Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Kahit Semana Santa, AFP nanganyon sa Agusan del Norte

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 14, 2022): Kahit Semana Santa, AFP nanganyon sa Agusan del Norte (Even Semana Santa, AFP shelled Agusan del Norte)

 

April 15, 2022

Walang sinasanto ang mga sundalo ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa panibagong serye nito ng panganganyon malapit sa sibilyang komunidad sa Palo 12, Barangay Poblacion 2, Santiago, Agusan del Norte nitong Huwebes.

Anim na beses na kinanyon ng 29th IB ang mabundok na bahagi ng komunidad na nagdulot ng takot sa mga sibilyan. Dahil sa panganganyon, nataboy at napalayas ang mga maliliit na minero sa lugar.

Ayon sa ulat ng Lingkawas, panrehiyong publikasyon ng Northeastern Mindanao, marami ang bumabang malilit na minero mula sa panning area pabalik sa sentrong barangay at lungsod dahil sa takot. Tinatayang aabot sa 50% sa mga residente sa nasabing bayan ay naghahanapbuhay sa panning area.

Kinanyon ng 29th IB ang lugar matapos bigwasan ng isang yunit ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB)-Agusan del Norte ang 40 elemento ng mga sundalo. Dalawa ang paunang ulat na kaswalti sa armadong aksyon ng BHB.

Sa panahon ng tradisyunal na paggunita ng mga Katolikong Pilipino sa Semana Santa, nagpapatuloy ang mga operasyong militar at kombat sa mga kabundukan na gumagambala at bumabasag sa kapayapaan ng mga komunidad.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/kahit-semana-santa-afp-nanganyon-sa-agusan-del-norte/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Panibagong panrered-tag sa isang mamamahayag, tinuligsa ng grupong NUJP

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 14, 2022): Panibagong panrered-tag sa isang mamamahayag, tinuligsa ng grupong NUJP (Another red-tagging of a journalist, denounced by the NUJP group)

 

April 14, 2022

Kinastigo ng National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) ang panibagong kaso ng panrered-tag laban sa isa nitong kasapi at mamamahayag na si Lian Buan noong Abril 13, gayundin ang pagbabansag sa kanilang organisasyong bilang “prenteng” organisasyon ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan.

Ayon sa grupo, nired-tag at binansagang “isa sa mga matataas na upisyal ng CPP-NPA-NDF” si Buan ng isang anonymous na account sa social media. Tinarget si Buan ng red-tagging matapos siyang magpost sa social media ng pananaw laban sa pagpapasara ng rehimeng Duterte sa ABS-CBN na malaki sana ang maitutulong nitong panahon ng bagyong Agaton.

Malaon nang tinarget ang grupo ng mga mamamahayag ng red-tagging dahil sa paninindigan ng mga kasapi nito at kritikal na pagbabalita tungkol sa gubyernong Duterte.

“Ang paggigiit para sa karapatan sa pamamahayag at pagsusulong ng kagalingan ng manggagawa sa midya ay mga adhikaing bahagi ng demokrasya na ating tinatamasa,” ayon sa pahayag ng NUJP.

“Ang pangrered-tag sa NUJP, mga kasapi nito at kanilang katrabaho sa midya ay nagmumula sa pinakamataas, ang Palasyo, hanggang sa pinakamababa, na mula sa mga anonymous na mga akawnt sa social midya…,” dagdag ng NUJP sa pahayag.

Kamakailan, kinastigo rin ng grupo ang tagapagsalita ng NTF-Elcac na si Lorraine Badoy dahil sa panreredtag sa midya. Ani Badoy, sangkot umano ang midya sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan dahil hindi nito iniuulat ang mga “nabuwag na mga larangan” ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan habang iniuulat nila ang sandamakmak na mga kasong isinampa ng mga progresibong grupo laban sa kanya sa mga ahensya ng gubyerno.

Noong nakaraan taon, sinuportahan din ng grupo ang pagsasabatas ng panukala sa Senado para parusahan ang red-tagging at pagbabasura sa malupit na Anti-Terrorism Law.

“Kadalasang humahantong sa harasment at pandarahas ang red-tagging laban sa mga target nito at sinusuportahan ng NUJP ang lahat ng mga hakbng na makapagbibigay-proteksyon sa mga mamamahayag laban sa mga bantang ito at papanagutin ang mga gumagawa nito,” ayon sa pahayaag ng grupo noong Marso ng nakaraang taon.

Kasapi at upisyal ng NUJP si Lady Ann Salem, patnugot ng Manila Tody, na naging biktima ng red-tagging at ikinulong sa gawa-gawang mga kaso gamit ang isang hindi balidong mandaymento.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/panibagong-panrered-tag-sa-isang-mamamahayag-tinuligsa-ng-grupong-nujp/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Malagim na mga Alaala ng mga Pagmasaker ng Diktadurang Marcos--Ang Madugong Huwebes sa Escalante City

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 14, 2022): Malagim na mga Alaala ng mga Pagmasaker ng Diktadurang Marcos--Ang Madugong Huwebes sa Escalante City (Grief Memories of the Marcos Dictatorship Massacres--The Bloody Thursday in Escalante City)

 

April 14, 2022

(Ikatlo sa serye ng tatlong artikulo) Bunsod ng matinding presyur ng mga demokratikong organisasyon, institusyon at personahe mula sa America at Europe, napilitan ang diktadurang US-Marcos na tapusin ang batas militar noong Enero 17, 1981.

Pero pakitang-tao lamang ito. Bahagi lang iyon ng mga hakbang upang gawing katanggap-tanggap ang rehimen niyang labis na kinamumuhian, partikular sa nagpapautang na mga dayuhang bangko. Kosmetikong hakbang ang pagbatak ng batas militar dahil nanatili pa ring suspendido ang kasulatang writ of habeas corpus sa buong bansa. Maaaring arestuhin nang walang mandamyento at walang taning na ikulong ang sinumang mamamayang maglalakas-loob na magreklamo sa mga anti-mamamayan, anti-demokratiko at pasistang pamamalakad ng rehimen.

Sa kabila ng malupit na reyalidad na ito, naglakas loob pa ring maglunsad ng mga kilos protesta ang mulat na mamamayan. Kabilang sa pagragasa ng mga demonstrasyon ang pagrali ng mga Negrosanon noong Setyembre 1985. Layon nilang isiwalat sa buong mundo sa okasyon ng ika-13 taong pagpataw ng batas militar na libu-libo sa Negros ang dumanas ng hindi makatarungang pagkakulong at walang awang pagpapahirap ng mga sundalo at mga paramilitar. Sinumang manindigan sa mga karapatang-tao tulad ng mga pari, madre, manggawang bukid, maralitang lunsod at iba pa ay binabansagang mga “komunista,” dinudukot, pinahihirapan at pinapatay.

May espesyal na kabuluhan din ang kanilang kilos protesta dahil nagpapalakas ang mga kroning asendero ni Marcos sa pangunguna nina Roberto Benedicto at Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco at mga alyado nito sa Northern Negros tulad ng warlord na si Armando Gustilo. Nagkamal sila ng limpak-limpak na salapi sa pamamagitan ng Philippine Sugar Commission, katuwang ang National Sugar Trading Corporation habang nabaon naman sa utang ang mga “sugar planter” (panggitnang-laki at maliliit na nagtatanim ng tubo).

Noong 1984 lamang, mahigit 190,000 manggagawa sa mga asyenda at mga sentral ng tubuhan ang nawalan ng trabaho. May isang milyong katao ang dumanas ng matinding gutom. Lumaganap ang kaalaman tungkol sa matinding kagutuman sa Negros sa nakilalang poster na nagtampok sa larawan ng halos buto’t balat na batang si Joel Abong.

Kaya buo ang isipan ng may 5,000 demonstrador sa Escalante City, Negros Occidental na kinabibilangan ng mga manggagawa sa tubuhan, mangingisda, kabataang-estudyante, maralitang lunsod, mga propesyunal at taong simbahan na magdaos ng tatlong araw na protesta simula Setyembre 18 hanggang 20, 1985.

Nagsimula ang mapayapang protesta nila sa pamamagitan ng pag-iingay sa sentrong bayan ng Escalante. Sa sumunod na araw, Setyembre 19, nagbuo ng mga barikadang-tao ang mga raliyista sa harapan ng palengke at sa papasok ng plasa ng bayan. Noong Setyembre 20, dumating sa piketlayn ang isang sasakyan ng PC-INP (Integrated National Police) at inimbita ang mga lider ng protesta sa isang negosasyon sa loob ng munisipyo na may layong 50 metro sa piketlayn. Hindi ito pinaunlakan ng mga lider masa.

Dumating bandang tanghali ang mga trak ng bumbero at sinimulang bombahin ang piketlayn ng tirgas at malakas na presyur ng tubig. Hindi natinag ang mga raliyista kahit pinalilibutan na sila ng mga tropa ng Regional Special Action Force (RSAF), ng Civilian Home Defense Forces (CHDF), at ng mga hindi nakilalang armadong tao.

Ihinagis pabalik ng ilang raliyista ang mga lata ng tirgas sa mga pwersa ng paramilitar at sa plasa. Naging hudyat ito para paulanan sila ng bala ng mga armadong pwersa ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno. “Tinangkang agawin ng mga raliyista ang aming mga baril,” pagdadahilan ng mga berdugo. Niratrat nila ng mga awtomatikong riple ang mga demonstrador.

