Army, NCIP slam killing of IP leader in Surigao Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 21, 2020): Army, NCIP slam killing of IP leader in Surigao Sur (By Alexander Lopez)



KILLED BY COMMUNIST REBELS. Datu Bernandino Montenegro Astudillo, 73, the Manobo tribal chieftain of Barangay Magroyong, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, who was killed by suspected New People’s Army rebels on Thursday evening (March 19). Communist guerillas also killed a civilian during the attack on the predominantly Manobo settlement. (Photo courtesy of Councilor Rico Maca, IPMR, Municipality of San Miguel)

The Philippine Army and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in Caraga Region (NCIP-13) condemned Thursday's killing of a tribal chieftain and a civilian in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

Some 20 suspected communist New People's Army (NPA) fighters attacked a predominantly Manobo settlement in Barangay Magroyong and killed Datu Bernandino Montenegro Astudillo, 73, the village's tribal chieftain.

The armed men also killed Zaldy Ibañez, 52.

Astudillo and Ibañez were both hacked to death, police and local officials said.

“We strongly condemn this barbaric act of the CNTs (Communist New People’s Army Terrorists) as they continue to destroy innocent civilians and Indigenous Peoples’ (IPs) lives,” said Lt. Col. Jezreel Diagmel, acting commander of the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion of the Army in the province.

Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office (SDSPPO) director, Col. James Goforth, said residents in the area identified the attackers as NPA guerillas.
Goforth said Ibañez was a former rebel who surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNA) in November last year. The communist rebels have been known to turn against their former members.

Goforth said the communist rebels responsible for the attack on the Manobo village were members of the NPA's Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 1 of the "weakened" Guerilla Front 30 (GF30) led by a certain Joel Mahinay.

Diagmel lambasted the NPA for "taking advantage" of the government's ceasefire declaration and "while the Army and the PNP are occupied" in helping various line agencies in preventing the spread of the dreaded coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Surigao del Sur.

“I call on the human rights advocates to investigate these killings to give justice to the families of the victims,” Diagmel said.

He also urged the remaining NPA rebels to stop the killing of civilians and IP leaders, "abandon their futile armed struggle and return to the fold of the law."

Meanwhile, NCIP-13 director Ferdausi Cerna was saddened by the news of Astudillo’s murder.

“The killing of Datu Bernandino Montenegro Astudillo, a defenseless 73- year-old IP leader, is not an isolated case,” Cerna told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

The killing of Astudillo, he pointed out, "is part of the killing spree done by those who are threatened by decisive tribal leaders."

“Truly, my heart is heavy as news like these seems to never cease, but so shall your reckoning,” he added.

Cerna also appealed to tribal leaders in Surigao del Sur and the rest of Caraga not to be deterred by the recent killing but to continue the fight for the rights of the IPs.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097297

3 BIFF fighters yield to Army in NoCot

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 21, 2020): 3 BIFF fighters yield to Army in NoCot (By Edwin Fernandez)



BIFF SURRENDERERS. Lt. Colonel Rommel Valencia, commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion accepts three members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters who yielded to them on Friday (March 20) in Kabacan, North Cotabato. The surrenderers said they longed to be with their families after being duped into fighting a futile cause. (Photo courtesy of 7IB)

Three members of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered to the military in North Cotabato on Friday, bringing with them high-powered firearms and rifle grenade launchers.

The surrenderers belonged to the BIFF faction of Ustadz Karialan operating at the borders of Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces.

Lt. Col. Rommel Valencia, commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Kabacan, North Cotabato, said the three turned over a homemade .50-caliber sniper, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with ammunition, and a homemade M79 grenade launcher with two rounds of 40-mm projectiles.

Valencia said the surrenderers' long desire to live normal lives with their families prompted them to abandon a lost cause.

“The government’s offer is good under President Rodrigo Duterte so we grabbed the opportunity to surrender while he is still in office,” said Ali, one of the surrenderers.

Valencia said the 7IB has coordinated with the local government of Pikit, North Cotabato, through Mayor Sumulong Sultan for financial and livelihood assistance.

“Through this, more BIFF will hopefully come and surrender for the sake of their families,” Valencia said.

Brig. Gen. Robert Capulong, commander of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, lauded the 7IB troopers for "pursuing the right path to peace for those who were duped to join a lost cause."

Capulong said he directed Valencia to convince more BIFF to surrender and avail of the government’s reconciliation program.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097361

PH Air Force transports stranded foreign tourists to Manila

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 21, 2020): PH Air Force transports stranded foreign tourists to Manila (By Priam Nepomuceno)



AIDING STRANDED TOURISTS. Foreign tourists disembark from a C-130 aircraft of the Philippine Air Force at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Thursday (March 19, 2020). The tourists were picked up from the Mactan Air Base in Cebu after they were stranded as local carriers canceled domestic flights in compliance with the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. (Photo courtesy of Air Force Public Affairs Office)

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has transported to Manila some 46 foreign tourists who were stranded in Cebu.

