Sunday, February 27, 2022

NPA hideout in Zambales seized

From the Philippine Star (Feb 28, 2022): NPA hideout in Zambales seized (Michael Punongbayan)

An abandoned rebel camp has been seized by the military in Candelaria, Zambales, authorities said yesterday.

The camp, believed occupied by the New People’s Army-Komiteng Larangang Guerrilla-Tarlac-Zambales, (NPA-KLG-TarZam),
was discovered by soldiers who were patroling in the area.

“Troopers found food containers and communist propaganda materials at the camp.
The place must be the cooking area or drop-off point of the KLG-TarZam,” Maj. Gen. Andrew Costelo, chief of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, said.


Col. Joseph Norwin Pasamonte, chief of the Army’s 703rd Infantry Brigade, said the strength of the KLG-TarZam has been weakened by the continuous and intensive military operations.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/02/28/2163789/npa-hideout-zambales-seized

Family, Lumad advocates doubt military claim on Chad Booc’s death

Posted to the periodically pro-CPP/NPA Davao Today (Feb 27, 2022): Family, Lumad advocates doubt military claim on Chad Booc’s death (By KATH M. CORTEZ)



Chad Booc (left) and Gelejurain Ngujo II (right)

Disbelief and grief was followed by condemnation as relatives and friends question the military reports that two volunteer teachers for Lumad schools — Chad Booc and Gelejurain Ngujo II — were among the five “rebels” killed in an encounter in Barangay Andap, New Bataan, Davao de Oro.

The 10th Infantry Division in a statement released Friday February 25 claimed the two were killed in a “series of armed encounters” between government troops with the New People’s Army.

They identified Booc — a volunteer teacher and vocal defender of Lumad rights — as a recruiter for the NPAs.

Booc is a University of the Philippines Diliman cum laude who volunteered for the Alternative Learning Community for Agricultural Development (ALCADEV) in Surigao del Sur in 2016.

He was also one of the teachers arrested in Cebu on February 2021 accused of training “child warriors” but the case was dismissed in May.

Ngujo was a volunteer teacher at the Community Technical College of Southern Mindanao in Barangay Lapu-Lapu, Maco, Davao de Oro.

The Save our Schools (SOS) Network belied the claims of the military that the two were rebels and were killed in action.

“What the AFP claims as an “encounter” is in fact a massacre of civilians in the area. And in its attempt to justify these gruesome killings, the armed forces once again twist the truth to play into their narrative as they have done many times before,” the group said in a statement posted in their Facebook page.

The group added that reports from residents in Barangay Andap said no encounter between the military and the NPA happened on that day.

SOS also lambasted the 1001st Infantry Brigade for “parading” the bodies and took photographs as “war trophies”, which they said is “disrespect and non-adherence to the CARHRIL (Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law)”.

The Sandugo Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines “to treat the remains of their victims with respect”, and turn them over to their families.

Communist Party of the Philippines spokesperson Marco Valbuena also belies the military claims on his Twitter account. He said NPA units confirmed no armed clashes took place in the area.

Valbuena also called for a full probe on the circumstance of the killing of the Booc, Ngujo and the three persons he called activists.

Dedicated teacher and activist

Booc’s sister Jennah Ramirez, wrote on her Facebook account about her brother, describing him as a dedicated activist who after graduating Cum Laude in the University of the Philippines-Diliman chose to be with the indigenous people in Mindanao.

“Chad Booc has fought so hard alongside the people who have been marginalized for as long as this country could remember. He could have been your tech bro. He graduated CUM LAUDE in Computer Science in the Philippines’ top university (UP-Diliman) Instead, he dedicated his life in service of the Lumad people,” she said.

Jennah said it pained her how the military painted her brother as an NPA.

“It is unthinkable to think of him just gone. Napakasahol.(This is very bad) My brother was an activist— never a (expletive) NPA,” she said.

Journalist and environmentalist Mark Saludes, who had interviewed Booc for a story, posted on his Facebook account his tribute.

“Chad Booc was not just a character or a case study in some of my stories about the plight of the Indigenous Peoples in the country. He was a champion of indigenous people’s rights.

SEE ALSO: https://www.facebook.com/mzsaludes/posts/10227357631796545

Ngujo was also remembered by his classmate and co-teacher Mie Alegre as a friendly and musically gifted person.

“I met jurain last 2014, 4 years in college mi nag uban knowing him walay nakalalis/nakaaway sa dorm, grabe ka-approachable, friendly, hilig ug music. 2018- nagkuyog pud mi sa bakwit manila still close sya sa bata ug mga kauban nga teacher. Love gyud niya ang community immersion. Andam mutabang bisag kay kinsa, very friendly gyud sya,” Alegre recalled.

(We were together for four years in college, knowing him, he did not have quarrels or fights with anyone in the dorm. He was very approachable, friendly, a lover of music. 2018, we evacuated to Manila and he was still close to the [Lumad] children and co-teachers. He loved the community immersion. He was always ready to help anyone, he was a very friendly person.)

Various organizations who support the Lumad schools gave their statements calling for justice for Booc and Ngujo.

Same storyline

The SOS Network said the military’s “encounter” narrative has been used to cover up the killings of Lumad and its supporters.

They recalled the death of Salugpongan student Obello Bay-ao and the massacre of Tbolis defending their ancestral lands in Lake Sebu where the military accused the victims as NPA members.

“A storyline sold by the state forces that were not so different from the murder of another minor in 2018 who was suspected to be a part of the NPA while he was heading out to school. And once again, the same narrative that is continually being proliferated now by the AFP when they brutally killed Chad and Jurain,” the SOS said in their statement.

The group salutes Booc for his fearless advocacy, which has made him a target of threats.

SEE ALSO:
https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSchoolsCebu/photos/a.1722124208083681/2754245451538213/?type=3

“Chad has faced numerous death threats coming from the state forces themselves over the years for merely speaking out on the rampant militarization in the Lumad’s ancestral lands and the closure of their schools. Like his students and the Lumad communities where he and Jurain teach, Chad is hunted for exercising his democratic rights and for fighting for the rights of the Lumad. This is the kind of culture of impunity and fascism that the Duterte administration wants to leave as its legacy,” the group said.

“Together with the victims’ families, the Save Our Schools Network demands justice and a thorough investigation for Chad, for Jurain, and the other victims of the massacre. We enjoin our fellow advocates to call to address the root causes of armed conflict and resume peace talks!” — with report from Jigger Jerusalem 

http://davaotoday.com/main/human-rights/family-lumad-advocates-doubt-military-claim-on-chad-boocs-death/

Philippine Army foils bombing in Sulu

From the Mindanao Examiner (Feb 27, 2022): Philippine Army foils bombing in Sulu

The Philippine military said it prevented an attack in the southern province of Sulu after soldiers diffused an improvised explosive planted on a roadside in Patikul town.

The 11th Infantry Division announced the news late Sunday eight hours after soldiers
recovered the explosive in the village of Anuling following a tip off from civilians who discovered the bomb.






Photos released by the 11th Infantry Division show the diffused improvised explosive recovered in Anuling village in Sulu's Patikul town on Sunday, February 27, 2022.

Quoting a report by Col. Giovanni Franza, commander of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade, it said the improvised explosive was made from four liters of ANFO or ammonium nitrate mixed with fuel oil and dozens of four inch nails and two inch steel bars with three electric blasting caps and a detonator.

“After cordoning the area and confirming the presence of the IED, it was then subsequently diffused and successfully recovered,” it said. “The improvised explosive device was intended to inflict casualty on government troops and target individuals as collateral, but through the combined efforts of Joint Task Force-Sulu and cooperation of the residents of Barangay Anuling, the attempt of conducting atrocity was prevented. The captured IED was immediately turned over to PNP-Provincial Explosive Canine Unit - Sulu for investigation and appropriate disposition.”

Brig. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of the 11th Infantry Division and the Joint Task Force Sulu, commended members of the 35th Infantry Battalion who quickly responded to the area.

He did not say who planted the improvised explosive, but said: “We will continue to hunt down the people behind this in creating a terrorist act. “We’ve been tightening our efforts in suppressing this terrorist group. The JTF-Sulu will continue to put an end to terrorism here in this province in the soonest time possible. We will continue to coordinate with the police and other local government agencies,” he said.

The Abu Sayyaf terrorists are actively operating in Patikul and were blamed by the military for previous bombings and attacks on civilian targets.

Patrimonio said since August 2020, the task force pre-empted bombing attempts in the province. “To recall, the last twin bombings attack was on 24 August 2020 dubbed as twin bombing. Since then, the JTFS had pre-empted bombing attempts and will continue to do so even today. We will not stop until we zero-in the enemy and their leadership. We will continue to do our mandate and strengthen our capabilities to perform our duties to protect our fellow Filipino here in the province of Sulu,” he said, referring to the twin suicide bombings in the capital town of Jolo.

Two Indonesian female bombers carried out the daring attacks that left dozens of casualties, mostly civilians.

One of the bombers was an Indonesian widow of Abu Sayyaf suicide bomber Norman Lasuca, who blew himself up outside a military base and killed 8 people in Sulu’s Indanan town 2019. The other bomber was the wife of an Abu Sayyaf explosives expert Talha Jumsa, who was also slain in a clash with soldiers in Patikul town.

