Army general warns Panay, Negros candidates vs NPA extortion

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 15, 2022): Army general warns Panay, Negros candidates vs NPA extortion (By Tara Yap)

With less than two months before the May 9 elections, the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army has warned candidates in the islands of Panay and Negros not to give in to extortion demands of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

“We hope the candidates will not allow it,” said Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander.

Major General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army. (Photo courtesy of the 3ID / MANILA BULLETIN)

While there is no reported extortion by the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the 3ID urged candidates to report to authorities any attempts.

In the past elections, the NPA rebels would send letters telling candidates to secure permits-to-campaign (PTCs) and permits-to-win (PTWs).

These PTC and PTW letters indicate fees the candidates must pay for their safety while getting endorsement at the same time.

“The election season may be a time that they [the NPA rebels] can gain in terms of funding or logistical support,” Arevalo told Manila Bulletin.

But Arevalo admitted that both the NPA rebels and candidates may be thinking twice given the fact that issuing PTCs or PTWs is now illegal under Republic Act No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Arevalo also noted that authorities would get vital information on the rebels’ movement in the event that their members are caught while delivering PTC or PTW letters to their target candidates.

“We will eventually find out the names of politicians,” added Arevalo.

https://mb.com.ph/2022/03/16/army-general-warns-panay-negros-candidates-vs-npa-extortion/

Former rebels say Gabriela ‘is a recruiter for Reds’

 From the Manila Standard (Mar 15, 2022): Former rebels say Gabriela ‘is a recruiter for Reds’

Gabriela Women’s Party, a partylist organization claiming to be an advocate of women’s rights, is a recruiter for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), according to three mothers who were former members of the NPA.

Gen. Antonio Parlade. Manny Palmero

Meanwhile, the push of retired military officer and former NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Antonio Parlade Jr. for a revolutionary government is part of free speech, Malacañang said Tuesday.

During a press briefing of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) held on Tuesday in observance of International Women’s Month, Arian Jane Ramos alias “Ka Marikit” revealed that she was recruited by Gabriela to join the communist movement when she was still a young student.

Ramos was the former secretary of the NPA Guerrilla Front (GF) 55, Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC)-Southern Mindanao Regional Command (SMRC), and former chairperson of Gabriela Youth – University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao.

“I was recruited in 2012 in UP Mindanao because of the many relevant political and social issues they infused in their propaganda to students like us. I joined the Gabriela Youth and soon after became its chairperson. Then I was indoctrinated as a CPP-NPA-NDF party member tasked to expose issues about women in communities. On May 11, 2014, I was in Talaingod teaching the IPs (Indigenous People),” Ramos narrated in Tagalog.

It was during her stint in Talaingod that Ramos became aware of the leadership of Gabriela are members of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

“I should know. I used to attend Gabriela’s general assembly. And I know that those women at the legal fronts have better lives than us, the women in the mountains. Gabriela only uses women to gather funds through solicitations from organizations abroad,” she explained.

Ramos said that it was also in that same period that she got pregnant by a comrade and now has a child. “Once you have given birth. You are given one month to recuperate then go back to your unit in the mountains. Yun ang mahirap dahil kahit babae ka, ini-expect na kaya mong gawin lahat,” Ramos added.

She emphasized that there are many untold stories of suffering by women cadres who were sexually abused and raped by their commanders.

Ka Ruffa Correa, another former rebel, said that her family was duped into joining the NPA. She, too, talked about the sufferings she endured as a member of the NPA and related how the communist terrorist group (CTG) destroyed her family.

For wanting to have a good education Correa narrated that she followed her father’s advice to join the CTG, through Anakbayan, and got pregnant by her live-in partner in the process. She said that she gave birth in a near-death situation as she and her younger sister “Shane” were left to fend for themselves while going down the mountains to reach the hospital.

She added that she was forced to leave her baby to people whom she hardly knew when she was ordered by her commanders to get back to the mountains.

When she got backed, she was shattered after finding out that her sister Shane at the young age of 15 was raped twice by her commander and their platoon leader, prompting them to file charges before the movement’s own tribunal, but to no avail.

It was then that they decided to escape the CTGs by turning themselves in to the hands of government forces. Their mother, Pacita Correa, who has a cataract, also turned herself in.

Pacita said she only found out about the tragic ordeal of her daughters with the CTGs, when she saw them again under government troops’ protection. During the press briefing, she pleaded to her husband and her two sons to surrender as well.

Shane is now in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) while rape charges were already filed by the Department of Justice against her commander, identified as Paterno Opo alias Dodong and Rey Dela Peña.

Hands Off Our Children Movement member and also a mother, Mary Frances Meriveles still could not accept that her son, Francis Ern Meriveles never went home after becoming an NPA when he was still a 16-year-old student at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

“Francis turned 23 last March 13. Wala pa rin siya. Ang hirap. Ako ay may takot na kung ibabalik siya sa amin… ay patay na siya. Ito ay di gawa-gawang kwento. Sana mamulat na tayo sa katotohanan,” Meriveles said, referring to parents and children who are being fooled to join the CPP-NPA-NDF through fronts like Gabriel and Anakbayan.

https://www.manilastandard.net/news/314214565/former-rebels-say-gabriela-is-a-recruiter-for-reds.html

Dispatch of Japanese Personnel to the Independent Decommissioning Body in Relation to the Mindanao Peace Process

 Posted to the Relief Web (Mar 15, 2022): Dispatch of Japanese Personnel to the Independent Decommissioning Body in Relation to the Mindanao Peace Process

1. On March 15, the Government of Japan decided to dispatch Mr. Michio Suda, First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines (a retired officer of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, recruited as an officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) for the Mindanao peace process, headquartered in Cotabato City on Mindanao Island, Philippines.

2.At the IDB, mandated to oversee the process of decommissioning combatants and weapons of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Mr. Suda will be tasked with coordination work for the implementation of the decommissioning plan, provision of technical expertise, assistance for the making of annual work, financial and procurement plan, and supervision of Japanese assistance to the IDB, among others, as Chief Support Services Officer at its headquarters.

3. The decision on the dispatch is in line with the position of the Government of Japan to augment its support for the Mindanao peace process in ways commensurate with the progress thereof. Japanese personnel contribution is expected to further accelerate the decommissioning process–a critical juncture for the future of the peace in Mindanao, international fight against terrorism, socio-economic development of the Philippines, as well as securing the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region at large including the Sulu-Celebes Seas and the surrounding areas.

[Reference 1] Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) The Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) is an unarmed organization which was established in March 2014 as a body mandated to oversee the process of decommissioning MILF combatants and weapons, based on preceding peace agreements between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and MILF. Participation of foreign personnel in the IDB is regarded important to ensure the organization’s neutrality, and the Governments of the Kingdom of Norway (incumbent lead) , the Sultanate of Brunei and the Republic of Turkey have dispatched their personnel to the organization. The IDB has thus far completed the decommissioning of approximately 12,000 MILF combatants, or 30% of its 40,000-strong personnel.

[Reference 2] Japanese support for the Mindanao peace process The Government of Japan has been rendering support for the Mindanao peace process for nearly two decades from the viewpoint that the stability of Mindanao is vital for the Indo-Pacific region. In light of the establishment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in February 2019 and the importance of the successive transition period of the Mindanao peace process, the Government of Japan has been enhancing its socio-economic infrastructure development assistance under the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD), through the assistance to the efforts for MILF decommissioning and the capacity building support to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (dispatch of two Japanese advisers).

https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/dispatch-japanese-personnel-independent-decommissioning-body-relation-mindanao

BARMM names new ministers

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 15, 2022): BARMM names new ministers (By Edwin Fernandez)

NEW BARMM MINISTERS. Newly-appointed Cabinet members of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)-- (from left) Minister Ubaida Pacasem of the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Management (MFBM); Minister Akmad Brahim of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE); and Minister Datu Muslimin Sema of Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE), take their oath before BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim on Monday (March 14, 2022). Ebrahim (inset) earlier asked all Cabinet ministers to submit their courtesy resignation to give him a free hand in reorganizing the regional administrative body. (Photo courtesy of Bangsamoro Information Office - BARMM)

COTABATO CITY – Three new members of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) official family have taken their oath of office.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM’s interior minister, said Tuesday Ubaida Pacasem was named minister of the BARMM’s Ministry of Finance, Budget and Management (MFBM), Akmad Brahim as minister of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE), and Muslimin Sema as labor minister.

“The three took their oath of office before BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim before the start of the first Cabinet meeting with the new set of BARMM ministers on Monday,” Sinarimbo said.

Before their new assignments, Pacasem, a lawyer-accountant, and Brahim were deputy ministers of MFBM and MENRE, respectively.

Brahim replaced Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua as MENRE head. Macacua, meanwhile, remains as the BARMM executive secretary.

Sema, a former mayor of this city and current chairman of one of the factions of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), replaced his nephew, Romeo Sema, a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) parliament.

"I would like to thank the Chief Minister and everyone here for the opportunity to serve the Bangsamoro people,” the newly-appointed labor minister said in a separate statement.

Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas was also named acting minister of the Ministry of Health, replacing Dr. Bashary Latiph.

Earlier, Chief Minister Ebrahim asked all cabinet ministers to submit courtesy resignation to give him free hand in reorganizing the regional administrative body.

After a review and evaluation, some cabinet members were reinstated and only three were allowed to go.