Ayon sa mga nakaligtas sa masaker na ito, nangyari ang madugong insidente ilang minuto pagkatapos makaalis ang alkalde ng bayan na si Braulio Lumayno, kasama ang warlord at dating kongresistang si Armando Gustilo at kanilang mga badigard. Nang mapawi ang usok mula sa mga putok ng isang M-60 light machine gun at mga awtomatikong riple, makitang nagkalat ang mga patay at sugatan sa plasa, sa mga kalsada at sa kalapit na tubuhan.

Umaabot sa 20 katao ang nag-alay ng kanilang buhay at mahigit tatlumpu naman ang mga sugatan. Samantala, piping mga saksi ang kongkretong pader ng isang bangko at ilang kabahayan sa harap ng munisipyo na natadtad ng mga bala. Ibig sabihin, meron talagang intensyong patayin ang mga mapayapang raliyista.

Hanggang sa ngayon, pagkalipas ng 37 taon mula ang Escalante City Massacre o ang binansagang “Bloody Thursday” (Madugong Huwebes), hindi pa rin nabigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima, kanilang mga kamag-anak, mga kaibigan at kakilala. Walang nakatanggap na indemnipikasyon (bayad-danyos) sa mga pamilya ng mga napatay at nasugatan.

Kabalintunaan naman na ang tatlong mababang ranggong pulis na sangkot sa masaker sa Escalante at nakulong ay nakalaya na dahil binigyan sila ng parole. Ang kumander ng RSAF naman ay idineploy sa ibang lalawigan at noong 2016 ay hinirang na isang senior superintendent (full colonel). Wala ring mga lokal na upisyal at kilalang personaheng sangkot sa insidente ang ipinatawag sa pakitang-taong Fact-Finding Commission na pinamunuan ni Ombudsman Justice Raul Gonzalez (na naging kalihim ng Department of Justice noong 2007 ng rehimeng Macapagal-Arroyo).

“Never forget!” (Huwag kalimutan) “Never again!” (Huwag ulitin)!” Ito ang mga sigaw hindi lamang ng mga Negrosanon sa partikular kundi ng mamamayang Pilipino sa kabuuan sa tangkang manumbalik sa Malacañang ang mga Marcos sa tulong ng isa pang Duterte. Hanggang sa ngayon ay hindi nila inaamin at pinagsisihan bagkus ay tinatanggi o pinupuri pa ang libu-libong kasalanan ng kanilang mga pamilya sa bayan. #

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/ang-madugong-huwebes-sa-escalante-city/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Konsulant ng NDFP at mga aktibista, iligal na inaresto

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 14, 2022): Konsulant ng NDFP at mga aktibista, iligal na inaresto (NDFP consultant and activists, illegally arrested)

 

April 14, 2022

Magkakasunod na inaresto ng mga ahente at pwersang militar ng rehimeng Duterte ang isang retiradong konsultant pangkapayapaan ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) at mga aktibista sa loob ng apat na araw.

Nakapiit ngayon sa Camp Vicente Lim sa Calamba City, Laguna ang retiradong konsutant pangkapayapaan ng NDFP para sa Southern Tagalog na si Ernesto Lorenzo kasama sina Maria Fe Serrano at Plinky Longhas matapos arestuhin ng mga pulis habang nakapila sa pagpapabakuna kontra Covid-19 sa Paranaque City noong Abril 11.

Bilang konsultant ng NDFP, si Lorenzo ay may ligal na proteksyon ng Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) na nagbibigay sa kanya ng kaligtasan mula sa mga paniniktik at pag-aresto ng estado. Mayroon siyang mga dokumento at JASIG identification number 978299 sa ilalim ng pangalang Lean Martinez.

Samantala, hindi pinayagang makabisita at magdala ng pagkain ang mga kapamilya at taong simbahan sa Camp Vicente Lim noong Abril 12. Nagdulot ito ng pangamba sa pamilya at kaibigan ng mga inaresto sa mga paglabag sa kanilang mga karapatan.

Nagprotesta naman sa Calamba City sa parehong araw ang mga grupo sa karapatang-tao para igiit ang kagyat na pagpapalaya sa kanila at ibang bilanggong pulitikal.

“Iginigiit namin ang kagyat na pagpapalaya kay Lorenzo at kanyang mga kasama,” pahayag ni Marco Valbuena, hepeng upisyal sa impormasyon ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas.

“Iginigiit namin sa rehimeng Duterte na wakasan ang patakaran ng panunupil laban sa mga tauhan at konsultant pangkapayapaan ng NDFP. Ang pag-aresto kay Lorenzo ay kasunod ng kamakailang pag-aresto kina Esteban Manuel sa Samar, at Edwin Alcid sa Northern Samar, at ang pagdukot at pagpaslang kay Ezequiel Daguman sa Davao del Norte noong nakaraang buwan,” dagdag ni Valbuena. Umaabot na sa 12 ang konsultant pangkapayaan ng NDFP ang nakakulong.

Isang araw bago nito, inaresto naman sa kanyang bahay sa Cagayan de oro City si Aldeem Yañez, isang lay worker ng Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI). Nireyd ng mga pulis madaling araw nang Abril 10 ang kanyang bahay at sinampahan ng gawa-gawang mga kaso.

Dati nang inaresto noong Hunyo 2018 si Yañez, kasama ang 12 iba pa, sa mga paratang na may kaugnayan sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan at pagiging mandirigma ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan.

Kasunod ang mga pag-arestong ito, iligal ding dinakip at ikinulong ang ikaapat na nominado ng Anakpawis Party-list noong Abril 8 sa gawa-gawang mga kaso ng illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

“Ang umiigting na mg atake ng rehimeng Duterte laban sa NDFP gayundin sa mga aktibista at tagasuporta ng oposisyon sa pulitika ay senyales ng tumitinding desperasyon nito na mangunyapit sa kapangyarihan,” saad ni Valbuena.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/konsulant-ng-ndfp-at-mga-aktibista-iligal-na-inaresto/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Malalagim na Alaala ng mga Pagmasaker ng Diktadurang Marcos--Ang Masaker sa Tulay ng Bacong River sa Culasi

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 13, 2022): Malalagim na Alaala ng mga Pagmasaker ng Diktadurang Marcos--Ang Masaker sa Tulay ng Bacong River sa Culasi (Dark Memories of the Marcos Dictatorship Massacres-The Bacong River Bridge Massacre in Culasi)

 

April 13, 2022

(Ikalawa sa serye ng tatlong artikulo) Mahigit isang buwan pa lamang ang nakararaan matapos naisiwalat sa buong mundo ang malagim na Masaker sa Sag-od sa isla ng Samar nang ginulantang ang mamamayang Pilipino ng isa pang masaker ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa baybaying bayan ng Culasi, Antique sa isla ng Panay.

Sa upisyal na ulat, lima lamang ang naitalang napatay sa masaker dahil hindi nabilang ang dalawa pang mga bangkay na nakita sa ilalim ng tulay. Hindi bababa sa pito ang nasugatan.

Ilang kabataang-estudyante sa Iloilo City, kabilang si Peter Mesenas, Jr. na taga-Culasi, ang nagsikap na makaugnay sa midya sa Maynila hanggang nakaabot ito sa Radio Veritas. Isiniwalat ng nasabing radyo ang kalunus-lunos na pangyayari sa Antique.

Naganap ang masaker ilang araw makalipas ang paggunita ng United Nations sa Human Rights Day noong 1981. Noong Disyembre 19 sa taong iyon, naglunsad ng isang demonstrasyon ang mahigit 400 residente ng Culasi, na karamihan ay nagmula sa mabundok na mga barangay. Layunin nilang abutin ang munisipyo ng bayan para ipaabot sa lokal na gubyerno ang dalawa nilang hinaing:

Una, inireklamo nila ang pagpakat ng isang bagong kumpanya ng PC sa kanilang bayan. Ayaw nila ang presensya ng mga sundalo dahil sa kanilang mga pang-aabuso, pwersahang ebakwasyon sa mga barangay na pinaghihinalaang sumusuporta sa Pulang hukbo, at mga pagkumpiska sa kanilang mga alagang hayop at iba pang ari-arian.

Ikalawa, iginigiit nila na bawasan ang sinisingil na buwis ng gubyerno sa kanilang ibinibentang mga gulay at pananim, karamihan mga halamang ugat. Ibinibenta ang mga ito ng mga magsasaka tuwing Linggo sa palengke ng Culasi.

Kasama sa nagmartsa ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa kapatagan at sa hilagang bahagi ng Culasi na maghahain din ng kanilang mga hinaing sa lokal na gubyerno. Bago makarating sa sentro ng bayan ang mga raliyista, tatlong beses silang hinarang ng mga elemento ng PC.

Sa unang panghaharang, pinatigil sila at tinanong kung sino ang lider ng kanilang grupo. “Kaming lahat ang lider,” matatag nilang sagot sa mga pasistang tropa.

Sa pangalawa, nakaabot na sila sa pambansang haywey nang muli silang sitahin ng mga sundalo. “Kaming lahat” ang muli nilang sinagot nang hinanap ang kanilang lider. Deteminado silang tawirin ang tulay sa Bacong River para abutin ang sentro ng bayan para sa kanilang protesta. Mula sa tulay, tanaw na nila ang gusali ng munisipyo ng bayan.

Habang nagmamartsa ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, dumating ang dagdag na mga sundalo mula sa detatsment ng 315th PC Company sa pamumuno ni Lt. Leopoldo Segubre. Hinarang ng mga sundalo ang dulong hilaga ng tulay sa Bacong River ng kahoy na kawayan. Pahalang ang harang at may taas na hanggang baywang. Puno ng nakaalertong sundalo ang bahaging ito.

