CPP/Ang Bayan: Anibersaryo ng PKP, ipinagdiwang

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Jan 7): Anibersaryo ng PKP, ipinagdiwang





DAAN-DAANG PULANG mandirigma at mga kasapi ng lihim na organisasyong masa ang matagumpay na nakapaglunsad ng pagdiriwang sa ika-49 na anibersaryo ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa noong huling bahagi ng Disyembre 2017. Ito ay sa kabila ng all-out war at paghahasik ng teror ng berdugong militar at ni Duterte sa mga komunidad sa kanayunan.

Sa kabundukan ng Sierra Madre, pinangunahan ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan-Southern Tagalog (Melito Glor Command o MGC) ang selebrasyon noong Disyembre 29, 2017. Ayon sa MGC, malaking tagumpay ang aktibidad na nailunsad sa gitna ng matitinding operasyong militar matapos ang kanselasyon ng usapang pangkapayapaan, pagbansag bilang mga “teroristang organisasyon” sa PKP at BHB, at panggigipit sa mga aktibista at progresibo sa rehiyon. Dumalo rin sa pagtitipon ang mga kasapi ng midya.

Nagbigay-pugay ang MGC sa mga martir ng rehiyon, partikular sa 15 napaslang sa Nasugbu, Batangas. Ayon kay Ka Diego Padilla, tagapagsalita ng MGC, labag sa internasyunal na makataong batas at mga batas sa digma ang brutal na pagpaslang sa 15. Nagkaroon din ng katulad na mga pagtitipon sa iba pang bahagi ng rehiyon ng ST.

Sa Negros, nagdiwang ang mga kasapi ng BHB-Central Negros (Leonardo Panaligan Command) noong Disyembre 26. Ibinalita ng BHB-Central Negros ang 30% paglaki ng Pulang Hukbo sa kanilang larangan. Malaking bilang ng kanilang bagong mga mandirigma ay mula sa hanay ng intelektwal at petiburgesya. Naitayo naman ang lakas platun na pormasyon na mga yunit gerilya at milisyang bayan bilang yunit pangdepensa sa kanilang mga komunidad. Higit na lumaki ang baseng masa sa panahon ng todo-larga at todo-atake ng rehimeng US-Duterte sa mga rebolusyonaryo at demokratikong pwersa sa ilalim ng Oplan Kapayapaan. Ayon sa kanilang pahayag, mahigit 20 iba’t ibang tipo ng taktikal na opensiba ang nailunsad ng mga Pulang mandirigma sa larangan noong 2017. Nakasamsam sila mula sa mga ito ng 30 armas, libu-libong mga bala at iba pang lohistikang militar.

Samantala, daan-daan ang dumalo sa selebrasyon ng BHB-Ifugao sa ilalim ng Nona del Rosario Command sa isang munisipalidad sa rehiyon ng Cordillera. Sa programa, nagkaroon ng maiksing pagtatanghal hinggil sa buhay ng mga Pulang mandirigma at patuloy na suporta ng masa sa kanilang hukbo. Pulang saludo naman ang inialay ng BHB sa mga martir ng rebolusyon na sina Ruben Gumabay, Elorde Miguel at Marcos Aggalao. Kinundena rin ng PKP-Kalinga ang patuloy na pang-aagaw ng lupang ninuno sa ilalim ng rehimeng Duterte. Sa pamamagitan ng pagtatayo ng dam sa Lucog, Tabuk; Tanudan, Lubuagan at Pasil, proyektong geothermal sa Tinglayan, Lubuangan at Pasil at pagpapatupad ng National Greening Program higit pang lumawak ang lupang ninuno na kinakamkam ng mga panginoong maylupa at kumprador.

Nanguna naman ang mga kasaping organisasyon ng National Democratic Front sa raling iglap na isinagawa sa Magsaysay Avenue, Davao City noong Disyembre 27, 2017.

Samantala, nanawagan rin ang NDF-Mindanao na paigtingin pa ang pakikibaka laban sa pasistang tunguhin ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Tinuligsa nito ang pinakawalang tripleng gera ng pangwawasak at pagpaslang ng rehimen at ang nagpapatuloy nitong batas militar sa Mindanao. Sa gitna nito, ipinagmalaki ni Ka Joaquin Jacinto, tagapagsalita ng NDF-Mindanao, ang tagumpay ng mga yunit ng BHB sa isla. Ani Jacinto, handang harapin ng BHB at PKP ang pinatindi pang gera ni Duterte sa taong 2018.

Kasabay nito, nagpaabot ng pagbati ang mga rebolusyonaryong organisasyon mula sa Italy, sa ilalim ng Front Popolare at Freedom Road Socialist Organization mula sa US.

[Ang Bayan is the official newspaper of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Ang Bayan is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Hiligaynon, Waray and English. Download Ang Bayan from the Philippine Revolution Web Central at www.philippinerevolution.info.  Ang Bayan is published fortnightly by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines.]

