US plans 'steady drumbeat' of exercises in South China Sea, Mattis says

From CNN (May 29): US plans 'steady drumbeat' of exercises in South China Sea, Mattis says



Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images BEIJING, July 26, 2017 : File photo taken in July, 2016 shows Chinese H-6K bomber patrolling islands and reefs including Huangyan Island in the South China Sea....

US Defense Secretary James Mattis said on Tuesday that the United States will continue "a steady drumbeat" of naval exercises to challenge China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, amid Beijing's militarization of the contested waters.

Mattis' comments came after Beijing expressed "firm opposition" on Sunday after two US warships sailed within 12 nautical miles of four artificial islands claimed by China in the disputed Paracel island chain, east of Vietnam.

Speaking to reporters during a flight to Hawaii, Mattis said the South China Sea was international waters and "a lot of nations" wanted to see freedom of navigation maintained in the area.

"There's a very steady drumbeat of freedom of navigation operations ... You'll notice there is only one country that seems to take active steps to rebuff them or state their resentment of them," he said.

The Chinese government, which claims much of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory, has established a significant military presence in the region, installing radar facilities and airstrips on contested islands and reefs.

Mattis said Chinese President Xi Jinping had broken the promise he made at the White House in 2015 in regards to his country's actions in the region.

"He stated that they would not be militarizing the islands, we have seen in the last month they have done exactly that, moving weaponry in that was never there before," Mattis said.

In May, the Chinese military landed nuclear-capable bombers on their artificial islands for the first time. Weeks earlier, US intelligence announced there was a high possibility Beijing had deployed anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles as part of military exercises.

Though the US' latest freedom of navigation operation was likely planned months in advance, experts said it was suggestive of the US' attempts to pursue a harder line against China in the South China Sea.

On Sunday, China's Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian labeled the return of US warships a "provocation" which violated Chinese and international laws and blamed the US military's exercises for the growing militarization of the region.

China disinvited from major US exercises

 Mattis, who travels to the annual Shangri-La defense summit in Singapore on June 1, said the United States worked to keep their military activity in the Pacific "very transparent" and expected the same from its partners and allies.

"So, when (Beijing) do things that are opaque to the rest of us, then we cannot cooperate in areas that we would otherwise cooperate in," he said.

Mattis' comments appear to refer to the US' decision to rescind an invitation to the Chinese military to participate in maritime exercises in the Pacific due to Beijing's actions in the South China Sea, which Washington described as "inconsistent with the principles and purposes" of the exercise

The massive military event, known as RIMPAC, is described by the US Navy as the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise and involves more than 20 countries from across the world.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the time the US decision was "very unconstructive."

"It's unhelpful to mutual understanding between China and the US. We hope the US will change such a negative mindset," he told reporters in Washington.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-plans-steady-drumbeat-of-exercises-in-south-china-sea-mattis-says/ar-AAy0sCp?ocid=ientp

MNLF-IIO: Misuari at handover of two PNP policewomen

Posted to the Moro National Liberation Front-International Information Office Website (May 19): Misuari at handover of two PNP policewomen

Gov. Toto Tan hands over the released two policewomen, victims of recent kidnapping, to Secretary Jesus Dureza, OPAPP, at the Jolo Airport today 19 May 2018.

Also present were Chairman Nur Misuari of the MNLF and the security sector led by Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Commander of Joint Task Force Sulu.

Gov. Tan thanked the members of the AFP and the PNP for their relentless efforts for the release of the kidnap victims.
...

The influence of Chairman Misuari in adding to the pressures by all concerned sectors to resolve kidnappings in Sulu is also acknowledged.



https://www.facebook.com/MNLFINFO/photos/pcb.1982554881814738/1982554811814745/?type=3&theater



https://www.facebook.com/MNLFINFO/photos/pcb.1982554881814738/1982554815148078/?type=3&theater



 https://www.facebook.com/MNLFINFO/photos/pcb.1982554881814738/1982554818481411/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/MNLFINFO/

MNLF-IIO: Beware of Fake MNLF Account

Posted to the Moro National Liberation Front-International Information Office Website (May 23):
Beware of Fake MNLF Account

Beware of Fake MNLF Account. Get your source from genuine MNLF sources..

