Communist insurgents still under watch: ELCAC

From Malaya Business Insight (Jun 13, 2024): Communist insurgents still under watch: ELCAC (By Victor Reyes)

DESPITE stepped-up preparedness for external threats, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said it will remain vigilant against a resurgence of the communist movement which is considered a major internal security threat.

NTF-ELCAC executive director Ernesto Torres Jr made the statement after President Marcos Jr called on the Armed Forces for heightened preparedness for external threats amid the growing geopolitical tension in the Indo-Pacific regarding sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, as well as security issues around neighboring Taiwan.

The internal security threats the military is confronting are the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, and terrorist groups such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Abu Sayyaf, Maute Group, and the Daulah Islamiyah.

Torres, on Tuesday afternoon, said the NPA strength is down to just 1,000 members, from its peak of around 25,000 in the 1980s.

He also said nine NPA guerrilla fronts remain, from 89 in 2018 when the ELCAC was established. The nine are considered “weakened” fronts.

AFP spokeswoman Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said over a thousand communist rebels and supporters have been “neutralized” from January 1 to June 6 this year.

Of the 1,079 neutralized, 946 surrendered, 71 were apprehended, and 62 were killed during military operations, Padilla said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday.

Padilla also said 52 firearms and 185 anti-personnel mines were either seized by government troops or surrendered by the communist rebels in the same period.

Also, Padilla said 125 rebel camps were seized by soldiers.

Torres said the ELCAC, which includes the Armed Forces as its key members, is still focused on preventing the resurgence of the communist movement, including attacks and recruitment.

“Complacency could undermine the progress made and jeopardize the security of the area,” Torres said while stressing the need to be proactive in the campaign against the insurgents.

“Sustaining peace efforts requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of conflict and vulnerabilities,” he also said.

The task force includes other government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Education.

“By prioritizing prevention, protection, and resource management strategies, communities can mitigate the risk of recruitment and exploitation by armed groups, thereby fostering long-term peace and stability,” said Torres.

https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/communist-insurgents-still-under-watch-elcac/

Army, Rebels clash in Antique

From Panay News (Jun 13, 2024): Army, Rebels clash in Antique (By Ruby P. Silubrico)

ILOILO City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) engaged in two skirmishes on Monday in Barangay Culyat, Valderrama, Antique.

The initial encounter occurred at 9:50 a.m., involving personnel from the Philippine Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion under the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID). They encountered around 20 armed members of the NPA’s Regional Headquarters, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (RHQ, KR-P).

The clash lasted for five minutes before the rebels retreated, leaving behind personal belongings and various materials.

Six hours later, another clash transpired between the same military troops and 12 armed insurgents, according to Brigadier General Michael Samson of the 301st Infantry Brigade.

From the encounter sites, government troops recovered several war materials, including 28 live M16 rifle ammunition, 15 live M14 ammunition, 10 live AK47 ammunition, eight USB drives, a radio, 10 empty M16 rifle shells, medical paraphernalia, and personal belongings.

“We will continue our fight against these armed men until they surrender. We assure their safety should they decide to lay down their arms,” said Samson.

Meanwhile, 3ID commander Major General Marion Sison urged the remaining rebels to surrender if they wish to avoid being killed in future encounters.

“Let us continue fostering a culture of cooperation and collaboration to prevent the remaining communist terrorists from conducting any criminal activities in our communities. Achieving a state of stable internal peace and security for Panay Island is within our reach, and with the support of all Panaynons, we are optimistic about achieving this shared goal,” Sison added.

https://www.panaynews.net/army-rebels-clash-in-antique/

CPP/Southern Tagalog Regional Committee-PIO: Sa ika-126 taong paggunita sa araw ng kalayaan: Pag-ibayuhin ang rebolusyonaryong pakikibaka para sa tunay na pambansang kalayaan at demokrasya sa harap ng lantarang pagyurak ng imperyalismong US sa kalayaan at soberanya ng bansa

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jun 12, 2024): Sa ika-126 taong paggunita sa araw ng kalayaan:Pag-ibayuhin ang rebolusyonaryong pakikibaka para sa tunay na pambansang kalayaan at demokrasya sa harap ng lantarang pagyurak ng imperyalismong US sa kalayaan at soberanya ng bansa (On the 126th anniversary of independence day: Raise the revolutionary struggle for true national freedom and democracy in the face of US imperialism's blatant trampling on the country's freedom and sovereignty)

 


Public Information Office

CPP Southern Tagalog Regional Committee

Communist Party of the Philippines

June 12, 2024

Higit na kinakailangang pag-ibayuhin ng sambayanang Pilipino ang pakikibaka para sa tunay na kalayaan, soberanya at demokrasya sa harap ng tumitinding panghihimasok militar ng imperyalistang US sa bansa. Sa paggunita ngayong Hunyo 12 sa ika-126 na araw ng “kalayaan”, nararapat na muling pagtibayin ng mga makabayan, progresibo at demokratikong pwersa ang panata na kamtin ang tunay na kalayaan at demokrasya sa balangkas ng pambansa-demokratikong rebolusyon para ibagsak ang imperyalismo, pyudalismo at burukratang kapitalismo.

