CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Pagbasura sa SIM registration, aprubado ng mga grupo

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 18, 2022): Pagbasura sa SIM registration, aprubado ng mga grupo (Revocation of SIM registration, approved by groups)

April 18, 2022

Aprubado sa mga demokratikong organisasyon ang pag-veto o di pagpapatibay ni Rodrigo Duterte sa “SIM card registration bill” na panukalang batas na mag-oobliga sa mga tao na irehistro ang kanilang pangalan sa paggamit ng serbisyong pangtelekomunikasyon at paglikha ng akawnt sa social media.

“Ikinagagalak namin ang pag-veto sa SIM card Registration Bill kahit pa alam naming nagpapatuloy mga atake ng estado sa aming pribasiya kahit wala ang batas na ito,” ayon kay Renato Reyes, pangkalahatang kalihim ng Bayan. Ang pag-obliga sa mamamayan na irehistro ang kanilang numbero at mga social media account ay isang porma ng sarbeylans ng estado at hindi ito nakapipigil sa krimen, aniya.

Kung nais ng estado na itigil ang paglaganap ng mga anomynous troll account, unahin ni Duterte ang pagbuwag sa sarili nitong mga troll farm, dagdag ni Reyes. Dapat pigilan nito ang mga may-ari ng mga akawnt na ito ang mga atake tulad ng redtagging. Dapat ding harapin ng rehimen ang mga reklamo sa pang-aatake sa mga website ng mga nagtatanggol sa mga karapatang-tao at sa midya.

“Ang malaking problema ay direkta at di direktang nakikinabang ang gubyerno sa mga kriminal na aktibidad sa online,” aniya.

Hindi pinirmahan ni Duterte ang panukala noong Abril 15 dahil hindi umano siya sang-ayon sa ipinasok na pagpaparehistro sa mga akawnt sa social media, ayon sa pahayag ng Malacanang. Ang probisyong ito ay wala sa orihinal na panukala at isiningit lamang ng Senado.

Ikinagalak din ng mga organisasyong nagtataguyod ng pribasiya at kalayaan sa internet ang pagbasura ni Duterte sa panukala. Kabilang dito ang grupong democracy.net na tumutol sa panukala dahil gagawin nitong kriminal ang karapatan sa anonymity at pseudonimity (paggamit ng ibang pangalan) sa internet.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/pagbasura-sa-sim-registration-aprubado-ng-mga-grupo/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Tatlong kababaihang magsasaka, iligal na inaresto sa Pampanga

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 16, 2022): Tatlong kababaihang magsasaka, iligal na inaresto sa Pampanga (Three women farmers, illegally arrested in Pampanga)

April 16, 2022

Iligal na inaresto sa isang operasyong overkill at kubkob ng magkasanib na pwersa ng militar at pulis ang tatlong kababaihang magsasakang kasapi ng grupong Bayan Muna noong Abril 13 sa Barangay Mawaque, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

Kinilala ang tatlo bilang sina Maria Teresa Buscayno, Erlinda David, at Evelyn Munoz na pawang may edad na. Ayon sa Karapatan-Central Luzon, ang tatlo ay deka-dekada nang nagtataguyod sa interes at kagalingan ng mga mangingisda, katutubo, manggagawang bukid, magsasaka at maralita.

Hindi bababa sa 15 yunit ng pulis at militar ang kabilang sa nag-operasyon para tugisin at arestuhin ang tatlong kababaihan. Kabilang sa mga ito ang Mabalacat CPS, CIDG Pampanga PFU, CIDG RFU3, RID PRO3, 7IDPA, PIU Pampanga, RMFB3 TSC SWAT, 302nd MC RMFB3, 22nd SAC, SAF, 1st and 2nd PMFC, Pampanga PPO, 1st PMFC Tarlac PPO, PIU Tarlac, at RIU3, sa pamumuno ni PLTCOL Heryl L. Bruno, COP-Mabalacat CPS.

Sinampahan ng illegal possession of fireams sina David at Buscayno. Si Munoz ay inaakusahang kalihim ng komite ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas sa rehiyon at sinampahan ng kasong pagpatay.

Ayon sa grupong nagtatanggol sa karapatang-tao, “imbes kilalanin ng estado ang naging mabubuting kontribusyon sa mamamayan ng mga makabayang partylist, gawa-gawang kaso, arbitraryong pag-aresto, at paglabag sa kanilang batayang karapatan ang isinusukli ng rehimeng numero unong human rights violator.”

Sa pag-aresto sa tatlong kababaihan sa Pampanga, umaabot na sa walo ang iligal na inaresto ng mga pwersa ng estado sa loob lamang ng anim na araw. Noong Abril 11, inaresto habang nakapila para magpabakuna sa Paranaque City sina Efren Lorenzo, Maria Fe Serrano at Plinky Longhas. Bago sila, inaresto sa Nueva Vizcaya si Isabelo Adviento ng Anakpawis Partylist noong Abril 8 at sa Cagayan de Oro si Aldeem Yanez ng Iglesia Filipina Independiente noong Abril 10.

Dagdag nito, sa parehong panahon din noong nakaraang taon sinalakay ng mga armadong pwersa ng rehimen ang mga upisina ng progresibong organisasyon sa Central Luzon. Sa binansagang “Huli Week, iligal na inaresto sina Florentino ‘Pol’ Viuya Jr. at ang lider magsasaka na si Joseph Canlas. Tinaniman sila ng mga ebidensya, at sinampahan ng mga gawa-gawang kaso.

Nakakulong pa hanggang ngayon si Viuya Jr. Si Canlas ay namatay sa kulungan dulot ng pagpapabaya ng mga pulis sa kanyang kalusugan.

Panawagan ng mga progresibong grupo ng Central Luzon na kagyat palayain ang tatlong kababaihan dahil wala silang mga sala. Ipinababasura nila ang gawa-gawang mga kasong isinampa sa tatlo.

“Sa ating mga nagmamahal sa kapayapaan, nagtatanggol sa karapatan, at naghahangad lamang ng makabayang pagbabago—ng gobyernong tapat na angat buhay lahat sama-sama nating muling idiin—na ang maglingkod sa mga magsasaka ng bayan ay hindi kailanman gawaing terorismo,” hamon ng Karapatan-CL.

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/tatlong-kababaihang-magsasaka-iligal-na-inaresto-sa-pampanga/

CPP/NPA-Central Negros: Demystifying the AFP's black propaganda against the revolutionary movement in Central Negros--303rd Brigade, 3rd ID and the entire AFP: desperate scoundrels!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 18, 2022): Demystifying the AFP's black propaganda against the revolutionary movement in Central Negros-303rd Brigade, 3rd ID and the entire AFP: desperate scoundrels!

 


JB Regalado

Spokesperson

NPA-Central Negros (Leonardo Panaligan Command)

Negros Island Regional Operational Command (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command)

New People's Army

April 18, 2022

As their bloodthirsty commander-in-chief Duterte’s official term is coming to an end, the 303rd Brigade and the entire reactionary forces are becoming increasingly hell-bent on its counterrevolutionary drive, in word and in deed.

For the last few weeks, the local radio program of the 303rd Brigade has been relentless in its script that sound like broken records playing over for (1) ‘the NPA to grab the opportunity to surrender’, (2) ‘the AFP does not see Red fighters as an enemy but as brainwashed individuals’, (3) ‘the number cadres has diminished and what remains are the old and sickly’, (4) ‘there are only 3 outcomes of being an NPA: be caught, wounded, or killed’, and (5) ‘the masses are tired of war and only want peace’.

However, due to the crimes the mercenary troops continue to commit in its last attempt to reach its impossible quota of decimating the armed revolution, they themselves deconstruct their seemingly upright propaganda as plain lies.

1. Surrendering is not an ‘opportunity to be grabbed’ by the NPA. The armed revolution has persevered for 53 years because of the genuine problems landlessness, poverty, fascism, hunger, absence of social services-all of which consciously perpetrated by the reactionary government and the ruling class towards the real productive forces of peasants and workers. This has left the Filipino people no other option but to take up arms and organize themselves and revolt against the systematic exploitation of the semicolonial and semifeudal society, by hunger or by bullets. Thus, letting go of the revolution is like fully fledging oneself to live a life of being oppressed, which brings the logical conclusion that to rebel is justified and necessary.

Furthermore, the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the NTF-ELCAC has been, for numerous times, unmasked as a cash cow of corrupt military officials and bureaucrats like generals Pasaporte of the 303rd IBde and Arevalo of the 3rd ID. It has only amounted to thousands upon thousands of civilians being forced to surrender as NPAs, initially promising livelihood and money while only giving a small percentage (if any) and keeping the bulk of the budget for themselves. They force entire communities to pose as surrenderees in exchange for government aid, as what transpired in Isabela, Binalbagan, Himamaylan City, La Carlota City, and Valladolid. Surrendering is therefore not an opportunity to grab by the NPA, but a scheme maximized by the AFP, PNP, and NTF-ELCAC for profit-making and appeasing the madman Duterte and their imperialist masters.

2. The AFP has long insisted the misnomer that the NPA are terrorists instead of revolutionaries, and have been consistent in human rights violations, especially heightened red-tagging, illegal arrests of activists and NDFP consultants and cold-blooded murder of non-combatants and hors de combats. Since the implementation of EO 70, MO 32 and the draconian Anti-Terror Law, crimes of the AFP have exponentially increased. In Negros Island alone, these include the recent arrest of NDFP Consultant and JASIG holder Ramon Patriarca, peasant leader Nemfa de Lima, the murders of Ka Ella, Ka Monet and her companions, Ka Pane, Ka Bidam and Ka Yuhan, Ka Carding and Ka Clea, civilians Jason and Arnulfo Sabanal, Henry Hermoso, Arnold Suerte, Wilfredo Fuentes, Randy Tapales and the massacres in Sagay City and Oplan Sauron 1 and 2.