أبو شامل السولوي

May 23 at 9:00am

fitna alert! Dumadami na ang mga fake account sa Fb na nagpapanggap na MNLF para lang siraan ang imahe ng mga kapatid nating MNLF!

 

Fitna Alert! Modi's fake fb accounts are pretending to be the MNLF just to discredit the image of our MNLF brothers!

 

https://www.facebook.com/MNLFINFO/

MNLF-IIO: Misuari hero of Oppressed Moro Nation

Posted to the Moro National Liberation Front-International Information Office Website (May 24): Misuari hero of Oppressed Moro Nation



Prof. NUR P. Misuari, as MNLF founding Chairman, is a living hero of the Oppressed Moro Nation. He taught his Moro countrymen the true meaning of FREEDOM; the ROAD to FREEDOM by WORDS and DEEDS. So he will live forever in the heart of time and history. 50 - Year leading the Struggle, MNLF and Bangsamoros have already reached the summit of recognition and respect as members of the Parliamentary Union of Islamic Countries; with Permanent Observer Status in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), including the recognitions of UNESCO and many non-muslim countries in the world.

SG Ustadz Murshi Ibrahim

https://www.facebook.com/MNLFINFO/photos/a.1169806703089564.1073741832.404979842905591/1989695427767350/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/MNLFINFO/

MNLF-IIO: Court frees 97 MNLF members in Zamboanga siege

Posted to the Moro National Liberation Front-International Information Office Website (May 28): Court frees 97 MNLF members in Zamboanga siege

BREAKING NEWS
via ABS-CBN News

"Ninety-seven members of the Moro National Liberation Front who were involved in the deadly siege on Zamboanga City 5 years ago arrived here (Zamboanga) on Monday after a court ordered their release.
...
A court had ruled that the rebels, who belong to an MNLF faction led by the group's founder, Nur Misuari, served all penalties for sedition. They were fined P5,000 each."

#OneZamboanga

 

https://www.facebook.com/OneZamboanga/photos/a.713476148691789.1073741828.117385984967478/1813225665383493/?type=3&theater

 

https://www.facebook.com/MNLFINFO/

MILF: President Duteerte certifies BBL as urgent

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 30): President Duteerte certifies BBL as urgent



President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has certified the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as urgent, a report of Philippine Daily Inquirer on May 29 afternoon says.

The report also stated that Presidential Legislative Liaison Office head Sec. Adelino Sitoy on Tuesday afternoon told reporters the BBL certification has already been transmitted to Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

The leaders of Senate and House of Representatives last week sent communication to Malacanan asking President Duterte to certify the Bangsamoro law as urgent.

Yesterday, members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), the body mandated to craft the BBL met with lawmakers from both Senate and House of Representatives to discuss contentious issues of the measure.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Jesus Dureza said in a statement that the President held meeting with the leaders and members of the two chambers of Philippine Congress and a separate meeting the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“The meeting adjourned with a general consensus that the two chambers conclude their work at the earliest possible time and if there are varying versions, that the mandated bicameral committees of both chambers meet to come up with a joint reconciled and accepted version,” Dureza said in a statement posted at the OPAPP Facebook page.

Dureza added that the President shall sign BBL into law on time for its announcement during the State of the Nation Address in July, this year.
http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1356/president_duteerte_certifies_bbl_as_urgent_

MILF: Mindanao is likely be the base of ISIS caliphate: President Duterte warns

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 28): Mindanao is likely be the base of ISIS caliphate: President Duterte warns



Mindanao is likely be the base of the caliphate of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) if the terrorist group would establish its kingdom in Southeast Asia, President Rodrigo Duterte warned on Friday (May 24) during the inauguration of Davao bridge widening project in Davao City.
“Now they’re planning to establish a caliphate here in Southeast Asia. What country would be the most ideal to set up a camp?,” the President asked and hinted it would unlikely be Indonesia, Malaysia nor Brunei since they are majority Muslims.

