Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: 05/28/23

Sunday, May 28, 2023

4 Dawlah Islamiya fighters nabbed in Lanao del Sur

From the Philippine Star (May 28, 2023): 4 Dawlah Islamiya fighters nabbed in Lanao del Sur (By Roel Pareño)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Four fighters of the Islamic State-linked Dawlah Islamiya were arrested in Marugong, Lanao del Sur on Thursday, according to the military.

Abu Rasas, 18, said to be a sub-leader of the group of Fajarudin Pangalian, alias Abu Zacariah; an alias Saidi, 18, and two boys aged 14 and 16 were arrested.

An M14 rifle, a 5.56 mm M16A1 rifle, a 5.56mm R4 rifle, an M203 grenade launcher, a 7.62mm rifle, five improvised explosive devices and assorted magazines and ammunition were recovered from the four in Barangay Pabrika, Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, First Infantry Division and Joint Task Force ZamPeLan commander, said.

Personnel of the 32nd Infantry Battalion conducted the operation based on information provided by Moro Islamic Liberation Front members led by Esmail Cosain. Five MILF members joined the operation.

The military said the four were arrested while waiting for supplies and food from their supporters.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/05/28/2269550/4-dawlah-islamiya-fighters-nabbed-lanao-del-sur

Dawlah Islamiyah leader, 3 others arrested in Lanao

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (May 28, 2023): Dawlah Islamiyah leader, 3 others arrested in Lanao

GOVERNMENT troops have arrested a leader and three followers of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) extremist group and seized firearms and explosives in Lanao del Sur, the military reported Saturday, May 27, 2023,.

Major General Antonio Nafarrete, Joint Task Force (JTF)-ZamPeLan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces) commander, said they were arrested by troopers of the 32nd Infantry Battalion (IB) together with Moro Islamic Liberation Front members on Thursday, May 25, in Pabrika village, Marugong, Lanao del Sur.

The arrested DI extremists include Abu Rasas, 18, one of the key leaders under Fajarudin Pumbaya Pangalian, the Amir of DI-Philippines; Saidi, 18, brother Abu Sham, a DI-Lanao sub-leader; and, the other two are minors aged 16 and 14.

They were arrested while the 32IB troops acted on information from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front members under Esmail Cosain, alias Commander Delta, regarding the presence of unidentified armed men in Pabrika village, Marugong.

Seized from them were: one M-14 rifle, one M16A1 rifle, one R4 rifle, one M-203 Grenade Launcher, one Springfield rifle, five improvised explosive devices, five M-203 Grenade Launcher ammunition, and assorted magazines and ammunition.

The arrested suspects were detained while formal charges are set to be filed against them (SunStar Zamboanga)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1962454/zamboanga/local-news/dawlah-islamiyah-leader-3-others-arrested-in-lanao

2,000 residents flee Lanao del Sur’s Marogong town

From MindaNews (May 28, 2023): 2,000 residents flee Lanao del Sur’s Marogong town (By FROILAN GALLARDO)

CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 28 May) — An estimated 2,000 residents of Marogong in Lanao del Sur fled their homes on Saturday, fearing their town would be attacked by the Islamic State-inspired Dawlah Islamiyah in retaliation for the arrest of four of its members last Friday.

Shaminoden Sambitory, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, said the residents fled to the neighboring towns of Binidayan, Balabagan and Madalum late Saturday night following the arrest of the four suspects.

Sambitory said the fear that the armed group would attack Marogong town prompted the residents to seek refuge elsewhere. “That is our initial report and we are closely monitoring the situation in Marogong town. The officials are on alert status,” he said.

He said a total of 259 families or some 2,000 residents fled — 206 families to nearby Binidayan town, 45 families to Balabagan, and eight families to Madalum.

Marogong, Lanao del Sur. Map courtesy of Google Maps

Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarete, commanding general of the Army’s 1st Division, said the arrests came after a combat team saw the suspects who were allegedly waiting for their supporters to bring food and supplies in barangays Piangologan and Pabrika in Marogong town last Friday.

“The suspects were caught off guard by the quick raid by the combat patrol,” Nafarete said in a statement.

The military identified the suspects as Muhammad Nasif, 18; Saidi Macadaag, 18, and two minors.

Nafarete said the four are allegedly operating under Fajarudin Pumbaya Pagalian also known as Abu Zacharia, allegedly the new Emir of the Dawlah Islamiyah in the Philippines.

He said an M14 rifle, an M16A1 rifle, an R4 rifle, a Springfield rifle and a 40mm M203 grenade launcher, assorted ammunition were seized from the suspects.

In a press conference on April 2, 2023, Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, director of the Police Regional Office, announced that three alleged supporters of the Dawlah Islamiya were killed and seven others were arrested during a joint operation in Barangay Matampay 1 Dumarpa, Bubong, Lanao del Sur.

Lt. Col. Jamal Christopher Adiong, chief of the intelligence unit of the Lanao del Sur police, estimated the number of hardcore members of Dawlah Islamiya at 14, led by Zacharia and hiding in the mountains of Marogong, Lanao del Sur and neighboring areas.

The Islamic State-inspired Dawlah Islamiyah, also known as Maute Group, laid siege on the Islamic City of Marwai on May 23, 2017. It took the military five months to defeat the group led by the Maute brothers Omar and Abdullah and the alleged ISIS Emir in Southeast Asia, Isnilon Hapilon of the Abu Sayyaf Group. The Maute brothers and Hapilon were killed.

Then President Rodrigo Duterte declared Marawi “liberated from the terrorist influence” on 17 October 2017 while his Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana terminated all combat operations in Marawi on 23 October 2017, exactly five months from Day One of the siege. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/05/2000-residents-flee-lanao-del-surs-marogong-town/

3 Sayyaf men surrender in Basilan

From the Manila Times (May 28, 2023): 3 Sayyaf men surrender in Basilan (By Al Jacinto)

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Three Abu Sayyaf terrorists surrendered separately to the Philippine Navy in the southern Muslim province of Basilan and Sulu with security officials saying the trio may be given amnesty under the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

The trio — Akmad Hassan, Sibar Asid and Anting Addalal — who surrendered on Thursday, May 25, also underwent a thorough medical checkup at the military's Camp Navarro General Hospital here to ensure their well-being, said Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor, commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), which facilitated the surrender of the terrorists.

"They were turned over to the Joint Task Force-Basilan and Joint Task Force-Sulu, in collaboration with MPOS-BARMM, for proper documentation and appropriate disposition, and their possible inclusion in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program," Miraflor said, referring to the Ministry of Public Order and Safety of the Bangsamoro autonomous region.

"They (surrenderers) willingly turned over a significant cache of firearms and explosives, demonstrating their commitment to leaving behind their militant activities," he added.

The former Abu Sayyaf members turned over one M16 rifle, one M1 Garand rifle, one.45-caliber pistol, one fragmentation grenade, one smoke grenade, one canister of tear gas and ammunition, according to Miraflor, who said the men were presented to Army Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, chief of the Western Mindanao Command.

"The continuous surrender of ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) members is a testament to the NFWM's unwavering efforts to establish lasting peace and security in Western Mindanao," he said.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/05/28/regions/3-sayyaf-men-surrender-in-basilan/1893398

4 Abu Sayyaf Group bandits surrender; DI teens arrested

From the Philippine News Agency (May 27, 2023): 4 Abu Sayyaf Group bandits surrender; DI teens arrested (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

SURRENDER. Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor (left), Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, welcomes the Abu Sayyaf Group members who have turned their backs on terrorism in Zamboanga City on Thursday (May 25, 2023). The surrenderers underwent medical checkups and debriefing and will be evaluated for inclusion in government assistance. (Photo courtesy of NFWM-PIO)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The government continues to win the war against insurgency and terrorism with the surrender of four Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members here and in two provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office director, on Saturday identified the four ASG members as Ahmad Mawali, Akmad Hassan, Sibar Asid, and Anting Addalal.

The 30-year-old Mawali, a resident of Sitio Niyog-Niyog, Barangay Muti here, also yielded an M-14 rifle to police and military operatives here on Thursday.

He is a follower of ASG sub-leader Marzan Ajijul, who was involved in the February 2017 ambush of a bus that injured eight passengers in Barangay Buenavista here.

Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor, Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, said Sulu-based Hassan and Asid, and Basilan-based ASG Addalal surrendered through the efforts of the Joint Task Forces (JTF) Sulu and Basilan and the BARMM Ministry of Peace, Order and Safety, also on Thursday.

“They willingly turned over a significant cache of firearms and explosives, demonstrating their commitment to leave behind their militant activities,” Miraflor said in a statement.

The trio underwent a medical checkup at Camp Navarro General Hospital here and were turned over to JTF Basilan and Sulu for documentation and possible inclusion in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

Mawali was placed under the custody of the Joint Task Force Zamboanga for debriefing.

All four received food packs as initial assistance from the government.

Teenaged DI members arrested in Lanao

Meanwhile, a key leader and three followers of another terrorist group, the Dawlah Islamiya (DI), were arrested while waiting for the arrival of their supplies in Lanao del Sur.

Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, 1st Infantry Division commander, said Saturday the four were arrested by troops of the 32nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Pabrika, Marugong town on Thursday night -- Abu Rasas, 18, a leader under Fajarudin Pumbaya Pangalian, the amir (ruler) of DI-Philippines; Saidi, 18, brother of DI-Lanao sub-leader Abu Sham; and two others aged 16 and 14.

Seized from their possession were firearms, explosives, and ammunition, including grenade launchers.

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Western Mindanao Command chief, commended the soldiers and credited the tip provided by the group of Moro Islamic Liberation Front commander Esmail Cosain.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1202328

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Sertipikasyong “kagyat” ng panukalang MIF, di dapat sundin

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (May 28, 2022): Sertipikasyong “kagyat” ng panukalang MIF, di dapat sundin ("Urgent" certification of the MIF proposal, should not be followed)

May 28, 2023

“Di konstitusyunal” ang hakbangin ni Ferdinand Marcos Jr na sertipikahang “urgent” ang panukalang Maharlika Investment Fund, ayon kina Atty. Neri Colmenares ng Bayan Muna at Sen. Koko Pimentel. Sa gayon, hindi dapat sundin ng mga senador ang atas ni Marcos na ipasa ito bago magsara ang regular na sesyon ng Senado.

Ayon kay Atty. Colmenares, “abuso sa kapangyarihan ng upisina ng presidente” ang ginawang sertipikasyon ni Marcos. Ginawa ito para ikutan ang konstitusyunal na rekisito kung saan kailangan ng tatlong pagdinig ang isang panukala bago ito aprubahan. Saklaw lamang ng ganitong awtoridad ang mga panukalang nakatuon sa mga kalamidad, pandemya o iba pang kalagayang pangkagipitan, aniya.

“Anong emergency sa publiko o kalamidad na tinutugunan ang Maharlika Investment Fund?” tanong ni Sen. Pimentel. “Hindi ba pangmatagalan ang pamumuhunan sa pondong ito?” Aniya, aabutin ng lima hanggang 10 taon bago matamasa ng mamamayan ang mga benepisyo, kung magkakaroon man.

Umalma rin si Sen. Chiz Escudero na nagsabing “talon sa kawalang-katiyakan” ang MIF. Kinwestyon niya ang kakayahan nitong kumita ng mas malaki sa kinikita ngayon ng mga bangkong pagkukunan ng pondo. Tinutukoy niya ang Development Bank of the Philippines at Land Bank of the Philippines, na kumikita ng abereyds na 6% mula sa mga pamumuhunan nito sa kasalukuyan. Tanong niya, makatitiyak ba na mas mataas ang kikitain ng MIF mula sa ₱75 bilyong pondo na kinikita nito ngayon mula sa pamumuhunan.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/sertipikasyong-kagyat-ng-panukalang-mif-di-dapat-sundin/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Mga akusasyon ng AFP kontra sa mga Lumad sa Davao, ibinasura ng korte

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (May 28, 2022): Mga akusasyon ng AFP kontra sa mga Lumad sa Davao, ibinasura ng korte (Accusations by the AFP against the Lumads in Davao, dismissed by the court)

May 28, 2023

Nakalaya noong Biyernes, Mayo 26, ang magkapatid na Lumad na sina Ismael Pangadas at Mawing Pangadas, at ang mga boluntir na guro sa paaralang Lumad na sina Lerna Laiwan Diagone, Jeffrey Diagone at development worker na si Elenita Elmino matapos silang ipawalang-sala sa gawa-gawang kasong human trafficking na isinampa laban sa kanila. Nakulong ang lima nang walo hanggang 10 buwan.

Ang magkapatid na Pangadas ay inaresto sa Davao City noong Hulyo 25, 2022 matapos dumalo sa protesta kontra sa unang State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Ang magkapatid ay mga Manobo na mula sa bahagi ng Pantaron Range na saklaw ng Talaingod, Davao del Norte. Samantala, ang mag-asawang Diagone kasama ang kanilang noong 9-buwang anak ay inaresto ng 39th IB noong September 6, 2022.

Sa mga desisyon ng korte, bigo ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na patunayan ang krimeng ibinintang sa lima dahil sa mahihinang ebidensya.

Binati ng grupong Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas ang paglaya ng lima. Ayon sa grupo, ang pagpapawalang-sala sa mga “kasapi at tagasuporta ng mga eskwelahang Lumad ay nagpapatibay sa laban para sa…edukasyon na nakaugat sa kaalamang Katutubo, siyentipikong konsepto ng sustainability, at dekolonisadong pamamaraan sa kasaysayan.”

Pinagpugayan din ng grupo ang kahandaan ng mga bagong-laya na ipagpatuloy ang kanilang pakikibaka at pakikiisa sa laban para sa sariling pagpapasya ng mga pambansang minorya.

Giit ng grupo, ang paglaya ng lima ay isa lamang unang hakbang. Nangako rin ang grupo na igigiit ang pananagutan at pagpapanagot sa mga sangkot sa hindi makatarungang pagkukulong sa lima nilang kasamahan.

Samantala, patuloy ang panawagan ng mga grupong sumusuporta sa mga pambansang minorya na tuluyan nang ibasura ang mga gawa-gawang kaso sa binansagang Free Lumad and Environmental Defenders (FLED) 14, kung saan kabilang ang lima. Ang FLED 14 ay mga katutubong Lumad at tagapagtanggol ng karapatang-tao na binubuo ng anim na estudyanteng Lumad, anim na mga guro ng paaralang Lumad at dalawang lider ng komunidad, na ginigipit ng estado dahil sa kanilang pagtindig para sa lupang ninuno.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/mga-akusasyon-ng-afp-kontra-sa-mga-lumad-sa-davao-ibinasura-ng-korte/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Hustisya at “kambalingan,” panawagan sa ika-6 taong anibersaryo ng Marawi Siege

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (May 27, 2022): Hustisya at “kambalingan,” panawagan sa ika-6 taong anibersaryo ng Marawi Siege (Justice and "peace", a call on the 6th anniversary of the Marawi Siege (Justice and infidelity call on the 6th anniversary of the Marawi Siege)

May 27, 2023

Nagmartsa sa loob ng Marawi City ang mga bakwit at grupong Maranao sa ika-6 na taong anibersaryo ng pananalakay ng AFP sa syudad noong Mayo 23. Isinagawa nila ang “Solemn Walk for Justice and Peace” para patuloy na igiit ang hustisya at pagbabalik nila sa kanilang syudad.

Panawagan nila ang kambalingan (homecoming) na ligtas at may dignidad, hindi lamang sa kanilang mga buhay kundi pati na sa kanilang identidad bilang mga Meranao. Kasama sa martsa ang mga residenteng may mga kaanak na napatay o nawala sa panahon ng pananalakay at hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa natatagpuan.

“Sa ika-anim na taong paggunita ng Marawi siege ay muling ipinapahayag naming mga bakwit ng Marawi na walang substansyal na pagbabago sa aming buhay, nananatlili pa rin kaming bakwit na nahaharap sa samutsaring problema at kahirapan,” pahayag ng Reclaiming Marawi Movement sa naturang araw.

Sa tala ng ReliefWeb, mayroon ang 80,300 katao o 16,070 pamilya na hindi pa rin nakauuwi sa kanilang lugar. Nasa 70% sa kanila ay nananatili sa kanilang mga kamag-anal, habang mayroon pa ring natitira sa mga pansamantalang tirahan. Wala na ngang katiyakan ng kanilang kalagayan sa mga tirahang ito, kulang pa ang mga ito sa tubig at puno na ang mga septic tank. Isa sa pinoproblema nila ang banta ng pagpapalayas sa sobrang tagal nang mga temporary shelter, tulad nang nangyari sa Bakwit Village I sa Matungao, Lanao del Norte na napilitang ilipat sa Dulay Temporary Shelter na napakalayo na sa syudad.

Sa Metro Manila, isinagawa ng Sandugo-Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination ang isang pagtitipon para gunitain ang pambobomba sa Marawi at ang kasabay nitong pagpataw ng batas militar sa buong Mindanao.

Sa Davao City, nagpiket naman ang mga demokratikong grupo para gunitain ang pagpataw ng batas militar sa Marawi at sa buong Mindanao anim na taon na ang nakararaan. Nagbunga ito ng napakaraming paglabag sa karapatang tao, kabilang na ang walang pakundangang pambobomba at ekstra-hudisyal na pamamaslang sa mga sibilyang Moro. Marami sa mga ito ay ipinalabas ng estado na myembro ng nakalaban nitong grupong Maute sa syudad.
Kumpensasyon sa mga biktima

Sa araw na iyun, pinirmahan ang Implementing Rules and Regulations ng Republic Act 11696 o Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act, ang lubha nang naantalang kumpensasyon sa mga biktima ng pananalakay. Matagal na nila itong hinihintay para makabalik na sila sa kanilang dating lugar at masimulan ang pagtatayo ng kanilang nasirang mga bahay at ari-arian. Ang malala, naantala na nga, lubha pa itong mababa. Aminado maging ng mga upisyal ng Marawi na kulang na kulang ang matatanggap na kumpensasyon ng mga biktima.

