CPP/NDF-Masbate/NDF-Bicol: Digmang magsasaka laban sa mas brutal na gera kontra-magsasaka sa Masbate sa ilalim ng deklarasyong pagdurog sa NPA

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jan 31, 2024): Digmang magsasaka laban sa mas brutal na gera kontra-magsasaka sa Masbate sa ilalim ng deklarasyong pagdurog sa NPA (Peasant war against a more brutal anti-farmer war in Masbate under the declaration of crushing the NPA)

 


Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid-Masbate

NDF-Masbate

NDF-Bicol

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

February 01, 2024

Sa Masbate, pinatutunayan na ang deklarasyon ni Marcos Jr na pagdurog sa NPA bago matapos ang 2024 ay walang iba kundi pinatindi at mas brutal na gera kontra magsasaka. Pinangungunahan mismo ng gubernador na si Antonio T. Kho kasabwat ang militar ang brutal na kampanya ng pandarahas sa mga magsasaka upang lunurin sila sa takot at isuko ang kanilang lupa, kabuhayan at karapatan.

Dulot ng hindi na matiis na panggigipit sa kanila ng mga armadong tauhan ni Gov. Antonio T. Kho, isiniwalat ng ilang mga mamamayan sa Cataingan sa Pambansang Katipunan ng Magbubukid-Masbate ang pagpatay ng mga armadong tauhan ni Gov. Kho sa mag-amang magsasakang sina Sabino Lopez, 69 taong gulang at anak nitong si Jason Lopez sa Barangay San Rafael, bayan ng Cataingan noong 2019. Naikubli ang naturang pangyayari dahil sa takot ng komunidad na mabalingan ng naturang mga goons. Pinatay ang mag-ama matapos tumangging ibenta ang kanilang lupa sa gubernador.

Nakumpirma ring mga armadong tauhan din ni Gov. Kho ang pumatay sa may kapansanang si Ian Pahid sa Sityo Latong, Barangay Santa Teresita sa parehong bayan noong Agosto 2023. Pinatay si Ian matapos paghinalaang kasapi ng New People’s Army.

Ngayon namang Enero 29, 2024, naghasik ng terorismo ang mga elemento ng CAFGU sa pangunguna ng militar na si Sgt. Ramos sa mga komunidad na sumasaklaw sa Hacienda Mortuegue sa bayan ng Pio V. Corpuz at Esperanza.
Sa Barangay Lubigan, bayan ng Pio V. Corpus, binugbog at ninakawan ng alagang manok si Johnny Compuesto. Sa Barangay Tubog sa parehong bayan, sinalakay din ang tahanan ni Ruel Menchavez. Sa Barangay Tawad, kapwa nakaranas ng pananakit sina Cadong Mendoza at Wilyn Menchavez habang ninakawan naman si Inday Canete at Ruben Menchavez.

Responsable sa pananalakay sa hasyenda ang mga elemento ng militar at CAFGU na nakabase sa Barangay Estampar na sina Jerome Bohol, Ondo Quilong-quilong at Boboy Armenion sa pangunguna ng isang Sgt. Ramos mula sa 2nd Infantry Battalion-Philipppine Army.

Ang klaster ng bayang Cataingan, Pio V. Corpuz at Esperanza, ay kinatatangian ng malalawak na kapatagang pabor sa pagsasaka. Kabilang rito ang makasaysayang Hacienda Mortuegue na nabawi ng mga magsasaka mula sa asyendero. Lahat ng ito’y desperadong mapasakamay ni Gov. Antonio T. Kho para sa kanyang interes sa rantso at ekoturismo.

Sa kabilang distrito, naghasik din ng terorismo ang mga elemento ng 96th Infantry Battalion-Phil. Army sa Sityo Malapinggan hangganan ng Barangay San Jose, Uson at Barangay Sawmill, bayan ng Mobo noong Enero 30, 7:00 ng umaga. Walang habas na nagpaputok ang mga militar matapos mapangahas na magkopra sa mga kaniyugang inagaw ng militar. Malalawak na kaniyugan sa naturang mga barangay ang pinagbawalang ipakopra sa mga residente upang mga militar ang makinabang.

Sa ilalim ng rehimeng US-Marcos, lalong naging marahas at agresibo ang gera kontra magsasaka. Sa ilang taon pa lamang, daan-daang pamilya na ng magsasaka ang napalayas sa kanilang lupang binubungkal sa pamamagitan ni Gov. Kho. May bahid ng dugo ang libu-libong ektarya ng lupaing inagaw ng gubernador mula sa mga magsasaka. Marahas na kinakamkam ang lupa kahit nakapailalim pa sa Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, patunay kung gaano kahuwad ang reaksyunaryong programa sa lupa ng gubyerno.

Reyalidad ng bulok na lipunan ang palagiang pagharap ng uring magsasaka, na siyang bumubuhay sa lipunan, sa banta ng kamatayan mula sa gutom o bala. Ito ay dahil hindi titigil ang imperyalistang dayuhan kasabwat ang mga lokal na pwersang mapang-api at mapagsamantala na durugin ang rebolusyonaryong kilusang magsasaka upang tuluyang kontrolin ang lupa at ubusin ang yamang likas ng bansa.