President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the transition period of the Bangsamoro government from 2022 to 2025.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1169792

11 high-powered weapons seized in NPA repositories

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 15, 2022): 11 high-powered weapons seized in NPA repositories (By Che Palicte)

HIGH-POWERED FIREARMS. Troopers of the Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion (IB) recover various high-powered firearms as three of the New People's Army arms caches were recently discovered in Davao del Norte and two in Agusan del Sur. In a statement Tuesday (March 15, 2022), the 60IB says the firearms were found through information given by former rebels. (Photo courtesy of 10ID)

Government troops have retrieved 11 high-powered firearms (HPFs) in three repositories of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) discovered within the area of responsibility of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division (ID).

In a statement Tuesday, the 10ID said the HPFs were separately found in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, and two areas in Agusan del Sur.

On March 12, intelligence operatives of the Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion (IB) discovered an arms cache at Sitio Bagtok, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

The troops recovered two M16 rifles, an AK-47 rifle, and one lower receiver of an M203 grenade launcher in the area.

On the same day, another set of firearms - two M16 rifles and an M653 rifle - was discovered by 60IB troopers at Sitio Tagbalili, Barangay San Vicente, Loreto, Agusan del Sur.

On February 26, an arms cache was also discovered by 60IB troopers with two M16 rifles at Sitio Bubujawon of Barangay Waloe in Loreto town.

The 10ID said the locations of the hordes of firearms were revealed by former members of the Weakened Guerilla Front 3 (WGF3), Sub-Regional Committee 4 (SRC 4), Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) who recently surrendered to the 60IB.

Lt. Col. Sumalinog, 60IB acting commander, attributed the discoveries to the Army's partnership with the local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders in its area of responsibility (AOR), comprising Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, and Davao de Oro provinces.

"Let me extend my heartfelt gratitude to our higher units who continuously supported us in accomplishing our unit’s mission of totally dismantling WGF 3," he said.

"Above all, this is an accomplishment of the people in the communities who envisioned a peaceful and developed society,” he added.

He also urged the remaining communist rebels to return to the folds of the law through the implementation of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and to continue supporting the different LGUs in their peace initiatives.

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 National Democratic Front 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/1169813

IP leader hits NPA for attack, wounding of minor in Surigao Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 15, 2022): IP leader hits NPA for attack, wounding of minor in Surigao Sur (By Alexander Lopez)

Google map of San Miguel town, Surigao del Sur.

An Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in Surigao del Sur criticized Tuesday the communist New People’s Army (NPA) for its latest attack that resulted in the death of a soldier and wounding of two, including an IP minor.

Datu Rico Maca, the IPMR of San Miguel municipality, told the Philippine News Agency that a 16-year-old boy from the Manobo IP community was wounded when NPA rebels waylaid two soldiers on board a motorcycle on Monday in Barangay Bolhoon.

“The attack by the insurgents did not mind of the safety of civilians in the area. Aside from inflicting fear among the residents of Barangay Bolhoon, the NPA rebels also put at risk the life of a Manobo minor during the attack,” Maca said.

Maca said the minor was immediately brought to a hospital in Tandag City for treatment.

“The minor sustained a gunshot wound in his right hand. He is still recuperating in a hospital in Tandag City,” Maca said.

He condemned the NPA rebels for their complete disregard of the lives of the civilians, adding that the recent attack "manifested the true color" of the rebels as "extremists."

Meanwhile, the Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO) in its report on Tuesday, identified the slain government trooper as PFC John Carlo Abante and the wounded soldier as SSgt. Dennis Soliguez, both of the Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion.

“All the neighboring municipal police stations were alerted and directed to conduct checkpoints in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines counterparts,” the report said.

It added that operational directives to police field units were disseminated for the filing of appropriate charges against the perpetrators.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1169811

Army engages Cebu youth on nation-building

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 15, 2022): Army engages Cebu youth on nation-building (By John Rey Saavedra)

NATION-BUILDING. Photo shows the 66 youth leaders in San Francisco, Camotes Island in Cebu province after their Youth Leadership Summit on March 9-11, 2022. Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division deputy public affairs officer Capt. Elma Grace Abulencia said on Tuesday (March 15, 2022) the AFP will continue to engage the millennials on pressing issues concerning them and the Philippine society. (Photo courtesy of 3ID PAO)

Recognizing their role in nation-building, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Cebu said it will continue to engage the millennials on pressing issues concerning the youth, an Army official said on Tuesday.

Capt. Elma Grace Abulencia, deputy public affairs office of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, said the military's continued engagement with young Cebuanos through the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) will bring them closer to the military and encourage their participation in fruitful talks about nationalism, patriotism, and culture transformation.

“In hopes of unleashing the leaders within these young individuals, numerous lectures and activities were set throughout the course of the YLS,” Abulencia said in a statement.

She said the Army has just concluded the first-ever YLS in the municipality of San Francisco on Camotes Island, which was conducted in partnership with the local government unit and the youth organizations in the town.

The activity was also in partnership with the local government unit, the Task Group Cebu, and 14th Civil Military Operations Battalion.

The Army saw the recent engagement with the youth in Camotes Island as a fulfilling mission as they discussed the effects of insurgency on a peaceful society and the menace of illegal drugs, Abulencia said.

Lecturers also exposed the youth to various peace and development efforts of the government through the whole-of-nation approach implemented by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Apart from lectures, the youth were given activities to ingrain memories and cultural transformation such as the “Gabi ng Kultura” aimed at honing innate talents such as dancing, singing, acting, and speaking, as well as the coronation night for the “Mr. and Ms. YLS”.

The summit conducted from March 9-11) at the Canlusong Airsoft and Gun Club Firing Range in Barangay San Isidro, San Francisco town engaged 66 young leaders from eight barangays.

“The optimism and dynamism are two of the innate qualities of the youth to become greater than what they are today. I am ecstatic to learn that a partnership with the LGU of San Francisco was molded,” Col. Jerry Borja, commander of the AFP's Task Group Cebu, said in a message.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1169851

Haran spox yields, bares IP group-CPP-NPA links

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 15, 2022): Haran spox yields, bares IP group-CPP-NPA links (By Christine Cudis)

BIG FISH. Jong Monzon, one of the most visible resource persons representing the allegedly harassed Indigenous People groups in Mindanao, surrenders to government troops on March 8, 2022 in Davao Oriental. He has since admitted he was assigned by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army to help the rebels anti-government activities inside the UCCP-Haran Bakwit School in Davao City since 2015. In this 2016 photo, Monzon is seen speaking to the media outside of the Haran facility. (File photo by Christine Cudis)

A communist insurgent who was once the face of the controversial UCCP-Haran "bakwit" (evacuee) saga in this city has surrendered to the government.

Jong Monzon, former Secretary General of the "Pasakaday Salugpongan Kalimodan" (PASAKA), confirmed suspicions that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) was behind the ploy to use the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in a public campaign to demonize the military.

Several military officials have accused the rebels of exploiting tribe members to pressure government troops in abandoning hinterland areas under the influence of the CPP-NPA.

In a virtual press conference organized by the Army's 701st Brigade (701Bde) Tuesday afternoon, Monzon--whose real name is Cristoni "Jun" Latiban Monzon--said the Haran evacuees were also "exploited" by the CPP-NPA to gain financing for their anti-government activities.

"I think the media can still remember my name: I was assigned in UCCP-Haran (in Davao City) where the IPs were gathered to pose as evacuees (bakwits in local dialect). We were there, as mandated by the leaders of the CPP-NPA, to act as their best defense. We were told to cry for human rights violation," Monzon, 29, said.

Haran spokesperson

From 2015-2021, Monzon said he acted as the spokesperson to cater to media inquiries regarding the supposed plight of the IPs from various parts in Mindanao.

During their first year, authorities estimated over 500 of them taking "refuge" inside the UCCP Haran in Davao City.

"The role of IPs in the CPP is to pose as their "proof" that there is indeed harassment against them by military troops. In truth, this is only being used...to show to the potential sponsors or partners. The CPP profits a lot by asking support from the international community, universities, and hospitals here," Monzon alleged.

In April 2021, the Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued an arrest warrant against six administrators of the UCCP-Haran for child abuse.

TURNING POINT. Jong Monzon, former secretary-general of the Indigenous Peoples group 'Pasakaday Salugpongan Kalimodan', shares how the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army exploits the plight of the natives to advance their anti-government activities. Monzon, who surrendered to the government troops on March 8, 2022 in Davao Oriental, makes the revelation during a virtual press conference organized by the Army's 701st Brigade Tuesday (March 15, 2022). (Screengrab)

Monzon was among those named in warrant, which included UCCP Bishop Hamuel Tequis, Rev. Daniel Palicte, Ephraim Malazarte, Lindy Trenilla, and Grace Avila. They have been charged with two counts of violation of RA 7610 or the Child Abuse Law.

"The CPP-NPA leaders told us to retreat to the countryside because of the case," he said.

Monzon surrendered to authorities in Boston town, Davao Oriental, on March 8.

He surrendered along with two other IP rebels -- Mentroso Tumagsa Malibato alias “Raquel”, 50, and Danny Tiklunay Malibatu alias "Rolly", 32.

The Philippine Army said Monzon and the two other surrenderers cited hardship, hunger, and fear of dying in a combat with government forces that led them to surrender.

