ReCAAP ISC Issues Warning on Activity of Abu Sayyaf Group in waters off Sabah, Malaysia

Posted to Hellenic Shipping News (May 24, 2020): ReCAAP ISC Issues Warning on Activity of Abu Sayyaf Group in waters off Sabah, Malaysia



ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre on 22 May issued the following Warning:

1. On 22 May, ReCAAP ISC has received information from the Philippine Coast Guard (ReCAAP Focal Point) that a group of approximately five ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) members armed with assorted firearms is planning to conduct kidnapping activities in undisclosed areas in Sabah, Malaysia. They are targeting wealthy businessmen or crew of fishing boats and other slow moving ships plying within the waters off Sabah, Malaysia. The group came from Sulu and was monitored to have landed at Omapoy Island, Sipangkot, Sitangkai, Tawi Tawi.

2. Ship masters and crew are strongly urged to exercise extra vigilance when transiting the waters off Eastern Sabah and in the Sulu-Celebes Seas.

3. Source: Philippine Coast Guard

4. This information is to provide maritime situational awareness for mariners operating in the area


Source: ReCAAP ISC

https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/recaap-isc-issues-warning-on-activity-of-abu-sayyaf-group-in-waters-off-sabah-malaysia/

CPP/NDF-PKM-Negros Island: Palayason kag pasabton si Sinas kag ang rehimen US-Duterte sa ila mga paglapas kag brutal nga mga krimen sa pumuluyo!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 22, 2019): Palayason kag pasabton si Sinas kag ang rehimen US-Duterte sa ila mga paglapas kag brutal nga mga krimen sa pumuluyo!

FELICIDAD MERCADO

SPOKESPERSON

PKM-NEGROS ISLAND

PAMBANSANG KATIPUNAN NG MGA MAGBUBUKID

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

MAY 22, 2020

Ang Pambansang Katipunan ng Magsasaka (PKM-Negros) ang mabaskog nga nagakondenar sa wala sang aksyon sang inutil nga gobyerno ni Duterte sa paglapas ni NCRPO Chief Debold Sinas angot sa ginhiwat nga mañanita sa iya kaadlawan nga nagalapas sa protocol kag regulasyon sang Enhanced Community Quarantine kag sa iya malawig nga listahan sang makasiligni nga mga krimen nga nakomiter batuk sa pumuluyo.

Nagapamatuod lang sa ka-inutil, bugos kag indi patas nga laye sang gobyerno kag sang nagalala nga inhustisya sa pungsod sa diin nagapadayon nga hilway ang mga matuod-tuod nga kriminal, nagalapak sa tawhanon nga kinamatarung kag mamamatay-tawo samtang padayon nga naga-antus ang malapad nga sahing pigos kag ginahimuslan sa kapabayaan, kapalpakan kag kapintas sang reaksyunaryo nga gobyerno sa tunga sang pangkalibutanon nga krisis kag emerhensiya nga gina-atubang sang pumuluyo tuga sang Covid-19 nga pandemya.

Imbes nga hatagan sang matul-id nga imbestigasyon kag pasabton sang gobyerno ni Duterte si Sinas, hayagan pa ini nga ginadepensahan, apang ang mga pumuluyong pigos ang madali lang kag wala kalu-oy nga ginapangdakop, ginapriso, ginapintasan kag ginapamatay sang mga mersenaryo nga pwersa sang estado sa diin nagapakita lamang sa nagalala nga impyunidad kag ka berdugo sang tiraniko nga rehimen US-Duterte sa pungsod.

Magapabilin ang berdugo nga tatak ni Sinas partikular diri sa Isla sang Negros ilabi na sang siya ang nagtindog nga pamuno sang PNP-PRO 7 nga utok-utok sa paglunsar sang madinugu-on nga Synchronized Enhanced Managing of Police Operation (SEMPO) ukon “Oplan Sauron 1 & 2” sa diin masobra 20 ka mangunguma ang biktima sang makasiligni nga pagpamatay kag madamu pa ang biktima sang illegal nga pagpang-aresto base sa peke kag ginpangtanom nga mga ebidensya.

