CPP/Ang Bayan: Sundalong nag-amok sa Bukidnon, kinuyog ng taumbaryo

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the PRWC Newsroom Website (Nov 7, 2021): Sundalong nag-amok sa Bukidnon, kinuyog ng taumbaryo

Kinuyog ng taumbary ang isang nag-amok na sundalo sa Barangay Calapaton, Kitaotao, Bukidnon noong Oktubre 17. Lasing ang naturang sundalo at walang patumanggang nagpaputok na ikinasugat ng pitong sibilyan. Ayon sa mga residente, namaril ang sundalo matapos may makaalitan habang naglalaro ng iligal na sugal na “hantak.”

Myembro ng 72nd IB ang naturang sundalo at nakakampo sa katabing Barangay Calapaton.

Ayon sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan sa Southern Mindanao, nilalantad ng pamamaril na ito ang kabuktutan ng Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) ng AFP. “Pantabing lamang ang RCSP. Ang totoo magkakumbinang kampanya ito ng saywar at paniniktik laban sa masa at nangangahulugan ng pagkontrol sa kanilang pagkilos, pananakot at pandarahas upang pigilan silang maggiit ng kanilang panawagan para sa lupa at karapatang pang-ekonomya at pampulitika.”

Nag-ulat din ang ilang magsasaka na regular silang ipinatatawag ng mga sundalo upang “mag-report.” Para sa mga magsasaka, sagabal ang RCSP sa kanilang kabuhayan. May isang pagkakataon na buong araw silang pinaghintay ng mga sundalo para lamang tanungin kung may nababantayan silang kilos ng BHB sa lugar.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/07/sundalong-nag-amok-sa-bukidnon-kinuyog-ng-taumbaryo/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Opensiba ng BHB sa Iloilo

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the PRWC Newsroom Website (Nov 7, 2021): Opensiba ng BHB sa Iloilo

Pinasabugan ng isang yunit ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB)-Panay ang nagpapatrulyang kontra-insurhensyang yunit ng 606th Mobile Company ng pulis noong Oktubre 24 sa Barangay Jolason sa bayan ng Tubungan, Iloilo. Dalawang pulis ang nasugatan sa opensiba. Bago nito, pinaputukan ng BHB ang detatsment ng naturang yunit sa katabing Barangay Mayang sa parehong araw.

Sa Masbate, tatlong pulis ng 2nd Police Mobile Force Company ang napaslang at dalawang iba pa ang sugatan sa opensibong aksyon ng BHB-Masbate sa Barangay Badiang, Catangian noong Oktubre 9.

Noong Setyembre 20, pinaputukan ng BHB-Western Samar (Arnulfo Ortiz Command) ang nag-ooperasyong tropa ng 46th IB sa Barangay Bugho, Pinabacdao. Isa ang kumpirmadong napatay habang apat ang nasugatan sa mga sundalo. Samantala, sinunog ng mga Pulang mandirigma ng BHB-Northern Samar (Rodante Urtal Command) ang iniwang kampo ng 20th IB sa Barangay San Miguel, Las Navas noong Setyembre 1.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/07/opensiba-ng-bhb-sa-iloilo/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Sulong, mga manggagawa sa Southern Tagalog!

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the PRWC Newsroom Website (Nov 7, 2021): Sulong, mga manggagawa sa Southern Tagalog!

Nakapanayam ng Ang Bayan si Andres Obrero, organisador ng Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions (RCTU) sa Southern Tagalog. Dati siyang manggagawa sa industriya ng pagmamanupaktura (semikonduktor) at ilang dekada nang nagseserbisyo sa kilusang paggawa.

1) Anu-ano ang mga usapin na kinakaharap ng kilusan ng mga manggagawa ngayon sa rehiyon?

Bago pa man manalasa ang pandemya, humahagupit na ang panunupil ng pasistang kaaway sa kilusang manggagawa sa rehiyon. Kinatangian ito ng laganap na red-tagging sa mga lider mula pabrika hanggang sa sentro ng militanteng unyon, at pag-aresto sa mga manggagawa at pagprisinta sa kanila bilang mga sumukong myembro ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB).

Dagdag pa rito ang kabi-kabilang sarbeylans at pagbabahay-bahay sa kilalang mga organisador at lider ng kilusang manggagawa upang gipitin sila. Naobligang magpakanlong at magtago ang ibang mga lider-manggagawa at organisador dahil sa tindi ng panunupil at red-tagging.

Dahil sa tindi ng inabot na panunupil, hindi maikakailang nagdulot ito ng pansamantalang negatibong epekto sa mga lider at sa mismong masang manggagawa sa mga lugar na kinikilusan. Sinabayan pa ito ng restriksyon sa paggalaw dahil sa militaristang protokol na ipinatutupad dahil sa pandemya.

Sa kabila nito, nagpatuloy ang rebolusyonaryong tungkulin at gawain ng marami nang may ibayong pag-iingat. Nagpakahusay sila sa dati nang kaparaanan ng lihim na pagkilos upang ligtas na makaugnay sa mga manggagawa laluna sa mga unyong naglulunsad ng kanilang mga pakikibaka.

2) Paano umangkop ang kilusang paggawa sa mga restriksyon at panggigipit sa ilalim ng pandemya?

Dahil sa pandemya, nagbago ang kaparaanan ng pagkilos ng mga manggagawa pero hindi humupa ang kanilang galit at diskuntento. Sa pagpupunyagi at dedikasyon ng mga organisador at lider manggagawa na labanan ang panunupil ay unti-unting napangibabawan ang takot na kumilos. Inaral at ginawa ang iba’t ibang pamamaraan ng pagkilos at pag-ugnay sa masang manggagawa habang isinasaalang-alang ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng mga organisador at lider-manggagawa.

Mabisang nagamit ang iba’t ibang pamamaraan para makapaglunsad ng mga pag-aaral, konsultasyon at pagpupulong na online at harapan, at maging sa pag-oorganisa at pagpapalawak. Patunay dito ang muling paglaki ng bilang ng mga manggagawa na lumahok sa mga mobilisasyon kahit pa sa gitna ng pandemya.

Ilan ding mga unyon ang matagumpay na nakapagsara ng mainam na collective bargaining agreement (CBA) sa kasagsagan ng pananalasa ng pandemyang Covid-19 at ng teroristang atake ng estado sa kilusang paggawa. Nakapaglunsad sila ng sama-samang mga pagkilos para labanan ang hindi pagbibigay ng mga kinakailangang ayuda at angkop na protokol para makatulong sa mga manggagawa na labanan at mailigtas sila sa pagkahawa sa bayrus na Covid-19.

Ang malalaking ganansyang nakamit ng mga manggagawa sa paglulunsad ng sama-samang mga pagkilos ay nagsisilbing halimbawa at inspirasyon ng iba pang mga unyon.

Ano ang RCTU?

ITO AY ISANG konseho na binubuo ng mga rebolusyonaryong lider unyon at mga unyonistang kasapi at di kasapi ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas. Bahagi ito ng malawak na network ng rebolusyonaryong kilusang lihim sa kilusang manggagawa.

Kinakatawan ng RCTU ang mga unyon ng manggagawa at kasapian nito sa National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Ito ay isang konseho at hindi isang pormal na rebolusyonaryong organisasyong masa dahil sa punto de bista ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo, dalawa lamang ang organisasyon ng manggagawa—ang kanilang unyon na siyang makinarya sa pakikibaka laban sa kapital at ang kanilang pampulitikang Partido, ang Partido Komunista.

3) Ano ang pinakamalalaking isyu na kinahaharap ngayon ng mga manggagawa sa rehiyon?

Ang pangunahing mga usapin at kampanyang kinahaharap ng mga manggagawa ay ang usapin ng sahod, trabaho at karapatan o mga kampanya laban sa aliping sahuran; kawalan ng trabaho, malawakang tanggalan at kontraktwalisasyon; paglabag sa mga batayang karapatan sa paggawa at matinding panunupil ng estado.

Makikita sa rehiyon ang napakasahol na kalagayan ng pasahod sa bansa. Ipinatutupad dito ang iba’t ibang antas ng pasahod alinsunod sa iba’t ibang batas at patakaran sa pagpapasahod tulad ng two-tiered wage system, Barangay Micro-Business Employment Act na nagpapahintulot sa mga employer na may kapital na ₱3 milyon pababa na magpatupad ng sahod na mas mababa pa sa itinakdang minimum; at pagpapahintulot sa mga ahensya sa paggawa na humuthot ng 10% sa sahod ng kanilang mga manggagawa. (Sa kasalukuyan, ₱400 lamang ang itinakdang arawang minimum sa Region 4-A.)