In a statement on Friday, PAF spokesperson Maj. Aristides Galang said a Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" cargo plane picked up the tourists from Mactan Air Base, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu and flew them to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City on Thursday.

Galang said the flight was coordinated with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Tourism, and PAF Chief, Lt. Gen. Allen T. Paredes.

The effort was part of recovery flights aimed at helping tourists who were stranded due to travel restrictions in line with the enhanced community quarantine in effect over Luzon due to the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak.

Based on updated community quarantine guidelines, only overseas Filipino workers, balikbayans, and foreign nationals would be allowed to leave at any time during the quarantine period in Luzon, provided they travel only to the airport within 24 hours of the date and time of their departure.

Outgoing passengers have been advised to provide documents of their departure, such as an electronic ticket or flight itinerary.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097347

NUPL questioning of gov't anti-Covid 19 measures odd

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 21, 2020): NUPL questioning of gov't anti-Covid 19 measures odd (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Southern Luzon Command chief, Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr. (PNA File photo)

Southern Luzon Command chief, Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr., finds it odd for the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL) to have time to set up a bulletin to dispute ongoing government efforts to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and yet remains quiet on reported Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) during a unilateral ceasefire.

"In the enforcement of Enhanced Community Quarantine for Covid-19, the NUPL issued their own Bulletin for Common Q & A regarding the government clampdown to totally control the spread of the virus," he said in a statement to Philippine News Agency Friday.

The move is a great one propaganda-wise for the NUPL as it will help them justify their existence and funding from abroad, Parlade said.
"Great propaganda effort there for NUPL, at least to justify your existence and funding from foreign organizations as a member of the International League of People's Struggle (ILPS) whose Chair Emeritus is (Communist Party of the Philippines chair) Jose Maria "Joma" Sison. As a legal front organization of the CPP they can't help but cite the 1987 Constitution as a reference," he added.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

"(While) the underground members amongst them, the members of the "Lupon ng Manananggal ng Bayan (Lumaban)” cannot because they swore before the CPP Constitution. In fact, they refuse to respect its provisions, even as they raise the constitutionality of many government policies. That's the classic duplicity of these stooges of Sison," he said.

And to illustrate the group's classic revolutionary dual tactics, he said this legal organization will continue to be silent on many issues especially on the ones dealing with the NPA atrocities and abuses.

"Today, March 20, the NPAs in Surigao hacked to death a farmer identified as Zaldy Ibañez, 52, in Purok 7, Sitio Inadan. The rebels also killed Datu Bernandino Montenegro Astudillo, 73, tribal chieftain of Magroyong," Parlade said.

He also asked Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate, human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares and NUPL president Edre Olalia whether they are willing to add this question to their bulletin.

"Q - Is it a crime for the NPA to murder civilians and IP tribal leaders, especially during SOMO when the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is focused on assisting our countrymen to fight and survive this Covid-19?" he asked. “And whether the NUPL and justification for these are "Q13" for the NUPL bulletin.”

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097364

Soldiers transport mattress donation to QC hospital

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 21, 2020): Soldiers transport mattress donation to QC hospital (By Priam Nepomuceno)



SLEEPING MATS. Army troops unload camper mats from a military truck at the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City on Friday (March 20, 2020). The mats were donated by Uratex Foam for health workers at the hospital. (Photo courtesy of Army Chief Public Affairs Office)

Philippine Army (PA) troops on Friday transported 70 camper mats donated by bedroom fixtures company Uratex Foam to medical professionals of the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City.

Reservist 2nd Matteo Guidicelli, in coordination with the management of Uratex Foam, was assisted by the PA in transporting the mats using military trucks from the company's factory in Canumay, Valenzuela City to the hospital.

He was also aided by the PA Civil-Military Operations Regiment in the transportation of the mattresses.

Meanwhile, PA commander Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay lauded Uratex's generosity to front-liners working to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

“Amidst the fight against Covid-19, your efforts will make our health professionals more comfortable that will boost their physical stamina in serving the people infected by the virus," he added.

Medical workers are among those exempted from the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097355

WESTMINCOM: WestMinCom proposes quarantine area for Filipino returnees

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 20, 2020): WestMinCom proposes quarantine area for Filipino returnees

The military proposed building on Sibakel Island a quarantine area for 200 Filipino passengers stuck on vessels that were refused entry in western Mindanao.

The inspection team of Western Mindanao Command dropped round and checked on the conditions of Sibakel Island in basilan on March 19. Col. Leonardo Peña, the chief of WestMinCom’s unified command staff, led security forces and representatives of lead agencies during the inspection.

Sibakel Island is an isolated area with no existing infrastructure nor water source, but the island can house 200 persons.