Tumanggi ang mga sundalo sa tulay na palampasin ang mga raliyista. Naging mainit ang palitan ng mga salita sa pagitan ng dalawang panig. Matindi ang tensyon. Pursigidong lampasan ng mga demonstrador ang harang na kawayan sa isang bansa. Sa kabilang banda, inatasan ang mga sundalo na pigilan sila sa anumang paraan.

Determinado ang mga raliyista na lampasan ang harang sa tulay. Inalis nila ang harang na kawayan para makadiretso sila patungong munisipyo. Walang kaabug-abog na sinalubong ito ng mga sundalo ng pagratrat ng kanilang mga ripleng armalayt. Nagsipulasan sa tulay ang walang kalaban-labang mamamayan.

Nang matapos ang pangraratrat, limang magsasaka at mangingisda ang nakahandusay sa tulay. Kinilala sila na sina Remigio Dalisay at ang kanyang kapatid na si Fortunato, Joel Plaquiño, Leopoldo Anos at Aquilino Castillo. Ilang araw matapos ang masaker, may nakita pang dalawang patay na bangkay sa ilalim ng Tulay ng Bacong River: isang matandang babae at isang lalaki na naaagnas na ang katawan. Hindi na naiulat ang dalawang patay na ito dahil sa takot ng kanilang mga pamilya na babalikan sila ng militar. Hindi naman bababa sa pito ang nasugatan, kabilang ang dalawang babaeng estudyante ng hayskul.

Kaagad-agad na naglubid ng kasinungalingan si Meyor Romulo Alpas at ang PC. Anila, mga kasapi ng rebeldeng NPA ang mga nagmartsa at tinangka nilang agawin ang mga baril ng PC. Gumanti lamang umano ang mga PC dahil naunahan silang magpaputok. Gayunman, walang tinamaan ni isa sa mga sundalo.

Alam ng mga taga-Culasi, kabilang ang Bise Gubernador na si Lolita Cadiao, na ang mga biktima ay mga karaniwang magsasaka na nais lamang magpaabot ng kanilang mga hinaing at demanda sa gubyerno. Inireklamo ni Cadiao sa pambansang awtoridad ang nangyaring masaker sa Antique.

Bunsod ng dumaraming kaso ng karahasang militar at mga abuso sa mga sibilyan sa isla ng Panay, kabilang ang masaker sa Culasi, binuo noong Enero 21, 1982 ang Panay Broad Alliance for Justice and Peace. Isa sa mga namumuno ng mga aksyong protesta sa isla laban sa diktadurang rehimeng Marcos ay ang dating Board Member ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Iloilo at brodkaster Edwin Baldago. Bago mapatalsik ang diktadurang Marcos, pinaslang si Baldago ng mga armadong taong pinaghihinalaang mga ahenteng militar.

Kinunsidera ng noo’y rehimeng Marcos na sarado at tapos na ang kaso ng masaker sa Culasi gayong isa ito sa mga hindi pa nalulutas na krimen laban sa sangkatauhan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Marami sa kanilang mga kamag-anak at mga kaibigan ang humihingi pa rin ng katarungan hanggang sa ngayon.

Sa kabila ng kanyang madugong rekord, na-promote pa hanggang naging isang lubos na colonel at kumander ng Guimaras Island si Segubre.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/ang-masaker-sa-tulay-ng-bacong-river-sa-culasi/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Mga EJK sa drug war ni Duterte, pinagtakpan ng mga medico-legal

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 13, 2022): Mga EJK sa drug war ni Duterte, pinagtakpan ng mga medico-legal (EJKs in Duterte's drug war, covered up by medico-legal)

 

April 13, 2022

Ipinrisinta kahapon ni Dr. Raquel Fortun ang resulta ng kanyang pag-awtopsiya sa mga biktima ng “gera sa droga” ng rehimeng Duterte. Isang mayor na kongklusyon na kanyang naabot ay ang pagduduktor sa mga death certificate ng mga biktima para palabasing namatay ang mga ito sa iba’t ibang kadahilanan.

Si Dr. Fortun ang isa sa nangungunahang forensic pathologist sa bansa o isang ekspertong may kaalamang medikal para pag-aralan ang mga ebidensya kaugnay ng mga kasong ligal. Kilala si Dr. Fortun sa maraming imbestigasyon sa mga pampulitikang pamamaslang.

Sinaklaw ng kanyang imbestigasyon ang 46 na bangkay ng mga biktimang pinatay mula Hunyo 15, 2016 hanggang Agosto 13, 2017. Muling hinukay ang mga bangkay mula Hulyo 8, 2021 hanggang Pebrero 28 ngayong taon. Isinagawa ang mga imbestigasyon sa tulong ng Project Arise ng simbahang Katoliko.

Sa kanyang ulat, isiniwalat ni Dr. Fortun na pito sa mga biktima ay pinalabas na namatay dulot ng “natural causes” tulad ng atake sa puso, pulmunya, pagkalason ng dugo (sepsis) at iba pa. Ito ay sa kabila nang may mga tama ng bala ang kanilang mga katawan. Isa sa mga biktima ay walang death certificate at isa pang di kumpleto ang datos.

“Yung isang namatay diumano sa atake sa puso ay may maraming tama ng bala sa katawan,” ayon sa duktora.

Malinaw sa mga ito ang pakikipagsabwatan ng mga duktor ng Philippine National Police at National Bureau of Investigation na itago ang ekstrahudisyal na mga pamamaslang sa mga biktima.

“Isinusugal (ng mga duktor) ang kanilang mga reputasyon, pangalan, lisensya sa “pagduduktor” sa mga death certificate,” ayon kay Fortun. Idiinin niyang bawal ito sa batas.

Gayundin, 32 sa 46 ay may mga tama ng baril at 24 ay may tama sa ulo. Tatlo sa 24 ay may palatandaan na hinampas pa sa ulo. Malinaw, ayon kay Fortun, ang layuning patayin ang mga biktima.

Dagdag dito, isiniwalat ng duktor na 17 sa 46 ay walang trabaho, walo ang walang inilagay na trabaho at ang iba ay may trabahong manwal at di regular. Marami din sa mga ngipin ng mga biktima hindi maayos, na palatandaan na hindi nagpapadentista ang mga ito. Ibig sabihin, tinarget ng pamamaslang ang “pinakamahirap sa mahihirap,” ayon kay Fortun.

Mas malala, walang plano ang estado na imbestigahan ang mga pamamaslang na ito, aniya. Binweltahan ni Fortun ang “naratibo” kung saan pinalalabas ng mga pulis na namatay ang mga biktima sa mga “buy-bust operation” gayong malinaw na sinugod at pinatay ng mga ito ang mga biktima sa loob mismo ng kanilang mga tahanan.

“Nakakabaliw ang gayong mga pangyayari,” aniya. Kinutya niya ang pahayag ni Justice Sec. Menardo Guevarra na “paiimbestigahan” ang mga dinuktor na death certificate.

“Handa ba silang pa-imbestigahan ang mga punerarya at kanilang mga medico-legal?” tanong niya. Napababalitang ang ilan sa mga puneraryang ito ay pagmamay-ari rin ng mga pulis.

Ayon naman kay Fr. Flavie Villanueva ng Project Arise, kailangang patuloy na subaybayan ang gera kontra-droga kahit ngayong panahon ng eleksyon.

“Patuloy kaming maninindigan para sa hustisya, ang aming paglalakbay kasama ang mga nabalo, hanggang matamo nila ang hustisyang nararapat sa kanila,” ayon sa pari.

Nahaharap sa pormal na imbestigasyon ng International Criminal Court si Duterte at mga upisyal sa PNP sa kasong mga krimen laban sa sangkatauhan kaugnay sa gera kontra-droga.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/mga-ejk-sa-drug-war-ni-duterte-pinagtakpan-ng-mga-medico-legal/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: NPA units dispatched for rescue and rehab efforts—CPP

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 11, 2022): NPA units dispatched for rescue and rehab efforts—CPP

 

April 11, 2022

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today said units of the New People’s Army (NPA) in areas affected by typhoon Agaton are being dispatched to carry out efforts to help in rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Parts of Eastern Visayas, Cebu and northern Mindanao have been hit by floods due to continuous rains over the past days.

CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena said “it is the civic duty of the NPA to extend all possible assistance to the people in the face of calamities and disasters.”

At the same time, the CPP called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to withdraw its forces which have been occupying and hamletting villages especially in Eastern Visayas in order to allow the people to move freely and attend to their urgent needs.

“The NPA must immediately prepare rescue, medical and construction teams composed of Red fighters, militias and local activists to respond to any urgent needs of the people,” added Valbuena. He also urged all revolutionary forces to organize efforts to ensure the quick delivery of supplies for relief and rehabilitation work.

At least 45,000 are estimated to have been affected by Typhoon Agaton. It is expected to merge with a bigger tropical storm (“Malakas”) currently in the east of the country. (CPP Information Bureau)

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/npa-units-dispatched-for-rescue-and-rehab-efforts-cpp/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Medical mission sa Quezon, tinangkang pasukin ng militar

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 10, 2022): Medical mission sa Quezon, tinangkang pasukin ng militar (Medical mission in Quezon, attempted to enter by the military)

 

April 10, 2022

Ginipit ng mga sundalo ng 85th IB ang libreng klinika na inorganisa ng Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (KASAMA-TK) ngayong araw sa Agdangan, Quezon. Binulabog ng mga sundalo ang benyu at kinwestyon ang “ligalidad” ng naturang aktbidad.