Bago manalasa ang pandemyang Covid-19, nasa 70%-80% ng manggagawa sa mga pagawaan sa rehiyon ay kontraktwal. Marami na sa mga unyon at asosasyon ang nangampanya para sa regularisasyon ay panimulang nakakuha ng paborableng desisyon sa Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sa Region 4-A. Naitayo ang kanilang mga samahan na nagsulong ng tuluy-tuloy at aktibong mga pakikibaka ng mga manggagawa para sa panawagang maipatupad ang regularisasyon ng mga kontraktwal. Sa kabilang banda, malaking bilang sa mga paborableng desisyon na ito ay binawi ng kalihim ng DOLE.

Tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang terorismo ng estado sa kilusang paggawa sa rehiyon. Binabahay-bahay ng mga pwersa nito ang mga lider-manggagawa na nagtataguyod ng tunay na unyonismo. Wala pa ring hustisya sa brutal na mga pamamaslang, kabilang sa mga biktima ng “Bloody Sunday,” ang pinakamadugong araw sa rehiyon sa ilalim ng rehimeng Duterte.

4) Ano ang hamon ngayon ng RCTU sa harap ng pag-igting ng mga atake sa pambansa-demokratikong kilusan?

Hamon sa mga kasapi ng RCTU na mahigpit na panghawakan ang ibayong pagpapaunlad ng rebolusyunaryong kilusang masa sa saklaw nito at mahigpit na pagtulong sa pagpapaunlad ng rebolusyunaryong kilusan sa kanayunan.

Tuluy-tuloy nating isulong ang rebolusyonaryong kilusang masa sa kalunsuran, pukawin, organisahin at pakilusin natin ang malawak na hanay ng uring manggagawa at iba pang demokratikong pwersa sa nagkakaisang prente. Sila ang ating mahigpit na makatutuwang na pwersa para sa pakikibakang antipasista at anti-imperyalista na susuporta sa antipyudal na pakikibaka sa kanayunan.

Batid ng mga manggagawa ang napakapaborableng sitwasyong mabilis na pagkabulok ng rehimeng US-Duterte at lumalalim na mga bitak sa naghaharing-uri sanhi ng pagpabor nito sa isang seksyon ng mga negosyante, pulitiko at militar. Kailangang lahatang-panig na palakasin ang mga rebolusyunaryong pwersa at makapagtipon pa ng solidong lakas. Abutin ang pinakamalawak na masang manggagawa para ilapit sila sa demokratikong rebolusyong bayan.

Pangunahing tungkulin ng RCTU bilang pagtulong sa BHB ay ang aktibong pagrerekrut at pagpapasapi ng mga manggagawa sa BHB. Liban dito ang tuluy-tuloy na pagbibigay ng mga kasapi ng RCTU ng suportang materyal, mahahalagang gamit personal, gamot, gamit medikal at iba pang mga pangangailangan ng hukbong bayan. Bahagi rin ng programa ng RCTU sa rehiyon ang panawagan ng integrasyon sa BHB.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/07/sulong-mga-manggagawa-sa-southern-tagalog/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Gawang-militar na mga samahan, ginagamit para sa mga mina, plantasyon

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the PRWC Newsroom Website (Nov 7, 2021): Gawang-militar na mga samahan, ginagamit para sa mga mina, plantasyon

Hindi malulutas ng “pederasyon ng mga people’s organization (organisasyon ng mamamayan)” ng militar ang matagal nang problema ng mga magsasaka at Lumad. Ito ang tugon ng Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid-Southern Mindanao Region (PKM-SMR) sa ibinalita noong ikatlong linggo ng Oktubre na nagbuo ang 10th ID ng umano’y pederasyon ng mga organisasyong masa sa rehiyon.

Ayon sa tagapagsalita ng PKM-SMR na si Restituto Baguer, hindi nilulutas ng mga organisasyong binuo ng militar ang kawalan ng lupa at iba pang anyo ng pagsasamantala sa mga magsasaka at Lumad. Katunayan, aniya, “pinalala ang mga ito ng patakaran ng gubyernong Duterte pabor sa pagpapalit-gamit ng lupa para sa kapitalistang mga plantasyong monocrop (nagtatanim lamang ng isang tipo ng pananim), malawakang operasyon sa pagmimina, agroturismo at mga proyektong imprastruktura.”

Tinukoy ni Baguer ang di bababa sa 18 bayan at syudad sa rehiyon kung saan libu-libong pamilyang magsasaka ang pinalalayas para bigyang daan ang pagpapalawak ng mga plantasyon. Sa mga lugar na ito, nagsisilbing kasangkapan ang binuong mga organisasyon ng militar upang mapabilis ang pang-aagaw sa mga sakahan ng palay, mais, gulay at iba pang pananim.

Inihalimbawa ni Baguer ang dating mga organisasyon ng magsasaka at unyon ng mga manggagawa sa Maragusan, Davao de Oro, na nawalan ng kapangyarihan matapos silang piliting sumurender bilang mga myembro ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB). Dahil dito ay nakapamayagpag ang mga kapitalistang plantasyon sa pang-aagaw ng lupa sa tabing ng mapang-aping mga agricultural ventures agreement. Ayon pa kay Baguer, mas pabor sa mga kumpanya na mang-angkin na lang ng mga sakahan kesa gumastos sa rehabilitasyon ng lupa na sinira na ng deka-dekadang monocrop na pagtatanim ng mga plantasyon.

Mayroon ding di bababa sa 37,000 ektarya na aprubado nang pasukin ng mga kumpanya sa pagmimina. Maliban dito ay may isang milyong ektarya pa ang ipinailalim na sa mga aplikasyon sa pagmimina mula 2017. “Naigarantiya na sa mga kumpanya sa pagmimina at agroturismo ang bayan ng Talaingod at ang Kabundukang Pantaron, kaya walang lubay ang gera ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) laban sa mga Lumad sa lugar,” ani Baguer. “Naging mga taga-apruba lamang ang binuong mga organisasyon ng AFP para sa panghihimasok ng mga mapanirang proyektong ito,” dagdag niya.

Inilinaw ng PKM na walang programa ang mga organisasyong ito para lansagin ang kapangyarihan ng mga panginoong maylupa, sa libreng pamamahagi ng lupa, o pagbibigay ng kumprehensibong ayuda para sa pagpapaunlad ng produksyon. “Walang kampanya para pataasin ang presyo ng aming mga produkto, at ibaba ang mga bayarin sa pagbilad at pagpagiling ng ani. Walang pagbabawal sa usura,” salaysay pa ni Baguer.

Sa huli, inilantad ni Baguer na ang mga organisasyong nabanggit at kanilang mga aktibidad na pinasisimunuan ng 10th ID ay nagsisilbi lamang na palamuti para pagmukhaing nagtatagumpay ang kanilang kampanyang kontra-insurhensya. “Mas malala, ang mga ito’y ginagawang palabigasan ng militar,” dagdag niya.

Sa Southern Leyte ay nagpasimuno rin ang 8th ID ng pagbubuo ng “pederasyon” sa katulad na layunin.

Hindi na bago ang pagbubuo ng AFP ng mga organisasyong pantapat umano sa mga organisasyong masa sa mga baryo at komunidad. Sa ilalim ng Oplan Bayanihan ng rehimeng US-Aquino III, ang mga “peace and development team” na umokupa sa mga pamayanan ay sapilitang nagbuo ng mga “counter organization” ng mga magsasaka, kabataan at kababaihan. Pawang nabigo ang mga ito na wasakin ang pagkakaisa ng mga residente sa baryo. Nanatili pa ring nakatayo sa mga baryo ang PKM.

Ang PKM ang rebolusyonaryong organisasyon ng mga magbubukid na mahigpit na katuwang ng BHB sa pagsusulong ng rebolusyong agraryo.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/07/gawang-militar-na-mga-samahan-ginagamit-para-sa-mga-mina-plantasyon/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Mga protesta

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the PRWC Newsroom  Website (Nov 7, 2021): Mga protesta

#AcademicBreakNow sa Baguio. Ipinatupad ng apat na unibersidad sa Baguio City ang panawagan ng mga estudyante para sa panandaliang bakasyon mula sa kanilang mga asignatura o academic break. Ayon sa mga estudyante, mahigpit ang pangangailangan para makapagpahinga sila sa dami at bigat ng mga rekisito sa paaralan. Lumundo ang protesta sa pagtitipon ng 400 mag-aaral at guro ng Saint Louis University noong Nobyembre 1. Itinakda ang academic break mula Nobyembre 2 hanggang 8.