Kutob subong wala sang klaro nga imbestigasyon kag wala napasabat ang utok sa nasambit nga operasyon. Nagapadayon nga hilway kag may mataas pa nga posisyon sa gobyerno ang mga berdugo nga mga kriminal nga may kahimu-an sini. Gani, wala sang huya si Sinas sa ginhambal sini nga mag “move on” na ang pumuluyo sa iya ginhimo nga paglapas sa regulasyon sang kwarantina bangud mintras wala sang naangkon nga hustisya ang mga biktima sang ila demonyo nga operasyon padayon nga mangin preska sa huna-huna kag tagipusu-on sang pumuluyo ilabi na sang sahing mangunguma ang ila mga brutalidad kag pasismo.

Nagakadapat lamang nga kondenahon kag sukton si Sinas kag ang pasista nga rehimen US-Duterte sa ila brutal nga mga krimen nga ginkomiter sa malapad nga hanay sang mga mangunguma, aktibista, tigdampig sang tawhanon nga kinamatarung kag inosenteng mga sibilyan sa ila wala untat kag sistematiko nga pagpang-atake kag militarista nga mga tikang sa pagsabat sa demokratiko nga mga demanda sang mga pumuluyo.

Bilang mayorya nga sahi sa aton sosyedad, nagakadapat nga mag-isa kag maghulag ang minilyon sa aton nga hanay agud paslawon ang naga-agnas nga gobyerno ni Duterte nga ginaharian sang mga despotiko nga mga agalon mayduta kag dalagko nga mga burukrata kapitalista. Wasakon ang kakugmat kag palayason ang paantus, pabaya, korap, inutil kag diktador nga rehimen US-Duterte. ###



https://cpp.ph/statement/palayason-kag-pasabton-si-sinas-kag-ang-rehimen-us-duterte-sa-ila-mga-paglapas-kag-brutal-nga-mga-krimen-sa-pumuluyo/

CPP/NPA-West Carmarines Sur: Kinukundena ng NPA West Camarines Sur ang masaker sa Sorsogon na kagagawan ng AFP-PNP, sa gitna ng pandemyang Covid-19

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 22, 2019): Kinukundena ng NPA West Camarines Sur ang masaker sa Sorsogon na kagagawan ng AFP-PNP, sa gitna ng pandemyang Covid-19

KA MICHAEL ROBREDO

SPOKESPERSON

NPA-WEST CAMARINES SUR

NORBEN GRUTA COMMAND

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

MAY 22, 2020

Mariing kinukondena ng Norben Gruta Command-NPA West Camarines Sur ang masaker sa limang sibilyan sa Barangay Dolos, Bulan, Sorsogon noong Mayo 8, 2020. Ang mga pinaslang ay sina Jeric Vuno, Jerry Palanca, Raymundo Tañada, Jaime Tañada at Robert Villafuerte. Nabatid na ang mga biktima ay pawang mga magsasaka at magkakapamilya. Ang huling nabanggit na si Robert Villafuerte ay may karamdaman sa pag-iisip.

Ang malagim na masaker ay resulta ng pinagsanib na operasyon na isinagawa ng 31st IB, PNP 9th Special Action Force Battalion, military at police intelligence units, kasabay ang regional at provincial mobile force units ng PNP.

Ginagamit ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno ang pandemya para bigyang katwiran ang lubos na panggigipit at panunupil sa sibilyang populasyon. Hindi kontentando si Duterte sa pagpapatupad ng Memo 32 sa Negros, Samar at Bicol na naglalagay sa mga ito sa de Facto Martial Law. Dahil sa laganap na pandemya, nagkaroon ulit nang dahilan ang rehimen para malayang makapanupil ang AFP-PNP sa hanay ng malawak na masa sa buong bansa.

Ang sistematikong panunupil ay laganap ngayon sa iba’t ibang panig ng Kabikulan. Sa unang Distrito ng Camarines Sur, nitong Mayo 3 ng gabi, dinukot ng sampung armadong kalalakihan sa kanilang pamamahay si Apolinario Vergara, 38 taong gulang may pamilya na taga Del Carmen, Lupi. Batay sa mga nakasaksi, binugbog si Vergara ng mga dumukot sa kanya. Kinalaunan, inanunsyo ni PLt. Col. James Ronatay, tagapagsalita ng Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office, na si Vergara di umano ay kasapi ng NPA at nagsurender dahil aniya sa hirap na kaniyang nararanasan sa bundok dahil sa pinapairal pa rin na ‘Community Quarantine.’ Sapilitan siyang pinasuko at isinailalim sa hungkag na Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).