A parked motorcycle rigged with explosives was detonated near two military trucks and the second bomber detonated her explosives while soldiers and policemen were rushing to the scene to aid the victims.

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2022/02/philippine-army-foils-bombing-in-sulu.html

Booc’s death consequence of ‘senseless war’: ex-cadre

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 27, 2022): Booc’s death consequence of ‘senseless war’: ex-cadre (By Marita Moaje)



‘SENSELESS’. The body of Chad Booc when it was recovered after an an encounter with troops of the 1001st Infantry Brigade in New Bataan, Davao de Oro on Thursday (Feb. 24, 2022). Booc was arrested in Cebu City last year for alleged trafficking of students from indigenous people's communities but was later ordered released by a local court along with six others. (Photo courtesy of 10ID)

Chad Booc, the slain activist, teacher, and student recruiter, wrongly believed that armed struggle will bring peace and development.

In a letter posted on Facebook on Friday, former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) cadre Ariane Jane Ramos wrote that she never met the 27-year-old Booc but her “heart weeps because we did not have the chance to save you”.

Booc, a University of the Philippines-Diliman Computer Science cum laude graduate, was killed along with four others in an encounter with military forces in Davao de Oro on February 24.


“I know that you have become the best human being as you embraced the profession of being a revolutionary, a Red fighter. You wholeheartedly believed (and so did I) that winning the People's Democratic Revolution thru armed struggle of the CPP-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front) is the only solution in order to achieve peace, justice and equality,” wrote Ramos, who was known as Ka Marikit while serving the communist terrorist group. “But you are wrong. We are wrong.”

Ramos said genuine service should not be done by means of war against your countrymen.

“It is seen by our willingness to build roads even for others whose ideologies we do not agree with. This paves the way for us to know dialectically what are the causes why such uprisings occur. With this, we can create the right formula to end this longest running communist insurgency in the world. And save lives,” she wrote.

Ramos was carrying the child of partner Daniel Bandalan (alias Regoy), also an NPA officer, when she surrendered to authorities in August last year

She was the party wife of Rommel Tausan, another NPA commanding officer who died in a military operation.

“You heaved your last breath while courageously exchanging blows with the government troops. You fought for the masses, but your death served as a senseless consequence of a useless war,” Ramos told her fellow “iskolar ng bayan” (nation’s scholar).

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

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the NDF as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1168634

CPP/NDF-MAKIBAKA: Ibasura ang Resolution No. 28 ng NTF-ELCAC/Anti-Terror Council! Ibasura ang Anti-Terror Law! Labanan at biguin ang pasismo ng rehimeng US-Duterte!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 27, 2022): Ibasura ang Resolution No. 28 ng NTF-ELCAC/Anti-Terror Council! Ibasura ang Anti-Terror Law! Labanan at biguin ang pasismo ng rehimeng US-Duterte! (Discard Resolution No. 28 of the NTF-ELCAC/Anti-Terror Council! Discard the Anti-Terror Law! Fight and defeat the fascism of the US-Duterte regime!)



Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (Makibaka)
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

February 27, 2022

HINDI TERORISTA ANG MAKIBAKA! Mariing kinokondena ng Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA) ang pagdedeklara ng NTF-ELCAC/ATC na isang teroristang organisasyon ang MAKIBAKA at ang iba pang mga alyadong organisasyon ng NDFP. Sa gitna ng pandemya at matinding krisis pang-ekonomiya, ang malinaw na naghahasik ng pasistang teror ay ang rehimeng US-Duterte!

Hindi na bago ang atake sa MAKIBAKA ng mga pasistang rehimen. Kasama ng iba pang mga organisasyon noong 1972, dineklarang iligal ito ng diktadurang Marcos. Subalit, hindi ito nakapigil sa paglaban nito para sa interes ng kababaihang anakpawis. Gumampan ng susing papel ang kababaihan noong panahon ng Martial Law na lumaban sa tiraniya at nagpatalsik sa rehimeng US-Marcos. Hanggang sa kasalukuyan, patuloy na lumalaban ang rebolusyonaryong organisasyon ng kababaihan para biguin ang pasismo ng rehimeng US-Duterte.

Nararapat na kondenahin ng laksang kababaihan ang deklarasyong ito ng NTF-ELCAC/ATC na tiyak na target patahimikin ang kababaihang lumalaban. Hindi malayong gamitin ito sa oposisyon sa nalalapit na Halalan 2022 sa pamamagitan ng arbitraryong paghuli at pagpaslang, upang pigilan ang paglakas ng panawagan ng kababaihan at mamamayan na patalsikin ang rehimeng Duterte. Patanaw na ito ng rehimen sa mas pinaigting na operasyong mapanupil sa mga susunod na araw, sa desperasyong makaupo at makapanatili sa kapangyarihan ang pangkating Marcos-Arroyo-Duterte.

Makatwiran at makatarungan ang pagsusulong ng MAKIBAKA ng rebolusyon. Lehitimo ang mga panawagan ng MAKIBAKA para makamit ang kagalingan para sa mamamayan. Lehitimo din ang panawagan ng MAKIBAKA na mag-armas ang kababaihan at sumapi sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan, dahil rebolusyon lamang ang tanging solusyon para baguhin ang bulok na sistemang mala-kolonyal at mala-pyudal na nagpapahirap sa masang kababaihan at anakpawis.

Patuloy na magpapalawak ang MAKIBAKA! Kasama ang mamamayang lumalaban, bibiguin nito ang pasismo ng rehimeng US-Duterte!

https://cpp.ph/statements/ibasura-ang-resolution-no-28-ng-ntf-elcac-anti-terror-council-ibasura-ang-anti-terror-law-labanan-at-biguin-ang-pasismo-ng-rehimeng-us-duterte/

CPP/NDF-KM: Highest Red Salute to Kevin “Ka Facio” Castro

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 27, 2022): Highest Red Salute to Kevin “Ka Facio” Castro



Maria Laya Guerrero
Spokesperson
Kabataang Makabayan (KM)
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

February 27, 2022

Kabataang Makabayan extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends, loved ones, and comrades of Kevin “Ka Facio” Castro, whose patriotic and revolutionary life will be met with nothing less than the highest red salute for serving the Filipino people until their very last breath. Ka Facio was mercilessly slain by the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 1st Infantry Battalion in Polillo, Quezon last February 21.

A student leader, educator, and activist, Ka Facio’s life and ultimate sacrifice is an embodiment of the courageous Filipino youth who selflessly devotes itself to the fight for justice.

Ka Facio was an exemplary student leader and advocate during their college days. Armed with an education from and beyond the university, they quickly learned about the social realities and crises that plague the Filipino people – a reality that bound the masses in chronic poverty and suffering since time immemorial.

Instead of allowing themself to be chained to the semi-colonial and semi-feudal society’s expectations of an accomplished petit bourgeoisie, Ka Facio did not hesitate to color outside the lines and use their time, skills, and intellect to wage the national democratic revolution – to teach and learn from the masses in Quezon and struggle against the injustices of imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat capitalism.

They joined the New People’s Army and took up arms, alongside the Filipino peasant and working class, to fight against the fascist and murderous state. Ka Facio knew all about the sacrifices and hardships that their decision entailed, but those were never enough to dissuade them from following the path toward genuine and lasting liberation and peace.

Today and every day, Ka Facio will be remembered and honored by the patriotic and revolutionary masses for their selflessness and militancy.

Their death will strengthen the people’s resolve to continue the struggle for national democracy. Their revolutionary aspirations can only fuel the Filipino youth’s growing resolve to assert their rights and collectively struggle towards the liberation of the Filipino masses.

Kabataang Makabayan draws renewed courage and strength from Ka Facio as we tirelessly wage resistance against Duterte’s fascist regime and all those who seek to undermine the people’s democracy and rights.

As the reactionary election nears, all patriotic and democratic youth must hold the ruling class accountable for all the blood spilled and lives lost at the hands of a brutal regime.

The state’s worsening oppression and terror is not something to fear. Rather, it is a reminder that we must, now more than ever, continue forging revolutionary unities and advance the people’s war towards greater victories!

On behalf of Ka Facio and all the revolutionary martyrs, we march on!

Long live Ka Facio! Join Kabataang Makabayan!
Long live the national democratic revolution! Join the New People’s Army!

https://cpp.ph/statements/highest-red-salute-to-kevin-ka-facio-castro/

CPP/NPA-Southern Tagalog ROC: Singilin at pagbayarin ang berdugong 203rd Brigade sa pambobomba sa kabundukan ng Mindoro!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 27, 2022): Singilin at pagbayarin ang berdugong 203rd Brigade sa pambobomba sa kabundukan ng Mindoro! (Charge and make pay the butcher 203rd Brigade for the bombing in the mountains of Mindoro!)



Armando Cienfuego
Spokesperson
Southern Tagalog Regional Operational Command (Melito Glor Command)
New People's Army

February 27, 2022

Ligalig at terorismo ang hatid ng pambobomba ng 203rd Brigade sa hangganan ng Brgy. Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro at Brgy. Monteclaro, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro ngayong Pebrero 26. Karumaldumal at mala-halimaw ang mga pasista na isinantabi at isinasapanganib ang buhay at ari-arian ng MindoreƱo at katutubong Mangyan na nakatira sa lugar para lamang bigyang daan ang anti-komunistang gera nito. Dapat silang singilin at pagbayarin sa kanilang krimen sa bayan.