“The military’s intervention was brought about by reports of Filipinos returning from Malaysia. Under the presidential proclamation, we have to accept them, but they have to undergo quarantine procedures,” said WestMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana. “That is why we organized a team that did the reconnaissance and inspection, and we decided that Sibakel is the most conducive.”

Soldiers account at least 10 children on the stranded vessels. The passengers will have to undergo medical screenings to determine whether they are persons under monitoring or investigation.

The military intends to install 100 tents on the island, fifty of which will be transported here today. The Department of Health IX, meanwhile, said it will deliberate on the military’s proposal as resources will have to be rationalized.

“Coronavirus Disease-19 is an “ILLNESS” that starts with ’I’. We have to change the ‘I’ to ‘We’ to make it “WELNESS.” Let us continue to work together towards wellness to defeat the illness and make things happen,” said Lt. Gen. Sobejana.

The commander chaired the meeting with line agencies including DOH Region IX Director Emilia Monicimpo, DPWH IX Director Cuyamombao D. Dia and OCD Region IX Director Manuel Luis Ochotorena in Camp Navarro on March 19. Meanwhile, the body has set another meeting to discuss the quarantine setup on March 20.

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6th Infantry Division - Kampilan 601 Infantry - Unifier Brigade 602nd "Liberator" Brigade 603 Persuader Brigade 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade Unang Marinong Brigada Team Tabak Joint Taskforce Basilan HARIBON TEAM Magbalantay Cmo 11 Infantry Division "Alakdan Troopers" Gagandilan Siete 1102 Infantry "ganarul" Brigade 1st BCT Aegis Kwatromarinobrigada Sulu Jtf Tawi Tawi Indomalphi Joint Task Force Zamboanga Joint Task Force Zamboanga Virtual Center Unbeatable Ranger Battalion Matatag Battalion Tow Westmin Cmo Tow Westmin Pio Naval Forces Western Mindanao Cmou Western Mindanao Katapatan Pangkatihan-Dagatan 33rd Infantry Makabayan Battalion 57th Infantry Masikap Battalion 1st Mechanized Lakan Battalion 90th Infantry Bigkis Lahi Battalion 7th Infantry - TAPAT Battalion Reliablecmo R Section 6IB Redskin 37IB - Conqueror Battalion 40 Infantry "Magiting" Battalion 2nd Mechanized Infantry-MAKASAGBattalion Onlyourbest MbltFive 38th Infantry We Clear Battalion Arvin John Gullos Encinas Breathe Heart Ruel Casanes Ar-ar Galvez Afman Rosales Jr. Antriosanjh Espenida Nenea Sancus Princy Necessitas La Independencia Filipinas

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WESTMINCOM: Soldiers Brave Danger of COVID19 to Protect Community from Terrorists!

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 20, 2020): Soldiers Brave Danger of COVID19 to Protect Community from Terrorists!

Amid the lock-downs and quarantines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, military continue to operate in the hinterlands of Western Mindanao to hunt and pound the remaining terrorists.

In the afternoon of March 19, 2020, troops of the 21st Infantry Battalion launched a strike operation in Barangay Upper Kamuntayan, Talipao Sulu.


Said operation resulted in the seizure of two M16 rifles with six long and five short magazines and one sniper scope round of ammunition for M16 at the residence of a certain Macco Hadjan.

“While we ensure the safety and orderly of the community on the enhanced community quarantine across the country to contain COVID-19, we also ensure that our troops are in good health condition before and after the operation,” said Lt. Col. Ricky Parcon, Commanding Officer, 21st Infantry Battalion.

"We are presently battling against two different enemies," said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

"Team WestMinCom continuously collaborate with the Local Government Units and the health sectors of the different cities and municipalities under the operational control of the command, to protect the people from COVID-19," Lt. Gen. Sobejana added.

"Likewise, we continue our military operations for the possible neutralization of the remaining terrorists to ensure that they will not take advantage of the current situation to create havoc in our area of operation," Lt. Gen. Sobejana concluded.

Troops continue to scour the area.

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6th Infantry Division - Kampilan]601 Infantry - Unifier Brigade602nd "Liberator" Brigade603 Persuader Brigade1st Mechanized Infantry BrigadeUnang Marinong BrigadaTeam TabakJoint Taskforce BasilanTeam Igsoon103Rd Bde Haribon Pa Campo Ranao, Marawi CityMagbalantay Cmo11 Infantry Division "Alakdan Troopers"Gagandilan Siete1102 Infantry "ganarul" Brigade1st BCT AegisKwatromarinobrigada SuluJtf Tawi Tawi IndomalphiJoint Task Force ZamboangaVirtual Center ValenciaUnbeatable Ranger Battalion29th Infantry "Matatag" Battalion, Philippine ArmyPhilippine ArmyTow Westmin CmoTow Westmin PioNaval Forces Western MindanaoCmou Western MindanaoKatapatan Pangkatihan-Dagatan33rd Infantry Makabayan Battalion57th Infantry Masikap Battalion1st Mechanized Lakan Battalion90th Infantry Bigkis Lahi Battalion7th Infantry - TAPAT BattalionReliablecmo R Section6IB Redskin 37IB - Conqueror Battalion40 Infantry "Magiting" Battalion2nd Mechanized Infantry-MAKASAGBattalionOnlyourbest MbltFive38th Infantry We Clear Battalion