Imbes na tulungan ang mamamayan sa sobrang kahirapan dahil sa pandemya, mas pinili ng gubyerno na gamitin ang pagkakataon para sa hibang na ambisyon nitong supilin at durugin ang lehitimong paglaban ng mamamayan at ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan. Walang pinipiling panahon at oras si Duterte para pakilusin ang kaniyang mga militar at pulis para palasapin ng kanyang nakamamatay na bayrus ang mamamayan. Kakambal ito ng mga arbitrayong restriksyon sa ilalim ng ECQ at GCQ, na pareho lang sa esensya at pilit na, ay pilit na ipinalulunok sa masang inaapi. Para kay Duterte, walang ibang solusyon sa Covid-19 kundi ang magpagapos sa kanyang batas militar na pamamaraan sa tabing ng lockdown at new normal stage diumanodi umano’y new normal stage.

Sa gitna ng inutil at militaristang pagharap ng rehimeng US-Duterte sa Covid-19, tinitiyak naman ng mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa sa kanayunan na maghanda sa banta ng pagkalat ng Covid-19 at pagkalat ng AFP-PNP na nagpapalaganap ng bayrus ni Duterte sa malawak na mamamayan. Inaasahan na higit na bulberable ang masa sa kanayunan sa pandemya dahil sa kawalan ng sapat na serbisyong medikal sa ilalim ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno. Magpapatuloy ang takot at banta sa buhay ng mamamayan dahil sa matinding militarisasyon.

Dahil dito, pangunahing tungkuling ngayon ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan na pagkaisahin ang mamamayan at mahigpit na makipagkapit-bisig sa kanila para labanan ang epekto ng pandemya at para supilin ang Duterte bayrus. Susi dito ang pagpapatupad ng tunay na reporma sa lupa at pagpapataas ng produksyon upang lutasin ang kagutuman at kasalatan ng pagkain na dulot ng pinalalawig ng “lockdown”.

Nananawagan ang NGC sa mga Bikolano na biguin ang tangka ni Duterte na gamitin ang pandemyang Covid para sa walang habas na paninindak at panunupil sa mga pwersang lumalaban. Sa panahon ng pandemyang Covid-19, nalantad ang kainutilan ng reaksyunaryong rehimeng US-Duterte at ang pinaghaharian nitong malakolonyal at malapyudal na lipunan na wala itong makabuluhan at epektibong solusyong maka-mamamayan para labanan ang krisis pangkalusugan. Dapat panatilihin ng rebolusyonaryong pwersa ang militansya at postura ng aktibong depensa sa patraydor at buhong na mga atake ng rehimeng US-Duterte.###

https://cpp.ph/statement/kinukundena-ng-npa-west-camarines-sur-ang-masaker-sa-sorsogon-na-kagagawan-ng-afp-pnp-sa-gitna-ng-pandemyang-covid-19/

CPP/IO: AFP lead in subsidy distribution equals more corruption and abuses

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 22, 2019): AFP lead in subsidy distribution equals more corruption and abuses

MARCO VALBUENA

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

MAY 22, 2020

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) denounces the assignation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as the lead force in the distribution of social subsidies for families affected by the Duterte regime’s military lockdown. This will certainly lead to more corruption and abuses.

The social subsidy distribution will be used by the AFP as an additional tool in wholesale violations of human rights. Hundreds of thousands of people, especially in the rural areas, will surely be denied of their social subsidies because they will be accused of being supporters of the NPA, unless they agree to “cooperate” with the AFP. Expect a deluge of AFP reports of “surrenders” in line with SAP distribution.

The billions of pesos of social amelioration funds that Duterte will download to the AFP’s coffers are bound to line the pockets of Duterte’s favorite military officers with the calculation that this will further deepen their loyalty to the tyrant. There will surely be corruption down the line, with field officers getting their own proportionate share.

Corruption is rampant in the AFP. Its officers and men keep silent on corruption, especially because they all get their “fair share.” The AFP is one of the dirtiest institutions in the country. Its generals and commander-in-chief, the Philippine president, yearly pocket billions of pesos in overpriced arms purchases and in the padded budgets of field operations.

By having the AFP lead in the distribution of the subsidy, Duterte wants to further instill fear among the people and push his scheme of fascist dictatorship. His immediate aim is to preempt and stifle any complaints of corruption and bureaucratic red tape in the distribution of subsidies. He wants to consolidate his fascist machinery down to the barangay level and have everyone abide by his armed authority.