Kaninang 1:30 ng madaling araw, nagpalipad ang mga pasista ng dalawang FA50 sa hangganan ng Brgy. Lisap at Monteclaro at nagsagawa ng dalawang beses na aerial bombardment dito. Hindi pa nasapatan, pitong beses pang kinanyon ang lugar pagsapit ng 5:00 ng madaling araw at tumagal hanggang 6:30 ng umaga. Kasunod nito, nagpalipad ng dalawang Blackhawk Helicopter ang 203rd Brigade bandang 7:30 at 9:00 ng umaga at nagstraffing sa nasabing lugar bago magbaba ng mga pwersang pang-operasyong kombat sa erya.

Tinatayang libu-libong katutubong Buhid-Mangyan ang apektado sa atakeng panghimpapawid ng 203rd Brigade. Ilang ektaryang kaingin ang malamang na nasira sa pambobomba at panganganyon na magreresulta sa pagkagutom at pinsala sa hanapbuhay ng mga Mangyan.

Milyun-milyong piso ang inaaksaya ng AFP sa bawat pagpapalipad ng mga sasakyang pandigma at paghuhulog ng mga bomba sa himpapawid. Ang pondong ito ay mula pa sa kaban ng bayan na pinaghirapan ng mamamayang siyang ginagawang target ng kanilang mga operasyon. Bala at bomba ang ibinibigay ng mga gubyerno at berdugong AFP sa mamamayang ilang dekada nilang inabandona ng tulong at ayuda, kahit sa gitna ng pandemya.

Samantala, ang walang habas na pambobomba at panganganyon ng 203rd Brigade sa hangganan ng Brgy. Lisap at Monteclaro nang walang malinaw na target ay tahasang paglabag sa internasyunal na makataong batas na gumagabay sa kondukta ng gera. Nais ipangalandakan at iwasiwas ng teroristang AFP ang makabagong armas nito upang maghasik ng takot at teror sa mamamayan. Desperasyon ito ng teroristang rehimen at AFP para pahinain ang determinasyon ng mga Pulang mandirigma na lumaban at ng mamamayan na sumuporta sa rebolusyon. Dahil hindi nila magawang bigwasan ang mga yunit ng Lucio de Guzman Command (LDGC)-NPA Mindoro, ay ibinabaling nila ang kanilang pag-atake sa mga sibilyan.

Dapat paigtingin ng mamamayang MindoreƱo ang mga anti-pasistang pakikibaka laban sa pang-aatake ng 203rd Brigade. Marubdob na lumaban para tutulan ang paggamit ng mga makabagong sandatang wala namang ibang dulot sa bayan kundi paghihinagpis at pagdurusa. Makipagkaisa sila sa mamamayan ng rehiyon at buong bansa laban sa brutal at teroristang pambobomba sa himpapawid ng AFP.

Ipinapangako ng MGC-NPA ST na gagawin nito ang buong makakaya upang parusahan at biguin ang teroristang pambobomba ng AFP. Tapat ang NPA ST sa tungkulin nitong ipagtanggol ang mamamayan sa rehiyon laban sa pasismo at terorismo ng rehimen. Magpapakahusay ang mga Pulang mandirigma at kumander nito sa pag-aaral at pagkilala sa mga makabagong sandata ng kaaway upang mapalang-saysay ang gamit nito ng rehimen.

Inaatasan ng MGC-NPA ST na maglunsad ng mga taktikal na opensiba ang mga yunit ng Hukbo sa rehiyon. Maging mapanlikha sa pakikitungo sa mga makabagong sandata ng kaaway. Bigwasan sila at panatilihing bulag at bingi sa presensya ng NPA. Pinatunayan noong Enero 2021 na ang determinadong Hukbo at masa sa isla ng Mindoro ay kayang paatrasin ang Blackhawk helicopter. Dapat pag-ibayuhin ng lahat ng mga Pulang mandirigma sa rehiyon ang tapang, gulang at kahandaan sa sakripisyo at kamatayan upang isulong ang digmang bayan sa mas mataas na antas.###

https://cpp.ph/statements/singilin-at-pagbayarin-ang-berdugong-203rd-brigade-sa-pambobomba-sa-kabundukan-ng-mindoro/

CPP/NDF-Southern Tagalog: Itigil ang walang patumanggang pambobomba at panganganyon ng 203rd Bde sa mga komunidad ng Mangyan sa Mindoro!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 27, 2022): Itigil ang walang patumanggang pambobomba at panganganyon ng 203rd Bde sa mga komunidad ng Mangyan sa Mindoro! (Stop the relentless bombing and shelling of the 203rd Bde in the Mangyan communities of Mindoro!)



Patnubay de Guia
Spokesperson
NDF-Southern Tagalog
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

February 27, 2022

Mariing kinukundena ng National Democratic Front-Southern Tagalog ang isinagawang walang patumanggang aerial bombing, strafing at artillery shelling ng berdugong 203rd Bde ng Philippine Army sa hangganan ng mga Brgy. Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro at Brgy. Monteclaro, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro mula alas-5 ng umaga kanina.

Matinding takot at pinsala na naman ang idinulot nito sa buhay at kabuhayan ng mga katutubong Buhid sa lugar. Walang pakundangang inulit lamang ng mga berdugong 203rd Bde ang serye ng mga aerial bombing, strafing at artillery shelling sa nabanggit na hangganang mga barangay na nangyari mula Abril 29 hanggang Mayo 4, 2019 kasabay ng inilulunsad nilang malawakang focused military operations at gayundin noong Marso 2021. Sa nabanggit na serye ng mga operasyong militar ng 203rd Bde pawang mga inosenteng sibilyan ang kanilang nabibiktima. Nagdulot ito ng malawakang dislokasyon ng ilanlibong pamilya ng mga katutubong Buhid at Hanunuo at iligal na pag-aresto at sapilitang pagpapasuko sa mahigit 30 katao.

Nagkukubli ang 203rd Bde sa malalakas nilang mga sandata para sindakin ang mamamayan at palayasin sila sa kanilang mga komunidad nang sa gayo’y mabigyang laya ang gagawing muling panghahalihaw sa kabundukan ng Mindoro. Sa likod nito ang kanilang imbing layuning “sairin ang tubig upang wala nang malanguyan ang mga isda” o putulin ang suporta ng katutubong mamamayan at mga magsasaka sa Mindoro sa New Peoples Army.

Mahaba na ang maruming rekord ng berdugong 203rd Bde tulad ng iba pang yunit ng militar sa Timog Katagalugan sa paglabag sa karapatang tao at sa mga alituntunin sa digma na itinatakda ng mga pandaigdigang kasunduan. Lagi nilang ginagawang lehitimong target ng kanilang pagpaslang at iba pang pasistang aktibidad ang mga sibilyan, laluna ang katutubong mamamayan at magsasaka sa Mindoro para palabasing nagtatagumpay ang kanilang mga plano at aktibidad ng “pagdurog” sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa isla. Kabilang sa mga ito si Omeng Cahelo at Tatay Frentes Gutierrez na pinaslang noong 2019 sa Calintaan, at si Badoy Dela Cruz na pinaslang noong 2021 sa Magsaysay.

Hindi maunawaan at matanggap ng mga berdugong kriminal at mersenaryong militar na lalo lamang nilang pinapaypayan ang apoy ng galit at determinasyon ng mamamayang labanan ang kanilang mga pasistang pakana. Lalo lamang nilang itinutulak ang mamamayang sumalig sa NPA bilang kanilang tunay na hukbong nagtataguyod sa kanilang kaligtasan at kapakanan. Ang ganitong mga pagkakataon ang higit na nagpapatunay na walang ibang daan tungo sa tunay at pangmatagalang kapayapaan kundi ang armadong paglaban na inilulunsad ng NPA sa pamumuno ng Communist Party of the Philippines.

Nananawagan ang NDF-ST sa mga mamamayang MindoreƱo na patuloy na ilantad at labanan ang kahayupang ginagawa ng 203rd Bde, 4th IBPA at iba pang yunit sa ilalim ng berdugong brigada laban sa kanila. Kailangang igiit ng mamamayan ang pagpapatigil sa ginagawang pag-atake ng 203rd Bde laban sa mga katutubong Mangyan at mamamayang MindoreƱo. Kasabay nito, dapat nilang singilin at papanagutin ang SOLCOM, ang 203rd Bde at mga yunit sa ilalim nito sa kanilang humahabang krimen laban sa mamamayang MindoreƱo.

Nananawagan rin kami sa mga tunay at tapat na lingkod-bayan, abugado at mga makataong organisasyon na tulungan ang mga biktima ng pambobomba at panganganyon sa Mindoro. Kasabay nito, kailangang manindigan sila para sa pagtataguyod ng karapatang tao at batikusin ang paggamit ng rehimen at mga yunit ng AFP ng mga sandata ng teror laban sa mamamayan na tahasang paglabag sa International Humanitarian Law (IHL) at sa Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Law (CARHRIHL) na kasunduang pinirmahan ng GRP sa usapang pangkapayapaan nito sa NDFP. Kailangang iparating ito sa internasyunal na komunidad upang ilantad ang mga karumal-dumal na krimen ng pasistang rehimen at magsilbing dagdag na kaso ni Duterte at ng AFP sa mga krimen nito laban sa sangkatauhan.