Nananawagan ang Pambansang Katipunan ng Magbubukid (PKM)-Masbate sa mga magsasakang Masbatenyo na magiting na harapin ang teroristang gera ng rehimeng US-Marcos sa pamamagitan ng paglahok sa digmang bayan. Kailangan nilang danasin ang walang katulad na kalupitan at pagsasamantala upang mapanday ang makauring lakas bilang pangunahing pwersa sa pagsusulong ng demokratikong rebolusyon.

Kaugnay nito, nananawagan ang PKM-Masbate sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan na maging katuwang sa makauring pakikibaka. Hinihintay namin ang aming Hukbo. Lalong kailangan ng mga magsasakang Masbatenyo ang kanilang Hukbo sa harap ng lumalalang pang-aapi’t pagsasamantalang kanilang dinaranas.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/digmang-magsasaka-laban-sa-mas-brutal-na-gera-kontra-magsasaka-sa-masbate-sa-ilalim-ng-deklarasyong-pagdurog-sa-npa/

CPP/CIO: US military intervention prolongs and expands wars in the Middle East

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jan 31, 2024): US military intervention prolongs and expands wars in the Middle East

 


Marco Valbuena

Chief Information Officer

Communist Party of the Philippines

January 31, 2024

The attack last Sunday against a US military facility in the northern part of Syria known as Tower 22 marks the further expansion and rising possibility of an escalation of the war in the Middle East. The attack was carried out a few weeks since the US and United Kingdom started to carry out almost daily missile attacks against various sites in Yemen since January 12.

The US and UK attacks against Yemen constitute part of its support to the Zionist Israeli genocidal bombing of the Gaza Strip which has killed close to 27,000 and wounded more than 65,600 Palestinians since October 7 last year. The US and the UK have provided extensive military, financial and diplomatic support to Israel and have refused to support global calls for ceasefire in Gaza.

The US and UK attacks since January 12 have been directed against the northern part of Yemen where the Houti movement is strong. The Houtis, an armed resistance movement representing marginalized ethnic groups fighting the US and Saudi-supported Yemen government, have carried out military actions in support of the Palestinian people, specifically targeting Israeli-affiliated ships traversing the Red Sea at the western coast of Yemen.

The January 28 drone attack against US forces in Syria, which killed at least three soldiers and wounded many others, was carried out by unidentified resistance groups. The target US military base, Tower 22, is only one of a network of clandestine military bases and facilities in Syria maintained by the US to carry out military intervention in that country.

Officials of the Biden government quickly accused the Iranian government of being behind the attacks, threatening armed reprisals against the country, which will certainly further expand the war in the Middle East in the US drive to secure its economic and political hegemony in the region. The Biden government is proving itself to be a war addict after having fomented and supported the now 2-year war in Ukraine and the 3-month genocide in Palestine, both of which have allowed the US military industrial complex (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grunman, General Dynamic and other companies) to make billions upon billions of dollars in war profits.

Rising military conflicts in the Middle East and threats of expanded US military intervention comprise contradictions between imperialism and countries and movements assertive of national sovereignty. To control the vast resources of the Middle East, the US has carried out interventionism and wars of aggression over the past several decades in behalf of US oil companies. It has long supported Israel (which is the biggest recipient of US military aid) to make it serve as base for US military power in the region, in order to counter the alliance of Arab countries.

The CPP calls on all democratic and anti-imperialist forces across the world to unite and denounce US military intervention in the Middle East (Western Asia), especially its military support to Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people.

The Party calls on the Filipino people to intensify their support for the Palestinian people’s cause for national liberation, their demand to end to Israeli occupation and oppression, and and to US support for the Zionist regime.

The rising threats of expanded wars in the Middle East must also prompt the Filipino people to heighten their resistance to US military intervention and expanded presence in the Philippines—permitted by the puppet Marcos regime at the behest of his US masters—which is increasingly putting the country right smack in the middle of inter-imperialist conflicts.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/us-military-intervention-prolongs-and-expands-wars-in-the-middle-east/

CPP/NPA-Rizal: Matagumpay na Pagbigwas sa 80th IBPA, ipinamalas ng NAAC-NPA-Rizal

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jan 31, 2024): Matagumpay na Pagbigwas sa 80th IBPA, ipinamalas ng NAAC-NPA-Rizal (It's successful: Disruption of the 80th IBPA, demonstrated by NAAC-NPA-Rizal)

Macario 'Ka Karyo' Liwanag

Spokesperson

NPA-Rizal (Narciso Antazo Aramil Command)

Southern Tagalog Regional Operational Command (Melito Glor Command)

New People's Army

January 31, 2024

Matagumpay na tinambangan ng NAAC-NPA-Rizal ang nag-ooperasyong tropa ng bayarang 80th IBPA ganap na 5:10 ng madaling araw, Enero 31, 2024 sa Lukutang Malaki, Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal. Nagresulta ito sa pagkamatay ng isang sundalo at pagkasugat ng dalawa pa habang wala naman napinsala sa panig ng mga Pulang mandirigma.