Under the “whole-of-nation” dogma, he wants every aspect of society placed under the control of the military and its counterinsurgency aims. He wants things run under the military’s fascist mode of thinking and methods of operation, where one is presumed to be “an NPA supporter” unless they take part or subsume their activities in the AFP’s programs.

Duterte is making the military invade all aspects of civilian society in order to establish a “new normal” where the military and police controls every aspect of social and civic life.

https://cpp.ph/statement/afp-lead-in-subsidy-distribution-equals-more-corruption-and-abuses/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Militarization in Surigao del Sur terrorizes Lumads

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2019): Militarization in Surigao del Sur terrorizes Lumads



Residents were terrorized upon the arrival of soldiers and police in their communities at Km. 16 and Han-ayan in Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur last May 19. According to residents, several soldiers entered the Lumad school which is being administered by Alcadev (Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture and Livelihood Development) in Han-ayan while others entered the houses of residents in search of the leaders of Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU). They also looked for Alcadev coordinator Maricres Pagaran, Fr. Raymond Ambray and Lianga councilor Sammy Dollano. Earlier that day, the police arrested resident Eric Enriquez.

Using fighter jets, the military dropped four bombs near the community at around 3 a.m. on May 12. Five artillery rounds were also fired at the same area.
On the succeeding four days, drones and helicopters were flown overhead across the community. Leaflets stating “surrender now or be infected with Covid-19” were dropped from helicopters.

Meanwhile, farmers from Northern Samar also reported various cases of human rights violations perpetrated by elements of the 20th IB while conducting military operations in their communities amid the Covid-19 crisis. From April 7-18, soldiers harassed, threatened and coerced at least six farmers and a six-year-old child to serve as guides in their combat operations. The victims are residents of Barangay Deit de Turag, Silvino Lobos. Residents also reported that soldiers assaulted another resident of the village. Soldiers also coerced a resident of Barangay MacArthur, Las Navas to serve as guide in their operations last April 18.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/05/21/militarization-in-surigao-del-sur-terrorizes-lumads/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Landgrabbing at the core of “Balik Probinsya”

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2019): Landgrabbing at the core of “Balik Probinsya”

Landgrabbing in the cities and countryside is at the core of the Duterte regime’s Balik Probinsya (Back to the Provinces) program. Rodrido Duterte and his lackey Christopher Go is peddling the program as a solution to the congestion in Metro Manila during the Covid-19 pandemic. But this program is neither new nor original.

Every government from Marcos to Benigno Aquino had its own version of the “back to the province” program. For decades, the reactionary state has been attempting to evict poor communities from Metro Manila to free up prime real estate for bourgeois compradors and their foreign counterparts.

Under Duterte’s Balik Probinsya, the poor will be given land in the provinces that is already occupied by settlers and minorities. These include the 15-hectare public land to be granted to each returning family that is to be planted with trees under the National Greening Program. The said program covers farms and ancestral lands targeted for expansion of commercial tree plantations.

Instead of Balik Probinsya, the urban poor demands the prompt construction of affordable and decent housing as a solution to congestion in Metro Manila and other city centers. It should address their clamor for jobs, wage and income increase and social services, instead of throwing them to the countryside where poverty rates are even higher and there are no jobs. To address the migration of people to the cities, the rural economy must be developed by free distribution of land and setting up agriculture-related industries in the provinces.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/05/21/landgrabbing-at-the-core-of-balik-probinsya/

CPP/Ang Bayan: 31st IB, 9th SAF massacre 5 farmers in Sorsogon

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2019): 31st IB, 9th SAF massacre 5 farmers in Sorsogon

Five farmers were massacred by soldiers and police troops SEMPO-style (Synchronized Enhanced Management of Police Operations) in Barangay Dolos, Bulan, Sorsogon on May 8. The victims were Jeric Vuno, Jerry Palanca, Robert Villafuerte, Raymundo Tañada and Jaime Tañada. Jaime Tañada was suffering from the infirmities of old age while Villafuerte was mentally challenged.

The perpetrators made it appear that the farmers were Red fighters, a claim which was vehemently belied by residents. According to witnesses, soldiers ransacked seven houses in the barrio, and arrested and hogtied all male residents. Soldiers mauled the barangay officials who attempted to rescue the victims.

The soldiers brought the five victims at the backyard where they were shot. The cadavers of the victims bore marks of torture. The massacre was perpetrated by the 31st IB, 9th Special Action Force Battalion, Provincial Mobile Force Company of PNP Sorsogon and intelligence units.