Nagsabit ng tarpaulin ang mga sundalo na may nakasaad na “Joint Medical Mission.” Agad itong tinanggal ng mga kasapi ng KASAMA-TK. Kinunan din ng litrato ng mga elemento ng 85th IB ang mga boluntir, mga duktor at manggagawang pangkalusugan na bahagi ng aktibidad. Kinuha rin nila ang mga listahan ng pasyente kung saan naglalaman din ng kanilang impormasyon.

Pinaalis ng mga myembro ng KASAMA-TK ang AFP sa aktibidad dahil takot ang hatid ng kanilang armadong presensya sa mga kalahok nito. Inilinaw nila na, “hindi kailanman lalapit ang KASAMA-TK sa mga ahenteng responsable sa pamamaslang, pagdukot at pag-redtag sa mga aktibista at mamamayan ng Timog Katagalugan”.

Patuloy pa rin ang pagkakalat ng mga ahente ng 85th IB sa kanilang Facebook page na bahagi sila ng aktibidad sa kabila ng pagpapasinungaling dito ng mga organisador.

Matapos ang programa, hinarang ng mga elemento ng AFP ang mga boluntir at manggagawang pangkalusugan na nagsagawa ng medical mission.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/medical-mission-sa-quezon-tinangkang-pasukin-ng-militar/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Pangkulturang dyornal ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa Negros, inilathala

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 10, 2022): Pangkulturang dyornal ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa Negros, inilathala (Cultural journal of the revolutionary movement in Negros, published)

 

April 10, 2022

Inilathala ng National Democratic Front-Negros Island sa wikang Hiligaynon at Cebuano ang Ispading 2022, pangkulturang dyornal ng rebolusyonaryong mamamayan sa isla. Laman nito ang mga akdang pumapaksa sa pagsulong ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa isla sa gitna ng pandemya at pinaigting na operasyong militar ng rehimeng US-Duterte.

Inilathala sa Ispading ang mga tungkulin at layunin ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa rehiyon sa pagsusulong ng rebolusyonaryong sining at kultura sa loob ng mga larangang gerilya. Pinaksa ito sa editoryal na “Rebolusyonaryong Sining at Literatura sa Gitna ng Determinadong Pagsulong ng Armadong Pakikibaka.”

Kabilang sa inilabas na mga tula ang mga isinulat ni Prof. Jose Maria Sison, at ng mga martir na Pulang mandirigma at mga manunula na sina Kerima Tariman at Roger Felix Salditos.

“Ang ISPADING 2022, sa pamamagitan ng pag-iipon ng mga binalaybay, kuwento, kanta, liham at drowing ng mga kasama na masuring nagpapakita ng kahabag-habag na kalagayan at karanasan ng mga mamamayan na nagdusa sa malalang kahirapan lalo na ang masang magsasaka, mangagawa sa kanayunan at sa mga syudad na kumakatawan sa nakararaming mamamayan sa Negros,” ayon sa editoryal. Ang “binalaybay” ay salitang Hiligaynon para sa tula.

“Kaya, aming hinihiling, para makapagbigay ng insipirasyon ang ISPADING 2022 ng lakas at kalinawan sa mga isyu at pangyayari sa ating lipunan, gamitin itong materyal sa kultural na pagtatanghal, pag-aaral sa politika, pagsasanay sa literasiya, pulang-masa, at propaganda na ipaglulunsad sa mga hanay ng masa at kasama,” dagdag pa nito.

Sa mensahe ng Komite ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) noong ika-53 anibersaryo ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB), isa sa pitong partikular na mga tungkuling iniatang sa BHB para sumulong ang pagpapataas ng kulturang aktibidad sa hanay ng mga Pulang kumander at mandirigma.

Ayon sa Komite Sentral, “dapat nating itaas ang antas ng pangkulturang aktibidad sa loob ng BHB at gawaing kultura ng BHB sa hanay ng masa.”

Dagdag pa nito, “dapat turuan at hikayatin ang mga Pulang mandirigma at kumander ng BHB na ang kanilang mga karanasan, ang kaapihan at paghahangad ng masa, ang pagkapoot sa kaaway at ang rebolusyonaryong mga ideya ay ilahad sa iba’t ibang malikhaing porma na maaaring makatulong sa pagtataas at pagpapalakas sa rebolusyonaryong kalooban ng kanilang kapwa mandirigma at ng masa. Dapat nating masiglang itakwil ang pangkulturang impluwensya ng naghaharing sistema na lumalason sa mga utak ng kabataan.”

Makakakuha ng kopya ng ISPADING 2022 at iba pang mga pangkulturang dyornal ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa pambansa at antas ng mga rehiyon sa PRWC (https://cpp.ph).

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/pangkulturang-dyornal-ng-rebolusyonaryong-kilusan-sa-negros-inilathala/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: NPA use of CDEx in Northern Samar ambush, legitimate says CPP

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 10, 2022): NPA use of CDEx in Northern Samar ambush, legitimate says CPP

 

April 10, 2022

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today said the use of command-detonated explosives (CDEx) in an ambuscade by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Las Navas, Northern Samar last April 3 was consistent with international rules on the conduct of war. This was in response to the media spectacle mounted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) making it appear that NPA weapons violated international conventions.

The NPA-Northern Samar earlier confirmed in a statement that its forces ambushed combined forces of the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) last April 3 in Barangay San Miguel, Las Navas. Reports said that at least one police officer was killed while five others were wounded.

According to Amado Pesante, NPA-Northern Samar (Rodante Urtal Command) spokesperson, the armed action was “response to complaints by the masses in Barangay San Miguel and Barangay Osang against the harassment, midnight interrogations, encampment within public utilities including the school … among other rights violations perpetrated by elements of AFP-PNP in the area.”

CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena explained that the NPA’s use of CDEx is in line with the Ottawa Treaty which bans only those land mines “designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person.” “In contrast,” Valbuena said, “the NPA’s CDEx are exploded only on command by an assigned personnel in battles and are precisely aimed at armed adversaries.”

After the April 3 ambush, the PNP-Eastern Visayas immediately resorted to publicity stunts by declaring to file criminal charges and calling on the Commission on Human Rights to “investigate” the incident.

“The AFP and PNP are making themselves look stupid by publicly displaying their ignorance of international statutes,” Valbuena noted. “The NPA’s Las Navas ambush is clearly legitimate and in line with international rules of war.”

“Besides, the CHR does not have the authority to investigate the NPA,” said Valbuena, citing the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

The NPA’s use of CDEx is far more precise, according to Pesante, than the AFP-PNP’s terrorist bombing that causes widespread damage to life and property, and terrorizes civilians whose fields, mountain farms, and communities are targeted.

“The AFP-PNP pretends to be champions of IHL even as they commit the worst forms of IHL violations, including the killing of two children Andrei Mercado, 12, and Leandro Alivio, 13, who were mercilessly strafed by the AFP in Barangay Roxas in Catubig last February 8. They are the real terrorists, hated and despised by the people for their abuses, lies, and fascist attacks against civilian communities,” Pesante ended. (CPP Information Bureau)

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/npa-use-of-cdex-in-northern-samar-ambush-legitimate-says-cpp/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Kabataan, nagprotesta sa embahada ng US laban sa Balikatan 2022

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 9, 2022): Kabataan, nagprotesta sa embahada ng US laban sa Balikatan 2022 (Youth, protest at the US embassy against Balikatan 2022)

 

April 09, 2022

Nagprotesta ang di bababa 30 kabataan sa harap ng embahada ng US sa Roxas Boulevard, Manila kahapon nang madaling araw para batikusin ang Balikatan 2022 war exercises na idinaos sa Pilipinas noong Marso 28 hanggang Abril 8. Pinamunuan ng League of Filipino Students (LFS) ang raling iglap.

Anang grupo, ang Balikatan ay tuwirang nagpapakita “na nananatili ang imperyalismong US bilang pinakamakapangyarihang pwersa sa ating bansa, at si Duterte mismo ang numero unong tuta na tatahol lamang sa bawat utos ng amo nito,” ayon kay Ivan Sucgang, pambansang tagapangulo ng grupo.

Dala ng mga kabataan ang mga plakard at balatenggang may panawagang: “US troops, Out Now!” at “Imperyalismo ibagsak!”

Umaabot sa 5,100 sundalong Amerikano at 3,800 sundalong Pilipino ang upisyal na kalahok sa Balikatan 2022, isa sa pinakamalaking war exercise na idinaos sa bansa. Sa unang pagkakataon, lumahok dito ang 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR), isang pangkat ng humigit-kumulang 90 tauhan na ang misyon ay ang maghanda para umatake sa China.

Binatikos ng mga kabataan ang pagsasanay sa aerial assault at bombing na ginagamit ng AFP sa para bombahin ang mga komunidad ng mga magsasaka at pambansang minorya.

Nagpahayag din ng pangamba ang grupo na ang isinasagawang pagsasanay kontra sa “urban terrorism” ay gagamitin laban sa mga sibilyan at mga grupong nireredtag ng rehimen.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/kabataan-nagprotesta-sa-embahada-ng-us-laban-sa-balikatan-2022/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Pag-aresto sa nominado ng Anakpawis Party-list, kinundena

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 9, 2022): Pag-aresto sa nominado ng Anakpawis Party-list, kinundena (Arrest of Anakpawis Party-list nominee, condemned)

 

April 09, 2022

Nagprotesta ang mga aktibista at progresibo kaninang hapon sa harap ng Commission on Human Rights sa Quezon City para kundenahin ang pag-aresto sa lider-magsasaka at nominado ng Anakpawis Party-list na si Isabelo ‘Buting’ Adviento. Matagal nang ginigipit ng mga pwersa ng estado si Adviento at ilang ulit nang sinubukang arestuhin sa gawa-gawang mga kaso.

