Davao mayor expresses sadness over death of fish vendor hit by NPA landmine

From the Philippine News Agency (May 4): Davao mayor expresses sadness over death of fish vendor hit by NPA landmine



Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio expressed sadness Thursday over the death of a fish vendor, who was hit by a landmine explosion planted by the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels during their attack of the box and plastic plants of Lapanday Foods Corp. last Sunday.

"I am sorry we lost Larry, a victim of delusional people living in an alternate universe who are now celebrating their so-called victory against oppression. But it is a celebration that means nothing except grief for the true victims,” the mayor said in a statement.

Fish vendor Larry Buenafe succumbed to multiple wounds in the head early morning Thursday, four days after he was hit by a landmine that exploded while he was passing through Tigatto road to sell fish. The landmine was planted by the NPA rebels who launched the attack against Lapanday.

Mandug was Buenafe’s usual route in selling fish. He's a resident of Agdao in downtown area.

Dr. Ricardo Audan, chief of clinic of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), said Buenafe died "due to severe head injury secondary to blast injury."

Also contributory to his condition was the hypovolemic shock, an emergency condition in which severe blood or fluid loss makes the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body, the physician said.

The mayor said Buenafe was "murdered by people who think that it will make a difference if they punish the Lorenzos by burning their factories."

It did make a difference, but definitely not to the Lorenzos because their wealth is still there, tucked safety somewhere, she said.

Duterte-Carpio expressed sympathies to Buenafe's family as well as to the hundreds of workers who lost their jobs because of the NPA attacks.

 http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985017

2 suspected Abu Sayyaf members nabbed in Bohol

From the Philippine News Agency (May 4): 2 suspected Abu Sayyaf members nabbed in Bohol

Two men suspected to be the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members who entered Bohol were arrested on Thursday morning in Barangay Tan-awan in Tubigon town, Bohol.

PO2 Ronald Manlangit, desk officer of Tubigon Police Station, said the two armed men were sighted at 5:00 a.m. on Thursday in Barangay Tan-awan asking for food and clothes.

One of the men was identified as suspected ASG member Saad Samad Kiram, 36, who is now detained in the Bohol Provincial Police Office.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 Deputy Chief Hector Amancia said Kiram and his companion were fed in one of the houses in Tan-awan.

While the two were eating, the owner of the house called the attention of troops from the 41st Infantry Brigade to apprehend them. The two did not resist arrest.

Amancia said the authorities seized a loaded handgun and a hand grenade from the suspects.

Police said they were still verifying the identity of the other suspected ASG member.

Tubigon is a town next to Clarin, where the second clash between the ASG and government troops took place on April 22, which led to the death of sub-leader Joselito Melloria, an Inabanga, Bohol native who joined the bandit group and three others.

The first clash between suspected ASG members and government troops in Sitio Ilaya, Barangay Napo, Inabanga, Bohol on April 11 resulted in the death of five suspected ASG members, three soldiers and a policeman.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985037

PHL Navy's second SSV now headed for home

From the Philippine News Agency (May 4): PHL Navy's second SSV now headed for home

The country's second strategic sealift vessel (SSV), the BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), has left PT PAL (Persero)'s shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia and started her voyage home Wednesday afternoon.

Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna in a message to the PNA said the SSV's departure was witnessed by Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Gaudencio C. Collando and his party.

Departure of BRP Davao Del Sur took place 12 noon Wednesday. She is expected to arrive at the Manila South Harbor on May 8.

The SSV and her 120-strong crew will be most likely welcomed by PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado on May 10, Lincuna added.

Commissioning ceremonies will be announced later.

The PN spokesperson said the second SSV would boost the Navy's capability to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions alongside with its troop and cargo missions.

The BRP Davao Del Sur was launched last Sept. 29. She is the sister ship of the BRP Tarlac (LD-601), currently the largest Filipino warship in commissioned.

BRP Tarlac was commissioned during short ceremonies at Pier 13, Manila South Harbor last June 1.

She arrived in the Philippines last May 14 after a five-day journey from PT PAL shipyard in Surabaya, which started on May 9.

BRP Davao Del Sur is also a Makassar-class landing platform dock like her sister ship BRP Tarlac.

Its delivery to the Philippines, tentatively scheduled this coming May, will complete the two-unit SSV procurement project with an approved budget contract of Php 4 billion sourced from the AFP Modernization Act Trust Fund.

