkain, pamasahe, gamot, matrikula, serbisyong pangkalusugan,
komunikasyon at iba pang pangangailangan. Dumaranas sila ng kahirapan at gutom, kawalan ng disenteng pabahay at kuryente, kakulangan ng malinis na tubig,
laganap na mga sakit at mga epidemya.

Ang masang manggagawang Pilipino ay hinambalos ng apat na dekada ng mga patakarang neoliberal. Upang akitin ang mga dayuhang kapitalistang mamumuhunan, pinigilan ang pagtaas ng sahod ng mga manggagawa, sinupil ang kanilang karapatang mag-unyon at magwelga, pinahahaba ang oras ng paggawa lampas sa dating nakatakdang walong oras kada araw at binaklas ang iba pang mga regulasyon para pangalagaan ang kalusugan at kaligtasan ng mga manggagawa.

Ginamit laban sa mga manggagawa ang Herrera Law, ang Wage Rationalization Act at iba pang mga batas at kautusan na nagbigay-daan sa rehiyunalisasyon ng pagtakda ng sahod (mula sa dating pambansang minimum na sahod), ang sistema ng kontraktwal na paggawa, ang “two-tier” na sistemang pasahod, at maraming iba pa
hakbanging anti-manggagawa.

Lahat ng anti-manggagawang mga hakbanging ito ay pabor sa layunin ng malalaking burgesyang komprador at kanilang mga kasabwat na dayong malalaking kapitalista
na humuthot at magkamal ng tubo mula sa lakas-paggawa ng mga manggagawa. Habang lumaki nang lumaki ang yaman ng mga kapitalista, dumarami naman nang dumarami
ang mga manggagawa at anakpawis na nasadlak sa kahirapan.

Ang lahat ng pangakong pagbabago at kaunlaran ng sunud-sunod na mga rehimen, mula kay Marcos hanggang sa nagdaang rehimeng Aquino, ay pawang mga salitang
pampalubag-loob lamang sa masang anakpawis. Wala pang ipinakikita ang kasalukuyang rehimeng Duterte na naiiba ito sa mga nakaraang rehimen.

Ang sumasahol nang sumasahol na kalagayan ng mga manggagawa sa ilalim ng malakolonyal at malapyudal na sistema ay nagdidiin sa kawastuhan at pangangailangan para sa pambansa-demokratikong pagbabago sa lipunang Pilipino.

IKINALULUGOD NG PARTIDO na iulat sa masang manggagawang Pilipino ang matagumpay na pagdaraos ng Ikalawang Kongreso ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas noong huling kwarto ng 2016. Sa pamamagitan ng Ikalawang Kongreso, ibayong napatatag ang Partido bilang instrumento ng uring manggagawa para sa pamumuno sa rebolusyong Pilipino.

Sa pamamagitan ng Ikalawang Kongreso nito, higit na pinatatag ang Partido at lalong pinanday ang determinasyon at kakayahan nitong pamunuan ang masang
manggagawa at buong sambayanang Pilipino sa landas ng demokratikong rebolusyong bayan sa pamamagitan ng matagalang digmang bayan.

Umiiral ang obhetibong kundisyon para ilang ulit na palakasin ng uring manggagawang Pilipino ang kanilang organisadong hanay at paigtingin ang kanilang mga pakikibaka. Madali silang napupukaw sa pangangailangang manindigan at kumilos para isulong ang kanilang interes at ang pambansa-demokratikong layunin ng buong bayan. Handa nilang harapin ang mga sakripisyo at kahirapan sa pagsisikap na ibalik at higitan ang dating lakas at labanan ang papalalang anyo
ng pagsasamantala at pang-aapi.

Sa tanglaw at inspirasyon ng Ikalawang Kongreso, puspusan nating isulong ang rebolusyonaryong kilusang manggagawa. Hamon sa buong Partido at sa lahat ng mga
manggagawang Pilipino ang sumusunod na tungkulin:

1. Pakilusin ang milyun-milyong manggagawa sa pambansa-demokratikong rebolusyon para wakasan ang mapang-api at mapagsamantalang malakolonyal at malapyudal na
lipunan at ihanda ang kundisyon para sa sosyalistang kinabukasan. Buklurin ang uring manggagawa sa likod ng programa ng Partido para sa pambansang paglaya mula
sa imperyalismong US at para sa panlipunang paglaya sa pamamagitan ng tunay na reporma sa lupa.

2. Puspusang mag-aral ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo, ang ideolohiya ng uring manggagawa na nagtuturo ng maka-uring paninindigan, pananaw at pamamaraan.
Palaganapin ang mga sulating Marxista-Leninista tulad ng Manipestong Komunista at Sahod, Presyo at Tubo para malawakang pag-aralan ng mga manggagawa. Ilunsad
ang mga seminar at grupong talakayan para sa pag-aaral ng proletaryong ideolohiya. Isulong ang kilusang pag-aaral tungkol sa sosyalistang rebolusyon sa
okasyon ng ika-100 taon ng tagumpay ng Rebolusyong Bolshevik sa Russia ngayong Oktubre 24-Nobyembre 7 at kaakibat ng paggunita sa ika-200 taon ng kapanganakan
ni Karl Marx sa Mayo 5, 2018.