Tagapagsalita ni Duterte, kinuyog sa US. Kinuyog ng mga kliyente ng isang restoran at mga aktibista sa US si Harry Roque, tagapagsalita ni Rodrigo Duterte, noong Oktubre 30. Nasa New York, US noon si Roque para ipagpilitan ang sarili na maging myembro ng International Law Commission, ang pormasyong naghahalal ng mga abugado sa International Criminal Court. Tinawag siyang “kriminal sa digma” at “maluho” ng mga aktibista.

Paglaban kontra pribatisasyon sa Cebu. Nagprotesta sa harap ng city hall noong Oktubre 27 ang People’s Coalition against Privatization-Cebu para tutulan ang napipintong pribatisasyon ng Metropolitan Cebu Water District. Panawagan ng koalisyon ang pagtatanggol sa karapatan ng mamamayan sa tubig, sanitasyon at iba pang panlipunang serbisyo.

Manggagawang pangkalusugan sa Maynila.  Nagrali ang mga manggagawang pangkalusugan ng Tondo Medical Center (TMC) noong Oktubre 27 para igiit na ibigay ang nakabimbin nilang benepisyo. Mahigit 10 manggagawang pangkalusugan na ang nagresayn sa ospital dahil sa kawalan ng proteksyon, sobrang trabaho at mababang sahod. Walang dagdag na badyet ang ospital sa kabila ng patuloy na pagdami ng mga pasyente nito.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/07/mga-protesta-2/

CPP/Ang Bayan: “Lupa, ayuda at hustisya!” sigaw ng magsasaka at katutubo

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the PRWC Newsroom  Website (Nov 7, 2021): “Lupa, ayuda at hustisya!” sigaw ng magsasaka at katutubo

Daan-daang magsasaka mula sa Southern Tagalog at Central Luzon ang nagmartsa patungo sa Mendiola sa Maynila noong Oktubre 21. Iginiit nila ang tunay na reporma sa lupa, ₱15,000 na subsidyo at hustisya para sa mga biktima ng paglabag sa karapatang-tao. Nanawagan din sila na ibasura ang Rice Tariffication Law.

Nagkaroon din ng katulad na programa sa Bacolod City sa Negros, Iloilo City, Naga City sa Bicol at sa harap ng Department of Agrarian Reform in Central Visayas sa Cebu City.

Noong Oktubre 29, nagprotesta ang mga katutubo at progresibong grupo sa harap ng upisina ng National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) sa ika-24 taong anibersaryo ng pagpapasa sa Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA). Panawagan nila na ibasura ang naturang batas at buwagin ang NCIP. Anila, nagsisilbi lamang ang mga ito bilang instrumento ng reaksyunaryong estado para sa malawakang pang-aagaw sa lupaing ninuno ng mga katutubo at pagkakait ng kanilang karapatan sa sariling pagpapasya.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/07/lupa-ayuda-at-hustisya-sigaw-ng-magsasaka-at-katutubo/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Teror sa Abra-Apayao

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the PRWC Newsroom  Website (Nov 7, 2021): Teror sa Abra-Apayao

Sunud-sunod ang naging paglabag ng mga sundalo ng 7th ID sa karapatang-tao mula noong Hulyo hanggang Agosto. Naitala ang mga kaso sa mga bayan ng Tineg, Lacub at Malibcong sa Abra; at mga bayan ng Kabugao at Conner sa Apayao. Kumalat din ang sakit sa mga komunidad dahil sa pagkakahawa sa mga sundalo.

Pag-aresto. Sa bintang na myembro siya ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan, inaresto ang magsasakang si Jerome Cudiyen ng Sityo Talipugo, Buneg, Lacub. Ninakaw ang kanyang selpon at imbak na pagkain, at sapilitan siyang pinaggiya sa operasyon. Matapos nito ay ilang araw siyang ikinulong at tinortyur sa kampo ng 24th IB, at tinurukan ng di-matukoy na gamot. Tatlo pang kababaryo ng biktima ang inaresto sa Barangay Poblacion sa Lacub.

Panggigipit. Anim na residente ng Sityo Talipugo ang dinakip at ininteroga sa loob ng ilang oras. Dalawa sa kanila ang sapilitang pinaggiya sa operasyon. Sa Sityo Baliwan, Katablangan, Conner, noong Hulyo 28, dinakip at ininteroga rin si Romeo Sabaway at kanyang dalawang kabataang anak.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/07/teror-sa-abra-apayao/

CPP/Ang Bayan: 5 magsasaka sa Masbate, minasaker

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the PRWC Newsroom  Website (Nov 7, 2021): 5 magsasaka sa Masbate, minasaker

Limang magsasaka ang minasaker ng mga pulis noong Oktubre 24, sa Barangay Bugtong, Mandaon, Masbate. Pinalabas ng pulis na mga myembro ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) ang mga biktima na umano’y nanlaban nang aarestuhin, bagay na pinabulaanan ng BHB-Masbate. Inaalam pa ng BHB ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga biktima.

Sa Barangay Poblacion, Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat, pinatay ng mga tauhan ng 7th IB ang kontra-minang aktibista na si Filimon Agsim noong Oktubre 22. Pinalalabas ng militar na nagpatiwakal ang biktima ngunit ayon sa kanyang pamilya, bugbog-sarado at may mga palatandaan ng pagpapahirap ang bangkay ni Agsim.

Iligal na pag-aresto. Sa Bulacan, 40 na mangingisda, kabilang ang anim na bata, ang dinakip ng mga sundalo at CAFGU sa Barangay Pamarawan, Malolos noong Oktubre 29. Dinala ang mga biktima sa detatsment sa Barangay Taliptip sa katabing bayan ng Bulacan. Doon ay sapilitan silang pinagtrabaho. Pitong iba pang residente, kabilang ang isang bata, ang sapilitan ding pinagtrabaho doon sa araw na iyon.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/07/5-magsasaka-sa-masbate-minasaker/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Sa tuwing umuulan ng lagim

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the PRWC Newsroom  Website (Nov 7, 2021): Sa tuwing umuulan ng lagim

Walang pagsidlan ang takot ng mga residente sa Sityo Damugnay, Los Angeles, Butuan City noong Nobyembre 3 dahil sa walang-habas na pambobomba ng mga helikopter ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa kanilang lugar.

Sa isang bidyo na kinuha ng isang residente, mahihiwatig ang takot at pagkataranta ng mga residente. Maririnig ang malalakas na pagsabog at sunud-sunod na putok, karugtong ang mga hiyaw at iyakan. Sa huling bahagi ng bidyo ay makikitang nagsisilikas ang taumbaryo.

Pinatotohanan ng pahayag ni Ka Diwa Habagat ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB)-Agusan del Norte ang sinapit ng mga residente. Sinabi niya na ala 1:45 ng hapong iyon, hindi bababa sa apat na malalaking bomba ang inihulog ng mga helikopter na Black Hawk, at daan-daang bala ng kalibre .50 na masinggan ang pinaulan sa mga sakahan at bukid.

Ang insidente sa Butuan City ay kabilang sa tatlong naitalang pambobomba sa Mindanao sa loob lamang ng limang araw. Noong Oktubre 30, binomba at inistraping ang Sityo Gabunan, Barangay Dumalaguing, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon mula alas 12:40 ng umaga hanggang pasado alas-dos ng umaga. Sa panahong ito, hindi bababa sa anim na malalaking bomba at dose-dosenang rocket ang pinaulan ng AFP sa lugar.

Muling binomba ang parehong barangay noong Nobyembre 2, alas-9 ng gabi. Katumbas ng di bababa sa tatlong toneladang bomba ang inihulog ng apat na eroplanong OV-10. Kabilang dito ang tig-apat na bombang may bigat na 250 libra at 500 libra. Dahil sa labis-labis na pasabog, sunud-sunod na niyanig ang lupa at nasunog ang malaking bahagi ng kabundukan. Mariin itong kinundena kahit ng mga syentista na nagsabing ang pagsunog ng malalawak na gubat ay nagdadagdag sa pag-init ng atmospera.

