CPP/RC-IC/ROCNPA-IC: The three unarmed CPP-NPA comrades killed in Baguio city are war crime victims of tyrant Duterte and his fascist AFP-PNP forces!

Region Committee/Regional Operations Command New People's Army-Iocos Cordillera propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 20, 2020): The three unarmed CPP-NPA comrades killed in Baguio city are war crime victims of tyrant Duterte and his fascist AFP-PNP forces!

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

KOMITENG REHIYON

ILOCOS CORDILLERA

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND

ILOCOS-CORDILLERA REGION

MARCH 20, 2020

The Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the Regional Operational Command (Chadli Molintas Command) of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the Ilocos-Cordillera Region (ICR) vehemently condemn the ruthless murder of Comrades Julius Soriano Giron, Ma Lourdes Denero Tangco, and Arvie Alarcon Reyes. Such cold-blooded carnage by Philippine state security forces is a war crime and a clear violation of the articles of war and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), signed by both the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panels on March 16, 1998, and approved and signed by both Negotiating Panels’ corresponding principals, NDFP Chairperson Mariano Orosa and GRP President Joseph E. Estrada on April 10, 1998 and August 7, 1998, respectively. Hence, the revolutionary mass movement petitions urgently the creation of an international fact finding mission to investigate the heinous butchery as an added case to the war crimes against humanity already filed to the International Criminal Court (ICC) against President Duterte and his lawless army and police commanders.

The three (3) unarmed comrades were mercilessly slaughtered by the joint operatives from the Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) forces inside a residential house at 3:30 AM, March 13, at Hamada Subdivision in Barangay Queen of Peace, Baguio City. To cover up their war crimes, the army units from the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) and the PNP troopers – who came from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR), and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) – created an imaginary story, well publicized in print media and broadcasted in TV channels and radio stations nationwide. They deceitfully claimed that they were serving arrest and search warrants from the National Capital Judicial Region, signed by a certain 2nd Vice Executive Judge Ferdinand Baylon. They added a byline lie that the 3 resisted arrest, ensuing a firefight that resulted to their death.

However, the Baguio General Hospital (BGH) medico-legal crew and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) initially told that the 3 were fired at close-range. Comrade Julius had 7 wounds and the most fatal shots were on his head. Comrade Ma Lourdes got 6 bullets, again with gunshots that cracked her head. And Comrade Arvie had 4 bullets on his chest.
Comrade Julius Soriano Giron is the second NDFP peace consultant, cold-bloodedly butchered by the US-Duterte Regime (USDR). The first was NDFP peace consultant Randy Felix Malayao, shot dead by Duterte’s assailant inside a bus in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya at 2 o’clock in the morning of January 30, 2019. These slaying episodes concretely prove the insincerity of autocrat Duterte as regards the peaceful resolution to the armed conflict.

In reality and through Executive Order 70, signed on December 4, 2018, dictator Duterte has already killed the peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP by directing his pro-US imperialist army and police forces to implement his “Whole-of-Nation Approach” (WONA) whose main objective is to “End Local Communist Armed Conflict” (ELCAC). But like other counter-insurgency operation plans by past fascist regimes, WONA-ELCAC will certainly fail again because it does not at all and will never address the root causes of the intensifying armed conflict. It outrightly conceals the fact that US imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism are the continuing three (3) root causes of the people’s war being launched nationwide by the NPA, the revolutionary army of the exploited and oppressed Filipino people.

Tyrant Duterte’s WONA-ELCAC is definitely enflaming the Filipino masses to arm themselves and join the NPA in the intensifying people’s war for national liberation and people’s democracy. The exploited and oppressed classes more and more realize that armed revolutionary resistance is necessary, just and legitimate to liberate themselves from Duterte’s rampant fascism, corruption, plunder, repression and abuses in order to achieve a just and lasting peace. They more and more recognize that just and lasting peace can only be attained by firming up the people’s democratic power to overthrow the USDR and establish a truly democratic government that genuinely serves the Filipino people’s interests and advances the agrarian revolution and national industrialization in order to lay the foundations of a Philippine socialist society.

The deaths of some revolutionaries due to the murderous fascist state – like what has happened to Comrades Julius Soriano Giron, Ma Lourdes Denero Tangco, and Arvie Alarcon Reyes – do not lead to the death of the Philippine revolution, but rather nourish the seeds of revolution to grow to plenty of gigantic trees for the unceasing creation of a robust forest among the Filipino masses. SOME TREES MAY DIE BUT THE FOREST CONTINUES TO GROW WIDER AND LIVE FOREVER!



https://cpp.ph/statement/the-three-unarmed-cpp-npa-comrades-killed-in-baguio-city-are-war-crime-victims-of-tyrant-duterte-and-his-fascist-afp-pnp-forces/

CPP/RCTU-ST: Diktadura ang tugon ng pasistang Duterte sa lumalalang krisis panlipunan

Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions-Southern Tagalog (RCTU-ST) propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 20, 2020): Diktadura ang tugon ng pasistang Duterte sa lumalalang krisis panlipunan

FORTUNATO MAGTANGGOL

RCTU-ST

REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL OF TRADE UNIONS

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

MARCH 20, 2020

Sa harap ng kalamidad at krisis pang-ekonomiya, lockdown at kamay-na-bakal na solusyon ang sagot ng pasistang si Duterte.

Ibinandera niya noong Marso 11 ang kanyang pasistang hangarin: kontrolin ang pagpasok at paglabas ng tao sa Maynila, ipakulong ang kabataang lumalabas at gumagala, pahirapan ang masisipag ngunit dahop na manggagawa. Ngunit, napatunayang ang palabrang enhanced community quarantine sa buong Luzon ay lockdown sa katotohanan, mula pa mismo sa bulok na bibig ni Duterte.

Resulta ito ng higit na pagpapasahol ng reaksyunaryong rehimen ni Duterte sa krisis ng neoliberalistang rehimen sa Pilipinas. Itinulak na magtrabaho sa NCR ang malaking bilang ng mga manggagawa dahil sa malalang disbalanse ng sahod sa iba’t ibang mga rehiyon. Barat pa rin sa umento sa sahod kahit na matindi na ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin sa buong bansa.

Mas naging matingkad ang kalagayang ito nang pumutok ang Bulkang Taal. Naging inutil ang pasistang si Duterte sa pag-abot ng tulong sa mga naapektuhan, karamihan ay mga manggagawa at magsasaka. Nanaig ang pagkakaisa ng sambayanang Pilipino upang makaluwag ang mamamayan sa nakasusulasok na kahirapan.

Nang maglunsad ng biglaang lockdown sa paligid ng bulkan, naging pahirap ang rehimen sa mga magsasakang hindi makapagpakain ng kanilang mga hayop. Umabot pa ng halos dalawang buwan ang paglalabas ng calamity fund para sa mga naapektuhan. Nananatili ang banta ng pagpapalayas sa mga mangingisda at magsasakang walang pamamaraan ng hanapbuhay labas sa Volcano Island.

Sa harap ng epidemya ng Corona Virus Disease-2019, parehong naging mabagal ang naging pagtugon sa krisis at sa halip militaristang solusyon ang tugon nito. Sa halip na suportahan ang pananaliksik ng mga siyentistang Pilipino, hinayaan niya pa ito at umasa pang makakuha ng pautang galing China.