3. Malawakang rekrutin ang mga aktibistang manggagawa sa Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas. Kailangang madagdagan ng ilampung libong manggagawa ang kasapian ng Partido sa mga darating na taon upang gampanan ang papabigat na mga responsibilidad sa pamumuno sa demokratikong rebolusyong bayan.

4. Malawak na organisahin ang masang manggagawa, maging ang mga kontraktwal na manggagawa sa mga unyon bilang pangunahing sandata para ipagtanggol ang kanilang mga interes. Buuin ang samahan ng libu-libong mga manggagawa sa mga engklabo at mga pamayanang manggagawa. Isagawa ang mga imbestigasyon sa kalagayan ng mga manggagawa sa mga engklabo at iba pang empresa, ilantad ang iba’t ibang anyo ng pagsasamantala upang pag-alabin ang diwang mapanlaban.

5. Ilunsad ang mga pakikibakang manggagawa sa daan-daang mga pabrika, empresa, mga plantasyon at minahan para sa umento sa sahod at para igiit na gawing
regular ang mga manggagawang kontraktwal. Malawakang ilunsad ang mga welga at iba’t ibang anyo ng pakikibaka ng mga manggagawa para labanan ang iba’t ibang anyo ng papatinding pagsasamantala at pang-aapi sa mga manggagawa.

6. Palakasin ang sama-samang pakikibaka ng masang manggagawa para ibasura ang Herrera Law at iba pang mga batas at kautusang anti-manggagawa. Isigaw ang
pagbabasura sa kontraktwalisasyon. Ipaglaban ang pambansang minimum na sahod at igiit ang umento sa sahod. Labanan ang patakaran ng pagluluwas ng mga
manggagawa. Itaguyod ang karapatan at kagalingan ng mga migranteng manggagawang Pilipino. Singilin ang obligasyon ng estado na tiyaking lahat ay may trabaho.

7. Pag-alabin ang patriyotismo ng masang manggagawa. Ilantad ang dominasyon ng imperyalismong US sa pulitika, militar at dayuhang patakarang panlabas. Ilantad at labanan ang mga base militar at presensya ng mga sundalong Amerikano sa Pilipinas at igiit ang pagbabasura sa mga tagibang na tratadong militar. Ilantad ang kontrol at pagkasangkapan nito sa AFP sa “counter-insurgency” upang supilin ang mga pwersang anti-imperyalista at gamitin ang mga kagamitang pandigmang angkat mula sa US.

8. Itaas ang kamulatang anti-imperyalista ng masang manggagawa. Ilantad at batikusin ang dominasyon ng imperyalismo sa ekonomya, sa pamumuhunan at kalakalan, at sa pagpigil nito ng kaunlaran at pagsulong. Ilantad at batikusin ang dominasyon at kontrol ng mga dayuhang malalaking kapitalista sa mga kasangkapan sa produksyon na gamit para kamkamin ang yaman ng bansa at huthutin ang supertubo mula sa lakas-paggawa ng mga manggagawa.

9. Mahigpit na makipagkaisa sa mga pakikibakang magsasaka. Dapat maging bahagi ng araw-araw na kamulatan ng mga unyon at samahang manggagawa ang pagsuporta sa mga pakikibaka para sa tunay na reporma sa lupa at laban sa iba’t ibang anyo ng pang-aapi sa masang magsasaka. Pakilusin ang libu-libong manggagawa para magtungo sa kanayunan para tumulong sa mga pakikibakang magsasaka. Dapat tuluy-tuloy na ilantad at labanan ang militarisasyon at digmang mapanupil ng AFP laban sa masang magsasaka.

10. Magrekrut ng libu-libong manggagawa para sumapi sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan, ang pinakakonsentradong anyo ng batayang alyansa ng mga uring manggagawa at magsasaka. Kailangang kailangan ng lumalaki at lumalawak na BHB ang bagong mga kumander at mandirigma mula sa uring manggagawa (at petiburgesyang lungsod) upang mamuno sa papalaking mga tungkulin sa pagsulong ng digmang bayan.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170501-mga-hamon-sa-partido-at-sa-uring-manggagawang-pilipino

CPP: On rejection of Gina Lopez as DENR secretary

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 1): On rejection of Gina Lopez as DENR secretary

Communist Party of the Philippines

3 May 2017

(Updated) Considering what is at stake, big bourgeois comprador interests in the mining industry surely mobilized hundreds of millions of pesos and employed their vast political influence to ensure that the Senate’s Commission on Appointments would reject the appointment of environmentalist Gina Lopez as head of the DENR.

With the rejection of Lopez, the Filipino people and their revolutionary forces lost a friend in the GRP in their struggle to defend the environment and the
livelihood of peoples, especially the masses of peasants and national minority peoples. However, as she pursues her advocacy to defend the environment, she will always have a friend in the Filipino people and find common ground with the national democratic movement in the struggle against the plunderers.

Lopez’s rejection only underscores the necessity for the people to rely primarily on their unity and strength in opposing and resisting the entry of mining companies which plunder the country’s patrimony and employ the military and armed groups to oppress the people and their communities.