Just like the BRP Tarlac, the PN's latest SSV will serve as a floating command-and-control ship, especially in the conduct of humanitarian assistance and disaster response and will also serve as a military sealift and transport vessel.

The ship has an overall length of 120 meters,breadth of 21 meters, draft of five meters and can carry a payload of 2,800 tons.

She has a cruising speed of 13 knots and maximum speed of 16 knots and a minimum operating range of 7,500 nautical miles.

BRP Davao Del Sur can carry 500 troops, two rigid-hull inflatable boats, two landing craft units and three helicopters.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985000

One more ASG bandit bagged in Bohol operations

From the Philippine News Agency (May 4): One more ASG bandit bagged in Bohol operations

One of the three remaining Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) stragglers in Bohol were arrested by government security forces in Bohol Thursday morning.

This was confirmed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, citing reports coming from Central Command head Lt. Gen. Oscar Lactao and other ranking military commanders in the area.

The arrest of the ASG bandit took place around 7 a.m. in Barangay Tanawan, Tubigon town, he added.

This was made possible thanks to the cooperation of civilians in the locality.

Identity of the arrested bandit is still determined as of this posting.
Padilla said that the suspect is among the 11-man team ASG sub-leader Muamar Askali alias "Abu Rami" took to Inabanga town, Bohol last April 10 in a bid to raise havoc in the province's tourist trade.

However, prompt government response resulted in Askali's death and three other bandits last April 11 along with three soldiers, one police officer and an elderly couple.

Pursuit operations in Barangay Bacani, Clarin town resulted in the death of ASG contact Joselito Milloria and three other brigands last April 22.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985006

Joint patrols with China requires treaty -- Esperon

From the Philippine News Agency (May 4): Joint patrols with China requires treaty -- Esperon

National Security Adviser (NSA) Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Thursday clarified that joint exercises military with China could not be immediately implemented without the presence of a visiting forces agreement (VFA) or a treaty.

Esperon made the clarification during a press briefing in Malacañang following statements made earlier by President Rodrigo Duterte allowing joint exercises with China.

Last Monday, Duterte said that China can have joint military drills with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Mindanao particularly the Sulu Sea.

"When the President gives out a pronouncement, we take that as an order from him. How to implement it? And as we see it we now have to look at the requirements for us to be able to do that," Esperon said.

"In joint exercises, you must have a visiting forces agreement and probably a treaty, if there need be, and other requirements like delineation of exercise areas," he said stressing that China could not just enter internal Philippine waters without the required agreements.

"But we will, together with the Department of National Defense and other agencies in the security cluster, we will study that. Because if that is the desire of the President, then we will do it," Esperon said.

In the meantime, the Security Adviser said that joint patrols in the Sulu Sea would be beneficial to the country given the threats of ISIS and kidnapping in the area.

He added that with the recent launching of the Davao-General Santos-Bitung roll-on roll-off (RoRo) ferry service, potentials for other trade routes are huge.

“Halimbawa, kasabay nung ano, kasabay nung Ro-Ro line ng Bitung-Gensan-Davao ay magkakaroon din tayo ng linya dito sa Tawi-Tawi, Sabah, Labuan na barter trade. So kung matahimik ‘yung area na ‘yun, you can just imagine the commerce and trade that will be generated in that area,” he said.

“If we have enough patrols there, then you will be assured that that Ro-Ro trip will be secured and will bring prosperity to the area,” Esperon said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985045

3 killed, one hurt in UH-IHD crash in Tanay, Rizal

From the Philippine News Agency (May 4): 3 killed, one hurt in UH-IHD crash in Tanay, Rizal

A Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilot was killed along with his two crewmen while another one was injured when their UH-IHD "Huey" combat utility helicopter crashed in Tanay, Rizal Wednesday.

1st Lt. Xy-zon Meneses, 2nd Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said the mishap took place 3 p.m. at Sitio Hilltop, Barangay Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal.

He declined to identify the casualties pending the notification of their loved ones and families.

Initial reports indicated that the UH-IHD had just finished conducting air-to-ground and disaster rescue operations training with troops stationed in 2nd Infantry Division headquarters in Camp Capinpin along with some 12 police operatives when it encountered some mechanical trouble, forcing it to crash-land.