Kahit ang inutil na dating Kalihim ng DOH na si Janette Garin ay walang sampalataya sa kakayahan at kagalingan ng siyentistang Pilipino. Nilagyan pa niya ng pagdududa ang resulta ng siyentipikong pananaliksik ng ating mga dalubhasa, ngunit mistulang nais lamang makakuha ng kotong sa mga imported at pinatungan ng malaking halaga na mga test kit.

Hanggang ngayon, limitado lamang sa mga nakabibisita sa mamahalin at pribadong mga ospital ang mga naitalang kaso ng CoVID-19. May ilan pang mga istorya ng paghihigpit ng mga ospital sa mga may mga sintomas na at hinihinalang may CoVID-19. Sa matinding kakulangan ng mga test kits at mga manggagawang pangkalusugan dulot ng kawalan ng suporta ng reaksyunaryong gobyerno, tiyak na ilang beses na mas mataas pa sa 111 ang kumpirmadong kaso ng CoVID-19 sa bansa.

Anti-maralita ang “enhanced community quarantine”. Hinihimok pa ng Department of Trade and Industry ang mga manininda at mala-manggagawa na magtrabaho na lamang sa labas ng Metro Manila upang mapagpatuloy ang kanilang hanapbuhay. Ngunit, malamang ay hindi na sila muling payagang bumalik sa kanilang panirahan, mawala man ang CoVID, at sagpangin ang panahon para sa malawakang demolisyon ng maralitang komunidad.

Tinutulak naman ang mga manggagawang mula pa sa Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, at Rizal na manirahan muna sa NCR upang hindi maging abala ang araw-araw na inspeksyong aabutin tiyak ng siyam-siyam. Ngunit, wala namang sinisiguradong proteksyon ang DTI o ang DOLE para sa tiyak na pagkalugi ng mga manggagawang gagastos pa para sa pansamantalang panirahan.

Dagdag pa, walang anumang paghimok ang DOLE sa mga kapitalista na bigyan ng kaukulang mga kagamitan o tulong medikal ang mga manggagawang araw-araw na nasa risgong mahawa ng CoVID.

Sa pangangarap ng isang pambansang diktadura, isinantabi na ni Duterte at ng kanyang mga alipores na kakalat at kakalat ang coronavirus hanggang may tao itong makakapitan at mapaparamihan, kontrolado man o hindi ang kanyang kilos at galaw.

Pinakikilos ng reaksyunaryong gobyerno ang AFP at PNP upang palitawing nakokontrol nila ang sitwasyon. Ngunit kahit sila ay kulang na kulang sa safety equipment, at sukbit pa rin ang mga baril at kagamitang militar sa mga inspeksyon. Sila rin mismo ay magiging tagapagpalaganap ng virus na nais nilang ikontrol.

Pasista, inutil at buktot na pag-iisip lamang ang mananaig sa isang buwang pagsasara sa Metro Manila. Ayon mismo kay Gen. Debold Sinas, arkitekto ng Oplan Sauron sa Negros at ngayo’y hepe ng NCR Police Office, aarestuhin nila ang sinumang hindi sumunod sa mga patakarang ipinapataw ng mangyayaring lockdown.

Sa gayon, anti-mamamayan ang mangyayaring lockdown: isang pailalim na crackdown. Ipinopronta ni Duterte ang isang pambansang health emergency bilang dress rehearsal para sa pinapangarap na pambansang Batas Militar. Mahihinuha na sa mga deklarasyon ng mga ahensya ng reaksyunaryong gobyerno na labas sa pagkontrol ng galaw ng bawat tao sa Metro Manila, nais na rin nilang ipataw ang kalagayang katulad ng Batas Militar noong 1972.

Nakikiisa ang RCTU-NDF-ST sa lahat ng mga manggagawa’t maralitang tiyak na maapektuhan ang kalusugan at kabuhayan ng patuloy na paglaganap ng CoVID-19. Dapat lamang na mag-ingat ang lahat upang maiwasang magkasakit.

Kahit na malaki ang tyansang gumaling ang isang taong may CoVID-19, malulugi naman sa napakalaking gastusin ang taumbayan. Kontraktwal na nga ang hanapbuhay, pribado pa ang serbisyong pangkalusugan at panlipunan.

Sa panahon ng krisis, lantad ang reaksyunaryong rehimen ni Duterte sa kriminal na pagpapabaya sa kalagayan at kapakanan ng mamamayan. Dapat tayong magkaisa bilang isang uri kung paano natin haharapin ang panibagong delubyo sa ating kalusugan at kabuhayan.

Sa bawat araw na lumilipas, lalo lamang na nalalantad ang kainutilan at kabuktutan ng pasistang rehimen ni Duterte. Ito na ang pinakamasahol at pinakabuktot na reaksyunaryong rehimeng kinakatawanan ng mga pinakabulok na elemento ng naghaharing-uri.

Sa matinding kapabayaan at kabulukan, walang ibang kahihinatnan si Duterte at ang kanyang mga alipores kundi ang pagpapabagsak sa kanila ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Kung diktadura ang tugon ni Duterte sa lumalalang krisis panlipunan, ang ating pinakamahusay na panapat ay ang pagsulong ng digmang bayan. #

https://cpp.ph/statement/diktadura-ang-tugon-ng-pasistang-duterte-sa-lumalalang-krisis-panlipunan/

CPP/RC-ST: Alok na Tigil-Putukan ni Duterte sa Harap ng Krisis ng Covid-19

Region Committee-Southern Tagalog (RC-ST) propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 20, 2020): Alok na Tigil-Putukan ni Duterte sa Harap ng Krisis ng Covid-19

KOMITENG REHIYON

TIMOG KATAGALUGAN

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

MARCH 20, 2020

Sa harap ng krisis na iniluwal ng pandemic ng Covid-19 sa bansa, isa lamang ang maaaring gawin ng rehimeng Duterte upang bumaba ang antas ng mga sagupaan sa pagitan ng NPA at mersenaryong AFP at PNP. Kailangan lamang atasan ng rehimen ang AFP at PNP na iatras ang mga pwersa nito na nagsasagawa ng focus military operations sa mga larangang gerilya upang ituon ang pansin sa pagharap sa epidemya ng Covid-19.

Hindi kinakailangan ng isang pormal na ceasefire para matigil o mabawasan ang antas ng mga labanan. Ang agresibong pananalakay ng AFP at PNP na nagsasagawa ng mga operasyong kombat sa mga larangang gerilya ng NPA ang sanhi ng mga nagaganap na sagupaan. Ang NPA na nasa estratehikong depensiba ay obligadong magtanggol sa sarili at ipagtanggol ang masa laban sa pamiminsala ng mga pasistang tropa.

Kung seryoso ang rehimen na lutasin at pigilan ang paglawak ng impeksyon ng epidemya ng Covid-19, dapat nitong isuspinde ang mga focus military operation sa buong bansa para maituon ng lahat—kabilang ang armadong rebolusyonaryong kilusan at rebolusyonaryong base nito—ang nagkakaisang pagharap at paglaban sa epidemya.