Pag-ibayuhin ang pakikibaka ng mamamayang MindoreƱo laban sa pasismo at ibuhos ang kanilang suporta sa armadong pakikibaka sa pamumunong CPP!###

https://cpp.ph/statements/itigil-ang-walang-patumanggang-pambobomba-at-panganganyon-ng-203rd-bde-sa-mga-komunidad-ng-mangyan-sa-mindoro/

CPP/NDF-CNL: CNL condemns ‘terror’ designation of NDFP member organizations; the US-Duterte Regime is the Real Terrorist

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 27, 2022): CNL condemns ‘terror’ designation of NDFP member organizations; the US-Duterte Regime is the Real Terrorist



Christians for National Liberation (CNL)
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

February 27, 2022

The Christians for National Liberation (CNL), the underground revolutionary organization of Christians and church people, strongly condemns the tyrannical US-Duterte regime for the recent terrorist designation of CNL and 15 other member organizations of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) through the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC).

The CNL asserts that its rationale of arousing, organizing, and mobilizing among the Christians and church people to support the people’s war is rooted in the just and rightful cause of dismantling the oppressive and exploitative structures in semi-colonial, semi-feudal Philippine society. For CNL, the evils are real on earth – US imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat capitalism which have plagued the country.

The bourgeois state represented by the butcher Rodrigo Duterte and kowtowing to his twin masters US and China is the main instrument of the ruling classes which imposes its will and violates people’s rights. Duterte is now paving the way for the restoration of yet the greatest devil in the country’s history – the world-class corrupt, murderous Marcoses—through dictator’s son Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s bid for the presidency.

We mark our 50th year this 2022 and stand proud that our faith in God has concretely translated in service to the people by being with them in the frontlines of struggle, especially the countryside where a people’s war has been waged for over five decades now. Our preferential option for the poor has long gone beyond prayers alone but into the daily life and death struggle of the masses, especially the peasants, workers, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous peoples, and women. We are proud of our CNL martyrs who have taken the highest form of sacrifice for the national democratic revolution with a socialist perspective. We take great inspiration from Gomburza, which marks its 150th year, in fighting against imperialism (then Spanish colonialism) and all forms of local reaction. None of these actions are terrorist.

The US-Duterte regime is the real terrorist. It has unleashed brutal attacks on the Filipino people on all fronts. Continued adherence to neoliberal dictates sees all-time high unemployment of 3.2 million; a staggering foreign debt of PhP 11 T by 2021 and projected to P14 T by the end of Duterte’s term in June 2022, and greater poverty especially in rural areas.

Duterte leaves a notorious blood trail for the thousands killed in its sham drug war that has killed the poor; and a counterinsurgency program that has killed, arrested, disappeared, harassed activists and critics, including peace consultants of the NDFP. Its worsening militarist orientation has effectively closed the door on the peace process also with the passage of the Anti-Terror Law (from which the ATC derives its abuses), its EO 70 Whole of Nation Approach and creation of the corrupt, red-tagging unit NTF-ELCAC, and the earlier terrorist designations of the Communist Party of the Philippines, NDFP, NDFP Chief Political Consultant Jose Maria Sison and NDFP Interim Chair Julieta de Lima, and now the 16 NDFP member organizations.

It is ridiculous, if not for its deadly implications, that the regime designates as terrorists the NDFP with whom it has been holding peace negotiations, on and off, since 1991. It has brazenly violated previously held agreements including the Hague Joint Declaration, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL), and the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG). All peace consultants extrajudicially killed and illegally arrested are JASIG holders. The regime is now peddling localized peace talks in violation of these agreements in order to line the pockets of corrupt officials for fake rebel surrenderees, E-CLIP, and others, as well as exposure to direct danger to all those involved in the talks.

Playing straight from the US-directed counter-insurgency program playbook, it has launched massive aerial bombings in at least eight communities starting last year: Northern and Eastern Samar, Bukidnon, and Mindoro Oriental, Cagayan, Abra, Quezon, Iloilo. These violate International Humanitarian Law.

We remain committed to supporting the people not only in exacting accountability from Duterte, his imperialist masters, and local cohorts. We continue to arduously work for the NDFP 12-point program whose principal task is to unite the people for the overthrow of the semi-colonial and semi-feudal system through a people’s war and for the completion of the national democratic revolution.

The brutal actions of the terrorist US-Duterte regime will never cower us into retreat. As the crisis of the ruling system intensifies, state repression will breed more and more resistance, more revolutionaries as in the dark days of the Marcos dictatorship.

Overthrow the US-Duterte Regime!

Wage the People’s War!

Raise High the Banner of the Revolution!

Defeat Marcos Restoration in Malacanang!

Long live the Christians for National Liberation!

Long live the National Democratic Front of the Philippines!

Long live the New People’s Army!

Long live the Communist Party of the Philippines!

https://cpp.ph/statements/cnl-on-terrorist-designation/

CPP/NPA-Mindoro: Parusahan ang 203rd Bde sa lansakang pambobomba sa Mindoro! Ipagtanggol ang lupaing ninuno!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 26, 2022): Parusahan ang 203rd Bde sa lansakang pambobomba sa Mindoro! Ipagtanggol ang lupaing ninuno! (Punish the 203rd Bde in the Mindoro mass bombing! Defend the ancestral land!)



Madaay Gasic 
Spokesperson
NPA-Mindoro (Lucio De Guzman Command)
Southern Tagalog Regional Operational Command (Melito Glor Command)
New People's Army

February 26, 2022

Mariing kinokondena ng LDGC-NPA Mindoro at ng mamamayang MindoreƱo ang walang pakundangang pang-ereng pambobomba, pag-iistraping at panganganyon ng teroristang AFP sa mga pamayanan ng mga katutubong Mangyan sa saklaw ng mga bayan ng Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro at San Jose, Occidental Mindoro kahapon, Peb 26, 2022.

Habang inaatake ng Russia ang Ukraine at nagbabantay ang mamamayan ng daigdig sa pinsala ng bagong putok na gerang pinaypayan ng imperyalistang US, abalang-abala naman ang mga pasista at mersenaryong 203rd Brigade at mga batalyon at yunit sa ilalim nito sa pananalasa at paghahasik ng teror at karahasan sa mamamayang MindoreƱo. Ginamit na sa panibagong siklo ng RCSPO ang bagong dating na 68IB mula sa Basilan at isang bahagi ng 80IB mula sa probinsya ng Rizal bilang karagdagang mga mersenaryong batalyon sa 4IB at 76IB sa pananalasa sa isla.

Gamit ang mga modernong kagamitang pamuksa ng teroristang rehimeng Duterte, ginulantang at ginising ang mga natutulog na mamamayan sa hanggangan ng dalawang barangay ng Lisap ng Bongabong at Monteclaro ng San Jose ng pambobomba (aerial bombing) ng dalawang FA50. Sinundan ito ng pitong beses na panganganyon bandang alas 5 ng madaling araw sa parehong lugar. Bandang alas 7:30 naman hanggang alas-9 ng umaga ay dalawang Blackhawk helicopter ang nagpabalik-balik at nag-istraping sa kabundukan bago naglapag ng mga pasistang tropa sa lugar.

Hudyat ang pag-atakeng ito sa mga sibilyan ng panibagong operasyon ng mga AFP-PNP sa pagtupad sa utos ng kanilang among pasista, teroristang si Duterte na final push upang durugin ang CPP-NPA-NDFP at buong rebolusyonaryong kilusan bago matapos ang kanyang termino sa Hunyo 2022 — isang panata at panaginip ng rehimeng Duterte na tiyak na mabibigo — tulad ng iba pa niyang pangako sa sambayanang Pilipino na nauwi sa mga karumal-dumal na krimen at paglabag sa karapatang pantao, malalang korapsyon sa gubyerno at labis na kahirapan sa mamamayan.

Ang pinaglunsaran ng pinakahuling pambobomba at malawakang RCSPO ng AFP-PNP sa isla ng Mindoro ay hangganan ng dalawang probinsya at pamayanan ng mga katutubong Mangyang Buhid, Hanunuo at mga Bangon — mga katutubong umaasa sa pagkakaingin at pag-aalalaga ng ilang mga hayop. Binulabog ng teroristang pambobombang ito ang kasalukuyang pinagkakaabalahan ng mga katutubo at mga magsasaka na paglilinis ng kanilang mga kaingin at taniman bilang paghahanda para sa pagtatanim ng mais, palay, at mga rootcrops tulad ng kamote, gabi at iba pa pagdating ng tag-ulan.

Ang mga lugar ding ito ay may mga tukoy na presensya at deposito ng mga mina kabilang ang natural gas, carbon, nickel at ginto at iba pang mineral. Mahigpit na tinututulan ng mga katutubo ang pagmimina dahil tiyak na palalayasin sila sa kanilang mga lupaing ninuno. Sa muling pagpapahintulot ng open-pit mining matapos na alisin ang supensyon nito noong nakaraang ilang taon, babalik muli ang mga mapaminsalang minahan na walang ibang idudulot sa mga MindoreƱo kundi ang pagkawala ng kanilang mga lupaing ninuno samantalang paghuhuthutan naman ng malaking tubo ng mga lokal at dayuhang negosyanteng magmimina.