Ang umiinit na tensyon sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) at ang pagsasangkalan dito ng papet na reaksyunaryong gubyerno at ng AFP ay nagkakaladkad sa bansa sa digmang agresyon o maging sa digmang proxy ng imperyalistang US laban sa China. Inililihis nito sa mapayapang negosasyon at diplomatikong pamamaraan ang paglutas sa usapin sa pinagtutunggaliang teritoryo at exclusive economic zone sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at China sa WPS. Higit nitong pinalalaki ang posibilidad na maipit ang bansa sa napipintong inter-imperyalistang gera at magdulot ng panganib sa kapakanan, kaligtasan at buhay ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Bukambibig ni Marcos Jr. na determinado umano siyang itaguyod ang kapayapaan, pandaigdigang pagkakaisa at “rule-based international order”, sa kalagayang nasa gitna ng pandaigdigang “flashpoint” ang Pilipinas. Gayunman, di nito mapasusubalian ang pagpapakita ng lubos na pagpapakatuta at pagpapagamit nito sa imperyalistang US sa ipinangangalandakan ng huli bilang patron ng kapayapaan sa Indo-Pasipiko na walang iba kundi ang interes nitong panatilihin at palakasin pa ang hegemonyang militar at ekonomya nito sa rehiyon. Mahigpit naman itong kinokontra at nilalabanan ng kapwa imperyalistang China. Ito ngayon ang nasa likod ng papatinding militarisasyon sa WPS kapwa ng mga pwersa ng US at China.

Malaking panlilinlang na ituring na malaya ang bansa sa katotohanan ng pagiging papet ng kasalukuyang rehimen at ng lahat ng reakyunaryong rehimen na humawak ng estadong malakolonya at malapyudal. Patuloy na ipinangalandakan ng US na ipinagkaloob nito ang kalayaan ng Pilipinas noong 1946, sa kabila ng lansakan nitong pagyurak sa kalayaan at soberanya ng bansa at pagpapanatili ng kontrol sa militar pulitika, ekonomiya at kultura ng bansa, kasabay ang pagpapanggap na “protektor” at “tagapaligtas” ng bayan.

Sa kabilang banda, sa “pagkakaloob” ng “kalayaan”, lalong pinatutunayan nitong lukob ng US ang bansa. Ang serye ng mga tagibang na kasunduang militar ay naglalantad sa katotohanang nilalapastangan ng imperyalistang US ang pambansang kalayaan at soberanya ng bansa. Matapos mapalayas ang mga base militar ng US noong 1991, binigyang bisa ng estado ang Visiting Forces Agreement para sa tuloy-tuloy na paglabas-masok ng tropang militar ng US sa bansa. Sa pagbaling ng US sa Asya-Pasipiko sa tinagurian nitong “pivot to asia” para pigilan ang paglakas ng kapwa imperyalistang China, nilagdaan ang Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) noong 2014 na naka-angkla pa rin sa Mutual Defence Treaty. Ginamit ito ngayon para gawing lehitimo ang pagtatayo ng pinaraming base militar ng US sa mga “agreed locations” sa teritoryo ng bansa. Isa na rito ang bagong EDCA site na itinayo sa isla ng Balabac sa Palawan na nakaharap sa Spratlys islands kung saan may itinayong artipisyal na base ang China na kumpleto sa runways at missile system. Bago pa ito, tahimik na itinayo noong 2016 ang baseng nabal ng US sa Oyster Bay na tinaguriang `mini-Subic ” sa Palawan na kayang mag-akomoda ng malalaking barkong pandigma ng US.

Higit ding dumalas at naging malakihan ang paglulunsad ng joint-military trainings o Balikatan exercises ng magkasanib na AFP at US forces at nitong huli ay naka-disenyo sa paghahandang militar ng US laban sa China. Bago ang 2023, ang Balikatan exercises ay isinasagawa sa loob lamang ng mga kampo militar, subalit kaiba sa kasalukuyan nakatuon na ito sa opensa at depensang panghimpapawid, pangkaragatan at nakaayon sa pagpapahusay ng inter-operability ng pwersang US at AFP at pagpapalakas ng depensa sa “first island chain” para sa pag-ensirkulo sa China. Sa ganitong wangis, inilunsad ang katatapos lamang na pinakamalaking 38th Balikatan exercises nitong Abril at ang isasagawa pang ikalawang serye ng Cope Thunder-24 war games sa pagitan ng Philippine Airforce (PAF) at ng US Airforce ngayong Hunyo 17-28. Napapabalita rin ang presensya ng mga tropang US sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng rehiyon ng Timog Katagalugan.

Nakababahala rin ang papalaking pondong inilalaan ng US sa AFP na tiyak na hihigop sa bansa sa inter-imperyalistang gera sa tabing ng modernisasyon ng AFP at sa diumano’y mutwal na layunin para sa kapayapaan sa Indo-Pasipiko. Inihayag ni US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin na maglalaan ang US sa taong 2025 ng USD128 milyon para pondohan ang 36 infrastructure projects sa mga EDCA sites. Dodoblehin nito ang dami ng dati nang ipinatayo sa mga ito. Liban pa ito sa nauna nang USD109 milyon na inilaan na pondo sa implementasyon ng mga EDCA projects. Mayroon ding panukalang batas ngayon sa US na dagdagan ang taunang USD40 milyon US military aid o Foreign Military Financing (FMF) sa Pilipinas sa halagang USD500 milyon. Nitong Enero napaulat na ang Pilipinas ang bansang may pinakamalaking nakuhang tulong para sa depensa sa buong rehiyong Pasipiko ayon sa US Department of Commerce-International Trade Administration.

Bahagi rin ng paghahandang sikolohikal na papabor sa mapandigmang interes ng US ang ginagatungan nitong sinophobia o pagkatakot sa China sa hanay ng mga Pilipino. Kasabay naman nito ang pagpipresenta sa sarili bilang tagapagtanggol ng kapayapaan sa daigdig, habang nagwawasiwas ng terorismo, digmang agresyon, henosidyo sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo na pinadurusahan ng mga aping bayan at mamamayan sa daigdig katulad nagaganap sa ngayon sa Gaza. Nitong nakaraang linggo, bumisita sa bansa si Volodymyr Zelensky, pangulo ng Ukraine na kilalang kalyado ng US/NATO para personal na hingin ang suporta ni Marcos Jr. na inihalintulad ang Pilipinas sa Ukraine na kalaban din umano ng blokeng Russia at China.