Matatandaan na mula pa noong Pebrero ng nakaraang taon ay wala nang tigil ang operasyon at pagbabantay ng mga militar sa mga barangay sa Rodriguez na sasaklawin ng tuloy-tuloy na konstrukyon ng Wawa-Violago Dam at iba pang may interes sa Lukutang Malaki ng naghahari-hariang malalaking burgesya kumprador-panginoong may lupa na mga Araneta, Villar at Robles. Nagkakailang mga katutubo na at mga mgasasaka ang kanilang iligal na ikinukulong dahilan lamang sa kanilang aktibong pagdepensa sa kanilang karapatan sa kabuhayan katulad nina Danilo Acayen at Lito Bueno.

Dapat na ilantad at labanan ang mga ginagawang paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng 80th IBPA laban sa mamamayan. Sumasailalim mula kahapon ang mga residente sa saklaw ng tatayuan ng Wawa-Violago dam at ng pinagyarihan ng pananambang na mga paghihigpit sa paglabas at pagpasok ng mga residente sa lugar, paghingi ng ID sa pagpasok sa lugar, paglalagay ng mga checkpoint at pagbabahay-bahay at may mga nakalistang maraming pangalan na tinatanong sa mga residente.

Desperado ang AFP na madurog ang NPA-Rizal upang bigyang daan ang mga diumanong proyektong pangkaunlaran ng mga naghaharing uri upang magkamal ng limpak-limpak na yaman para sa kanilang sariling interes, subalit sumisira sa kabuhayan ng mga katutubong Dumagat-Remontado, nagpapalayas sa mga magsasaka at sumisira sa kalikasan.

Patuloy lamang na mabibigo ang mga berdugo at bayarang AFP dahil ang NPA ang tunay na hukbo ng mamamayan na magtatanggol sa kanilang kagalingan at magpapalaya sa sambayanan mula sa paghahari ng Imperyalismo, Pyudalismo at Burukrata kapitalismo. Hinding-hindi magmamaliw ang suporta ng masa sa NPA-NDFP-CPP taliwas sa ipinangangalandakan ng AFP, NTF-ELCAC at iba pa nilang kasapakat na wala na raw ang NPA at marami na ang mga sumuko. Pinatutunayan lamang nito ang kahungkagan at kasinungalingan ng mga programa ng AFP at NTF-ELCAC na ang tanging pinagsisilbihan ay ang mga amo nilang kapitalista, panginoong may lupa at burukrata kapitalista. Hangga’t hindi nasosolusyunan ang mga ugat ng kahirapan, kawalan ng katarungang panlipunan ay patuloy at tiyak ang tagumpay ng Demokratikong Rebolusyong Bayan!

Mabuhay ang New People’s Army!

Mabuhay ang Sambayanang Inaapi!

Magpalakas, Magwasto at Magtagumpay!

Sumapi sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan!

Mabuhay ang CPP at NDFP!

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/matagumpay-na-pagbigwas-sa-80th-ibpa-ipinamalas-ng-naac-npa-rizal/

CPP/CIO: Marcos-Duterte squabbles are contradictions among fascist oppressors

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jan 30, 2024): Marcos-Duterte squabbles are contradictions among fascist oppressors

 


Marco Valbuena

Chief Information Officer

Communist Party of the Philippines

January 30, 2024

The Filipino people roundly rejects the conflict of the Marcoses and Dutertes, as neither represent the interests of the broad masses of workers, peasants, semiproleteriat, professionals and intellectuals. Both, in fact, represents the worst of the bureaucrat capitalists, and the ruling oppressive and exploitative classes of big landlords and bourgeois compradors, and both promote fascist suppression and imperialist domination in the Philippines.

The rallies last Sunday saw both reactionary camps squandering public resources to bus in people to conjure the illusion that they enjoy broad support. They took advantage of the people’s miserable conditions to entice them with entertainment and promises of government aid. They used the rallies as a platform to promote their anti-national and anti-democratic views, while misrepresenting themselves as representing the interests of the Filipino people, typical of the political tactics of fascist demagogues like Hitler.

Just as his dictator father promoted the false image of a “New Society” (Bagong Lipunan) to cover-up the abuse of power under the martial law dictatorship, Marcos Jr is now spending hundreds of millions of pesos to plaster all over the slogan of a “New Philippines” to lend luster to the old rotten semicolonial and semifeudal system that is marked by economic oppression, political repression, foreign domination, and gross corruption.

The stark fact is that there is absolutely nothing new in the conditions of the Filipino people who continue to suffer daily from rising prices, low wages, joblessness, landlessness, economic dispossession, deteriorating social conditions, lack of public services, and other old problems arising from basic problems of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism. Behind its “new” slogan, the Marcos regime perpetuates the decrepit, stagnant and moribund system that is long overdue for revolutionary overthrow.

Marcos and his lieutenants are now busy pushing to change the 1987 Philippine constitution to rid it of its anti-Marcos legacy, enshrine the neoliberal policies of liberalization, deregulation and privatization, and further reinforce foreign capitalist ownership of the country’s resources and domination of the Philippine economy. Marcos’ charter change scheme will only result in further taking away the people’s livelihood and economic resources and leave them on the wayside.