These cowardly acts are trademarks of the AFP to openly violate rules of war, much like their PNP counterparts and the murderous Oplan Tokhang, recently proven to fabricate causes of death to minimize the implications against the police-an act that fake encounters of the AFP are very much similar to. Their boastful proclamations of burying fallen comrades – a bare minimum – cannot cover the fact that they are monsters who lack the civility to respect human rights. As a matter of fact, it is the AFP and PNP who are terrorists and indoctrinated into a culture of impunity, not the Red fighters. They are the ones brainwashed to be fascists, not the NPA who wholeheartedly serve the people to establish a society free from such violence.

3. Military intelligence is indeed an oxymoron, and these are statements that prove it. What the AFP fails to see is that the revolution is not a stagnant force, but a movement consistently replenished by new blood. As Ka Oris has stated before, the old cadres have already one because there are already new and younger cadres capable of leading and advancing the people’s war. The revolution is a mass movement and cannot be equated to a few individuals. While it is true that some comrades have been martyred, new ones have inevitably been borne out of the struggle. As comrades fall, many more will rise up to continue what they started, and raise the capabilities of the NPA and the masses to advance the people’s war.

On the other hand, the AFP has become a diploma mill and an assembly line of despots and fascists. They have produced soldiers who are mercenary and barbaric in nature, blindfolded through bellicose methods of training and mandated to act only by landlords, big compradors and bureaucrat capitalists. They are made to be cannon fodder and pawns, including CAFGU and SCAA elements whose salaries are on-and-off like those in Guihulngan City and Binalbagan, while commanders like Arevalo and Pasaporte luxuriate in corrupted funds and kickbacks from government military overspending.

4. The outcomes of either being arrested, wounded, or killed are ultimately the same fate the AFP faces in the ongoing civil war. The obvious difference, of course is that the NPA, as soldiers of the poor, have understood that revolution and social change can only be made through sacrifice, even to the point of death. This sacrifice is better as it is a fight for a just society, compared to sacrifice in the status quo where there is only oppression. That is why the NPA is resolved to overcome challenges and does not fear sacrifice, as it is a necessary consequence of waging revolution against the ruling few, and has a clear outlook on victory.

The AFP may have the same fate of being caught, wounded or killed by the NPA, albeit much less rewarding as they serve the selfish interests of the few. Sometimes their families are paid for their silence so the AFP can cover-up the legitimate number of their casualties to save face, a common occurrence after military actions of the NPA in Moises Padilla, Himamaylan City, Binalbagan and Guihulngan City. Even members of the military’s intelligence network are also denied by the AFP as their own.

The AFP’s rich mercenary tradition is incomparable to the valor of revolutionaries. They only act because of their ballooned salary and arm-twisting, as they are soldiers who defend imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism. Additionally, they spend millions to paint the false picture that the NPA is near being obliterated, but they are consistently disproven by the latter’s tactical offensives and deep roots among the masses. Unwittingly, the ruling clique and the reactionary forces, especially the US-Duterte regime’s frenzied drive for counterrevolution, remain to be the number one recruiters of the NPA.

5. There is a quote from Chairman Mao: “We do not wish to fight. However, if circumstances force us to fight, we shall fight to the finish!” The masses are not tired of revolution as they are an integral part of it, and are conscious that it is a just undertaking necessary to break free from the chains of oppression. The supposed persona non grata declarations in Central Negros are not proof of a waning mass support, but evidence of the military’s repeated attempts to support their lies of a ‘weakening NPA’ through intimidation and harassment.

The AFP’s often false dichotomy that the masses are tired of war and want peace is too simplistic and erroneous an argument. Peace is not simply the absence of war, but the absence of the conditions of war: poverty, hunger, landlessness, lack of basic industries and social services, and exploitation. If there is no more ruling class who trample upon the majority of the Filipino people, and resources are distributed accordingly to those who need it, there would be no need for war. But as oppression persists, as the masses continue to bear the brunt of the worsening socioeconomic crisis, and when they cannot even express their dissent, then there is no peace. Negrosanons will continue to support and join the NPA to collectively fight for their democratic aspirations long deprived from them.

What more is an appropriate term for the likes of Pasaporte, Arevalo, and the entire AFP but desperate scoundrels? As their ambitious deadline nears its end and the revolutionary movement persevering and flourishing on the fertile ground of the grave objective conditions, the AFP and the entire reactionary state apparatus are bound to fail as the CPP, NPA, and the masses in Central Negros are more determined to wage the National Democratic Revolution through Protracted People’s War. ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/303rd-brigade-3rd-id-and-the-entire-afp-desperate-scoundrels/

CPP/NPA-Southeast Negros: Ka Lino, true servant of the people

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 18, 2022):  Ka Lino, true servant of the people

This article is available in Bisaya

Estrella Banagbanag

Spokesperson

NPA-Southeast Negros (Rachelle Mae Palang Command)

Negros Island Regional Operational Command (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command)

New People's Army

April 18, 2022

Coming from a poor peasant and farm worker’s family, Comrade Jonard Salo grew amidst the exploitative and oppressive hacienda system in Negros.

In working in the vast sugar fields of North Negros he was confronted with abject working condition, low wages, lack of benefits, lack of social services from the government and other inhuman treatment.

Like what usually happened in the countryside, he also suffered from the brutality of the fascist soldiers of the AFP during military operations.

Because of poverty, he was not able to attend school and given the opportunity to learn to read or write. He allots most of his time in backbreaking work to support his family.

These concrete experiences drove him to study the condition of the society and paved the way for the foundation of his revolutionary consciousness. When the organizing work of comrades reached his village in Barangay Winaswasan, Caltrava, Negros Occidental without any hesitation he embraced the cause of armed revolution as his own.

In mid 2000 he enlisted in the NPA and dedicated his life to serve the people fulltime.

Inside the revolutionary movement he was known as Ka Lino, Rapid, Nikko ug Karen and affectionately accepted by the masses as one of their best sons.

Despite limitation in literacy, Ka Lino actively participated in theoretical studies and trainings. He overcame this limitation by arduous study and persistent practice.

He eventually learned to read and write in Bisaya and Hiligaynon, as well as, some Filipino and English. He later became an instructor in political education and Party courses.

He was also trained in military, political, medical, production works and other fields of revolutionary work.

In more than one decade of serving the oppressed Ka Lino was tempered as a Party cadre and Red commander. In 2013 he was selected as a member of the Front Committee (FC) and served as one of its platoon leaders.

Yesterday, April 15, 2022, Ka Lino was martyred in armed clash with the fascist soldiers of 11th at Sitio Tulong, Barangay San Enrique Villanueva, Sibulan, Negros Oriental. His death might have brought us sadness but his daringness to fight to the last breath end inspires us to carry on his unfinished mission until its ultimate completion.

Revolutionaries may fall in the battlefield, but the revolution can never be vanquished. So long as exploitation and oppression persist, the masses will rise up to chance the rotten semi-colonial and semi-feudal system of society.

The desperate brutal measures of the US-Duterte regime are bound to fail and his regime will be relegated in the dustbin of history. While the people’s democratic revolution will advance nearer to its final victory. ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/ka-lino-true-servant-of-the-people/

CPP: Masang manggagawa at anakpawis, dagsain ang lansangan sa Mayo Uno!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 18, 2022): Masang manggagawa at anakpawis, dagsain ang lansangan sa Mayo Uno! (Workers and toiling masses, flood the streets on May Day!)

Communist Party of the Philippines
April 18, 2022

Ang artikulong ito ay may salin sa Bisaya

Sa lahat ng manggagawang Pilipino at masang anakpawis: Mga trabahador sa pabrika at mga bodega, mga tindera, waiter at mga kahera sa mga hotel at restawran, mga saleslady sa mga mall at kargador sa piyer, mga “gig worker,” call center agent at taga-deliber, mga lineman, tagabasa ng metro at mga karpintero, mason, pintor at tubero sa konstruksyon, at sa milyun-milyon pang mga naghahanapbuhay at naghahanap na ikabubuhay at mapagkakakitaan:

Sa darating na araw ng Mayo Uno, kasabay ng mga manggagawa at anakpawis sa buong mundo, sama-sama nating dagsain ang lansangan at ipamalas ang ating pagkakaisa, tapang at determinasyong ipaglaban ang ating maka-uring interes, at ang kalayaan at demokrasyang hangarin ng buong bayan. Sa sabay-sabay na nagngangalit na yabag at sigaw, yanigin natin ang mga dayuhang imperyalista, at mapagsamantalang naghaharing uring burgesyang kumprador at mga panginoong maylupa, at ang estadong sumisiil sa buong bayan.

Sa gitna ng lumalalang krisis ng kapitalismo sa buong mundo, palala nang palala ang mga anyo ng pagsasamantala sa mga manggagawa para pigain ang kanilang lakas-paggawa. Sagad-sagad ang pambabarat ng mga kapitalista sa lakas-paggawa ng mga manggagawa. Milyun-milyong manggagawa ang tumatanggap ng minimum na sahod na mas mababa sa halaga ng araw-araw nilang pangangailangan at ng kanilang mga pamilya.

Sa pamamagitan ng mga “pleksibleng” sistema ng pag-eempleyo, mula sa “labor-only contracting” hanggang sa quota system, “work from home” at iba pa, palaki nang palaki ang agwat sa pagitan ng tinatanggap nilang sahod at ng nililikhang labis na halaga na kinakamkam bilang tubo ng mga kapitalista. Gamit ang banta ng tanggalan, pinahahaba nang pinahahaba ang kanilang oras ng paggawa upang lumikha ng papalaki nang papalaking halaga na walang karampatang kabayaran. Gamit ang mga makinarya at teknolohiya, binabatak nang binabatak ang hangganan ng katawan at lakas ng mga manggagawa upang pabilisin nang pabilisin ang produksyon at distribusyon ng mga kalakal. Ang saligang karapatan sa walong-oras na paggawa at karampatang minimum na sahod katumbas ng halaga ng arawang pangangailangan ay sistematikong binabaklas at niyuyurakan.