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/ang_bayan/20180107-anibersaryo-ng-pkp-ipinagdiwang/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Lubos na ihiwalay at ibagsak ang pahirap na rehimeng US-Duterte

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Jan 7): Lubos na ihiwalay at ibagsak ang pahirap na rehimeng US-Duterte



Sa taong 2018, tiyak na lalala ang krisis ng sistemang malapyudal at malakolonyal na lalupang magpapatindi sa girian sa pagitan ng mga naghaharing uri, paglaban ng mamamayan sa mga imperyalistang patakarang neoliberal at tumitinding pasismo ng rehimeng US-Duterte, at higit pang pagsulong ng armadong rebolusyonaryong kilusan. Dulot ng walang kasintinding pamamaslang at panunupil ng kanyang mga berdugong sundalo, pulis, paramilitar at death squad, tiyak ding lalupang mahihiwalay si Duterte sa mamamayan sa taong ito.

Sa unang mga araw pa lamang ng 2018, maingay na ang pagbabangayan ng naghaharing uri dulot ng litaw na ambisyon ni Duterte at kanyang mga kasapakat na palawigin ang kani-kanilang mga termino sa tabing ng charter change (cha-cha o pagbabago ng konstitusyon) at pagtutulak para sa pederalismo. Ngayon pa lamang, pinatitingkad na ng kanilang mga kalaban sa pulitika ang posibilidad ng “no-el” o walang eleksyon sa 2019, isang senaryo na tiyak na bibitak sa hanay ng mga burukrata. Katulad ng kanyang idolong diktador na si Ferdinand Marcos, babaguhin ni Duterte ang reaksyunaryong konstitusyon para solohin ang kapangyarihan sa pulitika. Kabilang sa maaari niyang ipakana ang pag-ako ng kapangyarihang gumawa ng mga batas na ginawa noon ni Marcos sa panahon ng “transisyon” tungong sistemang parlamentaryo. Sa ngayon, animo’y dumadaan pa si Duterte sa ligal na mga proseso, pero dumadami ang kanyang mga hakbang na tahasang sumasagasa sa sariling mga institusyon. Kunwa’y idinadaan pa niya sa proseso ng pagpapatalsik at aresto ang kanyang mga kalaban sa pulitika, pero sa aktwal ay epektibo na niyang tinatanggalan ang mga ito ng awtoridad sa estado. Nailulusot niya ang mga pinakamatitinding batas at hakbang sa kongreso at senado, na napananatili niyang sunud-sunuran sa pamamagitan ng suhol at pagbabanta.

Bago nito, sumambulat ang girian sa loob ng militar nang mabunyag ang pag-aagawan ng mga upisyal nito sa makukurakot na kontratang may halagang $16 bilyon. Walang anumang grandyosong palabas ng kunwa’y pagpapatalsik ng korap na mga upisyal sa gubyerno ang makapagtatago sa baho at kabulukan ng kanyang rehimen.

Para kontrahin ang papalawak na paglaban ng mamamayan, tiyak na patitindihin pa ni Duterte ang mga gerang mapanupil laban sa mga sektor at organisasyong tumututol sa kanyang mga pasistang ambisyon. Sa unang mga araw din ng 2018, isinampa na ng kanyang mga abugado ang pagdedeklara sa Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) at Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) bilang mga “teroristang organisasyon.” Nakatuon ang hakbang na ito hindi lamang sa mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa kundi laluna sa hayag na demokratikong kilusan at ligal na oposisyon na maaari niyang gipitin sa pamamagitan ng basta-bastang pagpaparatang na nagbibigay ng ayuda at pinansya sa BHB. Sa aktwal, umiiral ang kanyang teroristang paghahari sa buong bansa.

Sa gitna ng lahat ng ito, sunud-sunod ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin at singil dulot ng mga neoliberal na patakaran ng deregulasyon at pribatisasyon. Lalupa itong tataas bunga ng bagong mga buwis na nagkabisa mula Enero 1 na resulta ng TRAIN na ipinasa noong Disyembre. Hindi maitatago ng anumang pagsisinungaling ng mga ekonomista ng rehimen ang pagtaas ng mga presyo ng mga bilihin at singil sa serbisyo dulot ng pagtaas ng gastos sa transportasyon at operasyon sa pag-aangkat at produksyon ng mga lokal na negosyo. Tiyak na mas mabilis na tataas ang mga presyo ng mga batayang bilihin, kabilang ang pagkain, ngayong taon kumpara sa nakaraang taon. Batid ng mamamayan na ang lahat ng ito ay para mapunan ang pondong mawawala sa estado dulot ng paglilibre sa buwis ng pinakamayayamang pamilya at kanilang mga negosyo, gayundin para tustusan ang di-produktibo na paggasta at pagbabayad ng utang ng estado.

Kasabay nito ang pagbubukas ng mga serbisyong sosyal sa dayuhan at pribadong pamumuhunan na tiyak ring tutulak pataas sa mga singil. Gayundin ang maka-dayuhan at maka-burgesyang programang Build, Build, Build na nakatuon sa paglalatag ng imprastruktura para sa dayuhang kapital.

Taliwas sa pinalalabas ni Duterte, hindi maisasalba ang kanyang rehimen ng anumang paglago sa ekonomya na tulak ng mga patakarang neoliberal. Ang tanging nakikinabang sa mga patakarang ito ay ang mga dayuhang kumpanyang multinasyunal at mga burukrata-kapitalistang kasapakat nila. Palalalain lamang nito ang pagiging atrasado ng ekonomya at laganap na kahirapan ng mamamayan. Walang-wala na sa bokabularyo ni Duterte ang dati niyang ipinangako sa mamamayan, tulad ng pagtatapos ng kontraktwalisasyon, pamamahagi ng lupa, libreng irigasyon at iba pa.