Dinampot si Adviento ng 30 elemento ng Philippine National Police-Region 2 habang nasa isang kainan sa Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya gabi ng Abril 8. Tulad sa ibang mga kaso ng panggigipit, sinampahan siya ng kasong illegal possession of firearms and explosives at pinararatangang kasapi ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan.

Ayon sa Anakpawis Party-list, simula pa Marso 2018 ay target na si Adviento ng kampanyang red-tagging at pekeng balita ng lokal na ahensya ng National Task Force-Elcac, at mga yunit ng pulis at militar.

“Ngayong Araw ng Kagitingan, mariin naming kinukundena ang atake sa isang makabayan at patriyotikong lider-masa sa Cagayan Valley, na ang mga huling naging aktibidad ay pawang mga relief mission sa mga komunidad na nasalanta ng bagyo sa mga nakaraang taon at pagtulong sa mga magsasaka sa kanilang mga suliranin sa lupa,” ayon kay Ariel Casilao, Pambansang Pangulo ng Anakpawis Party-list.

Noong Nobyembre 2021, binuo ng mga aktibista at tagapagtanggol ng karapatang-tao ang kampanyang ‘Hands Off Isabelo Adviento’ para humingi ng ligal na tulong sa Commission on Human Rights, Department of Justice at iba pang ahensya para tugunan ang kinakaharap na panggigipit at red-tagging kontra kay Adviento.

Nagsumite rin ng mga resolusyon ang Makabayan Bloc sa kongreso para imbestigahan ang naganap na reyd sa bahay ni Adviento noong Disyembre 2020 kung saan higit isandaang armadong pwersa ng estado ang sapilitang pumasok sa kanyang bahay at nagtanim ng mga “ebidensyang baril at pampasabog.”

“Napakalaking pagkakamali ng mga pasista ang pagtarget kay Ka Buting, dahil bumabaha ang ebidensya na siya ay ligal na aktibista. Mismong kung saan siya inaresto ay nangangahulugan na hindi siya konektado sa mga armadong grupo na binabanggit sa black propaganda sa kanya,” salaysay ni Casilao.

Panawagan ngayon ng mga iba’t ibang grupo ang kagyat na pagpapalaya kay Adviento at pagbabasura sa mga gawa-gawang kasong isinampa laban sa kanya.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/pag-aresto-sa-nominado-ng-anakpawis-party-list-kinundena/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: 30th IB, tatlong beses binigwasan ng BHB-Surigao del Norte

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 9, 2022): 30th IB, tatlong beses binigwasan ng BHB-Surigao del Norte (30th IB, beaten three times by the NPA-Surigao del Norte)

April 09, 2022

Tatlong beses na pinatamaan ng mga Pulang mandirigma ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB)-Surigao del Norte ang mga yunit at ahente sa paniktik ng 30th IB.

Inambus ng BHB ang pinagsanib na pwersa ng 30th IB at Philippine National Police sa Barangay Binukaran, Malimono noong Marso 26 ng hapon. Dalawa ang naiulat na sugatan sa hanay ng mga sundalo at pulis.

Bilang ganti, pinaulanan ng mga rocket ang sundalo sa lugar na pinangyarihan ng insidente. Gawi na ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na gumamit ng labis na malalakas armas tulad ng mga rocket at kanyon na nagdudulot ng takot at pagkabalisa sa mga sibilyang komunidad.

Noong Abril 6, dalawang elemento ng CAFGU sa ilalim ng 30th IB ang nasugatan sa ambus ng BHB sa Sityo Tumay-as, Barangay Ferlda, Alegria. Nasamsam ng yunit ng BHB mula dito ang ilang kagamitang militar kabilang ang mga backpack at combat boots.

Sa sumunod na araw, inaresto ng mga Pulang mandirigma ang dalawang aktibong aset ng 30th IB sa Barangay Mayag, Sison. Nasamsam sa dalawa ang isang maiksing armas, isang GPS tracker, smartphone at dalawang selpon. Sinamsam ang mga ito ng BHB dahil hindi ito mga personal na kagamitan kundi ginagamit para sa gawaing paniktik laban sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/30th-ib-tatlong-beses-binigwasan-ng-bhb-surigao-del-norte/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Pagsunog sa bangkay ng diumano’y Pulang mandirigma sa Bukidnon, labag sa batas ng digma—PKP

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 9, 2022): Pagsunog sa bangkay ng diumano’y Pulang mandirigma sa Bukidnon, labag sa batas ng digma—PKP (Cremation of alleged Red fighter in Bukidnon, against the law of war — CPP)

 

April 09, 2022

Binatikos ni Marco Valbuena, hepe sa impormasyon ng PKP, ang 1st Special Forces Battalion sa agarang pag-cremate (pagsunog hanggang maabo) noong Abril 7 sa apat na bangkay ng umano’y mga myembro ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) na napatay sa sinasabing engkwentro sa Barangay Tikalaan, Talakag, Bukidnon. Ang apat ay pinangalanan ng militar na sina sina Carlisio D. Sumalinog, Jovilito D. Pontillas, Gary I. Juliana, and Jelly A. Sugnot. Nasawi diumano sila sa isang engkwentro noong Abril 6.

Ayon kay Valbuena, kaso ng desecration o paglapastangan sa mga labi ang ginawa ng AFP na tahasang paglabag sa internasyunal na makataong batas. Itinuturing na paglapastangan ang pagsunog sa bangkay ng mga nasawi sa labanan o ng mga napatay habang nasa kustodiya ng kaaway. Ani Valbuena, dapat ipinaalam muna sa mga pamilya ng mga biktima ang pagkakapaslang at ipinasa o kahit ipinakita man lamang ang mga bangkay na hawak nila.

Naniniwala si Valbuena na ang pagmamadali na i-cremate ang mga bangkay ay may layuning magtago ng krimen. Inihalintulad niya pagsunog sa naturang mga bangkay ay “katulad ito ng pag-cremate sa bangkay ni Ka Oris (Jorge Madlos) at kanyang kasama sa tabing ng pagsunod sa mga alituntunin sa Covid-19, para lamang umiwas na maeksamen ng independyenteng pathologist,” sabi pa ni Valbuena. Ang pathologist ang tawag sa eskperto na umeeksamen sa mga bangkay upang tukuyin ang sanhi ng pagkamatay.

Sinisikap pa namin na makakuha ng dagdag na impormasyon, pahayag ni Valbuena. Kasabay nito ay hinimok niya ang mga organisasyong makatao at sa karapatang tao, gayundin ang midya na magsagawa ng kanilang independyenteng imbestigasyon sa mga pangyayari kaugnay ng pagkamatay ng mga biktima ng militar.

Ayon kay Valbuena, may dahilan para sabihin na nag-iimbento na naman ang AFP ng kuwento tungkol sa diumano’y pagkamatay ng apat. “Malayong mangyari na magkakasamang namatay sa isang armadong labanan ang diumano’y mga lider ng BHB sa lugar,” paglilinaw niya.

Duda rin si Valbuena na ang 16 na armas ay “nasamsam” ng AFP. Ikinumpara ni Valbuena ang insidente sa inimbentong engkwentro ng 10th ID upang palabasin na mga myembro ng BHB na namatay sa labanan ang aktibistang si Chad Booc at mga kasamahan niya noong Pebrero.

Nanawagan ang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) sa mga independyenteng organisasyong makatao at nagtataguyod sa karapatang-tao na magsagawa ng imbestigasyon sa “engkwentro” na ito, katulad ng iba pang “engkwentro” kung saan mga sibilyan o mga mandirigmang wala nang kakayahang lumaban ang pinaslang ng militar.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/pagsunog-sa-bangkay-ng-diumanoy-pulang-mandirigma-sa-bukidnon-labag-sa-batas-ng-digma-pkp/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Retiradong Pulang mandirigma sa Northern Samar, tinortyur, pinaslang ng AFP

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 9, 2022): Retiradong Pulang mandirigma sa Northern Samar, tinortyur, pinaslang ng AFP (Retired Red fighter in Northern Samar, tortured, killed by AFP)

April 09, 2022

Isang dating Pulang mandirigmang hindi armado at ilang taon nang nagpahinga sa serbisyo ang dinakip, pinahirap at walang awang pinaslang ng mga pasistang tropa ng Armed Forces of the Philippines sa Northern Samar.

Pinagbabaril ng mga sundalo ng 20th Infantry Battalion si Bryan “Ka Tanel” Obin sa sakahang saklaw ng Barangay Sag-od, Las Navas, noong Marso 12 bandang alas-5:30 ng madaling araw.

Ayon sa mga saksi, mala-firing squad na pinagbabaril ng mga berdugong sundalo ang biktima. Apat na bala ang tumama sa kanyang dibdib ayon sa mga nakakita sa kanyang bangkay.

Walang habas ding nagpaputok ang mga sundao sa palibot upang palabasing “engkwentro” ang nangyari at hindi ekstrahudisyal na pamamaslang ng isang sibilyan.

Isang araw bago paslangin, dinakip si Obin ng nasa 15 pasistang tropa at ng traydor na si “Papay” sa kanyang bahay sa sakahan bandang ala-1 ng hapon.