Sa nagdaang anim na taon sa ilalim ng rehimeng Duterte, dinanas ng mga manggagawa ang isa sa pinakamatarik na pagbulusok ng kanilang kabuhayan dahil sa mga patakarang anti-manggagawa na pagpako at pagbawas sa sahod. Mahigit dalawang taon nang walang umento sa sahod ang mga manggagawa sa National Capital Region, kahit sa harap ng nagtataasang presyo ng langis, pagkain at iba pang saligang pangangailangan. Pinaasa ang mga manggagawa sa huwad na pangakong tatapusin ang “endo” o kontraktwalisasyon. Sa halip, lumitaw ang lalo pang mas malalalang anyo ng pleksibleng paggawa laluna simula noong panahon ng pandemya.

Tanda ng malalang kalagayan ng mga manggagawa, wala na sa 1% ng mga manggagawang Pilipino ang nasasakop ng “collective bargaining agreement” matapos ang halos tatlong dekada ng walang habas na pag-atake sa kanilang mga unyon at pagdistrungka ng kanilang mga karapatan. Sa kumpas ng NTF-Elcac, ang natitirang mga unyon ay target ng panunupil ng mga armadong ahente ng estado. Sa ngalan ng “counterinsurgency,” ang mga unyonista at lider manggagawa ay pinapatay, sinasampahan ng gawa-gawang mga kasong kriminal, ikinukulong at walang tigil na tinatakot para talikuran ang interes ng mga manggagawa, manahimik o magpagamit sa estado. Ginamit ni Duterte ang kanyang tiranikong kapangyarihan para supilin ang mga manggagawa at palalain ang pagsasamantala sa kanila.

Sinasamantala ng malalaking kumpanyang dayuhan ang mababang sahod ng mga manggagawa sa malakolonyal at malapyudal na mga bansa tulad ng Pilipinas. Sa ilalim ng imperyalistang paghahari sa nagdaang mahigit isang siglo, nilumpo ang lokal na ekonomya ng pandarambong at pangangamkam ng mga dayuhang kapitalista at kanilang mga kasabwat na lokal na burgesyang kumprador at panginoong maylupa. Sinamantala at pinanatiling atrasado ang agrikultura at pinigilan ang industriyalisasyon at ang malayang pag-unlad ng ekonomya. Walang sariling pambansang industriya para lumikha ng pangangailangan ng bansa at para lumikha ng trabaho. Ang Pilipinas ay itinali sa pandaigdigang kapitalistang sistema at naging palaasa sa dayuhang pautang at pamumuhunan. Lalo pa itong lalala sa hinaharap sa mga bagong batas ni Duterte na nakatuon sa todong liberalisasyon at pagbibigay pabor sa mga dayuhang kapitalista.

Sadlak ngayon ang mga manggagawang Pilipino sa labis na pagdurusa at papatinding pagsasamantala at pang-aapi sa harap ng walang awat na pagsirit ng presyo, mababa at binabawasang sahod, papabigat na buwis, at laganap na disempleyo. Sumisidhi ang kanilang pagnanais na mag-organisa, kumilos at lumaban para sa kanilang kapakanan at para sa kagalingan ng buong bayan.

Manggagawang Pilipino: Huwag magpagupo sa gutom, hirap at paniniil! Manindigan at lumaban!

Dapat magpunyagi sa buhay-at-kamatayang pagsisikap na buuin o muling itayo ang mga unyon ng mga manggagawa para tipunin ang lakas na ipaglaban ang nararapat para sa kanila. Dapat mapagpasyang paramihin at palakihin ang mga unyon para pagkaisahin ang lumalaking bilang ng manggagawa. Dapat labanan at pangibabawan ang pananakot, pandarahas, panunuhol at lahat ng maniobra ng mga kapitalista na sirain ang pagkakaisa ng mga manggagawa. Hasain ang welga, piket at iba’t ibang anyo ng sama-samang pagkilos bilang mga sandata para sa pakikipaglaban.

Dapat ibayong isulong ng mga manggagawa ang pakikibaka para sa umento sa sahod upang mabigyan ng sapat na pagkain at disenteng buhay ang kanilang mga pamilya.

Dapat labanan ang iba’t ibang iskema ng pleksibilisasyon. Makibaka para wakasan ang laganap na sistema ng kontraktwalisasyon at ipaglaban ang regularisasyon sa trabaho. Itulak na kilalanin o ibalik ang karapatan ng mga manggagawa sa bayad na 8-oras kada araw na trabaho at ibasura ang sistemang quota at piece-rate sa iba’t ibang anyo nito.

Dapat ipamalas ng uring manggagawang Pilipino sa darating na Mayo Uno ang kanilang pagkakaisa. Dagsain ang lansangan at magmartsa mula sa mga pabrika at komunidad, magtipon sa mga liwasan at sabay-sabay na isigaw ang hinaing ng mga manggagawa at sambayanan. Marapat na alalahanin ang malaking papel ng kilusang manggagawa at kilusang welga at noong dekada 1970 sa pagbasag ng takot sa panahon ng batas militar ng diktadurang Marcos.

Ikawing ang pakikibakang pangkabuhayan sa pakikibaka laban sa pasismo at sa maka-imperyalista at anti-manggagawang tiraniya ni Duterte, kabilang ang panawagang itakwil ang tambalang Marcos-Duterte sa eleksyon ang pagtanaw sa malalaking pakikibaka pagkatapos ng eleksyon.

Sa Mayo Uno, ilang araw bago ang eleksyon sa Mayo 9, dapat pagtibayin ng masang manggagawang Pilipino ang kanilang determinasyon na tuluy-tuloy na isusulong ang kanilang mga pakikibaka para sa karagdagang sahod, regularisasyon at karapatan sa pag-uunyon, kaakibat ng panawagang panagutin at parusahan si Duterte at mga kasabwat sa mga krimen ng pasistang terorismo, at pakikibaka ng buong bayan para sa tunay na kalayaan, demokrasya at katarungan.

Sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo, sumisiklab ang mga pakikibaka at pag-aaklas ng mga manggagawa sa iba’t ibang bansa sa Europe, sa Latin at North America, Asia at Africa laban sa patindi nang patinding pagsasamantala at pagdurusa sa harap ng lumalalang pandaigdigang krisis ng kapitalismo. Ipagdiwang natin ang mga tagumpay na nakamit ng mga manggagawa sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo sa pamamagitan ng pagbubuo ng kanilang mga unyon at paglulunsad ng mga welga.

Dapat magpunyagi ang Partido Komunista na palawakin at palalimin ang pagkakaugat nito sa mga pabrika at mga komunidad ng mga mangaggawa. Buuin, palawakin at paramihin ang mga sangay ng Partido at maramihang magrekrut at magsanay ng mga kadreng komunista na magsisilbing haligi at pinuno ng masa sa kanilang mga pakikibaka. Hikayatin ang papalaking bilang ng mga manggagawa na maging Pulang mandirigma at lumahok sa rebolusyonaryong armadong pakikibaka. Tuluy-tuloy na itaas ang kamulatan ng mga manggagawa para bagtasin ang landas ng pambansa-demokratiko at sosyalistang rebolusyon.

https://cpp.ph/statements/masang-manggagawa-at-anakpawis-dagsain-ang-lansangan-sa-mayo-uno/

CPP/CIO: Duterte regime and US govt are equally culpable for rights abuses in PH

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 17, 2022): Duterte regime and US govt are equally culpable for rights abuses in PH

Marco Valbuena

Chief Information Officer

Communist Party of the Philippines

April 17, 2022

The recent report of the US State Department on the human rights situation in the Philippines is a belated and muted acknowledgment of the fact that there are rampant cases of human rights violations perpetrated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) in the course of the bogus “war on drugs” and counterinsurgency operations.

The Filipino people must hold the US equally culpable for these rights violations, especially those committed in the course of counterinsurgency operations for which the AFP receives and buys weapons from the US government and is guided by US doctrine. Since 2015, the US has extended $1.14 billion (₱57 billion) in Foreign Military Financing to provide the AFP with bullets and bombs, guns, jet fighters and attack helicopters. Military intervention by US forces has escalated since 2017 on the pretext of fighting “foreign terrorists” under its Operation Pacific Eagle-Philippines.

In line with US teachings and training, the AFP has carried out a war of counterinsurgency that has blurred the lines between civilians and combatants. In the countryside, entire peasant populations are treated as armed adversaries, and are placed under hamlet control of the AFP to force people to “surrender.” In the cities, activists and independent-minded critics are subjected to anti-communist witch-hunting, linked to the armed movement and subjected to armed suppression. Across the country, military and police forces are behind widespread cases of extrajudicial killings, unlawful arrests and slapping false criminal charges, abductions, torture, harassments and other forms of human rights abuses.

These brutal tactics being orchestrated by the NTF-Elcac and implemented by the AFP and PNP, have been taught by the US military in accordance with its doctrines of “counterinsurgency” and “counter-terrorism.” These are the same tactics used by the US in its failed wars of intervention in Vietnam (Operation Phoenix) and Afghanistan (whole-of-nation approach) characterized by aerial bombings, assassinations, torture, and the relentless onslaught against the civilian population and non-combatants.

The US extends influence and operational control of the AFP and PNP by forcing its dependence on US military aid, as well as through the Mutual Defense Treaty, Visiting Forces Agreement, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and other unequal military agreements.