He said ISIS, now being pushed out of Middle East, does not know anything but to kill and destroy.

“And sometimes in their crazy notion that they are the disciples of God, they say that they will kill all infidels and infidels is --- are the non-Muslims,” the Philippine President said.

“Where would they find the infidels to kill? They are not found aplenty in Indonesia, Malaysia, or Brunei. It’s right here,” Duterte further cautioned.

Local terrorist groups Maute and Abu Sayaff which had a motive to establish a province of ISIS caliphate laid siege to Marawi city last May 23, 2017. It was reported that both have pledged allegiance to ISIS.

Government troops embattled for five months before Marawi, popularly known as the only Islamic city of the country, was declared liberated from the two insurgent groups.

The battle of Marawi left more than a thousand people dead and billions of pesos worth of properties destroyed.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1353/mindanao-is-likely-be-the-base-of-isis-caliphate--president-duterte-warns

MILF: Palace vows fast action in Marawi ‘culture and religious sensitive’ rehab efforts

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 28): Palace vows fast action in Marawi ‘culture and religious sensitive’ rehab efforts



Malacañang assured on Friday, May 24, the public that the government is acting fast on its efforts to completely rehabilitate and reconstruct Marawi City and that the rehabilitation initiatives will be attuned to the culture and religious sensitivities of the affected communities.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing, that there were dialogues conducted by the Task Force Marawi who gave assurance that the rehabilitation efforts will consider the culture and religious sensitivities of the residents of Marawi and other affected communities.

Roque is hopeful that the occupants of 67 evacuation centers in Northern Mindanao and parts of Lanao del Sur will be allowed to return home soon.

He added that there was a total of 77,700 individuals or 10,835 families who were also allowed to return to the most affected area (MAA).

The cabinet secretary also clarified that there is a master plan for the complete rehabilitation of the war-torn Islamic city.

“The Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program (BMCRRP) is targeted for approval by the Cabinet this June,” he said.

Roque added that under the said initiative, 892 short- and medium-term programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) will be implemented by different government agencies for the reconstruction and development Marawi city and all localities affected by the siege.

He said the estimated budget of 53.4 billion pesos will focus on rebuilding physical infrastructure, housing, livelihood assistance, and in local governance and peacebuilding.

Roque also announced that there will be groundbreaking ceremony to be conducted by June that will signal the start of a full-scale reconstruction of the mostly affected areas.

He further said that the DSWD will be providing food packs, kitchen utensils, and hygiene kits to those who will return while the LGUs of Lanao del Sur and Norte and the City Government of Marawi are also providing Ramadhan food packs.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1354/palace-vows-fast-action-in-marawi----culture-and-religious-sensitive----rehab-efforts-

MILF: MILF, TPMT share opinions on the Peace Process

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 28): MILF, TPMT share opinions on the Peace Process



CAMP DARAPANAN – Leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had met with members of Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat Maguindanao on May 20, 2018.

This exchange of thoughts was happened in a recent courtesy visit rendered by the latter to the MILF administrative camp. Both parties were in the same position that Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), pending its approval by both lower and upper chambers of congress plays pivotal role in shaping the future social and political landscape of the region, or even the Philippine state as a whole.

MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim has his strong belief on the political will of President Rodrigo Duterte, who made an assurance that “there would be a Bangsamoro Government within his term.”

Along with Central Committee members Edward Guerra, Maestro Celis and Abu Huraira Udasan, Al Haj Murad, the highest ranking Moro Front chief holds firm on the statements of the president during their several exclusive meetings discussing the Bangsamoro issues of “historical injustices.”

The president has even deliberately declared his assurance on the passage of BBL at the end of May 2018 or else “I might just resign from the presidency,” Duterte said during the turnover of unlicensed firearms in Buluan, Maguindnao last April. That is the strongest statement that the Philippine head of state ever have made in support for proposed measure.