Sa loob ng 12 linggo mula kalagitnaan ng Agosto hanggang unang linggo ng Nobyembre ay may naitalang anim na katulad na pambobomba. Katumbas ito ng isang serye ng pambobomba bawat dalawang linggo. Dalawa sa mga insidente ay sa Eastern Visayas at isa sa Cagayan Valley.

Hindi bababa sa dalawang sibilyan ang naiulat na namatay dahil sa mga pambobomba, at ilan ang nasugatan. Si Ruben Darasin, magsasakang taga-Barangay Balang-balang sa Remedios T. Romualdez, ay namatay matapos tumakbo papunta sa ilog dahil sa pagkataranta nang bombahin ang Sityo Damugnay. Mga sugat at galos sa katawan din ang tinamo ng mga nagtatrabaho sa kanilang mga sakahan dahil sa pagtakas sa peligrong matamaan sa pambobomba.

Sa Bobon, Northern Samar noong Setyembre 16, dahil din sa takot dulot ng pagkanyon at pambobomba ay nakunan ang isang buntis at namatay. Dalawang bala ng 105mm na kanyon at di bababa sa 11 rocket ang pinaulan ng militar sa lugar mula alas-3 ng madaling araw hanggang alas-10 ng umaga.

Limang magsasaka naman ang biktima ng pang-iistraping ng 20th IB at mga pulis sa magkahiwalay na insidente sa Barangay Epaw, Las Navas noong Oktubre 14 at Barangay San Vicente, Catubig sa Samar nang sumunod na araw. Dalawa sa mga biktima ang nasugatan at isa ang iligal na dinakip.

Daan-daan din ang sinukluban ng takot dulot ng mga pagsabog. Sa insidente sa Butuan City, maging ang mga residente sa apat na katabing barangay ay nangambang madamay sa pambobomba. Sa magkakahiwalay na bidyo sa pagbomba sa Dumalaguing ay nagpahayag din ang mga residente ng kanilang pangamba na maisapeligro ang buhay ng kanilang mga kapamilya.

Dahil sa teroristang epekto ng pambobomba mula sa ere, suportado ito ng mga kasinungalingang pilit pinatatanggap sa madla. Asintadong operasyon umano ang paghulog ng mga bombang may bigat na 500 libra (katumbas ng 230 kilo) gayong winawasak nito ang nasa saklaw ng 90-183 metro paikot, at mas malawak pa kung susukatin ang naaabot ng nagpira-pirasong bomba.

Noong Nobyembre 5, ibinalita ang pagdating sa Mindanao ng anim na karagdagang Black Hawk na helikopter, na lalong maghahasik ng teror sa mga komunidad at bukid. Ngunit ayon sa BHB-Agusan del Sur, kailangan ang paglalantad ng taumbaryo sa gayong mga lagim upang unti-unting maitransporma ang takot tungo sa kolektibong tapang.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/07/sa-tuwing-umuulan-ng-lagim/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Pagpaslang at mga kasinungalingan ng AFP hinggil sa pagkamatay ni Ka Oris

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the PRWC Newsroom  Website (Nov 7, 2021): Pagpaslang at mga kasinungalingan ng AFP hinggil sa pagkamatay ni Ka Oris

Mariing kinukundena ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), partikular ang 4th ID, sa walang dangal na akto ng pagpatay kay Ka Oris (Jorge Madlos) at sa kasama niyang medik na si Ka Pika. Kinukundena rin nito ang kasunod na engrandeng palabas sa midya at mga kasinungalingan ng matataas na upisyal militar para pagtakpan ang kanilang krimen.

Si Ka Oris, 72, ay halal na kasapi ng Komite Sentral, Kawanihan sa Pulitika at Komiteng Tagapagpaganap ng PKP. May mataas na katungkulan at tagapagsalita siya ng National Operational Command (NOC) ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB). Isa siya sa mga unang kadre ng Partido na nagtatag sa BHB sa Mindanao. Bilang parangal, idineklara ng PKP bilang Internasyunal na Araw ng Paggunita para kay Ka Oris ang Nobyembre 7. (Para sa buong parangal ng PKP, basahin ang espesyal na isyu ng Ang Bayan, Nobyembre 2, 2021.)

Taliwas sa ipinakakalat ng militar, hindi namatay sa engkwentro sina Ka Oris at Ka Pika. Sakay sila ng motorsiklo at binabaybay ang daan mula sa sentro ng bayan ng Impasug-ong sa Bukidnon patungo sa pambansang haywey nang tambangan sila ng mga sundalo ng 403rd IBde. Bumibyahe sila noon para sa regular na tsek-ap sa kalusugan at pagpapagamot. Pareho silang di armado at wala sa katayuang lumaban.

Apat na oras matapos ang pagpaslang, pinutakti ng mga FA-50 fighter jet at mga helikopter ang Sityo Gabunan, Barangay Dumalaguing, sa parehong bayan. Kinabukasan, Oktubre 30, “ginalugad” umano ng mga yunit militar ang pinagbagsakan ng mga bomba. Sa di kapani-paniwalang kwento, pinalabas ng AFP na “nakaengkwentro” bandang alas-11 ng umaga ng militar ang yunit ng BHB na kinabibilangan ni Ka Oris at Ka Pika. Dito umano nila “nakuha” ang bangkay ng dalawa.

Hindi makapaglabas ng anumang litrato ng pinangyarihan ng engkwentro ang AFP. Lahat ng mga larawan ng labi ni Ka Oris ay malapitang kinuha. Sa mga ito, nakaahit ang bigote at mahabang balbas ni Ka Oris, bagay na ginagawa lamang niya kapag bumibyahe at kailangang baguhin ang kanyang hitsura.

Para ipagpilitan ang kwentong “engkwentro,” paulit-ulit pang binomba ng AFP ang mabundok na bahagi ng Dumalaguing noong Nobyembre 2.

Gumawa pa ng kwento ang militar na madalas diumanong pumupunta si Ka Oris sa Cagayan de Oro City para magpa-dialysis. Walang sakit sa bato si Ka Oris. Ang karamdaman niya ay dulot ng pinsala sa kanyang pantog, na mahigit tatlong dekada na niyang iniinda.

Noong Nobyembre 3, sinunog ng AFP ang ebidensya ng kanilang krimen sa unilateral na desisyong ipina-cremate (ipinasunog para gawing abo) ang mga labi nina Ka Oris. Pagsunod umano ito sa mga protokol sa Covid-19 dahil anito, nagpositibo ang kanilang mga bangkay sa bayrus (bagay na wala ring independyenteng pagpapatunay). Ginawa ito ng AFP sa kabila nang paparating na noon ang kapatid ni Ka Oris para kunin ang kanyang mga labi.

Ipinagkait ng AFP ang lahat ng posibilidad para ipa-awtopsiya ang bangkay sa independyenteng mga duktor. Ito ay taliwas din sa kahilingan ng kanyang mga kaanak at ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan na ibalik ang kanyang mga labi sa Siargao Island sa Surigao del Norte para masilayan sa huling pagkakataon ng kanyang pamilya. Naulila ni Ka Oris ang kanyang asawa na si Maria Malaya, at kanilang dalawang anak.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/07/pagpaslang-at-mga-kasinungalingan-ng-afp-hinggil-sa-pagkamatay-ni-ka-oris/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Itigil ang teroristang pambobomba mula sa himpapawid!

Propaganda editorial from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the PRWC Newsroom  Website (Nov 7, 2021): Itigil ang teroristang pambobomba mula sa himpapawid!

ANG BAYAN PILIPINO

Ang paghuhulog ng mga bomba mula sa himpapawid mula sa mga eroplanong pandigma at helikopter at ang katuwang na paggamit ng mga drone para sa sarbeylans sa isinasagawang gera kontra-gerilya ay labag sa internasyunal na makataong batas na gumagabay sa kondukta ng gera. Ang paggamit ng mga sandatang ito ay dapat itigil at ipagbawal.

Labis-labis ang inihuhulog na tone-toneladang bomba, pinalilipad na rocket, ibinubugang mga bala ng masinggan, at panganganyon ng militar. Ang gayong malalakas na sandata, na karaniwang ginagamit pangwasak ng mga tangke at gusali, ay nagdudulot ng malaking pinsala sa buhay at kalikasan. Lalong kasuklam-suklam ang paggamit ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ng “proximity fuse” para pasabugin ang bomba ilang metro bago ito tumama sa lupa na nagdudulot ng mas malawak pang pinsala.