Simultaneously, the same units also attacked the neighboring ba­rangay of Calpi. They ransacked the residences of the Abuyog, Golimlim and Estiller families. They mauled Jeffrey Godala and Jojo Palanca, and two other Estiller minors. The soldiers also stole the residents’ money, cellphones and other personal belongings.

SEMPO was first conducted in Negros in 2018-2019 wherein at least 35 peasants were killed. The operations were then spearheaded by Police MGen. Debold Sinas, currently the chief of police in Metro Manila.

In Batangas, police elements also illegally arrested six residents of Barangay Coral ni Lopez, Calaca, SEMPO-style, in the early morning of May 10. The victims were identified as peasant leaders Leovino Julongbayan, Virgilio Vidal, Marcelo Vidal, Doroteo Bautista, July Julongbayan and Roilan Tenorio.

Meanwhile, elements of the 85th IB arrested farmer Leoben Holeto at a checkpoint in Lopez, Quezon on May 4. Holeto was on his way home after undergoing a medical surgery when he was apprehended together with his mother.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/05/21/31st-ib-9th-saf-massacre-5-farmers-in-sorsogon/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Duterte regime, to purchase P2.4-B artilerie systems amid crisis

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2019): Duterte regime, to purchase P2.4-B artilerie systems amid crisis

The Duterte regime, last May 12, issued a notice to proceed with the procurement of the artillery systems worth P2.4 billion from Israeli company Elbit Systems amid the continuing economic crisis brought about by Covid-19.

The contract covers the procurement of two ATMOS 2000 155mm/52 Caliber Self-propelled Howitzer Systems, two batteries, with six mobile firing units each, and associated support systems.

The said system has a maximum range of 41 kilometers and a fire rate of 3 rounds/15 seconds on burst mode, 5 rounds/minute on rapid mode, and more than 80 rounds per hour on sustained mode.

The procurement program was made under the AFP modernization program which aims to boost Duterte’s arsenal in a vain attempt to fulfill his ambition to decimate the armed revolutionary movement before the end of his term.

The use of oversized cannons and helicopter gunships only results in indiscriminate destruction of communities and the environment, endangers people’s lives and livelihood, and causes psychological trauma especially on children.

The first set of artillery system is expected to be delivered in 2021.

Relatedly, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) of the US Department of State approved last April 30 the Duterte regime’s request to buy six AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters and other war matériel and services worth P75 billion.

Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana noted that the price of helicopters is too high and said that the regime could not buy these. However, he made no mention of whether they will still buy the thousands of missiles, weapons, and other war matériel which are also part of the contract. Lorenzana said that the regime is more inclined to procuring cheaper helicopters from Turkey.

Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Romualdez said in an interview last May 13 that the UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter which the regime purchased last year from the US are set to be delivered soon. The contract for the procurement of 16 helicopters was signed earlier last year for P1.21 billion. The helicopters were bought from PZL Mielec a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, one of the biggest defense companies and part of the US military-industrial complex. Meanwhile, the BRP Jose Rizal is also set to be delivered to the country on May 23. The ship was purchased along with the BRP Antonio Luna by the regime from Hyundai South Korea for P18 billion.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/05/21/duterte-regime-to-purchase-p2-4-b-artilerie-systems-amid-crisis/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Cadres conduct education conference in Negros

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2019): Cadres conduct education conference in Negros

THIRTY EDUCATION CADRES from various guerrilla fronts, staff organs and underground mass organizations participated in the first education conference of the Party in Negros. The conference was conducted early on first quarter of the year in a guerrilla front.

The conference discussed and assessed their experiences in implementing the Party’s education program in previous years. It stressed the importance of establishing Red Schools in various levels to serve as a machinery in advancing education work.

Each cadre explained the need for an “assiduous, systematic and extensive conduct of studies on the three-level Party course…[and] on courses and lessons under the curriculum of the National Democratic School.”

The cadres were determined to advance education work after forging a stronger unity during the conference. The conference was launched with the help of a unit of the New People’s Army which secured the area amid the conduct of nonstop military combat operations in the island. (From Ang Paghimakas, May 2020.)

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/05/21/cadres-conduct-education-conference-in-negros/

CPP/Ang Bayan: NPA-Northern Samar harasses notorious 20th IB

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2019): NPA-Northern Samar harasses notorious 20th IB

THE NEW PEOPLE’S Army (NPA)-Northern Samar mounted three successive harassment operations against 20th IB soldiers who have long been wreaking havoc in Barangay San Miguel, Las Navas.