Investigations are still ongoing to determine exact cause of the mishap as of this posting.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985081

MILF: Editorial -- Historic ties revived

Editorial posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 1): Editorial -- Historic ties revived

The historic ties between the Philippines particularly Mindanao and Indonesia have been revived and strengthened anew. This came about by the recent agreement between Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo to open up a new shipping route, which links the Philippine cities of Davao and General Santos to the Indonesian province of North Sulawesi.

This new trade route will reduce both travel time and cost for nationals of both countries. It can also make both peoples closer to each other. It came also at a time countries in Southeast Asia are facing challenges brought about multiple and conflicting claims over various islands or islets in the South China Sea. China, which is no longer a sleeping giant, is lording it over all other claimants.

For centuries, relations between the peoples of the Philippines especially Moros and Indonesia have been very warmth and close. During the Moro-Spanish War, the Indonesians especially those of Ternate were helping the Moros battle the Spaniards, and much of the supplies of gunpowder, brass cannons, and some warriors emanated from Indonesia. Makassar was an ordinary marketplace for the Moros in olden times; in fact, one very popular type of rice among them was called “Makassar”, which was obviously brought from there by Moro traders or “pirates”.

In physical features, Moros are nearer to the Indonesians. This is not surprising because it is believed that most of the Moro tribes came from the Indonesia. In fact, the Sangils of Sarangani and Davao are “moroized” or “Filipinized” Indonesian. They speak an entirely different dialect from other Moros. However, in some aspects, their dialect resembles much with those of the Sama of Tawi-Tawi.

Philippine-Indonesian relations came to sore during Martial Law during the hated Marcos dictatorial regime when hundreds of Sangils including those who were still Indonesian citizens were massacred by blood-thirsty Philippine troops accusing them of aiding the MNLF in its war of secession against the Philippine state.

We hail both heads of state for another milestone in their careers as presidents. This agreement will certainly help small to medium traders.

However, the only worry is that chances that big time businessmen will monopolize this trade opportunity. In fact, the Davao mafia, which is composed of elites of society who are mainly in energy, mining and big corporations, will control this trade route. If this happens, then the good intention of both heads of state will be in vain.

But our worry is held aback by our trust and confidence that President Duterte will not allow this monopoly to prosper under his administration. We know how he thinks and acts.

Let us hope for the best!

http://www.luwaran.net/home/index.php/editorial/23-1st-issue-1-7/1170-historic-ties-revived

MILF: 1st UBJP Eastern Mindanao Region General Assembly held in Panabo, Davao del Norte

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 2): 1st UBJP Eastern Mindanao Region General Assembly held in Panabo, Davao del Norte



The 1st General Assembly of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) Eastern Mindanao Region was held in Maahad Panabo Al-Islamie, Barangay Datu Abdul Dadia, Panabo, Davao del Norte on April 29-30, 2017.

The said regional event was participated by five hundred eighty four (584) UBJP officers and members coming from the provinces of Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and city of Davao. There are also some invited guests including Atty.

Benedicto “Benny” Bacani, Executive Director of the Institute of Autonomy and Governance (IAG), and some other personalities in the government sector.

Atty. Bacani, on his part, restated his commitment to continually extend technical support to the party.

The said event was also blessed by some invited MILF Central Committee members. However, Ghazali Jaafar was not able to come to witness the success of the event due to hectic schedule and previous commitment.

The highlight of the program was the discourse of Sammy Al-Mansour, the UBJP Secretary General, who was invited to deliver his Keynote Speech. During his speech, he highlighted some major points as to why UBJP exists and encourage members of the UBJP in the region to continue its struggle of expanding its membership and geographical coverage.

BTC Commissioner and UBJP Eastern Mindanao Region Vice President Hussein Muñoz, on one hand, emphasized the need of the officers and members of the organization to keep moving for the “winner never quits”, he said.