Alinsunod sa batas, makatatanggap ang bawat pamilyang nawalan ng kamag-anak nang P350,000. Makatatanggap naman ng P35,500 kada kwadro metro ang mga may-ari ng mga bahay na sementado na nawasak at P18,000 kada kwadrado metro ang matatanggap ng mga may-ari ng nawasak na bahay na gawa sa kahoy. Gayunpaman, naglaan lamang ang estado ng P1 bilyong pondo para sa kabuuang kumpensasyon. Ayon sa mga residente, lubha itong mababa lalupa’t buu-buong mga ospital, paaralan at iba pang pribadong negosyo at gusali ang pinulbos ng militar sa araw-araw nitong pambobomba sa syudad.

Malayong-malayo ito sa taya ng Asian Development Bank noong 2018 na P11.5 bilyong halaga ng nasirang mga pampubliko at pribadong mga ari-arian, at P7 bilyon na pinsala sa kabuhayan ng mamamayan.

Higit dito, nananatili ang panawagan ng mamamayang Meranao para sa hustisya. “Totoo na isa ang compensation sa mekanismo para makamit ang transitional justice at dapat at kinakailangan na hangarin ng lahat ang hustisya,” anila. “Pero bago ang lahat, dapat na may pagkilala sa mga naging inhustisya at kung ano ang mga ito, kinakailangan na maipahayag ang katotohanan at mapanagot ang mga gumawa sa anyo man ng pagkukulang at mga kalabisan. Sa ganitong paraan lamang masisimulan ang proseso sa pagkamit ng hustisya at maghilom ang mga sugat.”

Samantala, patuloy na inookupa ng militar ang syudad. Mula 2017, umaabot sa 3,000 sundalo, o isang “supersized brigade” ang permanenteng nakatalaga sa syudad para diumano sa seguridad. Binubuo ito ng 103rd IBde, isang engineering brigade, isang yunit para sa Civil Military Operations at isang logistics team. Liban sa kanila, naglipana ang mga sundalong Amerikano sa syudad, laluna sa tinaguriang Ground Zero, kung saan itinatayo ang isang kampong militar.

Noong Mayo 22, pormal na inilunsad ang Task Force Marawi na binubuo ng 103rd IB, Philippine National Police at mga upisyal ng lokal na gubyerno. Ang pormasyong ito ay katulad sa itinayo sa ibang syudad sa Mindanao.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/hustisya-at-kambalingan-panawagan-sa-ika-6-taong-anibersaryo-ng-marawi-siege/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Piket kontra-kwari sa Silay City, isinagawa ng mga magsasaka

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (May 26, 2022): Piket kontra-kwari sa Silay City, isinagawa ng mga magsasaka (Anti-quarry picket in Silay City, carried out by farmers)

May 26, 2023

Nagpiket sa harap ng Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) sa Bacolod City ang mga magsasaka ng Silay City noong Mayo 19 para ipanawagan ang pagpapahinto sa mga operasyong kwari na nangyayari sa kanilang syudad. Ayon sa mga magsasakang kinatawan ng Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Negros, wala pa ring aksyon ang lokal na gubyerno sa mapaminsalang operasyong kwari na nagsasapanganib sa kanilang kabuhayan at kaligtasan.

Sa protesta, ibinahagi ng mga residente ng Baragay E Lopez at Hacienda Macamig 3 ang kanilang pangamba sa masamang epekto ng operasyong kwari sa lugar na nagsimula noong 2019. Anila, nagagambala sila ng ingay ng mga trak na naghahakot ng buhangin. Nasira din ang kanilang sistema sa irigasyon na dahilan ng paghina ng inaani, dagdag nila.

Nangangamba rin ang mga magsasaka sa posibleng epekto nito sa kalikasan laluna sa panahon ng tag-ulan na maaaring magpalubha ng pagbaha sa maraming barangay.

Isiniwalat din ng mga magsasaka ang panloloko sa kanila ng mga upisyal ng barangay na nagpapirma sa kanila ng “attendance sheet” sa isang aktibidad na ginamit para pahintulutan ang naturang operasyong kwari.

Kasabay ng protesta, nakipagdayalogo ang mga kinatawan ng magsasaka sa mga upisyal ng PEMO. Matapos ang pag-uusap, nangako ang PEMO na iimbestigahan nito ang kwari at bibisita sa lugar ng kwari.

Sa ulat ng lokal na alternatibong midya noong 2021, may limang operasyong ang umiiral sa syudad. Pag-aari ang naturang mga operasyon ng malalaking negosyanteng sina Jerry Sy na nagmamay-ari ng Silver Dragon, Juan Miguel Gomez, Emilio Jose Gaston, Perseus Causing, at Sandra Encarnacion Sisip. Ang mga ito’y ilan lamang sa pinatatakbo ng daan-daang opereytor ng kwari sa 3rd district ng Negros Occidental.

Ang dala nitong malawakang pagkawasak sa kalikasan at kabuhayan ng masa ang dahilan kung bakit may ilang ulit nang nagsagawa ng armadong aksyon ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/piket-kontra-kwari-sa-silay-city-isinagawa-ng-mga-magsasaka/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Mga Rizaleñong tinulungan ng mga progresibo, binantaan ng 80th IB

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (May 26, 2022): Mga Rizaleñong tinulungan ng mga progresibo, binantaan ng 80th IB (Rizaleños helped by the progressives, threatened by the 80th IB)

May 26, 2023

Ipinatawag at ginipit ng mga sundalo ng 80th IB noong Biyernes, Mayo 26, ang lahat ng residente ng Sitio, Ligtas, Barangay San Rafael, Montalban, Rizal na nakatanggap ng ayuda mula sa grupong Serve the People Corps (STPC) at Karapatan-Rizal noong Mayo 22. Sa pulong, tinakot at binantaan nila ang lahat ng tumanggap ng tulong.

Pinagbintangan ng 80th IB ang mga boluntir na nagbigay ng tulong sa barangay na mga tauhan diumano ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan. Ipinailalim nila sa interogasyon ang mga residente. Pinalalabas ng mga sundalo na krimen ang pang-uupat ng paglaban sa gubyerno.

Ayon sa Karapatan-Rizal, layunin nilang maghatid ng tulong materyal at moral sa mga apektado ng sapilitang pagpapalikas sa nangyaring labanan noong huling linggo ng Abril sa pagitan ng mga sundalo at Bagong Hukbong Bayan.

Nagbigay ang mga grupo ng bigas at vitamins sa mga residente. Itinayo din ang community kitchen at isinagawa ang psycho-social na aktibidad para sa mga bata. Kasabay nito, isinagawa rin din ang talakayan hinggil sa Basic Human Rights. Inilunsad ang isang “open forum” sa kanilang mga karapatan at lumitaw na malaki ang tulong na kailangan ng mga residente lalo na sa usapin ng lupa.

Binatikos ng Karapatan-Rizal ang walang patumanggang pananakot, harassment, pangrered-tag at paglalagay sa panganib sa kaligtasan at buhay ng mga residente at ng mga boluntir ng STPC at Karapatan-Rizal. Anila, “ang ginagawang ito ng 80th IB ay naglalantad lamang sa tunay nilang kulay na anti-mamamayan at ang pinaglilingkuran ay interes ng malalaking negosyante.”

Ang 80th IB ay nagsisilbing gwardya ng anti-katutubo at mapanirang Wawa-Violago Dam na pag-aari ng mga Razon at Violago na magpapalayas sa mga residente doon at magdudulot ng malawakang pagbaha at pagkasira ng kalikasan ng Montalban.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/mga-rizalenong-tinulungan-ng-mga-progresibo-binantaan-ng-80th-ib/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Political cases junked

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 21, 2023): Political cases junked

May 21, 2023

This article is available in Pilipino

Consecutive legal victories were achieved by activists and political prisoners in the past weeks.

The Bangued Regional Trial Court Branch 2 quashed the warrant of arrrest issued against the so called “Northern Luzon 7” on May 11. The court said that the seven were not named by the “survivors” of an ambush by the people’s army on October 2022 at Sitio Kutop, Barangay Gacab, Malibcong, Abra.

The seven are composed of activists and progressives Jennifer Awingan, Sarah Abellon-Alikes, Stephen Tauli, Windel Bolinget, Lucia Lourdes Gimenes, Nino Joseph Oconer, and Florence Kang.

On May 12, a Muntinlupa City court acquitted former senator Leila de Lima of her second drug case. The case’s primary witness Rafael Ragos recanted his allegations in 2022 and said he was merely forced to lie.

[Ang Bayan ("The People") is the official publication of the Communist Party of the Philippines, guided by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It is published by the Central Committee. AB comes out fortnightly every 7th and 21st of each month. The original Pilipino edition is translated into English, Bisaya, Waray, Hiligaynon and Iloco.]

https://philippinerevolution.nu/2023/05/21/political-cases-junked/

CPP/Ang Bayan: AFP fake encounters in Bicol

May 21, 2023

This article is available in Pilipino

Not less than three fake encounters were staged by the 9th ID and police forces in Bicol’s provinces this May to project the Marcos regime’s victory in decimating the armed movement in the region.

Latest among these is the fake report of an encounter in the boundary of Garchitorena and Lagonoy towns in Camarines Sur in the first week of May. The military also issued fake reports of encounters in Masbate and Camarines Norte. Because of the military’s failure to corner units of the people’s army in the region into decisive and tooth-and-nail engagement, the fascist military and police aim its terrorist violence against the civilian populace.