A soldier was killed in a sniping operation mounted by Red fighters against a temporary military encampent in the area on May 9. In retaliation, the soldiers strafed two peasant houses at Zone 7 in the said barangay. Residents were forced to flee because of this. Red fighters fired at the soldiers again that evening.

A day earlier, Red fighters and the people’s militia harassed a military encampment which they constructed just a few meters away from a school. Two soldiers were seriously wounded.

The 20th IB has been conducting Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) operations in San Miguel and adjacent barrios Perez, Quirino and San Francisco. The unit has not withdrawn its forces even when the Duterte regime declared its ceasefire. Soldiers continue to perpetrate cases of harassment and force civilians and even barangay officials to surrender as members of the NPA. They travel in-and-out of the barrios and approach residents without taking precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 such as wearing face masks or observing physical distancing. They also spearhead gatherings such as the conduct of cockfights.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/05/21/npa-northern-samar-harasses-notorious-20th-ib/

CPP/Ang Bayan: NPA-Bukidnon attacks abusive soldiers

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 21, 2019): NPA-Bukidnon attacks abusive soldiers

THE NEW PEOPLE’S Army (NPA)-Bukidnon mounted successive military offensives against abusive soldiers in the province from May 5-14. Four fascist soldiers were killed while two others were wounded.

On May 11, Red fighters sniped at elements of the 60th IB at 56th IB at Sitio Tapayanon, Barangay Mandahikan, Cabanglasan. Their presence in the barrio has long been causing grave hardships and abuses against the masses. Two soldiers were killed in the offensive.
A day earlier, another NPA unit sniped a detachment of the 8th IB at Sitio Miaray, Barangay Mandahikan. Two soldiers were killed and two others were wounded.

Meanwhile, Red fighters also ambushed two intelligence agents of the 8th IB in separate incidents. On May 10, Red fighters ambushed a CAFGU element in Barangay Busdi, Malaybalay City. The said element served as guide of the 8th IB in its combat operations.

On May 13, another intelligence agent was killed in Barangay Indalasa, Cabanglasan. The said agent was behind the forced “surrender” of Lumad Talaandigs and the killing of two members of peasant group Ogyon in Cabanglasan.

A unit of the NPA-Bukidnon also harassed a detachment of the CAA in Barangay Bolunay, Impasug-ong on May 14. The same detachment was also harassed by the NPA on May 5.

Units of the NPA in the Panay island also harassed a military detachment in Barangay Anhawan, Janiuay, Iloilo on May 12 and another CAFGU detachment in Barangay Barasan, Igbaras in the same province on May 3.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/05/21/npa-bukidnon-attacks-abusive-soldiers/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Solidarity amid distress in Samar

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 23, 2019): Solidarity amid distress in Samar



Peasants from Northern Samar collectively faced the problem brought about the limited financial aid appropriated by the Duterte regime for those affected by the Covid-19 crisis. Through their revolutionary mass organization, they ensured that every family from barangays Ipil-ipil and Langka (not their real names) would be aided.

In Barangay Ipil-ipil, only 38 out of 64 pamilya were on the list of beneficiaries had received an aid worth P5,000 to P8,000 under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP). As in other barangays, local officials were obligated to impose a quota system.

Members of the peasant organization in Barangay Ipil-ipil, however, decided that all families must receive financial aid, whether or not their names are listed. To achieve this, the beneficiaries pooled together the amount they received and divided it to all families in the barrio. Of the P190,000 they were able to pool together, each family was able to receive an aid of P2,368 each. They included in the central fund the P68 provided by the barangay captain for their fare to and from the town center to buy basic supplies for villagers.

In Barangay Langka, 12 families were not included in the quota that was imposed by the local government. Through the organization’s guidance and education campaign, the beneficiaries decided to contribute P600 per family to raise funds for distribution for non-beneficiaries.

In Barangay Ipil-ipil, the organization conducted a mass meeting to explain to residents why they need to help their neighbors who are non-beneficiaries. The organization also helped barangay officials in administering the funds to prevent corruption. Members of the local Party branch guided the organization in coming up with the decision. A local NPA unit also helped in forging the unity of villagers.