Defenders of human rights, promoters of a just peace, democratic, progressive and patriotic forces in the Philippines must vigorously denounce the rampant cases of human rights abuses committed by the AFP and PNP in the US-directed counterinsurgency war. The Filipino people must demand an end to US military intervention in the Philippines, the abrogation of unequal military agreements with the US, and an end to US-dictated doctrine of total war against the people.

https://cpp.ph/statements/duterte-regime-and-us-govt-are-equally-culpable-for-rights-abuses-in-ph/

CPP/NPA-Sorsogon: May mga katanungang dapat sagutin ang ilang lokal na kandidato

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 17, 2022): May mga katanungang dapat sagutin ang ilang lokal na kandidato (There are questions some local candidates must answer)

Samuel Guerrero

Spokesperson

NPA-Sorsogon (Celso Minguez Command)

Bicol Regional Operational Command (Romulo Jallores Command)

New People's Army

April 17, 2022

Ilang kandidato sa mga lokal na posisyon sa probinsya ang bumabalewala sa mga paanyaya namin para makausap sila tungkol sa mga usapi at problemang kinakaharap ng masang Sorsoganon.

Labis namin itong ikinadidismaya.

Dahil napakakrusyal ng mga usaping tinutukoy, pilit pa rin naming kukumbinsihing makipagharap sa amin ang sumusunod na mga kandidatong pawang incumbent na mga opisyal ng reaksyunaryong gobyernong lokal:

(1) Mag-asawang Vice Gov. Manuel Fortes Jr. at Barcelona Mayor Cynthia Fortes. Napakaraming beses na namin silang pinaabutang harapin ang mga reklamo ng hindi makatarungang pagtrato sa mga tenante sa kanilang lupa sa San Ramon, Barcelona. Nagbibingi-bingihan din ang mag-asawa sa paghingi ng saklolo ng mga taga-Barcelona na biktima ng red-tagging, harassment at ekstrahudisyal na pagpatay na ginagawa ng militar at pulisya.

(2) Magallanes Mayor Augusto Manuel Ragragio at asawang si Ma. Elena Ragragio. Mailap ang mag-asawa sa mga patawag namin. Umiiwas ba sila sa pananagutan sa pagpapabaya nila sa harap ng mga karahasan at pwersahang “pagpapasuko” na ginagawa ng 22nd IB laban sa mga sibilyang taga-Magallanes?

(3) Bulan Mayor Romeo Gordola. Pinakamalala ang mga atake ng mga armadong pwersa ng estado sa mga taga-Bulan. Tuwiran ang partisipasyon ni Mayor Gordola sa pwersahang pagpapasuko sa mga sibilyang walang kalaban-laban. Bakit ayaw niyang pag-usapan ang mga ito?

(4) Gubat Mayor Sharon Escoto at Vice Mayor Sixto Estareja. Gaano katotoo na iniisponsor ng munisipyo ng Gubat ang ilang traydor sa rebolusyon na pinakikilos ng 31st IBPA para takutin at pwersahing “sumuko” sa ilalim ng ECLIP ang mga sibilyang aktibista sa bayan ng Bulusan at Sta. Magdalena?

Hindi biro ang mga katanungang dapat sagutin ng mga kandidatong ito. Ang kanilang pagharap o pagtalikod sa pananagutan ang magiging sukatan ng malasakit nila sa taumbayan. Sasalalay dito kung magiging mabuti o hindi ang pakikipag-ugnayan namin sa kanila sa hinaharap.

https://cpp.ph/statements/may-mga-katanungang-dapat-sagutin-ang-ilang-lokal-na-kandidato/

CPP/NPA-Sorsogon: Myembro ng death squad ng militar, patay sa operasyong isparo ng NPA

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 17, 2022): Myembro ng death squad ng militar, patay sa operasyong isparo ng NPA (Member of the military death squad, killed in the NPA sparrow operation)

Samuel Guerrero

Spokesperson

NPA-Sorsogon (Celso Minguez Command)

Bicol Regional Operational Command (Romulo Jallores Command)

New People's Army

April 17, 2022

Napatay sa operasyong isparo ng NPA si Elvin Janapin Alzaga, 37, sa Barangay Guinlajon, Sorsogon City nitong Byernes, Abril 15.

Si Alzaga ay intelligence asset at myembro ng death squad na inoopereyt ng 96th Military Intelligence Company (MICO) mula pa noong 2019. Naging aktibo siya sa pagtuturo at panggigipit sa mga mangingisda at magsasakang pinagbibintangang kaanib ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa lungsod. Kabilang siya sa grupong dumukot sa ilang kasapi ng ligal na organisasyong Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Sorsogon (SAMASOR) nito lamang Pebrero. Ang mga dinukot na magsasaka ay pinakawalan din matapos ipagpalipat-lipat sa iba’t ibang safehouse at kampo ng militar sa probinsya.

Madalas na naging kalahok si Alzaga sa mga operasyong militar at pulis para sindakin at pwersahang “pasukuin” sa ilalim ng ECLIP ang walang kalaban-labang mga sibilyan sa mga baryong saklaw ng Hacienda Beringuer at Hacienda Peralta sa syudad.

Kabilang si Alzaga sa grupo ng mga maton at mga dating NPA na ginagamit ng militar at pulisya sa mga ekstrahudisyal na pamamaslang sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng probinsya. Kasama siya sa operasyon ng 96th MICO na pumaslang sa Pulang kumander na si Edwin “Ka Dupax” Dematera noong Hunyo 2019.

Ang pagpaparusa kay Alzaga ay tugon ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa daing ng kanyang mga biktima. Nakumpiska sa kanya ang isang kalibre .38 rebolber.

Samantala, napag-alaman namin na isang kwatro anyos na batang taga-Barangay Gimaloto sa syudad ang nadaplisan ng bala sa naturang operasyon ng NPA.

Mabuti na lamang at menor ang naging sugat ng bata at agad ding nakauwi matapos dalhin sa ospital. Humihingi kami ng dispensa sa pamilya ng bata at nakikipag-ugnayan na kami sa kanila para sagutin ang ginastos sa pagpapagamot at alamin ang iba pang asistensyang dapat naming maibigay para sa pagpapagaling ng bata.

https://cpp.ph/statements/myembro-ng-death-squad-ng-militar-patay-sa-operasyong-isparo-ng-npa/

CPP/NPA-West Cagayan: EJK hindi engkwentro ang naganap sa Piat, Cagayan

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 16, 2022): EJK hindi engkwentro ang naganap sa Piat, Cagayan (EJK no encounter took place in Piat, Cagayan)

Crispin Apolinario

Spokesperson

NPA-West Cagayan (Danilo Ben Command)

Cagayan Valley Regional Operational Command (Fortunato Camus Command)

New People's Army

April 16, 2022

Hindi engkwentro kundi isang ekstrahudisyal na pamamaslang ang naganap noong gabi ng Huwebes Santo, ika-14 ng Abril 2022, na kumitil sa buhay ni Saturnino “Ka Peping” Agunoy kasama ang dalawa niyang medik na sina Augusto “Ka Val” Gayagas at Mark “Ka Uno” Canta. Pawang mga di-armado at wala sa katayuang lumaban ang tatlong biktima, at kapwa senior citizen sina Ka Peping at Ka Val. Bigla na lang silang pinagbabaril matapos harangin ng mga berdugong militar ang sinasakyan nilang van sa kahabaan ng kalsada ng Piat, Cagayan.

Mariing kinukundena ng Danilo Ben Command – New People’s Army West Cagayan ang uhaw-sa-dugong pamamaslang ng isang platun ng 17th Infantry Battalion sa pamumuno ni 2nd Lt. Joshua Arpon, OPCON, 501st Infantry Brigade sa mga di-armado at wala sa katayuang lumaban tulad nina Ka Peping. Hindi makatarungan at labag sa international humanitarian law (IHL) ang ekstrahudisyal na pamamaslang na ito. Taliwas sa nais palabasin ng militar, wala silang armas na bumiyahe palabas ng sonang gerilya para sa pangangailangang pang-medikal ni Ka Peping.

Walang sinasanto ang pasistang AFP sa paghahasik nito ng teroristang lagim laban sa mga mamamayan sa bayan ng Piat at Sto. Niño. Upang pagtakpan ang karumal-dumal na krimen at gawing kapani-paniwala ang palabas na engkwentro, naghulog ng anim na bomba at nag-istraping ang Philippine Air Force (PAF) sa bulubunduking bahagi ng bayan ng Sto. Niño mula alas-dos hanggang alas-kwatro ng hapon ng Biyernes Santo kahit walang aktwal na engkwentro sa pagitan ng AFP at NPA. Ginamit nito ang OV-10, FA-50 at dalawang attack helicopters.

Tinarget ng walang-patumanggang pambobomba at istraping mula sa himpapawid ang mga taniman ng mga magsasaka ng Sto. Niño. Imbes na mataimtim na makapagnilay-nilay ang mga masang Katoliko sa Mahal na Araw, nililigalig sila ng sindak na dulot ng terorismo ng AFP sa mga mamamayan.

Sa ekstrahudisyal na pagkitil sa buhay nina Ka Peping, Ka Val, at Ka Uno, lalong tumitingkad ang teroristang katangian ng AFP. Mabubuhay ang kanilang rebolusyonaryong diwa sa pagpupursige ng lahat ng rebolusyonaryong pwersa sa probinsya ng Cagayan upang ipagpatuloy at isulong ang pambansa-demokratikong rebolusyon.###

https://cpp.ph/statements/ejk-hindi-engkwentro-ang-naganap-sa-piat-cagayan/

CPP/NDF-Southern Mindanao: Davao City’s proposed ‘anti-discrimination legislation against former rebels’ is mere damage control of AFP’s fake surrender racket

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 16, 2022): Davao City’s proposed ‘anti-discrimination legislation against former rebels’ is mere damage control of AFP’s fake surrender racket

Rubi del Mundo

Spokesperson

NDF-Southern Mindanao

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

April 16, 2022

The proposed amendment to Davao City’s anti-discrimination ordinance to include a provision supposedly protecting ‘former rebels’ is nothing but damage control to the adversely affected lives and livelihood of thousands of Lumad and peasants who were forced by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to “surrender” as New People’s Army fighters or sympathizers. It is yet another deodorizing stunt to downplay the injury caused by the fascist and corrupt AFP’s money-making scheme of forcible mass surrender of unarmed civilians in order to inflate its so-called victories in the counterinsurgency campaign and line their pockets in the process.