Kaakibat ng kontrol sa pulitika at militar, ipinataw ng imperyalistang US ang mga neoliberal na patakaran sa ekonomiya ng bansa para higit pang makapanghuthot ng supertubo ang mga monopolyo kapitalista kasabwat ang lokal na naghaharing uring burgesyang kumprador-panginoong maylupa. Higit nitong iginupo ang naghihingalong lokal na produksyon sa bansa at ibinaon sa higit na pagdurusa ang masang anakpawis at malawak na sambayanan na malaon nang pinahihirapan ng pyudal at malapyudal na pagsasamantala. Nito lamang nakaraang linggo, inaprubahan ni Marcos Jr. ang pagbawas ng taripa sa mga produktong ini-import tulad ng bigas mula sa 35% tungong 15% bigas at maging sa coal sa dahilan na pabababain umano nito ang presyo ng pagkain at enerhiya. Subalit nakaayon pa rin ito sa neoliberalisasyon na panibagong dagok sa lokal na produksyon at para sa higit pang pananamantala ng mga monopolyo kapitalista at mga burgesyang-kumprador.

Ang kalayaan sa ekonomiya ay kalayaan sa pulitika. Ngunit malayo ito sa hinagap ng Pilipinas na isang bayang malakolonyal at malapyudal. Sa ganitong diwa ang Hunyo 12 ay hindi pagdiriwang sa huwad na kalayaan, bagkus ito ay pagsariwa sa daantaong pagpapahirap na ipinataw ng imperyalismong US, pyudalismo at burukratang kapitalismo sa bansa at pagbuhay sa diwang patriyotiko ng mga Pilipinong mapagmahal sa pambansang kalayaan at demokrasya. Ito’y pagpupugay rin sa lahat ng nakibakang mamamayan at sa mga bayaning nag-aalay ng kanilang buhay at dugo para sa dakilang hangaring mapalaya ang bayan sa dayuhang pang-aapi at pambubusabos.

Malaking ang hamon sa kasalukuyang pwersang patriyotiko at demokratiko na ipaglaban ang kalayaan at soberanya ng bansa sa harap ng imperyalistang panghihimasok militar at agresyon maalinman sa US at China. Dapat manindigan para sa tunay na kalayaan at independyenteng patakarang panlabas, taliwas sa pagiging papet at paninikluhod sa imperyalistang kapangyarihan. Dapat makibaka para sa tunay na pambansang kalayaan at soberanya sa balangkas ng pambansa-demokratikong rebolusyon. Higit sa lahat, kailangang masapul ng bawat Pilipino na ang tunay na kalayaan ay yaong iginigiit at ipinaglalaban upang ganap na matamasa.

Kinakailangan ang malawak na pagkakaisa ng mga magsasaka, manggagawa, kabataan, kababaihan, propesyunal at lahat ng makabayan at demokratikong uri at sektor sa pamumuno ng uring proletaryado para sa kalayaan, demokrasya at sosyalismo. Ang pagpapaigting ng anti-imperyalistang pakikibaka, kaakibat ang pakikibakang anti-pyudal at anti-pasista ang magdadala sa katapusan ng lipunang malakolonyal at malapyudal at kamtin ang isang tunay na malaya, nagsasarili, demokratiko, makatarungan at masaganang Pilipinas.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/pag-ibayuhin-ang-rebolusyonaryong-pakikibaka-para-sa-tunay-na-pambansang-kalayaan-at-demokrasya-sa-harap-ng-lantarang-pagyurak-ng-imperyalismong-us-sa-kalayaan-at-soberanya-ng-bansa/

CPP/NDF-Rizal/NDF-Southern Tagalog: Ipagtagumpay ang bagong tipo ng rebolusyong pambansa-demokratiko upang kamtin ang tunay na kalayaan!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jun 12, 2024): Ipagtagumpay ang bagong tipo ng rebolusyong pambansa-demokratiko upang kamtin ang tunay na kalayaan! (Win the new type of national-democratic revolution to achieve true freedom!)

 


Arman Guerrero

Spokesperson

NDF-Rizal

NDF-Southern Tagalog

June 12, 2024

Nananawagan ang National Democratic Front-Rizal sa lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino na nagmamahal sa ating bansa na patuloy na sumuporta at lumahok sa isinusulong na bagong-tipo na demokratikong rebolusyong bayan ng CPP-NPA-NDF. Ito lamang ang tanging paraan upang makamit ang ganap na kalayaan mula sa di-tuwirang paghahari ng imperyalismong US sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga lokal na alipures na mga burukrata kapitalista at malalaking burgesya kumprador na syang nagpapanatili sa ating lipunang nakatanikala sa malakolonyal at malapyudal na sistema. Dahilan upang magpahanggang ngayon ay hindi ganap na malaya ang ating lipunan sa pagsasamantala ng mga naghaharing uri.

Ang digmaang ito ay rebolusyonaryo, makatarungan at makatwiran sapagkat ipinaglalaban nito ang rebolusyonaryong interes ng malawak na pinagsasamantalahang mamamayan. Ipinatutupad nito ang rebolusyong agraryo at hinahangad ang pambansang industriyalisasyon na mag-aahon sa laksang magbubukid sa kawalang ng lupa at pagsasamantalang pyudal. Nilalayon nitong makumpleto ang pakikibaka para sa pambansang kasarinlan. Itinatayo rin nito ang demokratikong gubyernong bayan. Hindi ito magagawa kung hindi mag-aarmas ang mamamayan at kung walang tunay na hukbo ang mamamayan na dudurog sa kapangyarihan ng mga naghahari upang maagaw ang kapangyarihang pampulitika.

Ang ating rebolusyon ay pagpapatuloy ng rebolusyong Pilipino noong 1896 subalit ito ay isang bagong tipo na nasa pamumuno ng proletaryado at may perpesktibang sosyalista. Kakaiba na ito sa lumang tipo ng rebolusyong burges-kapitalista na isinulong noon nina Andres Bonifacio. Baguks, ito ay bahagi na ng proletaryo-sosyalistang rebolusyon mula nang pumutok noon ang unang imperyalistang digmaan at nagtagumpay ang sosyalistang Rebolusyong Oktubre sa Rusya.