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NDF/Sison: Why NDFP does not trust Duterte’s ceasefire declaration

Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Mar 21, 2020): Why NDFP does not trust Duterte’s ceasefire declaration



By Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant

March 21, 2020

The NDFP does not trust Duterte’s unilateral ceasefire declaration of the Duterte regime and cannot instantly reciprocate it. It is obviously a malicious ploy of psychological warfare and is intended to cover up the continuing offensive operations of the AFP and PNP against the people and revolutionary forces in the guerrilla fronts of the people’s democratic government and against the legal democratic forces and individuals considered as enemies of the regime in the urban areas.

The offensive operations of the AFP and PNP are continuing without any stop and include red-tagging, abductions and extrajudicial killings, compelling people to attend fake surrender meetings, staging fake encounters that kill and victimize ordinary peasants, bombing rural communities in certain regions and forcing the evacuation of the poor peasants and indigenous people and delivering the land and other natural resources to foreign and big comprador corporations.

Duterte has referred to Covid-19 as his motivation for declaring his bogus and malicious unilateral ceasefire but he is in fact criminally responsible for the following:

1. He let into the Philippines more than 500,000 travellers from China, including more than 14,000 from Wuhan, since January while the Covid-19 contagion was raging in China. As a result, Covid-19 has spread nationwide for more than two months.

2. He slashed the budget for the Department of Health by more than Php 10 billion in order to favor military overspending and corruption in his own office and other departments. And he made no efforts to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus despite the strong admonitions of international health authorities and experts.

3. In his belated reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic, he has prioritized the setting up of military and police checkpoints in the national capital region and then in the whole of Luzon and the imposition of a lockdown by banning public transport and intimidating the people. He has thereby prevented the people from going to their places of work and even those in need of testing and treatment for Covid-19 and other illnesses from going to health centers, clinics and hospitals.

4. Until now, there are no provisions for free mass testing for Covid-19 at the community level and for treatment of people already afflicted by the virus at the public hospitals. The hospitals under the DOH have grossly inadequate health personnel, bed space, facilities, equipment, disinfectants and medicine for the rapidly growing number of Covid-19 patients. There are yet no hospitals dedicated to the testing and treatment of said patients.

5. Having become nationwide and communicable in communities, the Covid-19 plague has gone far beyond the stage of containment, thanks to the criminal negligence and incompetence of the Duterte regime. But the regime stubbornly insists on lockdowns, banning public transport, depriving the people of their means of livelihood and preventing even the sick from getting the necessary medical treatment.

6. Despite the clamor of the people, the NDFP and human rights advocates, Duterte refuses to release promptly the political prisoners and other prisoners who are vulnerable to mass infection by Covid-19 under the congested conditions of prison. Instead, the armed minions of Duterte have been rapidly increasing the number of prisoners through arbitrary arrests and planting of evidence.

7. Duterte has promised to provide food and compensation for those who are prevented by the lockdowns from going to work. He has also promised to provide the health personnel and resources for the free mass testing and treatment of people for Covid-19. But the promises have proven to be lies.

On their own account and to their credit, the health workers, the private hospitals, mass organizations, churches, charitable institutions and other nongovernmental entities have been the most active in looking after the health and welfare of the people, especially the impoverished ones, assisting them and fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and overcoming the harsh militarist impositions and damaging actions of the anti-people Duterte regime.

In the guerrilla fronts of the people’s democratic government, the organs and units in charge of health work are based in the local communities and are embedded in the New People’s Army and the revolutionary mass organizations. They are in the frontline fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. They provide to the people testing and treatment for this as well as other illnesses, despite the frequent offensive operations of the enemy.

In view of the foregoing, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines is constrained from reciprocating the ill-motivated and ill-founded unilateral ceasefire declaration of the Duterte regime. With or without NDFP reciprocation, the Duterte regime should at least recognize its criminal responsibilities for the entry, spread and aggravation of the Covid-19 plague in the Philippines and rectify immediately the wrongs and crimes it has committed against the people.