The TPMT group represented by Rahib Kudto, Karen Tañada, Huseyin Uroç and Sam Chittick had also able to share their own readings and projections on the BBL. They see the scrutiny by the two legislation houses might would appear tough on the opt-in provision of the proposed bill, even though they are working with the same version.

The BBL is the legal form to implement signed peace deal between Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH-MILF), the comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). A former form of BBL is about to be signed in 2015, in which a case of spoiled police operation in Mamasapano on January 25, 2015 has derailed it substantially.

Both the House of Representatives (HoR) and the Senate have adopted the New Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) version of BBL as their reference to come up with a law that would repeal the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), into a new Bangsamoro Region, which has better features for the Bangsamoro people to exercise meaningful autonomy and to end the long standing struggle that has brought poverty and sufferings to many.

The two groups had also tackled challenging issues that may affect the bid to self-rule by the Bangsamoro, specifically during the conduct of plebiscites noting that extra efforts should be done to some identified that may vote against the new political entity establishment.

They were also bonded on a point of view that challenging it may appear, but at the end of the day, the six (6) municipalities in Lanao Del Norte and thirty-nine (39) barangays in North Cotabato, a Muslim dominated areas who voted for inclusion during the previous plebiscite – but their mother province voted no in the totality.

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1355/milf--tpmt-share-opinions-on-the-peace-process

MILF: “We must support the enactment of BBL by Congress”—Abdula

Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Website (May 27): “We must support the enactment of BBL by Congress”—Abdula



DATU PAGLAS, MAGUINDANAO ---- “We must support the enactment of Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by Congress”, said Professor Esmael A. Abdula, President of Kalilintad Peacebuilding Institute during a peace forum organized in this town by the Bangsamoro Communication Network-Damakling Chapter.
Abdula emphasized that the leveling off understanding of the Mindanao peace process is one way of supporting the urgent enactment of the BBL BTC Version.

“Enacting the BBL will address the Moro Historical Injustices”, Abdula said.

“The BBL is a political document signed between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to end decade-long Mindanao armed conflict and achieve lasting peace in the region”, Abdula added.

Abdula said the MILF affirms that a negotiated political settlement is the key to lasting peace in Mindanao.

Abdula further said “Moro legitimate struggle is aimed towards establishing Bangsamoro political entity.”

http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1352/---we-must-support-the-enactment-of-bbl-by-congress------abdula

NDF/Julie de Lima: Wage increase is necessary for national economic development

Julie de Lima propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (May 29): Wage increase is necessary for national economic development

Reference: J de Lima
Chairperson NDFP RWC-SER | Press statement

NDFP Reciprocal Committee on Socio-Economic Reforms Chair Julie de Lima

The popular demand of workers for increase in the national minimum wage is just and necessary. The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) should heed the call. “An across-the-board national wage increase is beneficial not only to the country’s work force but also for the comprehensive development of the national economy to benefit the entire people,” says Julie de Lima, chairperson of the Reciprocal Working Committee on Social and Economic Reforms of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (RWC-SER).

“The GRP should immediately respond to the wage increase demand to increase the purchasing power of the people, enliven the domestic market and encourage production.” Labor groups are demanding for an urgent national minimum wage increase ranging from Php750-Php800 daily to counter the burdening effects of TRAIN and the successive oil price hikes. “The GRP’s response to thecalls for a wage increase is long overdue. A significant wage increase would help to jumpstart national economic development that benefits the entire Philippine populace, including small, medium and big business, as we envision in the NDFP Draft CASER.”

“All the alibis of big businesses and the NEDA threatening massive job loss and company closures if wage hike for workers is implemented have been debunked decades ago. It is high time that the GRP seriously consider implementing significant minimum wage increase to bridge the gap between workers’ depressed wages and the sky-rocketing cost of living,” De Lima said.



“We are not simply talking about economic relief here. Prices of basic utilities, food stuff, fares and services have incessantly gone up. Workers and employees’ purchasing power has severely weakened, and the real value of the Philippine Peso has been eroded many times over.” “Keeping the workers’ wages low has worked to the detriment not only of the working masses but also to the stagnation of the entire Philippine economy in the mire of semifeudal and semicolonial existence,” De Lima said.