Sa pangmatagalan, dapat seryosohin ng rehimeng Duterte ang muling pagpapatuloy ng usapang pangkapayapaan sa NDFP upang lutasin ang mas pundamental na ugat sa armadong tunggalian sa bansa. Dapat nang magising ang rehimeng US-Duterte sa ilusyon na magtatagumpay ang mga pinakanang lokalisadong usapang pangkapayapaan at militaristang solusyon ng EO 70 at TF-ELCAC sampu ng mga pasistang batas na pinapakana ng Kongreso. ###



https://cpp.ph/statement/alok-na-tigil-putukan-ni-duterte-sa-harap-ng-krisis-ng-covid-19/

CPP/NDF-ST: PdG: Hinggil sa patakarang lockdown ng NCR

NDF-Southern Tagalog (ST) propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 20, 2020): PdG: Hinggil sa patakarang lockdown ng NCR

PATNUBAY DE GUIA

NDF-SOUTHERN TAGALOG

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

MARCH 20, 2020

Matapos umani ng kabi-kabilang batikos mula sa taumbayan dahil sa malubhang kapabayaan, pagiging inutil at makupad na pagtugon ng pasistang rehimeng US-Duterte na sansalain at kontrolin ang mabilis na paglawak sa bansa ng nakamamatay na Covid-19, bumaling naman ang gubyernong Duterte sa kamay-na-bakal, drastiko at dali-daling hakbang na ipailalim sa lockdown o sa pinagandang tawag na community quarantine ang buong Metro Manila. Sa nasabing hakbang, walang makakapasok at makalalabas sa Metro-Manila na mga sasakyang panlupa, panghimpapawid at pandagat mula Marso 15, 2020 hanggang Abril 14, 2020. Lilimitahan din ang paggalaw at aktibidad ng mga mamamayan sa loob ng Metro Manila.

Pangunahing maaapektuhan ng hakbang na ito ang mga mahihirap at ordinaryong mamamayan na umaasa sa arawang kita o trabaho sa mga pabrika, malalaking tindahan at kainan, malls, malalaking groserya at supermarkets. Ganundin ang mga kumikita mula sa pagtitinda sa mga palengke at bangketa, mga nasa konstruksyon, drivers at konduktor, mga odd jobbers at marami pang iba.

Habang kinakailangan ang mga drastikong solusyon para kontrolin ang mabilis na paglaganap ng nakahahawa at nakamamatay ng Covid-19, dapat itong gawin nang may syentipiko at medikal na pagsipat. Maaaring gawin bilang isa lamang sa kinakailangang opsyon ang “pahihiwalay” sa buo-buong populasyon at erya na nakakaranas na ng epidemya nang sa gayon pigilan, sawatain at kontrolin ang pagkalat ng epidemya sa iba pang mga karatig na lugar. Ngunit dapat na ipauna palagi ng gubyernong Duterte kung papaano poproteksyunan at tutugunan ang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan ng taumbayan tulad ng pagkain, suportang serbisyo, pambayad sa pagpapatingin sa doktor, suporta sa gastusing medikal sa mga nahawa at nagpositibo sa Covid-19 lalo sa populasyong nasasaklaw ng lockdown.

Dapat tiyakin ng gubyerno na libre ang Covid-19 testing para sa lahat ng populasyon upang maaagang madiskubre kung nagkaroon ng infection. Kung hindi ito libre, ang may kakayahan lang na magbayad ang magkakaroon ng akses sa Covid testing.

Sa Vietnam, bilang halimbawa, sinusubsidyuhan ng gubyerno ang pangangailangan sa pagkain at iba pang batayang pangangailangan ng mamamayan na hindi makapagtrabaho at ibinibigay nang libre ng gubyerno ang kinakailangang suportang medikal sa testing at mga nagkasakit/nahawahan ng Covid-19. May mga pasilidad din itinayo ang Vietnam para makaiwas sa Covid-19 tulad ng mga sterilezation at sanitization room sa mga mataong lugar para sa populasyon at manlalakbay.

Ang social distancing ay isang impraktikal na solusyon at hindi makapipigil sa paglaganap ng Covid-19 sa loob ng mga eryang ipapailalim sa lockdown dahil sa hindi nito inaalis ang pagkakaroon ng ugnayan at interaksyon ng mga tao.

Samantala, ginagamit ng rehimeng Duterte ang epidemya ng Covid-19 upang lumikha ng isterya sa mamamayan para maging katanggap-tanggap sa opinyong publiko ang presensya ng mga armadong militar at pulis sa mga ititayong checkpoint—isang dress rehearsal para sa isang di deklaradong batas militar.

Higit pa, sinasamantala ng rehimen ang isteryang nililikha ng Covid-19 sa mamamayan upang magpatupad ng pasistang mga solusyon tulad ng lockdown, community quarantine at social distancing. Pinalulutang ang pagpapatupad ng curfew at banta ng mga pag-aresto sa mamamayang susuway sa mga pasistang kautusang ito.

Sa halip na mga kwalipikadong medical personnel ang magbantay sa mga checkpoint na inaasistehan lamang ng mga militar at pulis para sa pagmonitor ng daloy ng trapiko at mga taong posibleng nahawa ng Covid-19, mabigat na presensya ng mga armaduhang militar, pulis at mga tanke ang nakahambalang sa mga checkpoint na walang medical protective gear laban sa virus.

Sa esensya, laban sa maralita at mga manggagawa ang pasistang solusyon ng rehimeng Duterte. Wala sa plano ng rehimen kung papaano tutugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga maralita at manggagawa na mawawalan at madidisloka ang kabuhayan dahil sa kautusang lockdown, community quarantine at flexible work scheme. Walang plano ang rehimen paano titiyakin ang akses sa serbisyong medikal at Covid-19 testing ng populasyon lalo sa mga komunidad ng mga manggagawa at maralita.

Sa kabilang banda, mga maliliit at katamtamang laking mga negosyo ang mas tatamaan ng pagsasara ng kautusang lockdown samantalang patuloy na papaboran ang malalaking negosyo ng iskemang flexible work day habang walang obligasyon na gastusan at maglaan ng pondo para sa proteksyon ng mga manggagawa na magkakasakit ng Covid-19.

Ang mga pasistang solusyon at kamay-na-bakal na patakaran na ipinatutupad ng rehimen sa tabing ng “kinakailangang hakbang sa pagsawata sa epidemya ng Covid-19” ay pagkukundisyon sa mamamayan para sa papalaking presensyang militar at pulis tungo sa lantad na paghaharing militar.

Mahigpit na kaisa ang National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Southern Tagalog (NDFP-ST) ng mamamayang Pilipino sa panawagan at paggigiit sa gubyernong Duterte na maglaan ng pondo bilang subsidyo sa pagkain, paglaban sa Covid-19 at sa iba pang batayang pangangailangan ng mga mahihirap nating mga kababayan na tuwiran at di tuwirang tatamaan ng lockdown sa Metro Manila. Dapat malaman ni Duterte, na sa panahon ng mga sakuna at kalamidad at sa ilalim ng State of Public Health Emergency na kanyang idineklara, ang kapakanan ng mga mahihirap, walang mga kakayanan at mga pinakabulnerableng sektor ng ating lipunan ang dapat unang binibigyan ng proteksyon at pagkalinga ng gubyerno.