While the Duterte regime acts in the extreme against the Filipino people, the NDFP refrains from any action which would be construed as condoning and covering up the criminal acts and responsibilities of the regime and would run counter to the mounting outrage of the people and the rapid growth of the broad united front of patriotic and democratic forces now seeking the soonest possible end of the traitorous, tyrannical, genocidal, corrupt and deceptive regime.###

https://ndfp.org/why-ndfp-does-not-trust-dutertes-ceasefire-declaration/

CPP/KM-Bicol: Mahalagang papel ng kabataan sa tumitinding pasismo at terorismo ng estado

Kabataang Makabayan-Bicol (KM-Bicol) propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 20, 2020): Mahalagang papel ng kabataan sa tumitinding pasismo at terorismo ng estado

KABATAANG MAKABAYAN

KM-BIKOL

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

MARCH 20, 2020

Muli na namang naghasik ng lagim ang pasista at teroristang rehimeng US-Duterte sa prubinsya ng Masbate. Nito lang Marso 9- Marso 11, buong desperasyon nitong pinakawalan ang mga alagang halimaw nito sa mga isla ng Ticao at Burias, sa pamamagitan ng pinagsamang pwersa ng 91st DRC, BFMR, 2nd IB, MICO, at PNP Masbate, upang maglunsad ng mga serye ng mga atake sa masang Masbateño.

Sa loob lamang ng tatlong sunod sunod na araw, anim ang iligal na dinampot. Ang isa kanila ay si Julian Ceniza, Jr., taga – Brgy. San Carlos, Milagros na tinaniman ng pekeng ebidensya – dalawang granada at 100 pirasong bala ng M16 at mga papeles. Walang pagpapanggap nilang pinatunayan ang kanilang pagiging berdugo at pagkahayok sa dugo nang patayin nila sina Kiko Garamay, 30, taga – Brgy. Rizal, Monreal, at Nongnong Hermena, 50, taga – Sitio Ilawod, Brgy. McArthur. Matinding takot at trauma ang naranasan ng mga anak ni Garamay nang paulanan ng bala ang kanilang bahay. May naitala ring kaso ng pagnanakaw ng bigas at alagang manok at kaso ng sapilitang pagpasok sa bahay, kung saan dalawang cellphone ang ninakaw.

Wala itong ibang layunin kundi ang magpalakat ng takot sa mga residente upang tuluyan silang umalis sa mga lugar kung saan itatayo ang mga mapanirang proyekto sa mina at ekoturismo. Imbis na tuparin ang matagal nang pangako ni Duterte para sa tunay na reporma sa lupa, ginagamit ng estado ang pasismo at terorismo upang patahimikin ang sinumang manawagan para sa kanilang karapatan.

Sa pinaigting na pagpapatupad ng Executive Order No. 70 para sa pagkokonsolida ng diktaduryang paghahari ni Duterte, kailanma’y hindi ligtas ang mga kabataan. Higit pangs pinatindi ang red-tagging sa mga progresibong organisasyon ng mga kabataan, harassment at pagsampa ng mga gawa-gawang kaso sa mga aktibista lalo na sa mga nagsusulong ng mga karapatang tao.Bukod dito, libu-libong kabataan ang pinaslang o naulila dahil sa madugong gera kontra droga at kontrainsurhensya.

Ilusyon ang ‘seguridad at kapayapaan’ sa isang estadong hindi kumikilala sa karapatan ng mamamayan. Bilang mga tagapunla ng kinabukasan, walang ibang maaasahan ang kabataan kundi ang pagtutulungan at sama-samang pagkilos. Dapat isanib ng kabataan ang kanilang talino at lakas sa abanteng praktika ng masang anakpawis.

Nananawagan ang Kabataang Makabayan-Bikol (KM-Bikol) sa lahat ng mga kabataan na mapagpasyang tanganan ang ating makasaysayang papel sa pagbabago ng lipunan. Bilang mga anak ng bayan, buong tatag na magpukaw, mag-organisa at magpakilos sa malawak na hanay ng kabataan. Lumahok sa digmang bayan at hawanin ang landas tungo sa isang lipunang walang nang-aapi at nagsasamantala.

Pasismo at Terorismo ng rehimeng US-Duterte!
Militarisasyon sa Kanayunan, Labanan at Wakasan!
Kabataan, Sumapi sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan!

https://cpp.ph/statement/mahalagang-papel-ng-kabataan-sa-tumitinding-pasismo-at-terorismo-ng-estado/

CPP/PKM-Bicol: Kundenahin ang desperadong atake ng 91st Division Reconnaissance Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion, PNP Monreal sa mga magsasaka ng Masbate

Pambansang Katipunan ng Magbubukid-Bicol (PKM-Bicol) propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 20, 2020): Kundenahin ang desperadong atake ng 91st Division Reconnaissance Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion, PNP Monreal sa mga magsasaka ng Masbate

PAMBANSANG KATIPUNAN NG MAGBUBUKID

PKM-BICOL
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

MARCH 20, 2020

Pinakamataas na antas ng pagkundena ang pinapahayag ng Pambansang Katipunan ng Magbubukid-Bikol (PKM-Bikol) sa panibagong serye ng pagpaslang at paglabag sa karapatang tao sa hanay ng magsasaka sa Masbate.