Mula nang tayo ay sakupin ng Espanya sa loob ng mahigit tatlong daang taon ay isinulong pangunahin nina Andres Bonifacio ang Rebolusosyong 1896. Halos napagtagumpayan na ng mga Pilipino ang rebolusyon sa buong kapuluan maliban na lamang sa Intramuros. Subalit inagaw ng US ang tagumpay na ito sa pakikipagkasundo ni Emilio Aguinaldo sa pakana ng US na makabalik siya sa Pilipinas (mula sa pagpapatapon nito sa Hongkong at pagsuko kapalit ng $800,000 sa kasunduan sa Biak na Bato), upang papasukin ang pwersang ng US sa Manila Bay (Battle of Manila Bay) at linlangin ang mga Pilipino na sila ang nagpalaya sa atin dahil sa kanila sumuko ang Espanya. Nais palabasin ng US na sila ay maasahang kaibigan subalit ang totoo’y binili nila ang Pilipinas sa Espanya sa halangang $20 milyon. Kung kaya’t ang deklarasyong ng kasarinlan noong Hunyo 12, 1898 na ating ipinagdiriwang ngayon ay hindi natin ganap na natatamasa dahil sa pananakop sa atin ng US hanggang Huly 4, 1946 at mula dito’y di-tuwirang pangongolonya sa ating bansa hanggang kasalukuyan.

Habang tumitindi ang kahirapan, kagutuman at kawalang katarugnan sa mga malakolonyal at malapyudal na lipunan dulot ng tumitinding krisis ng mga imperyalistang bansa na nauuwi ngayon sa hindi na maitagong ribalan, agawan ng pamilihan, hatian ng mga rehiyon sa daigdig at pagpapakita ng kani-kanilang lakas militar tulad ng US at China, ay napakataba ng lupa upang isulong at itaas sa mataas na yugto ang ating digmang bayan.

Sa tagisang ito ng US at China, ang US pa rin ang nangungunang imperyalista na kumukubabaw at kumokontrol sa ating bansa. Kung tutuusin sa bagong 17 base militar ng US sa Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) ay halos katumbas na ito ng panunumbalik ng US military bases noon bago pa matagumpay na napalayas ito ng mga Pilipino taong 1991. Patuloy nitong sinasanay, isinasailalim sa indoktrinasyon at inaarmasan ang Armed Forces of the Philippines na isa sa pinakamasugid na tuta nito mula nang kanyang itayo noong 1903 upang supilin ang mga Pilipinong patuloy na nakikipaglaban para sa kalayaan. Malalim na nakatamin ang mga tagapayong militar ng US sa AFP sa pamamgitan ng Joint US Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG). Ang US din ang bumabansot sa ating ekonomiya upang manatiling murang hilaw na materyales lamang ang ating malikha para sa kanilang pangangailangan at tambakan naman tayo ng mas mahal na mga yaring produktong imported. Katuwang ang papet na mga rehimeng kanyang binabasbasan upang mailuklok, ang US ang pangunahing utak ng mga kontra-insurhensiyang mga pakana upang supilin ang paglaban ng mamamayan at paghahangad ng tunay na kalayaan. Sa pamamgitan nito, binabansagan nilang terorista at kaaway ng estado ang mga rebolusyonaryong nagsusulong ng armadong pakikibaka at maging ang mga aktibista at mga legal na mga samahang pambansa-demokratiko na ang tanging pinaglalaban ay ang karapatan para sa lupa, kabuhayan at tunay na kasarinlan.

Ganundin naman nararapat na tutulan at kundenahin ang mga agresibong aksyon at iligal na pag-angkin ng China sa halos 90% ng South China Sea. Lalu’t higit ang paggamit ng US sa usaping ito upang manghimasok, lalung mang-upat ng gyera at ipagkait ang independyenteng kapasyahan ng Pilipinas na iresolba sa mapayapa at diplomatikong pamamaraan ang usapin sa West Philippine Sea.

Kilalanin natin ang ating tunay na kaaway. Huwag magpalinlang sa mga nagpapanggap na mga kaibigan tulad ng US. Umasa sa sariling lakas. Tanging sa pagsusulong ng demokratikong rebolusyong bayan at sa pagtatagumpay nito makakamit ang tunay na kasarinlan ng ating bansa na ipinagdiriwang natin ngayong ika-126 taon na araw diumano ng kalayaan.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/ipagtagumpay-ang-bagong-tipo-ng-rebolusyong-pambansa-demokratiko-upang-kamtin-ang-tunay-na-kalayaan/

CPP/NPA-Negros Island ROC: Collectively demand for just compensation, end to state terrorism amid natural calamities

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jun 8, 2024): Collectively demand for just compensation, end to state terrorism amid natural calamities

 


Maoche Legislador

Spokesperson | Negros Island Regional Operational Command (Apolinario Gatmaitan Command)

New People's Army

June 08, 2024

The Apolinario Gatmaitan Command-New People’s Army Negros Island Regional Operations Command (AGC-NPA) calls on all NPA units and revolutionary forces throughout the island to show its collective action to support Negrosanons affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon last June 3 and the lahars in the following days.

All guerrilla fronts are tasked to lead efforts in gathering support from revolutionary mass organizations, various sectors and allies for immediate aid. Revolutionary mass organizations should be mobilized to extend help to the victims as soon as possible.