The Filipino people can always rely on the New People’s Army (NPA) to defend their welfare and interests. The NPA will continue to implement policies of the people’s democratic government and carry out its orders to punish all plunderers and prevent the further destruction of the environment by mining companies and big plantations.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170503-on-rejection-of-gina-lopez-as-denr-secretary

CPP: On Duterte’s May 1 call to occupy oligarchs’ lands

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 1): On Duterte’s May 1 call to occupy oligarchs’ lands

Communist Party of the Philippines

2 May 2017

GRP President Duterte’s May One speech yesterday urging the people to occupy oligarchs’ lands can be seen as a welcome endorsement of the mass actions of
peasants and farm workers demanding genuine land reform. He must, however, be more explicit and forthcoming. The people demand that, beyond mere rhetoric, the GRP president must back up with concrete action his denunciation of the oligarchy.

Without concrete action, Duterte’s May One speech, with its careful use of words and qualifiers, may actually be a less than profound statement merely made to sound grand and important. GRP President Duterte must match his words with actual deeds and put his weight behind the struggle of peasants and farm workers
to occupy their lands in Hacienda Luisita and Lapanday which the oligarch Cojuangcos and Lorenzos insist on controlling, and other such land holdings illegally occupied by big landlords and compradors in various parts of the country.

Just more than a week ago, peasants and farm workers carried out mass actions both in the Cojuangcos’ Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac province and in the Lorenzos’ Lapanday plantation in Tagum City, Davao Oriental. Both were frustrated by the armed and other counter-actions which prevented the claimants from actually occupying their own lands. The masses of peasants and farm workers were disillusioned by the lackluster support of the Duterte regime, despite orders of the Department of Agrarian Reform and its secretary, peasant leader Ka Paeng Mariano. In the case of Lapanday, the local police force was even used by the Lorenzos to prevent the installation of farm workers on their land.

The Filipino people challenge Duterte to name the names of those oligarchs he accuses of holding public lands without paying taxes in billion of pesos. He
must also identify the said public lands which he claims to be illegally occupied by these oligarchs.

The GRP president must further realize that the demand for genuine land reform is not limited to public lands. Land reform is a question of emancipating
millions of peasants from the yoke of land monopolies by big haciendas and plantations devoted to export crops such as bananas and pineapples. Most of
these lands are not public lands but feudal holdings and vast tracts of agricultural land forcibly taken from the peasant masses.

The Party calls on the peasant masses to intensify their struggles to demand the breakup of Hacienda Luisita and all other feudal haciendas as well as the
cancellation of all so-called agribusiness venture agreements which have prevented peasants from controlling their land.

The New People’s Army (NPA) together with Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid (PKM) and other revolutionary mass organizations will continue to
carry out land reform struggles in vast areas in the countryside. They will continue to wage agrarian revolution with the aim of overthrowing the power of
the big landlord class and further broaden the foothold of the emergent people’s democratic government.

A few days ago, units of the New People’s Army (NPA) struck at three facilities of Lapanday as a punitive act for its refusal to hand over control of close to
150 hectares of land owned by 159 beneficiaries of agrarian reform. The NPA will continue to carry out similar actions in the future in support of the peasant
struggles across the country.
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170502-on-dutertes-may-1-call-to-occupy-oligarchs-lands

CPP/NDF-EV: Workers of Eastern Visayas, resist the US Balikatan, lead the people’s democratic revolution towards victory and the socialist perspective!

National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 1): Workers of Eastern Visayas, resist the US Balikatan, lead the people’s democratic revolution towards victory and the socialist perspective!



Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas, Spokesperson
NDFP Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)

1 May 2017

The Filipino people are in solidarity with the workers this International Labor Day. We recognize the working class leadership of the people’s demoratic revolution to overthrow the semifeudal and semi-colonial ruling system and attain national democracy and socialism. Towards this, the Filipino workers need to awaken, organize and mobilize in democratic struggles against almost four decades of imperialist neoliberal offensive. The current US-led Balikatan military exercise in the region underscore the continuing neoliberal agenda. Hence, from this day the workers in the region can thus show to the world their leadership of the continuing militant anti-imperialist tradition of the people of Eastern Visayas.

The Filipino workers suffer from the concentrated attacks of foreign monopoly capital and its comprador big bourgeoisie in the country to prevent their unionizing, job security and decent wages. Just over three percent of Filipino workers are union-organized. The imperialists and their compradors also have long used the Herrera Law and Wage Rationalization Act to enforce contractualization and other flexible employment schemes, deregulate labor standards, and do away with a national minimum wage as well as exerting their utmost to bring down wages.

In the past decades, the workers in the region thus suffered the steepest historical decline in their wages. In 2016. their nominal wage was pegged at ₱260 but their real wage was ₱170, while agricultural workers receive even less at just over ₱150. In 15 years, only ₱101 have been added to the nominal wage. The estimate for a decent wage in 2015 was ₱610 or more than twice the nominal wage.

Under the neoliberal offensive, the workers suffered the worst ever decline in their livelihood, democratic rights and political freedom. It is therefore imperative for all the workers in the region, regular and contractual, to organize themselves to realize their strength in unity. By doing so, they can wage various democratic struggles to restore the economic, social and political rights long denied to them. Through their strike movement, they can effectively demand wage increases and the ending of contractualization. They can also carry out a widespread movement of workers to bring the Duterte government to account for its failed promise to end contractualization.