Nito lamang Marso 10 at 11, walang-awang pinaslang si Kiko Garamay at si Nongnong Hermena, habang dinakip sina Serapin Morada at Julian Ceniza, at nawawala hangang sa kasalukuyan si Amaro Bartolay.

Ang mga insidenteng ito ay iilan lamang sa mga serye ng sistematiko at walang habas na paglabag sa karapatang tao sa rehiyong Bikol simula pa noong ipatupad ang MO32 at EO70, mahigit isang taon nang makalipas.

Pinakamataas ang bilang ng ekstrahudisyal na pagpaslang sa hanay ng mga magsasaka sa mga probinsya ng Sorsogon, Masbate at Camarines Norte, kung saan ay matindi rin ang paglaban ng mga mamamayan laban sa mga dambuhalang dayuhan ang lokal na negosyo at proyekto sa rehiyon tulad ng Masbate International Tourism Enterprise and Special Economic Zone, Quezon-Bicol Expressway (QBX) at Philippine National Railroads (PNR)-South Road.

Gamit ang Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) ng tiranikong rehimeng US-Duterte, iligal na naninirahan ang AFP at CAFGU sa mga baryo habang sapilitan nilang “pinapasuko” ang mga sibilyan tulad ng mga kaso sa ilang baryo sa probinsya ng Sorsogon, Masbate, Camarines Norte at Camarines Sur. Layunin nitong palabasing mayroong inaabot ang kanilang kampanya laban sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan habang bwelado silang nakakakurakot sa pondo ng ampao at inutil na E-CLIP. Maliban dito, apektado rin ang kabuhayan ng mga taumbaryo dahil sa abala at takot na dulot ng presensya ng AFP. Ang ilan sa kanila ay hindi makapunta sa kanilang sinasaka o sa koprasan dahil sa takot na pagkamalan silang mga miyembro ng Bagong Hugong Bayan (BHB).

Kitang-kita ang desperasyon ng rehimeng US-Duterte na supilin ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa Bikol. Habang di nila magapi-gapi ang tunay na hukbo ng mamamayan, ang BHB, at nadudurog ang demokratikong gubyernong bayan ay patuloy din nilang pinagbabalingan ng kanilang pikon at kaduwagan ang ordinaryong mamamayan.

Napatunayan ng kasaysayan na ang pasismo ng estado ay lalo lamang naggagatong sa mapanlabang diwa ng mamamayang upang tumindig at sumapi sa BHB. Nanawagan kami sa mga mamamayang Bikolano na magkaisa at tumindig laban sa sistematikong pag-aatake sa karapatang pantao ng pasistang rehimen.

https://cpp.ph/statement/kundenahin-ang-desperadong-atake-ng-91st-division-reconnaissance-company-regional-mobile-force-battalion-pnp-monreal-sa-mga-magsasaka-ng-masbate/

CPP/NPA-ECR: Karahasan ng RCSP sa mga Sibilyan, nananalasa sa Rehiyong Bikol

NPA-East Camarines Sur (ECR) propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 20, 2020): Karahasan ng RCSP sa mga Sibilyan, nananalasa sa Rehiyong Bikol

BALDOMERO ARCANGHEL

NPA-EAST CAMARINES SUR

TOMAS PILAPIL COMMAND

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

MARCH 20, 2020

Sagad sa buto ang kasamaan ng naghaharing pangkating rehimeng US-Duterte sa pagpapatupad ng Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) sa ilalim ng Memorandum Order 32 at Executive Order 70. Sa kabila ng matinding krisis sa kabuhayan at kawalang kakayahan ng gobyernong ito na harapin ang mga sakit ng lipunan, walang puknat ang paglabag sa karapatang tao sa buong rehiyon lalo na sa kanayunan. Sunod-sunod ang pwersahang pagpapasuko, harassment at brutalidad ng mga pulis at militar sa mga sibilyan.

Dito sa Camarines Sur, magkakasunod na inilunsad ng mga elemento ng 83rd IB PA ang opersayong RCSP mula Enero hanggang Marso 2020. Nitong Marso 11 sa Barangay Poloan, bayan ng Caramoan, sapilitang pinasuko ang mga sibilyan at pinapirma sa blangkong papel at kinunan ng litrato ang ilang residente para palabasing mga NPA surrenderees. Bago ang nangyari sa Caramoan, hinaras din ng mga militar ang isang residente sa barangay San Roque bayan ng Tinambac. nNagpakilalang NPA ang militar upang paaminin ang may-ari ng bahay na may kaugnayan sa NPA.

Kung maaalala nitong katapusan ng Enero, iligal na hinalughog ang ilang kabahayan sa Barangay Gubat, bayan ng Lagonoy ng pinagsanib na elemento ng 2nd Platun 505th Provincial Mobile Force, Regional Mobile Force at PNP-Lagonoy. Nagtanim ng ebidensya ang mga operatiba at pilit na pinaaamin ang mga residente na may kaugnayan sa NPA.