Itinataas ng AFP ang kakayahan nito sa pag-asinta ng pambobomba sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng mga drone para sa pang-ereng sarbeylans (pagkuha ng litrato, thermal imaging at elektronikong paniniktik) sa malawak na kalupaan. Nakadugtong ito sa lokal na mga espiya at mga kagamitang paniktik para tukuyin ang mga pwesto ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB).

May ilan nang pagkakataong tumama ang mga bomba sa mga pwesto o kampo ng BHB na ikinasawi ng maramihang bilang ng Pulang mandirigma, katulad ng pagkitil sa buhay ng 20 sa Dolores, Eastern Samar noong Agosto 16, 10 sa Gingoog City sa Misamis Oriental noong Mayo 10, 2020, at pito sa Sta. Teresita, Cagayan Valley nitong Setyembre 21. Kadalasang isinasagawa ang pambobomba sa mga natukoy na pwesto ng BHB sa madaling araw bago pumutok ang liwanag.

Ang paggamit ng labis na malalakas na sandata ay taliwas sa mga prinsipyo ng makataong batas na nagsasaad ng paggamit lamang ng hustong lakas para makamit ang isang partikular na layuning militar na hindi nagdudulot na sobra-sobrang pinsala sa armadong katunggali at hindi taliwas sa kung ano lamang ang matwid at makatao.

Sinasamantala ng AFP ang bentaheng panghimpapawid nito laban sa BHB sa paghuhulog nito ng bomba sa mga armadong katunggali na walang kakayahang magdepensa at walang pagkakataong lumaban. Hindi gera ang ganitong paraan ng maramihang pagpuksa, kundi brutal at madugong pagpatay. Isinasaad ng prinsipyo ng pagkamarangal na ang karapatang puksain ang kaaway ay makatwiran lamang kung ito ay nasa larangan ng armadong labanan. Sa paghuhulog ng bomba mula sa ilang kilometro sa himpapawid, ipinamamalas ng AFP ang kawalan ng pagkamarangal at labis na karuwagan.

Sa kabila ng paggamit ng mga drone, mas madalas pa rin na nagmimintis ang mga bomba ng AFP at tumatama, pumipinsala at nagsasaboy ng lason sa mga bukid sa kapatagan na malapit sa mga komunidad, sa mga sakahan at taniman sa bundok, sa mga lugar ng pangangaso, at mga pinagkukunan ng tubig, pagkain, gamot at iba pang rekursong pangkabuhayan ng masa. Kamakailan, nagresulta sa pagkasunog na malaking bahagi ng kabundukan ang matinding pambobomba.

May mga pagkakataong naghuhulog ng bomba at nag-iistraping sa malapit sa mga komunidad na walang malinaw na target ang AFP. Isinasapeligro nito ang buhay ng mga sibilyan at naghahasik ng matinding takot. Paulit-ulit ang mga kaso na napupwersang magbakwit ang mga tao. May ilan nang kaso ng mga sibilyang di man tuwirang tinamaan ay namatay dahil sa sakunang dulot ng pambobomba. Ang nakaririnding ugong ng matagalang pag-ikot-ikot ng mga drone sa kanilang mga komunidad at kabundukan ay sumisira sa katahimikan at nagdudulot ng labis na pangamba sa masa. Nambobomba ang AFP upang sindakin ang masa at paluhurin sila sa kapangyarihan ng militar. Ano pa nga ba ito kundi terorismo mula sa himpapawid.

Bilyun-bilyong piso ang nilulustay ng AFP sa halos araw-araw na pagpapalipad ng mga drone, eroplanong pandigma at helikopter. Ilang bilyong pisong halaga ng mga bomba, rocket at mga bala ang winawaldas para sa mga sandatang ito ng terorismo. Inaaksaya ang ganito kalaking pondo habang walang hanapbuhay, mababa ang sahod at kinikita at tuluy-tuloy na pumapaimbulog ang presyo ng mga bilihin.

Dapat magkaisa ang sambayanang Pilipino laban sa brutal at teroristang pambobomba mula sa himpapawid ng AFP. Dapat maninindigan ang nagtataguyod sa karapatang-tao at kapayapaan, mga abugado at ekspertong ligal, at lahat ng nagmamahal sa demokrasya, para isulong ang mga hakbang para ilantad, batikusin at itulak ang pagbabawal sa paggamit ng mga sandata ng terorismo ng estado. Dapat ilantad sa internasyunal na komunidad ang kabuktutan ng teroristang pambobomba sa Pilipinas at makiisa sa iba pang mamamayang dumaranas ng katulad na karahasan tulad sa Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Kurdistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan at iba pang bansa. Ilantad at batikusin ang pagsuporta ng imperyalismong US sa teroristang pambobomba ng pasistang rehimeng Duterte.

Dapat patuloy na magpakahusay ang BHB sa gerilyang pakikipagdigma upang biguin ang teroristang pambobomba ng AFP. Lahat ng yunit ng BHB, maliit o malaki, ay dapat maging puspusan sa pagtalima sa mga binuong patakarang panseguridad. Dapat maging mahusay at mapanlikha sa lihim na pagkilos upang panatilihing bulag at bingi ang kaaway at ipawalangsaysay ang mga drone at iba pang kagamitan ng kaaway sa paniniktik.

Dapat panatilihin ng lahat ng yunit ng BHB ang mataas na antas ng mobilidad at kakayahan sa mabilis na paglilipat-lipat upang iwasang masukol at maasinta ng kaaway. Kailangang tuluy-tuloy na palaparin ng lahat ng yunit ng BHB ang kinikilusan nitong erya. Iwasan ang labis na pagkakampante o pagluluwag na lumilitaw sa panahon na may natatamong tagumpay sa gawaing militar man o sa gawaing masa.

Dapat tuluy-tuloy na itaas ng BHB ang kakayahan na maglunsad ng mga opensiba laban sa mga kagamitang panghimpapawid ng kaaway. Wala man tayong mga kagamitang anti-aircraft, magagamit ng mga isnayper na Pulang mandirigma ang mga riple laban sa mga helikopter ng kaaway kapag lumilipad nang mababa o kaya’y lumalapag sa mga bundok at sa loob ng mga sonang gerilya.

Dahil sa lumalaking papel ng mga kagamitang panghimpapawid sa mga operasyong kontra-gerilya, hindi magtatagal na magiging palaasa dito ang mga tropang pangkati ng kaaway. Sa harap nito, dapat ibayong magpakahusay ang BHB sa paggamit nito ng bentahe ng kalupaan at suportang masa upang targetin ng mga taktikal na opensiba ang mahihina at nahihiwalay na yunit ng kaaway.

Gabay ng prinsipyong isinaad ni Mao: “ang mga mamamayan, hindi ang mga bagay, ang mapagpasya,” dapat pag-ibayuhin ng lahat ng Pulang mandirigma ang tapang, determinasyon, kahandaan sa sakripisyo at talino sa patuloy na pagsusulong ng digmang bayan. Itaas ang pampulitika at katatagang pang-ideolohiya ng lahat ng yunit ng BHB habang isinusulong ang matagalang digmang bayan para makamit ng sambayanang Pilipino ang pambansang kalayaan at demokrasya.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cppangbayan.wordpress.com/2021/11/07/itigil-ang-teroristang-pambobomba-mula-sa-himpapawid/

Senators slash NTF-ELCAC’s 2022 budget by P24 billion

From Rappler (Nov 9, 2021): Senators slash NTF-ELCAC’s 2022 budget by P24 billion (By MARA CEPEDA)

(1st UPDATE) Senate finance panel chair Sonny Angara says part of the NTF-ELCAC's slashed budget would instead fund health workers' COVID-19 benefits in 2022

Senators slashed the proposed budget of President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial anti-insurgency task force by P24 billion, leaving it with just about P4 billion in 2022.

Senator Sonny Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, announced this on Tuesday, November 9, as he discussed the amendments that senators introduced to the version of the proposed P5.024-trillion budget for 2022 that was earlier approved by the House of Representatives.

Angara said the budget reduction for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) reflects several senators’ longtime opposition to the huge fund allocated to the task force in 2021 worth P19.1 billion.

Angara said senators took away the bulk of the NTF-ELCAC’s 2022 budget and realigned the funds to crucial pandemic response programs.

Part of the realigned funds went to the compensation of health workers, including their special risk allowance that was not programmed in the House version of the 2022 budget.