We give the benefit of the doubt to acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte who, perhaps finally realizing the dire consequences of the surrender drive by the insidious Peace 911 and the Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (E-CLIP), expressed recently his intention to enact said amendment. While done with good intent, Vice Mayor Duterte must be aware that this is the result of the AFP’s wholesale, indiscriminate and forcible surrender of civilians who, despite having no direct experience in armed struggle, have been forced to wear the fascist-styled scarlet letters FR or former rebels. Some of these peasants and Lumad have even been maliciously charged with preposterous criminal charges in order to force their “surrender.”

In truth, across the region, former Red fighters who have decided to sincerely return to civilian life due to incapacity, illness or other pressing reasons have been welcomed warmly by Lumad and peasant communities in the base areas and guerilla zones. As long as they remained productive and posed no threat to the masses, they hardly experienced any difficulty in easing back into civilian life, finding work and living simply and honestly as their years in the Red army have taught them.

On the other hand, the very few but very noisy former Red fighters who betrayed the masses and the national democratic cause have now become active slaves of the fascist enemy, earning their keep either by endangering civilian lives through helping carry out fake surrenders or spewing out half-truths and whole lies prepared by the AFP’s spin doctors. They are forced to live in military detachments or in AFP housing projects where their every movement is monitored and controlled. Some of them are in fact under duress, being coerced to do the enemy’s bidding for fear of their lives and their families’. But all of them agonize over that forthcoming day when they will inevitably lose all usefulness to the AFP’s mad counterinsurgency campaign and be targeted for the enemy’s liquidation.

Meanwhile, several comrades who had been forced to surrender under false promises of being cleared of trumped-up charges are now being told by AFP troops to not let their guards down because the police are still trying to arrest them. Apparently, their surrender in order to “live normal lives” as peddled by the enemy has amounted to nothing. A number of them have now reached out to leaders of local organs of political power and revolutionary mass organizations for fear of becoming targets of extra-judicial killing by AFP or PNP elements or falling victim to the enemy’s false-flag operations which the AFP would later blame the NPA for.

If the local reactionary government of Davao City were truly sincere, it would do well to help the thousands of civilians who have been maliciously forced to surrender as NPA fighters or sympathizers by conducting an independent and thorough investigation to open the can of worms that is the profiteering surrender racket of the AFP. Vice Mayor Duterte can muster his influence to immediately and without condition drop all malicious charges against civilians falsely accused by the AFP and PNP and release the hundreds of political prisoners languishing in Davao City jails.

We urge Vice Mayor Duterte, whom we have seen in the past to have advocated for Lumad rights, to step out and away from the dark fascist shadows of his father and older sister. We challenge him to do away with band-aid non-sense such as “anti-discrimination against former rebels” and instead disband the anti-people Peace 911 which has brought nothing but misery to the Lumad and peasants of Davao City. He must refuse to be a willing pawn in the AFP’s counterinsurgency war if he intends to be a local government official who aims to target the roots of the armed struggle and not the Davaoeños suffering under his father and sister’s tyrannical rule.

https://cpp.ph/statements/davao-citys-proposed-anti-discrimination-legislation-against-former-rebels-is-mere-damage-control-of-afps-fake-surrender-racket/

Kalinaw News: Top-ranking CTG leader Killed; 2 high-powered firearms recovered in AgNor Clash

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 18, 2022): Top-ranking CTG leader Killed; 2 high-powered firearms recovered in AgNor Clash



CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte- Two of Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members were killed and two high-powered firearms were recovered in a ten-minute armed encounter between the troops of the 29th Infantry (MATATAG) Battalion, Philippine Army at the vicinity of Brgy. Jaliobong, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte on evening of April 17, 2022.

Before the said encounter, the unit received several reports from concerned and displeased local residents regarding the presence of the CTGs in the barangay who were periodically extorting them financially and demanding all kinds of supplies. The residents of the barangay can no longer withstand the menace that the CTGs are subjecting them.

The troops, conducted combat operations that resulted to the encounter of more or less fifteen members of the Communist Terrorist Group. The firefight lasted for about ten minutes. The troops pursued the CTGs, as they hastily scampered towards the northerly direction, leaving behind their two dead comrades, identified as Samuel N. Batican, a top-ranking CTG leader and a certain @Yawming, armed member of the said armed group along with the recovery of one Colt AR15 rifle, one Winchester M14 rifle, two cellular phones, food stuffs and other supplies.

The said armed group where they belong are the main providers of food and other supplies to the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) and its cadres.

According to Col. Jason M. Saldua, Battalion Commander of 29IB, “We are grateful to the residents for tipping off the locations of the terrorists and the activities that they are doing in the area.” In that way, we are able to immediately respond to the reports of the civilians. Rest assured that as we follow the EO 70 (whole-nation approach & instruction to end the local communist armed-conflict (ELCAC) ) of the President, we can together end this long terroristic and extortionist activities of CTGs in Agusan del Norte.”

“May this serve as a stern warning to the remaining members of the CTG that there is no safe place for you to hide. As much are the people nowadays are more aware of their deceitful tactics. The people who are providing information is a clear manifestation that the populace are very supportive in the government’s peace efforts. The only remaining option for them now is to return to the folds of the law and mainstream society to live a peaceful normal lives, “he added.

Immediately after the encounter, the recovered bodies have been turned over to the local authorities for proper disposition.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/top-ranking-ctg-leader-killed-2-high-powered-firearms-recovered-in-agnor-clash/

Kalinaw News: Military recovers IED while on combat mission in Sulu

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 17, 2022): Military recovers IED while on combat mission in Sulu



Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista – April 17, 2022

Operating troops of the 100th Infantry Battalion of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the vicinity of Barangay Tumatangis in Indanan, Sulu, on April 16, 2022.

In a statement, Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, Commander of the 11th Infantry Division and JTF Sulu, narrated, “Based on a report from 1102nd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Giovanni Franza, operating troops of the 100th Infantry Battalion led by 2nd Lt. Enrey Rafael discovered an IED in Barangay Tumatangis, Indanan, Sulu at around 8:30 in the morning of April 16, 2022.”

Col. Franza said, “Upon discovery of our operating troops, we immediately deployed additional forces to secure the area where the IED was located to preempt it from making harm to innocent civilians.”

“We also deployed our Explosive and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team in the area, and they were able to disarm the IED successfully. The IED is now with the EOD Team for proper disposal,” added by Col. Franza.

Meanwhile, since January of this year, a total of five (5) IEDs were recovered by the operating troops in the area of operations of the JTF Sulu. Maj. Gen. Patrimonio lauded the efforts and commitment of the troops in the pursuit of their mission of ensuring peace and security in peaceful communities of Sulu. He ordered to further intensify peace and security efforts to neutralize the remaining ASG bandits.

“The IED laid by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits indicates the terrorist’s firm resolve to harm not only our troops but also the innocent civilians. We will continue to hunt the remaining ASG bandits who continue to create havoc in peaceful communities. Now, it is only a matter of time before we can finally say that Sulu is completely free from the threats of these ASG bandits,” said Maj. Gen. Patrimonio.

Maj. Gen. Patrimonio enjoins the community to continue collaborating with the security forces until the remaining members of the ASG bandits are neutralized.

“Our collective efforts in ending the local armed conflict significantly reduced the ASG strength and capabilities to terrorize our peaceful communities. Let’s continue to work together towards our vision of lasting peace and sustainable development in the province of Sulu,” Maj. Gen. Patrimonio ended.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/military-recovers-ied-while-on-combat-mission-in-sulu/

Kalinaw News: Government facilitates the turn over of CTGs’ remains to their families

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 16, 2022): Government facilitates the turn over of CTGs’ remains to their families

MAKILALA, NORTH COTABATO – 39th Infantry Battalion in coordination with the Local Government Unit of Makilala and Department of Social Welfare and Development XII facilitated the turn over of the remains of alias Joven to his family at Brgy Biangan, Makilala, North Cotabato. Also, with the assistance of 73rd Infantry Battalion, Local Government Unit of Sta Cruz and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Davao del Sur, late alias Enoy returned to his family at peace in Barangay Sibulan, Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur on April 15, 2022.

Alias Enoy, Commanding Officer and alias Joven, Political Guide, of the Dismantled Pulang Bagani Command, Southern Regional Committee 3, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the New People’s Army were killed in an encounter in Brgy Malasila, Makilala Cotabato on April 13, 2022.

Mrs Lea Castillote, mother of Alias Enoy, condemned the CPP-NPA terrorists for the sudden demise of her son. She mournfully said that it was not the government’s fault of this unfortunate incident, but it had actually been the exploitation and deception of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs). She further exclaimed that, “I blame the CPP-NPA terrorists who recruited and influenced Enoy to join their worthless armed struggle.”

Further, Angelica Yambanao, sister of alias Joven appreciated the effort of the government in assisting them in this hardest time of their life, “We are thankful for the help of the government for giving assistance during the burial of our brother, even though he is against the government, still the government is always there to help us surpass this unfortunate event.”

The assistance given by the authorities is actually the genuine manifestation of the government’s efforts of advocating peace and development. Peace-building programs under NTF-ELCAC are several of the many services provided for the surrender of our deceived friends. Our collaboration and teamwork will always better the situation of the communities for sustainable progress.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/government-facilitates-the-turn-over-of-ctgs-remains-to-their-families/

Two soldiers convicted for the murder of church worker

Posted to Yahoo! News (Apr 18, 2022): Two soldiers convicted for the murder of church worker (By Pola Rubio)

Gavel and scales of justice on a desk in a court of law. 

A court in Bacolod has convicted two military personnel for the murder of a parish worker a over decade ago.