Through the sham “people’s initiative” to amend the 1987 constitution, Marcos’ minions, especially in the House of Representatives, want to have controlling power to change the constitution, in order to railroad their interests including the plan to take away the limits on term extension. The political scheme is so brazen, self-serving and rousing the people’s contempt, that Marcos’ allies in the Senate have stood up to oppose it, even as they are also actively pushing for constitutional amendments that seeks to surrender the country’s patrimony to the imperialists.

The Dutertes have spoken against charter change not because they oppose neoliberal measures that will give foreign monopoly capitalists greater control of the country’s economy. In fact, the Duterte regime also pushed for charter changes for “economic amendments” but failed to do so in the face of widespread opposition fueled by exposure of schemes to perpetuate himself in power. Without charter change, Duterte aggressively pushed for enactment of neoliberal measures and laws. These include the Rice Liberalization Law that allowed rice imports to flood the country to the detriment of local rice production, the TRAIN law which imposed further tax burdens on the people, the CREATE Law which granted tax exemptions to foreign capitalists, and additional excise taxes on oil prices. Duterte also enacted the amendments to the Public Service Act and Foreign Investments Act which have allowed foreign big capitalists to allow full ownership of railways, expressways, telecommunications and other crucial parts of the economy.

The Dutertes want to ride the rising wave of people’s resistance to the charter change scheme, to gain leverage (and credibility) to push back against the Marcoses’ schemes to degrade their economic and political power. Duterte now seem to realize that he was had by Marcos during the 2022 elections in which he ensured a “landslide victory” for Marcos in exchange for promises of political and economic accommodation. They echoed the growing sentiment for Marcos to resign with clear self-interest.

Duterte is clearly disgruntled that multibillion peso government contracts he signed with China have been cancelled in favor of World Bank and Asian Development Bank programs, denying him of his billions of pesos of kickbacks. He is also clearly troubled by the refusal of the Marcos regime to block the International Criminal Court from proceeding with its case against Duterte and his cohorts for crimes against humanity, with the possibility of a warrant for his arrest being issued soon. As days and months pass, Duterte is becoming increasingly desperate as his influence within the military wanes with the retirement of his appointees and loyalists.

Duterte is again trying to take advantage of popular disgust against the rotten ruling system amid worsening socioeconomic conditions and rising outrage against the Marcos regime. However, he has lost all credibility for having aggrandized himself for six years through corruption and reign of brutal terror; and for working with the Marcoses to help rig the 2022 elections in their favor. The Filipino people can see clearly through Duterte’s demagoguery and populism and reject his scheme to ride on the people’s fight against charter change.

The broad masses demand that Duterte and his minions be made accountable and punished for the crimes perpetrated in the course of the sham drug war, as well as those committed by fascist troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in counterinsurgency operations under his command. The Filipino people also demand that Duterte be punished for widespread and large-scale corruption during his term, including those perpetrated during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Marcos and his lieutenants are employing the full range of political tactics to perpetuate themselves in power—from underhanded schemes (Liza Araneta) to open attacks (Martin Romualdez), as well as play-acting internal family dissent (Imee Marcos) to ingratiate themselves with their opponents. Since returning to Malacañang, Marcos Jr and his family have been living the life of kings and queens with lavish banquets, jet-setting and helicopter rides using the people’s money, all while securing the hundreds of billions of pesos of ill-gotten wealth accumulated under martial law.

Marcos is deeply detested by the broad masses of the Filipino people for having stolen the 2022 elections through rigging of the automated counting system to give him and Sara Duterte a “landslide” victory. The election fraud is now being exposed thoroughly by technical experts. Furthermore, Marcos is inciting the people’s outrage by luxuriating in power, while the majority wallow in social hardships and poverty. He is further isolating himself by ignoring the people’s clamor for wage increases, genuine land reform, greater spending for education, health and other public services, and other urgent demands; while providing foreign companies and their local partners with all the incentives to pocket large amounts of profits from the country’s cheap labor and cheap resources.

Marcos is brazenly using his power to put hundreds of billions of pesos under his control and funnel these into the businesses of his cronies and secure their political support. Like Duterte, Marcos continues to favor the bloated military with unprecedented amounts of money for the purchase of military equipment that invariably line the pockets of favored generals. The AFP continues to wage a brutal war of suppression in the countryside in favor of the aggressive entry of foreign business interests which dispossess the broad peasant masses and ethnic people of their agricultural and ancestral land.

Marcos is stoking the people’s patriotic fervor by acting fully subservient to US geopolitical interests. He is allowing the US military to fully take command and control of the AFP in carrying out its strategy of encircling and containing China, heightening military tensions in the South China Sea, in the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan, to compel its allies to arm themselves with US-supplied weapons, and provoke China into an armed conflict. Marcos is allowing the US to expand its military presence in the Philippines and establish facilities and bases within AFP camps in strategic locations. To secure and expand its economic interests, the US is also causing the Marcos regime to push out Chinese economic interests especially in key infrastructure projects to favor the businesses of the US and its allies.

The US-Marcos regime is further isolating itself from the Filipino people by subjecting them to worsening forms of oppression, political repression and imperialist domination. A broad antifascist, anti-imperialist and antifeudal united front will continue to develop with the patriotic and democratic forces at the head and core. The regime’s scheme to change the 1987 constitution is bringing together a broad range of classes and sectors, who are also linking their opposition to charter change to their clamor for higher wages and salaries, regular employment, genuine land reform, lower prices of fuel and other commodities, and other urgent demands.