Sa gayon, umiiral ang mga obhetibong batayan para ibagsak ang kriminal, kurakot, papet at lubos na nagpapahirap sa mamamayan na rehimen. Ang hibang na ambisyon ni Duterte na solohin ang kapangyarihan sa pulitika at kopohin ang makukurakot na pera ng bayan, gayundin ang pagbawi niya sa napakaraming pangako sa mamamayan, ang magtutulak sa kanila na labanan at ibagsak ang kanyang rehimen. Likas na mabuway ang kampo ni Duterte sa katayuan sa pulitika. Pinalala pa ito ng estilong butangero, sinungaling at kriminal ni Duterte mismo. Tanda nito, urong-sulong ang kanyang pinakaengrandeng mga plano para sa pasistang paghahari, tulad ng “rebolusyonaryong gubyerno”, dulot na rin ng kawalan ng suporta para rito ng mamamayan, ilang bahagi ng naghaharing uri at maging sa militar.

Sa harap nito, dapat pamunuan ng mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa ang paglulunsad ng mga kampanya, kapwa armado at di-armado, para dulutan ng matitinding dagok ang rehimen at papahinain ito hanggang bumagsak. Kasabay ng paglaban sa mga pasistang hakbang at tripleng gera ng panunupil nito, dapat tuluy-tuloy na isulong at palakasin pa ang mga kilusang masa para sa mga kabuhayan at kagalingan ng mamamayan. Kailangang puspusang ilantad at labanan ang pagsagasa ng rehimen sa kanilang kapakanan habang itinataguyod nito ang interes ng mga imperyalista at lokal na naghaharing uri.

Ang pagpapabagsak kay Duterte ang pinakaimportanteng tungkulin sa ngayon ng mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa. Krusyal ang pagtupad nito sa mabilis na paglakas at paglawak ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan para ipagtanggol ang mamamayan sa walang habas na mga atake ng rehimen. Dapat samantalahin ng mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa ang namumuo at kasalukuyang mga bitak sa hanay ng naghaharing uri. Kabigin ang lahat ng mga sektor at grupo para malikha ang pinakamalawak na alyansang kontra-Duterte, kahit ang mga grupo na may matitingkad na kontradiksyon sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan. Habang hindi sinasantabi ang mga kontradiksyong ito, dapat itutok ang pinakamatalas na atake sa pinakakumakatawan sa bulok na malapyudal at malakolonyal na sistema, ang rehimeng US-Duterte.

[Ang Bayan is the official newspaper of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Ang Bayan is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Hiligaynon, Waray and English. Download Ang Bayan from the Philippine Revolution Web Central at www.philippinerevolution.info.  Ang Bayan is published fortnightly by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines.]

https://retiredanalyst.blogspot.com/search?q=CPP/Ang+Bayan&updated-max=2015-12-19T07:58:00-08:00&max-results=20&start=1&by-date=false

CPP/NPA-ST: Paolo Dutertes resignation, a political ploy

NPA-Southern Tagalog propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Jan 8): Paolo Dutertes resignation, a political ploy

Jaime “Ka Diego” Padilla, Spokesperson
NPA-Southern Tagalog (Melito Glor Command)

9 January 2018

Paulo Dutertes resignation as Davao City Vice Mayor last month and the acceptance of his resignation by Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) President Rodrigo Duterte is a huge political ploy to cover up the on-going corruption and conspiracy of the Duterte family and their cronies, the big oligarchs, bourgeois compradors, big land lords, rotten traditional politicians, and warmongering generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police (AFP-PNP) as puppets of the Imperialist US.

Paulo Duterte supposedly submitted his resignation after his involvement in the smuggling of P6.4 billion-worth of shabu (crystal meth). His role was exposed along with his brother-in-law, and husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Maneses Carpio when Bureau of Customs (BOC) fixer, Mark Taguba testified in a senate hearing regarding the drug smuggling in BOC, including the major role played by ex-Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon as BOC Commissioner and his Deputy Commissioners namely ex-Army Captains Milo Maestrocampo and Gerardo Gambala. With this, Faeldon, Maestrocampo ang Gambala resigned.

Despite overwhelming evidence of their involvement in the drug smuggling, Duterte and Carpio were never prosecuted. In exchange for their silence, Faeldon and his cohorts were given new government positions in the midst of unanswered allegations.

Meanwhile, Rodrigo Duterte continues his anti-drug façade while dismissing outright his familys involvement in drug smuggling and threatening further investigations. He nonchalantly denies his familys association with corruption in the government but continues to evade formal investigation of their ill-gotten wealth. As a cover up, his administration launched a campaign to fire corrupt officials but only against those who do not belong to his political clique. On the other hand, corrupt officials working for him are coddled and are even given incentives such as budget for infrastructure projects.

Duterte thinks that he can deceive the people by accepting his sons resignation. This is simply a political ploy to whitewash their crimes against the people. But no political gimmick can mislead the broad masses. The Filipino people are well aware of the accelerating number of deaths and extra-judicial killings, rampant human rights abuses and warmongering campaigns against the people amidst an aggravating neoliberal economic crisis.