Matatandaang noong nakaraang Marso 2021 ay napilitang lumikas mula sa kanilang mga pamayanan ang 18,000 mamamayan sa hangganan ng mga bayan ng Roxas-Bongabong at San Jose dahil sa pagpapakawala ng 11 bala ng howitzer ng AFP-PNP MIMAROPA sa Brgy. Panaytayan, Mansalay—sa simpleng paliwanag ng 203rd Bde na nagtetesting lamang sila ng mga bagong gamit militar.

Di pa nakakabawi ang mamamayan mula sa inihasik na teror ng AFP-PNP MIMAROPA na nagresulta sa mga malalang kaso ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao noong nakaraang taon. Kabilang dito ang mga pagpaslang (1), iligal na pag-aresto (8), red-tagging (50), pananakot at harasment (33), sapilitang pagpapasuko (794), hamletting (31,000), sapilitang ebakwasyon (15,000) at iba pang paglabag. Ngayon ay may panibago na namang operasyong militar na tiyak na tiyak na magpapahirap at magdudulot ng malaking panganib sa buhay at kabuhayan ng mamamayan sa mga kabundukan ng Mindoro.

Labis na kasuklam suklam ang ginagawa ng mga pasistang AFP na lansakang pag-atake sa mga sibilyan at pamayanan ng mga katutubo. Pinapatunayan nitong pinagsisilbihan ng AFP ang interes ng mga dayuhang negosyante at burgesya komprador na naghahangad na palayasin ang mga MindoreƱo at katutubong Mangyan para ilusot ang kanilang mapaminsalang proyekto sa lugar. Isa ring karuwagan ang gamitin ang mga bago at modernong kagamitang militar ng AFP at itutok ang mga ito sa mga hindi armadong mamamayan. Bukod pa sa pinopodohan ito ng buwis mula sa pawis at dugo ng mamamayan.

Dapat na magkaisa ang mamamayang MindoreƱo sa paglalantad at pagtutol sa mga karahasan ng mga pasistang militar na nagdudulot ng ibayong ligalig, panganib at takot sa mga Mangyan at mga magsasaka. Dapat tutulan ang paglabag sa mga batas ng digma at internasyunal na makataong batas. Dapat dumugsong sa pakikibaka ng mga katutubong mamamayan ang pakikibaka ng mga magsasaka, manggagawa at iba pang sektor sa islat upang mabuo ang isang malakas na kilusang masa laban sa pasismo at para sa pagtatanggol sa karapatang pantao.

Dapat papanagutin ang rehimeng Duterte, at ang pasistang militar ng 2nd ID at mga yunit sa ilalim nito sa pagsasapanganib sa mga sibilyan at sampahan sila ng mga kaso sa hukumang bayan at internasyunal na mga korte.

Dapat ilunsad ang mga kakayaning taktikal na opensiba ng Bagong Hukbong bayan upang parusahan at pagbayarin ang mga palalo at pasistang 203rd Bde-PNP MIMAROPA.###

https://cpp.ph/statements/parusahan-ang-203rd-bde-sa-lansakang-pambobomba-sa-mindoro-ipagtanggol-ang-lupaing-ninuno/

CPP/CIO: Condemn the AFP for the massacre of Lumad teachers and companions

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 26, 2022): Condemn the AFP for the massacre of Lumad teachers and companions



Marco Valbuena
Chief Information Officer
Communist Party of the Philippines

February 26, 2022

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) condemns in the strongest terms the massacre of Lumad community school teachers Chad Booc and Gelejurain Ngujo II and their three other companions. They were mercilessly killed in yet unclear circumstances by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), specifically those under the 10th Infantry Division.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victims. We are one with their outrage and in their demand for truth and justice.

We denounce the AFP for its campaign of disinformation to cover up its crimes. The 10th ID issues outright lies when it claimed that the victims were killed in an armed encounter between the AFP and the New People’s Army (NPA) last February 24 in New Bataan, Davao de Oro. The cadavers were dressed and posed with firearms to make it appear that they were NPA fighters. In truth, no such encounter took place in that place and time, based on reports of the NPA unit in the area. Where and how the victims were killed are still unknown.

This would not be the first time that the AFP has resorted to such type of disinformation in order to conceal the cold-blooded murder of civilians and unarmed people, especially peasants and Lumad people, as well as activists and revolutionaries.

The AFP has issued innumerable press releases making claims of fake encounters to justify the killing by soldiers of unarmed peasants claimed to be “NPA fighters.” In June 2021, three Lumad residents of Lianga, Surigao del Sur, including a young girl, were mowed down by AFP soldiers, then presented as NPA fighters. The same “nanlaban” lies were used to justify the murder of nine activists in Southern Tagalog in the infamous Bloody Sunday mass killing by police forces last March 2021. The same contrived narrative was used to justify the killing of captured revolutionaries including the recent murders of Ka Oris, Menandro Villanueva, Pedro Codaste and several others. Recently, the AFP also claimed of an armed encounter to conceal the killing of two children by troops of the 20th IB in Catubig, Northern Samar.

The AFP’s brazen distortion of the truth to conceal facts surrounding their crimes form part of their criminal impunity. The AFP’s lies have become more and more frequent as the AFP’s forces unleash their fascist wrath against the people. Such barefaced lies and crimes of murder and massacres must be exposed and punished.

The truth about the massacre of the Lumad teachers and their companions must come out. We support the demand of their families and friends for the cadavers to be immediately returned in accordance with their rights and basic human decency. We also support calls for an independent investigation by local and international human rights advocates and other interested groups.

The local unit of the New People’s Army has also been tasked to conduct its own investigation by way of contribution to determining the truth and circumstances behind the AFP’s massacre. Under the direction of the Party and local organs of political power, units of the NPA can punish identified perpetrators of the crime. Across the country, NPA units must also continue to mount tactical offensives and punitive actions, especially against forces of the AFP, PNP and paramilitaries which are responsible for fascist crimes against the people.

https://cpp.ph/statements/condemn-the-afp-for-the-massacre-of-lumad-teachers-and-companions/

CPP/COMPATRIOTS-Europe: The fascist killing of Chad Booc and other Lumad teachers is a terrible defeat for the AFP in its desperate battle for the hearts and minds of the Lumad of Mindanao

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 26, 2022):
The fascist killing of Chad Booc and other Lumad teachers is a terrible defeat for the AFP in its desperate battle for the hearts and minds of the Lumad of Mindanao



Compatriots-Europe
Compatriots
February 26, 2022

COMPATRIOTS-Europe, Revolutionary Organization of Overseas Filipinos and their Families, a member organization of Filipinos abroad of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, strongly condemns the treacherous killing of two Lumad teachers and human rights defenders and three others by fascist soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on February 25, 2022 in New Bataan, Davao del Sur in the island of Mindanao.

The AFP criminals tried to cover up the dastardly massacre by weaving the worn-out and badly-written script that the Lumad teachers were NPA guerrillas killed in an encounter. Reports from the NPA in the area, however reported, that no such encounter took place. Additional reports stated they were riding in a jeep when they were fired upon.

Among the casualties were Chad Booc and Jurain Ngujo , and three other unarmed civilians. We are aware of the considerable work of Chad Booc and the other volunteer Lumad teachers, and their stories of sacrifice and commitment as Lumad teachers and human rights defenders, and how their work has reached, and touched so many Filipinos and Europeans in this part of the world.

We join the Lumad community, Lumad students and human rights defenders and the families and loved ones of Chad Booc, Jurain Ngujo, and the three others, in grieving their loss, and outrage at this reprehensible crime perpetrated by state terrorists.

The Lumad have been steeled in their own struggle to defend their land, people and rights. They will never be cowed into silence and despair at this latest act to terrorize and deprive them of their defenders.

This killing is a terrible defeat for the fascists of the AFP and the US-Duterte regime in their desperate battle for the hearts and minds of the Lumad and the people.

Once again, the fascists themselves have taught the masses of the necessity and justness of armed resistance against tyranny and state terrorism.#

https://cpp.ph/statements/the-fascist-killing-of-chad-booc-and-other-lumad-teachers-is-a-terrible-defeat-for-the-afp-in-its-desperate-battle-for-the-hearts-and-minds-of-the-lumad-of-mindanao/

CPP/NDF-Bicol: EDSA 36 – The people’s call still resonates: “We’ve had enough! End tyranny now!”

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 25, 2022): EDSA 36 – The people’s call still resonates: “We’ve had enough! End tyranny now!”


This article is available in Pilipino

Ma. Roja Banua
Spokesperson | NDF-Bicol | National Democratic Front of the Philippines
February 25, 2022

The hundreds of thousands who marched on EDSA, thirty-six years ago, were united by the goal of ending the dictatorship and ousting the fascist Ferdinand Marcos. Today, the people’s demands remain clear: “we’ve had enough! End tyranny now!” This call reverberates even more as the tyrant Rodrigo Duterte’s term nears its end. The people are united by their aim to end all faces of fascism and dictatorship – then, and even more so, now under Duterte’s rule.