The broad united front of the Filipino people excludes Duterte, despite his public rants against the charter change scheme and against Marcos, for all the crimes he perpetrated against the Filipino people. The broad united front, in fact, denounces Marcos for collaborating with Duterte to rig the 2022 elections to install themselves in power, and for failing to take decisive action to make Duterte account for his fascist crimes and corruption during his reign.

The Party and all revolutionary forces continue to exert all-out effort to arouse the broad masses of workers and peasants, the pettybourgeois intellectuals and professionals, and all other progressive and positive forces, to take action and fight. Amid crisis conditions under the Marcos regime, the revolutionary mass movement in both the cities and countryside, are bound to heighten and fight with even greater tenacity, along with the revolutionary armed struggle being waged by the New People’s Army.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/marcos-duterte-squabbles-are-contradictions-among-fascist-oppressors/

CPP/NPA-Camarines Norte: Makabuluhan para sa masang CamNorteño ang muling pagbubukas ng usapang pangkapayapaan

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jan 29, 2024): Makabuluhan para sa masang CamNorteño ang muling pagbubukas ng usapang pangkapayapaan (The reopening of peace talks is significant for the CamNorteño masses)

 


Carlito Cada

Spokesperson

NPA-Camarines Norte (Armando Catapia Command)

Bicol Regional Operational Command (Romulo Jallores Command)

New People's Army

January 29, 2024

Makabuluhan para sa masang CamNorteño ang muling pagbubukas ng usapang pangkapayapaan, ngunit hindi ito nangangahulugan ng pagtahimik at pagsalong ng mga baril.

Sinusuportahan ng masang Camnorteño ang muling pagbubukas ng usapang pangkapayapaan na pinirmahan ng Negotiating Panel ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) at ng mga upisyal ng Gubyerno ng Republika ng Pilipinas (GRP) sa Oslo Norway noong Nobyembre 23, 2023. Patunay ito na ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan ay laging bukas at handang makipag-usap para sa pagkamit ng matagalang kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng paglutas sa tunay na ugat ng armadong tunggalian.

Para sa masang taga-Camarines Norte, bakit nga ba mayroong usapang pangkapayapaan? May usapang pangkapayapaan dahil may nagaganap na digmaan—digmaan sa pagitan ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno (GRP) na kumakatawan sa mga naghaharing uring mga PML, burukratikong upisyal ng gubyerno, mga burgesyang kumprador at mga dayuhang negosyante. At ng National Democratic Front ot the Philippines (NDFP) na kumakatawan sa makauring interes ng malawak na masang inaapi’t pinagsasamantahan ng bansa. Ang usapang pangkapayapaan ay bahagi ng Digmang Bayan. Isa itong anyo ng paglaban para sa interes ng mamamayan.

Ang Camarines Norte ay mataba ang lupa para sa ibayong paglawak at paglakas ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan bunsod ng dustang kalagayan ng malawak na mamamamayan. Isa ang prubinsya sa matinding binayo at patuloy na binabayo ng sosyo-ekonomiko at pulitikang krisis mula pa sa pagpasok ng dekada ’60 hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Nananatiling inaapi at pinagsasamantalahan ang malawak na masang CamNorteño sa ilalim ng pyudal na pagsasamantala sa mga kanayunan. Katulad ng sistema ng partehan sa produksyon, pagbabarat sa mga produkto katulad ng kopra, palay, pinya at iba pang produktong agrikultural. Dagdag ring panganib sa mga magsasaka ang pang-aagaw ng kabuhayan bunsod ng mga dayuhang pamumuhunan katulad ng mga renewable energy, pagmimina at mga National Greening projects sa anyo ng pagpapatanim ng kape at cacao, gemilina, kawayan at iba pa sa mga lupang timber land.

Nananatili rin ang mapang-aliping sahod ng manggagawa at mala-manggagawa na umaabot lamang ng ₱360 kada araw sa kabila ng patuloy na pagsirit ng mga pangunahing bilihin. Ang mga magkakabod, na tinatawag ding mala-manggagawa dahil sa wala silang ibang pag-aari kundi ang kanilang sariling lakas paggawa, ay labis na nagdurusa sa napakababang halaga ng kanilang namiminang ginto. Ngunit may mas higit pang pinangangambahan ang mga magkakabod, ito ay ang nasa 11 mga dayuhang kumpanya na naglalaway sa mga yamang mineral ng prubinsya katulad ng Mt. Labo Exploration and Development Corporation (MLEDC). Pang-aapi at pagsasamantala ang kakambal ng mga pamumuhunang ito para makapagtabo ng limpak-limpak na kapital mula sa yaman ng prubinsya at murang lakas-paggawa ng mga pobreng CamNorteño.