Wage increase and other benefits for Filipino workers is part of the NDFP’s Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) draft under the section Rights of the Working People. They will help to create a conducive environment for the resumption of the formal peace negotiations that will discuss, and agree on the entirety of CASER.

https://www.ndfp.org/wage-increase-is-necessary-for-national-economic-development/

NDF/Julie de Lima: ‘Basic reforms must be the cornerstone of an interim peace agreement’

Julie de Lima propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (May 28): ‘Basic reforms must be the cornerstone of an interim peace agreement’ 

Reference: J de Lima
Chairperson, NDFP RWC-SER
Press Statement | May 28, 2018

NDFP Reciprocal Committee on Socio-Economic Reforms Chair Julie de Lima

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines – Reciprocal Working Group on Social and Economic Reforms (NDFP RWC-SER) welcomes the reported possible signing of an interim peace agreement. This is a sign of movement in the stalled peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

“This would be a significant development in the peace process, only if the interim peace agreement includes basic social reforms. The NDFP has always been consistent that social and economic reforms must be the cornerstone of any peace agreement.” said NDFP RWC-SER chairperson Julie de Lima.

De Lima said that the inclusion of the Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ARRD) and the National Industrialization and Economic Development (NIED) in the interim peace agreement would be the most significant step in the peace negotiations. It would be the first steo towards addressing the roots of the armed conflict.”

Bilateral teams of the RWC-SER, have agreed on the common drafts of ARRD and NIED. The still unresolved contentious issues are being referred to the RWC-SERs of the two Parties for resolution before negotiations at the level of the GRP-NDFP Negotiating Panels.

ARRD and NIED are two major sections of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), the second substantive agenda in in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. Five other substantive parts of CASER still need to be discussed. These include: Environmental Protection, Rehabilitation and Compensation (EPRC), Rights of the Working People, Monetary and Fiscal Policy and Foreign Economic Trade relations.

“Genuine agrarian reform with rural industrial development and national industrial and economic development that benefits and protects the rights of the working people are among the many issues at the heart of any peace agreement. Ceasefire alone will not resolve the centuries-old problems from which the Filipino masses have struggled to break free,” NDFP RWC-SER chairperson said.

She added that apart from pushing for basic social services, previously-signed agreements, such as the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and the Joint Agreement on safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), must also be complied with as a matter of justice.

Parties are expected to return to the formal negotiating table in June 2018.

https://www.ndfp.org/basic-reforms-must-be-the-cornerstone-of-an-interim-peace-agreement/

NDF/Jalandoni: NDFP warmly congratulates Rev. Rex RB Reyes, Jr.

Jalandoni propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website: NDFP warmly congratulates Rev. Rex RB Reyes, Jr.

on His Election as BISHOP of the EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL PHILIPPINES

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) warmly congratulates Rev. Rex RB Reyes, Jr. on his being elected Bishop of the EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL PHILIPPINES, Episcopal Church in the Philippines.



We in the NDFP know very well that he has all the qualities of a Church leader who has proven in his life his dedication and service to the Filipino people. He certainly deserves to be given this high and responsible function for the benefit of the people.

We know Rev. Rex RB Reyes, Jr. very well. He has generously accepted to be the NDFP Nominated Independent Observer of the Joint Monitoring Commitee (JMC) under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).



Rev. Rex RB Reyes, Jr. (extreme right) during the 2nd Round of GRP-NDFP Peace Talks in Oslo 2016 / Photo by Randy Malayao

Despite his many tasks and duties for the Church and his people, he fulfills with dedication and enthusiasm his important work as NDFP Nominated Independent Observer in the JMC. He attends and actively participates in the meetings of the JMC, whether in Manila or abroad. His participation is appreciated and welcomed by both the NDFP and GRP members of the JMC. He gives concrete proposals for the improvement of the work of the JMC.