During the organizing effort, a number of civil society organizations extended their willingness to help and assist in the facilitation of the program. At the end part of the program, the five (5) Provincial Executive Officers and one (1) City Executive Officer strongly gave their commitment and support to the cause of the party.

http://www.luwaran.net/home/index.php/news/22-davao-region/1171-1st-ubjp-eastern-mindanao-region-general-assembly-held-in-panabo-davao-del-norte
 

MILF: IMT-Mindanao Mission 12 conducts First Aid Training for BIAF Medical-Dental Staff

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 2): IMT-Mindanao Mission 12 conducts First Aid Training for BIAF Medical-Dental Staff



A press release by Media Officer of the International Monitoring Team-Mindanao Mission 12 (IMT-Mindanao Mission 12) sent to Luwaran said that Capt (Dr) Wan Nuruddin Shah Bin Wan Johan, Medical Officer of the monitoring team conducted the First Aid Training for medical staff of Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) on 19 April 2017 at the General Headquarters of Medical and Dental Department of BIAF-MILF at Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

The objective of the training is to increase knowledge on basic first aid and health awareness of the medical staff of BIAF-MILF. The training was attended by 40 participants from the Medical and Dental Department of BIAF-MILF headed by Mr Najib Gintau.

The training was well participated and very productive. The Medical Officer also distributed medicines and medical supplies to the Medical and Dental Department of BIAF-MILF. The program was a success and will be continued in the future.



http://www.luwaran.net/home/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/1173-imt-mindanao-mission-12-conducts-first-aid-training-for-biaf-medical-dental-staff

MILF: IMT-Mindanao Mission 12 undertakes Confidence Building Measures with a visit at 6th ID, PA Headquarters in Camp Siongco

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 2): IMT-Mindanao Mission 12 undertakes Confidence Building Measures with a visit at 6th ID, PA Headquarters in Camp Siongco



International Monitoring Team-Mindanao Mission 12 (IMT-M 12) have undertaken a Confidence Building Measures (CBM) Program on 21 April 2017 with a visit to the Camp Siongco Military Hospital, 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army at Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao where four (4) wounded in action (WIA) soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were receiving medical treatment resulting from the Law Enforcement Support Operation (LESO) in Barangay Elian, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

The CBM program was attended by the MILF CCCH Chairman, Hon. Butch Malang, the GPH CCCH Chairman, BGen Earl D Baliao AFP, the Head Combine Secretariat of GPH CCCH and GPH AHJAG, Director Carlos T Sol Jr. and the Chief of Staff of the IMT M-12, Col Ayub Khan bin Mohammad Khan of the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces (RMAF) who represented the Head of Mission.

The program was a success where it enhanced the trust between the two parties. It is hoped that this CBM program could be continuously organized by both parties in the future.

MILF CCCH Chair Butch Malang shakes hands with a wounded soldier at Camp Siongco Hospital, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

http://www.luwaran.net/home/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/1172-imt-mindanao-mission-12-undertakes-confidence-building-measures-with-a-visit-at-6th-id-pa-headquarters-in-camp-siongco

CPP/Sine Proletaryo: People's War Bulletin: Lapanday Tactical Offensive

Sine Proletaryo video posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 3): People's War Bulletin: Lapanday Tactical Offensive



People's War Bulletin: Lapanday Tactical Offensive
NPA 1st Pulang Bagani Battalion razes manufacturing plants, seizes 39 firearms in Davao
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyuOAw2Fco0

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/

CPP: Mga hamon sa Partido at sa uring manggagawang Pilipino

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 1): Mga hamon sa Partido at sa uring manggagawang Pilipino



Mensahe ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas sa uring manggagawang Pilipino sa Mayo 1, 2017
Mga hamon sa Partido at sa uring manggagawang Pilipino

Communist Party of the Philippines
1 May 2017

Bilang taliba ng uring manggagawang Pilipino, nakikiisa ang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) sa paggunita sa Pandaigdigang Araw ng Manggagawa. Sa araw na ito, marapat magbalik-tanaw at humalaw ng mga aral sa mahigit isandaantaon ng mga pakikibakang manggagawa upang bigyang-liwanag ang daan ng mga pakikibakang
manggagawa sa mga darating na panahon.

Walang katapusan ang pagdurusa ng masang anakpawis sa ilalim ng malakolonyal at malapyudal na sistema sa Pilipinas at pandaigdigang sistemang kapitalista.
Pasan-pasan nila ang mababang sahod, malawakang disempleyo, tagibang na mga kontrata at mapang-aping kalagayan sa pagtatrabaho. Sa kanayunan, pinagdurusahan
nila ang iba’t ibang anyo ng pyudal at malapyudal na pagsasamantala, kawalan ng lupa at pang-aagaw ng malalaking asendero, plantasyon at mga minahan.