Hindi lamang ang mga mamamayan sa Metro Manila ang tuwirang maapektuhan ng patakarang lockdown kundi maging mga kababayan natin na nasa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa.

Sa kalakhang Maynila ang pangunahing bagsakan ng mga produktong agrikultural, isdang alat at tabang at iba pang aquatikong produkto na mula sa rehiyong Timog Katagalugan. Ano ang maitutulong ng gubyerno kapalit ng mawawalang kita ng mga byahero ng mga kalakal dahil sa nangyayaring lockdown sa Kamaynilaan?

Araw araw dumaraan sa kalakhang Maynila ang daang libong mga sasakyang panlupa na naghahatid sa milyong mga kababayan natin papuntang Hilaga mula sa Timog at ganundin pabalik. Maluwag ba silang makakaraan ng kalakhang Maynila nang walang malaking abala? Paano naman ang mga nasa milyong bilang na naninirahan sa rehiyong Timog Katagalugan na nagtatrabaho sa kalakhang Maynila? May aasahan ba silang tulong mula sa gubyerno sa mawawala o mababawas sa kanilang kita sakaling magpatupad ang kanilang mga pinapasukang kumpanya ng pagbawas sa araw ng pagtatrabaho, ng compressed working day o temporary shutdown? May gagawin bang hakbang ang gubyerno para ipag-utos sa mga pribadong kumpanya na bayaran pa rin nang buo ang buwanang sahod na natatanggap ng mga manggagawa kahit nabawasan ng oras o araw ang kanilang pagtatrabaho dahil sa umiiral na lockdown? Papanig ba ang gubyerno sa mga manggagawa sa paglaban sakaling gamitin ng mga kapitalista ang isyu ng lockdown sa kalakhang Maynila para tuwirang magbawas ng mga regular na manggagawa, di pagbabayad ng overtime, gamitin sa union busting at kaltasan ang mga benipisyong dapat tanggapin ng mga manggagawa?

Ito ang mga katanungan na dapat may malinaw at kongkretong tugon ang rehimeng Duterte.

Malaki ang posibilidad na lumawak ang saklaw ng lockdown sa kalakhang Maynila at umabot ito sa ilang probinsya sa rehiyong Timog Katagalugan na kagyat na kanugnog ng kalakhang Maynila. Mas malaki ang populasyon ng rehiyong Timog Katagalugan kumpara sa kalakhang Maynila at narito din sa rehiyon ang konsentrasyon ng malaking bilang ng populasyon ng mga manggagawa sa buong Pilipinas. Kailangang igiit at ipanawagan ng mamamayan ng rehiyon sa kani-kanilang lokal na pamahalaan ang agarang paglalaan ng pondo, bilang subsidyo sa mga maaapektuhan ng pagkalat ng Covid-19 at sa posibilidad na magpatupad ng lockdown sa ilang bahagi ng rehiyon. Dapat ngayon pa lamang ay mayroon nang mga nakahandang pondong pangsubsidyo, mga gamot, libreng testing kit, mga pasilidad at sapat na tauhan ang mga lokal na gubyerno para sa pagharap at paglaban sa Covid-19.

Samantala, nananawagan ang pamunuan ng NDFP-ST sa lahat ng kasaping organisasyon nito sa rehiyon na tumulong sa pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon hinggil sa nakamamatay na Covid-19. Gumawa ng mga nakasulat na gabay na magtuturo sa mamamayan ng rehiyon, lalo na ang walang akses sa dyaryo at telebisyon, kung paano makakaiwas na mahawaan ng virus. Turuan sila ng mga hakbangin upang maiwasang makahawa sa iba sakaling makaramdam ng mga sintomas at palatandaan ng Covid-19. At, turuan ang masa kung paano maagap at mabilis na maampat ang pagkalat ng nakahahawa at nakamamatay na virus.

Dapat na ilantad, kondenahin at labanan ang pakana ni Duterte na gamitin ang krisis ng Covid-19 para ipataw ang lantarang batas militar sa bansa. Desperado na si Duterte. Hindi malayong gawin ni Duterte ang lockdown ng kalakhang Maynila bilang ensayo sa bisperas ng pagpapataw ng lantarang pasistang paghahari sa buong bansa para maisulong ang kanyang mga pasistang adhikain.

Kailangang paghandaan, puspusang ilantad at labanan ang imbing pakana ng pasistang rehimeng US-Duterte na gamitin ang isyu ng Covid-19 bilang kober sa patraydor na pag-atake sa kilusang rebolusyonaryo, sa mga progresibong grupo, sa mga kritiko at lahat ng lumalaban sa kanyang tiwali at pasistang paghahari sa rehiyon. Maaring samantalahin ni Duterte ang sitwasyon kung saan nakatuon ang pansin ng publiko at mga mamamahayag sa Covid-19 para ilusot ang kanyang mga itim na balak ng maramihang pagpatay (extra judicial killings), mga iligal na pag-aresto at pagpapakulong batay sa mga inimbentong kaso at pagtatanim ng ebidensya at iba pang mga mararahas at mapanupil na hakbang upang pilayin at patahimikin ang mga pinaghihinalaan niyang kaaway ng estado.

Ang isyu ng Covid-19 at banta ng ektensyon ng lockdown hanggang sa ating rehiyon at iba pang panig ng bansa ay gagamitin ng pasistang estado laban sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan at mamamayan. Ililimita nito ang malayang pagkilos ng mga tao. Ipagbabawal ang mga pagtitipon at pagkilos ng taumbayan para iparating ang kanilang hinaing at protesta sa gubyerno. Lalong magpipista si Duterte at ang kanyanng korap at pasistang mga kapanalig sa patuloy na pangungurakot sa kaban ng bayan sa tabing ng paglaban sa Covid-19. Magpapatuloy ang impyunidad at paggawa ng mga karahasan ng AFP at PNP.

Subalit anuman ang balak gawin ni Duterte na durugin o papanghinain ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa rehiyong Timog Katagalugan at buong bansa, tiyak na makararanas muli sila ng mga kabiguan. Buong giting na lalabanan at bibiguin ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan at ng mamamayan ng rehiyon ang Joint Campaign Plan-Kapanatagan (JCP-Kapanatagan) at National Task Force To End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) ng pasistang rehimeng US-Duterte. Nasa CPP-NPA-NDFP at wala sa gubyernong Duterte ang malawak at malalim na suporta ng masa ng rehiyon at bansa. Sa katunayan, nakabunton lahat kay Duterte ang sisi at nagpupuyos ang galit ng mamamayan ng rehiyon dahil sa kainutilan at kapabayaan niya na matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mamamayan.