Chad Booc 'combatant'

In a separate statement, Monzon said that IP teacher Chad Booc was with them when their group engaged government troops in a series of encounters at Andap, New Bataan, Compostela town in Davao de Oro, which led to Booc's death.

Monzon, who hails from Davao Oriental, said that like him, it was likely that Booc was recruited by the NPA while in college.

He said rebel recruiters approached him and radicalized him while he was a student taking up Civil Engineering course in Davao City's University of Mindanao sometime in 2010.

He also warned other students to stay clear from the paths of activist groups that are known fronts of the CPP-NPA, "lest they may end up" like him and his other colleagues.

Meanwhile, 701Bde commander Brig. Gen. Oliver Maquiling expressed gratitude for the help of the local government in facilitating the surrender of the three rebels.

"The government is more than willing to accept and assist the few remaining NPA members who wish to help themselves by going back to the mainstream society living normal and peaceful lives," Maquiling said.

For his part, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayangharing urged the rest of the NPA rebels to follow the decision of their former colleagues "while there is a good chance to do so."

"President Rodrigo Duterte is offering the members of CPP-NPA a good chance to surrender. I hope that you take this opportunity while it is here because the election is coming and we do not know what the policies of the next president will be. Take this chance while you have it," Dayanghirang was quoted in a military briefer released Tuesday.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1169859

1.8K applicants sign up with PH Army in recruitment caravan

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 15, 2022): 1.8K applicants sign up with PH Army in recruitment caravan (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Photo courtesy of Philippine Army

The Philippine Army (PA) on Tuesday announced that almost 1,800 aspirants have participated in its two-day recruitment caravan held at Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila last March 12 to 13.

"Some 1,212 aspiring enlisted personnel and 500 aspiring officers registered to take the pre-qualifying Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT) during the weekend caravan. AFPSAT passers still need to hurdle interviews, physical fitness tests, trade tests, and physical, medical, and neuropsychiatric exams to determine if they are qualified for training," PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement.

He added that the two-day recruitment caravan, which is headed by the Army Personnel Management Center, is part of the series of month-long activities to celebrate the PA's 125th founding anniversary which is on March 22.

Trinidad also said that nine PA major units -- Aviation Regiment, Armor Division, Signal Regiment, Civil Military Operations Regiment, 51st Engineer Brigade, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), First Scout Ranger Regiment, Army Support Command, and the Army Artillery Regiment -- joined the caravan and set-up recruitment booths, and static displays to inform Army aspirants about the diverse functions of soldiers in the organization.

"The Philippine Army Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs (OG9, PA) also set-up a booth for ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) cadets and aspiring members of the reserve force," he added.

Trinidad also said that 138 applicants applied for civilian human resource posts at the booth of the Civilian Personnel Management Branch of the Philippine Army Office which is under the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel (OG1, PA).

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1169788

AFP to deploy 'non-combat' personnel for poll duties

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 15, 2022): AFP to deploy 'non-combat' personnel for poll duties (By Priam Nepomuceno)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it will deploy personnel assigned in various headquarters to help the government in ensuring that the coming May 9 local and national elections are safe and peaceful.

"Military personnel performing non-combat missions may be tapped to carry out election duties prior, during, and after the National and Local Elections on May 9, 2022. This is to allow the AFP to focus on its primary mission to defeat local armed threats," said AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Jorry Baclor, in a statement.

Based on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 10470, the AFP is among the deputized agencies and instrumentalities of the government that are tasked to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.

Despite this additional task, Baclor said the AFP will continue with the conduct of all internal security operations or its functions and responsibilities.

Among election duties of military personnel are the provision of security to polling places, voting centers, canvassing centers, and election paraphernalia.

AFP personnel can also act as security for authorized Comelec representatives. The AFP can also make available land, air, and water-craft assets, communication systems, and other equipment to support the logistical requirements of Comelec, especially in remote areas.

Baclor said the military and partner law enforcement agencies are also looking into the existence of and prevent any armed group organized to commit acts of terrorism or threats against any individuals to influence their votes.

"Soldiers who will be assigned on election duties may also assist in implementing election laws, particularly those governing prohibition against military, policemen, and provincial guards acting as bodyguards for candidates; and the prohibition on carrying firearms or deadly weapons in public places," he added.

Last February, the AFP along with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), adopted a joint legal cooperation mechanism that would address lawless groups as part of the government efforts to ensure peaceful and orderly elections.

The Joint Letter Directive (JLD) No. 01-2022 aims to enhance coordination among concerned agencies in building-up cases, and the investigation and prosecution of leaders, members, and supporters of threat groups and their financiers.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1169801

Over P230-M for Mindanao youth peace-building program underway

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 15, 2022): Over P230-M for Mindanao youth peace-building program underway (By Lade Jean Kabagani)

PEACE-BUILDING PROGRAM. Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. (left) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH/German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) Country Director Immanuel Gebhardt (right) sign an agreement on March 11, 2022 for the implementation of Strengthening Youth for Peace and Non-violence in Mindanao (YOUCAP) Project. German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel (center) has witnessed the signing of the deal. (Photo courtesy of OPAPRU)

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) on Tuesday said EUR4 million (PHP230.63 million) worth of peace-building projects for youth are slated to be implemented in Mindanao.

This, after the OPAPRU Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH/German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) Country Director Immanuel Gebhardt, signed a pact on March 11 for the implementation of Strengthening Youth for Peace and Non-violence in Mindanao (YOUCAP) Project.

The deal for YOUCAP Project targets to strengthen the approaches used by formal education institutions for youth-oriented peace-building; the gender-sensitive and culturally aware civil society initiatives for peace-building and non-violent conflict transformation, with a focus on vulnerable youth; and capacitating state institutions to push strategies for gender-sensitive and culturally aware-youth development and peace-building programs.

Gebhardt described the OPAPRU as a long-standing partner of the GIZ to effectively push peace and developments within the conflict vulnerable areas.

“The YOUCAP Project is highly committed to the young people as change agents to get sustainable, inclusive peace now and in the future,” Gebhardt said.

In a statement on Tuesday, OPAPRU Undersecretary Isidro Purisima said the Philippine government welcomed the efforts and initiatives of the German government to “perform a more active role in advancing peace and development in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas in Mindanao.”

Purisma said the YOUCAP project also supports the efforts of the OPAPRU to localize the government’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAPWPS); assist in the formulation of the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (NAPYPS); as well as mainstreaming peace education and Conflict Sensitivity and Peace Promotion (CSPP) approach of the nation’s peace-building efforts.

OPAPRU said youth members from the regions of Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao region, and in the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM, are among the target beneficiaries for the YOUCAP project.

Also, participants from intermediary levels such as policymakers and personnel of government and public institutions; employees of formal and non-formal education institutions located within the project regions; and key actors engaged in youth and peace work, are also included as project beneficiaries.

Galvez, who is the presidential peace adviser, reiterated the OPAPRU’s commitment to closely working with the GIZ and the German Government, for the country to completely achieve peace and development, especially within the marginalized areas.

“As we continue to strengthen our partnership for peace, the OPAPRU assures the German Government of our agency’s full cooperation and support, as we jointly implement peace-building interventions such as the YOUCAP project,” he said.

Galvez is confident in smooth implementation of the youth programs.

“We are confident that this program will be able to meet its objectives – to further strengthen the capacities of your partners and beneficiaries such as members of civil society and the academe, and contribute to gender-sensitive, youth-oriented peace-building and non-violent conflict transformation in selected areas in Mindanao,” he said.

On the other hand, German Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel, said the German government has recently renewed its funding commitment to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), the peace process mechanism overseeing the decommissioning process of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and their weapons as part of the Normalization program under the Bangsamoro peace process.

“Our commitment is reflected in our strategy with the overarching goal of strengthening peace and stability in the region. Germany, in this regard, focuses on supporting the efforts on disarmament of former militants and their social reintegration,” Reiffenstuel said.

She said the success of the peace process in Mindanao is crucial to pushing sustainable developments in conflict-cleared areas and even the entire country.

“Sustainable peace and stability are essential pre-conditions for development, progress, and prosperity of communities in the whole country,” she added.

OPAPRU is tasked to provide overall policy direction in the conduct of the comprehensive peace process.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1169823

‘Gabriela is a recruiter for CPP-NPA-NDF’: ex-NPA members

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 15, 2022): ‘Gabriela is a recruiter for CPP-NPA-NDF’: ex-NPA members

Gabriela Women's Party, a party-list organization claiming to be an advocate of women's rights, is a recruiter for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), said three women who were former NPA members.

During a special press briefing of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) held on Tuesday in observance of International Women's Month, Arian Jane Ramos alias Ka Marikit said she was recruited by Gabriela to join the communist movement when she was still a young student.

Ramos was the former secretary of the NPA Guerrilla Front (GF) 55, Sub-Regional Committee 5 (SRC)-Southern Mindanao Regional Command (SMRC), and former chairperson of Gabriela Youth - University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao.

“I was recruited in 2012 in UP Mindanao because of the many relevant political and social issues they infused in their propaganda to students like us. I joined the Gabriela Youth and soon after became its chairperson. Then I was indoctrinated as a CPP-NPA-NDF party member tasked to expose issues about women in communities. On May 11, 2014, I was in Talaingod teaching the IPs (Indigenous People),” Ramos said.