Senators have also allotted P45.37 billion for the procurement of COVID-19 booster shots for Filipinos. This would allow the government to give one more dose at an estimated cost-per-dose price of P544 to around P83.4 million Filipinos.

“Actually naging source namin ng funds [‘yan]. Alam mo naman sa budget at our level, ‘pag nagdadagdag ka sa isang agency, you have to remove from other agencies. So nabawasan 'yung NTF-ELCAC actually…. Now it’s down to about P4 billion,” said Angara. (Actually it became a source of funds for us. You know that at our level, when we add funds to one agency, you have to remove from other agencies. So NTF-ELCAC's budget was reduced.... Now it's down to about P4 billion.)

Angara also said the NTF-ELCAC has yet to provide the Senate a detailed report on how it has utilized its multibillion-peso budget in 2021.

"We’re still waiting for the report…. We cannot make a judgement really if the program has been a success or not because we’ve not received any [report],” said Angara.

In a statement on Tuesday, National Security Adviser and NTF-ELCAC vice chairperson Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr. responded to the budget cuts by pointing out the country’s supposed fight against communism.

“I hope they understand that we are addressing a 53-year insurgency led by the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist triad,” Esperon said. “I also hope that our senators will take to heart the plight of people in the barangays affected by the prolonged conflict.”

The NTF-ELCAC vice chairperson claimed that the country’s insurgency problem affected the development in areas in the countryside.

“While I understand that COVID-19 is the clear and present danger that we have to address, I hope they recognize the scourge that has caused stunted growth of the countryside and in effect on the nation. We have spent almost a trillion to combat COVID-19, let's have the political will to fight the longstanding number one political security threat in our country,” Esperon added.

That senators reduced the NTF-ELCAC’s proposed budget in 2022 comes as no surprise, as they have long condemned the task force’s notorious red-tagging of civilians, institutions, and government critics.

Senate Minority Leader Frank Drilon hopes Angara's panel would also further cut another P2 billion from NTF-ELCAC "hidden" in the budget of other agencies like the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

"I support and congratulate Senator Sonny Angara for the cut in the NTF-ELCAC budget. I thank him for supporting my advocacy since last year to realign this NTF-ELCAC budget which duplicates other programs, and is clearly in the nature of pork barrel funds," said Drilon.

The veteran lawmaker earlier warned that NTF-ELCAC's huge funds could be used as an "election giveaway" in the 2022 polls.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, who is running for president in 2022, also believes the NTF-ELCAC should not be seeking more funds when it cannot even submit a report on its budget utilization for the current year.

"Misused funds are far worse than unused appropriations. If the chairman of the Senate finance committee himself asserts that those entrusted to utilize the NTF-ELCAC funds cannot even provide the details on how they spent the same, they have no business asking for more," said Lacson.

"That being said, not only do I support the slash in the NTF-ELCAC's proposed budget for 2022, if such misuse was indeed committed – the officials concerned must be made accountable, if not criminally liable," he added.

In April, several senators even threatened to defund or give zero budget to NTF-ELCAC in 2022.

Senate plenary deliberations on the 2022 budget are set to begin on Wednesday, November 10.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/senators-slash-ntf-elcac-2022-budget

Robredo wants to abolish Duterte’s notorious anti-insurgency group

From Rappler (Nov 9, 2021): Robredo wants to abolish Duterte’s notorious anti-insurgency group (By MARA CEPEDA)

Presidential bet and Vice President Leni Robredo says insurgency 'cannot be solved by using a purely militaristic approach' by the NTF-ELCAC

If Vice President Leni Robredo becomes the next Philippine president, she would move to abolish President Rodrigo Duterte’s notorious anti-insurgency task force, fearing it would be abused like the bloody drug war.

During the virtual RVote Session organized by the Rotary Club of Makati, Robredo likened the persistent red-tagging activities of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to the police force’s abuses in carrying out its bloody drug war called “Oplan Tokhang.”

“I think I already mentioned this in some of the previous interviews that there really is a duplication of many efforts, the duplication of the mandate, a duplication of the mandate, and it has to be abolished,” Robredo said on Tuesday, November 9.

"Ang pinakatakot ko dito is magiging Tokhang uli ito, magiging Tokhang Version 2 (What I fear is that this would become Tokhang Version 2) in sense that the mandate given to the body will be abused, will be used to harass people,” she added.

The NTF-ELCAC has long been drawing flak for constantly accusing government critics and other civilians of working with communist rebels.

Senators have moved to slash P24 billion from the task force’s proposed 2022 budget due to its red-tagging activities.

Oplan Tokhang was a controversial police operation under Duterte’s war on drugs, where cops literally knock on the doors of suspected drug users and dealers to ask them to stop their habit or trade.

Tokhang has since become synonymous to extrajudicial killings following reports of cops killing unarmed suspects. In defending the killings, police officers commonly say that the suspects fought back while resisting arrest or “nanlaban.”

On Tuesday, Robredo reiterated her position that peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines, its armed wing New People’s Army, and its political National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) should be continued.

She rejected what she has described as the “militaristic approach” against the communist insurgency, urging civil society, the private sector, and even the Church to join the peace process.

“There must be a call for a complete cessation of hostilities and violence and to spare hostilities in conflict affected areas. There must be a rejection of the militaristic approaches to ending internal armed conflict,” Robredo said.

Robredo said basic services in conflict-affected areas should be increased, while government reintegration programs for former rebels and their families should be strengthened.

“This cannot be solved by using a purely militaristic approach. We have to go to the root of the problem of insurgency to be able to give a long-term solution to the same,” said the Vice President.

In October, Robredo had renewed her call for localized peace talks with communist rebels throughout the country as a step to forging an agreement with the CPP-NPA-NDF.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/robredo-wants-ntf-elcac-abolished-if-becomes-president-2022

LOOK: Last batch of military’s Black Hawk choppers arrive in PH

From Rappler (Nov 9, 2021): LOOK: Last batch of military’s Black Hawk choppers arrive in PH (By JAIRO BOLLEDO)

A Black Hawk helicopter, which was among the recently acquired units, crashed in Tarlac in June this year

The last batch of the Black Hawk helicopters procured by the military has arrived in the country, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced on Tuesday, November 9.

According to the PAF, the five additional S-70i Black Hawk choppers were received by the military at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Monday. The choppers were the third and final batch of the 16 helicopters the PAF had acquired.

 


An Antonov plane, which carries the Black Hawk choppers, arrives at Clark Air Base on November 8, 2021. PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE

With a total price of $241.46 million (P11 billion), the Philippines purchased the helicopters from Polish company Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze.

The first batch of six units were delivered in November 2020, followed by a second batch of five units in June 2021. The second batch of Black Hawk helicopters were accepted in a ceremony on October 13.

 


The newly purchased choppers being unloaded from the delivery plane. PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE

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The PAF said the fleet of their newly acquired aircraft will boost the Armed Forces’ capability in various operations, which include humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. The choppers were also used in transporting COVID-19 vaccines in different parts of the country.

A Black Hawk chopper, which was among the newly procured units, crashed on June 23 and killed at least six people. Shortly after the fatal accident, Senator Richard Gordon, chairperson of the Senate blue ribbon committee, called for a Senate investigation into the incident.



A Black Hawk parks at Clark Air Base.  PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE

Following the crash, the PAF has grounded all of its Black Hawk units.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/photos-last-batch-military-black-hawk-choppers-arrive-november-8-2021

B’laan communist rebel surrenders in NorthCot

From the Mindanao Times (Nov 9, 2021): B’laan communist rebel surrenders in NorthCot (By RHODA GRACE SARON)

Photo courtesy of 39th Infantry Battalion

A 47-YEAR-old B’laan and an alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the soldiers of the 39th Infantry Battalion in North Cotabato on Nov. 7.

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, the 39IB commander, identified him only as Alias Jorry, B’laan and resident of Sitio Datal Biao, Barangay Danlag, Tampakan.

Balagtey said alias Jorry was a member of Guerilla Front ALIP of the Far South Mindanao Region recently surfaced and surrendered to Tampakan Municipal Task Force in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) chairman Leonard T. Escobillo during the culmination program of the three-day peacebuilding seminar held at Tampakan National High School.

He said the surrenderee gave up all his weapons that included an M16 rifle with a short magazine and an M1 Garand rifle. The activity was participated by 63 members of the New People’s Army Underground Mass Organization and seven NPA rebels conducted by the Tampakan MTF-ELCAC.