Nabakas ng mga nakakita sa kanyang bangkay ang mga senyales ng matinding pagpapahirap kabilang ang maraming pasa sa kanyang ulo. Ayon sa pamilya ni Obin, tinortyur siya upang subukang kuhaan ng impormasyon hinggil sa yunit ng BHB sa kanilang lugar.

Mariing kinundena ng National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas (NDF-EV) ang di mabilang na paglabag ng 20th sa karapatang pantao at sa mga alituntunin ng digma sa paghuli, pagtortyur, pagpaslang at paglapastangan sa bangkay ni Obin.

“Hindi makatao at labag sa Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law ang ginawa ng mga sundalo ng 20th IB,” ayon kay Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas, tagapagsalita ng NDF-EV.

“Kahit pa dating Pulang mandirigma si Obin, maling agad na lang siyang pagbabarilin. May mga karapatan siya na dapat iginalang pa rin lalupa na tatlong taon na siyang sibilyan, hindi armado, at walang dalang banta sa mga sundalo.”
Walang katapusang mga paglabag

Hindi kuntento sa ginawa nilang pamamaslang, inutusan ng mga sundalo ang mga tagabaryo ng Sag-od na iparada ang katawan ni Obin tungo sa kalapit na Barangay San Jose.

Pagdating dito, nakita ng mga tagabaryo kung paanong habang suot ang kanilang mga botas, pinag-apak-apakan ng mga walang hiyang sundalo ang katawan ni Obin.

“Layunin ng saywar na ito na sindakin ang masa at gawing halimbawa si Obin ng karahasang kaya nilang gawin sa mga sibilyan,” ayon kay Fr. Salas.

Matapos nito, idiniretso ng mga sundalo sa bayan ang kanyang bangkay imbes na ibigay sa kanyang pamilya.

“Pinapakita lang ng AFP na walang kinikilalang batas o pagiging makatao ang kanilang mga tropa. Pawang kasinungalingan ang palabas nila sa publiko na ‘inaalagan’ nila ang bangkay ng mga Pulang mandirigmang ‘namatay’ sa engkwentro. ‘Pag-aalaga’ bang maituturing na iparada ang bangkay ng sibilyang kanilang pinaslang, apak-apakan ito, at ipagkait sa kanyang nagdadalamhating pamilya?

“Para sa mamamayan ng Sag-od, walang karapatan, batas o moralidad na kinikilala ang AFP, kahit pa ng sibilyan,” ayon kay Fr. Salas.

Mahigit tatlong taon nang namumuhay bilang sibilyan si Obin. Noong 2018 pa siya nagpahinga sa pagiging buong-panahong Pulang mandirigma matapos maging aktibo sa iba’t ibang linya ng rebolusyonaryong gawain.

Hindi kaiba sa mga nagseserbisyong sundalo at kahit sa ilang rebolusyonaryo, kalaunan ay pinili ni Obin na umalis sa BHB at mamuhay bilang sibilyan.

“Boluntaryo ang pagsali sa BHB, gayundin ang pag-alis sa serbisyo,” paliwanag ni Fr. Salas.

Nang paslangin ng AFP, malaon nang naghahanapbuhay si Obin bilang magsasaka at nag-iipon upang paghandaan ang panganganak ng kanyang buntis na asawa.

“Sa ilalim ng pasistang estado, walang garantiya ng kapayapaan o paggalang sa karapatang pantao ng mga rebolusyonaryo.”

Kamakailan lang ay ibinalita din ang pagpaslang ng AFP sa mag-asawang Adelantar sa Jiabong, Western Samar. Kapwa retirado na at tahimik na lamang na nagsasaka ang dawalang lider-rebolusyonaryo nang pagbabarilin ng mga armadong maton ng rehimen.

“Siguradong sumusumpa ngayon ang mga kasama at masang nakatrabaho nila Obin na kakamtin nila ang hustisya sa pamamagitan ng ibayong pagsulong ng digmang bayan,” pagtatapos ni Fr. Salas. (Larab)

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/dating-pulang-mandirigma-tinortyur-pinaslang-ng-afp/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Duterte’s triple treachery to Philippine sovereignty

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 7, 2022): Duterte’s triple treachery to Philippine sovereignty

 

This article is available in PilipinoBisaya

April 07, 2022

Rodrigo Duterte signed last March 21 amendments to Public Service Act (PSA or Republic Act 11659) which further opens up the Philippine economy to foreign investments and capitalists. This is after the successive approval of amendments to the Foreign Investments Act (RA 11647) last February and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act (RA 11595) last December 2021.

The amendment to the PSA will allow foreign capitalists to fully own and operate telecommunication, domestic shipping, railways and subways, airlines, expressways and tollways and airports, paving the way for foreign capitalists to completely control the country’s critical infrastructure.

Foreign ownership of key industries does not only threaten the country’s sovereignty, but also its security. Based on the country’s experience under all-out privatization, this new law will lead to higher costs of transportation and communication.

The Foreign Investments Act reduced the amount of paid up capital to $100,000 or ₱5,000,000, and the required workforce to 15 (from 50) to fully own and operate a local enterprise. The related updated “foreign investment negative list” will now also open up more economic fields for foreign capitalists including tourism and agriculture which will pave the way for expansion of plantations and ecotourism projects which have displaced peasants from their land.

The Retail Trade Liberalization Act will now allow foreign capitalists to invest as low as ₱10 million (from ₱127 million under the original law in 2000) to set up a retail store in the Philippines, which will compete against mid-sized and small Filipino retailers, and further promote foreign goods instead of locally produced commodities.

Foreign capitalists, particularly American capitalists, together with their local bouregois-comprador agents are most gratified by these laws. They have long called for the removal of limitations for foreign businesses.

This triple measure brings the country back to the era of the Parity Rights Amendment under the Bell Trade Act of 1946 which allowed US citizens equal rights to exploit the country’s economic resources.

Drowned by foreign investments

A look back at Philippine history shows that there is no evidence that foreign investments have developed the country. In fact, it has been instrumental in keeping the country backwards and non-industrial.

In a study by Ibon Foundation, the share of foreign investments relative to the gross domestic product (GDP) increased since the 1970s. Inward FDI flows were at an annual average of some US$80 million in the 1970s (1970-1979) and reached an average US$6.2 billion over the last decade (2012-2021).

Its equivalent share in GDP quadrupled from a little less than 0.5% to 1.9% over that same period. The inward stock of FDI and its share to GDP also increased. Yet, despite increase in foreign investments, manufacturing and agriculture is down to its weakest in 70 years.

The bulk of FDI goes to manufacturing, according to Ibon. Most of these are in the export processing zones and not related to developing of local industries. Manufacturing shrank to 18.6% of GDP in 2020—its smallest share since 1950. Meanwhile, agriculture recorded its weakest share to GDP in history—9.2% last 2019.

Surely, these triple neoliberal measures will worsen the country’s reliance to foreign capital and debt. These laws will also reinforce the country’s orientation of exporting low-value added semi-manufactures connected to the global assembly line controlled by multinational corporations. These will worsen the country’s inability to stand on its own feet.

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

https://cpp.ph/2022/04/07/dutertes-triple-treachery-to-philippine-sovereignty/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Fabricated charges against Doc Naty dismissed over lack of due process

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 7, 2022): Fabricated charges against Doc Naty dismissed over lack of due process

This article is available in PilipinoBisaya

April 07, 2022

Last March 30 the Bayugan City Regional Trial Court dismissed trumped up charges of kidnapping and illegal detention against Dra. Natividad Castro, known as Doc Naty. According to the court, the police violated Doc Naty’s rights for due process and that it has no jurisdiction over her. Thus, she was released from the Agusan del Sur Provincial Jail where she was held for 40 days.

The court opined that Doc Naty was deprived of due process because she did not receive a subpoena before she was served a warrant of arrest. She was also not given an opportunity to defend herself in a preliminary investigation, which is a “violation of substantive rights.” Even the warrant of arrest presented to Doc Naty was in a different name.

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

https://cpp.ph/2022/04/07/fabricated-charges-against-doc-naty-dismissed-over-lack-of-due-process/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Protests

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 7, 2022): Protests

This article is available in PilipinoBisaya

April 07, 2022

Union of electricians. Workers of Hypervolt Contractor Corporation voted last April 3 in a certification election in favor of Hypervolt Workers Union representing them in negotiations with the management. Hypervolt is a company which lays out electrical wiring and builds related infrastructures.

Fasting of Himamaylan 3. NDFP peace consultant Ramon Patriarca, activists CJ Matarlo and John Michal Tecson protested through fasting last March 30 to commemorate the bloody operations of AFP and PNP forces or the Synchronized Enhanced Managing of Police Operations (SEMPO) in three towns in Negros Oriental which murdered 14 farmers in 24 hours.

March for truth. Some 2,000 supporters of Leni Robrero and activists assembled in Paciano Rizal Park in Los Baños, Laguna in a program to condemn the spread of disinformation and violence which continues from Marcos dictatorship up to the present. The brother of Sen. Leila de Lima, who also attended the event, criticized the persistent attacks of the regime against its critics.

Fight against privatization of Guimba Water District. Residents of Guimba, Nueva Ecija protested in front of Guimba Water District (GWD) last March 28 to oppose the company’s privatization plans. Guimba’s water system will be put under a joint-venture agreement between PAMANA Water Corporation and the management of GWD. Residents argued that the JVA is just an excuse and water services will be taken over completely in 25 years.