Meanwhile in Sorsogon, state forces released a fake report on May 6 claiming to have “arrested” former Red fighter Marlon Macabuhay, who actually surrendered on April 3. Contrary to the state’s promises of “assistance and reintegration,” Macabuhay was imprisoned in Gubat police station even in the absence of any legal charges.

[Ang Bayan ("The People") is the official publication of the Communist Party of the Philippines, guided by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It is published by the Central Committee. AB comes out fortnightly every 7th and 21st of each month. The original Pilipino edition is translated into English, Bisaya, Waray, Hiligaynon and Iloco.]

https://philippinerevolution.nu/2023/05/21/afp-fake-encounters-in-bicol/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Abduction and summary killings of civilians and non combatants ANG BAYAN, ARTICLES

This article is available in Pilipino

May 21, 2023

The military reportedly killed three civilians presented as NPA combatants in a fake encounter last week in Visayas. They are the most recent among those summarily killed in the brutal pursuit for “strategic victory” over the NPA.

In Samar, families call for justice for the killing of chainsaw helpers Joel Balading Recare and Oscar Alastoy by the police in Sitio Ibaliw, Barangay Sangay, Palapag, Northern Samar on May 5. Both were not members of the NPA, the families assert. They were residents of Barangay Capacujan and were only there for employment. Even the barangay captain and other barangay officals corroborated this. Their loved ones’ anguish was further aggravated because it took the police more than 24 hours to bring their bodies to the funeral parlor.

In Bohol, activist and organizer Arthur Lucenario was held by the 47th IB for one month before he was presented killed in an “encounter” on May 12 in Barangay Tabuan, Antequera. He was abducted on April 14 in San Miguel City. His remains bear marks of severe torture.

Meanwhile, the revolutionary forces in Bohol reported the killing of Manuel Tinio (Ka Dodie), peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. Tinio was shot seven times on the night of April 14 while he was driving a motorcycle along the boundary between San Miguel and Ubay. The military planted a caliber .45 and claimed “firing back” to conceal the heinous act.

Illegal arrests. The 94th IB captured and forcibly disappeared farmer Allan Ramos in Sityo Dingalon, Hilamonan, Kabankalan City in the afternoon of May 11. The military claims Ramos was arrested after an alledged encounter with the NPA. In fact, soldiers strafed the family’s home before they abducted Ramos.

Meanwhile, the team searching for two forcibly disappeared IP advocates Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz Jamil de Jesus determined recently that the two were forcefully boarded in two different vehicles by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detetection Group. They were last seen on April 28 in Taytay, Rizal.

Bombings. Two consecutive bombings and strafing operations were launched by the 203rd IBde in Oriental Mindoro on April 29 and May 8. The military first bombarded the mountains in the boundary between Roxas and Mansalay on April 29. The bombings were part of their “test firing” in the said area. The bombing caused distress to the 10,870 residents in the area.

On May 8, bombing and strafing harassed the residents of Barangay Tawas, Bongabong and Barangay Malo, Bansud. It targeted the residents’ huts and banana fields.

[Ang Bayan ("The People") is the official publication of the Communist Party of the Philippines, guided by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It is published by the Central Committee. AB comes out fortnightly every 7th and 21st of each month. The original Pilipino edition is translated into English, Bisaya, Waray, Hiligaynon and Iloco.]

https://philippinerevolution.nu/2023/05/21/abduction-and-summary-killings-of-civilians-and-non-combatants/

CPP/Ang Bayan: NPA mounts five consecutive armed actions

This article is available in Pilipino

May 21, 2023

The New People’s Army (NPA) mounted five consecutive armed actions in Panay and Kalinga provinces from May 2 to May 8. These form part of the all-out effort of NPA units to vigorously fight and deter the all-out-war of the reactionary government against the masses and the revolutionary movement.

A harassment operation was first staged by the NPA-Southern Panay (Napoleon Tumagtang Command) on May 2 at 10 in the evening in Barangay Luyang, Sibalom, Antique, where they attacked AFP troops stationed in the CAA detachment.

On May 3, the NPA-Kalinga (Lejo Cawilan Command) ambushed an operating unit of the 50th IB in Sitio Agod, Barangay Poswoy, Balbalan, Kalinga. Two enemy troopers were killed. A Red fighter, Baliwag “Ka Bombo” Buccol, was martyred in the said operation.

On May 5, the NPA mounted punitive actions against the Atrila Builders Inc in Barangay Cabungaan, Leon, Iloilo, just two hours away from a CAA detachment in Barangay Maliao. Four pieces of equipment were paralyzed including a backhoe, a grader, a truck and a roller which costs P900,000 in all. The company is notorious for abusing workers by not paying them enough and being subjected to inhumane working conditions.

On May 6, Red fighters blasted troops of the Philippine Army who responded to the incident and planned to retaliate against the NPA. Using command-detonated explosives (CDX), the NPA ambushed one of the three vans transporting soldiers. The vehicle turned on its side towards a cliff. As a result, the military troops withdrew and cancelled their planned operations in the area.

In the morning of May 8, a unit of the NPA fired at a paramilitary detachment in Barangay Igcococ, Sibalom, Antique.

[Ang Bayan ("The People") is the official publication of the Communist Party of the Philippines, guided by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It is published by the Central Committee. AB comes out fortnightly every 7th and 21st of each month. The original Pilipino edition is translated into English, Bisaya, Waray, Hiligaynon and Iloco.]

https://philippinerevolution.nu/2023/05/21/npa-mounts-five-consecutive-armed-actions/

AFP-Ang Bayan: AFP pensions burden the nation

This article is available in Pilipino

May 21, 2023

Like leeches, the huge fascist machinery of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sucks dry the people’s funds, not only in the purchase of increasing number of and bigger arms and equipment, but also to cover the pension of its butcher elements after their “service.”

Combatant and non-combatant alike, members of the military bureaucracy do not contribute a single centavo to their pension funds. The entire fund is taken from the national treasury. This is in addition to the maintenance costs of active elements which eat up the biggest share in the budget of the Department of National Defense. This is in contrast to deductions from the salary of public and private employees are deduction as “contribution” to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS).

Soldiers’ pensions are tax-free. They start receiving the pension at age 56, or nine years earlier than the retirement age of other government employees. Their pension is also based on the salary of the next higher rank upon their retirement. This promotes competion for promotion and a race to ranking positions, especially among generals.
Huge leak in the national budget

The needed pension ballooned severalfolds after the former Duterte regime doubled the base pay of the military and police as bribe for their loyalty. The few thousand new soldiers which compose the established combat, arillery and other battalions recruited by Duterte on the promise of high salary, special priveleges and pensions add up to the nation’s spending.

At present, the lowest official (2nd lieutenant) receives a net salary of ₱43,829 per month. This is a far cry from the ₱30,742.27 net entry salary of nurses after deducting required contributions to GSIS, Philhealth and Pag-ibig. A teacher’s net pay is even far lower standing at ₱23,465.50. A new soldier recruit which only trained for six months receives a higher salary of ₱29,668. (In comparison, a worker’s regular wage which stands at ₱8,902 is utterly grievous.)

Officials of the reactionary state admit that the increasing pension funds of the AFP is unsustainable. To cover the pension budget of the military and police and other uniformed personnel, ₱9.6 trillion or ₱800 billion yearly is needed in the next 20 years. According to the Department of Finance, the state will need to borrow an additional ₱3.43 trillion up to 2030, 25% higher than the current level.

The agency suggests deducting 5% to 9% from the salary of soldiers, police, coast guard, prison and personnel of police academies to fund its own pension. (The GSIS deducts about 10% from the gross pay of other government employees per month, while the SSS deducts about 5% from workers earning less than the minimum.)

The agency also suggests to remove the automatic promotion to a rank higher of retirees and add a year to its retirement age. It will cover all active and incoming uniformed elements.

At present, the pension of the lowest ranking soldier is ₱40,000 per month. This is three times bigger than the ₱13,600 monthly pension of a government employee and nine times bigger than the ₱4,528 a worker receives.

Members of the AFP threatened to vehemently oppose to proposed reforms to the military’s pension funds. Retired generals, who are not covered by the proposal, were first to oppose this. Instead of contributing, they want an increase to their pension from 85% to 90% of their base pay.

This does not yet include the bribe given to retired generals after their stint its “pasalubong” system and the anomalous military contracts which their private companies and controlled criminal syndicates monopolize.

[Ang Bayan ("The People") is the official publication of the Communist Party of the Philippines, guided by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It is published by the Central Committee. AB comes out fortnightly every 7th and 21st of each month. The original Pilipino edition is translated into English, Bisaya, Waray, Hiligaynon and Iloco.]

https://philippinerevolution.nu/2023/05/21/afp-pensions-burden-the-nation/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Unleash the democratic strength and unity of the masses of workers

Propaganda editorial from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 21, 2023):

This article is available in Pilipino Bisaya

May 21, 2023

No one can deny or conceal the fact that the wages of millions of workers, ordinary employees and toiling masses are grossly insufficient in the face of spiraling prices of food, fuel and other basic needs of the people. This is the reason why a number of proposals have been filed before the senate, the lower house and various agencies of the reactionary bureaucracy, to raise wages and other measures to alleviate the people’s sufferings. It is fine that many have expressed support for the welfare of workers and toiling people, but what is more crucial is to amplify and listen to the voice of the united workers themselves, to their needs and demands.