The Filipino people have had enough of the US-Duterte regimes deception. They must continue their struggle to overthrow the fascist and tyrannical US-Duterte regime and further the triumphs of the national democratic revolution. The revolutionary movement in Southern Tagalog together with the marginalized and oppressed will forward the peoples revolution to greater victories and replace the current reactionary government with a Peoples Democratic Government that genuinely serves the peoples interests.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20180109-paolo-dutertes-resignation-a-political-ploy

CPP/NPA-SM: NPA punishes mining company in Davao Oriental

NPA-Southern Mindanao propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Jan 8): NPA punishes mining company in Davao Oriental

Rigoberto F. Sanchez, Spokesperson
NPA-Southern Mindanao

8 January 2018
Press Release

Red fighters of Comval-Davao Gulf Subregional Command-New People’s Army raided RAM Aggregates, Inc., a nickel mining company in Brgy. Puntalinao, Banay-banay, Davao Oriental on January 4, 2018 at 4 am.

The NPA confiscated one (1) Garand rifle with sniper’s scope, one (1) M79 grenade launcher, two (2) shotguns, one (1) caliber .45 pistol, one (1) caliber .357 pistol, a hundred rounds of assorted ammunition and several other military equipment.

Mining equipment, including 6 backhoes, one bulldozer and one dump truck, were also gutted down.

The AFP soldiers belonging to the 28th IB, who along with a private security agency, served as the companies guards, scampered away during the raid.

The sanction is in line with the Communist Party of the Philippines’ policy of protecting the environment by destroying destructive foreign large-scale mining companies, and those firms which engage in foreign-owned economic activities which sap the country’s natural resources while victimising workers and peasants.

RAM Aggregates Inc., exports nickel to foreign companies abroad while keeping mining workers wages at a pittance and causing the degradation of resources and the environment in the area.

The NPA sanction is also directed against the US-Duterte regime whose sycophantic allies in the reactionary Congress are now hellbent in pushing for federalism through a constituent assembly in order to open the country for full-scale imperialist plunder.

As the neoliberal purveyors in Duterte’s administration are milking the masses dry with disproportionately excessive taxes under the newly-minted TRAIN law in favour of landlords, bourgeoisie compradors and bureaucrat capitalists, the entire revolutionary movement is taking the elite and oligarchs to task by dismantling their parasitic hold of the country’s economic resources.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20180108-npa-punishes-mining-company-in-davao-oriental

CPP/NPA-ST: Militarisasyon ng DILG, tutulan at labanan!

NPA-Southern Tagalog propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Jan 7): Militarisasyon ng DILG, tutulan at labanan!

Jaime “Ka Diego” Padilla, Spokesperson
NPA-Southern Tagalog (Melito Glor Command)

7 January 2018

Ang pagtatatalaga ni Duterte kay Gen. Eduardo Año bilang Officer-in-Charge (OIC) ng Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ay isang malinaw na hakbang ng pasista at tiranikong rehimen na kontrolin ang buong local government system. Tahasang nilabag ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno ang sarili nitong konstitusyon upang tiyaking hawak na ni Año ang DILG kahit hindi pa nakukumpleto ang isang taong retirement period ng isang pampublikong opisyal bago muling humawak ng anumang tungkulin sa gubyernong sibil.

Gusto ng rehimen na hawakan at pasunurin ang lokal na gubyerno sa bawat kagustuhan ng Malakanyang. Ito ay hakbang upang gipitin ang mga lokal na ehekutibo tulad ng kanyang ginawa kina Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa at Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parajinog na mga kaaway sa pulitika ng mga kroni ni Duterte at karibal sa negosyo ng illegal drugs. Ang pag-akto ni Año bilang OIC ng DILG ay isang paraan ng pagkontrol sa lokal na gubyerno habang hindi pa naipapatupad sa pambansang saklaw ang Martial Law.

Militaristang kontrol ang sagot ni Duterte sa hanay ng mga lokal na gubyerno upang mapayukod sila sa lahat ng kumpas ng rehimen. Malinaw na intimidasyon sa mga lokal na gubyernong di niya kaalyado ang pagtatalaga kay Año bilang tagapangasiwa ng DILG. Isa rin itong anyo ng panggigipit upang takutin ang mga lokal na gubyerno na makipagugnayan sa rebolusyunaryong kilusan.

Dapat mahigpit na tutulan at labanan ng mamamayang Pilipino ang anumang tangka ng pasistang rehimeng US-Duterte upang ibayong palawakin ang saklaw ng kanyang kontrol. Marapat na tumindig ang mga makabayang opisyal sa mga lokal na gubyerno laban sa militaristang pagkontrol ng rehimeng US-Duterte sa local government system. Kailangan ang ibayong pagpupursige ng sambayanang Pilipino upang ipagtanggol ang kanilang mga demokratikong karapatan. Sa pamamagitan ng mahigpit na pagsalig nila sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan upang ibagsak ang tiraniko at pasistang rehimeng US-Duterte lamang makakamit ang tunay na kalayaan at demokratikong kahilingan ng sambayanan.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20180107-militarisasyon-ng-dilg-tutulan-at-labanan

CPP/NPA-SM: NPA launches offensives to thwart AFP ceasefire violations in SMR

NPA-Southern Mindanao propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines Website (Jan 7): NPA launches offensives to thwart AFP ceasefire violations in SMR

Rigoberto F. Sanchez, Spokesperson
NPA-Southern Mindanao

7 January 2018
Press Release

Units of the New People’s Army in the region have taken active defense against ceasefire and human rights violations of operating AFP troops between December 27 to 30, consequently launching 5 military actions that resulted in at least 26 casualties against enemy troops.