Lalong nalantad at napatunayan ang pagiging bangkarote at inutil ng gubyernong Duterte sa pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng mamamayan ng rehiyon sa harap ng mga kalamidad lalo mula nuong pumutok ang bulkang Taal hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Hindi humuhupa bagkus lalong nag-aalab ang galit at kagustuhan ng mamamayan ng rehiyon na patalsikin sa kapangyarihan ang pahirap, korap, traydor, inutil at mamamatay taong si Duterte. ###

https://cpp.ph/statement/pdg-hinggil-sa-patakarang-lockdown-ng-ncr/

CPP/NPA-ST: Hinggil sa panawagang pagpapasuko ni Duterte sa NPA dahil sa COVID-19

NPA-Southern Tagalog (ST) propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 20, 2020): Hinggil sa panawagang pagpapasuko ni Duterte sa NPA dahil sa COVID-19

ARMANDO CIENFUEGO

SPOKESPERSON

NPA-SOUTHERN TAGALOG

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

MARCH 20, 2020

Imbes na pagtuunan ang pagbibigay ng libre at accessible na serbisyong medikal sa mamamayan, garapalang nanawagan si Duterte ng pagpapasuko sa NPA dahil sa COVID-19. Ipinagmayabang pa niyang hindi kayang gamutin ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan ang sakit na ito sa harap ng kainutilan ng kanyang administrasyon na resolbahin ang kasalukuyang krisis sa kalusugan buhat sa epidemya ng COVID-19.

Ang panghahamak niya sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan ay walang kwentang bulalas ng isang desperadong tirano na patuloy na umaasam na hawakan ang kapangyarihan ng estado. Wala ni isang kasapi ng NPA ang tutugon sa kanyang mga buladas.

Pakana lamang ito ni Duterte para pagtakpan ang kanyang kapalpakan sa pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng mamamayan sa serbisyong pangkalusugan. Isa itong iskema upang ilayo sa tunay na usapin ng kanyang administrasyon — ang kawalang kahandaan ng rehimen sa pagharap sa pandemic na sakit, kakulangan sa COVID-19 testing kits at pagkakaloob ng serbisyong medikal at ang magulo at militaristang hakbanging lockdown.

Sinamantala ni Duterte ang paglaganap ng COVID-19 para ipataw ang lockdown sa buong Luzon. Walang saysay ang inilulunsad na lockdown ng rehimeng US-Duterte dahil hindi mga checkpoint ang kailangan ng mamamayan kundi dagdag na mga pasilidad at testing center para sa maagap na pag-alam ng impeksyon. Ang kinakailangang naka-istasyon ay mga manggangawang pangkalusugan at hindi ang AFP-PNP. Higit sa lahat, ang kailangang humawak ng kampanya sa pagpupuksa ng COVID-19 ay ang DOH at hindi ang iba pang ahensyang pinangunguluhan ng mga retiradong heneral ng AFP-PNP.

Lumilitaw na ang lockdown ay nasa balangkas pa rin ng EO 70 at NTF-ELCAC. Isa itong atake sa mamamayan kung saan binibigyang laya nito ang AFP-PNP na dakpin ang kahit sino sa ngalan ng paglabag sa mga patakarang itinakda sa community quarantine. Dahil dito, higit na kailangang magkaisa ang mamamayan para igiit at ipanawagan ang kanilang karapatan sa tunay na serbisyong medikal, at hindi ang lockdown.

Samantala, inaatasan ng Melito Glor Command – NPA Southern Tagalog ang lahat ng yunit ng NPA sa ilalim nito na maglunsad ng kampanyang edukasyon at mobilisahin ang mamamayan laban sa COVID-19. Maaaring gabayan ng NPA ang pagpaplano ng mga lokal ng komite sa kalusugan para maiwasan ang COVID-19 at magawan ng kongkretong hakbangin para sa kolektibong pagreresolba sa sakit. Tuwangan ng mga Pulang mandirigma ang mga barrio medical group sa sanitasyon at kampanyang kalinisan sa mga eryang saklaw ng larangang gerilya. ###



https://cpp.ph/statement/hinggil-sa-panawagang-pagpapasuko-ni-duterte-sa-npa-dahil-sa-covid-19/

CPP/NPA-ST: Pulang pagbati sa matatagumpay na kontra-atake ng NPA sa Palawan at Quezon

NPA-Southern Tagalog (ST) propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 20, 2020): Pulang pagbati sa matatagumpay na kontra-atake ng NPA sa Palawan at Quezon

ARMANDO CIENFUEGO

SPOKESPERSON

NPA-SOUTHERN TAGALOG

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

MARCH 20, 2020

Sinasaluduhan ng Melito Glor Command-NPA ST ang mga pwersa ng NPA-Palawan at Quezon sa matagumpay nilang kontra-atake laban sa AFP-PNP nitong Marso 14 at 15 na nagresulta sa pitong patay at maraming nasugatan sa hanay ng reaksyunaryong hukbo.

Imbes na makaiskor laban sa NPA at madiskaril ang pagdiriwang ng anibersaryo ng Pulang hukbo, binigyan pa ng AFP-PNP ang NPA-ST ng dagdag na dahilan upang magbunyi. Ang mga labanan na naganap dalawang linggo bago ang ika-51 anibersaryo ng NPA ay patunay ng mataas na inisyatiba at kakayahan sa digmaan ng NPA—at nagpapasubali sa kasinungalingan ng kaaway na ‘humihina na ang NPA’.

Ipinapakita ng dalawang labanan ang determinasyon ng NPA-ST na biguin ang AFP-PNP sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Sa operasyong haras ng Bienvenido Vallever Command (BVC) NPA-Palawan noong Marso 14, nilapitan ng isang tim ng Pulang hukbo ang nag-ooperasyong tropa ng 18th Special Forces Company sa Barangay Iraan, Rizal. Pumutok ang 3-minutong labanan bandang ala-una ng hapon at limang kaaway ang napatay ng BVC at marami ang nasugatan. Ang haras ay opensibang aksyon laban sa 40 tropa ng 18th SFC na ilang araw nang naghahasik ng teror sa lugar.

Samantala, tagumpay ang aktibong depensa ng Apolonio Mendoza Command (AMC) NPA-Quezon noong Marso 15 sa Barangay San Vicente Kanluran, Catanauan bandang alas-dos ng madaling araw. Alerto ang bantay ng nakahimpil na tropa ng AMC kaya agad na naputukan ng NPA ang laking kumpanyang pwersa ng 85th IB na umatake sa kanila. Dalawa ang kumpirmadong patay at hindi mabilang ang sugatan sa 85th IB matapos ang 5-minutong putukan.

Matinding dagok sa moral ng mga palalong tropa ng AFP-PNP ang dalawang labanan kung saan sila ang naunang umatake ngunit sila rin ang malubhang napinsalaan. Muli, hinihimok ng MGC ang mga sundalo at pulis ng AFP-PNP na inaapi’t pinagsasamantalahan din sa ilalim ng malakolonyal at malapyudal na lipunan na talikdan na ang reaksyunaryong gubyerno at piliing maglingkod sa tulad nilang mahihirap. Isinasangkalan lamang ni Duterte at ng mga pasistang heneral ng AFP-PNP ang kanilang buhay sa mapanupil na gera nito laban sa mamamayan. Bukas ang NPA at rebolusyonaryong kilusan para sa kanila at sinumang nais mag-ambag sa pagtatagumpay ng rebolusyon.