We appeciate vey much his dedicated work as a staunch advocate for a just and lasting peace. We have witnessed his fine work as Co-Chairperson of the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) which has strongly called for: “Resume Peace Talks Now! Respect All Agreements! Address the Roots of the Armed Conflict!”

We convey our most heartfelt best wishes to him on his being elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Philippines!

Luis G. Jalandoni
Member, National Executive Committee
Senior Adviser, NDFP Negotiating Panel

https://www.ndfp.org/ndfp-warmly-congratulates-rev-rex-rb-reyes-jr/

CPP Information Bureau: Unite to oppose the National ID system

CPP Information Bureau propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 26): Unite to oppose the National ID system

Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

26 May 2018
Press Release

With the Senate leadership recently usurped by Duterte apologist and minion Tito Sotto, with the Supreme Court, now free of Duterte arch-critic Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, and with the rubber-stamp lower house of Congress, the enactment of the National ID system by the fascist Duterte now seems to be imminent. This totalitarian measure was first proposed more than two decades ago and has long been fiercely resisted by democratic sectors.

Wielding his new unbound powers, Duterte is now testing the waters with his push to enact the fascist National ID system. If he could get away with this, it is likely that he will push with far more insidious measures such as the plan for charter change to give Duterte greater authority, including less restrictions on his power to declare martial law, and pave the way for perpetuating himself in power under one or another pretext.

The National ID system will practically be reviving the detested cedula system which the Spanish colonial power used to control the movement of people and suppress their democratic rights. In the hands of Duterte, the National ID system is bound to be a weapon of suppression, a weapon of mass monitoring and surveillance to track everyone’s movement, and to bribe and arm-twist, especially against Duterte’s political critics and dissenters.

The Party urges all democratic sectors to unite firmly and oppose vigorously the National ID system, advance their resistance against Duterte’s various dictatorial schemes and his fascist abuses under Oplan Kapayapaan and Mindanao martial law, fight the regime’s anti-people and burdensome policies especially against the workers, peasants and oppressed economic classes, and put an end to widespread and large-scale corruption, surrender of the country’s sovereignty and subservience to foreign imperialist interests.

Please read further below the slightly edited statement by the CPP Information Bureau first issued on September 5, 2017.

National ID system in the hands of murderous strongman will have dreadful results

Duterte’s feverish push to implement a National ID system is part of his machinations to establish a totalitarian state of mass surveillance, population control, social, political and criminal profiling and mass murder.

The draft law of the National ID system has been bulldozed by Duterte’s supermajority of political allies in the House of Representatives. Will the GRP Senate pass the proposed ID system with similar dispatch and prove itself to be no more than a rubberstamp than the lower house is?

The Party joins the Filipino people in opposing the National ID system. In the hands of the Duterte regime, especially its security, military and police agencies, the National ID system will serve as an additional weapon for fascist suppression. There will be dreadful results once such a weapon is placed in the hands of a strong-man tyrant as Duterte who is obsessed with summary killings and mass murder as “solution” to social problems, to silence his political opponents and suppress people’s resistance.

Such a system has long been proposed by the AFP and PNP and US military and security advisers to facilitate mass surveillance through the centralization of the collection and storage (or databasing) of personal information. Past regimes have failed to push the National ID system confronted with popular opposition. The US imperialists will congratulate Duterte if he succeeds on ramming the repressive system.

Duterte’s proposed system aims to collect an inclusive list of personal information in violation of civil rights. Duterte’s National ID system will be a deathblow to privacy rights. In the hands of a repressive and oppressive state, the collection of such information will surely be weaponized and used as a tool for mass surveillance, social, political and criminal profiling.

In many capitalist countries, centralized databases of personal information collected officially as well as illegally have been used by military and security agencies for mass surveillance and “terrorist profiling” leading to stigmatizing of social, religious and political groups and false accusations against individuals.

To conceal its insidious aims and dupe the people to support the proposed identification system, the Duterte regime makes false claims that the National ID will serve to expedite the delivery of government service. Such claims are put to dispute by the fact that the Duterte regime continues to cut the budget for public education and public health and other important social services.