It was during her stint in Talaingod that Ramos became aware of the leadership of Gabriela as a member of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

“I should know. I used to attend Gabriela’s general assembly. And I know that those women at the legal fronts have better lives than us, the women in the mountains. Gabriela only uses women to gather funds through solicitations from organizations abroad,” she said.

Ramos said it was also in that same period that she got pregnant by a comrade and now has a child.

“Once you have given birth, you are given one month to recuperate then go back to your unit in the mountains. Yun ang mahirap dahil kahit babae ka, ini-expect na kaya mong gawin lahat (It’s difficult because even if you’re a woman, you’re expected to be able to do everything),” Ramos added.

She said there are many untold stories of suffering by women cadres who were sexually abused and raped by their commanders.

Ka Ruffa Correa, another former rebel, said her family was duped into joining the NPA.

She, too, talked about the sufferings she endured as a member of the NPA and related how the communist terrorist group (CTG) destroyed her family.

For wanting to have a good education, Correa said she followed her father’s advice to join the CTG, through Anakbayan, and got pregnant by her live-in partner.

Correa said she gave birth in a near-death situation as she and her younger sister “Shane” were left to fend for themselves while going down the mountains to reach the hospital.

She added that she was forced to leave her baby to people whom she hardly knew when she was ordered by her commanders to get back to the mountains.

When she got backed, she was shattered after finding out that her sister Shane at the young age of 15 was raped twice by her commander and their platoon leader, prompting them to file charges before the movement’s own tribunal, but to no avail.

It was then that they decided to escape the CTGs by turning themselves into the hands of government forces. Their mother, Pacita Correa, who has a cataract, also turned herself in.

Pacita said she only found out about the tragic ordeal of her daughters with the CTGs when she saw them again under government troops' protection.

During the press briefing, she pleaded to her husband and her two sons to surrender as well.

Shane is now in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) while rape charges were already filed by the Department of Justice against her commander, identified as Paterno Opo alias Dodong and Rey Dela Peña.

Hands Off Our Children Movement member Mary Frances Meriveles, also a mother, still could not accept that her son, Francis Ern Meriveles never went home after becoming an NPA when he was still a 16-year-old student at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

“Francis turned 23 last March 13. Wala pa rin siya. Ang hirap. Ako ay may takot na kung ibabalik siya sa amin… ay patay na siya. Ito ay di gawa-gawang kwento. Sana mamulat na tayo sa katotohanan (He is still gone. It’s difficult. I am afraid that if he will be brought to us, he would be dead. It is not a factional story. Hopefully, we will become aware of the truth),” Meriveles said, referring to parents and children who are being fooled to join the CPP-NPA-NDF through fronts like Gabriela and Anakbayan.

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/1169850

DND committed to protecting Constitution, shrugs off RevGov call

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16, 2022): DND committed to protecting Constitution, shrugs off RevGov call (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (File photo)

The Department of National Defense (DND) remains committed to the Constitution, despite some sectors expressing calls for the establishment of a revolutionary government, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday night.

"We at the Department of Defense denounce the attempt by (retired) Lt. Gen. (Antonio) Parlade to involve the Department, especially the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), in airing his personal grievances and his call for a revolutionary government," Lorenzana said in a message to reporters.

As citizens of a democratic country, he said, all Filipinos are entitled to freedom of expression but this should be done through proper grievance mechanisms.

"The DND shall continue to adhere to Constitutional authority, fully respecting the mandates of our democratic institutions. We remain committed to doing our solemn duty to the nation," Lorenzana said.

He said he has directed all AFP personnel to remain apolitical and neutral.

"The Constitution forbids any active military personnel from engaging in partisan politics or supporting any candidates. We will ensure that this is followed and enforced," Lorenzana added.

Earlier, Parlade said they are not saying that a revolutionary government is the solution to the country's problems, especially with the alleged corruption in the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

"We are not saying that's the solution, revolutionary government. We are not saying that that's the solution. We are just informing the people that this is our situation now. It's up to you. Tingnan nyo kung anong solusyon na dapat (Try to find a proper solution for this). If it's revgov (revolutionary government) and you say so, so be it," he said.

Parlade and an estimated 100 supporters organized a dialogue at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Tuesday morning to decry the alleged corruption in the poll body.

Parlade is the former chief of the Southern Luzon Command and served as one of the spokespersons of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

On Nov. 13, 2021, he substituted for Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP) presidential aspirant and former education undersecretary Antonio Valdez.

However, under the rules of the Comelec, independent aspirants are not allowed to be substituted.

His name was eventually dropped from the final list of candidates for the position of president in the 2022 polls.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1169867

No fire aboard BRP Gregorio Del Pilar: PH Navy

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16, 2022): No fire aboard BRP Gregorio Del Pilar: PH Navy (By Priam Nepomuceno)

BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (File photo)

The Philippine Navy (PN) said Tuesday night no fire broke out aboard the offshore patrol vessel BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PS-15), amid reports of an unusual amount of smoke coming from the vessel during a recent sea trial.

"(The) BRP Gregorio Del Pilar conducted (a) sea trial in the waters at the vicinity of Subic in the morning of March 14, 2022. While the more-than-usual smoke was noted during the sea trial, there is no incident of fire aboard (the) ship as alleged. The ship's force, together with our engineers and contracted repair specialists, are looking at the possible cause of the unusual volume of smoke," Navy spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Negranza said the sea trial was held to gauge the vessel's seaworthiness following its repair after a grounding incident in 2018.

"The Philippine Navy continues to collaborate with the US Naval Sea Systems Command to ensure PS-15's readiness," he added.

He also assured the public that the PN is vigorously pursuing the repair of BRP Gregorio Del Pilar as the Navy "endeavor(s) to make her ready and operational again."

One of the ship's two variable pitch propellers was damaged, along with its propeller hub, after it ran aground off Hasa-Hasa Shoal in August 2018.

Difficulties in procuring parts and the pandemic moved the completion of the repairs of the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar to the latter part of 2021.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1169868

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: CPP holds AFP accountable for cold-blooded murder of captured Red fighters in Negros

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 12, 2022): CPP holds AFP accountable for cold-blooded murder of captured Red fighters in Negros

 

March 12, 2022

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) today slammed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the cold-blooded murder of captured Red fighters of NPA-Central Negros in Isabela, Negros Occidental last March 9. The CPP said this is another war crime and is an outright violation of the stipulations of the international humanitarian law.

“Officers of the 62nd IB are cowards for killing two captured Red fighters while in their custody,” said the CPP’s Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena.

Soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion and police forces treacherously murdered Red fighters Virgilio Marco “Ka Bidam” Tamban and Ben Jack “Ka Yuhan” Rueles after being captured in a raid on a house in Barangay Amin at 3 a.m. Investigations of the local NPA unit concluded that the house was ransacked on the pretext of serving a search warrant.

According to Ka JB Regalado, NPA-Central Negros’ spokesperson, the NPA team was sent to the area to conduct mass work, to investigate and resolve complaints among the residents in the area, especially after constant military operations caused terror in the villages.

Valbuena pointed out that under international humanitarian law, captured or wounded armed combatants who are unable to do battle automatically become hors de combat who have rights that should be respected.

Valbuena said officers of the 62nd “are completely without honor when it claimed that the two died in an encounter”Further degrading their already absent military honor, the 62nd IB said the two died in an encounter to cover-up their killing of Ka Bidam and Ka Yuhan.

The CPP has also called on the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to respect the rights of captured wounded NPA fighter Robert “Ka Kits” Ansino. He was able to escape from the said raid but was badly wounded at the enemy’s volley fire. With the aid of the masses, Ansino was able to get help from the village but was later arrested by pursuing enemy forces.

“It is utterly shameless for the AFP to praise themselves for claiming to have ‘saved’ and giving medical treatment to Ansino. These are basic rights which should be given to all POWs,” said Valbuena.

The AFP has repeatedly claimed in their press releases of “armed encounters” to cover-up the murder of unarmed revolutionaries as well as civilians. (CPP Information Bureau)

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/cpp-holds-afp-accountable-for-cold-blooded-murder-of-captured-red-fighters-in-negros/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Itinatayong kampo ng Philippine Navy sa Bicol, para sa US?

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 13, 2022): Itinatayong kampo ng Philippine Navy sa Bicol, para sa US? (Philippine Navy building camp in Bicol, for US?)

March 13, 2022

Hindi malayong muling gawing kampo ng militar ng US ang dating istasyon nito sa Bagamanoc, Catanduanes at ang dating baseng nabal sa Subic, Zambales.

Ito ang pahayag ni Ka Raymundo Buenfuerza, tagapagsalita ng New People’s Army (NPA)-Bicol sa ipinahayag ng Philippine Navy na magtatayo ito ng kampo sa dating pwesto ng US Coast Guard sa Barangay Quigaray, Panay Island, Bagamanoc, Catanduanes. Ayon sa NPA-Bicol, hindi malayong isangkalan ng militar ng US ang Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) para muling magpwesto ng tropang Amerikano sa estratehikong lugar.

Ang Panay Island sa naturang prubinsya, na nasa bungad Pacific Ocean, ay ginamit ng militar ng US noong dekada 1950-1970. Dati na itong tinarget ng rehimeng BS Aquino na ipaloob sa EDCA noong 2014.