Among the proposals are the ₱150 across-the-board wage increase bill being pushed by Senate Pres. Juan Miguel Zubiri, the bill to set the national minimum wage at ₱750 a day, along with the proposal to abrogate the “wage regionalization” law at bring back the national minimum wage standard. There are, in addition, various proposals to increase the daily minimum wage by ₱75 to ₱220 submitted before the regional wage boards.

All these proposals reflect various estimations of the true value of the labor-power of workers, or the cost of necessities for himself and his family (what Marx referred to as the cost for reproducing workers and the working class). These more or less corresponds to various standards such as the “poverty threshold” which is set by the reactionary state at a very low P8,500 monthly (or P283 per day). This is far below the P33,000 monthly (or ₱1,100 per day) “family-living wage” estimates of the group Ibon which calculates the daily cost of living of a family of five.

Any of these proposals for raising workers’ wages will bring a small or substantial alleviation to the daily sufferings of workers and toiling people. What is crucial is to understand that whatever wage increase will be won not through the good-heartedness of politicians, but through the strength and unity of the masses of workers. If workers and toiling people will rely on the bureaucrat capitalist-controlled senate and congress, they will most certainly be sold short, with any granting of wage increases used to disunite and pacify them.

The interests of big capitalists and pro-capitalist state fundamentally contradict the demand the workers and ordinary employees for wage increases. Each additional peso that a worker can bring home is one peso taken from the profit being pocketed by capitalists. Philippine cheap labor is being used by the Marcos regime mainly to attract foreign capitalist investors to the Philippines to plunder the country’s resources. The struggle for higher wages is at the core of the class struggle between workers and capitalists. This is an assertion of a bigger share in the value being created by workers daily as they sell their labor-power to the capitalists.

Capitalists and bourgeois economists propagate various false and twisted reasoning to weaken the workers resolve to struggle for wage increases. They insist that increasing wages is inflationary, even as the capitalists’ greed for bigger profits is the real reason why prices have been going up. Big capitalists also argue that small businesses will go bankrupt if wages are increased, to conceal the reality that billionaire big capitalists rake in large amounts of profits in connivance with foreign capital.

Whether wage increases will be substantial or mere consolation for workers depend on their strength and determination to fight for their interests and rights. History has proved that they can win a bigger amount of wage increases if they can manifest their unity by rising as one body and with tens or hundreds of thousands of workers militantly taking the streets, instead of being disunited and discordant.

It is right that the masses of workers come up with a common demand for wage increases in order that they can more effectively negotiate with the state and the capitalists. It will be to their favor that various organizations of workers unite on the amount of wage increases which they are ready to fight for. This is not enough however. More than this, the broad masses of workers must themselves unite by strengthening democracy among their ranks, by bringing together their thoughts, raising their readiness and determination to fight collectively, and on this basis, bringing them together under a common slogan. If the broad unity of workers cannot be built, they would likely not last long in their fight.

Democracy must be strengthened among the masses of workers by thoroughly consolidating and building their unions and various organizations in factories, workplaces and communities. A propaganda, education and cultural movement must be tirelessly carried out. We must multiply the number and scale of broad assemblies and consultations to serve as a forum for workers and their families to express their grievances, to serve as schools to raise their knowledge and class consciousness as workers, and as means to strengthen their collective will to fight.

Democracy among workers is the key to unleashing working class militance and energy in fighting for their just demands for wage increases. This will also be a key factor in comprehensively strengthening the revolutionary workers movement, alongside the people’s resistance against imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism, and carrying forward the national democratic movement.

[Ang Bayan ("The People") is the official publication of the Communist Party of the Philippines, guided by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It is published by the Central Committee. AB comes out fortnightly every 7th and 21st of each month. The original Pilipino edition is translated into English, Bisaya, Waray, Hiligaynon and Iloco.]

https://philippinerevolution.nu/2023/05/21/unleash-the-democratic-strength-and-unity-of-the-masses-of-workers/

CPP/NPA-Central Negros: AFP suffers 5 KIA in series of encounters in Moises Padilla and Guihulngan City

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 27, 2023): AFP suffers 5 KIA in series of encounters in Moises Padilla and Guihulngan City

This article is available in Hiligaynon

JB Regalado

Spokesperson

NPA-Central Negros (Leonardo Panaligan Command)

Negros Island Regional Operational Command (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command)

New People's Army

May 27, 2023

The LPC-NPA mounted a counteroffensive against attacking troops of the 62nd IB last May 20, 2023 at around 5 AM in Sitio Napiluan, Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental. At least 4 enemies were killed in action, according to witnesses who saw state forces carrying cadavers in Brgy Sibucawan, Isabela. The fascist soldiers were in a rush to raid the residence of the Ramirez family in the said sitio where a unit of the NPA rested after a long travel. Julwar ‘Ka Ryan’ Luciano was also martyred on the 3rd encounter in the area.

Alvin ‘Ka Dagger’ Bayno, hailing from Sitio Caliban, Barangay Banog-banog, Isabela, Negros Occidental was wounded and subsequently killed by the 62nd IB in accordance with their policy of ‘no NPA is to be captured alive’, in utter disregard to CARHRIHL. Ruben Obidas, 49, a farmer from Sitio Nakuruhan, Brgy Quintin Remo also suffered the same fate. After being wounded from AFP strafing and indiscriminate firing, he was murdered by the 62IB. Meanwhile, civilian couple Juliven Ramirez, 23, and Evelyn Meren, 31, both from Sitio Napiluan, were also murdered by the AFP.

Another encounter ensued in Sitio Amumuyong, Barangay Trinidad, Guihulngan City on the same day at around 5 AM between the NPA and the 16th Scout Ranger Company. 1 enemy was KIA, while Cristito ‘Ka Cris’ Nelles Jr and Rolly ‘Ka Marnie’ Benero was martyred during the firefight. Still hungry for blood and desperate due to their failure of crushing the NPA in Central Negros, the murderous AFP killed Antonio Babor, 77 and his son, Jurielen Babor, 27, farmers and residents of the area. To cover up the crime, state forces planted guns in the murder scene.

Continue to advance the armed struggle!
Long live the revolutionary martyrs!
Let them be our inspiration, along with the broad masses that we serve!

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/afp-suffers-5-kia-in-series-of-encounters-in-moises-padilla-and-guihulngan-city/

CPP/CPP-Southern Tagalog: Mamamayang Pilipino magkaisa, ilantad at labanan ang anti-mamamayan, anti-demokratiko at anti-nasyunal na pakanang cha-cha ng ilehitimong rehimeng US-Marcos II

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 25, 2023): Mamamayang Pilipino magkaisa, ilantad at labanan ang anti-mamamayan, anti-demokratiko at anti-nasyunal na pakanang cha-cha ng ilehitimong rehimeng US-Marcos II (Filipinos unite, expose and resist the anti-citizen, anti-democratic and anti-national agenda of the illegitimate US-Marcos II regime)

Public Information Office

CPP Southern Tagalog Regional Committee

Communist Party of the Philippines

May 25, 2023

Kaisa ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas ng Timog Katagalugan (PKP-TK) ang buong sambayanang Pilipino sa pagkundena sa isinusulong na pag-amyenda sa konstitusyon ng Pilipinas sa ilalim ng tuta, pasista, palpak at pahirap na rehimeng US-Marcos II. Ang pakanang ito ay tiyak na magdudulot ng ibayong pagpapahirap sa mamamayang Pilipino na matagal nang nagdurusa sa ilalim ng malakolonyal at malapyudal na sistemang panlipunan na patuloy na inaagnas ng hambalos ng mga patakarang neoliberal ng imperyalismong globalisasyong pinaghaharian ng US.

Ang palagiang pagtatangka na baguhin ang reaksyunaryong Konstitusyong 1987 ay hindi nawawala sa adyenda kahit sa mga nakaraang rehimen, pinakatampok kina Ramos, Macapagal-Arroyo, Aquino II at Duterte. Sa ilalim ng mga neoliberal na patakarang dikta ng imperyalismong US, lagi’t laging pinag-iinteresang alisin ang natitirang mga limitadong konsesyon na ibinunga ng tagumpay ng pambansa-demokratikong kilusan at ng malawak na kilusang masa na lumundo sa pag-aalsang EDSA na nagpatalsik sa diktadurang US-Marcos I noong 1986. Ilan sa mga ito ang pagbabawal sa pagpapalawig sa termino ng mga inihalal sa burges ng eleksyon, karagdagang probisyon para pigilan ang pagtatatag ng panibagong diktadurang ala-Marcos I, batas na magtitiyak sa paggalang sa mga karapatang tao, sistemang partylist, proteksyon sa pambansang soberanya at ekonomya, pagbabawal sa dayuhang base militar, armas nukleyar at patakaran sa pakikidigma.