The workers in the region must also struggle for national industrialization and genuine agrarian reform for economic emancipation from foreign investments and debts. Only by doing so can the Philippines end its economic backwardness and modernize to fulfill the needs of every Filipino. These aims in the NDFP-GRP peace talks must be supported and propagated by the workers.

Through their powerful mass movement, the workers inspire the participation of the petty bourgeoisie ha kasyudaran, especially the youth and students, and other middle forces in the national democratic movement. The democratic mass movements in the urban and rural areas led by the workers and peasants will thus be further invigorated.

The workers must vigorously oppose the current Balikatan war exercises in the region led by the US, the unequal military agreements such as the EDCA and VFA, and the positioning of US troops. These acts of US military intervention are all in behalf of US hegemonic and monopoly capitalist interests in the Philippines and Asia-Pacific.

We thus urge the workers in the region to be at the forefront in resisting the Balikatan, through such propaganda and protest activities as widespread discussion groups, patriotic assemblies and forums, caravans to the military exercise venues, and other mass actions throughout the month of US military intervention.

We call on the workers and the petty bourgeois intellectuals to go to the countryside and join the New People’s Army, support the agrarian revolution, and contribute to the building of democratic political power. Through their much-needed contributions, the people’s war can be assured of advancing to a new and higher level, and revolutionary victory and the socialist perspective realized.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170501-workers-of-eastern-visayas-resist-the-us-balikatan-lead-the-peoples-democratic-revolution-t

CPP/NDF-EV: Rumors over the Abu Sayyaf in EV part of AFP’s conditioning of the public for the Balikatan

National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 1): Rumors over the Abu Sayyaf in EV part of AFP’s conditioning of the public for the Balikatan

Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas, Spokesperson
NDFP Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)

1 May 2017

The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas today said the Armed Forces of the Philippines is conditioning the public to uncritically accept the US Balikatan military exercises by saying the Abu Sayyaf is in Eastern Visayas. “The NDF-EV reassures the public the that areas under the People’s Democratic Government and the watch of the New People’s Army have so far found zero presence of the Abu Sayyaf,” said NDF-EV spokesperson Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas. “We believe the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army is fabricating and hyping reports saying the ports need to be guarded and the Abu Sayyaf have been sighted in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Southern Leyte.

“The said provinces have ever-vigilant revolutionary mass bases and platoons and companies of the New People’s Army, thus the NDF-EV believes the presence of the Abu Sayyaf is highly improbable.”

Fr. Salas also said the only ones who would benefit from talk about the Abu Sayyaf in EV would be the US and the AFP. “These bandits would be incredibly stupid to be in Eastern Visayas where it would be more disadvantageous than advantageous for them in many ways. It would be absurd for the Abu Sayyaf to travel a great distance from its home base in Mindanao toward a region it has never before been, and where the NPA is hostile to and effectively crushes counterrevolutionary and bad elements. Only the US and AFP troops stand to benefit most from keeping the people in a state of fear and uncertainty and thus condition their acceptance of the Balikatan war exercises in the region. Moreover, the Abu Sayyaf is a worn-out bogey for increasing US military intervention and troop presence in the Philippines.

“It serves as the cover story to US meddling in the Balikatan and the ASEAN summit, as well as the burning issues in the internal affairs of the Philippines, especially the NDFP-GRP peace talks and the disputes in the South China Sea related to the US-China inter-imperialist rivalry.”

The NDF-EV spokesperson added the only way the Abu Sayyaf is in the region would be if it is with the AFP. “The US Central Intelligence Agency and the AFP made the Abu Sayyaf in the 1990s to divide the Bangsamoro armed struggle for self-determination. Afterwards, their monster furthered its criminal career into piracy and kidnapping for ransom. But it has long been known the AFP and the Abu Sayyaf remain strange bedfellows. Let us remember the lesson of history about the 8th ID’s very own division commander Gen. Romeo Dominguez in 2001, who was sent to the region from Mindanao because of the raging scandal over his widely believed pay-off by the Abu Sayyaf.

“The NDF-EV thus cautions the people to regard the tale of the Abu Sayyaf in Eastern Visayas as very tall indeed. They must expose and oppose this and other sideshows to the trampling of national soveignty and independence through the Balikatan. They must strengthen their anti-imperialist solidarity, assert national sovereignty and independence, stand for the NDFP-GRP peace talks against the sabotage of the US imperialist and its stooges, and march against the Balikatan to demand the ending of US military intervention in the Philippines.”

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170501-rumors-over-the-abu-sayyaf-in-ev-part-of-afps-conditioning-of-the-public-for-the-balikatan

Dureza expresses alarm over latest attacks by NPAs

From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): Dureza expresses alarm over latest attacks by NPAs

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza on Wednesday said he was dismayed to continued waging of attacks by the New People's Army (NPA) despite efforts made by the Duterte administration to put an end to the almost five-decade of insurgency.

The NPA, the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines -National Democratic Front (NDF) “continue to wage attacks that victimize innocent civilians and inflict damage on the civilian sector,” Dureza said.