According to the military, the participants came from Barangay Danlag, Tablu, and Palo 19 of Tampakan, South Cotabato who recently cut their ties and denounced their affiliation with the CPP-NDF-NPA.

Likewise, the participants submitted a project proposal to the LGU that mostly tackled livelihood enhancement. Also, they expressed their support to the barangay development programs after internalizing the purpose of contributing to the peace and development of communities.

Restituto Macuto, regional director DSWD XII, during his message, encouraged everyone to be advocates of peace.

“We are always thankful for the fact that you have seen the efforts of the government to give you a good life, if not the best, for you to understand the importance of living in peace and harmony. We are also thankful to our military personnel who are more than dedicated to solidifying peace and order across the country as they have been guided with the whole-of-nation approach,” Macuto said.

The PBS is a three-day program that aims to reorient and redirect the former UGMO members from NPA propaganda. The program includes information awareness on programs and services of the government and other partner stakeholders to address the issues being exploited by the NPA in its recruitment activities.

 
https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2021/11/09/blaan-communist-rebel-surrenders-in-northcot/

Coast Guard inaugurates P50-M headquarters in W. Visayas

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9, 2021): Coast Guard inaugurates P50-M headquarters in W. Visayas (By Perla Lena)

NEW BUILDING. The newly-inaugurated PHP50-million regional headquarters of the Philippine Coast Guard in Western Visayas on Monday (Nov. 8, 2021). Department of Transportation Secretary Art Tugade, who led the inauguration, said it was funded under the convergence project of the Department of Public Works and Highways. (PNA photo by PGLena)

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) inaugurated its PHP50 million regional headquarters in Bo. Obrero, in this city’s Lapuz district on Monday afternoon.

The new PCG regional headquarters aims to strengthen and support the PCG workforce in carrying out its mission of safeguarding life and property, marine environment protection, and in conducting humanitarian missions and disaster response and management operations, said Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade who led the inauguration together with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne Baronda.

The project was funded under the convergence program of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) but it was through the constant prodding of Baronda that led to its funding, conceptualization, and construction, Tugade added.

He emphasized the need to strengthen the culture, values, and ways of doing things to sustain the facility.

“I want the Philippine Coast Guard must always be imbued with the right character and the proper ways of doing things. I inculcate the value and the discipline, of value and culture of doing things, especially if you are in uniform,” he said.

To maximize the use of the PCG building, he instructed the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) through General Manager Jay Santiago, to study the possibility of constructing a pier adjacent to the new headquarters.

This, after Baronda urged the construction of a small port to ensure the “accessibility and efficiency” of the PCG during calamities and disasters.

Baronda, in her message, articulated her gratitude to the PCG for assisting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in ferrying them back home to Iloilo when transportation was unavailable during the early period of the health pandemic.

Meanwhile, Tugade expressed his desire to establish the PCG Shore Auxiliary Volunteers among the ranks of the PCG Auxiliary (PCGA) even as he expressed his gratitude and appreciation for their help to the PCG rescue and relief operations.

“I want auxiliaries appointed amongst volunteers living by the coastal of the Republic of the Philippines. The Philippines is an archipelago, there are more waters than land and therefore we need more people to man the coastal than the land. Of course without saying, we should also man the land,” he said.

He added that the auxiliary shore patrol volunteers will be helping the PCG in safeguarding the shoreline for the welfare of all and not just for fisherfolk.

Once they are organized, Tugade said he will come back for their oath-taking to officially welcome them as volunteers of the PCG Shore Auxiliary Volunteers.

Also joining during the inauguration was PCG Commandant Vice Admiral Leopoldo Laroya.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159164

Assorted firearms, ammo found in CDO

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9, 2021): Assorted firearms, ammo found in CDO (By Jigger Jerusalem)

Authorities discovered an assortment of firearms and ammunition hidden in a remote part of the mountain village here Monday afternoon.

According to the police’s City Mobile Force Company (CMFC), the stash was found by a resident hidden in a clump of bamboos near the paved road in Sitio Salimbal, Barangay Tignapoloan.

Lt. Col. Alfredo Ortiz, CMFC force commander, said in an interview Tuesday his team discovered an improvised shotgun, a .45 caliber sidearm, a rusty .38 caliber revolver handgun, three retractable rifle grenades, six 20-gauge live shot pellets, and six caliber .38 cartridges.

“A resident stumbled upon the weapons when he saw the barrel of a shotgun protruding from the sack. He reported it right away to village officials, who in turn informed us,” he said.

Ortiz said the rifle grenades, with canisters, appear to be new, although investigators have yet to determine if these were issued to the Philippine National Police (PNP) or to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“There was no marking indicating if these rifle grenades belong to the PNP or the AFP,” he said, but added that the PNP’s mobile forces usually use that type of rifle grenades.

Ortiz said they will have to trace where the rifle grenades came from as these bore markings of its manufacturers.

The police, he said, also have yet to verify if these weapons fell into the hands of the New People’s Army (NPA) or had been owned by a civilian.

NPA fighters had been known in the past to traverse the road from Bukidnon to Lanao del Norte by way of Tignapoloan.

Residents have also reported sightings of armed groups passing through the village in previous years.

“The sack that contained the firearms and ammunition were not buried, meaning, the owner did not intend to hide it for a long time, but to retrieve it later,” Ortiz said.

He said the police are appealing to residents not to hesitate to report any suspicious persons or objects to local authorities.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159162

‘Disgruntled’ NPA member yields in SoCot

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9, 2021): ‘Disgruntled’ NPA member yields in SoCot (By Allen Estabillo)

SURRENDER. Former New People’s Army member alias “Kat-Kat” (right), relates his experiences to Tboli Mayor Dibu Tuan (left), and 1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan (center), commanding officer of the Army’s 11th Special Forces Company, following his surrender in Barangay Edwards, Tboli town on Tuesday morning (Nov. 9, 2021). The returnee received immediate cash assistance of PHP10,000 and two sacks of rice from the municipal government. (Photo courtesy of the 11th SF Company)

A “disgruntled” member of a New People’s Army (NPA) unit operating in the hinterlands of South Cotabato province surrendered on Tuesday to government troops in the area.

1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan, commanding officer of the Army’s 11th Special Forces Company, said the rebel yielded voluntarily along with his firearm in Barangay Edwards, Tboli town following a series of negotiations.

He said the returnee, identified only as alias “Kat-Kat” for security reasons, is a former member of Platoon West, Sub-Regional Committee Musa of the NPA-Far South Mindanao Region.

The rebel surrendered a US M1 .30-caliber Carbine (folding stock) rifle bearing serial number 1339557, with one magazine and three rounds of ammunition.

Punsalan said alias “Kat-Kat,” who is a member of the Tboli-Tasaday tribe, mainly decided to surrender so he can lead a normal and peaceful life with his family.

He said the former cadre was also encouraged by the national government’s efforts to address the needs of their communities through the service caravans and other convergence programs initiated by Tboli’s Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).

“(That) became a factor in his decision to surrender because he realized that the government is a partner and not an enemy of their tribe,” Punsalan said in a statement.

For his part, alias “Kat-Kat” said he was lured into joining the NPA because of the false promises from its leaders.

Like other members of their tribe, he said he later realized that he was just fooled by the “communist terrorist group”.

“They promised that if I fight the government, my family and I can have a better life but it did not happen,” he said.

Tboli Mayor Dibu Tuan said the surrender of alias “Kat-Kat” is an indicator that the continuing outreach activities of their Task Force ELCAC and the delivery of basic services in the area’s conflict-affected villages have been so far effective.

He expressed hope that more NPA combatants, especially those from Tboli and other local indigenous tribes, will also surrender and take part in the government’s reintegration.

“This will help us achieve a conflict-free and more developed municipality in the years to come,” he said.

Punsalan said the local government, through Mayor Tuan, handed over immediate cash assistance of PHP10,000 and two sacks of rice to the surrenderer.

He said they will assist the latter’s enrollment into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Alias “Kat-Kat” may be eligible for the firearms remuneration, livelihood assistance, deradicalization interventions, and other related support programs, he said.

Some 73 former NPA rebels in South Cotabato have received various assistance under the E-CLIP this year through support from the Army’s 5th Special Forces Battalion.