Dahil sagad-saring tuta si Marcos II ng imperyalismong US, hindi na nakapagtataka na iprayoridad nito ang pagbaklas sa mga natitirang demokratiko at makabayang probisyon sa konstitusyon at buo-buong isuko ang soberanya ng bansang Pilipino sa mapandambong na interes ng monopolyong kapitalistang US. Sa harap ito ng mas maraming kagyat na mahahalagang usaping pambayan na dapat atupagin at bigyan ng solusyon tulad ng mataas na implasyon, kawalan ng lupa, kawalan ng kabuhayan at empleyo, mababang sahod, bagsak na produksyong pang-agrikultura, krisis sa edukasyon at kalusugan at marami pang iba. Pangita ang walang-tigil na pagbyahe at paglamyerda ni Marcos II sampu ng kanyang mga kapural na nagwawaldas ng pondo ng bayan para tuluyang buksan at buo-buong ibenta ang bansa sa mga dayuhang interes at kapital.

Sa gitna ng napipintong inter-imperyalistang digmaan sa pagitan ng US at Tsina, bilang numero-unong papet, nais ng rehimen ni Marcos II na maging maluwag ang konstitusyon para sa mga base militar ng US at gawing imbakan ang bansa ng mga armas nukleyar na mahigpit na ipinagbabawal sa Konstitusyong 1987. Matatandaang wala pa man ang cha-cha ay itinatayo na ang mga panibagong EDCA sites ng US kabilang ang mga base militar sa Palawan at sa Hilagang Luzon. Ginagawa nitong teatro ng labanan ang Pilipinas sa pagitan ng US at China at nakatakdang maghasik ng karumaldumal na krimen sa bayan matapos ilagay nito sa panganib ang buhay at kaligtasan ng mamamayang Pilipino.

Nais nitong sagarin ang pagdarambong sa natitirang yaman ng bayan para ialay sa altar ng among imperyalistang US para sa pagkakamal ng super tubo at pagmamantina ng hegemonya nito sa daigdig laluna sa Asya Pasipiko. Nais nitong pigilan ang mga lehitimong pakikibakang bayan at ipawalangsaysay ang pambansang pakikibaka para sa tunay na kalayaan at demokrasya.

Malinaw ang pagiging anti-mamamayan gayundin ang pagiging anti-nasyunal at anti-demokratiko ng pakanang baguhin ang konstitusyon. Ninanais nitong palawigin sa poder ang nakaupong ilehitimong pangulo at mga kasabwat na naghaharing-uri para higit pang makapandambong sa bayan. Nais nitong lubusang agawin at pagkaitan ng kabuhayan ang mamamayang Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng mga neoliberal na patakaran na siyang pinakaubod ng mga probisyong pang-ekonomya. Bibigyang laya nito ang pang-angkin ng mga dayuhan sa lupa, mga yamang likas ng bansa at mga batayang pinagkukunan ng kabuhayan ng mamamayan. Bibigyang daan din nito ang lantarang paglabag sa mga karapatang pantao at pamamayagpag ng pasistang diktadura at walang habas na pagpapataw ng batas militar kailan man ito naisin ng pasistang rehimen para ipagtanggol ang interes ng imperyalismong US at ng makitid na interes ng naghaharing paksyon ng mga naghaharing uri.

Sa kabilang banda, higit na paiigtingin ng pagraratsada ng cha-cha ng administrasyong Marcos II ang lumalala at lumalalim na tunggalian sa pulitika ng mga naghaharing paksyon. Pagsisilbihin ni Marcos Jr. ang cha-cha upang mapahigpit ang kontrol sa kapangyarihan sa gitna ng lumalaking bitak sa alyansa nito sa mga Arroyo at Duterte. Unti-unting lumilitaw ang kanilang girian sa balyahan ng mga opisyal ng AFP-PNP at maging sa pagpupwesto ng mga pulitiko sa poder, pinakahuli ang agawan sa Speakership sa Kamara nina Romualdez at Arroyo, pagtatalaga kay Sara Duterte bilang co-vice chair ng NTF-ELCAC at pagreresign nito bilang chairman ng LAKAS-CMD. Ang paglala ng tunggalian sa loob ng naghaharing paksyong US-Marcos-Arroyo-Duterte (US-MAD) sa harap ng tumitinding kahirapan ng bayan ay palatandaan ng higit na paglala sa krisis ng malakolonyal at malapyudal na lipunang Pilipino. Ang lahat ng ito’y labis-labis nang pinagdurusahan ng sambayanang Pilipino na dapat mapagpasyang labanan at wakasan.

Dapat magkaisa ang sambayanang Pilipino para ubos-kayang labanan ang lantarang pagtataksil sa bayan sa pagpapakana ng cha-cha ng naghaharing paksyong US-Marcos II. Dapat buuin ang pinakamalawak na pagkakaisa ng sambayanan mula sa batayang uri ng manggagawa at magsasaka, mga peti-burgesya sa kalunsuran at mula sa hanay ng makabayan at naliliwanagang burukrata upang itutok ang pinakamalakas na paglaban sa pinakasagadsarin, pinakapapet at pinakamandarambong na rehimeng US-Marcos II. Alinsunod dito, nararapat na ilunsad ang sustenido, papalawak at papalaking mga pagkilos ng bayan sa lahat ng kalunsuran at malalaking kabayanan sa buong kapuluan. Ikumbina ito sa pagpapasigla ng armadong pakikibakang inilulunsad ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan sa kanayunan.

Sa pamamagitan ng proletaryadong Pilipino at ng partidong pampulitika nito, ang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP), pamumunuan at imamartsa ang buong bayan para alisan ng puwang at biguin ang imbing pakana ng mga taksil sa bayan na mga mapang-api’t mapagsamantalang uring sunod-sunuran sa dikta at imposisyon ng imperyalismong US. Kaalinsabay nito, patuloy na pamumunuan ng Partido ang bagong tipong pambansa-demokratikong rebolusyon. Sa tagumpay ng pambansa-demokratikong rebolusyon at sa sosyalistang hinaharap nito sa pamumuno ng PKP, makakamit ang tunay na kalayaan at lubos na demokrasyang bayan at titiyakin ang mga karapatan at hustisyang pang-indibidwal, maka-uri at pambansa.###

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/mamamayang-pilipino-magkaisa-ilantad-at-labanan-ang-anti-mamamayan-anti-demokratiko-at-anti-nasyunal-na-pakanang-cha-cha-ng-ilehitimong-rehimeng-us-marcos-ii/

CPP/NPA-Palawan: Pasilidad nukleyar na itatayo sa Palawan, hindi sagot sa kakulangan ng kuryente!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 25, 2023): Pasilidad nukleyar na itatayo sa Palawan, hindi sagot sa kakulangan ng kuryente! (Nuclear facility to be built in Palawan, not the answer to the lack of electricity!)

Andrei Bon Guerrero

Spokesperson

NPA-Palawan (Bienvenido Vallever Command)

New People's Army

May 25, 2023

Mariing tinututulan ng BVC-NPA Palawan, kaisa ng mamamayang Palaweño, ang pagkukunsidera sa lalawigan bilang ideyal umanong lokasyon para pagtayuan ng pasilidad ng small modular reactor (SMR) bilang solusyon sa kakulangan ng kuryente at enerhiya sa bansa.

Ang SMR, isang anyo ng plantang nukleyar, na inilalako ay hindi estableng enerhiyang nukleyar, hindi pa napatutunayan ang epektibidad, napakamahal at magdudulot ng malaking panganib sa mga komunidad malapit sa pagtatayuan nito.

Kahangalang idinadahilan ni Marcos Jr., kasabwat si Jose Chavez Alvarez, ang di istableng suplay ng kuryente sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa at Palawan para bigyang katwiran ang nasabing teknolohiyang militar. Lantaran ding sinabi ng Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) na apektado ang pagpapalakas ng turismo at higit pang paglalako ng kalikasan ng Palawan tulad ng El Nido at underground river sa dayuhan dahil sa kakulangan ng kuryente sa gabi.

Kung tutuusin, napakayaman ng bansa, maraming likas na rekursong langis at iba pang ligtas na maaaring pagmulan ng enerhiya. Sa Palawan pa lamang, may 11 bilyong bariles na deposito ng langis at 190 trilyong cubic feet ng natural gas na matatagpuan sa Kalayaan Island Group. Gayunman, iniaasa ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno sa mga dayuhang mamumuhunan ang eksplorasyon ng langis sa halip na paunlarin ang sariling produksyon. Tampok dito ang pag-apruba ni Marcos II ng eksplorasyon ng langis sa Palawan ng Nido Petroleum ng Australia noong Oktubre 2022.

Dominado rin ng mga dayuhan at malalaking burgesyang kuprador ang mababang antas ng renewable energy generation sa bansa tulad ng hydropower, geothermal energy, solar energy, wind power at biomass na maaari sanang maging alternatibong pagkunan ng enerhiya. Kontrolado rin ng mga pribadong kumpanyang Shell at Chevron, kasabwat ang reaksyunaryong gubyerno ang pagmimina ng natural gas sa Malampaya gas field sa Palawan. Dito nagmumula ang 20% ng suplay ng kuryente sa bansa na hindi naman pinakikinabangan ng mamamayang Palaweño. Pinangangambahan ding paubos na ang sinusuplay na kuryente nito.