“Although a bilateral ceasefire is not yet in place, the public’s common reaction to these incidents questions the sincerity of those whom we talk and deal with across the table. The public also questions their capacity to manage and control their forces on the ground,” Dureza said in a press statement.

According to Dureza, there are even calls now to stop the talks altogether and pursue an all-out military offensive against their armed groups.

“There is no doubt at all that our security forces — the AFP and the PNP — with the support of the civilian communities must and can deal with these contingencies,” he pointed out.

On the other hand, he said, “we who are tasked to seek a peaceful and principled settlement must pursue, with more vigor , these peace engagements with the communist rebels.”

“Our expectation is that our unrelenting efforts in addressing the issues, bridging the ideological divide and finding a common ground may eventually pay off and bring about just, sustainable and enduring peace in the land,” he said.

He admitted that there was no doubt, the task was not easy, taking every necessary step, but they would continue.

“We will not yield in our resolve. We will not be deterred,” he noted.

Peace Panel chairman Secretary Silvestre Bello III said his panel was now preparing for the forthcoming 5th round of talks on May 27 to June 1 in the Netherlands.

The working committees of both sides have been meeting continuously in the country for the purpose.

He said President Duterte’s aspiration is to end this tragedy of Filipinos fighting Filipinos.

“While he boldly deals with those who bring harm to the people, his dream is to bring peace through a just and principled settlement with all rebel groups in the land. Let us all close ranks and stay the course with him,” Bello said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984704

Bomb-carrying man killed

From the Mindanao Times (May 3): Bomb-carrying man killed

DCPO: seized explosive same as EID used in Roxas blast

A SUSPECTED terrorist, said to have transported components of improvised explosive device (IED) into the city, was killed in a shootout with authorities around 3 a.m. yesterday in Barangay Magtuod, Talomo District.

Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director, told TIMES that the IED component recovered from the still unidentified perpetrator was similar to the explosive used in the Roxas Night Market bombing incident that killed 15 and injured 69 others last Sept. 2.

Recovered at the crime scene were one live 60mm mortar shell, detonation cord, two pieces blasting caps, a hand grenade, a .38 pistol with three live rounds and two spent cartridges.

 

Tagum said they could not yet establish the identity of the man or his association to any group. But they are not discounting the possibility that the slain man could either be a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group or Maute Group.

The Maute Group was behind the Roxas Night Market while the ASG has been tagged in several bombing incidents in the country. Recently, a suspected ASG members and Police Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza, the deputy chief of the Crime Laboratory in Davao region, were arrested in Bohol.

Prior to yesterday’s encounter, Tagum said they were alerted on the presence of armed men in the vicinity of Bangkal, Barangay Talomo Proper, Talomo District on Monday night.

Tagum said they received intelligence report that around 6:20 p.m. on Monday, a group of suspicious-looking men boarding a grey Toyota Hilux pick-up with a temporary plate number and a black Honda XRM motorcycle were seen in Bangkal.

A team, composed of members from the DCPO Intelligence Branch and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), was immediately sent to track down the group in Talomo area.

Police spotted a riding-in-tandem and immediately followed them.

When the police operatives flagged down the motorcycle in Magtuod, the back rider disembarked.

However, the man suddenly pulled a gun and fired toward the operatives. This prompted the agents to fire back.

A team from the Regional Crime Laboratory XI, processing the crime scene, declared the suspect dead.

The suspect reportedly sustained multiple gunshot wounds. However, the details on the wounds he sustained were not immediately released.

The responding Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and the K9 teams inspected the backpack found to have been carried by the slain suspect. They recovered the IED components.

The cadaver of the unidentified man was brought to the Angel Funeral Parlor.

Tagum said they are still conducting further validation and intelligence build- up to know the other companions of the slain suspect.

“We continue our focus on these terrorist and criminal acts,” Tagum told reporters during the oath-taking ceremony of community volunteers at the Davao City Recreation Center yesterday (see separate story).

Tagum said the presence of the IED components recovered from the suspect “obviously” shows the terrorists have a plan.

Sr. Insp. Artemio Pabuhot Jr., the platoon leader of the DCPO’s EOD and SWAT team, said the recovered IED has the capacity to explode within a 300-meter range.

Pabuhot said it could be exploded using cellphone detonated or manual device.

 

Tagum said he will propose a stricter and stronger counter measure against terrorist and criminals in the city during the emergency conference.

He also said the heightened alert status in the city remain the effect.

Tagum also encouraged residents to report to the police if they noted suspicious-looking individuals in their community.

 

http://mindanaotimes.net/bomb-carrying-man-killed/

Rebs apologize, offer indemnity to civilian hit by IED

From MindaNews (May 3): Rebs apologize, offer indemnity to civilian hit by IED

The National Democratic Front-Southern Mindanao Region has apologized to the family of a civilian who was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) during an attack on Saturday by the New People’s Army (NPA) on plants owned by Lapanday Foods Corporation in Barangay Mandug.

Larry Buenafe, a fish vendor, was seriously wounded when the rebels detonated the IED on soldiers from Task Force Davao who responded to the attack.

The rebels also offered to give indemnification to Buenafe.

In a statement, NDFP-SMR spokesperson Rubi del Mundo requested third party facilitators like church people, medical practitioners and civil libertarians to facilitate the indemnification.