Both the older generation who led and the younger generation who shall continue the People Power will not allow the nightmare of dictatorship to hold the country in its vicious clutches. The highest esteem they can offer the historical People Power is to uphold the struggle and hinder the heirs of Marcos and Duterte from reclaiming Malacanang.

As they did before, the people will tirelessly put their lives on the line just to prevent the fascist and dictators from enshrouding the whole country. They have been long demanding justice for the tens of thousands of individuals killed, abducted, illegally arrested and had their rights abused. The ultimate justice they must attain is make the murderous criminals pay for their crimes and to completely end state terrorism.

In Bikol, the masses’ aspirations remain unflinching – justice for all the victims of dictatorship, be it under Marcos or Duterte. With the same might they had faced the brutality of Marcosian dictatorship, Bikokanos of the current times have been strongly and uncompromisingly combatting Duterte’s tyranny. They are doing everything they can to foil leeches like Bongbong and Sara from being seated in power.

NDF-Bikol believes that, once more, the Bikolanos will be able to display their resolve and steadfast struggle. The victories that the masses have won in the past in ousting dictators like Marcos must inspire and challenge the people to overthrow Duterte’s tyranny today. It is also imperative for them to escalate the level of struggle towards the advance of the people’s democratic revolution. Its triumph shall signal the complete demise of the violent and reactionary state that only serves the few and the inevitable annihilation of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism that holds the country in captivity.

https://cpp.ph/statements/edsa-36-the-peoples-call-still-resonates-weve-had-enough-end-tyranny-now/

CPP/NDF-MAKIBAKA-ST: Pinakamataas na pagpupugay at pagkilala sa dakilang buhay ni Kevin “Ka Facio” Castro, martir ng Timog Katagalugan, bayani ng masang anakpawis!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 25, 2022): Pinakamataas na pagpupugay at pagkilala sa dakilang buhay ni Kevin “Ka Facio” Castro, martir ng Timog Katagalugan, bayani ng masang anakpawis! (Highest tribute and recognition to the great life of Kevin “Ka Facio” Castro, martyr of Southern Tagalog, hero of the toiling masses!)



Makabayang Kilusang ng Bagong Kababaihan-Southern Tagalog
NDF-Southern Tagalog
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

February 25, 2022

Mariing kinukundena ng Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan-Southern Tagalog ang walang pagpaslang kay Kevin Castro, dating tagapagsalita ng National Union of Students of the Philippines mula sa berdugong kamay ng 1st Infantry Battalion ng Philippine Army noong ika-21 ng Pebrero 2022 sa Polillo, Quezon.

Si Kevin Castro ay lider-estudyante mula sa UP Diliman College of Education na may standing na batch valedictorian at magna cum laude. Sa kabila ng mahusay na academic credentials, pinili niyang ilaan ang kanyang talino, lakas, at buong panahon bilang guro sa mga bayan ng Quezon na hindi naaabot ng serbisyo ng gobyerno. Noong estudyante pa lamang si Ka Facio ay batid nya at danas nya ang kabulukan at anti-mamamayang pamamahala ng ating gobyero, higit lalo sa edukasyon. Isa si Ka Facio sa mga kabataang estudyante na nahihirapan sa napakataas na tuition fee at iba pang bayarin sa eskwelahan upang makapasa lamang.

Dahil sa tindi ng pasismo sa bansa at pag atake sa mga kabataang estudante at mamamayan, walang alinlangan niyang tinahak ang armadong pakikibaka, at sumali sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan. Dahil batid niya ito na lamang ang tunay na magpapalaya sa mga kabataang estudyante at mamamayang inaapi’t pinagsasamantalahan. Batid niyang walang maasahan tulong ang mamamayan mula sa isang pasista at papet na Rehimeng US-Duterte, maging sa mga tuta nitong berdugong AFP at PNP. Sa takot ni Duterte at ng AFP at PNP na malantad ang kanilang kabulukan, pinatatahimik nila ang pag-oorganisa ng mga kasapi ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan sa mga magsasaka sa kanayunan, upang mapanatili ang kanilang paghaharing uri, at mapanitiling bulag ang mamamayang Pilipino sa tunay na nangyayari sa bansa. Alam ng AFP at PNP na tama ang ipinaglalaban ni Ka Fracio at ng mga kabataan kaya pilit nilang nililinlang ang mga mamamayan sa pagsasagawa ng Black-Propaganda, at walang tigil din na pagsasagawa ng Police and Military Operations sa mga kanayunan upang tugusin ang mga kasapi ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan.

Ang Makabayang kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan ay taas kamaong nagpupugay kay Ka Facio para sa kanyang paglilingkod sa sambayanang inaapi’t pinagsasamantalahan buhay man ay ialay. Kahanga-kahanga ang kanyang kagitingan, maging ang walang alinlangan pagtangan ng armas at sumapi sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan, dahil ito lamang ang tunay na magpapabagsak sa bulok na sistemang umiiral, at magpapalaya sa sambayanang Pilipino mula sa pasismong pamumuno ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Sama-sama nating pabagsakin ang pasistang rehimeng Duterte, upang matigil at hindi na lumala pa ang kaharasan at kaso ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao, na pinangungunahang ng AFP at PNP dahil pinoprotektahan sila ng Anti-Terror Law ni Duterte, ito ang batas na nadadala ng panganib sa mamamayang Pilipino.

Nanawagan ang Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan na kumilos at sumapi sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan! Patalsikin ang pabayan, papet at pasistang si Duterte!

Hustisya sa walang awang pagpaslang kay Kevin “Ka Facio” Castro!

Panagutin ang berdugong 1st Infantry Battalion ng Philippine Army!

Patalsikin ang pasistang rehimeng Duterte!

Sumapi sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan!

https://cpp.ph/statements/pinakamataas-na-pagpupugay-at-pagkilala-sa-dakilang-buhay-ni-kevin-ka-facio-castro-martir-ng-timog-katagalugan-bayani-ng-masang-anakpawis/

CPP/NDF-Southern Tagalog: Mamamayan ng daigdig, magkaisa’t labanan ang monopolyo sa langis

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 25, 2022): Mamamayan ng daigdig, magkaisa’t labanan ang monopolyo sa langis (People of the world, unite and fight the oil monopoly)



Patnubay de Guia
Spokesperson
NDF-Southern Tagalog
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

February 25, 2022

Dapat kundenahin ang mga imperyalistang bansa laluna ang Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries sa pagmamanipula sa suplay at presyo ng langis para humuthot ng higanteng tubo. Labis nilang pinalalaki at ginagamit ang tensyon sa hangganan ng Russia at Ukraine upang ilusot ang pagpapasirit sa presyo ng langis. Resulta nito ang di na maabot na presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo at mga batayang bilihin na higit na nagpapahirap sa mamamayan ng daigdig laluna sa gitna ng pandemya.

Sa ngayon, lampas na ng $100 kada bariles ang presyo ng langis mula sa $65 kada bariles noong Disyembre 2021 na isa sa pinakamataas na inabot nito sa nakaraang pitong taon. Tuso nilang ikinakatwiran ang kasalukuyang girian sa Ukraine kung saan pinalalabas nilang may napipintong kakapusan sa mga produktong petrolyo kapag magsimula ang gera roon. Ibinubunton dito ng imperyalismong US ang sisi sa pagsirit ng presyo ng langis samantalang pinapaypayan naman ang tensyon sa hangganan ng Russia at Ukraine upang bigyang matwid ang papalaking gastusing militar at bentahan ng armas. Naglalaway ang US sa reserbang langis na makukuha nila sa Russia at mga kahanggan nitong bansa. Nais nitong ikonsentra ang suplay ng langis sa rehiyon at mamonopolyo ito sa pandaigdigang merkado. Bahagi ito ng iskema ng US upang talunin ang karibal nitong Russia na sunod sa US, ay ang pangalawa sa mga pinakamalaking exporter ng produktong petrolyo sa mundo.

Isa pang palusot na ginagamit ng mga monopolyo ang winter season o malamig na klima sa mga bansang nagsusuplay ng langis na diumano’y nagreresulta sa mas mahabang proseso ng produksyon ng langis. Dahil mababa ang suplay, natural lamang daw na tataas ang presyo nito ayon sa batas ng merkado, gayong sa katunayan, ang monopolyo sa suplay at produksyon ng langis ang pangunahing dahilan kaya arbitraryong naitatakda ang presyo nito. Gusto lamang samantalahin ng sakim na kartel sa langis ang pagtaas ng demand para sa langis kasabay ng pagbubukas ng mga pagawaan matapos ang paghupa ng mga restriksyong kaugnay ng pandemyang COVID-19.

Pinalalala ng kalagayang ito ang krisis na dinaranas ng mga mamamayan sa daigdig. Sa Pilipinas, pumalo ang implasyon ng 3% noong Enero bunsod ng sunud-sunod na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo. Mula lamang nitong Enero, naitala na ang P4.70/litro netong pagtaas ng gasolina, P7.95/litro sa diesel at P7.20/litro sa kerosene. Hindi na maabot ng mamamayang Pilipino ang presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin habang kinakaharap ang malawakang kawalan ng trabaho at mababang sahod ngayong pandemya. Dagdag pang pahirap ang mga neoliberal na polisiya gaya ng Oil Deregulation Law, TRAIN Law at paniningil ng value added tax (VAT) at expanded VAT. Binigyang-luwag ng mga batas na ito ang mga kumpanya ng langis na magpakasasa sa tubo sa kapinsalaan ng mamamayan.