The recent volcanic eruption and damages caused by the El Niño phenomenon to the agricultural sector on Negros Island, now pegged at around ₱340 million in Negros Occidental and ₱2.4 billion in Negros Oriental, have taken a heavy toll on the lives and livelihoods of Negrosanon peasants and farm workers. Instead of concrete and legitimate assistance, the Marcos Jr regime has settled with mere performative acts of giving unsustainable aid for politicking and military propaganda. Recently, the 303rd Brigade has declared that it will continue conducting military operations in the countryside “amid its disaster response” in an effort to sugarcoat the reality that the reactionary government is more fixated on terrorizing the masses than serving them.

The Marcos Jr regime and its local government units must take seriously its responsibility to address the needs of the Negrosanon masses particularly in rebuilding their homes and livelihoods devastated by Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption and the succeeding floods. It has yet to fulfill its promise of government aid for the serious effects of the El Niño phenomenon on the island.

Thus, it is imperative for the Negrosanon masses to collectively demand for just compensation from the reactionary government for irreparable damages they had to endure in the succeeding calamities due to the reactionary state’s inept and sluggish response. Furthermore, they must clamor for an end to relentless state terrorism.

The succeeding calamities have exacerbated landlessness and buried the Negrosanon masses in perennial destitution and hunger. Indubitably, agrarian revolution, a component of revolutionary armed struggle, must be pursued to solve centuries of feudal and semifeudal oppression and exploitation on the island. The NPA Negros is, as always, one with the masses in realizing such.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/collectively-demand-for-just-compensation-end-to-state-terrorism-amid-natural-calamities/

CPP/CIO: Oppose US-instigated Marcos war-mongering and provocations

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jun 11, 2024): Oppose US-instigated Marcos war-mongering and provocations

 


Marco Valbuena

Chief Information Officer

Communist Party of the Philippines

June 11, 2024

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) strongly condemns the US-Marcos regime for its incessant war-mongering which have resulted in heightened tensions with China. The Party condemns Marcos for recent statements pertaining to China as a threat to the country’s freedom, and speculating on possible scenarios which he considers “acts of war.” Acting at the behest of the US, Marcos is obsessed with setting up the stage for engaging China with military force, emboldened by the heightened presence and military intervention of the US imperialists in the South China Sea.

On US instigation, the Marcos government, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard have carried out provocative marine and naval maneuvers since last year, resulting in rising number of incidents in the West Philippine Sea, including the May 19 skirmishes at the Ayungin Shoal, that increases the dangers of escalation and igniting an armed conflict.

Tensions at the West Philippine Sea have heightened since March 2023 with the so-called supply missions carried out by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). These were planned with the US military and carried out with US military overflight support (using the unmanned surveillance plane, the P-8 Poseidon). The much-hyped pronouncements that construction supplies will be brought to the BRP Sierra Madre, purportedly for “superficial repairs,” were a deliberate attempt to provoke China, knowing that such directly undermines previous agreements made under the Estrada, Arroyo and Aquino governments[1].

The 2016 ruling of the International Arbitral Tribunal, among others, recognized that the Ayungin Shoal is well within the Philippines exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and dismissed China’s territorial and maritime claims in the area. This should have given the Philippines the leverage to pursue diplomatic and legal options to assert its rights over the West Philippine Sea.

However, to ingratiate himself to China, Duterte disregarded this legal victory and merely reaffirmed the previous agreement that the Philippines will not bring construction materials to the Ayungin Shoal, an act betraying the country’s national interest.

Like Duterte, Marcos has made no initiative to pursue the 2016 IAT decision and the country’s interests through peaceful courses of action. Marcos’ denials of the existence of a publicly known agreement with China are outright lies and constitute a grave diplomatic breach. Philippine diplomatic officials have been set to play second fiddle to the US-trained attack dogs in the defense and security establishment, the AFP and the rabid Philippine Coast Guard. Abetted by the US, the Marcos regime clearly seeks to inflame and provoke China, to spark incidents which may be used as pretext for invoking the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

Acting like an imperialist bully, China has responded to the provocations with water-cannons and blocking maneuvers. It uses brute strength to unilaterally enforce an old agreement, the basis for which has already been clearly superseded by the 2016 IAT ruling. China stubbornly refuses to recognize this decision, despite being a signatory to the UNCLOS. In the face of heightened US geopolitical strategy to contain and encircle it, imperialist China has become increasingly aggressive and obsessive in defending its interests, that it has trampled on Philippine economic and maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Both China and the Philippines under the US-Marcos regime must be held to account under the principles of the 2002 Code of Conduct. This declaration, signed by China along with ten ASEAN countries, promoted the “peaceful settlement of disputes through friendly consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned.”

It is to the interest of the Filipino people to demand an immediate deescalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea, and for the governments of China and the Philippines to actively engage in dialogue in order to amicably settle disputes and differences in line with international laws. As goodwill and show of respect to the Filipino people, China must rescind its recent order to arrest fishermen in waters within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

They must condemn the Marcos regime for pursuing war as an instrument of national policy. They must resist the Marcos regime’s policies that serve the geopolitical strategy of US imperialism to heighten tensions in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea to serve as alibi for increasing US military presence and heightening military intervention in the Philippines and in the region.

They must demand the dismantling of all US military bases and removal of all US weapons in the Philippines that are the biggest obstacles to the aim of achieving peace in the Philippines and throughout the region.

_______
[1] In 2013, news reports quoted Aquino’s defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin as saying “We will not violate the agreement not to construct new structures. We told them we’re only bringing supplies for our troops there, like water, food.”

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/oppose-us-instigated-marcos-war-mongering-and-provocations/

CPP/CIO: Reject Marcos "Bagong Pilipinas" indoctrination and deception campaign

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jun 11, 2024): Reject Marcos "Bagong Pilipinas" indoctrination and deception campaign

 


Marco Valbuena

Chief Information Officer

Communist Party of the Philippines

June 11, 2024

The Filipino people and their revolutionary forces reject and oppose the indoctrination and grand deception campaign of the US-Marcos fascist regime. This campaign is contained in Marcos’ recent order to recite a pledge and sing a hymn dedicated to his false conception of a “Bagong Pilipinas.”