Ang mga binigong atake ng AFP-PNP sa Palawan at Quezon nitong Marso ay bahagi ng pinatinding focused military operation (FMO) kontra sa NPA sa balangkas ng kontra-rebolusyonaryong gera na JCP Kapanatagan. Malaon nang itinakda ang kabiguan nito at ng pangarap ni Duterte na durugin ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan. Lalong inilalapit ng pasismo ni Duterte ang mamamayan sa landas ng rebolusyonaryong paglaban at armadong pakikibaka. Sa pagtuntong ng NPA sa ika-51 taon, tiyak na higt na lalawak, lalakas, at aani ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan ng mamamayan ng mas mataginting na mga tagumpay para sa mamamayan.###

https://cpp.ph/statement/pulang-pagbati-sa-matatagumpay-na-kontra-atake-ng-npa-sa-palawan-at-quezon/

WITH UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE//3rd ID military operations halt

Posted to the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 20, 2020): WITH UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE//3rd ID military operations halt

The military operations of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division in Western and Central Visayas yesterday grounded to a halt, in compliance with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to observe a unilateral ceasefire from March 19 until April 15.

Capt. Cenon Pancito III, 3ID Public Affairs Office chief, said yesterday that they have already relayed communications to all infantry units prohibiting deliberate offensive operations against the New People’s Army.

But Pancito said all Army infantry units were also advised to maintain utmost vigilance, in anticipation of the NPA continuing terroristic actions, which must be acted upon immediately with appropriate response.

The order of Duterte to suspend military operations against the NPA was met with opposition from Communist Party founder Jose Maria Sison, who dismissed it as premature, and bereft of any basis for reciprocation.

Sison said in a statement there is communication going on between the Government Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front negotiating panels, and no agreement for reciprocal unilateral ceasefires in connection with certain considerations, requirements and modalities.

The NDFP is not assured and satisfied that the reciprocal unilateral ceasefires are based on national unity against Covid-19, as the appropriate solution of the pandemic as a medical problem and protection of the most vulnerable sectors of the population, including workers, health workers, those with any serious ailments, and political prisoners, he added.

Unless it receives sufficient assurances from the GRP, the NDFP will be inclined to think that the GRP unilateral ceasefire declaration is not sincere, and is not intended to invite reciprocation by the NDFP but is meant to be a mere psywar trick, Sison also said.

While the Department of National Defense will strictly abide by it, Lorenza said that the CPP-NPA ,however, has a bloody track record of using the government’s declarations of ceasefire to launch offensives, ambuscades, destruction of government and private property, extortion activities as well as to recover their dwindling numbers and create a false perception that they still have influence and relevance.

While he ordered AFP to temporarily suspend all offensive combat operations against the CPP-NPA, Lorenzana, however, said that they will perform normal law enforcement operations, in coordination with the PNP.

Col. Romeo Baleros, provincial police director, also ordered troopers of the Provincial Mobile Force companies and Special Action Force to desist from conducting military operations against the NPA rebels in Negros Occidental.

While assisting the Philippine Army and government medical personnel in border control operations against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Baleros said that they should not let their guards down.

Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, who visited and inspected frontline Army personnel deployed all over Negros Occidental, especially in the borders of two Negros provinces on Wednesday, said that he reminded troops to ensure their personal safety first, especially by wearing facemasks and by observing “social distancing” in order to extend their services especially their contribution in manning the different border quarantine control points.

Pasaporte also reported that three platoons of Army reservists are now assisting the police, City Health personnel, and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, in four entry and exit points in Bacolod City, for thermal screening of commuters entering the city.

“The Bayanihan spirit of the Negrenses and the cooperation of everybody is very important in order to contain the spread of this threat.” Pasaporte stressed.*

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/March/20/topstory8.htm

Caraga authorities implement tight security, precautionary measures vs. COVID-19

Posted to the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2020): Caraga authorities implement tight security, precautionary measures vs. COVID-19 (By Jennifer P. Gaitano)

BUTUAN CITY, March 20 (PIA) -- Amid the increasing number of coronavirus disease or COVID-19 patients in the country, the local government units in the Caraga region have leveled up the implementation of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

In the province of Agusan del Sur, the authorities are strictly implementing the conduct of thermal scanning procedure in the designated checkpoints to check the body temperature of all the individuals and assess if they manifest symptoms of COVID-19.

According to Sanny Dale Cinco of the Provincial Correctional And Security Management Office, there are instances where individuals are found to have a high temperature during the screening, not because that they have a fever, but due to the hot weather condition in the area.

“We carefully check the temperature of the individuals coming in and out of the government center and once we find them to have beyond a temperature of 37.5, we would refer them to the nearest hospital for further medical checkup. This is part of the strict implementation of the precautionary measures to ensure prevention on the spread of COVID-19 disease,” said Cinco.

With this effort of the government, the locals have been cooperative and are following the health protocol imposed by the local government units.

Every office in the provincial government also offered free use of sanitizers or alcohol, and maintained a clean comfort room for clients and public use.

Meanwhile, Governor Santiago Cane, Jr., has released an executive order declaring the suspension of classes in all levels in all schools in the province starting March 16, and has canceled big events and gatherings this month.

Meanwhile, in the recent visit of Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles in Butuan City, he announced that all COVID-19 testings, including quarantine and isolation costs, will be shouldered by the Philippine Health (PhilHealth) Insurance Corporation. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1036757

NPA on ‘killing spree’ amid SOMO in Surigao Sur

Posted to the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2020): NPA on ‘killing spree’ amid SOMO in Surigao Sur (By Alexander Lopez)



Google map of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

A tribal leader in the Surigao del Sur town of San Miguel lambasted the communist New People’s Army (NPA) for killing two civilians, one whom a tribal chieftain in the area.

Councilor Rico Maca, the Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) to the municipal council of San Miguel, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Friday (March 20) that the two were killed following the attack of more than 20 NPA rebels on a tribal settlement in Barangay Magroyong, Thursday evening.

Maca said the rebels hacked to death a farmer identified as Zaldy Ibañez, 52, in Purok 7, Sitio Inadan. Ibanez, a Cebuano, is married to a Manobo.

The armed men also killed Datu Bernandino Montenegro Astudillo, 73, the tribal chieftain of Magroyong, whose remains were found Friday morning in the vicinity of Sitio Inadan.

Astudillo's body also bore hacking wounds, Maca said.

Maca added the family members of the victims and several residents in the village identified the suspects as NPA rebels.

“We, the Manobo tribe condemn this barbaric act done by the NPA to our leader, Datu Bernandino. We have proven once again that the NPA did not honor the suspension of military operation (SOMO) which their leaders previously agreed as the nation now is suffering due to the threat of Coronavirus disease (Covid-19),” Maca said.

In a phone interview on Friday, Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office (SDSPPO) director, Col. James Goforth, confirmed that the NPA was responsible for the killing of Astudillo and Ibañez.

“Based on the investigation conducted by the police, the residents in the area identified the perpetrators as NPA rebels. Family members of the victims also identified some of the rebels who harassed the village,” Goforth said.

He added that the police are now working with the Philippine Army to investigate the incident.

Captain Jonald D. Romorosa, civil-military operations officer of the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion, said Friday that a pursuit operation has been launched in the area against the perpetrators.

Romorosa also condemned the NPA for attacking a tribal settlement and killing defenseless civilians.