Ginagatungan ng monopolyo sa langis ang pagkamuhi ng masang anakpawis sa imperyalismo kaya’t sumisiklab ang malalaking pagkilos sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo. Nagprotesta ang mga mamamayan sa mga bansang France, Kazakhstan at iba pa upang tutulan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo sa kanilang bansa. Tuluy-tuloy rin ang pagkundena ng mga progresibo at rebolusyonaryong pwersa sa Pilipinas sa mga kumpanyang nagtataas ng presyo ng langis at gayundin laban sa inutil na gubyerno. Inspirasyon ang mga tinurang pakikibakang bayan para pag-ibayuhin ang paglaban sa imperyalismo.

Nakikiisa ang NDFP-ST sa panawagang buwagin ang monopolyo sa langis ng mga imperyalistang bansa. Panahon nang magbigkis ang mamamayan sa buong daigdig upang tanggalin sa kamay ng iilan ang kontrol sa napakahalagang rekursong esensyal sa produksyon at pang-araw-araw na pag-iral ng lipunan. Kasabay nito, dapat palakasin ang pakikibaka para ibasura ang mga neoliberal na patakaran at mga di-pantay na kasunduan sa kalakalan at patakaran sa pagbubuwis na nagpapauna sa interes sa tubo ng iilan kaysa sa pangangailangan ng sangkatauhan.

Lumilinaw ang pangangailangang palitan ng bagong sistema ang parasitikong sistemang panlipunan upang maipagkaloob sa mamamayan ang kanilang mga demokratikong interes at kahilingan. Samakatuwid, ang lumalalang krisis ng monopolyo kapitalismo ang naglalapit sa mamamayan ng daigdig sa landas ng rebolusyong may sosyalistang perspektiba.###

https://cpp.ph/statements/mamamayan-ng-daigdig-magkaisat-labanan-ang-monopolyo-sa-langis/

CPP/NDF-Southern Tagalog: Ka Facio: Huwarang rebolusyonaryo, tunay na Komunista at tagapaglingkod ng mamamayang Pilipino

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 25, 2022):
Ka Facio: Huwarang rebolusyonaryo, tunay na Komunista at tagapaglingkod ng mamamayang Pilipino (Ka Facio: Exemplary revolutionary, true Communist and servant of the Filipino people)



Patnubay de Guia
Spokesperson
NDF-Southern Tagalog
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

February 25, 2022

Pinakamataas na parangal at pagpupugay ang iginagawad ng National Democratic Front-Southern Tagalog kay kasamang Kevin Castro na mas nakilala ng masa at mga kapwa rebolusyonaryo bilang Ka Andres, Ka Facio, Ka Lima at Ka Pablo. Nasawi siya sa isang labanan sa Brgy. Binibitinan, Polilio, Quezon nitong Pebrero 21, 2022 sa edad na 28. Isang bata ngunit responsableng ng kadre ng Partido si Ka Facio, kagawad ng Komiteng Subrehiyon sa mga probinsya ng Rizal-Quezon at Laguna, rebolusyonaryong guro at mahusay na propagandista-ahitador ng Hukbong bayan at mamamayan.

Nagmula siya sa uring petiburgesya sa Malolos, Bulacan. Isa siyang mabuting anak at panganay sa isang nakababatang kapatid na lalaki. Nakapag-aral siya ng kursong edukasyon sa University of the Philippines-Diliman at aktibo sa pagsusulong ng karapatan ng mga estudyante sa pamantasan laluna nang maging miyembro ng konseho sa kanilang kolehiyo. Kalaunan ay naging aktibo rin siya sa paglaban sa iba pang isyu ng mga kabataan at iba pang uri at sektor sa loob at labas ng pamantasan at namulat sa kalagayan ng mamamayang Pilipinong isinadlak sa kahirapan ng tatlong salot ng imperyalismo, pyudalismo at burukrata-kapitalismo. Sumapi siya sa Kabataang Makabayan, ang lihim na pambansa-demokratikong organisasyon ng mga kabataang nagtataguyod ng armadong pakikibaka. Noong 2016, naging aktibo siya sa pagdalo at pagiging bahagi ng mga peace forum na inorganisa ng NDFP sa iba’t ibang pamantasan sa Maynila at sa Timog Katagalugan.

Isa siya sa mga kabataan-estudyanteng tumugon sa panawagan ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas na sumapi sa BHB noong 2016. Mula noon, buong sigasig na ginampanan ni Ka Facio ang mga rebolusyonaryong tungkulin at higit na ginagap ang pagsusulong ng matagalang digmang bayan sa kanayunan. Naitalaga siyang kumilos sa larangan sa Hilagang Quezon kung saan siya umugat at epektibong namuno bilang sumisibol na batang kadre ng rebolusyon. Sa mahusay na paggabay at pamumuno ng komite ng Partido sa subrehiyon sa pangunguna ng namartir na si Ermin “Ka Monte/Romano” Bellen, mabilis na nahasa si Ka Facio bilang isang komprehensibong kadre na naging mahalagang salik para muling mareaktiba ang ilang naiwang mga base sa Hilagang Quezon laluna ang mga base sa Polilio Group of Islands.

Napakataas ng pagpapahalaga niya sa lahat ng gawain laluna ang gawaing masa, na di niya alintana ang mga panganib makabalik lang at mapamunuan ang masa. Kahit nga sa panahon ng pandemya, sinikap niyang alamin ang kalagayan nila at gabayan ang mga masa sa pagharap sa mahihirap na kalagayan– hinggil sa kabuhayan, kalusugan at iba pang laban ng mamamayan.

Walang tanggi sa atas si Ka Facio, hindi siya nagsasayang ng panahon para matupad ang kanyang misyon at maiabante ang mga gawain saanman siya maitalaga. Isa rin siyang mahusay na manunulat at makata. Lapat siyang makitungo sa mga kasama at masa dahilan para mahalin siya ng mga ito, laluna ng mga katutubong Dumagat at Remontado. Katunayan, mataas ang inaani niyang respeto mula sa mga kapwa kasama at mamamayan sa taglay niyang mahusay na aktitud at pagiging huwarang batang kadre. Kritikal siya sa sarili at likas ang kanyang kababaang loob kaya mahusay niyang napakikitunguhan ang mga suliraning kinakaharap niya—sa pakikitungo sa mga kasama, sa kanyang pamumuno, at maging sa pakikitungo sa masa. Larawan siya ng pagiging di makasarili at ng walang pag-iimbot na ibigay ang kanyang kakayahan para sa katuparan ng mga rebolusyonaryong tungkulin at gawain. Isa rin siyang huwarang kasamang may piniling kasarian at aktibong mandirigma sa pagsusulong ng pantay na pagkilala at pagrespeto sa kanilang hanay.

Nakapanghihinayang na maagang tinawid ni Ka Facio ang imortalidad. Marami pa siyang magagawa at misyong maisasakatuparan, marami pa siyang masang nais paglingkuran at masang naghihintay. Pero ang lahat ng kanyang pagsisikap at sakripisyo ay hindi masasayang dahil ipagpapatuloy ito ng mga kapwa rebolusyonaryong nakasama niya sa buhay-at-kamatayang pakikibaka, ng bawat mamamayang nakadaupang-palad niya. At higit sa lahat, ang kanyang kadakilaan at kabayanihan ay buong-panahong mananahan at magpapasalin-salin sa iba’t ibang henerasyon ng mamamayan sa Maynila, sa Hilagang Quezon at sa buong Pilipinas.

Nakitil man ng kaaway ang kanyang kaisa-isang buhay, hindi nila makikitil, ni mapipigil ang pag-agos ng rebolusyonaryong enerhiya ng mamamayang binigkis ng mga pagsisikap ni Ka Facio, ng Partido at buong rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa Hilagang Quezon. Ipagpapatuloy ng higit na nakararaming kabataaan at mabubuting anak ng bayan sa lalawigan ang mga dakilang misyon at simulain ni Ka Facio.

Nawala ka man sa aming piling pero nag-iwan ka naman ng walang kamatayang pamana ng kabayanihan. Ginawan ka namin ng bantayog na nakaukit sa aming mga puso at isipan at patuloy na magiging inspirasyon ng mga susunod na henerasyon, lalong higit, ng mga kabataan at batang kadre na katulad mo.

Mabuhay si Ka Facio!
Mabuhay ang mga martir ng rebolusyon!
Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!###

https://cpp.ph/statements/ka-facio-huwarang-rebolusyonaryo-tunay-na-komunista-at-tagapaglingkod-ng-mamamayang-pilipino/

CPP/NDF-CPDF: On Anti-Terrorism Council Resolution 28 designating CPDF as a terrorist organization

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 25, 2022): On Anti-Terrorism Council Resolution 28 designating CPDF as a terrorist organization



Cordillera People's Democratic Front
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

February 25, 2022

The Anti-Terrorism Council branding is but a broken record from a broken system.