The “Bagong Pilipinas” indoctrination campaign is no different from his father dictator’s “Bagong Lipunan” that sought to cover-up the abuses of martial law and prettify Marcos’ tyrannical rule.

Marcos Jr’s concept of a “Bagong Pilipinas” is a slew of empty and fraudulent phrases. It is a reflection of his false “landslide” victory, and will be used to cover-up the fraud and deception of upcoming elections to reinforce the Marcos dynastic rule.

Marcos’ mind manipulation campaign aims to numb the consciousness of the people by obscuring the old decrepit system and the root problems of foreign domination, fascist repression and feudal oppression.

Marcos Jr’s “Bagong Pilipinas” deceives the Filipino people with illusions of a “new” future. There is, in fact, nothing fundamentally “new” in the oppressive and exploitative semicolonial and semifeudal system in the Philippines and the old corrupt rule of big bourgeois compradors and big landlords. They continue to revel in wealth, and reign using the instruments of state terror.

Nothing is new except the greater sufferings of the Filipino people. They wallow in a deeper quagmire of poverty and hunger. They suffer from even lower wages, more widespread landlessness, unemployment, economic dispossession, even higher prices, more burdensome taxes, and deteriorating public services.

The gap between the ruling classes and the exploited and oppressed classes are wider than ever before. Thus, the Filipino people are determined to continue the struggle to change the course of the country’s history, attain national freedom, transform the socioeconomic system, and establish a genuine democratic government. The Filipino people reject Marcos’ “Bagong Pilipinas” and reaffirm their commitment to struggle for national democracy.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/reject-marcos-bagong-pilipinas-indoctrination-and-deception-campaign/

Flashpoint: Sabina Shoal

 Posted to Palawan News (Jun 11, 2024): Flashpoint: Sabina Shoal (By Ray Powell)

Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Teresa Magbanua at Sabina Shoal surrounded by Chinese ships on 8 May 2024 (Image: Planet Labs)

Is China building another artificial feature at Sabina Shoal? The Philippines certainly suspects it has those designs. With everything else swirling around the South China Sea, why should this be what we’re talking about now? SeaLight explains below.

Two months ago SeaLight documented the seasonal return of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) Spratly Backbone Fishing Vessels to Sabina Shoal. We were not the only ones to take note, however. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was also concerned, and last month dispatched the BRP Teresa Magbanua to investigate.

The image above, taken on 8 May and provided by SeaLight’s imagery partners at Planet Labs, helps tell the story of the 97-meter BRP Teresa Magbanua–visible along the left edge–facing off against the similarly sized China Coast Guard 3303, while a host of smaller PRC coast guard and militia ships were spread across the southeastern part of the shoal.

These included many of the “rafted” vessels we noted in our March report, as well as those at the northwest end of the shoal, which can be seen in the center and along the right edge of this 21 April image provided by our imagery partners at SkyFi.

Rafted Chinese militia vessels in northeast Sabina Shoal, 21 April 2024. (Image from SkyFi)

China responded to the arrival of the PCG ship in characteristic fashion, sending an armada over from Mischief Reef in an attempt to overwhelm and intimidate the PCG ship.

How many ships and aircraft did the PRC send? According to the PCG, a lot:

The constant presence of rafted vessels is normally sufficient cause for concern, as China uses rafting as a form of “floating outposts” to normalize its presence and establish its sovereignty claims. What the Philippines fears, however, is that China has already begun to enact plans to create a more permanent outpost at Sabina.

In fact, Manila claims to have found evidence that China may already be laying the literal groundwork by dumping mounds of dead coral on top of the underwater reefs:

Philippine Coast Guard slide detailing the ships observed at Sabina (Escoda) Shoal as of 12 May (Credit: Joseph Morong, GMA7 News)

China, of course, has a history of artificial island building and militarization, and today uses some of these–including the aforementioned Mischief Reef–as power projection platforms from which to expand its effective control of features within its neighbors’ lawful exclusive economic zones.

The Philippines is especially concerned about Sabina Shoal, since it lies just 75 nautical miles from the coast of Palawan. Was China to succeed in building a military base there, it would be the nearest base to Philippine shores, as SeaLight’s graphics partner Ian Ellis-Jones recently laid out in his helpful map of contested South China Sea features.



[*** This article first appeared on SeaLight on May 14, 2024. Ray Powell is the Director of SeaLight and Project Lead for Project Myoushu at Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation. He’s a 35-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was a 2021 Fellow at Stanford’s Distinguished Careers Institute.]

https://palawan-news.com/flashpoint-sabina-shoal/

PH Navy gets food donations from private sector for WPS troops

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 12, 2024): PH Navy gets food donations from private sector for WPS troops (By Priam Nepomuceno)

FOR THE TROOPS. Philippine Navy Chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. (center) together with other Navy senior officers and representatives from the GMA Kapuso Foundation, Century Pacific Foods, Inc., and Grand Nourriture at the ceremonial hand-over of food donation on Tuesday (June 11, 2024) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Adaci thanked the private sponsors, saying the donation was a testament to the strong support that the Navy troops get from fellow Filipinos. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Navy)

MANILA – Private organizations have donated about 190 cases of assorted food items for troops manning the various detachments in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Navy (PN) has said.

Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. received the donation during a ceremonial hand-over Tuesday in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

"Their donations are gestures of love, compassion, support, and concern towards every sailor and marines deployed in distant posts, especially in Philippine-held features in the WPS," Adaci said.

Adaci thanked the private sponsors, saying the donation was a testament to the strong support that the Navy troops get from fellow Filipinos.

"The defense of our nation is the responsibility of every Filipino and we are very fortunate to have organizations such as the GMA Kapuso Foundation, Century Pacific Group, and Grand Nourriture as our partners in ensuring that our troops can effectively perform their mandate," he added.