Bukod dito, lalong pinasasaklap ang buhay at kalagayang ng masang CamNorteño dahil parang “normal” na lamang ang walang patid na pagtaas ng implasyon sa buong prubinsya, ang patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin. Mula Oktubre 2022 hanggang Oktubre 2023 ay nanatili sa 6.5 % hanggang 9.5% ang tantos ng implasyon. Pinakamataas ang naitala noong Enero 2023 na pumalo sa 9.5% at nitong Setyembre 2023 na pumalo ng 8.5%. Nangunguna ang prubinsya sa may pinakamataas na implasyon sa buong rehiyon. Ang pananatiling mataas ng implasyon ay nangangahulugan ng pagkalugmok ng ekonomiya at kabuhayan ng masang CamNorteno. Kaugnay nito ay wala ring ginagawang kongkretong solusyon ang mga burukratikong pulitiko maliban sa mga patse-patseng ayuda at mga programa.

Karugtong ng matinding krisis na ito ay ang malawakan at ang papatinding pasismo sa hanay ng mamamayan. Isang mabangis na halimaw ang NTF-ELcac, AFP, PNP at CAFGU dahil sa dumaraming mga kaso ng paglabag sa karapatang-tao katulad na lamang ng ekstrahudisyal na mga pagpatay, tortyur, pananakot at psywar. Mas masahol dito ang mga gawa-gawang engkwentro na pumapatay sa mga sibilyan at mga pekeng pagpapasuko.

Ang patuloy na pagbulusok ng kabuhayan ng mamamayan ng Camarines Norte ay nangangahulugan ng patuloy na paglawak at paglakas ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan. Hindi lang sa prubinsya kundi sa buong bansa. Ang dekadang pang-aalipin at pangbubusabos ng naghaharing bulok na sistema ang ugat ng 55 taong armadong tunggalian sa bansa.

Ang muling pagbubukas ng usapang pangkapayapaan ay pagpapatunay rin ng pagkilala ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno sa rebolusyonaryong gobyernong bayan at sa patuloy na paglawak at paglakas nito na ibinubunsod ng patuloy na paglala ng socio-ekonomiko at pulitikang krisis ng bansa na inianak ng pandaigdigang krisis ng kapitalista. Alam ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno na hindi sa pamamagitan ng militar masusugpo at malulutas ang armadong tunggalian sa bansa dahil pinatunayan na sa kasaysayan na hanggat may kahirapan, pagsasamantala at pang-aapi ay lagi’t-laging lilitaw ang armadong paglaban.

Upang suportahan ang usapang pangkapayapaan, makatwiran lamang ang panawagan ng sambayanang Pilipino na palayain ng rehimeng Marcos ang 800 bilanggong pulitikal, kabilang ang lahat ng NDFP peace consultants na bahagi at kakatawan sa NDF sa usapang pangkapayapaan.

Dapat ring ipanawagan ang kagyat na pagbasura sa na nagbabansag sa PKP-NPA-NDF bilang mga terorista at National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELcac) na pangunahing naghahasik ng terorismo at tagapamandila ng local peace talks sa anyo ng mga pekeng pagpapasuko at huwad na amnestiya.

Dapat ding kilalanin ang mga naunang kasunduang napagkaisahan gaya ng The Hague Joint Declaration bilang balangkas ng usapang pangkapayapaan at mga nakaraang nilagdaang kasunduan sa pagitan ng GRP at NDFP tulad ng CARHRIHL, JASIG atbp.

Umaasa ang masang CamNorteño at buong rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa muling pag-usad ng usapang pangkapayapaan. Sa kabila nito, mahigpit ang hawak ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan sa kanilang mga baril, lalo’t higit pinatunayan na sa mga nakaraan na traydor at taksil sa mga kasunduan ang hanay ng AFP-PNP-CAFGU.

Tunay na reporma sa lupa, pambansang indusriyalisasyon, hustisyang panlipunan at iba pang demokratikong repormang panlipunan, ang maglulutas sa armadong labanan.#

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/makabuluhan-para-sa-masang-camnorteno-ang-muling-pagbubukas-ng-usapang-pangkapayapaan/

Security exec: No red-tagging policy under Marcos admin

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1, 2024): Security exec: No red-tagging policy under Marcos admin (By Priam Nepomuceno)

National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya (File photo from Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing)

MANILA – A ranking National Security Council (NSC) official on Thursday maintained that there is no red-tagging policy under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“The NTF-ELCAC wishes to convey to the United Nations Special Rapporteur (Irene Khan) who is currently visiting the country that there is no such government policy as red-tagging under the Marcos administration. In fact, the Marcos administration has not issued any law, rule, executive order or policy instrument that implements red-tagging or even uses the word red-tagging,” NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya, who is also chair of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) strategic communications cluster, said in a statement.

He added that Khan’s visit is an opportunity for her, in particular, and the UN body she represents, to get the facts straight from all sides about the red-tagging issue. Khan is in the Philippines until Feb. 2.

Malaya, meanwhile, reminded the enemies and critics of the state that the word red-tagging has no factual basis and is not considered a crime under Philippine laws.

Although several cases related to red-tagging were filed against certain government officials, these were all dismissed by the courts for lack of probable cause.

He added that the Supreme Court ruled that “the mere filing of legal suits or cases against persons suspected of being a member of a CTG (communist terrorist group) is also not an actual threat to one’s right to life, liberty, and security.”