Upang mailarga ang SMR bilang inilalako nilang solusyon, mamumuhunan ang kumpanyang NuScale Power Corporation ng US para rito. Maglalagak diumano ito sa bansa ng hanggang $7.5 bilyon para sa suplay ng kuryente ng hanggang 430 megawatts mula sa SMR sa taong 2031. Ang mga SMR ng kumpanya ay hindi pa naitatayo, napagagana o nasusubok sa komersyal na produksyon ng kuryente saanman sa mundo mula nang sinimulan itong paunlarin noong dekada 2000.

Napakalaki rin ng halagang kailangang gastusin para sa pagtatayo ng planta ng SMR. Nagkakahalaga ng $5.3 bilyon hanggang $9.3 bilyon ang konstruksyon ng 8-12 SMR na makapagpoprodyus ng kuryenteng 462 megawatt (MW). Tatagal ng hanggang 54 buwan ang konstruksyon nito bago mapakinabangan.

Dagdag pa, nakagugulantang ang presyong $89 kada megawatt-hour (MWH) mula sa SMR kumpara sa $40/MWH presyo ng produksyon mula sa solar at $30/MWH mula sa hangin noong 2020. Pagsapit ng 2030, tinatayang nasa $20/MWH na lamang ang produksyon mula sa solar at hangin habang posibleng umabot sa $200/MWH ang gastos ng produksyon ng SMR nito.

Hindi rin totoo na “mas malinis” ang mga SMR kumpara sa malalaking plantang nukleyar. Sa katunayan, ayon sa pag-aaral ng Stanford University noong 2022, mas malaki ang bolyum ng nuclear waste na inilalabas ng mga SMR. Ang mga nuclear waste mula sa mga plantang ito ay mananatiling radioactive at mapanganib sa loob ng ilampung libong taon. Bukod pa sa pagkawasak sa kalikasan, magdudulot din ng malubhang epekto sa buhay, kalusugan at kabuhayan ng mamamayan ang radyasyon at polusyon mula sa mga plantang nukleyar.

Ang paghahanap ng mapagtatayuan ng SMR ay mula sa tulak ng imperyalismong US matapos na mapirmahan ang kasunduang 123 Agreement Negotiations for Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation sa pagitan nito at ng papet na rehimeng Marcos II nang bumisita si US Vice President Kamala Harris sa bansa noong nakaraang taon. Laman ng kasunduang ito ang pag-eeksport ng US ng kagamitang nukleyar at materyal sa Pilipinas at pagdedeploy ng US ng advanced nuclear reactor technology sa bansa. Sa katunayan, nasa likod nito ang adyendang militar ng US lalo at ang mga reaktor na ito ay maari ring magprodyus o magsuplay ng enerhiya ng mga armas nukleyar. Labag ito sa pinirmahang mga kasunduan ng reaksyunaryong estado para sa nuclear non-proliferation (pagbabawal para sa produksyon ng mga armas nukleyar). Nasa balangkas din ang Kasunduang 123 at pagtatayo ng mga SMR sa Pilipinas sa paghahanda para ng imperyalismong US sa digma sa rehiyong Indo-Pacific.

Dapat na kundenahin at tutulan ng sambayanan ang planong pagtatayo ng mga pasilidad ng SMR sa Palawan at iba pang bahagi ng bansa. Kasabay nito, isulong ang pagpapaunlad ng ligtas at sustenableng renewable energy. Mariin ding tutulan ang mapanganib na teknolohiyang nukleyar na nagsisilbi sa interes ng imperyalismo. Singilin ang papet na rehimen at lokal na reakyunaryong gubyerno sa pagiging sunud-sunuran nito sa imperyalismong US na gawing lunsaran ng mga eksperimentong militar at nukleyar ang bansa sa kapinsalaan ng mamamayan. Dapat na higit na paigtingin ang digmang bayan upang mawakasan ang malakolonyal at malapyudal na lipunang dinodominahan ng dayuhan at lokal na naghaharing-uri. Tanging sa pagtatagumpay lamang ng demokratikong rebolusyong bayan maitatatag ang sosyalistang lipunan na magpapatupad ng tunay at dekalidad na serbisyong panlipunan. Kumpiskahin at isabansa ang mga industriya ng enerhiya at kuryente sa kamay ng mga malalaking burgesyang kumprador. Sa programa ng pambansang industriyalisasyon kaakibat ng rebolusyonaryong programa sa reporma sa lupa bibigyang solusyon ang kakulangan ng kuryente sa bansa at iba pang kahirapang dinaranas ng sambayanang Pilipino!

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/pasilidad-nukleyar-na-itatayo-sa-palawan-hindi-sagot-sa-kakulangan-ng-kuryente/

CPP/NDF-Palawan: Pag-ibayuhin ang pakikibaka ng mga Palaweño laban sa mapaminsalang mina!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 24, 2023): Pag-ibayuhin ang pakikibaka ng mga Palaweño laban sa mapaminsalang mina! (Raise the struggle of Palaweños against harmful mines!)

Leona Paragua

Spokesperson

NDF-Palawan

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

May 24, 2023

Nakikiisa ang National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Palawan sa panawagan ng mga katutubong Palaw’an at mamamayan ng Brooke’s Point na suportahan ang kanilang makatwirang laban sa mapaminsalang proyektong naninira sa kanilang kalikasan. Malinaw sa apela ng Palaw’an Cultural Community at Mga Kalebonan Et Bicamm ang kanilang mga reklamo — ang pangwawasak ng kumpanyang Ipilan Nickel Corporation (INC) sa kanilang lupaing ninuno at pagyurak ng huli sa kanilang mga karapatan at ang pakikipagsabwatan ng National Council on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) sa malalaking kumpanya ng mina at reaksyunaryong gubyerno.

Napakatigas ng mukha ng NCIP at pambansang gubyerno sa harap ng paglalantad ng mamamayan noon pang Hunyo 2022 sa panggagantsong ginagawa ng NCIP at INC. Ilang beses mang nagpatawag ng “konsultasyon” ang NCIP, niluto lamang ang resulta nito at pinalabas na mayorya ng mga katutubong Palaw’an ay sumang-ayon sa proyekto.

Kinakasangkapan din ng reaksyunaryong estado ang Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), bukod sa mga pambansa at pamprobinsyang sangay ng gubyerno sa pagkiling sa interes ng INC. Dahil sa mga ito, lalo lamang nilang ginagatungan ang dati nang maalab na pagtutol ng mamamayan sa mapaminsalang mina sa pagpapahintulot na makapagpalawak ang operasyon ng Nickel Asia sa katabing bayan ng Bataraza sa pamamagitan ng kumpanya nitong Riotuba Mining Corporation (RTMC).

Sa kabila ng mga pakana ng reaksyunaryong estado, nagpatuloy ang malawakan at konsistenteng pagtutol ng mamamayan na lumundo sa barikadang bayan sa Brooke’s Point noong Pebrero. Hindi nila inaalintana ang katotohanan ng patuloy na pagpabor ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno sa operasyon ng kumpanya.

Tila mga hipong tulog ang gubyerno na ipinagwawalambahala ang nagkakaisang tinig ng mamamayan kaya naman malakas ang loob ng kumpanya, katuwang ang mga pulis,sundalo at bayarang mga bantay nito sa pag-atake sa mga residenteng nagpoprotesta. Binabaligtad pa ng kumpanya ang naganap na karahasan noong Abril 14 at inakusahan pa ng panggugulo at panghaharas umano ang mga nagpoprotesta. Sino’ng maniniwala sa ganitong argumento gayong malinaw na ang armado ay ang kanilang mga bayarang armadong security at kasabwat na pulis at sundalo. Malinaw na isa itong kalokohan at pagbibigay-katwiran lamang sa kanilang pag-atake at pagtatangkang patigilin ang protesta. Katunayan, sila pa ang iligal na nagpaaresto at nagdetine sa anim na residente.

Ang sabwatan ng gubyerno sa INC at iba pang kumpanya ng dambuhalang mina ang ngayo’y pangunahing pasakit at krus na pasanin ng mga Palaweño, hindi lamang ng mga katutubong Palaw’an. Lantaran ang pagsubasta ng likas-yaman ng lalawigan sa dayuhan at lokal na kapitalistang interes sa kapinsalaan ng kabuhayan, ari-arian at kalikasan ng mamamayan. Ang mga kabundukang binubutas ng mina sa Timog Palawan tulad ng Gantong, Bulanjao, Matalingahan at iba pa ay mga sagradong lugar hindi lang para sa mga katutubo kundi sa lahat ng naninirahan sa paanan nito sapagkat dito nagmumula ang kanilang tubig, kabuhayan at proteksyon laban sa mga natural na sakuna at kalamidad. Hindi pa nga tapos ang operasyon ng INC at iba pang minahan ay lumulubog na sa baha ang Brooke’s Point, laluna kapag nagpatuloy ang operasyon ng mga ito at higit pang nagpalawak. Ang masaklap, aalis ang mga kumpanya nito nang hitik sa tubo at pakinabang sa lupain ng mga Palaweño habang iiwan nitong gutom, wasak ang tirahan at nanganganib ang buhay ng mga mamamayan.