Maca said Datu Bernandino was once abducted and later released by the NPA in 2017 and was warned to stop supporting the government.

“Barangay Magroyong was once considered an NPA lair. But efforts by the government through information drives won back the residents and declared their separation from the rebels,” the tribal leader said.

Maca said the decision of the Manobos in the area to declare the NPA persona non grata had angered the communist rebels.

“While our soldiers are occupied in their support to fight Covid-19, the NPA rebels intruded Sitio Inadan and killed our tribal leader. This is inhuman. Datu Bernandino is already over 70 years of age, yet they mercilessly hacked him to death,” Maca said.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097241

Eastmincom creates TF to protect camp from Covid-19

Posted to the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2020): Eastmincom creates TF to protect camp from Covid-19 (By Prexx Marnie Kate Trozo)



SAFETY MEASURES. Personnel of the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City check the temperature of people entering the camp. On Thursday (March 19, 2020), Maj. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, activated the NSFA Task Force against the coronavirus disease 2019. (Photo courtesy of Eastmincom)

DAVAO CITY – The military's Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) activated on Thursday the Naval Station Felix Apolinario Task Force (NSFA-TF) to implement control measures on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom spokesperson, said their commander, Maj. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., established the body to prevent the virus from spreading in the NSFA camp in Panacan here.

“The directive serves as guidelines to protect the camp and its personnel from being contaminated by the virus, which could affect the Command's full operations and other units herein,” Balagtey said in a statement on Friday.

Some of the preventive measures outlined in the guidelines are the strict screening of vehicles and personnel and their dependents inside the camp through the use of pass cards.

Likewise, individuals entering the camp will also have their temperature checked, and will be advised to practice hand washing and social distancing.

Balagtey said all military units inside the camp have also been instructed to screen and monitor all personnel to identify possible persons under monitoring or patients under investigation, who will then be advised to go into self-quarantine or seek medical treatment.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097284

Westmincom, DOH build quarantine facility in Basilan Island

Posted to the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2020): Westmincom, DOH build quarantine facility in Basilan Island (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)



QUARANTINE FACILITY. Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, and Dr. Emilia Monicimpo, Department of Health regional director, meet with representatives of other government line agencies on Thursday (March 19, 2020) to tackle the plight of some 149 returning Filipinos from Malaysia. During the meeting, it was decided that a quarantine facility will be built in Sibakel Island, Lantawan, Basilan province to house the passengers. (Photo courtesy of Westmincom Public Information Office)

The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) will build a quarantine facility in Sibakel Island to house the more than 100 Filipinos stuck on two vessels at sea near Basilan province.

Maj. Arvin John Encinas, Westmincom spokesperson, said Friday the passengers arrived from Malaysia aboard two wooden-hulled vessels but were refused entry brought about by the imposition of enhanced community quarantine amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) threat.

Encinas said that 133 of them are aboard M/L Rosmina and 16 aboard M/L Ziara. The passengers, 10 of whom are children, remain at the two vessels at sea since they arrived four days ago.

Col. Leonardo Peña, chief of Westmincom’s unified command staff, led a team from other government agencies and inspected Sibakel Island in preparation for the construction of the quarantine facility.

Sibakel Island is under the political jurisdiction of the municipality of Lantawan in Basilan province. It is an isolated area with no existing infrastructure nor water source but can accommodate 200 people.

“Early this morning, the troops have brought construction materials to Sibakel Island with the assistance of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao,” Encinas said.

Encinas said the facility will be built in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH).

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom chief, chaired a meeting Thursday with representatives of line agencies including DOH Regional Director Emilia Monicimpo, Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Director Cuyamombao Dia, and Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Manuel Luis Ochotorena.

“Coronavirus disease-19 is an ‘illness’ that starts with ‘I’. We have to change the ‘I’ to ‘We’ to make it ‘wellness’. Let us continue to work together towards wellness to defeat the illness and make things happen,” Sobejana said.

Meanwhile, Encinas assured that no one among the passengers was classified as patients under investigation (PUI) but were listed as persons under monitoring (PUM) following a checkup by health personnel.

Encinas said that the provincial government of Basilan has provided them food and other needs since they arrived from Malaysia.

He said the stranded returning Filipinos are from this city, Zamboanga del Sur, and Central Mindanao area.

The Basilan Provincial Task Force Covid-19 said that there are 19 PUIs and 1,050 PUMs in the province as of 4 p.m. of March 19.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097302

Palace hits Joma rants on Covid-19 truce

Posted to the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2020): Palace hits Joma rants on Covid-19 truce (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)



Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. (File photo)

Malacañang on Friday took a jab at Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison for claiming that President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels was “premature, insincere, and false.”

In a press statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said instead of welcoming the government’s unilateral ceasefire with the communist movement, Sison continues to question Duterte’s actions.

“Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairperson Jose Ma. Sison is again engaged in ranting nonsense that only highlights his perverted vision of reality as well as his insensitivity to the present grave peril that the Filipino people he professed to fight for face,” Panelo said.

Duterte on Wednesday ordered the suspension of military operations from March 19 to April 15 to pave the way for the government’s response to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The government sought to stop the transmission of Covid-19, which has infected 217 people, as of Thursday.

Amid the government’s fight against Covid-19, Duterte directed the military and the police to stop offensives against the CPP and its armed and political wings, the New People’s Army (NPA) and the National Democratic Front (NDF).

Sison, however, said there is no clear basis yet to reciprocate the unilateral ceasefire declared by Duterte.

Panelo said Sison should grab the “golden opportunity” to show his patriotism by extending his hands for peace, for the sake of the Filipino people.

“At a time when all Filipinos, regardless of class, religion, or ideology, are united to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 in the country, Mr. Sison, in these times of national health emergency and calamity, would rather have a hostile environment where Filipinos argue with, if not kill, each other,” he said.

True colors

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the communist movement is showing its "true colors" over its outright rejection of the government's unilateral ceasefire.

"Their true colors are exposed here. They claim to be compassionate towards the people but even in the time of the coronavirus, where everyone is making sacrifices, they still want to continue the battle against our police officers and soldier.” DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said in Filipino during a briefing on Covid-19 aired over state-run PTV.

Malaya said the communist movement's response to the measure is saddening.

"Their actions reflect that they do not care or they do not love the country and our people especially in times of crisis and calamity," he added.

Malaya said since the national and local governments including the police and military are swamped with challenges due to the Covid-19 crisis, the least that the communists should have done is to not hamper government efforts to serve the people by reciprocating the government’s declaration of the ceasefire.

“How do we expect the police and military to do their jobs properly to man the checkpoints, deliver relief goods to indigent families, maintain peace and order, and so on and so forth if they are always looking over their shoulder for that NPA ambush or attack on construction sites to extort revolutionary taxes?” he said.

He said the government’s declaration of ceasefire will give the Philippine National Police the opportunity to fully serve the people since Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has also declared a suspension of offensive police operations.

“It was never about the people. It was always about them and how they will advance their so-called revolution to bring about a communist state in our country. We are fools for expecting the communists to put the interests of the country before their own narrow ideological ambitions. That’s why there’s no use negotiating with terrorists,” he added.