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218041

PH eyes defense tech transfer cooperation with Sweden

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1, 2024): PH eyes defense tech transfer cooperation with Sweden (By Priam Nepomuceno)

BOOSTING DEFENSE TIES. Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jan Knutsson (left) during his meeting with Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino (right) on Jan. 26, 2024. The two officials also discussed common security challenges affecting both the Philippines and Sweden. (Photo courtesy of the DND)

MANILA – The Department of National Defense (DND) is open to collaborating with Sweden on defense technology transfer and research and development, in line with the country's efforts in creating a self-reliant defense posture.

DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong, in a statement Thursday, said this was highlighted during the courtesy call of Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jan Knutsson with DND Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino on Jan. 26.

"Showcasing Sweden's strong defense industry to counter threats, State Secretary Knutsson emphasized the country's cost-effective materiel, primarily its aircraft. Relatedly, Senior Undersecretary Espino conveyed DND's openness to explore cooperation in technology transfer and research and development, among others, in line with the Philippines' efforts to achieve a self-reliant defense posture and more effectively protect its sovereignty," he added.

The two officials also discussed common security challenges affecting both the Philippines and Sweden.

"Among the issues they discussed included climate change, the ongoing war in Ukraine, cross-strait tensions, and the South China Sea issue. Both sides looked forward to developing a long-term bilateral cooperation, underscoring the importance of upholding the rules-based international order and strengthening security ties between like-minded countries," Andolong said.

Both sides also discussed the implementation of the memorandum of understanding concerning Cooperation in the Acquisition of Defense Materiel, updates on the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program and funding requirements, and the Philippine procurement law.

He added that Knutsson's visit comes after Espino's courtesy call to the Swedish official in Stockholm in October last year.

Andolong said both officials also emphasized the urgency of addressing security threats in the continuously evolving cyber domain.

"Underlining cyber security as one of the President's priority agenda, Senior Undersecretary Espino shared the DND and its bureaus' efforts to build a stronger cyber security framework and identify potential partners in this regard," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218048

PH, Vietnam eye stronger information, intel exchange vs. terrorism

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1, 2024): PH, Vietnam eye stronger information, intel exchange vs. terrorism (By Priam Nepomuceno)

FIGHTING TERRORISM. National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año (3rd from left) receives a token of appreciation from Vietnamese Public Security Minister To Lam (3rd from right) during their meeting in Hanoi on Jan. 29, 2024, on the sidelines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Vietnam. During the meeting, Año raised the possibility of holding exchanges of views on each countries’ anti-terror laws and cooperating on simulation exercises to determine the best practices in the application of legal measures vis-a-vis extra-territoriality and border issues. (Photo courtesy of the NSC)

MANILA – The Philippines is looking to strengthen information and intelligence exchange with Vietnam to foil terrorism and transnational crimes.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año raised this matter in his meeting with Vietnam's Minister of Public Security (MPS) To Lam on the sidelines of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Hanoi on Jan. 29, the National Security Council (NSC) said in a news release on Thursday.

"On terrorism and transnational crimes, NSA Año proposed information and intelligence exchange as one of the areas where cooperation on counter terrorism can be pursued, given that the threat of international and local terrorist groups remains a significant challenge to global security," the NSC said.

The bilateral meeting was the first such meeting of the NSC and the MPS since 2016.

As an initial activity, Año raised the possibility of holding exchanges of views on each countries’ anti-terror laws and cooperating on simulation exercises to determine the best practices in the application of legal measures vis-a-vis extra-territoriality and border issues.

"On combating transnational crimes – such as people smuggling, human trafficking, robbery at sea, hijacking and kidnap for ransom, wildlife trafficking, firearms trafficking and smuggling of illicit goods – NSA Año said that the Philippines and Vietnam may pursue cooperation to strengthen border controls and security measures, including port security in strategic locations," the NSC said.

Año called for exchanging views and collaboration on cybersecurity, especially with regard to capacity building and protecting digital infrastructure, platforms, data and network.

Año also expressed his interest to learn about Vietnam’s efforts to create a safe and regulated cyberspace, and how the country is reinforcing the protection of its national sovereignty in various areas of cyberspace, including digital infrastructure, platforms, data, national cyber infrastructure, and information systems used by party and state agencies.

"The NSA also invited Minister Lam to visit the Philippines in the future," the NSC said.

Meanwhile, Lam considered the meeting as “a milestone for a strong transformation of security cooperation between the two countries".

Lam said his country always attached great importance and priority to enhance Philippines-Vietnam relations.

Año also urged Lam to look into the possibility of working together with the Philippines on strengthening coordination in the implementation of initiatives at the level of the ASEAN Defense Ministerial Meeting,

This includes the ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure, Guidelines for Maritime Interaction, and the Guidelines for Air Military Encounters, which has annexes including “Observing Existing Aviation Conventions and Rules,” “Safe and Professional Communications,” “Standard Flight Procedures,” and “Encouraging Mutual Trust and Confidence in the Air.”

He also expressed hope for the early conclusion of the proposed Philippines-Vietnam memorandum of understanding for the provision of mutual logistic support as a way for both countries to mutually advance their respective defense and security capabilities.