Dapat dinggin at ibayo pang suportahan ng iba’t ibang sektor sa Palawan, sa buong bansa at maging ng pandaigdigang komunidad ang pakikibaka ng mga katutubo at mamamayan ng Brooke’s Point laban sa mapaminsalang mina. Nananawagan ang NDFP-Palawan sa mga tunay na manananggol ng bayan, kasama na ang mga paralegal na tulungan ang mamamayang Palaweño na ipagtanggol ang kanilang lupa at kabuhayan laban sa mapaminsalang pagmimina. Lehitimo at mahigpit na nakaugnay sa pakikibaka para sa pagtatanggol laban sa pangangamkam, pagdambong at pagwasasak sa kalikasan ng mga dambuhalang kumpanyang lokal at dayuhan—na lahat ay nakakabit sa kordon ng imperyalismo. Ang pagtutuloy ng operasyon ng INC at iba pang operasyon ng mina hindi lang sa Palawan kundi sa buong bansa at daigdig para sa kapakinabangan ng imperyalistang supertubo ang patuloy na nagpapatindi sa kahirapan at sa esensya’y unti-unting pumapatay sa kasalukuyang henerasyon ng mamamayan.

Kasabay nito, nararapat na patuloy at higit pang pag-ibayuhin nila ang kanilang pakikibaka laban sa mapaminsalang operasyon ng INC at hindi tumigil rito. Dapat ibunsod ang malakas na kilusang masang anti-mina at lahat ng mapaminsalang proyektong dayuhan at lokal sa probinsya. Dapat itong iugnay sa pakikibaka ng iba’t ibang sektor para sa kabuhayan, at itaas sa pakikibaka laban sa imperyalismo. Sa gitna ng kainutilan ng rehimeng US-Marcos-Duterte sa kanilang hinaing, lalong dapat sumalig ang mamamayan sa kanilang sariling lakas at patatagin ang bag-as ng kanilang pakikibaka. Dapat silang matuto sa mahabang kasaysayan ng pakikibakang pinamumunuan ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas bilang pinakaabanteng destakamento ng uring manggagawa at iba pang uring inaapi sa bansa na konsistenteng nakibaka laban sa imperyalismo at lokal na reaksyon. Sa matatag na pamumuno ng Partido, wastong magigiyahan ang pakikibaka ng mga Palaweño sa kabuhayan at kalikasan.#

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/pag-ibayuhin-ang-pakikibaka-ng-mga-palaweno-laban-sa-mapaminsalang-mina/

EASTMINCOM: Another three (3) regular NPA members surrender in Agusan del Norte

Posted to the Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) Facebook Page (May 26, 2023): Another three (3) regular NPA members surrender in Agusan del Norte

23rd Infantry "Masigasig" Battalion, Philippine Army
·
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – Another three (3) regular NPA members of the Platoon Sagay, Sub-Regional Sentro de Gravidad 3, Sub-Regional Command 3, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRSDG3, SRC3,NCMRC) voluntarily surrendered to the 23rd Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion, under the Operational Control of 402nd Infantry “Stingers” Brigade.

The said surrender of the three (3) regular members took place on May 23, 2023 at the unit's Headquarters at Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

This came about following the surrender of Communist Terrorist Group’s (CTG) Commander “Dahon”, a high-profile New People’s Army (NPA) personality, with nine (9) others last May 12, 2023.

The surrendered former rebels were identified as Nelson T Odayao @LAKAS, 27 years old, the Team Leader; Lea D Corilla @ROXAN, 21 years old, and Ruel G Montillano @PREX, 33 years old, both members of Pltn 1, SRSDG SAGAY, SRC 3, NCMRC which is led by Arnel Bahian @ANDRO.

They also surrendered two (2) M16 Rifles and one (1) Shotgun to the 23IB. The surrendered firearms and other items will be turned over to the authorities for proper disposition.

The surrender of the said three personalities, all members of the Higaonon Tribe, is seen as an effect of the peaceful resolution of conflict conducted recently, known as the “Tampuda” in Higaonon Tribe, between the family of Commander Dahon and the Mansulohay-Pinakitob Clan in Interim Barangay Bokbokon, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte last May 12, 2023.

In addition, Nelson Odayao, one of those who surrendered, revealed that their NPA unit is now heavily weakened by the relentless combat operations conducted by the military which resulted to exhaustion, sleepless nights, unbearable hunger, and massive demoralization among their ranks. He further explained that they have come to realize and fully understood the futility of the armed struggle. Hence, they opted to surrender and take the opportunity to live a normal life with their families.

Moreover, said former rebels stated that they could no longer bear another week of walking without food especially at this point where they are all confused with the present leadership struggle within the group, leaving them too exhausted and hungry to continue further.

Also, they are already tired of running and hiding away from the government forces and that they have no more place to hide since the people in their former mass bases are already going against them by tipping off their presence or location to the authorities.

In his statement, Brigadier General Adonis Ariel G Orio, Commander, 402nd (Stingers) Brigade, said that the units under his Operational Control are serious in the performance of its duty of upholding peace and order in its Area of Operation.

“I urge those who were deceived by the NPA to come down and surrender. The government is ready to help you live a new and normal life with your family. Let us not engage in more bloodsheds," BGen Orio added.

The surrender of the rebels was a product of the government’s campaign to convince communist insurgents to give up armed conflict and return to mainstream society.

#AFPyoucanTRUST
#MASIGASIGatongARMY

https://www.facebook.com/TeamMasigasig23/photos/pcb.2172365102955531/2172364066288968/

https://www.facebook.com/eastmincomafp/

EASTMINCOM: 10th Infantry “Agila” Division (10ID) has prevented the resurgence of insurgency in the Davao Region

Posted to the Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) Facebook Page (May 26, 2023): 10th Infantry “Agila” Division (10ID) has prevented the resurgence of insurgency in the Davao Region

The 10th Infantry “Agila” Division (10ID) has prevented the resurgence of insurgency in the Davao Region since the area was declared insurgency-free on October 2022. Agila troopers facilitated the voluntary surrender of 89 CTG members and the recovery of 53 firearms during the first five months of 2023.

Moreover, the 4th Infantry "Diamond" Division (4ID) apprehended three ranking CTG leaders and seized seven high-powered firearms in Northern Mindanao.

#AFPyoucanTRUST

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=573539731635597&set=pcb.573540974968806

https://www.facebook.com/eastmincomafp/

Ex-rebel bares arms cache location in Davao Oriental

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 26, 2023): Ex-rebel bares arms cache location in Davao Oriental (By Michael Uy)

MATI CITY, Davao Oriental (PIA) -- After returning to the folds of the law, Alias Juvanne, former vice political instructor of the dismantled Guerilla Front 2 (GF2), assisted the authorities in locating cache of high-powered firearms in Davao Oriental.

Juvanne, together with personnel from the 66th Infantry Battalion, 104th Military Intelligence Company, Banaybanay Police Station, and Davao Oriental Provincial Police Office, unearthed on May 21 high-powered firearms in Barangay Lower Causwagan in Banaybanay.

The firearms, believed to belong from GF2 of the Sub Regional Committee 2, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC), are two Caliber 5.56 M16 rifles, one Caliber 5.56 M16 riffle upper receiver, one Caliber 40mm M203 grenade launcher, one Caliber 7.62 M14 upper receiver, one Caliber 45 pistol 1911, and four anti-personnel claymore mines.

Brigadier General Oliver Maquiling, commander of the 701st Infantry Brigade, lauded the troops on their latest accomplishments.

“Our units will look after the recovery of all remaining war materials of the dismantled communist terrorist group (CTG) units to ensure that this will not be used again against Government troops and civilians,” BGen Maquiling said.

The firearms are now in the custody of the military for proper disposition, and will undergo cost valuation and evaluation to determine its enrollment in the remuneration program under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP), a government intervention program for former rebels.

Since the declaration of Davao Oriental and the entire Davao region as insurgency-free province and region, surrenders and recoveries of high-powered firearms were becoming prevalent. (MLU/PIA Davao Oriental)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/2023/05/26/ex-rebel-bares-arms-cache-location-in-davao-oriental?fbclid=IwAR0Yy-vYOe8UT172xA7_2EzM3PGYhA7WZQ6cYyzpeiBqlEjbKwFmNiLjgo8

WESTMINCOM: Communist terrorist yields to military in South Cotabato

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (May 25, 2023): Communist terrorist yields to military in South Cotabato

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – May 22, 2023

A communist terrorist group (CTG) member laid down his arm and returned to the fold of the law on May 21. He handed over his M16A1 rifle to the military in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Surrendered personality was identified as a.k.a. Minyang, Medics of Platoon Dabu-Dabu, Sub-Regional Committee Daguma, Far South Mindanao Region operating in the mountainous area of Sitio Datal Kadi, Barangay Tasiman, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, Commander of Joint Task Force Central, said that the successful surrender of the former rebel is a result of the collaborative efforts of the 12th Special Forces Company under the 5th Special Forces Battalion (5SFBn) and the intelligence units.

The 5SFBN conducted custodial debriefing and took documentary requirements from the surrendered personality, and facilitated the proper disposition of surrendered firearms.

Western Mindanao Command Chief, Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, commended the Joint Task Force Central for their numerous accomplishments and for their steadfast resolve to end terrorism in Central Mindanao. He also urged the remaining members of the CTG to follow in the footsteps of their former comrades who are now enjoying the benefits offered by the government after they decided to return to the fold of the law.