A Bacolod court has convicted two military personnel over the killing of labor organizer and progressive group Bayan Muna coordinator Benjamin Bayles 12 years ago in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental.

In a decision dated March 31, Acting Presiding Judge Ana Celeste Bernad found Roger Bajon and Ronnie Caurino guilty beyond reasonable doubt for murder and sentenced the two to reclusion perpetua. The two are members of the 61st Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Judge Bernad also ordered the convicted murderers to pay P300,000 in civil indemnity and moral and exemplary damages.

On June 14, 2010, Bayles was shot by then unidentified gunmen while waiting for a ride in Himamaylan City. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Bayles was also a member of national priests' organization Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI). According to IFI, Bayles was a lay minister in the Parish of San Ramon Nonato, and as a committed church worker, he was a District Chairman of the Aglipayan Forum, the Church’s advocacy group, in the Diocese of Negros Occidental.

The victim was also an active member of the human rights organization September 21 Movement, and the peasant organization National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW).

“His involvement with the marginalized sector and peasants and workers organizations has earned him the ire of the military who tagged him as a member of the New People’s Army,” IFI said in a statement.

National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) Ben Ramos, one of Bayles’ family prosecutors, was also killed by another two unidentified gunmen in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental in November 2018. He was representing the families of nine sugarcane workers killed in Sagay City, Negros Occidental when he was shot dead.

The NUPL has welcomed the decision on the case.

“These speak volumes. Yet it is not lost on us that justice will come later even if not sooner.

This is for you, Ben Bayles and Ben Ramos, the latter who was with us to see this through before he himself was killed in 2018. We have to acknowledge the role our partners in the prosecution played too. This is a clear message and warning to those who think there is immunity for impunity,” the organization wrote.

Since President Rodrigo Duterte became president in 2016, 66 lawyers have been killed, including judges and prosecutors. Meanwhile, 414 people have been killed extrajudicially, while 2,275 have been arrested illegally without detention, data from rights group Karapatan showed.

https://ph.news.yahoo.com/two-soldiers-convicted-over-murder-of-church-worker-092248669.html

Govt troops thwart NPA extortion attempt

From the Manila Times (Apr 19, 2022): Govt troops thwart NPA extortion attempt (By Francis Earl Cueto)

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday claimed they prevented the extortion activities of the New People's Army (NPA) in Laguna on Sunday, April 17.

Lt. Col. Danilo Escandor said this was after an encounter occurred between the rebels and the government troops.

Escandor added that they were able to thwart the extortion attempt after concerned citizens reported the presence of the armed group on their farms, demanding food and money.

The Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Battalion under the 2nd Infantry Division was immediately dispatched to conduct a security operation to verify the report.

"The report turned out to be positive as the operating troops encountered more or less 15 communist NPA terrorists at Sitio Pinagtablahan, Barangay Magsaysay, Siniloan, Laguna on Sunday morning. The firefight lasted for about 15 minutes then the enemy evaded the government forces. The terrorists belong to Platun 2, Kilusang Larang Gerilya Narciso of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee," Escandor said.

READ: NPA member slain in Surigao del Norte clash

An NPA member was killed and soldiers recovered one M16 rifle and three backpacks at the encounter site.

"The AFP and concerned agencies under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict are addressing the resource generation of the communist terrorist group to prevent them from recruiting new members and stopping their recovery efforts," AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/04/19/news/regions/govt-troops-thwart-npa-extortion-attempt/1840439

Negros Reds, soldiers clash

From Panay News (Apr 18, 2022): Negros Reds, soldiers clash (By DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA)

Two consecutive clashes between rebels and government troops in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental and in the town of Sibulan in Negros Oriental left two New People’s Army (NPA) fighters dead and one Philippine Army soldier wounded.


The encounters both happened on Holy Thursday.

The first one was in Barangay Caradio-an, Himamaylan City. One rebel died. This was also where a soldier of the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) was wounded, according to 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) spokesperson Captain Kim Apitong.

The slain rebel was yet to be identified as of press time.

The wounded soldier, on the other hand, was treated at a hospital in Bacolod City.

According to Apitong, the encounter started at around 5 a.m. in Sitio San Juan, Barangay Caradio-an. The 94IB troops were in the area in response to reports that residents spotted armed individuals in their village.

The gunfight lasted for some 10 minutes. The rebels were forced to retreat.

Government forces recovered two .45 pistol magazines, one short magazine for an M16 assault rifle, a hand grenade, a medical kit, and a backpack containing personal belongings.

Meanwhile, in the town of Sibulan, Negros Oriental, soldiers of the 11th Infantry Battalion (11IB) engaged in a 15-minute gun battle with insurgents in Sitio Tulong, Barangay Enrique Villanueva.

Apitong said the gun fight ensued around 8 a.m. Government troops were in the village in response to reports rebel extortion activities there.

Around 2 p.m. or six hours after the clash, 11IB troops discovered the remains of a man wearing a green NPA uniform and boots.

They also recovered an M14 rifle, an M16 assault rifle, and a KG-9 machine pistol.

Also recovered from the encounter site were three rifle grenades, five anti-personnel mines, four 40mm M203 grenade ammunition, and assorted bullets.

https://www.panaynews.net/negros-reds-soldiers-clash/

Army, NPA clash in Quezon

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Apr 18, 2022): Army, NPA clash in Quezon (By: Delfin T. Mallari Jr.)

Government forces and suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels clashed on Sunday, April 17, in Real town in Quezon province.

Quezon police reported that patrolling soldiers led by one 2nd Lt. Protacio from the Army’s 1st Infantry Battalion at 3:10 p.m. chanced upon at least 15 alleged communist guerrillas in Barangay Lubayat.

The battle lasted for 10 minutes, after which the rebels withdrew in different directions.

No casualty was reported on the government side, but there were undetermined on the NPA side, the report said.

Troops have been deployed to pursue the rebels.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1584233/army-npa-clash-in-quezon

Abu Sayyaf bomb disarmed in Sulu

Posted to the Manila Times (Apr 18, 2022): Abu Sayyaf bomb disarmed in Sulu (By Al Jacinto)

BOMBING FOILED A photo released by the 11th Infantry Division on Monday, April 18, 2022, shows the recovered Abu Sayyaf-made bomb planted in the village of Tumatangis in Sulu’s Indanan town. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of the 11th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force-Sulu, said members of the 100th Infantry Battalion led by 2Lt. Enrey Rafael discovered an improvised explosive device (IED) in Tumatangis village over the weekend. The area is frequented by patrolling military units.

It was the fifth homemade bomb discovered in the province early this year.

Quoting a report by Col. Giovanni Franza, commander of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade, Patrimonio said additional soldiers combed the area to ensure no other explosives were planted in the village.

"Upon discovery of our operating troops, we immediately deployed additional forces to secure the area," Franza said. "We also deployed our Explosive and Ordnance Disposal Team in the area, and they were able to successfully disarm the IED."

Patrimonio lauded the soldiers for the discovery of the bomb. He said four other IEDs had been recovered by government troops in Sulu since January. Because of the latest discovery of the bomb, Patrimonio said he ordered security forces to further intensify efforts to neutralize remaining members of the terrorist group.

READ: Military foils bombing attempt in Sulu


"The IED laid by the Abu Sayyaf group indicate the terrorists' firm resolve to harm not only our troops, but also the innocent civilians. We will continue to hunt the remaining ASG bandits who continue to create havoc in peaceful communities. Now, it is only a matter of time before we can finally say that Sulu is completely free from the threats of these ASG bandits," Patrimonio said.

He also urged villagers to continue helping security forces until the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) are neutralized.

"Our collective efforts in ending the local armed conflict significantly reduced the ASG strength and capabilities to terrorize our peaceful communities. Let's continue to work together towards our vision of lasting peace and sustainable development in the province of Sulu," Patrimonio said.

Hundreds of ASG members have surrendered to the military and the police in the past decade, especially during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, where the national and provincial governments collaborated on peace and development efforts and provided former militants an opportunity to start a new life under the Sulu Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict program.

READ: ASG members surrender in Sulu

In October 2020, Gov. Sakur Tan led the signing of the so-called "Parjanjian Indanan" or the "Indanan People Peace Covenant" in an effort to harness the community's participation and empowerment to achieve long-lasting peace in Sulu.

Tan signed the covenant with Indanan municipal officials and witnessed by senior military and police officials. The governor reiterated his all-out support for the peace and development effort in the town — then a stronghold of the ASG — and asked villagers to support the government program.

He also held a covenant meeting with other municipal mayors and publicly denounced ASG atrocities and propounded initiatives to strengthen and institutionalize public safety, security and well-being in the municipality. Tan activated the Municipal Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict in all of Sulu's 19 towns in an effort to accelerate various government peace programs and work together with the community to sustain security and normalcy.

Tan led town officials in activating the Municipal Peace Action Operations and Monitoring Center and the Islamic Religious Council to address the sociocultural, security, and development issues and to sustain and tap the development potentials of each town. Sulu has long declared the ASG and its supporters as "persona non grata."

READ: Troops clash with Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

Duterte previously sought Tan to help him in the peace process, but at the same time ordered security forces to crush the ASG, which was blamed for the spate of bombings that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians in the region.

Aside from Tan, Duterte also spoke to Nur Misuari, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, to support the government's peace efforts.

Misuari now lives in Davao City after his followers raided Zamboanga City in September 2013 and battled security forces for three weeks after a failed attempt to raise the flag of the self-proclaimed Bangsamoro Republik at the City Hall. The battle affected over 200,000 people and killed at least 200 others.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/04/19/news/regions/abu-sayyaf-bomb-disarmed-in-sulu/1840427

2 NPA members killed in encounter

From the Mindanao Times (Apr 18, 2022): 2 NPA members killed in encounter (By RHODA GRACE SARON)

THE military reported that a most wanted leader of the New People’s Army and a companion were killed during an encounter between his group and soldiers of the 39th Infantry Battalion at Sitio Panopio, Brgy Malasila, Makilala, North Cotabato.on the night of April 13.