Ang mga paglabag sa karapatang tao ng AFP at PNP ay hindi lamang nagaganap sa Camarines Sur, maging sa iba pang probinsya. Sa Masbate, nagyayari ang sunod-sunod na pagpaslang, iligal na pang-aaresto, paghahalughog at pekeng pagpapasuko. Sa loob lamang ng isang linggo naitala ng mga organisasyong nagtataguyod ng karapatang tao ang mahigit sa siyam na kaso ng pag-labag sa karapatang tao.

Ang mga opersayon ng pulis at militar sa pagpapatupad ng Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) sa ilalim ng MO32 at EO70 ay bahagi ng kontra insurhensyang Oplan Kapanatagan ng Rehimeng US-Duterte laban sa mamamayan, sa mga progresibong organisasyong masa at rebolusyonaryong kilusan. Sa kagustuhan ng militar at pulis na habulin ang kota ng pagpapasuko at makinabang sa limpak-limpak na perang makukurakot mula sa programang ECLIP walang ibang binibiktima ang mga ito kundi ang mga sibilyan. Ipinaparating ng Tomas Pilapil Command-Bagong Hukbong Bayan Silangang Camarines Sur sa mga Masbateño ang pulang pagsaludo sa ipinapakitang katatagan at tibay ng loob sa pagharap sa mga atake ng reaksyunaryong estado. Nananawagan ang TPC-BHB sa buong mamamayang Bikolano na magkaisa sa pagharap at paglaban, pag-aralan ang mga karapatang sibil, kilalanin at panagutin ang mga operatiba ng mga pulis at militar na naglulunsad ng RCSP. Higit sa lahat, puspusang labanan ang mapanlinlang at marahas na Oplan Kapanatagan. Hindi kailanman mailulugmok ng anumang programa ng pang-aapi at pagsasamantala ang pakikibaka ng mamamayan upang isulong ang pambansang demokrasya tungo sa ganap na pagbabago at tagumpay.

https://cpp.ph/statement/karahasan-ng-rcsp-sa-mga-sibilyan-nananalasa-sa-rehiyong-bikol/

CPP/NPA-Bicol: Kinakatakutan ng 9th ID ang ispontanyong pag-aalsa ng mamamayan

NPA-Bicol propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 20, 2020): Kinakatakutan ng 9th ID ang ispontanyong pag-aalsa ng mamamayan

RAYMUNDO BUENFUERZA

NPA-BICOL REGION

ROMULO JALLORES COMMAND

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

MARCH 20, 2020

Sa pagsidhi ng panlipunang krisis dulot ng COVID-19, ibayong tumitindi ang galit ng taumbayan sa rehimeng US-Duterte at kawalang-kahandaan nitong harapin ang kumakalat na sakit. Ngunit habang nagkakandarapa ang manggagawang pangkalusugan sa kakulangan ng kagamitan, ang tanging solusyon ng rehimen ay ang mala-Batas Militar na panunupil sa pamamagitan ng lockdown, pagtatadtad ng checkpoint at higit na pagpapatindi ng presensya ng militar kapwa sa kanayunan at kalunsuran. Sa pangambang magbunsod ito ng malawak na pag-aalsa upang papanagutin ang kanyang rehimen, idineklara ni Duterte ang unilateral ceasefire sa BHB.

Tumitindig at nakikiisa ang Romulo Jallores Commmand (RJC-BHB Bikol) sa mamamayang dumadaing para sa akmang solusyon sa pagkalat ng COVID-19 at sa libre at naaabot na serbisyong pangkalusugan. Sa kasalukuyan, ilinulunsad ng BHB ang malawakang kampanyang magpalaganap ng impormasyon hinggil sa COVID-19 parumbaryo. Kasabay nito ang patuloy na pagtataas ng antas ng mga organisasyong masa upang higit na mapaunlad ang kakayahang umasa-sa-sarili at hindi sumandig sa mga produkto ng dayuhan. Tanging sa ganitong pamamaraan mababawasan ang epekto ng anumang sakuna sa buhay at kabuhayan ng masang anakpawis.

Kailangang manatiling matatag ng mamamayang Pilipino sa panahong hinahambalos ng krisis pangkalusugan, pang-ekonomya at pampulitika ang bansa. Sa kagyat, dapat maging alerto ang mga komiteng pangkalusugan ng mga organisasyong masa sa mga sintomas ng COVID-19. Magtulungan upang panatilihin ang kalinisan at pataasin ang kamulatan ng taumbaryo hinggil sa COVID-19. Aktibong tumulong ang mga kooperatiba at grupong tulungan upang matugunan ang pangangailangan sa mga batayang suplay sa panahon ng lockdown.