Sa pinakahuling pahayag ng Philippine Navy, magsisilbi umano ang itatayong kampo bilang isa sa kanilang mga Forward Operating Base na magbabantay sa Benham Rise. Sang-ayon ito sa estratehikong plano ng US na tadtarin ng mga base militar ang “First Island Chain” at “Second Island Chain” sa Pacific Ocean upang sagkaan ang pagpapalawak ng militar ng China. Saklaw ng “Second Island Chain” ang Benham Rise na noong 2017 ay ilang buwang kinakitaan ng presensya ng mga barko ng China.

Binatikos ni Ka Raymundo ang pagpangako ni Gov. Joseph Cua ng Catanduanes na magbubuhos ng pondong publiko para lamang maitayo ang nasabing kampo. Sa kabila ito ng kawalang-suporta sa mamamayan ng prubinsya para makaagapay sa malawakang pagkawasak dulot ng bagyo at sa harap ng masidhing krisis sa ekonomya.

Ayon sa mga residente, hindi nagbayad ng upa ang US Coast Guard sa mahabang panahon na pag-okupa nito sa lugar. Lumaganap rin ang mga kaso ng abusong sekswal ng mga pwersa ng US sa kababaihan hanggang sa mga karatig prubinsya. Inalala rin nila ang malimit na pagpunta ng mga submarino ng US na pinaniniwalaang kargado ng mga sandatang nukleyar. Tahasang labag sa soberanya ng Pilipinas o prinsipyo ng pagpapasya-sa-sarili ang presensya ng mga dayuhang armadong pwersa at kanilang mga armas nukleyar.
Pasilidad nabal ng US sa Subic

Kaugnay nito, ibinalita noong Marso 8 ng Department of National Defense na binili na ng Cerberus Capital Management sa halagang $300 milyon ang naluging pagawaan ng barko ng Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction sa Subic Bay. Inilista nitong kasosyo ang lokal na kumpanyang Agila South Inc.

Ang kumpanyang US na Cerberus ay pinamumunuan ni Dan Quayle, dating bise presidente ng US at kilalang malaking kapitalista sa industriyang militar. Isa sa mga kumpanyang kontrolado ng Cerberus ang Navistar Defense na kinokontrata ng militar ng US para gumawa ng mga sasakyan para sa mga tropa nito. (Dati rin nitong pagmamay-ari ang sa isa pang kumpanya sa industriyang militar na DynCorp.)

Sa pagpalit ng Cerberus bilang opereytor ng pagawaan ng barko sa Subic Bay, malaki ang posibilidad na makuha nito ang kontrata sa konstruksyon ng mahigit 500 barkong pandigma na kakailanganin ng US Navy sa Pacific Ocean. Sa kumperensya noong Pebrero 16-18, sinabi ng US Navy na kailangan nila ang ganito kalaking bilang upang harapin ang lumalaking pwersang nabal ng China, at upang higit pang saklawin ang kalaparan ng naturang karagatan.

Maanomalya rin ang kasunduang “pauupahan” ng Cerberus sa Philippine Navy ang sangkatlong bahagi ng 300-ektaryang pagawaan para umano gawing kampo ng huli. Ang naturang pwesto ay ang mismong lugar kung saan ginagawa, kinukumpuni at minamantine ang mga barko. Malaking posibilidad na maging tabing lang ang Philippine Navy sa pagpwesto ng US Navy at mga barkong pandigma nito.

Sa mga pasilidad sa loob ng mga kampo ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na kasalukuyang inookupa ng mga pwersa ng US sa ngalan ng EDCA, walang kapangyarihan ang AFP sa mga dayuhang tropa. Wala ring pananagutan ang US na ipaalam kung anu-ano ang iniimbak nitong mga armas.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/itinatayong-kampo-ng-philippine-navy-sa-bicol-para-sa-us/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Napakaraming tama ng bala:Karima-rimarim na sinapit ng New Bataan 5, nabunyag sa awtopsiya

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 13, 2022): Napakaraming tama ng bala:Karima-rimarim na sinapit ng New Bataan 5, nabunyag sa awtopsiya (Too many bullet wounds: Disgusting fate of New Bataan 5, autopsy revealed)

 

March 13, 2022

Pinasubalian ng panimulang ulat ng awtopsiya sa katawan ng boluntaryonng guro na si Chad Booc, isa sa limang biktima ng masaker sa New Bataan, ang hinabing kwento ng “armadong engkwentro” ng 10th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Kasama ni Booc na pinatay sa naturang masaker sina Gelejurain Ngujo II, isa ring boluntaryong guro ng mga Lumad, Elegyn Balonga, isang manggagawang pangkalusugan, at mga drayber na sina Roberto Aragon at Tirso Añar, matapos silang arestuhin ng mga sundalo sa isang tsekpoynt noong Marso 23, 2022 sa Barangay Andap, New Bataan, Davao de Oro.

Isinagawa ni Dr. Raquel Fortun, isang tanyag na forensic pathologist, ang awtopsiya o pagsusuri sa mga bangkay ng biktima noong Marso 7. Ayon kay Fortun, “Balak talaga silang patayin. Nagtamo sila ng maraming tama ng baril, at dagdag dito, maraming bagay ang tila gustong itago.”

Ayon kay Fortun, ang katawan ni Booc ay nagtamo ng napakaraming tama ng bala sa katawan. Sa dami, magkakadikit ang mga tinamong sugat, dahilan na mahirap tukuyin ang “trajectory” o direksyon ng mga bala. Bali ang gulugod nito na posibleng dahilan ng kagyat na pagkamatay bunga ng “neurogenic shock” kung hindi man kagyat na paralisis o pagkalumpo. Dumanas si Booc ng internal na pagdurugo matapos tamaan ang kanyang baga, “diaphragm”, atay, pali, tiyan, bituka, kanang bato at kanang adrenal gland. Bali din ang “thoracic vertebrae,” ilang tadyang, at basag ang kanyang kanang siko.

Hindi na dumaan sa awtopsiya ang iba pang biktima, naobserbahan ng pamilya nina Elegyn at Gelejurain ang pagkakatulad ng mga tinamo sa katawan ng mga biktima, maramihang tama ng bala at mga pasa.

Nagtamo rin ng ilang tama ng bala ng baril ang katawan ni Jurain, at nabalatan ang isang bahagi ng tiyan at kanang hita. Ang kaliwang paa naman ni Elegyn ay naputol ng ilang pulgada sa ibaba ng tuhod. Putol din ang kanang paa malapit sa bukung-bukong. Ang mga naputol na biyas ay binalot at muling ikinabit gamit ang packaging tape, meron din namuong dugo sa mga daliri ni Elegyn. Base sa nakitang mga marka sa kanyang katawan, binaril din siya sa kanyang kanang tuhod at ibaba ng kanang siko. Mapapansin din ang pagkaputol ng kanyang panga at pasa sa tungki ng ilong.

“Ito ay isang marahas na insidente kung saan limang tao ang namatay. Dapat awtomatiko itong inimbestigahan pero parang wala namang ganoong ginawa,” ayon kay Dr. Fortun.

Kinwestyon ni Fortun ang kakulangan ng impormasyon tungkol sa pagkamatay ni Booc at ng kanyang mga kasama. Sinabi niya na walang impormasyon kung saan aktwal na nangyari ang sinasabing engkwentro at kung paano natagpuan ang mga bangkay sa pinangyarihan.

“Marami kang makukuhang impormasyong sa pinangyarihan. Tinutulungan ka nitong buuin muli ang nangyari. Nakakatulong ito sa iyo na malaman ang katotohanan, ngunit walang ganoon,” sabi pa niya. Inilarawan niyang “overkill” at di makatao ang pagpatay na aniya’y walang dudang isinagawa habang ang mga biktima ay walang kalaban-laban.

Ang resulta ng awtopsiya ay tumutugma sa pagpapatotoo ng mga residente ng Barangay Andap na walang nangyaring engkwentro sa kanilang lugar. Maging ang yunit ng NPA sa lugar ay nagsabi na walang naganap na engkwentro sa lugar at hindi kasapi ng NPA ang mga bikima.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/napakaraming-tama-ng-bala-karima-rimarim-na-sinapit-ng-new-bataan-5-nabunyag-sa-awtopsiya/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: CPP remembers Ka Nars, vows justice on 2nd anniversary of his murder

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 13, 2022): CPP remembers Ka Nars, vows justice on 2nd anniversary of his murder

 

March 13, 2022

The Communist Party of the Philippines today remembered its late Vice Chairman Julius Giron (Ka Nars), who along with Dr. Maria Lourdes Tangco and aide Arvie Reyes, was murdered in cold-blood in Baguio City two years ago. The CPP said the cry for justice for Ka Nars, Dr. Tangco and Arvie continues.

“Let us remember today Ka Nars (Julius Giron), erstwhile CPP Vice-Chair, who was assassinated by fascists two years ago in Baguio City,” said CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena.

“Ka Nars was a humble and mild-mannered comrade,” he added.

Ka Nars is among the growing list of victims of the the state’s campaign of murdering revolutionaries. He is the second peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippinesn (NDFP) killed mercilessly by the US-Duterte regime.

To cover up their crime, state forces claimed that Ka Nars and his companions “returned fire” after they were presented with warrants of arrest. This is the same storyline of the PNP and AFP in almost all cases of killings.