How can a National ID system help facilitate the provision of public health when government hospitals are, in fact, being commercialized and privatized in whole and in part? If the priority of government is to provide everyone with free public health, free education, free public housing, public transportation and so on, there is no need for a National ID system for the people to benefit from these. A national system of identification has nothing to do with the efficiency in the provision of public service.

Neither does computerization make a clean government. This is starkly demonstrated by continuing widespread corruption in government agencies which has computerized its record-keeping and processing. Manipulation of election results in the Philippines have become more widespread, albeit less obvious, through automation.

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20180526-unite-to-oppose-the-national-id-system

CPP/NPA-Eastern Panay: Paslawon sang BHB kag Rebolusyunaryong Pwersa sang Eastern Front ang Kontra-insurhensyang Pagpang-atake sang AFP

NPA-Eastern Panay propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 28): Paslawon sang BHB kag Rebolusyunaryong Pwersa sang Eastern Front ang Kontra-insurhensyang Pagpang-atake sang AFP

Rojo Silangan, Spokesperson
NPA-Eastern Panay (Nonito Aguirre, Sr. Command)

28 May 2018

Paslawon kag pirdihon sang Bagong Hukbong Bayan kag rebolusyunaryong pwersa sang Eastern Front sang Panay ang sunod-sunod kag dalagkoan nga operasyong militar kag kampanyang pagpamintas sa pumuluyo idalum sang Oplan Kapayapaan sang teroristang rehimeng US-Duterte.

Sa sulod sang lima pa lang ka bulan, duha ka dalagko kag sustenidong operasyong militar ang ginlunsar sang mersenaryong tropa sang AFP sa mga kaumhan sa mga banwa sang Dumarao, Cuartero, Maayon kag Lemery. Nagatinguha ang ini nga mga operasyon nga “tapuson” ang yunit sang NPA sa Eastern Front sang Panay nga sang nagligad nga Nobyembre nakaagum sang depensiba.

Ang unang hugnat ginlunsar sang Pebrero 11 tubtob 25 sa komposit nga mga kompanya sang 61st IB kag 31st DRC. Ini nga dalagko nga operation militar gintigayon para sa pagbisita sang teroristang presidente Duterte sa napatay nga OFW nga si Joanna Daniela Demafiles sa Sara, Iloilo. Naggamit ini sang 150 tubtob 200 ka tropa sang kaaway nga nagsakop sang mga banwa sang Dumarao, Cuartero, Maayon sa Capiz kag sa Sara kag Lemery sa Northern Iloilo.

Ang ikaduhang hugnat ginlunsar sadtong Marso 29 tubtob Abril 23 sa isa ka test mission sang ginpatihan nga bag-ong graduate nga batalyon nga 94th IB kag composite sang 61st IB sang AFP, Special Action Force kag Mobile Groups sa PNP. Naggamit man sang indi magnubo sa 200 ka tropa sang kaaway ang gindeploy sa mga banwa sang Dumarao, Cuartero, Maayon kag Lemery.

Matapos ang test mission, padayon ang 61st IB sa pag-operasyon sa mga kaumhan sang Cuartero kag Dumarao sa maskara sang “election visibility” sa mga ginapatihan nga election hotspots kag sa mga baryo nga ginapatihan nga impluwensyado sang rebolusyonaryong hublag.

Nag-entra man ang 61st IB sa barangay election paagi sa pagpanatag sang mga leaflets kag nagakampanya nga indi pagbotohon ang mga kandidato nga nagasuporta sa NPA. Sandig sa binutig ni LTC Sisenando A. Magbalot Jr sang 61st IB, indi mapanginwala ang ginpanagtag kag nagalapta nga mga leaflets sa mga interyor nga kabaryohanan sang Dumarao kag Cuartero.

Napaslawan ang tropang AFP sa ini nga mga desperadong operasyong militar nga nagatinguha nga ipaatubang ang unit sang BHB sa isa ka estratehikong engkwentro paagi sa pagdeploy sa madamu nga mersenaryong tropa kag paggamit sang mga drones kag hitech nga kagamitan militar kag para mabutang sa peligro ang BHB kag rebolusyonaryong pwersa.