Sumasadsad ang kabuhayan ng masang anakpawis sa harap ng mabilis na pagpaimbulog ng presyo ng pagkain, pamasahe, gamot, matrikula, serbisyong pangkalusugan,
komunikasyon at iba pang pangangailangan. Dumaranas sila ng kahirapan at gutom, kawalan ng disenteng pabahay at kuryente, kakulangan ng malinis na tubig,
laganap na mga sakit at mga epidemya.

Ang masang manggagawang Pilipino ay hinambalos ng apat na dekada ng mga patakarang neoliberal. Upang akitin ang mga dayuhang kapitalistang mamumuhunan, pinigilan ang pagtaas ng sahod ng mga manggagawa, sinupil ang kanilang karapatang mag-unyon at magwelga, pinahahaba ang oras ng paggawa lampas sa dating nakatakdang walong oras kada araw at binaklas ang iba pang mga regulasyon para pangalagaan ang kalusugan at kaligtasan ng mga manggagawa.

Ginamit laban sa mga manggagawa ang Herrera Law, ang Wage Rationalization Act at iba pang mga batas at kautusan na nagbigay-daan sa rehiyunalisasyon ng pagtakda ng sahod (mula sa dating pambansang minimum na sahod), ang sistema ng kontraktwal na paggawa, ang “two-tier” na sistemang pasahod, at maraming iba pa
hakbanging anti-manggagawa.

Lahat ng anti-manggagawang mga hakbanging ito ay pabor sa layunin ng malalaking burgesyang komprador at kanilang mga kasabwat na dayong malalaking kapitalista
na humuthot at magkamal ng tubo mula sa lakas-paggawa ng mga manggagawa. Habang lumaki nang lumaki ang yaman ng mga kapitalista, dumarami naman nang dumarami
ang mga manggagawa at anakpawis na nasadlak sa kahirapan.

Ang lahat ng pangakong pagbabago at kaunlaran ng sunud-sunod na mga rehimen, mula kay Marcos hanggang sa nagdaang rehimeng Aquino, ay pawang mga salitang
pampalubag-loob lamang sa masang anakpawis. Wala pang ipinakikita ang kasalukuyang rehimeng Duterte na naiiba ito sa mga nakaraang rehimen.

Ang sumasahol nang sumasahol na kalagayan ng mga manggagawa sa ilalim ng malakolonyal at malapyudal na sistema ay nagdidiin sa kawastuhan at pangangailangan para sa pambansa-demokratikong pagbabago sa lipunang Pilipino.

IKINALULUGOD NG PARTIDO na iulat sa masang manggagawang Pilipino ang matagumpay na pagdaraos ng Ikalawang Kongreso ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas noong huling kwarto ng 2016. Sa pamamagitan ng Ikalawang Kongreso, ibayong napatatag ang Partido bilang instrumento ng uring manggagawa para sa pamumuno sa rebolusyong Pilipino.

Sa pamamagitan ng Ikalawang Kongreso nito, higit na pinatatag ang Partido at lalong pinanday ang determinasyon at kakayahan nitong pamunuan ang masang
manggagawa at buong sambayanang Pilipino sa landas ng demokratikong rebolusyong bayan sa pamamagitan ng matagalang digmang bayan.

Umiiral ang obhetibong kundisyon para ilang ulit na palakasin ng uring manggagawang Pilipino ang kanilang organisadong hanay at paigtingin ang kanilang mga pakikibaka. Madali silang napupukaw sa pangangailangang manindigan at kumilos para isulong ang kanilang interes at ang pambansa-demokratikong layunin ng buong bayan. Handa nilang harapin ang mga sakripisyo at kahirapan sa pagsisikap na ibalik at higitan ang dating lakas at labanan ang papalalang anyo
ng pagsasamantala at pang-aapi.

Sa tanglaw at inspirasyon ng Ikalawang Kongreso, puspusan nating isulong ang rebolusyonaryong kilusang manggagawa. Hamon sa buong Partido at sa lahat ng mga
manggagawang Pilipino ang sumusunod na tungkulin:

1. Pakilusin ang milyun-milyong manggagawa sa pambansa-demokratikong rebolusyon para wakasan ang mapang-api at mapagsamantalang malakolonyal at malapyudal na
lipunan at ihanda ang kundisyon para sa sosyalistang kinabukasan. Buklurin ang uring manggagawa sa likod ng programa ng Partido para sa pambansang paglaya mula
sa imperyalismong US at para sa panlipunang paglaya sa pamamagitan ng tunay na reporma sa lupa.