Citing a report of the the NPA’s 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion, del Mundo said that the rebels carried out the IED attacks against the soldiers in Barangay Tigatto after the NPA unit attacked the LFC box and plastic plants in nearby Barangay Mandug.

“The blaster-operator saw that Mr. Buenafe was far from the target military vehicle and proceeded to detonate the explosives. The shock waves and splinter, however, hit and injured him,” she said.

She said the NDFP-SMR’s order of indemnification was “a unilateral exercise of revolutionary political authority by the People’s Democratic Government that has its own legal and judicial system and rules in accordance with its political principles and circumstances.”

She added the order of indemnification was also in compliance with the Geneva Conventions, the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, among other codes of conduct by the armed movement.

She maintained the movement ha absolute respect for “human rights and international humanitarian law.”

“It is waging a just war for the genuine emancipation of the majority exploited Filipino people. The punitive action by the NPA-Southern Mindanao against the Lorenzo-owned Lapanday Foods Corporation in Davao City is just and long-demanded by the thousands of peasants, Lumad and workers in Mindanao,” she said.

Dismayed

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said he was dismayed by the recent NPA attacks while peace talks are “making substantial headway” but remained optimistic they “will not be deterred” despite calls to drop [the talks] and wage an all-out war.

The NPA attacked three businesses run by the Lorenzo family in the city on April 30, leaving Buenafe and three other persons wounded, Lapanday security guard Reynaldo Talamaque and two NPA fighters.

Two NPA members were killed in the attack.

Although there is no bilateral ceasefire yet, Dureza said the attacks made the public question the sincerity of those with whom they are dealing with across the table and doubted their capacity to manage and control their forces on the ground.

He said there have been calls to scrap the peace negotiations and pursue an all-out military offensive against the NPA rebels, a track pursued by previous governments since the group’s founding in 1969.

While the secretary believes the government forces “can deal with these contingencies” with the support of the civilian communities, he maintained that as negotiators, their task is to pursue the talks.

“Our expectation is that our unrelenting efforts in addressing the issues, bridging the ideological divide and finding a common ground may eventually pay off and bring about just, sustainable and enduring peace in the land,” he said.

He reiterated the task is not easy but assured they will continue.

“We will not yield in our resolve. We will not be deterred,” he said.

Labor Secretary and government chief peace negotiator Silvestre Bello III said they are now preparing for the fifth round of talks scheduled for May 27 to June 1 in the Netherlands.

He said the bilateral teams of the government (GRP) and NDF are working to “arrive at a consensus” on contentious provisions of the proposed Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) and bilateral ceasefire.

He said their respective committees exchanged drafts and held informal bilateral meetings in the country to discuss the contentious provisions as pointed out during the fourth formal GRP-NDF last April 3 to 7 in the Netherlands.

“Ang report sa akin ni (The report to me by) Nani Braganza, who is chairman of the committee on CASER, mukhang magkakasundo na sila (It seems they are agreeing) and they will submit it to the panel for final approval maybe by May 27 to June 1,” Bello said.

He said draft CASER will be presented in the fifth round of talks in Noorwijk aan Zee, The Netherlands on May 26 to June 2, 2017.

http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2017/05/rebs-apologize-offer-indemnity-to-civilian-hit-by-ied/

Feature Story: Army troopers bring health care to the people

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 3): Feature Story: Army troopers bring health care to the people

Once again, a field unit of the Philippine Army (PA) has proven its humanitarian role by extending health care services to the people while providing safety and security to the populace in the countryside.

Through the initiative of the army’s 81st Infantry (SPARTAN) Battalion (81IB), a Civic-Action (CIVAC) program was successfully held on April 26 at its host village, Barangay Bugbuga, Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur.

A total of 266 individuals benefitted from the free medical and dental, operation tuli and gupit. A blood-letting program was also successfully held during the CIVAC.

Lieutenant Colonel Eugenio Julio Osias IV, the commander of the army’s 81st Infantry Battalion, said that the CIVAC Program initiated by his unit was just one way of making the health care providers accessible to the individuals residing in Barangay Bugbuga, Sta Cruz town, and its neighboring villages.

“As we mark our eighth anniversary, we will continue the deeds that will make the people feel that they are loved by their Army,” said Osias.

The three-hour activity yielded 28 individuals who availed the dental services, 18 individuals voluntarily donated blood, 29 underwent circumcision, 141 individuals availed medical consultation, and 50 had their new haircut and soothing massage.

Brigadier General Milfredo M. Meligrito, the commander of the 702nd Infantry Brigade, said the 8eight-year existence of 81IB showed its holistic approach to the people it serves.

“The medical mission that the unit initiated had brought an impact especially to its host village, Barangay Bugbuga,” said Meligrito.

Major General Angelito M. De Leon, the commander of the 7th Infantry Division, assured that the army will continue to serve in any means to create a strong bond especially to the community where the unit situated. “The medical mission was made timely,” said De Leon.