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

https://cpp.ph/2022/04/07/protests-18/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Soldiers run amok in Negros, kill 2 civilians

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 7, 2022): Soldiers run amok in Negros, kill 2 civilians

This article is available in PilipinoBisaya

April 07, 2022

Two civilians were killed by soldiers running amok after they were outmaneuvered by a unit of the people’s army in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental. They abducted and subsequently murdered farmer brothers, Jayson and Arnulfo Sabanal, residents of Sitio Maliko-liko, Barangay Carabalan last March 25. The victims were presented as Red fighters supposedly killed during the encounter.

The soldiers also prevented 77 residents of the sitio from going about their lives, threathening them with bombs should an encounter happen again in the area. Last March 27, the house of Raffy Dayupan was torched by troops of 94th IB in Sitio Camuag in the same barangay. A mortar hit and damaged the house of Kiko Paculanang in Sitio Maliko-liko. The soldiers also torched a handtractor and thresher of the farmers in the area. Moreover, last March 29, residents of Barangay Quintin Remo and nearby villages reported that they were red-tagged by elements of 62nd IB. Last April 1, military forces killed Elbert Quillano (Ka Carding) and Jessa Quillano (Ka Clea) while in their custody in Sitio Kulihaw, Barangay Buenavista.

In Negros Oriental, elements of police and military arrested Nemfa de Lima, a farmer and resident of Sityo Uwayan, Barangay Budlasan, Canlaon City last April 1. They also attempted to arrest Noel Montefalco. Military troops ransacked and strafed his home in Sityo Natoling and planted firearms while he was not there.

In Iloilo last March 29, Elmer Forro was arrested in Barangay Lutac, Cabatuan by the PNP-Iloilo. Forro is the secretary-general of Bayan-Panay. Trumped-up charges were filed linking him to an ambush by the NPA last April 7, 2020 in Lambunao.

In Surigao del Sur, four chainsaw operators were fired at by elements of 75th IB in Kabalawan, Km. 23, Anahaw Daan, Tago last March 24. Jomar Loyola was wounded in the incident and was left in the area. Last March 31, Chariz Tawide Jacinto, a resident of the same barangay, was arrested without a warrant. In Tandag City, famer Jason Mansinatao was also arrested without a warrant in Naw Sauhon, Maitum last March 30.

In Bulacan, a fake encounter was staged by 70th IB to cover up their strafing of civilians in Sitio Osboy, Barangay San Mateo, Norzagaray last March 30.

In Butuan City, a soldier of the 65th IB shot and wounded a farmer in his thigh in P16, Barangay Los Angeles last March 27.

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

https://cpp.ph/2022/04/07/soldiers-run-amok-in-negros-kill-2-civilians/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Letters to the Kabataang Makabayan from Red fighters--The masses and the people’s war await you

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 7, 2022): Letters to the Kabataang Makabayan from Red fighters--The masses and the people’s war await you

This article is available in PilipinoBisaya

April 07, 2022

The youth, especially young intellectuals, can contribute greatly to advancing the people’s war, according to Ka Amihan Guerrero, New People’s Army (NPA)-Agusan del Sur spokesperson. Ka Amihan was among the Red fighters who wrote to members of the Kabataang Makabayan (KM) on the occasion of the NPA’s 53rd anniversary last March 29.

“I know that you have sufficient knowledge why the NPA and armed struggle are needed. I know that you are also aware of KM’s important role in strengthening and advancing the armed struggle to a higher level,” Ka Amihan wrote in her letter.

She described the urgent need of their platoon to reinforce the two members who came from the petty bourgeois class who handle up to three key tasks. Because they are overburdened, some duties are forgotten or left behind. Hence, there are many “vacant” positions for “youth applicants.”

There are tasks for organizational consolidation such as political education, she says. “The comrades need to maintain and sharpen their thinking … so that they are alert and can immediately counter the enemy’s strategic and planned psywar.”

Medical officers are also needed so that health services, something that is in such a short supply in the countryside, will reach more people. Also needed are comrades who can teach Red fighters who have low or no capacity to read, write and count, and comrades who can undertake widespread education campaigns among the masses, especially about their rights.

One of those who heeded the call is Ka Elyan, who left his campus and street activist life for the countryside. In his letter, he related that his first years in the people’s army were not easy. “In the process of becoming a Red fighter, I went through many sacrifices and hardships … including learning the language, each fighter and the masses’ particular characteristics, the work that is needed and how to adapt to the culture.” He embraced the process as someone once told him, “there is nothing easy in waging revolution.”

Ka Lisa agrees that becoming a Red fighter is not easy. “Inherent to army life is intense self-remoulding,” she narrated in her letter. But as she has seen the deep roots of inequality and societal poverty, she is steadfast in waging the people’s war. “This is the only way … to change everything—not just to paint over the rotten society with happy colors, but to change its core.”

This is also the topic of Ka Kreto’s letter. “Leaving the life we were born into is complicated. But we need to persevere in remoulding ourselves and forge our revolutionary outlook, stand and methods.” He challenged the youth to dare uphold the interests of the majority in the midst of so many bourgeois reasons—doubts, fears and indecision. “Instead of being chained to the life we know, we should choose the life of relevance.”

In Ka Ani’s letter, she narrated that Red fighters are aware of the situation of the youth in the cities during the time of pandemic and school closures. The fighters experienced firsthand the youth’s hardships in blended learning and the problems it brought to parents and children. Worse, a calamity is looming in the horizon—the restoration of the Marcoses and perpetuation of a Duterte in state power.

“The future is bleak,” she said. “The people face the enormous challenge of decisively stopping this calamity. We, the youth, have a big role in winning this struggle.”

Ka Ani recalled how the youth started arousing, organizing and mobilizing thousands under the Marcos dictatorship. “It is in our hands as heirs of the revolution to advance the people’s war to victory,” she said. “If those who came before us succeeded in sacrificing and meeting the call to bear arms to fight for genuine justice and peace, we should be more able to do so now.”

Together with scores of the oppressed, Ka Ani and the comrade fighters has this to say: “See you! We and the people in the countryside are waiting for you!”

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

https://cpp.ph/2022/04/07/the-masses-and-the-peoples-war-await-you/

CPP/Ang Bayan: The masses’ support to the people’s war is unwavering

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 7, 2022): The masses’ support to the people’s war is unwavering

This article is available in PilipinoBisaya

April 07, 2022

“Brothers/sisters and comrades, take whatever you need.” Posted on a hut, the invitation greeted Red fighters of the New People’s Army inside a guerilla zone in North Central Mindanao. They were overjoyed amid the banana trees which surrounded the hut. After having their fill, they cleared the farm from weeds and planted more banana trees.

The invitation was a relief to the comrades who have been dealing with intensified military operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for several months. The operation involved troops from at least two battalions with close air support of helicopters and jet fighters. The operations brought terror to the masses, dislocated them from their communities and livelihoods, and destroyed the forests. Throughout this period, Red fighters endured great challenges, including months of food shortages.

As expected, the enemy was unable to sustain such large-scale focused operations. When the situation decelerated, a team of Red fighters was immediately dispatched to link up with the local people.

They encountered abandoned huts and farms, evidence of massive dislocation. It was clear that residents hastily fled their communities. They left behind their things and some jobs were clearly unfinished. Even domesticated animals were left behind.

A few days later, the Red fighters came across the peasant who owned the hut with the bananas. He told the comrades that it has been six years since an NPA unit operated in his area but he still prepared his farm for the comrades should they find themselves there. This deep concern for the comrades’ well-being is the kind of support the NPA receives even in areas battered by militarization.

The organized masses are deeply worried during times of intense operations. Once, a peasant tearfully recounted his sadness, believing in the enemy’s boast that a series of bombings using FA-50 jet fighters wiped out a unit of Red fighters. A week after the incident, he plucked up the courage to visit the site of the bombings. He couldn’t imagine leaving the comrades’ remains to the wild pigs. He was overjoyed when he saw that his beloved Red fighters were all alive and well.

There was also the time when the comrades lost their way and found themselves in a farm owned by brothers who never encountered the people’s army before. In a short time, the comrades explained the revolution and secured the brothers’ support. The brothers did not find it hard to comprehend the cause of the Red fighters as they found themselves talking with fellow farmers who shared similar hardships and problems. Aside from giving immediate support, the younger brother decided to join the people’s army.

These experiences show the masses’ unwavering willingness to support and directly participate in the people’s war.

While the Red army is engaged in intensive war with the enemy, they ensure that the comrades avoid surprise attacks. They readily pass information if they notice tracks or telltale signs of the presence of fascist soldiers. They go on patrols to secure their surroundings.

They ensure that the Red fighters’ health are well taken cared of to maintain their high capacity to fight. They offer their crops and other food as support. They also help in storing food in between operations.

In the midst of enemy attacks on their livelihoods and communities, they continue to wage revolution. They don’t stop in expanding and strengthening their organizations. They avoid the enemy’s indiscriminate and forcible campaign of “surrenders.” If they have been coerced to surrender, they make themselves scarce so that the soldiers cannot use them in combat operations. They carefully hide the things that the people’s army leave to them for safekeeping. Above all, they wholeheartedly allow and support their children to join and stay in the people’s army.

(From Ang Kalihukan, NDF-NCMR revolutionary paper.)

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

https://cpp.ph/2022/04/07/the-masses-support-to-the-peoples-war-is-unwavering/

CPP/Ang Bayan: The US is behind the AFP’s counterinsurgency

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 7, 2022): The US is behind the AFP’s counterinsurgency

This article is available in PilipinoBisaya

April 07, 2022

The Philippine Army First Scout Ranger Regiment’s commanding officer recently went to visit Indonesia from March 29 to April 1 to plan out the scheduled military exercises between the Philippines and Indonesia in June 2022. The exercises supposedly aim to share knowledge, tactics and techniques, and methods of conducting counterinsurgency operations.