2. Puspusang mag-aral ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo, ang ideolohiya ng uring manggagawa na nagtuturo ng maka-uring paninindigan, pananaw at pamamaraan.
Palaganapin ang mga sulating Marxista-Leninista tulad ng Manipestong Komunista at Sahod, Presyo at Tubo para malawakang pag-aralan ng mga manggagawa. Ilunsad
ang mga seminar at grupong talakayan para sa pag-aaral ng proletaryong ideolohiya. Isulong ang kilusang pag-aaral tungkol sa sosyalistang rebolusyon sa
okasyon ng ika-100 taon ng tagumpay ng Rebolusyong Bolshevik sa Russia ngayong Oktubre 24-Nobyembre 7 at kaakibat ng paggunita sa ika-200 taon ng kapanganakan
ni Karl Marx sa Mayo 5, 2018.

3. Malawakang rekrutin ang mga aktibistang manggagawa sa Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas. Kailangang madagdagan ng ilampung libong manggagawa ang kasapian ng Partido sa mga darating na taon upang gampanan ang papabigat na mga responsibilidad sa pamumuno sa demokratikong rebolusyong bayan.

4. Malawak na organisahin ang masang manggagawa, maging ang mga kontraktwal na manggagawa sa mga unyon bilang pangunahing sandata para ipagtanggol ang kanilang mga interes. Buuin ang samahan ng libu-libong mga manggagawa sa mga engklabo at mga pamayanang manggagawa. Isagawa ang mga imbestigasyon sa kalagayan ng mga manggagawa sa mga engklabo at iba pang empresa, ilantad ang iba’t ibang anyo ng pagsasamantala upang pag-alabin ang diwang mapanlaban.

5. Ilunsad ang mga pakikibakang manggagawa sa daan-daang mga pabrika, empresa, mga plantasyon at minahan para sa umento sa sahod at para igiit na gawing
regular ang mga manggagawang kontraktwal. Malawakang ilunsad ang mga welga at iba’t ibang anyo ng pakikibaka ng mga manggagawa para labanan ang iba’t ibang anyo ng papatinding pagsasamantala at pang-aapi sa mga manggagawa.

6. Palakasin ang sama-samang pakikibaka ng masang manggagawa para ibasura ang Herrera Law at iba pang mga batas at kautusang anti-manggagawa. Isigaw ang
pagbabasura sa kontraktwalisasyon. Ipaglaban ang pambansang minimum na sahod at igiit ang umento sa sahod. Labanan ang patakaran ng pagluluwas ng mga
manggagawa. Itaguyod ang karapatan at kagalingan ng mga migranteng manggagawang Pilipino. Singilin ang obligasyon ng estado na tiyaking lahat ay may trabaho.

7. Pag-alabin ang patriyotismo ng masang manggagawa. Ilantad ang dominasyon ng imperyalismong US sa pulitika, militar at dayuhang patakarang panlabas. Ilantad at labanan ang mga base militar at presensya ng mga sundalong Amerikano sa Pilipinas at igiit ang pagbabasura sa mga tagibang na tratadong militar. Ilantad ang kontrol at pagkasangkapan nito sa AFP sa “counter-insurgency” upang supilin ang mga pwersang anti-imperyalista at gamitin ang mga kagamitang pandigmang angkat mula sa US.

8. Itaas ang kamulatang anti-imperyalista ng masang manggagawa. Ilantad at batikusin ang dominasyon ng imperyalismo sa ekonomya, sa pamumuhunan at kalakalan, at sa pagpigil nito ng kaunlaran at pagsulong. Ilantad at batikusin ang dominasyon at kontrol ng mga dayuhang malalaking kapitalista sa mga kasangkapan sa produksyon na gamit para kamkamin ang yaman ng bansa at huthutin ang supertubo mula sa lakas-paggawa ng mga manggagawa.

9. Mahigpit na makipagkaisa sa mga pakikibakang magsasaka. Dapat maging bahagi ng araw-araw na kamulatan ng mga unyon at samahang manggagawa ang pagsuporta sa mga pakikibaka para sa tunay na reporma sa lupa at laban sa iba’t ibang anyo ng pang-aapi sa masang magsasaka. Pakilusin ang libu-libong manggagawa para magtungo sa kanayunan para tumulong sa mga pakikibakang magsasaka. Dapat tuluy-tuloy na ilantad at labanan ang militarisasyon at digmang mapanupil ng AFP laban sa masang magsasaka.