During the time of his murder, Ka Nars was convalescing from acute pancreatitis which has adversely affected his health since July 2019. Even unable to fight back, state soldiers and police fired upon them. Autopsy reports show that they were shot in the back.

According to a tribute by the CPP Executive Committee in March 2020, Ka Nars was among the young revolutionaries who emerged from the powerful army of activists that arose from the First Quarter Storm of 1970.

“We will always be thankful for his key role in convening the CPP’s 2nd congress in 2016,” Valbuena added.

“Younger party cadres continue to take inspiration from the example of Ka Nar’s proletarian revolutionary attitude and his selfless service to the oppressed and exploited,” he ended.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/cpp-remembers-ka-nars-vows-justice-on-2nd-anniversary-of-his-murder/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: On humanitarian grounds, safely release elderly NPA fighter in Tagum City—CPP/NPA

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 15, 2022): On humanitarian grounds, safely release elderly NPA fighter in Tagum City—CPP/NPA

 

March 15, 2022

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) Southern Mindanao Regional Operational Command today demanded the immediate safe release of an elderly NPA fighter arrested with two others in Tagum City.

According to the regional command of the NPA in Southern Mindanao, Victor “Ka Pong” Rollon, Christine Joy “Ka Rye” Dula and Chargelyn “Ka Jillian” Casquejo were all non-combatants when troops swooped in and arrested them in a community in Barangay La Filipina in Tagum City last March 9.

The three were arrested on March 9 by combined forces of the 1001st Infantry Brigade and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. They were planted with evidence to incriminate them on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives on top of the trumped-up cases of rebellion, murder, serious illegal detention and robbery in band already filed against them.

Ka Pong is elderly and suffering from various ailments due to his advanced age. Ka Jillian, a medic, was attending to Ka Pong and conducting mass work and information drive on health and production among the peasant masses in the area with the help of Ka Rye.

“On humanitarian grounds, we urge the captors of Ka Pong to effect his immediate safe release, in order for him to seek proper medical treatment and convalesce from his ailments,” said CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena.

Rigoberto Sanchez, NPA-SMR spokesperson, added that the three must immediately be given medical attention, especially Ka Pong. “They must likewise be allowed visitation by their families and relatives or confer with human rights advocacy groups to ensure that their rights and welfare are not being violated,” he said.

Valbuena also condemned how the arrested fighters of the NPA are being treated and made to appear like common criminals. He denounced the police for “planting evidence and falsely charging them of crimes without basis.”

“We denounce the publication of the picture of Ka Pong posed with the planted evidence, and the pictures of Ka Rye and Ka Jillian, as if they are common criminals, in outright violation of due process,” said Valbuena. “Under international humanitarian law, captured officers and fighters of either side should be accorded the dignity and respect as fighters or officers of the armies and people they represent.”

He added that in line with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), the three should be treated humanely, provided with adequate food and drinking water and confined in a secure place with adequate facilities for health and hygiene, and access to their lawyers and families.

“The enemy’s common cruel treatment of captured or surrendered comrades is a far cry from the humane treatment that the NPA promptly extends to its prisoners of war,” Sanchez lamented.

He further emphasized that while Red fighters provide the most considerate treatment of POWs under guerilla conditions, captured or surrendered comrades by enemy troops are more often than not subjected to torture, ruthlessly interrogated, held incommunicado or disappeared or even summarily killed. (CPP Information Bureau)

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/on-humanitarian-grounds-safely-release-elderly-npa-fighter-in-tagum-city-cpp-npa/

CPP/NPA-Agusan del Norte: Usa ka sibilyan patay sa pagpamusil, balay sa mga biktima gisunog

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 16, 2022): Usa ka sibilyan patay sa pagpamusil, balay sa mga biktima gisunog (A civilian was killed in the shooting, the victims' house was set on fire)

 


Diwa Habagat

Spokesperson

NPA-Agusan del Norte

Northeast Mindanao Regional Operational Command

March 16, 2022

Patay ang usa ka sibilyan nga si Joel Abobo dihang nahitabo ang pagpamusil sulod mismo sa panimalay ni Samuel Villamor 53y.o sa may Purok 9, Brgy. Calamba, Cabadbaran city, Agusan del norte niadtong nakalabay’ng adlaw Marso 14, 2022 pasado alas 6:00 sa kagabhion.

Atol sa ilang pagsalu-salo sa panihapon adunay usa ka tawo nga naka mask misulod og kalit sa ilang pinuy-anan dayon sa sa walay paglangan gipaarakan sa ubay-ubay’ng bala ang 8 ka mga biktima nga sila Samuel Villamor kinsa samdan sa may abaga ug panga nga bahin, Myrna Villamor 52y.o asawa ni Samson Villamor, Sarah Villamor 17y.o, Jackielyn Villamor 14y.o, Sam Villamor 10y.o kinsa buhing nakaluwas sa maong mangilngig nga panghitabo.

Samtang padayong gipamusil ang mga biktima mihapa sila ug mikamang palayo sa ilang panimalay apan sa duol pa lamang sila ila ng nasimhotan ang baho sa gasolina dayon sa ilang paglingi misilaab na ang ilang panimalay.

Nasayran nga matud sa pamahayag ni Lieutenant Colonel Renel Serrano ang Chief of police sa Cabadbaran city Police Office, personal nga bangi ang hinungdan sa krimen, dugang pa ni Serrano nga aduna na silay Person of interest sa kabangi niining pamilya kinsa adunay anak nga membro sa Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Pugsanong gipanumangil sa publiko ni Joshua “Jessie” Solomon sa National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-CARAGA (NICA) nga ang pagpamusil, pagpatay ug pagsunog sa sa balay binuhatan sa mga New Peoples Army.

Gipatin-aw usab ni Ka. Diwa Habagat ang Spokesperson sa NEW PEOPLES ARMY-Agusan del norte sa katawhan nga dili kadto binuhatan sa rebolusyonaryong kalihukan gumikan kay walay rekord o salaod sa kalihukan sila ang pamilyang biktima, mahinumdoman nga gipanghingusgan sa Cabadbaran-Philippine National Police nga sila ang mogunit sa kaso batok na sa kabangi niining pamilya.

Sa pagsulat ning balita gidugang ni Ka. Diwa Habagat nga angayang manubag ang mibuhat sa pagpamusil, pagpatay ug pagsunog, nagpahimangno usab si Ka. Diwa sa publiko nga kinahanglang makuting manubay sa mga panghitabo ang tanan buhatan aron nga mapalutaw ang kamatuoran.

Panapos niini nga ang kalihukan nagtumong usab sa kaangayan, hustisya ug kalinaw.

https://cpp.ph/statements/usa-ka-sibilyan-patay-sa-pagpamusil-balay-sa-mga-biktima-gisunog/

CPP/NPA-Surigao del Sur: 7 ka sundalong sakay sa habal-habal motor gi ambus sa NPA-SDS

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 15, 2022): 7 ka sundalong sakay sa habal-habal motor gi ambus sa NPA-SDS (7 soldiers on habal-habal motorbikes were ambushed by the NPA-SDS)

 


Sandara Sidlakan

Spokesperson

NPA-Surigao del Sur

Northeast Mindanao Regional Operational Command

New People's Army

March 15, 2022

Gi ambus sa NPA-SDS ang 7 ka sundalo sa 75th IB sakay sa 2 ka habal-habal motor sa may Purok 2, Brgy Bolhoon San Miguel kagahapon sa alas 2 sa hapon Marso 14, 2022.
Ang maong mga sundalo gikan nagpahigayon og combat military operation sa maong lugar kung asa kaylap ang pagpanghasi sa mga sibilyan, pagpaniktik sa mga gidudahang supporters sa NPA.

Nakumpiska sa gipahigayong ambus ang 1 ka R4 ug usa ang sundalo nga kompirmadong patay. Sa maong panghitabo samaron usab ang usa ka driver sa motorsiklo nga nailang si Yayang Lauriente lumulupyo sa nahisgutang baryo.

Sa pagsulat ning balita padayon pang gipanubayan sa yunit sa NPA-SDS ang kahimtang sa driver nga samaron alang sa paghatag og financial and medical assistance.

Ang pagpang-ambus nga binuhatan sa NPA-SDS tubag kini sa dugay nang panawagan sa katawhan nga paghatag og HUSTISYA sa daghang sibilyan nga biktima sa 75th-IBPA sa pagtumo-tumo og kaso, pagpangdakop ug pagpangpatay sa katawhan.

https://cpp.ph/statements/7-ka-sundalong-sakay-sa-habal-habal-motor-gi-ambus-sa-npa-sds/

CPP/NDF-CPDF: On the International Day of Action for Rivers//CPDF condemns NCIP go-signal for Gened 2

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 15, 2022): On the International Day of Action for Rivers//CPDF condemns NCIP go-signal for Gened 2

 


Cordillera People's Democratic Front 

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

March 15, 2022

This important day for national minorities, the Cordillera People’s Democratic Front calls on the people of Apayao to strengthen its ranks and expect an uphill battle in the struggle to preserve the Apayao-Abulug River. It can count on nobody else but themselves for even the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples has disregarded its own mandate by allowing the gross violation of the Isneg’s right to self-determination.