While it appears that the neighboring countries are independently planning out their actions, their counterinsurgency campaigns are being conducted within the US “global war against terrorism.” The series of training by the militaries of these nations such as “Balikatan” in the Philippines and “Gandura Shield” in Indonesia, make these armies appendages of the US military in fighting revolutionaries and rival imperialist nations.

In the Philippines, even as ruling regimes change, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ remains obeisant, following the baton of the US counterinsurgency doctrine. Even as Rodrigo Duterte’s term ends in June, the brutal counterinsurgency war designed by him and the US will continue to terrorize peasant and tribal communities. This poses a challenge to the guerrilla warfare being waged by the New People’s Army in defense of the people.
Increased forces against a “weakened enemy”

Despite repeatedly bragging that the NPA will be crushed before the end of Duterte’s term, the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) added new combat units against the people’s army in 2021. Currently, there are 166 combat battalions of the Army, Air Force, Marines, Scout Rangers, PNP Special Action Force and other police and military units deployed against the NPA.

This superfluity has enabled the AFP and PNP to deploy five to six battalions in their priority subregional areas or guerrilla fronts of the NPA. Also, two to three battalions are assigned to non-focused subregions and guerrilla fronts.

An estimated 60% of the total number of combat units against the NPA are deployed in the regions of Southern Tagalog, Eastern Visayas, Southern Mindanao, Bicol and North Central Mindanao. There is also a marked increase in reactionary forces deployed in Far South Mindanao and Negros.

Meanwhile, the newly-created 102nd IB is currently in Cagayan, bringing the number of battalions in the province to five, aside from the PNP’s combat forces. The move aims to defeat the NPA in the area in order for the US and the AFP to focus on China, which is only around 840 kilometers from the province. It was in the shores of Claveria, Cagayan that the US 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment recently trained for the specific mission of attacking China. (Read related article: Balikatan 2022: Heightening US-China rivalry and counterinsurgency war)
Shock-and-awe forces

Since 2017, the enemy has been carrying out Joint Operations in line with the US Army’s Combined Armed Operations. This purports to overcome the lack of coordination between different military branches for a sustained attack.

The commands of combat units, artillery and tanks, attack planes and helicopters and naval forces are unified for a coordinated shock-and-awe attack against the guerrilla forces. Correspondingly, Joint Task Forces headed by the generals of the infantry divisions were organized in the regions. The US also provides support to the AFP’s cyberwarfare capability in order to enhance the latter’s internal communications system in commanding battles.

They deploy more forces to lay siege on communities by integrating the police forces in the operations.

It is also under this principle that the Brigade Combat Team was created with its own combined arms and continuous training by the US. This unit was deployed to the 11th ID which was formed in 2018 with a funding of at least ₱900 million. The 11th ID’s operations cover the provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, where US military forces maintain their base.

The seemingly overwhelming military superiority, including hundreds of billions of funds poured by Duterte, is not a sign of strength but an indication of the ruling system relying on armed suppression to perpetuate themselves in power.

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

https://cpp.ph/2022/04/07/the-us-is-behind-the-afps-counterinsurgency/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Groups mark Day of the Landless in Bicol

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 7, 2022): Groups mark Day of the Landless in Bicol

This article is available in PilipinoBisaya

April 07, 2022

More than 30 vehicles and hundreds of peasants and their supporters launched the Caravan of the Landless for Land, Food and Justice from March 25 to March 30 in 40 towns and five cities in Bicol. The activity was led by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Bicol (Bicol Peasant Movement).

Protesters called for free land distribution; food, livelihood and rights for all; sufficient aid, dismantling of the NTF-Elcac, and more. For their main activity, they held the Global Day of the Landless on March 29. Similar protests were held in Cavite and Pangasinan, as well as in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City on that day.

The Global Day of the Landless was first observed on 1995 on the initiative of the Asian Peasant Coalition to unite various landless movements and struggles in the countryside. This year, 110 peasant alliances, institutes and organizations, mostly from Asia and Africa, participated in the event.

In the past decades, widespread landgrabbing by big corporations and capitalist governments has accelerated, according to the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Asia Pacific. In the Philippines, this is seen in the expansion of capitalist plantations growing bananas, pineapples, corn and oil palm, as well as destructive mining. This has resulted in the dislocation of entire peasant and indigenous communities from their farms and ancestral lands.

There is also the push for landgrabbing in the guise of “climate change investments,” according to the group. This include investments in farms and natural resources (including forests, seas, minerals, land, biodiversity), obsession with biofuel and environmental protection purportedly to balance carbon emissions. These schemes have resulted in a culture of impunity, and plunder by and bigger profits for aggressors.

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

https://cpp.ph/2022/04/07/groups-mark-day-of-the-landless-in-bicol/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Balikatan 2022: Heightening US-China rivalry and counterinsurgency war

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 7, 2022): Balikatan 2022: Heightening US-China rivalry and counterinsurgency war

This article is available in PilipinoBisaya

April 07, 2022

Both the US and the Philippine governments boasted of the Balikatan 2022 as being the “largest” in the last seven years of annual joint exercises between their armed forces. This year’s exercises include aspects aimed at the US’ war preparations against China. There are also features that are geared towards heightening the brutal counterinsurgency war against the Filipino people.

Up to 5,100 American soldiers and 3,800 Filipino troopers are officially participating in the Balikatan 2022 which formally runs from March 28 to April 8. For the first time, the exercises will include the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR), a team of around 90 personnel whose mission is to prepare an attack against China.

The 3rd MLR was organized just this March 3 at the US Marine Corps Base in Hawaii, USA. According to Marine Corps Assistant Commandant Gen. Eric Smith, the unit will be optimized for conducting expeditionary advance base operations (EABO) and is “specialized to deal with the rising threat of China.”

In US military language, EABO pertains to operations of relatively small and covert, highly mobile and easily movable units deployed to occupy naval or inland territories that are within range of enemy weapons, including missiles. These will serve as forward units to strike on the enemy’s surveillance and weapons systems and support a larger operation.

These units are primarily armed with radar systems and missiles. EABO missions include taking control of seas and shores and denying the enemy the capability to operate in these areas. Their mission also consist of putting up forward positions for arming and refueling, and conducting reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition.

Expectedly, the 3rd MLR took on the major role in the early days of Balikatan 2022 in Cagayan to train for said missions, which included a simulated invasion of the shores of Claveria in the province. In nearby town of Aparri last March 28, US troopers went through with the amphibious landing of the MIM-104 Patriot. This is the first time the US deployed said surface-to-air missile system in the Philippines. At the same time, the US Marines demonstrated their High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems in a live-fire exercise in Capas, Tarlac.

During the Balikatan, the Marine Corps War Fighting Laboratory observed the exercises in order to come up with techniques, tactics and methods for the 3rd MLR. This unit is set to be augmented with up to 2,000 personnel, which will be divided into smaller units comprising 75-100 Marines. The regiment will reportedly join in the next Kamandag and Balikatan exercises, before reaching operating capability in 2023.
Interoperability: US command of the AFP

While the Balikatan intensifies war preparations against China and raises the prospect of war in East Asia, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is dragged into defending US interests. This situation has remained in effect due to Rodrigo Duterte’s refusal to abrogate unequal military treaties with the US.

Under the pretext of “interoperability,” the US military tightens its command and control over the AFP. One of the highlights in the current Balikatan is a “command post operation” in order to supposedly enhance the joint capabilities of both militaries in planning, command and communication. This is no different from the command post operation in January 2015 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao where even generals of the AFP were being ordered around by US soldiers.

The US also makes the AFP drool over arms and military equipment which will be used in the counterinsurgency war and in future wars of the US. The Balikatan is used as an event for the US to showcase surplus war machinery (including the costly F-16) which it intends to sell to the AFP under the Foreign Military Financing which favors American defense corporations.

The US has long been directing the AFP’s counterinsurgency war with the particular aim of using US weaponry, including combat helicopters, jet fighters and bombs in its counterrevolutionary war against the people.

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

https://cpp.ph/2022/04/07/balikatan-2022-heightening-us-china-rivalry-and-counterinsurgency-war/

CPP/Ang Bayan: NPA attacks AFP soldiers in Rizal and Iloilo

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 7, 2022): NPA attacks AFP soldiers in Rizal and Iloilo

This article is available in PilipinoBisaya

April 07, 2022

The New People’s Army (NPA)-Rizal ambushed troops of the 80th IB near their camp at Maugraw, Sitio Quinao, Barangay Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal last March 26. Two soldiers were killed while two others were wounded.

According to the local NPA unit, the ambush was in response to the demands of the people to punish soldiers for their acts of terror in the province, including the most recent arrest of a Dumagat minority last March 23.

In Iloilo, Red fighters destroyed 14 motorcycles owned by CAFGU and regular soldiers guarding the Century Peak company in Sitio Insobrehan, Barangay Igcabugao, Igbaras last March 21. The company is a notorious workers’ rights violator and has denied its workers their sufficient wage and benefits.

Ka Ariston Remus, spokesperson of the NPA unit, belied claims of the 3rd IB that the motorcycles were owned by civilians.

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

https://cpp.ph/2022/04/07/npa-attacks-afp-soldiers-in-rizal-and-iloilo/