AFP soldiers belonging to the 28th IB and Scout Rangers Company took a beating from the Red fighters of Comval-Davao East Coast Subregional Command following a series of offensives in Brgy. Tubaon, Tarragona, Davao Oriental.

AFP troops have launched operations in Brgy. Tubaon, a remote village in Tarragona, since before its supposed ceasefire began on December 23. There is no truth to the pronouncement of Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, Commanding Officer of the 10th Infantry Division that the NPA harassed a militia outpost and a militiaman on December 25. It was on December 28 when enemy troops were hit three times in one day by NPA harassment and demolition operations in Sitio Gibaan and Sitio Bato-bato, killing 16 and severely wounding 2 others.

As they were lured deep into the NPA’s active defense plan, the joint forces of the 28th IB and Scout Rangers were ambushed on December 30 in Sitio Madian, resulting in at least 8 casualties. A Red fighter was martyred during the tactical offensive.

In Lupon, Davao Oriental, Red fighters also launched a harassment operation against operating 66th IB troops at around 12PM on December 27 in Brgy. Marayag. Apart from several hours of mortar shelling, the enemy troops also detained for three days 10 farmers and subjected them to physical and psychological torture.

All military actions of the NPA were undertaken in adherence to the CPP declaration of ceasefire during the traditional holidays. In fact, in contrast and in direct violation of their own ceasefire pronouncement, the AFP aggressively deployed combat troops in remote villages in at least 8 municipalities in the region.

Since December 19 up to the present, the 60th IB, 72nd IB and their paramilitary Alamara forces have terrorized hundreds of civilians in at least 4 Lumad communities in Brgy. Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte. The Lumad have since evacuated to other villages because of food blockade that was enforced by AFP troops and their paramilitary forces. Other cases of harassments were reported in adjacent villages.

In North Cotabato, particularly in Arakan, the newly-deployed 15th IB has practically turned the town into a virtual garrison with its troops launching operations day in and day out in Lumad and peasant villages even during the AFP’s ceasefire period. Since December 11, hundreds of AFP soldiers have been deployed in several villages in town.

Peace and human rights advocates in the province are raising alarm that the deployment of a full battalion will only escalate and aggravate cases of human rights abuses perpetrated by AFP soldiers and the paramilitary Alamara.

In Magpet town, troops from the 39th IB launched operations on December 23 until January 2 in Brgy. Mahongcog and plan to construct detachment in the middle of the civilian populace. In the town’s brgy. Tiko, troops belonging to the 39th IB and paramilitary Bagni scoured Lumad communities from December 21 until December 26. Prior to this, the 39th IB terrorized the village when it launched several rounds of indiscriminate aerial shelling using night-capable fighter planes at 3:00 in the morning and at least 10 rounds of mortar shelling that lasted until noon on December 21. Following the unprovoked and senseless aerial attack and bombardment, farms were destroyed as troops ransacked houses of civilians.

In Compostela Valley, the 46th IB and the 71st IB launched offensive operations in the hinterland villages of Tapan and Mascareg; in Malamodao,Panibasan and Panangan in Maco town; and in Lawaan, Panganasan and Palo in Pantukan town from December 23 until December 26.

These operations were clearly vain attempts by the US-Duterte regime at preventing the masses and the NPA from holding celebrations for the 49th year anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on December 26. The forward deployment of AFP troops in interior villages around the region unmasked the AFP’s predisposition to violate their own ceasefire violation and which, time and again, has been proven to not only be spurious but also empty propaganda as well.

The NPA in Southern Mindanao will continue to defend the masses and the political authority of the People’s Democratic Government in the face of escalating fascism of the US-Duterte regime with more head and body blows against the AFP, PNP and their paramilitary forces. The tactical offensives against the rabid reactionary armed forces serve to underscore the growing demand to overthrow Rodrigo Duterte from power.

(Sgd.) Rigoberto F. Sanchez
Spokesperson
SMROC-NPA

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20180107-npa-launches-offensives-to-thwart-afp-ceasefire-violations-in-smr

DavOr to continue service caravan in remote areas amid NPA threat

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 8): DavOr to continue service caravan in remote areas amid NPA threat

The provincial government of Davao Oriental will continue to implement its government service caravan in the remote barangays despite the threat of the New People's Army (NPA) attacks.

This was bared by Davao Oriental Provincial Governor's chief-of-staff Ednar Dayanghirang during Monday's Kapehan sa Davao at SM City Annex.

Dayanghirang said there are 100 remote barangays identified as conflict-affected that will be visited by the caravan dubbed as Nagkakaisang Lingkod Bayan ng Davao Oriental - Barangay Outreach Caravan to provide various government services to its constituents.