The donation was made possible by the collaboration of the Navy's Civil-Military Operations Group, GMA Kapuso Foundation in partnership with Century Pacific Foods, Inc. and Grand Nourriture.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226745

Marcos: PH foreign policy grounded on peace, nat'l interest

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 12, 2024): Marcos: PH foreign policy grounded on peace, nat'l interest (By Darryl John Esguerra)

VIN D’HONNEUR. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hosts a Vin d’honneur (French tradition meaning wine of honor) for members of the Diplomatic Corps in Malacañang on Wednesday (June 12, 2024) in line with the celebration of the 126th Philippine Independence Day. In his toast remarks, the President said the Philippines is making its own policy decisions and acts to protect its national interest while promoting peace and strengthening engagements with “like-minded” nations. (Malacañang Press Corps)

MANILA – The Philippines maintains an independent foreign policy that is anchored on peace and national interest, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Wednesday before foreign diplomats as the country celebrates the 126th anniversary of the proclamation of the nation’s independence.

Marcos hosted the Diplomatic Corps in a Vin d’honneur (French tradition meaning wine of honor) in Malacañang, an event observed biannually in the Philippines — commemorating both the new year and the anniversary of the nation’s independence every June 12.

In his speech, Marcos said his government is making its own policy decisions and acts to protect the Philippines’ national interest while promoting peace and strengthening engagements with “like-minded” nations.

“We continue to chart an independent foreign policy in keeping with our constitutional mandate. We pursue [this] through international engagements that seek to strengthen existing alliances [and] build new partnerships with like-minded states,” Marcos said.

“Our foreign policy is grounded on the continuing promotion and work for peace, and the continuing promotion and work for our national interest,” he added.

The President stressed that the Philippines has consistently taken positions in support of the rule of law and of the rules-based international order.

“As we continue to promote diplomacy and dialogue in our efforts to build bridges in our various multilateral advocacies - such as for peace, economic development, climate change, amongst others – we shall endeavor to enhance engagements with bilateral, regional, [and] multilateral partners, especially in areas where cooperation has not yet reached its full potential,” he said.

Likewise, the Chief Executive honored the forefathers who fought to liberate the country, which he described as the Philippines’ “proudest moment” in its storied past.

He also bared the administration’s success in navigating the challenges of the economy.

‘Dialogue surest way to avoid catastrophe’

In his message, Archbishop Charles John Brown, the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, congratulated the Philippines for the peace and development achieved in the Bangsamoro region.

He said that to address conflict arising from geopolitical tensions, diplomacy and dialogue should be the way forward, citing how the Philippines resolved the armed conflict in Mindanao through the signing of the Bangsamoro peace accord.

“If we want to make a world of safety and prosperity for our children, the way forward for all of us is the same path that has brought the hope of peace to the people of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and Muslim Mindanao. And that is the path of dialogue. Patient, serious dialogue, together with a respect for international law and a respect for legitimate diversity,” Brown said.

“Engaging with others, and particularly those with whom we profoundly disagree, is the surest way of avoiding the catastrophe of escalation,”he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226768

Increase in Chinese ships within 'acceptable' limits: Navy

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 12, 2024): Increase in Chinese ships within 'acceptable' limits: Navy (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad (PNA file photo by Priam F. Nepomuceno)

MANILA – A ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official on Wednesday said the increase in China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is "still within acceptable limits".

Navy spokesperson for WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said the increase is within the capability of the PLAN's South Sea Fleet consisting of between 75 to 80 naval vessels and submarines.

"It is well within the capability of the South Sea Fleet. What will be concerning is 'pag ito ay may mga pwersa sila galing sa ibang fleet nila (is when there will other naval forces coming from their other fleets), the East Sea Fleet or the North Sea fleet but so far 'yung (the) increase in numbers is still within our acceptable limits," Trinidad said in an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon aired over PTV.

The Navy's June 4 to 10 monitoring of various WPS features shows that 146 assorted Chinese ships were spotted, 22 of which were classified as PLAN's naval vessels.

These figures are considerably higher compared to the 125 Chinese vessels spotted from May 28 to June 3, of which nine ships were from the PLAN.

Trinidad attributed the increase of Chinese warship sightings for June 4 to 10 to the recent PLAN exercise at Sabina Shoal that happened in almost the same timeframe.

He said the Navy's new vessels make monitoring a large portion of the WPS easier.

"It will not deter us, we will not be deterred from performing our mandate of patrolling, of rotating our personnel or providing them supplies," he said.

When asked about China's earlier announcement to arrest foreigners entering the South China Sea starting June 15, Trinidad said China has no right to do that, noting that it is the Chinese that are entering the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226795

PH flag raised for 1st time at Sabina Shoal on Independence

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 12, 2024): PH flag raised for 1st time at Sabina Shoal on Independence Day (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

PH FLAG RAISED IN WPS. The ceremonial flag-raising of the Philippine flag aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua at Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea during the 126th Independence Day on Wednesday (June 12, 2024). Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said the ceremony was the first-ever flag-raising held by the country at Sabina Shoal. (Photo courtesy of PCG)

MANILA – Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua held a ceremonial flag-raising at Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Wednesday while surrounded by several Chinese vessels.

In a Viber message to reporters, PCG spokesperson, Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said the event was the first-ever flag-raising ceremony at Sabina Shoal to celebrate the country’s 126th Independence Day.

“Nasa Sabina Shoal ang BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV 9701) upang panatiliin ang kaligtasan at seguridad sa naturang katubigan na bahagi ng exclusive economic zone (EEZ) ng Pilipinas (BRP Teresa Magbanua is at Sabina Shoal to maintain peace and security within the waters of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone),” Balilo said.

During the ceremony, the PCG spotted eight Chinese vessels within Sabina Shoal and four more outside the shoal.

Balilo said the Chinese vessels were monitoring the event.