During the last week of February, the Pan-Pacific Renewable Power Philippines Corporation launched a media offensive by crowing about its success regarding the second Gened project. A questionable memorandum of agreement with ‘authorized tribal leaders’ now allows them to build a 250-megawatt hydropower plant. This, on the get-go, is already problematic because the indigenous peoples of the Cordillera decides as a community through consensus. Historically, the most respected Igorot leaders emerge when they amplify the demands of the tribe. Ama Macliing Dulag, Inna Petra Macliing are but a few examples of those noble leaders.

It is thus suspicious that the news items did not carry anything about the Isneg people’s opposition to the project. There were vague promises of royalty benefits, energy provisions, electrification fund, financial assistance and compensation from the San Miguel-controlled company. Reading more like a promotional piece for the company and its destructive project, mainstream news even stipulated that the affected families must show proof of belonging to the Isneg tribe before they can qualify for remuneration.

To further prove that PPRPPC has wholly appropriated the Isneg’s ancestral territory, the MOA specifies that the tribes supposedly “consent to the proposed Gened 2 project and all its phases to be undertaken by the proponent in their ancestral domain, including the utilization and development of natural resources such as water, land, OR ANY PORTION of the domain.” It does not matter that the PPRPPC adjusted their proposal from a 335-megawatt project to 250 megawatts if the MOA gives them blanket permission anyway.

The NCIP only proved that it cannot be relied upon to advocate for indigenous rights. The national minority can only depend on their own strength and the various arenas of struggle available to them. The NCIP’s betrayal of the people’s trust is another reaffirmation that an armed revolution is urgent and critical to the realization of indigenous rights. ###

Kaigorotan, lumaban! Resist destructive capitalist projects!

Expose and oppose the ongoing and proposed hydropower plants in Apayao!

Advance the people’s armed revolution!

https://cpp.ph/statements/cpdf-condemns-ncip-go-signal-for-gened-2/

CPP/NPA-Central Negros: LPC-NPA punish AFP asset in Vallehermoso

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 14, 2022): LPC-NPA punish AFP asset in Vallehermoso

 


JB Regalado

Spokesperson

NPA-Central Negros (Leonardo Panaligan Command)

Negros Island Regional Operational Command (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command)

New People's Army

March 14, 2022

Last March 11, at around 11 AM, Amboy Ricaplaza, a notorious intelligence agent of the AFP was punished by the LPC-NPA in Barangay Kalupaan, Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental, nearby the AFP patrol base in Barangay Guba of the same municipality.

Ricaplaza is an active military spy that is involved in several cases of red-tagging innocent civilians in Vallehermoso and Canlaon. He also guides the AFP during military operations and hamletting. These result to ransacking of houses, armed intimidation and enforced surrenders by the AFP, in their desperate attempt to strike fear among civilians and to grab the prize money from their corrupt E-CLIP program.

Farmers and farm workers in the area fear for their lives and can no longer properly work nor sleep due to fear of the fascist troops. It can be recalled that the AFP’s 62nd IB illegally detained a farm worker, raided houses and indiscriminately fired at civilian communities last 2021. The intense militarization in Vallehermoso and other mountain barangays in Central Negros continues to sow terror among the people, especially with individuals like Ricaplaza aimlessly pointing at civilians and labeling them as NPAs.

As a result, Ricaplaza was punished for being an AFP spy who actively endangered the lives and livelihoods of civilians in the area.

The successive armed actions of the LPC-NPA is in line with the masses call for justice amid the rampage of the US-Duterte regime’s bloody counterrevolutionary war. Despite the relentless attacks of the mercenary AFP and PNP, the revolutionary mass organizations, the NPA, and the CPP will steadfastly wage and advance the people’s war, the just war that has been waged by the oppressed Filipino people against imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat capitalism for 53 years. ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/lpc-npa-punish-afp-asset-in-vallehermoso/

CPP/NDF-Sison: Rabid anti-communists unwittingly help the armed revolution of the Filipino people

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 14, 2022): Rabid anti-communists unwittingly help the armed revolution of the Filipino people

 


Jose Maria Sison

Chief Political Consultant

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

March 14, 2022

The huge crowds attending the electoral rallies of the tandem of Maria Leonor Robredo and Francis Pangilinan as presidential and vice presidential candidates of the Liberal Party and 1Sambayan are disproving the fake poll survey results claiming unbelievably high majority scores for their respective rivals Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Sara Duterte in the tandem of the Duterte ruling clique.

Thus, the Duterte regime, the National Task Force Elcac and pseudo-independent attack dogs like Panfilo Lacson, main sponsor of the law of state terrorism under the pretext of anti-terrorism, are now panicking. They are frantically reacting to the ground swell in favor of the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem by red-tagging its party and accusing it of having been infiltrated by communists and having forged a coalition with such revolutionary forces of the people as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People’s Army (NPA) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

The aforesaid revolutionary forces are all banned by the counterrevolutionary state from participating in its electoral exercises. And they have repeatedly declared that that they have nothing to do with these but observe the growing rifts within the exploiting classes and that it is idiotic for anyone or any state agency to claim that the revolutionary forces are one and the same as the legal patriotic and democratic organizations and parties which abide by the 1987 Constitution and have the freedom to participate or not in the electoral exercises of the reactionary state.

The rabid anti-communists in power like Duterte, Lacson and the National Task Force-Elcac are being absurd and dim-witted by being unable or by pretending to be unable to differentiate the legal democratic forces within the ambit of the GRP 1987 constitution from the revolutionary forces of the people’s democratic revolution that are engaged in the protracted people’s war.

The state terrorists do not care that their red-tagging violates and attacks the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people and puts those arbitrarily red-tagged in grave danger of being abducted, tortured and murdered by the regular units and death squads fielded by the reactionary armed forces and police under the fascist direction of their commander-in-chief as he has so often admitted directly and indirectly in the bogus war on illegal drugs and in the anti-communist campaign of military suppression.

Rabid anti-communists and notorious human rights violators like Rodrigo Duterte, Panfilo Lacson and the National Task Force-Elcac are unwitting promoters of the armed revolution by constantly trying to prevent and suppress the participation of legal patriotic and democratic organizations, parties and alliances in the electoral processes of the reactionary state in accordance with its 1987 Constitution.

They fail to understand that Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. compelled the mass leaders and activists of the legal democratic forces to go underground and join the armed revolution in great numbers when he declared martial law in 1972 and imposed a fascist dictatorship on the Filipino people. Thus, he unwittingly helped to enlarge and strengthen rapidly the revolutionary forces of the people which were then very small and weak.

In the last six years, the Duterte tyrannical regime has accomplished the same thing as the Marcos fascist regime did from 1972 to 1986. It has unwittingly helped the revolutionary forces of the people grow rapidly in strength by aggravating the crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system and by carrying out an all-out war policy, terminating the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations and going on anti-communist rampages of abductions, torture and mass murder.

Contrary to the repeated false claims of the Duterte regime that it has already destroyed more than three times the estimated strength of the revolutionary forces, the CPP has multiplied the number of its cadres and members, the Red commanders and fighters of the NPA, the members of the various types of revolutionary mass organizations, the underground alliances within the NDFP and the revolutionary organs of political power under the people’s democratic government because of the rapidly worsening crisis of the ruling system and the bankruptcy of the reactionary state, according to reliable CPP publications.

The worst is still to come while the tyrannical, traitorous, murderous, plundering and swindling Duterte regime is still in place. According to the tyrant himself, the Catholic Church hierarchy, the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem and party, the Makabayan Bloc and key members of the Makati Business Club concur with the CPP, NPA and NDFP that the Marcos-Duterte tandem and party represent the worst plunderers (magnanakaw) and murderers (mamamatay tao) in the Philippines and must be prevented from staying in power.

On the basis of mixing up and equating the aforesaid various entities to each other, the rabid anti-communists in the current ruling clique and in the National Task Force-Elcac headed by Duterte are plotting to combine the rigging of the 2022 elections with a martial law declaration to be done before or after said elections supposedly in order to preserve and expand the gains that they have made to suppress the communists and the revolutionary movement of the people.
.
Their Plan A is to declare martial law sometime before election day by carrying out a false flag operation by which to claim “disruption of elections by terrorists” and by which to prevent the opposition from demonstrating electoral mass strength through rallies. Their Plan B is to declare martial law after the rigging of the electronic vote count and prevent the people from rising up as in the aftermath of the 1986 elections.

The entire Filipino people must be forewarned, become vigilant and prepare themselves to launch all necessary forms of struggle in order to frustrate Duterte’s scheme of martial law declaration and rigging of the 2022 elections and to continue the struggle with ever greater resolve, vigor and effectiveness until victory if the plunderers and mass murderers of the Marcos-Duterte type stay in power longer than the fascist dictator Marcos could in 1986. Indeed, if these monsters manage to stay in power any longer, they would escalate the oppression and exploitation of the people and unwittingly intensify the people’s democratic revolution in the most unprecedented way. ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/rabid-anti-communists-unwittingly-help-the-armed-revolution-of-the-filipino-people/

CPP/NDF-Negros Island: Rise up in greater numbers against unabated oil price increases

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 14, 2022): Rise up in greater numbers against unabated oil price increases

 


Bayani Obrero

Spokesperson

NDF-Negros Island

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

March 14, 2022

National Democratic Front-Negros (NDF-Negros) calls on all Negrosanons to take to the streets in greater numbers and launch bigger militant mass actions to condemn the insatiable-for-profits oil companies, in connivance with the Duterte regime, for imposing a series of exorbitant price increases in petroleum products adding another burden to the suffering of Filipino people.