Lt. Col. Ezra. Balagtey, commander of the battalion, said those killed were Roberto Castillote, commander of the Pulang Bagani Command, and Jovilito Yambanao, political guide of the group.

Balagtey said a five-minute encounter took place when soldiers found out about the presence of the outlawed group in the area which resulted in the death of the two members of the armed group.

The soldiers also recovered a firearm, two improvised landmines, a hand grenade and a container with gasoline.

The military reported that Castillote was a subject of several arrest warrants for attempted murder, double attempted murder, frustrated murder, murder, slight illegal detention, robbery, robbery with homicide and violation of the Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection Act Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination.

The military added that Castillote was behind the ambush of four Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) personnel who were investigating a shooting incident on March 8, 2017 in Bansalan, Davao del Sur. The four investigators, including a pregnant woman, during the incident.

Balagtey said Castillote’s death was justice to his victims, including the mother and her child.

“Rest assured that the government forces will remain vigilant against this terrorist group planning to incite violence and spoil the peace and development efforts of the government in the locality,” Balagtey added.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2022/04/18/2-npa-members-killed-in-encounter/

2 NPA leaders killed, firearms cache recovered

From the Visayan Daily Star (Apr 18, 2022): 2 NPA leaders killed, firearms cache recovered (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Army soldiers recovered high-powered guns and explosives, among other items, following an encounter with communist rebels in Sibulan, Negros Oriental.*PA photo

The relentless combat operations of the Philippine Army led to separate encounters on Maundy Thursday in Negros Island that claimed the lives of two suspected leaders of the New People’s Army and yielded a cache of firearms and explosives.

Lt. Col. Roderick Salayo, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, reported that his troops encountered about 12 NPA rebels, remnants of the dismantled South East Front of the Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor (KR-NCBS), at Sitio Tulong in Brgy. Enrique Villanueva in Sibulan, Negros Oriental.

Salayo said that 15 minutes of gun battle led to the death of Jonard Salo, with aliases of Lino, Rapid and Nikko, who was left behind by his fleeing comrades at the encounter site, where Army soldiers recovered a M16 rifle, a M14 rifle, a KG-9 rifle, a homemade 12 gauge shotgun with 10 ammunition, five improvised anti-personnel mines, three rifle grenades, four M203 grenade launcher ammunition, 2 NPA flags, among other war materials, 12 backpacks containing assorted ammunition, personal belongings and subversive documents.

Another squad leader of the NPA also died in separate encounter with 94th Infantry Battalion soldiers in Brgy. Caradio-an, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, identified the slain rebel through his alias as Johnny, a squad leader of the Sentro De Grabidad Platoon of Central Negros (Front)2 of KR-NCBS.

Recovered from the encounter site were two magazines of .45 caliber pistol, a hand grenade, a Huawei tablet gadget, medical kit, and a back pack containing personal belongings.

Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte, 94IB commander, disclosed that NPA rebels in central Negros are continuously weakening through the continuous setbacks from encounters and surrender of their members.

Almonte added that their remaining cadres are competing against each other for the position of left behind by Elbert Quillano, alias Carding, deputy secretary of CN2, KR-NCBS, and his wife, Jessa, who also died on April 1 in an encounter with 94IB troopers in Sitio Kulihaw, Brgy. Buenavista, Himamaylan City.

He claimed that the NPA remnants operating in the area is now divided, as they are betraying each other to occupy the position of Quillano.

https://visayandailystar.com/2-npa-leaders-killed-firearms-cache-recovered/

Indiscriminate firing at night keeps people awake in rido-ridden Lanao Sur town

From MindaNews (Apr 18, 2022): Indiscriminate firing at night keeps people awake in rido-ridden Lanao Sur town (By FERDINANDH B. CABRERA)

A series of gunfire in the rido-ridden municipality of Malabang in Lanao del Sur late Sunday until the wee hours of the morning have scared residents, disrupting people’s sleep, reports said.

Malabang, Lanao del Sur. Map courtesy of Google

But officials of the Philippine National Police and the Commission on Elections could not say if the series of gunfire that started around 9 p.m. Sunday until 2 a.m. Monday at Barangay Chinatown (poblacion area) was election-related or due to the rido as no witnesses have so far come out.

Brig. Arthur Cabalona, PNP regional director for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Regional for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said in an interview over iNews Philippines that no one was reported injured in the “burst of gunfire,” which he said was due to “indiscriminate firing” and not a shootout.

The Comelec has placed Malabang under its control two weeks ago because of the intense rivalry between two big political clans, said municipal election officer Abdul Jabbar Noor.

The rivalry is between the Macapodi family, led by incumbent Mayor Mohamad Yahya B. Macapodi, and the Balindongs. Both families have fielded candidates in the municipality’s top two posts in next month’s elections.

For mayor, it is a clash between Alinader Mariam Balindong (Lakas) and Al-Rashid Boloto Macapodi (PDP-Laban). For vice mayor, the outgoing mayor (Mohamad Yahya B. Macapodi) is being challenged by Raizoli Sarip Balindong.

Noor said he could not categorically say that the burst of gunfire was election-related because of the existing rido. He promised to conduct investigations.

He said he has deployed three units from the PNP’s Special Action Force consisting of 35 personnel aside from the various troops from the military and the police.

“We have installed checkpoints and conduct joint roving operation at night. We can promise residents that we are doing our best to keep Malabang secure,” Noor noted.

He said they have conducted a series of peace covenants and a peace summit involving the candidates.

Cabalona said his initial assessment was that whoever did the firing wanted to instill fear among residents. He said they cannot say it was due to rido because they do not have a suspect and no one was reported injured.

“Probably these people just want to establish fear whatever their intention is,” he added.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/indiscriminate-firing-at-night-keeps-people-awake-in-rido-ridden-lanao-sur-town/

MILF member killed in Maguindanao clash

From MindaNews (Apr 18, 2022): MILF member killed in Maguindanao clash (By FERDINANDH B. CABRERA)

A member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was killed in a clash between elements of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion and the MILF’s 105th Base Command in the municipality of Shariff Saydona Mustapha in Maguindanao Sunday afternoon, police said.

Shariff Saydona Mustapha municipality. Map courtesy of Google

Col. Jibin Bongcayao, provincial police director, said that the clash occurred at Sitio Bangkuang in Barangay Datu Kilay around 5:10 p.m. Sunday when government soldiers conducting combat patrol operation were fired upon by the armed group of Kumander Toren.

The exchange of gunfire reportedly lasted 10 minutes.

Bongcayao said that killed in the clash was Ustadz Guiahudin Hadji Monib, alias Kumander Toren, deputy brigade commander of the MILF’s 105th Base Command.

The police director said the MILF has prepared to retaliate.

But tension in the area subsided only when the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) asked for a stand down, as part of the ceasefire mechanism in the GPH-MILF agreement, Bongcayao said.

The MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces has yet to issue a statement.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. John Paul Baldomar, spokesman of the Army’s Joint Task Force Central (JTF), said they were not aware their troops clashed with the MILF.

“Our troops were already on their way back to headquarters when fired upon by an undetermined number of armed men. There was an exchange of gunfire, until the armed men fled towards different directions,” he said.

Baldomar said the Sixth Infantry Division and the JTF are now investigating the incident but “we haven’t received any complaint from the MILF … so far.”

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/milf-member-killed-in-maguindanao-clash/

U.S. turns over Palawan boat facility to Philippine Marines

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Apr 16, 2022): U.S. turns over Palawan boat facility to Philippine Marines

THE UNITED States turned over a newly constructed assault boat maintenance bay facility in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan to the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) as part of a small-scale construction Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grant.

The facility is one of three FMF construction projects, valued overall at P256.9 million ($5 million). The two others are in Zamboanga City in Mindanao and in Ternate City in Luzon and were turned over in November 2021 and in February, respectively.

The Puerto Princesa structure is valued at approximately P17.5 million ($340,000) and consists of a 30m long x 16m wide x 4.5m high maintenance bay and a 5-ton gantry crane. The facility will be used primarily by the Assault Boat Battalion as well as other tenant commands co-located at the 3rd Marine Brigade Headquarters in Puerto Princesa.

The mission of the Assault Boat Battalion is to conduct sea-to-shore amphibious operations as well as maritime interdiction boardings at sea.

“We are inspired to see the PMC pursue its bold and vital modernization plan to expand its presence and maintain its maritime fleet in order to meet the full array of challenges in these archipelagic waters. Together, the United States and the Philippines will continue to make great strides in the pursuit of free and open waters,” said U.S. Senior Defense Official and Chief of the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group-Philippines Col. Stephen Ma.

PMC Commandant Maj. Gen. Nestor Herico also thanked the U.S. for the facility. “On behalf of the PMC, we are grateful for this facility, others like it, and the ironclad U.S.-Philippine partnership. We are very grateful for this assistance and this alliance,” he said.

In the past five years alone, the United States has provided over P15.8 billion ($302.3 million) in grant assistance through FMF to support the Philippines’ sovereignty and modernization efforts. (Cebu Examiner)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2022/04/us-turns-over-palawan-boat-facility-to.html

Duterte, Xi talk for hour after ‘Balikatan’ war game

From the Mindanao Examiner (Apr 16, 2022): Duterte, Xi talk for hour after ‘Balikatan’ war game

Presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Xi Jinping

THE PHILIPPINES and China have agreed to exert all efforts to maintain peace, security and stability in the West Philippine Sea by exercising restraint, dissipating tensions and working on a mutually agreeable framework for functional cooperation.

West Philippine Sea is the official designation by the Filipino government of eastern parts of the South China Sea that are included in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

In a one-hour telephone summit, President Rodrigo Duterte and President Xi Jingping tackled the West Philippine Sea, the conflict in Eastern Europe, and the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Palace statement.