Sa pangmatagalan, maglunsad ng malawakang kampanya upang ipalaganap ang programa ng NDFP at ang balangkas ng CASER bilang natatanging pangmatagalang solusyon sa pangkabuuhang krisis dulot ng malakolonyal at malapyudal na sistema ng lipunan.

Sa mga panahong ito, pananatilihin ng BHB ang posturang aktibong depensa upang tiyakin ang kanilang kaligtasan at ng masang anakpawis mula sa mga patraydor na atake ng militar.

Serbisyong medikal, hindi militarisasyon!
Masang Bikolano, magkaisa at lumaban!
Isulong ang demokratikong rebolusyong bayan!

https://cpp.ph/statement/kinakatakutan-ng-9th-id-ang-ispontanyong-pag-aalsa-ng-mamamayan/

CPP/RC-ST: Peke ang Unilateral Ceasefire ng Rehimeng

Region Committee-Southern Tagalog (RC-ST) propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 20, 2020): Peke ang Unilateral Ceasefire ng Rehimeng Duterte

KOMITENG REHIYON

TIMOG KATAGALUGAN

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

MARCH 20, 2020

Peke at boladas lamang ang deklarasyon ni Duterte ng unilateral ceasefire (UCF) na magkakabisa mula ngayon, Marso 19 at magtatapos sa Abril 15, 2020. Matapos pakitang-tao na maglabas ng SOMO ang AFP at SOPO ang PNP, nagpapatuloy pa rin ang mga inilulunsad na focused military operations (FMO) sa mga larangang gerilya ng NPA sa Palawan, South Quezon-Bondoc Peninsula, North Quezon, Laguna, Rizal at Mindoro. Ang mga FMO ng AFP at PNP sa nasabing mga larangang gerilya ay nagsimula pa noong Enero 2020 at nagpapatuloy pa hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Walang senyales ng paghupa ang mga operasyong kombat ng AFP at PNP kahit matapos maglabas ng SOMO at SOPO ang AFP at PNP.

Sa ganito, tama lamang ang naging pusisyon ng NDFP na hindi agarang tugunin ang unilateral ceasefire ng GRP. Mapanlinlang at tuso ang deklarasyon ni Duterte na UCF at doble ang talim ng SOMO at SOPO ng AFP at PNP. Hindi nakatoon ang UCF ni Duterte sa pagsawata sa epidemya ng Covid-19 kundi itinatago ni Duterte sa Covid-19 ang kontra-rebolusyonaryong iskema ng TF-ELCAC para pinsalain at durugin ang rebolusyonaryong armadong kilusan ng mamamayang Pilipino. Sa ganito, makatarungan ang pagtarget ng NPA sa mga tropang militar at pulis na patuloy na naglulunsad ng operasyong militar sa kanayunan sa tabing ng mga “humanitarian operation” para diumano sugpuin ang epidemya.

Alinsunod dito, inaatasan ng KRTK ang lahat ng mga teritoryal na kumand at yunit ng NPA sa ilalim ng Melito Glor Command na ilunsad ang mga makakayanang taktikal na opensiba upang pinsalain ang mga tropang militar at pulis na nag-ooperasyon at nandadahas sa masa. Ang mga opensibang ito ay nasa balangkas ng aktibong pagtatanggol ng hukbong bayan.

Tulad ng nauna naming pahayag, hindi kinakailangan ng pormal na deklarasyon ng ceasefire mula sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan para bawasan ang antas ng mga sagupaan sa pagitan ng NPA at AFP-PNP para maituon ng lahat ang pansin sa paglaban sa epidemya ng Covid-19. Kailangan lamang iutos ng AFP at PNP ang pag-atras ng kanilang mga pwersang naglulunsad ng operasyong militar sa mga larangang gerilya ng NPA. Mananatiling lehitimong target ng mga taktikal na opensiba ng hukbong bayan ang patuloy na presensya ng mga tropang militar at pulis sa mga larangang gerilya.

Sa kabilang banda, lalabanan ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan ang ipinatutupad na militaristang total lockdown ng rehimeng Duterte sa buong Luzon at ang posibleng paglawak nito sa buong bansa. Ang total lockdown ay malaking pahirap sa mamamayan at maliliit na negosyo, mapanupil sa masang nagtatrabaho at umaasa sa arawang-sahod, nagdidisloka sa kabuhayan ng mga maralita at nagpaparalisa sa ekonomya at produksyon ng lipunan. Hindi pagsugpo sa epidemya ng Covid-19 ang tunay na layunin nito. Sa halip, tinutungtungan ang isterya ng Covid-19 para ikundisyon ang isip ng mamamayan sa mapanupil at kamay-na-bakal na pamamalakad ng rehimeng Duterte. Dapat itong mariing tutulan at labanan ng mamamayan.###

https://cpp.ph/statement/peke-ang-unilateral-ceasefire-ng-rehimeng-duterte/