These areas will include the ancestral domain of the Indigenous People tribes and the Muslim communities in the province -- areas where NPA rebels thrive.

The provincial government is counting on the military to protect government servants. He said the security threats to the caravan will not matter because of the strong presence of the soldiers of the 701st Brigade and Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office.

"Also, our approach to security is good governance, inclusive good governance," Dayanghirang added.

Aside from the services given by the province, Dayanghirang said different national agencies also lend their services to the people of remote barangays who cannot afford to go the provincial offices in Mati City to avail some of their services.

"We believe that with the Nagkakaisang Lingkod Bayan ng Davao Oriental - Barangay Outreach Caravan, this has weakened the NPA supporters, that is why many rebels including some commanders surrendered because they see there is still government serving to the people," he said.

Dayanghirang said the caravan aims to “re-introduce” the government since these areas were already introduced to the doctrine of the rebels.

In 2017, the province made 50 caravans to the conflict-affected barangays in which different services were availed by its constituents from free birth registration, medical and dental services and livelihood assistance.

After the barangay caravans, the province will formulate sustainability measures so that the efforts will not be wasted.

"Dinhi na nga magpatanom na ta, magpa-scholar na ta'g mga kabataan, maghatag na tag infrastracture projects didto sa mga area to make it sustainable (In this phase, the government will give seedlings for the their till their lands, give shcolarship to the youth and build infrastructure projects in these areas to make it sustainable)," he said.

"We need the democracy of the country will work in these areas or else the government of the rebels will work there," Dayanghirang added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1020839

Wanted bomber killed in Army airstrikes in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 8): Wanted bomber killed in Army airstrikes in Maguindanao

The military here announced Monday that one of four bodies of IS-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) found in an ongoing military airstrike in Mt. Firis in Maguindanao was that of a wanted bomber trained by slain Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir.

A certain Salahudin, also known as Abu Omar, was among those recovered by government forces at sitio Firis, Barangay Maytumaig, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao on Sunday, hours after the military attacked the rebels’ position with rockets and artillery fires.

Lt. Colonel Gerry Besana, Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) Civil Military Operations chief, said the slain BIFF fighters were among the more than 50 IS-inspired armed men who harassed the detachment of 65th Military Intelligence Company in Firis on Saturday night.

Firefight lasted until Sunday morning.

Besana noted that Mt. Firis, a sacred ground for Teduray lumads, has been the “apple of the eye” of the BIFF who wanted to regain control of the mountain camp they previously occupied but lost to the military in 2005.

The fighting over the weekend also left a soldier, PFC. Carl Anthony Dionaga, dead and his companion, PFC Harold John Dionisio, wounded.

Besana, also spokesperson for the Army-led anti-terror Task Force Central, said government troops also recovered four rifles from slain rebels along with dozens of homemade improvised explosive devices following clearing operations.

The slain BIFF, in keeping with Islamic traditions, were turned over by the Army to local officials for immediate burial.

“We have information from the ground, from our intelligence units that among the dead was Salahudin,” Besana said. “Very likely, but we are verifying all the information that comes in.”

Major Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Army’s 6ID commander, vowed to stop at all cost the proliferation of IS inspired armed men in Maguindanao.

Dela Vega said that he is also anticipating retaliatory attacks or diversionary tactics from lawless elements and ordered his men to secure vital government installations in the province like bridges, power transmission lines and government infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the displaced families, numbering about 420, have continued to receive aid from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and from the office of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1020860

Military’s psy-ops man now head of elite Army unit

From Malaya Business Insight (Jan 8): Military’s psy-ops man now head of elite Army unit

PRESIDENT Duterte has designated the top psychological operations officer of the Armed Forces as new commander of the Special Operations Command (Socom), an elite unit under the Philippine Army.

Maj. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista is due to assume his new post today during rites to be presided by Army chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista at the Socom headquarters in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Evangelista is outgoing commander of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service, which is the military’s psy-ops arm. The unit is based at the military’s general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo. There is yet no words as to who will be the new CRS chief.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986, Evangelista replaces Lt. Gen. Danilo Pamonag (PMA Class 1985) who assumed the post of commander of the Lucena City-based Southern Luzon Command last month.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Rey Tiongson described Evangelista as a “warrior-diplomat” and an “innovative” officer.

He said that as Evangelista, as CRS commander, emphasized that CRS personnel “cannot literally kill the enemies through civil-military operations, but they can destroy their will to fight.”

“His priority is attaining measure of effect rather than measure of performance. He deems that no matter how much effort is put into an endeavor, if the public does not benefit from it, then, it becomes a wasted effort,” he added.

As the Socom commander, Evangelista will have control over subordinate elite units such as the First Scout Ranger Regiment, the Special Forces Regiment, and the Light Reaction Regiment.

Evangelista assumed the top CRS post in December 2016. Before that, he was deputy commander of the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City (January to December 2016) and head of the Special Forces Regiment in Fort Magsaysay (January 2013 to January 2016).

He also served as commander of the 6th Special Forces Battalion that liberated Bohol from the New People’s Army.