Sa tunga sang sini nga mga dalagko kag sustenido nga mga pagpangatake, napaslawan ang AFP bangud kay ginaangkon sang BHB ang malapad kag mabaskog nga suportang masa para taguon ang ila nga Hangaway, kag sa paghatag impormasyon sa pagtultol sa mga lokasyon sang kaaway kag iban pa nga bulnerabilidad sang nahamulag nga mersenaryong tropa.

Bangud sa desperasyon, ginasustenir sang kaaway ang Peace and Development Teams (PDTs) sa mga interyor nga kabaryohan sang Capiz sa Eastern Front sa pagtinguha nga mapahuyang ang suporta sang masa. Ini nga mga kabaryohanan, sa pila na ka dekada, nag-agum sang mga kadalag-an sang minimum kag maksimum nga reporma sa lupa kag padayon nga nag-angkon sang iban pa nga mga kadalag-an sa agraryong rebolusyon nga ginlunsar sang NPA.

Desperadong nagatinguha man ang kaaway nga pahuyangon ang suporta sang mga masa sa rebolusyon paagi sa pagpangsaywar sa mga kaparyentihan sang mga NPA, ginapatihan nila nga mga supporter sang NPA, mga lider sang progresibong organisasyon, pilit nga pagpapirma sang mga pumuluyo para ipagwa nga mga “NPA surrenderees,” kag malawigan nga pagpondo sa mga brgy health center, brgy hall, simbahan kag mga gym sang kabaryohanan.

Apang nagatindog ang pumuluyo para ipakigbato ang ila nga tawhanon nga kinamatarung kag nagademanda sang pagpahalin sang tropang militar sa ila mga kabaryohanan. Indi nila luyag nga matabo liwat ang ginhimo nga wala kaluoy nga pagpatay sang mga inosente nga mangunguma nga sanday Ian kag Rolando Borres sang amo man nga mga tropa sang tinalikdan nga tuig. Sa pagpabutyag sang mga pumuluyo sa publiko sang ini nga mga paglapas, dali-dali nga nagmontar ang 61st IB sang isa ka pakuno-kuno nga CIVAC ukon medical mission sa Brgy Putian, Cuartero sang Mayo 25 para ipagwa nga lehitimo ang ila nga presensya sa amo nga baryo kag katambi pa nga mga baryo.

Handa ang unit sang BHB kag mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa sa Eastern Front sang Panay nga paslawon kag perdihon ang magaabot pa nga mga operasyong militar nga ilunsar sang mga tropa sang teroristang presidente Duterte paagi sa paglunsar sang mga taktikal nga opensiba.
Mapaslawan ang rehimeng US-Duterte sa iya nga kontra-insurhensyang Oplan Kapayapaan bangud sa pagkamaduguon, terorismo kag kontra-pumuluyo sini. Ang pangunahon nga kahuyangan sang ini nga Oplan amo ang korapsyon sa pinakapusod mismo sang AFP ni Duterte nga ginaagawan sang mga dalagko nga heneral sang AFP k kag burukrasyang militar sang commander-in-chief.

Ang pangpulitika kag pang-ekonomiya nga krisis sa pungsod subong nga labi nga nga ginpalala ni Duterte, ang padayon nga Martial Law sa Mindanao kag ang mga operasyon militar sa kaumhan sa bilog nga pungsod, magpalala pa sa kahimtangan sa palangabuhian sang pumuluyo nga mas labi pa kabudlay kaysa nagliligad nga mga dekada. Labi pa nga magahatag ini sang kahigayunan sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan kag bilog nga rebolusyonaryong pwersa nga lab-oton pa ang mga pumuluyo nga handa nga bag-ohon ang katilingban paagi sa pag-upod sa armadong rebolusyon.
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20180528-paslawon-sang-bhb-kag-rebolusyunaryong-pwersa-sang-eastern-front-ang-kontra-insurhensyang-p