Since January, 10th consecutive increases in oil prices were implemented bringing up the prices of diesel and gasoline by ₱15 to ₱17 per liter. As per projections, diesel seen to increase by ₱12 per liter and gasoline by ₱7 per liter next week. This will mark the 11th straight week of fuel price increases.

Massive protests in city and town centers of the island participated by thousands of Negrosanons must be launched to amplify their outcry against these onerous profiteering by oil cartels and monopolies.

Transport holiday must be complemented by other forms of people’s protests. The issue of oil price hike does not only affect the transport sector but the broad section of our society including even big sugar planters and traders.

Ephemeral inconveniences and difficulties in mounting protests are miniscule compare to the burden of unabated oil price increases and its consequential effects on the cost of food, prime commodities and basic services among others.

There are myriad of forms and ways to protest and the various social media platforms are important tools of protests and shaping public opinion. But in the end, the waves upon waves of Negrosanons in their thousands taking to the streets are the most crucial factor.

As an immediate relief measure, roll back in petroleum prices to 2021 levels must be demanded. The repeal of the oil deregulation law and taxes on oil such as excise tax and value-added tax, and the nationalization of the oil industry must be pushed vigorously.

While, other urgent demands for jeepney and tricycle fare increases, immediate wage and salary increases, commodity price controls, substantial economic aid must also be raised.

Using the on-going conflict in Ukraine as justification to hike up prices of their old stock oil inventories must be rejected. Such rubbish alibi is negated by the fact they buy from refiners abroad with giant reserves and unaffacted by fluctuations of prices.

Duterte must be denounced for corruption, military overspending, anomalous infrastructure projects and onerous taxes. We must frustrate his scheme to perpetuate himself in power.

Rise up Negrosanons! Maghimakas indi mahadlok! ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/rise-up-in-greater-numbers-against-unabated-oil-price-increases/

CPP/NPA-Southern Mindanao ROC: Comrades arrested in Tagum City must be accorded rights as hors de combat

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 13, 2022): Comrades arrested in Tagum City must be accorded rights as hors de combat

 


Rigoberto F. Sanchez

Spokesperson

Southern Mindanao Regional Operational Command (Merardo Arce Command)

New People's Army

March 13, 2022

The Regional Operations Command of the New People’s Army in Southern Mindanao demands that the three comrades arrested on March 9 by combined forces of the 1001st Infantry Brigade and CIDG Region 11 in Tagum City must be treated as and accorded with the rights of hors de combat, in accordance with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and international conventions of war.

Victor “Ka Pong” Rollon, Christine Joy “Ka Rye” Dula and Chargelyn “Ka Jillian” Casquejo were all non-combatants when enemy troops swooped in and seized them in a community in Brgy. La Filipina in Tagum City.

Ka Pong is elderly and suffering from various ailments due to his advanced age. Ka Jillian, a medic, was attending to Ka Pong and conducting mass work and information drive on health and production among the peasant masses in the area with the help of Ka Rye. It is despicable for the enemy’s arresting elements to plant firearms, explosives and ammunitions in order to justify and lend credence to their arrest of the comrades.

The three comrades must immediately be given medical attention, especially Ka Pong, and afforded legal representation of their choice. They must likewise be allowed visitation by their families and relatives or confer with human rights advocacy groups to ensure that their rights and welfare are not being violated.

The enemy’s common cruel treatment of captured or surrendered comrades is a far cry from the kind of humane treatment that the NPA promptly extends to its prisoners of war. While Red fighters provide the most considerate treatment of POWs under guerilla conditions, captured or surrendered comrades by enemy troops are more often than not subjected to torture, ruthlessly interrogated, held incommunicado or disappeared or even summarily killed.

Despite the fascist Duterte regime’s bullheaded predilection to bulldoze decades of achievement in the peace process between the GRP and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the reactionary government is still bound by CARHRIHL and international rules of engagement, especially regarding hors de combat. Meanwhile, in insisting to treat the three comrades as common criminals, the AFP is all the more unmasking itself not only as a fascist armed force but a cowardly and dishonorable band of thugs as well.

The arrest of Ka Pong, Ka Jillian and Ka Rye further demonstrates how vicious and deeply isolated from the masses Duterte and the AFP’s counterinsurgency rampage has become. To affect the veneer of strength, the AFP has never scrupled to include unarmed elderly and women comrades, even civilian activists, in its warpath.

https://cpp.ph/statements/comrades-arrested-in-tagum-city-must-be-accorded-rights-as-hors-de-combat/

CPP/NPA-Negros Island ROC: Pulang pagsaludo kag pasidungog sa mga martir sang Amin

Propaganda statement posted to PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (Mar 13, 2022): Pulang pagsaludo kag pasidungog sa mga martir sang Amin (Red salute and tribute to the martyrs of Amin)

 


Juanito Magbanua

Spokesperson

Negros Island Regional Operational Command (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command)

New People's Army

March 13, 2022

Ang Apolinario Gatmaitan Command-New People’s Army (AGC-NPA) sa isla sang Negros nagapakig-unong sa kalisod sang pamilya, kaabyanan kag kaupod sa pagtaliwan sang duha ka kaupod sa dugu-on nga kamot sang pasista kag berdugo nga militar sa natabu nga raid sa Sityo Santos, Barangay Amin, Isabela, Negros Occidental sadtong March 9, 2022.

Ang pagtaliwan nila Virgelio Marco “Ka Bedam” Tamban kag Ben Jack “Ka Yuhan” Rueles nagtuga sang halit kag kasubo bangud nadulaan kita sang mga tampad nga kaupod nga nagserbisyo sa interes sang pumuluyo nga wala naga-ulikid sa kaugalingon nga ila ginpamatud-an tubtob sa katapusan sang ila ginhawa.

Wala sang enkwentro nga natabu, basi sa alegasyon sang berdugo nga militar, kundi isa ka raid sa balay sa diin nagatulog ang tatlo ka kaupod. Natigayon nga madakop ang duha ka kaupod nga nagakatulog kag ginpamatay samtang ang isa nakatigayon nga makapalagyo nga pilason kag nadakpan man sang ulihi.

Kabaliskaran sa pahayag sang butigon nga brigade commander sang Philippine Army nga si Pasaporte nga may natabu nga engkwentro agud hatagan rason ang paglapas sa laye sa gera.

Base sa laye sa gera, ang madakpan nga kaaway nga wala na sang kapasidad nga magbato o hors de combat, indi nagakadapat nga patyon. Kabigon ini nga Prisoner of War (POW) kag mahimo nga pasakaan sang kaso kon may nagaka-igo nga ebidensya apang indi madula ang iya sibil kag politikal nga kinamatarung.

Bangud sa mandu sang berdugo nga Duterte sa AFP/PNP nga Òkill them allÓ, kinaandan nga gawi sang mersenaryo nga AFP/PNP nga maghimo sang istorya agud hinabunan ang makasiligni nga ginahimo sini. Pareho sa natabu nga pag-raid sang September 30, 2021 sa apat ka NPA sa Hasyenda Builder, Barangay San Pablo, Manapla, Negros Occidental nga nag-ayo sa tagbalay nga sa ila matulog bangud ginatrangkaso, isa-isa sila nga ginpamatay kag ginpaggwa nga may engkwentro nga natabu. Gindala pa ang tagbalay nga tubtob subong wala na makabalik.

Si Florita Ceballos upod sa driver gin-abduct sadtong November 9,2021 samtang nagasakay sa single nga motorsiklo, kag sang November 14, 202 ginpaggwa nga may natabu nga engkwentro sa Sityo Belo, Barangay Buenavista, Hamamaylan, Negros Occidental kag napatay ang duha. Makita sa ila patay nga lawas nga naka-agi sang torture.

Handum sang pasista nga rehimen US-Duterte nga tapuson ang problema sa ÒinsurhensyaÓ antes matapos ang iya termino, ang mersenaryo nga AFP/PNP daw idu buang nga nagasunod. Nagtuga ini sang lapanagon nga paglapas sang tawhanon nga kinamatarung pareho sang mga pagpang-salvage, red-tagging pakadto sa ekstra hudisyal nga pagpamatay, ilegal nga pagpang-aresto, patanum sang ebidensya kag pagpasaka sang himo-himu nga kaso, pagpangransak sa mga pamalay kag madamu pa.

Ang pagtaliwan sang mga kaupod masubo para sa aton apang indi ini makabandog sa aton panindugan. Nadulaan kita sang mga kaupod nga tampad nga nagapakig-away para sa interes sang pumuluyo. Sila ang aton insperasyon agud ipadayon ang wala nila matapos nga misyon sa paghilway sa pumuluyo sa tuman nga paghimulos kag pagpamigos sang reaksyonaryo nga gobyerno nga ginarepresentar sang dalagku nga agalon may duta, dalagku nga komprador burgisya kag imperyalista nga Estados Unidos.

Aton tagaan sang pinakamataas nga pasidungog ang mga martir kag baganihan sa rebolusyon paagi sa paglunsar sang mga taktikal nga opensiba agud pabayaron sang mahal ang mga may utang sang dugo sa rebolusyon kag pumuluyo! Isulong ang armado nga rebolusyon tubtob sa kadalag-an! ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/pulang-pagsaludo-kag-pasidungog-sa-mga-martir-sang-amin/