Evangelista is a recipient of three Distinguished Service Stars and many other medals and decorations, including Gawad sa Kaunlaran, a Bronze Cross Medal, and merit and commendation medals.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/military%E2%80%99s-psy-ops-man-now-head-elite-army-unit

Former Navy chiefs frown on sacking of Mercado

From Malaya Business Insight (Jan 9): Former Navy chiefs frown on sacking of Mercado

FORMER Navy chiefs have expressed disappointment over the unceremonious relief of Vice Adm. Ronald Joseph Mercado as Navy chief last month for acts tantamount to insubordination, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday.

Lorenzana said he recently met with the former officials to clear the air regarding the relief of Mercado, who is now assigned to the office of AFP chief Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

Lorenzana did not say when and where the meeting was held.

“I have talked to former flag officers in command (of the Navy). I requested from them a meeting and I explained to them the root cause why Admiral Mercado was relieved,” Lorenzana said.

“They expressed their disappointment over the process (of Mercado’s relief). They said I violated the long-honored tradition of retirement, parade and everything,” said Lorenzana.

Mercado was relieved on December 19 and replaced by AFP deputy chief of staff for retirees and reservists affairs Rear Adm. Robert Empedrad in an acting capacity. He relinquished the post in rites held at the office of AFP chief Gen. Leonardo Ray Guerrero, without the traditional testimonial parade and review in honor of the outgoing Navy chief.

“I said because the situation was fluid, we can no longer have formal turnover. I explained to them and they understood,” he also said.

Lorenzana last month said he recommended to President Duterte Mercado’s relief because he has “lost trust and confidence in his integrity and leadership.” He said Mercado has been pushing for the installation of a combat management system (CMS) manufactured by a French firm on two frigates which are still under construction. He said he has told Mercado to stop insisting on the CMS produced by the French firm and instead let the Hyundai Heavy Industries of Korea, which is constructing the frigates, to make the decision.

Mercado reportedly did not heed Lorenzana’s directives.

There are reports Mercado is considering going on early retirement. Mercado is due to reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 in March this year.

Lorenzana said, “I think he is already requesting, according to some of the former FOICs (flag officers in command) that talked to him, that he will just be allowed to retire in March. I said he can retire (in March). No one is forcing him to retire earlier,” he said.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/former-navy-chiefs-frown-sacking-mercado

Coast Guard chief named

From Malaysia Business Insight (Jan 9): Coast Guard chief named

PRESIDENT Duterte has appointed Rear Adm. Elson Hermogino as new commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Malacañang announced yesterday.

Before his new designation, Hermogino was commander of the PCG’s Maritime Safety Services Command. His appointment papers were signed by the President on January 4.

Hermogino, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985, replaces Commodore Joel Garcia who has been serving as officer-in-charge of the PCG since the Office of the Ombudsman suspended Rear Adm. William Melad last year.

Hermogino is also former commander of the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/coast-guard-chief-named

PH to file protest vs China over reef

From Malaysia Business Insight (Jan 9): PH to file protest vs China over reef

DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana yesterday said government will file a diplomatic protest against China for militarizing the Fiery Cross Reef or Kagitingan Reef, one of the disputed areas in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea.

Lorenzana made the statement a few days after the Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television showed an aerial shot of the reef that appeared to have been transformed into a fortified airbase.

The Hong Kong-based Asia Times also reported that the reef features a 3,125-meter runway, radars, weapon systems, and other military facilities and a hospital. It said about 200 soldiers are stationed there.

“Our stand is we will register our protest, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), because I know for a fact the Chinese government said some time ago that they are not going to militarize those reclaimed islands,” said Lorenzana.

China has conducted land reclamation activities at Fiery Cross Reef and several other reefs in the South China. A Washington-based think tank earlier reported China was putting up naval and air bases in these reefs.

“According to them, they are not militarizing (these reefs) and it was for peaceful purposes such as tourism. If it is true and we can prove that they have been putting soldiers and even weapon systems, that will be a violation of what they said,” said Lorenzana.

“The DFA knows this so the DFA will protest. We have the West Philippine Sea Task Force under general (Hermogenes) Esperon and they are the ones communicating with the DFA,” said Lorenzana.

Lorenzana said the government has also received reports about harassment of Filipino fishermen by Chinese Coast Guard vessels and “we will also file protest.” He declined to give details of the harassment.

The incidents came amid supposed warming relations between the Philippines and China.

China has donated thousands of rifles to the Philippines, some of them used by soldiers in the fight against the terrorist Maute Group which attacked Marawi City in May last year. China has also vowed to assist the Philippines in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi City.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/ph-file-protest-vs-china-over-reef

Duterte’s ouster is movement’s ‘most important task’ – CPP

From InterAksyon (Jan 8): Duterte’s ouster is movement’s ‘most important task’ – CPP

 

“The downfall of (President Rodrigo) Duterte is the most important task of the revolutionary forces,” crucial both to the “rapid strengthening and expansion” of the movement and to “defending the people from the unrelenting attacks of the regime,” the Communist Party of the Philippines said.

The editorial of the January 7, 2018 issue of the CPP’s official publication, Ang Bayan, predicted that Duterte would become “increasingly isolated” from the people from the combined impacts of the continued killings in both his war on drugs and the counterinsurgency campaign, the predicted increase in the prices of basic necessities brought about by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, or TRAIN, law, and the push for Charter change and federalism — including the possible scrapping of the 2019 elections — which critics of government suspect is intended to establish dictatorship.