Together with 15 others, the CPDF is once again maligned and vilified. This is tantamount to a dismissal of the people’s and national minorities’ issues that the CPDF has espoused throughout its existence. Protection of resources and people’s livelihoods, defense of territory, assertion for accessible social services, justice for the victims of institutionalized discrimination and retribution for those killed fighting for these causes. Where is the terrorism?

The ruling class, those that form and empower councils made up of fascists and their rabid lapdogs, this is the ilk that will not accept a basic premise: a lifelong denial of these rights will rightfully give birth to armed revolution. They go to bed at night comforted by their false thoughts that what they have before them is terrorism and not organized armed resistance advanced by the people themselves. Using a so-called ‘anti-terrorism’ council to keep marginalizing the already marginalized can only lead to further alienation of the government from its own people.

With a hundred percent certainty, the CPDF reaffirms its cognizance of the need for a protracted people’s war. Cordillera is warrior country and it has been more so since the onset of a semi-feudal and semi-colonial system that relegated the national minorities as second class citizens of its own nation. The minorities, as with the rest of the Filipino masses, has no other option but to wage a revolution. Calling it terrorism is the fascist’s folly, but it will also be their downfall.

https://cpp.ph/statements/on-anti-terrorism-council-resolution-28-designating-cpdf-as-a-terrorist-organization/

CPP/NDF-CPDF: Armed revolution weakened Marcos’ dictatorial regime//Prevent Marcoses’ return to power and history revision

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 25, 2022):Armed revolution weakened Marcos’ dictatorial regime//Prevent Marcoses’ return to power and history revision



Cordillera People's Democratic Front
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

February 25, 2022

As the nation celebrates the anniversary of a peaceful but radical uprising that brought about a regime change in 1986, the fascist troops of Cordillera are patting themselves at the back for what they would of course count as a victory: the recent arrest of a Red fighter who chose to contribute to societal change through a just war.

Batay Gamay, a native of Kalinga, is now being painted as a terrorist instead of a rebel for a legitimate cause. State forces indicted him for criminal charges without recognizing his circumstances as a political prisoner of war. They downplayed the validity of his cause similar to how the ruling classes presently downplays the role of the masses in the success of the peaceful uprising 36 years ago.

Role of the Revolution

One must remember that the People Power Revolution did not happen overnight. It was a culmination of events that weakened the Marcoses’ power and influence, not least of which is the armed struggle waged in the countryside. In the Cordilleras, for example, the i-Kalinga and i-Bontok resisted the Chico Dam project while the Tinggian tribes effectively stopped large-scale logging by the Cellophil Resources Corporation. These campaigns are the national minorities’ own people power uprisings against the dictator and his cronies. And these were all successful due to the ongoing armed struggle in the Cordilleras.

Reviewing issues of Ang Bayan (AB) at that time tells a story of tactical offensives effectively crippling the Marcos regime’s armed forces. The April 1985 issue, for example, reports that the New People’s Army (NPA) amassed 523 firearms in two separate raids. Raiding the Philippine Constabulary in Zamboanga Del Sur yielded around 100 firearms. Meanwhile, the raid in the Visayas Maritime Academy in Bacolod City was done without a single gunfire and yielded 423 high-powered rifles and two short firearms. At that time, it was the biggest number of arms confiscated in one operation.

By June, AB would then print that the NPA has confiscated no less than 740 firearms within three and a half months. Come January 1896, a month before the peaceful uprising, AB compiled data from the NPA’s own newspaper Pulang Bandila and reported that the last quarter of 1985 saw 54 tactical offensives with 194 firearms seized and 221 enemy personnel killed in battle.

Revisions by the Ruling Class

The series of highly successful military offensives by the NPA matched the broadening united front against the Marcos dictatorship. Through street demonstrations and military offensives, the masses declared that they are up to their necks with the Marcoses’ looting and murdering and the one percent had no choice but to eventually abandon the hugely unpopular regime. They, too, would suffer ostracization and consequent inability to wield power had they refused to disassociate from the fallen dictator. It was not because of their own conscience or their sense of justice. It is to their advantage to reecho the people’s cries against dictatorship, blatant corruption and fascism and wait for the emergence of a friendlier faction of the ruling class.

The present elections are already the best example of impermanent but mutually beneficial alliances. So is writing history, in its literal sense. Juan Ponce Enrile, for example, launched his memoir ten years ago where he ‘corrected’ history. It retold the coup he staged, with then vice-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Fidel Ramos, as the catalyst of the People Power Revolution as if the First Quarter Storm did not happen years before he and Ramos jumped ship. He painted himself as another victim of the dictatorship as if he was not a main actor in the staged ambush which was used as pretense to declare Martial Law and as if he was not appointed Defense Minister thereafter.

Most interesting in this narrative is that the Lopezes’ ABS-CBN Publishing itself printed the book even if it was one of the earliest victims of the Martial Law. Marcos did not stop with censuring the freedom for speech and expression but also went on to imprison one of its patriarchs, together with Ninoy Aquino. In the book launch, then president Noynoy was the guest of honor.

The unholy alliances of these strange bedfellows continue. Corazon Aquino named Enrile as her Defense Minister. In 1992, she allowed Imelda Marcos to return to the Philippines supposedly to face the criminal and civil charges. Yet, such objectives are but cheap talk as Imelda remains free up to this day. Ramos himself won the presidency after Aquino’s term. Rodrigo Duterte himself is a staunch Marcos supporter even if his mother is a celebrated anti-Marcos public figure.

Today, the path towards genuine societal change is clearer than ever: armed revolution through protracted people’s war waged in the countryside. The arrested Gamay is but one of the hundreds of revolutionaries who understood and lived that. And though police and military forces might arrest one or two every now and then, many more will replace them in the struggle to establish change that no ruling class can ever revise or erase. Soon, a triumphant national democratic revolution will be told and retold, not by desperate elites, but by the Filipino masses who bled for the realization of their final victory. ###

Seize the lessons of the People Power Revolution and prevent a Marcos-Duterte win!

Advance the People’s War! Join the New People’s Army!

https://cpp.ph/statements/prevent-marcoses-return-to-power-and-history-revision/

CPP/CIO: Commemorate the Edsa uprising of 1986! Harness the people’s power to frustrate the schemes of tyranny and dictatorship

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Feb 25, 2022):
Commemorate the Edsa uprising of 1986! Harness the people’s power to frustrate the schemes of tyranny and dictatorship



Marco Valbuena
Chief Information Officer
Communist Party of the Philippines

February 25, 2022

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and all revolutionary forces join the Filipino people in commemorating today the 36th anniversary of the Edsa Uprising of 1986.

Let us remember all the heroes and martyrs who gave their all and paid the ultimate sacrifice in waging all forms of struggle against the US-Marcos fascist dictatorship. The overthrow of the detested Marcos and his family and cronies would have been impossible if not for the selfless dedication of hundreds of thousands of people who kept the torch of resistance burning even during the darkest nights of tyranny.

The Filipino people are keenly aware that in marking today the historic uprising of millions against the Marcos dictatorship, they are confronted with schemes of the Marcoses in collusion with the ruling Duterte clique, to complete their restoration and reverse the Filipino people’s historical judgement.

As in 1986, the Marcos-Duterte presidential and vice presidential tandem have full control of the Comelec, and have vast amounts of stolen wealth to dominate the election campaign. The Marcoses and Dutertes are confident they can use the counting machines to ensure their “victory” in the same way that Duterte used the system in 2019 to steal the elections and install his stooges in the senate, congress and local governments. They are handing out endless amounts of stolen money to buy political loyalties and create the image of mass support.

The current social and economic crisis is rapidly worsening in the face of the ruling Duterte regime’s corruption, military wasteful overspending, non-stop borrowing, all-out import liberalization, rising prices, depressed wages and loss of income, widespread unemployment and land grabbing.

The gross conditions of workers, peasants and toiling people, combined with intense state terrorism and political repression against patriotic and democratic forces and the political opposition, are rousing intense outrage against the Dutertes regime and its collusion with the Marcoses. Like Marcos in 1986, Duterte and his fascist regime is extremely hated by and isolated from the Filipino people.

The Filipino people will not permit the Duterte-Marcos clique to steal the upcoming elections in order to impose their plan to strengthen fascist rule in the country. They will not allow their historical judgement to be reversed by the Marcoses and Dutertes. Drawing inspiration from their history, they are determined to derail the tyrannical and fascist schemes and defend their democratic rights and freedoms.

In joining the commemoration of Edsa, the revolutionary masses are profoundly conscious of the fact that the overthrow of the US-Marcos dictatorship through a people’s uprising, while expanding the space for organizing and free expression, did not change the fundamentally oppressive and exploitative social structures and chronic crisis of the ruling semicolonial and semifeudal system.

In the face of the increasingly rotten economic and political situation, the workers, peasants and other oppressed classes and sectors must continue building their organized strength and wage all forms of mass struggles, and persevere along the path of protracted people’s war until complete victory of the revolution.

https://cpp.ph/statements/commemorate-the-edsa-uprising-of-1986-harness-the-peoples-power-to-frustrate-the-schemes-of-tyranny-and-dictatorship/