The CIVAC program, one of the pre-anniversary activities of the 81IB, was realized with the support of the volunteers from the Ilocos Sur Provincial Health Office represented by the South Ilocos Sur District Hospital of Tagudin, Sta Cruz Municipal Health Office, Philippine Red Cross- Ilocos Sur, Barangay Bugbuga Council, JCI Candon Gold Leaf, KING and KWEEN Massage Therapy Center, and Philippine Army Finance Center Producers Integrated Cooperative (PAFCPIC).

The activity was sponsored by the Department of Health Region 1, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Sta Cruz, Ilocos Sur, PAFCPIC, PhilUSA Corporation, League of Civil Societies- Ilocos Sur, ACDI, and some OFW from Hong Kong.

The army’s 81IB is a field operation unit of the army’s 702nd Infantry Brigade under the command of the army’s 7th Infantry Division based in Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/381493195853/feature-story-army-troopers-bring-health-care-to-the-people

Puerto Princesa signs commitment to stay alert vs ASG threats

From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): Puerto Princesa signs commitment to stay alert vs ASG threats

A commitment agreement to keep this city safe from threats of the Abu Sayyaf and other communist-terrorist groups was signed here late Tuesday afternoon by various peace and order stakeholders and the leadership of Mayor Luis Marcaida III.

The signing of the commitment was done following a meeting of the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC), a coordination body which plays an important role in maintaining the peace and order in Puerto Princesa.

Marcaida said the commitment holds the Philippine National Police (PNP) office in the city, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Western Command (WESCOM), business sector, barangay officials, religious sector, and Muslim brothers responsible to ensure that none of the communist-terrorist groups would be able to disturb the peace and order situation in Puerto Princesa by being attentive and ready to act against any situation that poses a risk on the lives of residents.

In an interview with Marcaida shortly before nightfall on Tuesday, he said that despite the WESCOM’s confirmation that reports about the presence of armed ASG members were “confirmed negative, it is still better for everyone to be on alert without let up.”

This should be done to protect the contribution of the tourism industry to Puerto Princesa’s economy, especially since it is a tourism destination in the province and the Philippines.

Marcaida said residents living near the coastal areas of the city, as well as fishermen who frequent the sea, are requested to report suspicious-looking individual, groups, or situations like what was done in Bohol immediately to authorities to prevent untoward incidents from happening here.

“We request our residents who live in the coastal areas, our fishermen, to be constantly on alert to report individuals or situations that do not seem to be normal to our authorities as soon as possible, so we can prevent anything that will disturb Puerto Princesa’s peace and order condition,” said Marcaida.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), on the other hand, issued a directive to all barangay officials that they are duty-bound to help ensure that are vigilant in their areas against threats from the ASG and other communist-terrorist groups.

The signing of the commitment was done following reports on the third week of April that alleged armed members of the ASG were spotted in southern Palawan, and after the incident in Bohol.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984522

Davao mayor orders intensified security measures

From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): Davao mayor orders intensified security measures

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Wednesday directed the police and the military to step up security measures in the city after authorities foiled a bomb plot by alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

The mayor urged the police and the military to craft a holistic plan to further ensure the safety and security of people in the city.

On Tuesday, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) tracked down a suspected terrorist. The suspect was killed after shooting it out with police operatives along Magtuod road in Maa, this city. The suspect was identified as alias "Bin Ladin." Two of his companions,identified only as "Saqdat" and "Omar" have escaped the police dragnet.

Aside from the improvised explosive device, police operatives also recovered from Bin Ladin a hand grenade, detonation cord, two pieces of blasting caps and a cal. 38 pistol.

"I told them to come up with a holistic plan to address the concern of terrorism and to ensure that the people are safe," the mayor said.

Based on their investigation, DCPO director Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum said the suspect came from either Basilan or Sulu.

Benito De Leon, chief of the Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center, said the mayor wants a review of the city’s security protocol to prevent similar incidents in the future.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984672

More Abu Sayyaf bandits seen to yield due to intensified military operations

From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): More Abu Sayyaf bandits seen to yield due to intensified military operations

The military commander in the island province of Sulu is confident "that more members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) will surrender to government authorities."

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana Jr., commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, on Wednesday said "there are indicators the ASG is now feeling the heat" of the intense military operations against them

“As we speak, there is fighting ongoing,” Sobejana told the Philippines News Agency, but he declined to give details as "this might affect their operations."

The military has intensified its intelligence operation and launched “focused military operations” against the Abu Sayyaf, a "precise tactical offensive" to ensure the safety its more than 20 hostages and to prevent collateral damages.

Last week, two followers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan surrendered to the authorities amid intense military operations.

Sobejana identified them as Udon Hashim and Haidal Kimar. They also surrendered their high-powered assault rifles.

There are about 18 ASG members who surrendered to the military since January this year, following the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to finish off the ASG within six months.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984678

Army steps up intelligence gathering in Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): Army steps up intelligence gathering in Samar

The Philippine Army here has stepped up intelligence gathering in Eastern Visayas after the foiled attack by the New People’s Army (NPA) at an army detachment in Hilomot village, San Jose de Buan, Samar.

Major Gen. Raul Farnacio, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said the attack on Monday dawn is alarming since it took place just five kilometers away from the town center.

At least three armed rebels were killed during the clash while five soldiers were hurt.

Government troops recovered a high powered firearm and grenade. A day after the attack, soldiers found 10 kilograms of explosives near the camp and subversive documents.