“Para kontrahin ang papalawak na paglaban ng mamamayan, tiyak na patitindihin pa ni Duterte ang mga gerang mapanupil laban sa mga sektor at organisasyong tumututol sa kanyang mga pasistang ambisyon (To counter the widening resistance of the people, Duterte is certain to intensify the wars of suppression against sectors and organizations opposed to his fascist ambitions),” Ang Bayan said.

It noted that the petition filed by government lawyers to have the courts declare the CPP and New People’s Army “terrorist organizations” targets the “open democratic movement and the legal opposition” as much as the armed rebels.

The move followed Duterte’s termination of negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, which represents the communist rebels in peace talks.

The CPP editorial also said government efforts to improve the economy, such as the “Build, Build, Build” program, which it described as dictated by “neo-liberal policies” that would benefit only foreign multinationals and their local “bureaucrat-capitalist” cohorts, could only worsen poverty and backwardness in the country, as it noted that earlier promises, such as the end of labor contractualization, agrarian reform and free irrigation, among others, “have totally disappeared from Duterte’s vocabulary.”

As proof of Duterte’s growing isolation, Ang Bayan pointed to his waffling on such plans as declaring a “revolutionary government,” which the CPP attributed to a “lack of support from the people, a section of the ruling classes and even the military.”

The CPP called for “the launching of campaigns, both armed and unarmed, to deal serious blows to the regime and weaken it until it falls.”

 

http://www.interaksyon.com/dutertes-ouster-is-movements-most-important-task-cpp/

SUV civilian passengers escape IED blast

From the Mindanao Times (Jan 8): SUV civilian passengers escape IED blast

AN IMPROVISED explosive device (IED) was detonated 10 meters away from the roadside of the national highway in Purok 8, Barangay Baylo, Monkayo, Compostela Valley at 11:10 a.m. yesterday.

Lt. Col Ismael Mandanas, the commander of 25th Infantry Battalion, told TIMES that a Toyota Fortuner passed by when the blast occurred.

Mandanas said there was no report of any casualties or damages as a result of the explosion.

He said the passengers and the driver of the car were civilians.

“No one (was) wounded but they felt the impact,” he said.

After the incident, soldiers from the 25th Infantry Battalion and the Monkayo police responded and cordoned the area. They found another anti-personnel IED from the site during the clearing operation.

According to the army, the landmine was not properly placed, so it failed to cause damage.

Mandanas said members of the New People’s Army’s Guerilla Front 20 led by alias Ka Bosyong could be behind the blast.

“We want to highlight on the desperation of the NPAs to create panic in the community,” Mandanas said. “They want everybody to feel their presence although they no longer have any capability to do that.”

He said the NPA has long been targeting government forces without taking into consideration that civilians would become collateral damage. For now, troopers of the 25th IB and Monkayo police are deployed to secure the area.

http://mindanaotimes.net/suv-civilian-passengers-escape-ied-blast/

PHL-Indonesia border crossing conference slated in SMX today

From the Mindanao Times (Jan 8): PHL-Indonesia border crossing conference slated in SMX today

THE EASTERN Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) will host the Republic of the Philippines-Republic of Indonesia Border Crossing Committee Chairmen’s Conference starting today until the 11th in SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

 

Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, chief of Eastern Mindanao Command and Chairman, will head the Philippine delegation while the Indonesian delegation will be headed by Ramd Didik Setiyono S.E., M.M., commander of the Eastern Fleet Command.

Maj. Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson of EastMinCom, said the conference aims to review issues and come up with recommendations for the enhancement of mutual cross-border cooperation.

Balagtey said they will also tackle sustainable maritime defense and security cooperation amenable to both countries, particularly in the Celebes Sea.

On July 6, 2017, the Philippines and Indonesia launched a maritime patrol on a new 600-km route in a move to strengthen security between the countries’ borders.

The Eastmincom said the patrol launched dubbed as “CORPAT PHILINDO XXXI-17,” is meant to strengthen the boundaries of the Philippines and Indonesia that straddle the Celebes Sea.

“Both countries aim to make the border patrol more regular this time due to the terror threat,” Balagtey said.

Two vessels sailed from Sasa Wharf: the country’s BRP Ramon Alcaraz and Indonesia’s KRI Kerapu (812) LCDR Ramli Arif TNI which arrived in Davao City on July 2.

The two will monitor the route to be taken by roll-on-roll-off vessels traveling between Sasa Cove in Davao and Manado, Indonesia.

The Philippine-Indonesia patrol is part of the trilateral arrangement which includes Malaysia.

In June, the three countries announced they would form joint patrols to combat piracy, the spread of terrorism, and the illegal drug trade.

The opening ceremonies of the patrol took place at the Waterfront Insular Hotel and attended by members of the Eastmincom, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, and their Indonesian Navy counterparts.

The patrols are headed by Capt. Taat Siswo Sunarto on Indonesia and Capt. Jose Ma Ambrosio Ezpele of the Philippine Navy.

Balagtey said a border agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia has been in existence since 1975.

 

http://mindanaotimes.net/phl-indonesia-border-crossing-conference-slated-in-smx-today/