Two Chinese Coast Guard vessels spotted during the flag-raising ceremony aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua at Sabina Shoal on June 12, 2024

The ceremony was led by PCG Lt. Efren Duran with the crew and riders of BRP Teresa Magbanua.Two Chinese Coast Guard vessels spotted by the crew of BRP Teresa Magbanua on June 12, 2024. (Photo courtesy of PCG)

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy (PN) got 190 cases of assorted food items for troops manning the various detachments in the West Philippine Sea.

PN chief Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. said the donations were a testament of support from the public to the country’s sailors and troops in distant posts, especially in Philippine-held areas in the WPS.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226802

Marcos: PH to continue defending what our ancestors fought for

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 12, 2024): Marcos: PH to continue defending what our ancestors fought for (By Darryl John Esguerra)

CELEBRATING 126 YEARS OF FREEDOM. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park, Manila, to commemorate the 126th Philippine Independence Day on Wednesday (June 12, 2024). Marcos said the times may be different but Filipinos continue to fight fairly in their day-to-day lives. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged Filipinos to show the world the country's might through their patriotism and unity to defend Philippine territory.

“Ang ating mga ninuno ay hindi umurong sa digmaan, kaya’t tayo ay hindi rin tatalikod sa tungkuling ipagtanggol ang ating nasasakupan (Our ancestors did not back down from war, so we will also not turn our back on our duty to defend our territory)," Marcos said as the country marked 126 years of its independence.

Speaking at the culmination event of the week-long celebration of the country’s liberation from colonial oppression, Marcos said the observance is more than just a commemoration of the birth of the Philippine Republic but a strong affirmation of the commitment to continue defending what the forefathers fought for.

“Ipakita natin sa buong daigdig na ang tunay na kapangyarihan ay hindi nasusukat sa lakas o yaman, kung hindi sa tunay na kahulugan at katuwiran ng ating ipinaglalaban, sa alab ng pag-ibig sa bayan, at sa di-matatawarang pagkakaisa ng ating mga mamamayan (Let us show the whole world that true power is not measured by strength or wealth, but by the true meaning and integrity of what we are fighting for, in the flame of love for country, and in the immense unity of our people),” he said.

“Mananatili tayong matatag at hindi tayo matitinag (We will stand firm and we will not be shaken).”

With this, the President said the Philippines would not just look back on the past but also live on with its lessons to build a better and freer future.

The Chief Executive called on Filipinos to continue being proud of their race.

“Lagi lamang po nating tandaan: Ang kasaysayan ang siyang susi natin tungo sa wagas at tunay na kalayaan, at sa kinabukasang puno ng pag-asa, kaliwanagan, at kasaganahan (Let us always remember: History is our key to pure and true freedom, and to a future full of hope, clarity, and abundance),” he said.

The President made the pronouncement in the face of rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea, heightened by China's continued aggression.

‘Commitment to defend PH enduring’

Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding the nation's sovereignty and security “despite the complexities and uncertainties of today's world.”

Año, likewise, maintained that defending our sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea remains a paramount priority.

"We stand firm in upholding the 2016 Arbitral Award and adhere to a rules -based international order to ensure our maritime entitlements are respected. The quest for peace and security remains at the forefront of our national agenda. We work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of every Filipino, countering both internal and external threats to uphold our nation's sovereignty and freedoms," he added. (With reports from Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226820

2 Eastern Samar towns declared completely free from NPA threats

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 12, 2024): 2 Eastern Samar towns declared completely free from NPA threats (By Sarwell Meniano)

PEACEFUL. Officials in San Julian, Eastern release white pigeons as a sign of peace during a ceremony on Tuesday (June 11, 2024). The towns of Sulat and San Julian in Eastern Samar were declared completely free from the influence of the New People's Army, the second and third municipalities in the province to attain such status. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – The towns of Sulat and San Julian in Eastern Samar on Tuesday were declared completely free from the influence of the New People's Army (NPA), the second and third municipalities in the province to attain such status.

With no sightings of armed rebels for several years now, the towns have achieved insurgency-free status, and officially with stable internal peace and security conditions (SIPC), the military said in a statement on Wednesday quoting Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade.

Events were conducted to highlight the declarations which included the signing of memoranda of agreements and pledges of commitment, along with the simultaneous release of white doves, symbolizing peace and new beginnings.

The military and local government held the declaration in Sulat in the morning, while San Julian’s event was in the afternoon.

Sulat Mayor Javier Zacate and San Julian Mayor Dennis Estaron thanked all the stakeholders who contributed to achieving SIPSC in their municipalities.

They emphasized that this milestone paves the way for further progress and a better quality of life for residents.

The first town in Eastern Samar that attained the SIPC conditions was Giporlos through a formal declaration on April 12.

Vestuir said they are stepping up their efforts to completely wipe out insurgencies in the southern part of Eastern Samar province under their operational area.

"With our declaration of Sulat and San Julian as SIPC, we have delivered a strong message that we are united in our quest to end the local communist armed conflict and in maintaining a peaceful and secure environment for the peace-loving people of Sulat and San Julian," Vestuir added in the statement.

A town earns SIPC status if there has been no NPA activity in the area in the past two years. Another consideration is that no resident is identified as an active armed rebel, the 802nd Infantry Brigade commander told the Philippine News Agency in a text message.

Vestuir said these municipalities were cleared of communist terrorist group influence in 2022 and have since achieved conflict-manageable status.

The Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government reaffirmed their strong support and commitment to sustaining stable peace and security in Sulat and San Julian.

Vestuir said the NPA platoon running in the mountains of Eastern Samar and Samar provinces has significantly weakened this year.

From 47 members with 43 firearms in the third quarter of 2023, Apoy Platoon's strength dropped to just 16 members with 25 members as of the second week of June 2024.

Most surrendered through the Friends Rescued Engagement through Their Families (FReE Families) initiative.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226757