Punsalan said the former rebels received immediate and reintegration assistance from the local government units as well as firearms remuneration and livelihood grants.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159187

PH Navy chief welcomes new Israeli envoy

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9, 2021): PH Navy chief welcomes new Israeli envoy (By Priam Nepomuceno)

STRONG TIES. Israel's new Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss (left) receives a token of appreciation from Philippine Navy (PN) flag-officer-in-command Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado (right) during his courtesy call at the PN headquarters on Monday (Nov. 8, 2021). The two officials discussed bilateral ties and strong defense and military partnerships between the Philippines and Israel. (Photo courtesy of Naval Public Affairs Office)

Israel's newly-appointed Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss paid an introductory courtesy call to Philippine Navy (PN) flag-officer-in-command Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado on Monday.

"The bilateral ties and strong defense and military partnership of the Philippines and Israel were among the highlights of the discussions during Ambassador Fluss' courtesy call on the Navy chief," PN spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said in a statement Tuesday.

He added that both sides discussed various maritime and defense security issues which were not elaborated.

"Today's (Monday) courtesy call demonstrates the role that the PN plays in promoting the country's diplomatic relations with other countries, which further aids in maintaining peace, stability, and cooperation among partner nations," Negranza said.

The PN earlier said that it will be acquiring eight units of fast attack interdiction craft-missile (FAIC-M) from Israel under a government-to-government procurement scheme.

Negranza said the acquisition of eight units of FAIC-M is among the 2019 projects approved by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte under the Horizon 2 List of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.

"The first two units of the FAIC-M (are) estimated to arrive in-country around the last quarter of 2022," he added.

He also said the FAIC-M project was awarded to Israel Shipyards Ltd. and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel under a government-to-government procurement scheme and is divided into two lots.

"Lot 1 covers the delivery of nine platforms, four of which will be missile-capable, and the upgrading of the Naval Shipyard (NSY) for the establishment of a local production line as part of the Transfer of Technology (ToT).

On the other hand, Lot 2 includes the integration of weapons and combat systems," Negranza said.

The FAIC-Ms is expected to replace the force of patrol killer medium (PKM) or medium-sized patrol craft.

Once deliveries of the FAIC-Ms are completed, these vessels can interdict surface threats and launch non-line-of-sight missiles safely using the surrounding littoral areas as maneuver space and cover.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159161

Army troops also ‘bearer of tidings’ in far-flung communities

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9, 2021): Army troops also ‘bearer of tidings’ in far-flung communities (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Photo courtesy of Philippine Army Facebook page

Lt. Gen. Andres Centino, Philippine Army (PA) chief, said troops deployed in remote communities can help inform residents on important and ongoing government projects and programs.

“Mayroong programa ang gobyerno na minsan hindi nakakaabot sa mga liblib na lugar (There are government programs that sometimes do not reach far-flung areas). Our soldiers are there. We have units na nandoon sa mga malalayong lugar (in those remote areas) so we take advantage of that by helping the government in disseminating information," Centino said in a statement posted at the Army Facebook page on Monday night.

He also said it is also part of the PA's mission to provide the public with proper information on the development programs of the government as part of efforts to curb communist insurgency.

These include free irrigation, improved Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), 'Build, Build, Build', free tuition fee, universal health care, anti-illegal drugs, anti-crime, anti-graft and corruption campaigns, and the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination programs.

Centino, meanwhile, pledged to enhance the communication systems of troops tasked to secure far-flung communities to curb security threats.

Communication systems in the military refer to long-range radios with secured frequencies.

He also highlighted the “robust mobility assets” that have been provided to Army units in remote areas.

“We have procured military trucks from (South) Korea. We have also provided SUVs to our units,” Centino said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159157

Delivery of 'Black Hawk' choppers now complete: PAF

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9, 2021): Delivery of 'Black Hawk' choppers now complete: PAF (By Priam Nepomuceno)

File photo courtesy of PAF

The delivery of the 16 Polish-made S-70i "Black Hawk" combat utility helicopters in the country has been completed, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said on Tuesday.

In an interview with reporters, PAF spokesperson, Col. Maynard Mariano said the last batch of five S-70i "Black Hawk" helicopters were transported to the Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Pampanga on Monday morning.

"(The last five S-70i helicopters), it was transported by an Antonov aircraft (An-124) that landed in Clark around 10:45 a.m. Again the (manufacturing) company is the PZL Mielec from Poland. (They are the company that has the license from the US) to build the 'Black Hawk'," Mariano said.

He added that they have started the technical inspection of the brand new aircraft before commissioning them into service.

"Every time (there is a delivery of air assets), it has to go through processes, so it has to go through acceptance, it has to go through the checking of all the systems (before we accept it)," Mariano added.

Mariano did not give a timeline on how long the inspection will take but said this involves a rigorous process.

"So if these items will not pass the tolerance in the given checklist and the test then it will not be accepted by the Air Force, (and we will have the) manufacturer come in or they have to bring the aircraft or equipment back to have it fixed," he added.

The PAF has an order of 16 S-70i helicopters from Polish company PZL Mielec worth USD241 million (about PHP11.5 billion).

The first six were delivered in November 2020 while the second batch of five was delivered this June.

One unit from the initial six units delivered in the country crashed last June 24 while on a night-flying exercise.

These helicopters will boost the Armed Forces of the Philippines' capability to conduct various operations, including humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159180

Duterte yet to appoint next PNP chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9, 2021): Duterte yet to appoint next PNP chief (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (File photo)

President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to pick the next head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who will succeed outgoing police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

“Wala pa po. Ako naman po ang tagapag-anunsiyo kung meron man. So sa akin po manggagaling ang impormasyon na iyan (There is none yet. I will be the one to announce, if he already picks one. The information will come from me),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said, when quizzed if Duterte has chosen the country’s next PNP chief.

Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año earlier said five PNP officials are on the shortlist of candidates as next top cop of the country.

Año refused to divulge the identities of the police officials, but stressed that seniority, merit, and service reputation are his grounds of coming up with the shortlist of candidates.

He submitted the list to Duterte on Nov. 2.

Roque said Duterte wants the next PNP chief to have the loyalty and competence to implement the country’s laws.

“Napakataas ng standards ng Presidente para po sa PNP chief. At nakikita niyo naman kung paano ang naging serbisyo ni PNP chief Eleazar. Kinakailangan po merong katapatan, meron siyang napatunayang kakayahang ipatupad ang mga batas ng ating bansa lalung-lalo na sa taon na tayo po’y magkakaroon ng eleksyon (The President’s standards for a PNP chief is very high. It reflects on the service rendered by PNP chief Eleazar. [The next PNP chief] should be loyal and competent to implement laws, especially since we are about to conduct elections next year),” he said.

Eleazar is set to bow out of the service when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Nov. 13.

Before being named as the country’s 26th PNP chief, he held all three top posts of the police force -- deputy chief for administration, deputy chief for operations, and chief of the directorial staff.

Eleazar also served as director of the National Capital Region Office.

If the rule of succession is followed, possible contenders for PNP chief include Lt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, deputy chief for administration; Lt. Gen. Ephraim Dickson, deputy chief for operations; and Lt. Gen. Dionardo Carlos, chief of the directorial staff.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159198

Political will needed in fighting communist terrorists

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9, 2021): Political will needed in fighting communist terrorists (By Priam Nepomuceno)

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (File photo)

While mindful of the damage that the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has caused the country, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Tuesday said political will is needed to fight the communist terrorists which is the biggest political threat in the Philippines.

Esperon, who is also National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) vice chair, issued this statement after the Senate slashed the proposed PHP28.12 billion budget of the task force to just PHP4 billion for 2022.

Earlier, Senator Sonny Angara, Senate committee on finance chair, said they took the bulk of the NTF-ELCAC's budget and realigned to fund pandemic response programs.

"While I understand that Covid-19 is the clear and present danger that we have to address, I hope they recognize the scourge that has caused stunted growth of the countryside and in effect of the nation. We have spent almost a trillion to combat Covid-19, let's have the political will to fight the long standing number one political security threat in our country," Esperon added.

He also hopes that the senators understand that they are addressing a 53-year insurgency led by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

"I also hope that our Senators will take to heart the plight of people in the barangays affected by the prolonged conflict," Esperon said.

Earlier, the NTF-ELCAC said it is allocating PHP20 million each for 1,406 barangays cleared of communist terrorist influence under its Barangay Development Project (BDP) this coming 2022.

The PHP20 million allocated per barangay will be spent for BDP core projects like farm-to-market roads, school buildings, water and sanitation systems, livelihood programs, and health stations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1159265