"On the South China Sea (SCS)/West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, NSA Año shared with Minister Lam his optimism relative to the Philippines-Vietnam Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Security, emphasizing that the agreement will enable both the Philippines and Vietnam to better manage conflicts in the SCS/WPS and conduct activities in accordance with the principles of international law, the national laws of each party, and international conventions to which both Vietnam and the Philippines are parties," the NSC said.

He also encouraged Vietnam to participate actively in the ASEAN Coast Guards Forum which the Philippines will be hosting this year.

Vietnam, for its part, raised the possibility of making use of intelligence cooperation as a platform to share information and conduct mutual consultations over sensitive issues that are hard to convey through official channels.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218095

2 officials get new posts in PNP top brass revamp

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1, 2024): 2 officials get new posts in PNP top brass revamp (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

MANILA – Two top officials got new positions in the latest revamp in the command group of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In an order dated Feb. 1 and released Friday, PNP Chief, Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., named Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta as the deputy chief for administration (DCA), the force's second-highest post.

He replaces Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, who retired from the service on Jan. 26.

Before his appointment to the post, Peralta was the PNP's fourth top official or the chief of the directorial staff.

He previously held key posts, including director for operations and director of the Police Regional Office 1 (Ilocos) and the Southern Police District in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, Area Police Command - Northern Luzon Commander, Maj. Gen. Jon Arnaldo, replaces Peralta as the chief of the directorial staff.

Arnaldo will supervise and synchronize the functions of the PNP directorial staff offices in support of the operations of the 17 Police Regional Offices and the different national operational support units.

Earlier this week, the PNP nullified an order designating Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria as the acting DCA, replacing Sermonia.

Dubria was supposed to serve in a concurrent capacity while remaining as the PNP's third top official or deputy chief for operations.

On Monday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said she "was made to understand that the order was issued prematurely."

"However, since the position requires the appointment of the President, the PNP deemed it necessary to nullify the said order so as not to preempt whatever appointment the President will issue in the coming days. So it was nullified to give deference to the official appointment that will be made by our President," Fajardo said in a press briefing.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218121

'Bayanihan' in DavOr reaches GIDAs, conflict areas

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1, 2024): 'Bayanihan' in DavOr reaches GIDAs, conflict areas (By Che Palicte)

BAYANIHAN. Troopers from the Army’s 701st Infantry Brigade and residents of Sitio Logdeck, Barangay Maragatas, Lupon in Davao Oriental work together in carrying a hut during the caravan of services in the area on Wednesday (Jan. 31, 2024). The activity forms part of the launch of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict's “Davao Oriental Bayanihan” program in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas of the province that have rejected the communist New People’s Army. (Photo from 10ID)

DAVAO CITY – The Davao Oriental Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) launched Wednesday its “Bayanihan” program in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) that have rejected the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

In a statement Thursday, Brig. Gen. Oliver Maquiling, the Army’s 701st commander, said the caravan of services, dubbed “Davao Oriental Bayanihan” happened in Sitio Logdeck, Barangay Maragatas, Lupon town.

He said the initiative provided essential services to the community, including support for agricultural activities, social services assistance, free medical and dental programs, and driver's license renewal.

Residents also aired their concerns during a one-on-one forum with the local authorities and officials.

"This is what convergence is, we aim to deliver not only security interventions but comprehensive services for lasting peace in the community," Maquiling said.

He emphasized the positive impact of Executive Order No. 70, leading to the liberation of Barangay Maragatas from the influence of the communist rebels.

He noted that former rebels in the province, now members of the Davao Oriental Former Rebels Association (DOFRA), are benefitting from various interventions, leading a more productive life.

Meanwhile, Governor Niño Sotero Uy of Davao Oriental emphasized the importance of boosting the morale of the residents in GIDAs, which previously served as lairs of NPA rebels.

"These are the communities we are prioritizing. They should be at the forefront of our government programs because they are the ones who need our services the most," he said.

The Davao Oriental Bayanihan program is set to extend its reach to other GIDAs in the province in the coming months, continuing its mission to bring positive change and development in the insurgency-free province.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218049

NPA fighter captured in Northern Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1, 2024): NPA fighter captured in Northern Samar (By Sarwell Meniano)

CAPTURED. A member of the New People’s Army captured after an encounter in the upland village of San Isidro, Northern Samar. The military attributed the success of the operation to the information provided by the residents in the area. (Philippine Army photo)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Army captured a combatant of the New People’s Army (NPA) after an encounter in the upland village in San Isidro, Northern Samar on Wednesday.

The rebel, identified as alias Doming, is a member of squad 1 of sub-regional guerilla unit, sub-regional committee Emporium of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas regional party committee. He has a standing warrant of arrest for the crime of murder issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 20 on Oct. 10, 2015.

Lt. Col. Nasser Arojo, commander of the Army’s 43rd Infantry Battalion (IB), said Thursday the troops were conducting an operation in the village when they were fired upon by a group of armed men.

A short firefight ensued until the armed men retreated, leaving their colleague behind. An M16 rifle and a short magazine were later seized.

Arojo attributed the success of the operation to the timely and relevant information provided by the residents.

"This is a clear indication that the community appreciates the efforts of the government and has decided to support the fight to end the local communist armed conflict," Arojo said in a statement.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218057