10. Magrekrut ng libu-libong manggagawa para sumapi sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan, ang pinakakonsentradong anyo ng batayang alyansa ng mga uring manggagawa at magsasaka. Kailangang kailangan ng lumalaki at lumalawak na BHB ang bagong mga kumander at mandirigma mula sa uring manggagawa (at petiburgesyang lungsod) upang mamuno sa papalaking mga tungkulin sa pagsulong ng digmang bayan.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170501-mga-hamon-sa-partido-at-sa-uring-manggagawang-pilipino

CPP: On rejection of Gina Lopez as DENR secretary

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 1): On rejection of Gina Lopez as DENR secretary

Communist Party of the Philippines

3 May 2017

(Updated) Considering what is at stake, big bourgeois comprador interests in the mining industry surely mobilized hundreds of millions of pesos and employed their vast political influence to ensure that the Senate’s Commission on Appointments would reject the appointment of environmentalist Gina Lopez as head of the DENR.

With the rejection of Lopez, the Filipino people and their revolutionary forces lost a friend in the GRP in their struggle to defend the environment and the
livelihood of peoples, especially the masses of peasants and national minority peoples. However, as she pursues her advocacy to defend the environment, she will always have a friend in the Filipino people and find common ground with the national democratic movement in the struggle against the plunderers.

Lopez’s rejection only underscores the necessity for the people to rely primarily on their unity and strength in opposing and resisting the entry of mining companies which plunder the country’s patrimony and employ the military and armed groups to oppress the people and their communities.

The Filipino people can always rely on the New People’s Army (NPA) to defend their welfare and interests. The NPA will continue to implement policies of the people’s democratic government and carry out its orders to punish all plunderers and prevent the further destruction of the environment by mining companies and big plantations.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170503-on-rejection-of-gina-lopez-as-denr-secretary

CPP: On Duterte’s May 1 call to occupy oligarchs’ lands

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 1): On Duterte’s May 1 call to occupy oligarchs’ lands

Communist Party of the Philippines

2 May 2017

GRP President Duterte’s May One speech yesterday urging the people to occupy oligarchs’ lands can be seen as a welcome endorsement of the mass actions of
peasants and farm workers demanding genuine land reform. He must, however, be more explicit and forthcoming. The people demand that, beyond mere rhetoric, the GRP president must back up with concrete action his denunciation of the oligarchy.

Without concrete action, Duterte’s May One speech, with its careful use of words and qualifiers, may actually be a less than profound statement merely made to sound grand and important. GRP President Duterte must match his words with actual deeds and put his weight behind the struggle of peasants and farm workers
to occupy their lands in Hacienda Luisita and Lapanday which the oligarch Cojuangcos and Lorenzos insist on controlling, and other such land holdings illegally occupied by big landlords and compradors in various parts of the country.

Just more than a week ago, peasants and farm workers carried out mass actions both in the Cojuangcos’ Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac province and in the Lorenzos’ Lapanday plantation in Tagum City, Davao Oriental. Both were frustrated by the armed and other counter-actions which prevented the claimants from actually occupying their own lands. The masses of peasants and farm workers were disillusioned by the lackluster support of the Duterte regime, despite orders of the Department of Agrarian Reform and its secretary, peasant leader Ka Paeng Mariano. In the case of Lapanday, the local police force was even used by the Lorenzos to prevent the installation of farm workers on their land.

The Filipino people challenge Duterte to name the names of those oligarchs he accuses of holding public lands without paying taxes in billion of pesos. He
must also identify the said public lands which he claims to be illegally occupied by these oligarchs.

The GRP president must further realize that the demand for genuine land reform is not limited to public lands. Land reform is a question of emancipating
millions of peasants from the yoke of land monopolies by big haciendas and plantations devoted to export crops such as bananas and pineapples. Most of
these lands are not public lands but feudal holdings and vast tracts of agricultural land forcibly taken from the peasant masses.

The Party calls on the peasant masses to intensify their struggles to demand the breakup of Hacienda Luisita and all other feudal haciendas as well as the
cancellation of all so-called agribusiness venture agreements which have prevented peasants from controlling their land.