“Both leaders acknowledged that even while disputes existed, both sides remained committed to broaden the space for positive engagements which reflected the dynamic and multidimensional relations of the Philippines and China,” it said.

Duterte and Xi likewise discussed global and regional developments, with both of them reaffirming the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and making renewed commitment to ensure regional peace, progress and prosperity. At the same time, the two leaders emphasized the importance of continuing discussions and concluding the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea.

During their conversation, both Duterte and Xi expressed deep concern over developments in other parts of the world, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They renewed their call for a peaceful resolution of the situation through dialogue in accordance with international law.

It was also agreed during the telephone summit for Manila and Beijing to work closely together to address the impacts of climate change and to give voice to the developing world in all relevant climate change fora.

Addressing the pandemic, Duterte and Xi acknowledged the importance of making Covid-19 vaccines available to nations that most needed them, highlighting it “as crucial to global and regional economic bounce back”.

“The leaders committed to work even more closely to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and agreed to explore constructive ways to jumpstart interaction and exchanges through, among others, mutual recognition of vaccine certificates, streamlining health protocols and resumption of commercial flights,” the Malacañang statement said.

It added that the recent telephone summit gave the Philippines and China an opportunity to review their ties over the last six years, describing the trajectory of their relations as one that is positive and created greater space for partnership and cooperation with both leaders recognizing that economic and infrastructure cooperation between the two countries must be intensified, underscoring the significant growth of bilateral trade and economic exchange.

They also stressed the need to open up access to goods and services and work for a balance of trade that would reflect a healthy state of economic partnership.

Elevating the Philippines-China bilateral relations into a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation was also considered by the two leaders during the summit, describing it as a milestone achievement that demonstrated the commitment of the Philippines and China to continue building on the gains of the previous years towards the future.

Duterte and Xi also agreed to further enhance bilateral trade and investments, and continue supporting the Philippine government’s infrastructure Build, Build, Build Program.

Balikatan

The summit came a day after the Philippines and the United States concluded their joint military exercises dubbed as “Balikatan 2022” which involved nearly 9,000 soldiers, the largest ever mounted by the two allies since 1991.

Balikatan, which literally means “shoulder-to-shoulder,” is a longstanding bilateral exercise highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between the United States and the Philippines.

The bilateral exercises, which began on March 29 and ended April 8, focused on maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava said the Philippines military and U.S. forces will continue to train and stand together routinely during other exercises and initiatives throughout the year to promote readiness, interoperability, friendship, and security.

Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Deputy Commander, said the completion of yet another successful Balikatan is a clear example of shared commitment to advancing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. “As a result of our mutual efforts, our militaries have grown together in friendship, and we are better prepared to respond as one cohesive team to any crisis or challenge,” he said.

South China Sea

The U.S. repeatedly warned China of its aggression in the South China Sea, saying Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them.

It said Beijing uses intimidation to undermine the sovereign rights of Southeast Asian coastal states in the South China Sea, including the Philippines, bully them out of offshore resources, assert unilateral dominion, and replace international law with “might makes right.”

The U.S. said China has no legal grounds to unilaterally impose its will on the region and that Beijing has offered no coherent legal basis for its “Nine-Dashed Line” claim in the South China Sea since formally announcing it in 2009.

In a unanimous decision on July 12, 2016, an Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention rejected China’s maritime claims as having no basis in international law. The Tribunal sided squarely with the Philippines, which brought the arbitration case, on almost all claims.

As the U.S. has previously stated, and as specifically provided in the Convention, the Arbitral Tribunal’s decision is final and legally binding on both parties. China said it does not recognize the Arbitral Tribunal’s ruling.

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2022/04/duterte-xi-talk-for-hour-after.html

One of 9 ex-cops in killings of soldiers captured in Sulu

From the Mindanao Examiner (Apr 17, 2022): One of 9 ex-cops in killings of soldiers captured in Sulu

SECURITY FORCES captured one of nine former policemen accused in the June 2020 killing of four undercover army intelligence soldiers in the Jolo town in the southern Philippine province of Sulu.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Abdelzhimer Padjiri was cornered in a neighbor’s house while attempting to evade arrest. Members of the CIDG and 35th Infantry Battalion captured Padjiri on Friday in the village of San Raymundo.

Padjiri was among the group of policemen dismissed from the service after killing Maj. Marvin Indammog, Capt. Irwin Managuelod, Sgt. Jaime Velasco and Cpl. Abdal Asula, all members of the Intelligence Service Unit.

Padjiri was charged of four counts of murder along with Hanie Baddiri, Iskandar Susulan, Ernisar Sappal, Sulki Andaki, Mohamad Nur Pasani, Almudzrin Hadjaruddin, Alkajal Mandangan and Rajiv Putalan. All of the accused are still at-large.

“After more than a year of hiding, Padjiri was apprehended on April 15 in San Raymundo in Jolo. In his attempt to escape from the arrest, the suspect jumped out of the fence of the target house and entered the house of Mudzna Hamsaji, who reported the presence of an unidentified person for trespassing which prompted the CIDG personnel to effect the arrest,” the police said.

Prior to their indictment, the police released the accused members of the Jolo Municipal Police Office in the absence of arrest warrants and eventually went on hiding.

According to the army, the soldiers, all clad in civilian clothes, were driving a car on a covert mission to capture a pair suicide bombers, when policemen intercepted them in Jolo town and ordered the agents to come with them to the police headquarters so they can verify their identities. But the police said cops opened fire on the soldiers after they sped off and allegedly tried to shoot the lawmen, an allegation strongly denied by the military.

Because of the killings, President Rodrigo Duterte even flew to Zamboanga City and spoke with military commanders in an effort to defuse the brewing tension between policemen and soldiers in Sulu. Duterte promised for an impartial investigation, assuring justice for the slain soldiers.

“Pumunta ako dito (sa Zamboanga) hihingi ako ng tulong ninyo. I am pleading. Nakikiusap ako. Nihangyo ko ninyo na tabangan ko ninyo pagpakalma to keep the waters in the meantime calm and we wait for the result of the investigation. I am giving you my word of honor that the investigation will proceed to find out the truth unfettered, unbridled by anybody except ‘yung sa trabaho. Walang makialam at ‘yung totoo lang. Iyon ang maasahan ninyo. At kung sino man ang may kasalanan, then he has to pay for it.”

“What I’m saying is we’re trying to figure out how we can in the meantime do something to give you the assurance that justice will be done. So I’m giving it to you, I said, as a word of honor of a President na I will find out the truth from the investigators and I hope that it would satisfy all,” he told the military, adding he was saddened by the incident and appealed to the military to stay calm as he ordered an investigation into the killings.

Brigadier General Manuel Abu, the former regional police director, told UNTV on July 3 – the same day Duterte flew to Zamboanga City to meet with military commanders, that the killings may be connected to the anti-drug operations of the police. “Malalim kasi ang istorya, itong mga pulis ko dito noong Marso 14 (2020), may napatay na involved sa drugs yun DEU natin. It so happen na yun driver noong apat (na sundalo) is a relative nitong napatay,” said Abu.

UNTV reported that members of the police Drug Enforcement Unit and municipal police mounted an anti-narcotic operation on March 14 and killed suspected drug pushers Albasir Bakil Jinul. It said Jinul was a relative of Asula, one of the slain soldiers.

However, it was unclear on the UNTV report if the slaying of Jinul was connected to the killings of the soldiers. Police initially said the killing of the soldiers was a mis-encounter, but later corrected this report and said it was a “shooting” incident.

Abu said the car used by the soldiers had been spotted the past days prior to the shooting incident near the DEU office in Jolo and this prompted the police to surveil the vehicle. “Tawag nung isang taga-DEU na yun sighted na sasakyan noong isang araw ay nakita na naman doon sa tapat niya, eh yun tinambayan dati doon ng mga yun ay DEU personnel din, so natawagan na,” he told UNTV.

Because of this, he said a team of policemen and DEU personnel arrived in a patrol car and inspected the car and its passengers, who turned out to be armed and identified themselves as soldiers. But the soldiers failed to show any identification cards.

“So sabi ng pulis para hindi na lang sila magtalo doon sa daan, doon na lang sila mag-usap sa istasyon para under investigation talaga. Pagdating sa may police station imbes na tumigil sila, nauuna yun sasakyan ng army, eh tumakbo, hinabol ng pulis na nakasakay ng mobile, mobile naman ang dala ng pulis, eh sila naka-sibilyan,” Abu said in the interview which can be accessed on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okEV_PL_SMM&feature=youtu.be

The UNTV also showed video clips of the soldiers’ car speeding past the police station with the patrol car eventually giving chase. It showed armed policemen on foot heading to the car that stopped nearby. The next video showed the soldiers lying dead on the street.

Another clip showed the arrival of armed soldiers in civilian clothes and one of them picked up an automatic rifle near one of the slain soldiers. While another soldier opened the car’s door and inspected the vehicle. Abu said: “Baka pakasuhan ko pa sila ng obstruction of justice eh kasi pagka-ganyan na nay namatay na hindi dapat guluhin yun encounter site, ginulo nila.”

Colonel Ramon Zagala, then was an army spokesman, admitted what the soldiers did was wrong. “Chineck nila yun pulse kung may buhay and secured the vehicle, so from take down team to rescue, to recovery at makikita mo rin sa video na parang may bumubukas ng pinto, at yun bumubukas ng pinto ay brother ng isa namin operative kasi alam niya na yun brother niya ang driver, so out of his instinct, sini-secure niya ang gamit ng brother niya,” he said.

The Western Mindanao Command previously said the killings were not connected to illegal drugs and the National Bureau of Investigation was handling the case.

Three months after Abu's interview, he was re-assigned to lead the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations in Visayas.

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2022/04/one-of-9-ex-cops-in-killings-of.html