“I ordered our soldiers to intensify their intelligence operation to prevent similar attacks. This was a large scale and a well-planned attack; however, the army unit foiled such attempt because of some information given by civilians,” Farnacio said.

Hot pursuit operation against withdrawing rebel troops is still ongoing, concentrating in the mountainous areas of San Jose de Buan town, some 70 kilometers from this city, the provincial capital.

San Jose de Buan is a 4th class town in Samar province with a population of 7,769 people living in 14 villages.

Samar is known to be one of the hotbeds of armed rebels in the country. Several encounters between the army and NPA have been reported in Samar in the past years.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984685

China to work with ASEAN countries for full implementation of DOC

From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): China to work with ASEAN countries for full implementation of DOC

China is willing to work with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman has said.

In his regular press conference Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said China is also willing to deepen maritime practical cooperation to arrive at a code of conduct (COC) “based on consensus at an early date”.

”According to the work plan, China and ASEAN countries will finish consultation on the draft framework of the COC in the first half of this year,” Geng told the media.

On the occasion of ASEAN’s 50th anniversary this year, Geng said China will support important consensus in building the ASEAN community, maintaining centrality in regional cooperation and playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.

”We congratulate it (ASEAN) on its achievements in growth, commend it for its contribution to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity,” he said.

”We believe ASEAN will make greater progress under the concerted efforts of the Philippines as the rotating chair and other ASEAN countries.”

Geng said China took note of the statement of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as chair of the 30th ASEAN Summit held last weekend in Manila.

”We have also noted what was mentioned in the chairman's statement about the South China Sea,” he said.

In the final version of the chairman’s statement, President Duterte said the ASEAN countries have reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and over-flight in the South China Sea.

The ASEAN leaders have also underscored the importance of the full and effective implementation of the DOC “in its entirety”.

Geng said the joint efforts of the ASEAN countries have "cooled down" the situation in the South China Sea.

”The situation in the South China Sea has since last year stabilized, thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, including the Philippines. It serves the common interests of all countries in the region,” the Chinese official said.

He said the 30th ASEAN summit reconfirmed the positive changes in the South China Sea where other ASEAN countries, such as Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam, have territorial claims.

”Going forward, the Chinese side will continue to properly address the South China Sea issue with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation and create an enabling atmosphere for the sound and steady growth of China-Philippines relations and all-round progress in bilateral practical cooperation," he said.

Geng further noted that the concerted efforts made by both Philippines, under President Duterte, and China, under President Xi Jinping, have resulted in the “overall improvement” of the two countries' bilateral relationship.

”Practical cooperation has fully unfolded, producing remarkable results and bringing tangible benefits to people of both countries. It fully proves that good neighborliness and friendly cooperation is the right choice in the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples,” the official said.

President Duterte is set to return to Beijing to attend the Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation on May 14-15, eight months after his first visit in October last year that revived the Philippines-China relations amid the South China Sea issue.

Geng, meanwhile, described President Duterte’s visit to the Chinese naval vessel that docked in Davao City last Sunday as a show of “growing political mutual trust” between the Philippines and China.

”The Chinese side will work with the Philippine side to continue to strengthen mutual trust, properly handle the issue of the South China Sea, deepen practical cooperation and push for the sustained, sound and steady growth of the bilateral relationship for the benefit of the two peoples,” Geng said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984561

PHL urges China not to resort to threat, force to settle WPS dispute

From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): PHL urges China not to resort to threat, force to settle WPS dispute

The Philippine government continues to urge China to refrain from the threat or use of force towards Filipino fishermen in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

This, even as the Chinese side has informed the Philippines that investigations did not reveal any reported harassment incidents.

“We have asked them to continue the investigations and to share the results with Philippine authorities,” said acting Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Robespierre Bolivar in a statement.

It was reported that Chinese coast guard had harassed Filipino fishermen near the Union Bank in the West Philippine Sea last March.

Several countries have made competing claims over parts or all of South China Sea, including China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984633

AFP right on track in eliminating ASG threat

From the Philippine News Agency (May 3): AFP right on track in eliminating ASG threat

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday expressed confidence that it is capable of meeting the six-month deadline imposed by Gen. Eduardo Año in eliminating the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) during his assumption of command last December.

"The AFP is right on track. We have achieved important milestones through deliberate military action backed by intense stakeholder engagements. Besides the neutralization of key terrorist leaders and other lawless elements, the number of firearms and IED (improvised explosive devices) recovered as well as the increasing number of surrenderees and those sending word of wanting to do so is a significant indicator that demoralization has seeped into the enemies ranks," said AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

He was referring to the neutralization of ASG sub-leaders Muamar Askali alias "Abu Rami" and Alhabsy Misaya during focused military operations in Bohol and Sulu last April and massive numbers of surrenderees and their firearms in the Western Mindanao area during the past few weeks.

"And it won't be long before we see their demise. All the AFP needs to do is see through the completion of its plans against these bandits," he added.

During Año's assumption as AFP chief, he ordered all military units to focus on the elimination of the ASG especially those assigned in the Western Mindanao area.

He added no efforts will be spared in the allocation of personnel and equipment so that the bandit group will be totally eliminated.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/984666