The New People’s Army (NPA) together with Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid (PKM) and other revolutionary mass organizations will continue to
carry out land reform struggles in vast areas in the countryside. They will continue to wage agrarian revolution with the aim of overthrowing the power of
the big landlord class and further broaden the foothold of the emergent people’s democratic government.

A few days ago, units of the New People’s Army (NPA) struck at three facilities of Lapanday as a punitive act for its refusal to hand over control of close to
150 hectares of land owned by 159 beneficiaries of agrarian reform. The NPA will continue to carry out similar actions in the future in support of the peasant
struggles across the country.
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170502-on-dutertes-may-1-call-to-occupy-oligarchs-lands

CPP/NDF-EV: Workers of Eastern Visayas, resist the US Balikatan, lead the people’s democratic revolution towards victory and the socialist perspective!

National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (May 1): Workers of Eastern Visayas, resist the US Balikatan, lead the people’s democratic revolution towards victory and the socialist perspective!



Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas, Spokesperson
NDFP Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)

1 May 2017

The Filipino people are in solidarity with the workers this International Labor Day. We recognize the working class leadership of the people’s demoratic revolution to overthrow the semifeudal and semi-colonial ruling system and attain national democracy and socialism. Towards this, the Filipino workers need to awaken, organize and mobilize in democratic struggles against almost four decades of imperialist neoliberal offensive. The current US-led Balikatan military exercise in the region underscore the continuing neoliberal agenda. Hence, from this day the workers in the region can thus show to the world their leadership of the continuing militant anti-imperialist tradition of the people of Eastern Visayas.

The Filipino workers suffer from the concentrated attacks of foreign monopoly capital and its comprador big bourgeoisie in the country to prevent their unionizing, job security and decent wages. Just over three percent of Filipino workers are union-organized. The imperialists and their compradors also have long used the Herrera Law and Wage Rationalization Act to enforce contractualization and other flexible employment schemes, deregulate labor standards, and do away with a national minimum wage as well as exerting their utmost to bring down wages.

In the past decades, the workers in the region thus suffered the steepest historical decline in their wages. In 2016. their nominal wage was pegged at ₱260 but their real wage was ₱170, while agricultural workers receive even less at just over ₱150. In 15 years, only ₱101 have been added to the nominal wage. The estimate for a decent wage in 2015 was ₱610 or more than twice the nominal wage.

Under the neoliberal offensive, the workers suffered the worst ever decline in their livelihood, democratic rights and political freedom. It is therefore imperative for all the workers in the region, regular and contractual, to organize themselves to realize their strength in unity. By doing so, they can wage various democratic struggles to restore the economic, social and political rights long denied to them. Through their strike movement, they can effectively demand wage increases and the ending of contractualization. They can also carry out a widespread movement of workers to bring the Duterte government to account for its failed promise to end contractualization.

The workers in the region must also struggle for national industrialization and genuine agrarian reform for economic emancipation from foreign investments and debts. Only by doing so can the Philippines end its economic backwardness and modernize to fulfill the needs of every Filipino. These aims in the NDFP-GRP peace talks must be supported and propagated by the workers.

Through their powerful mass movement, the workers inspire the participation of the petty bourgeoisie ha kasyudaran, especially the youth and students, and other middle forces in the national democratic movement. The democratic mass movements in the urban and rural areas led by the workers and peasants will thus be further invigorated.

The workers must vigorously oppose the current Balikatan war exercises in the region led by the US, the unequal military agreements such as the EDCA and VFA, and the positioning of US troops. These acts of US military intervention are all in behalf of US hegemonic and monopoly capitalist interests in the Philippines and Asia-Pacific.

We thus urge the workers in the region to be at the forefront in resisting the Balikatan, through such propaganda and protest activities as widespread discussion groups, patriotic assemblies and forums, caravans to the military exercise venues, and other mass actions throughout the month of US military intervention.

We call on the workers and the petty bourgeois intellectuals to go to the countryside and join the New People’s Army, support the agrarian revolution, and contribute to the building of democratic political power. Through their much-needed contributions, the people’s war can be assured of advancing to a new and higher level, and revolutionary victory and the socialist perspective realized.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20170501-workers-of-eastern-visayas-resist-the-us-balikatan-lead-the-peoples-democratic-revolution-t