In the event of a communist attack, Malaya said government forces are prepared and will have no resort but to protect themselves.

The CPP-NPA-NDF has been branded as a terror organization by the Philippines, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097250

Free ride for essential workers continuous: Army

Posted to the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2020): Free ride for essential workers continuous: Army (By Priam Nepomuceno)



A military truck giving a free ride for essential workers. (File photo courtesy of Army Chief Public Affairs Office)

MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA) on Thursday said it is continuing with its "Free Ride" program for health workers and basic services personnel working within and near Metro Manila which started March 17.

As of Thursday, the operation has catered to 2,554 commuters.

Army spokesperson Col. Ramon Zagala said their "Free Ride" can be availed of from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and will service or traverse along 28 hospitals following 12 designated routes:

• Route 1: CAVITEX - Seaside Blvd - Diokno Blvd - Roxas Blvd - Padre Burgos - Taft Ave, Manila (Vice versa)

Hospitals:

Philippine General Hospital

Manila Med-Medical Center

Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital

San Lazaro Hospital

Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center.

• Route 2: Mall of Asia - Diokno Blvd – EDSA - Gate 3 Taguig - East Service Road - Doña Soledad Ave, Paraǹaque (vice-versa)

Hospitals:

Taguig District Hospital

Paraǹaque Doctor’s Hospital

• Route 3: Guadalupe MRT Station Edsa - Kamias Road - V. Luna Ave - East Ave (vice-versa)

Hospitals:

V-Luna AFP Medical Center

East Ave Medical Center

Philippine Heart Center

NKTI Diagnostic Center

Lung Center of the Philippines

• Route 4: Guadalupe Edsa MRT Station - Dr. Jose P Rizal Ave - Coronado Ave - Maysilo Circumferential - Boni Ave - P Sanchez St Victorino Mapa St - Figueras St - San Anton St - S.H. Loyola St – Oroquie - Lope De Vega St (vice-versa)

Hospitals:

Mandaluyong City Medical Center

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital

Mary Chiles General Hospital

Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital

• Route 5: Robinson Galleria via Ortigas Ave. to Cainta Rizal Junction (vice-versa)

Hospital:

The Medical City-Ortigas

• Route 6:Araneta Center Cubao –Edsa – Kamias Road – Anonas – Aurora Blvd – Katipunan Ave – Maj Santos Dizon St – Marikina Infanta Highway – Evangelista Ave – Marilaque Highway – Mayor Gil Fernando Ave – Sumulong Highway – SM Masinag (vice-versa)

Hospitals:

World Citi Medical Center

Quirino Memorial Medical Center

Marikina Doctors Hospital and Medical Center Inc.

Salve Regina General Hospital, Inc.

St.Anthony Medical Center

Metro Antipolo Hospital and Medical Center

• Route 7:SM North Edsa to Fairview Terraces, Quezon City (vice-versa)

Hospitals:

Metro North Medical Center Hospital

Pacific Global Medical Center

Bernardino General Hospital

Novaliches General Hospital

Commonwealth Hospital and Medical Center

• Route 8: CAVITEX Toll Plaza to Lawton Plaza (vice-versa)

• Route 9: SLEX Toll Plaza to Lawton Plaza (vice-versa)

• Route 10: BGC, Taguig City to NAIA Terminal 1 and 2 (vice-versa)

• Route 11: BGC, Taguig City to NAIA Terminal 3 (vice-versa)

• Route 12: Robinson Galleria, Ortigas to Caloocan, Monument (vice-versa).

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097235

Troops manning quarantine checkpoints doing vital health task

Posted to the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2020): Troops manning quarantine checkpoints doing vital health task (By Priam Nepomuceno)



GUARDING CHECKPOINTS. Fleet-Marine Ready Force head, Commodore Toribio Adaci Jr. (right), visits troops guarding one of various checkpoints in Metro Manila on Thursday (March 19, 2020). The inspection aimed to check on the situation of motorists and the condition of Navy and Marine troops in the front lines, as well as to boost their morale. (Photo courtesy of Naval Public Affairs Office)

Military troops and other law enforcement units manning the various checkpoints set up to maintain the 30-day enhanced community quarantine in the island of Luzon are doing a vital role in combating the threats posed by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), a naval official said.

“In this time of emergency, we do not want to be anxious about the virus. We owe it to the Filipino people and to the country to ensure our mission readiness as military professionals,” Fleet-Marine Ready Force (FMRF) head, Commodore Toribio Adaci Jr., said during his visit to Philippine Navy personnel tasked to man checkpoints at the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex), Zapote Service Road, Masinag Service Highway, Ortigas Extension, Susana Heights, Southern Luzon Express Way (SLEX) and SLEX Calamba Toll Plaza on Thursday.

Adaci said that in doing so, they are playing a vital role in combating an unseen enemy.

“Bear in mind that your sacrifices are not only for the Filipino people but also for the safety of our family," he added.

Navy and Marine personnel manning these checkpoints are under the Naval Task Group -National Capital Region (NCR) and their deployment is supervised by Task Unit South under the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Joint Task Force-NCR.

The FMRF is the Navy’s national maneuver force for territorial defense, international defense engagements, and other national contingency operations during crises and emergencies.

More than 500 Navy and Marine troops have been deployed for checkpoint and other duties related to the enhanced community quarantine.

"As we mobilized to assist the government, let's also be vigilant to protect (ourselves) from this virus. Let us all follow the protocol and together we will overcome this ordeal," Adaci added.

In a statement Thursday, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, Navy public affairs office chief, said Adaci's visit also aimed to check on the situation of motorists and the condition of sailors and marines in the front lines, particularly on their health, billeting and personal protective equipment, as well as to boost their morale.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097229

Army, actress Bela Padilla give relief goods to Metro indigents

Posted to the Philippine News Agency (Mar 20, 2020): Army, actress Bela Padilla give relief goods to Metro indigents (By Benjamin Pulta)



HELPING HAND. Army troops assist actress Bela Padilla in repacking relief goods for indigents amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon on Thursday (March 19, 2020). The goods were distributed to the homeless, street vendors, elderly, persons with disability, children, commuter, and jeepney, pedicab and tricycle drivers in Metro Manila. (Photo courtesy of Army Chief Public Affairs Office)

Army troops on Thursday helped actress Bela Padilla in distributing relief goods to people in need amid the enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak.

In a statement on Friday, Army spokesperson Col. Ramon Zagala said Padilla raised PHP3.3 million to fund a humanitarian assistance program and coordinated with the PA to fast-track the distribution of the relief goods.

The Army Headquarters and Headquarters Support group provided four vehicles and several of its personnel to assist Padilla in repacking the goods at a supermarket in Manila.

The goods were distributed to the homeless, street vendors, elderly, persons with disability, children, commuters, and jeepney, pedicab and tricycle drivers in Metro Manila.

More donations of assorted goods for the soldiers assigned at checkpoints were received by Col. Rey Amata, PA Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations.

“The Philippine Army appreciates the initiative of Bela Padilla in reaching out to the persons who need assistance while Luzon is under ECQ. We are grateful that she enjoined the Philippine Army in serving these people. In this time of crisis, we really need to work together regardless of our professions in order to serve our kababayans,” Army commander, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097286