The organization ensured the secrecy of the meeting and aid distribution to prevent the municipal government from interfering, especially as local government officials prohibit initiatives that are not in line with their aid distribution protocols even if such benefit the people.

Organizations from other barrios are already replicating the aid distribution intitiative. Meanwhile, the revolutionary mass organization in Barangay Ipil-ipil is already preparing to spearhead other campaigns against Covid-19 including food and herbal medicine production. (From Larab, May 9, 2020.)

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/05/23/solidarity-amid-distress-in-samar/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Regime railroads neoliberal measures as pandemic response

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (May 23, 2019): Regime railroads neoliberal measures as pandemic response

The Duterte regime is exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic to railroad the enactment of neoliberal reforms that it has long been pushing for. It repackaged the said measures under the PH-Progreso (Philippine Program for Recovery with Equity and Solidarity), a proposed program which purportedly aims to boost the economy which has been gravely devastated by the lockdown. The program primarily covers the old scheme to cut the corporate income tax and the implementation of infrastructure projects under the Build, Build, Build (BBB) program.

Even before the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic growth in the Philippines has been slowing down for three years already. The economy nosedived as a result of the lockdown and the implementation of restrictions on production and service activities. In Metro Manila alone, 53% of enterprises in the service sector were forced to close due the lockdown. Approximately 73% of manufacturing operations in the national capital, Calabarzon and Central Luzon were also stopped. The import-export and transportation sectors were put to a halt. Because of this, nearly 23.7 million workers are in danger of losing their jobs. More than 400,000 small and medium enterprises also lost their incomes and are in danger of closing due to bankruptcy. The economic managers of the Duterte regime recently admitted that the local economy shrank by 0.2% during the first quarter of the year, the worst in more than two decades.

In response, the World Bank-trained economic managers of the regime announced the PH-Progreso proposal on May 14. Several associated bills have been filed in Congress.

Lower taxes for big capitalists

The PH-Progreso aims to railroad the lowering down of taxes on corporations as an incentive to foreign capitalists who wish to invest in government programs. This was originally proposed under the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and Higher Quality Opportunities (Trabaho) Bill, which later on became the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (CITIRA) which is now pending before the Senate. The CITIRA is the second tax reform package which foreign businesses, particularly US companies, have long lobbied for.

Under the new Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (Create) Bill, the corporate income tax will be lowered from 30% to 25%. It will also give the president the authority to tailor-fit tax incentives and exemptions for big companies. The regime aims to implement the reform as early as July by railroading the passage of the said bill before the Congress closes its session on June 5.

Based on conservative estimates of the National Economic Development Authority, the reactionary state will lose about P259 billion in corporate taxes until 2022 should the tax cuts be implemented. Multinationals and companies that rake in billions of profits in the country will primarily benefit from this reform.

Relatedly, Duterte ordered the Bureau of Internal Revenue to issue an order to provide tax exemptions and incentives to big companies that responded to his call for donations amid the pandemic. Under the said regulations issued on April 6, the total amount of financial and material donations given by corporations will be fully deducted from their gross incomes. While cutting corporate taxes, it imposed heavier taxes on the poor. Invoking his emergency powers, Duterte issued an executive order which implemented a 10% tax increase on imported crude oil and petroleum products. This is expected to result in oil price hikes which will be shouldered by the people in the coming months.

Trillions of funds for BBB

To give a new push to the slow implementation of the BBB program, the regime repackaged its infrastructure projects under the PH-Progreso as a strategy to purportedly create new jobs to address the massive unemployment crisis. In line with this recommendation, Duterte’s minion filed the Covid-19 Unemployment Reduction Economic Stimulus (CURES) Bill in Congress.

Through this, the regime will ensure that the P1-trillion funds appropriated for BBB will remain untouched, while allocating an additional P500 billion that will be sourced from loans and funds that will be collected by the Bangko Sentral. The P1.5 trillion fund, which will be disbursed in three stages (P500 billion per year from 2021-2023) will be apportioned by Duterte and his supermajority.

The BBB projects will not create sufficient and long-term employment opportunities. In the past, the much touted program has only contributed one-fourth of the total employment in the construction sector. Corrupt government officials are competing over the implementation of these infrastructure projects as this is where they source their massive kickbacks. Even amid the pandemic and intense hardships experienced by the people, the ruling classes continue to prioritize profiteering to further their self-serving interests.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/05/23/regime-railroads-neoliberal-measures-as-pandemic-response/

Troops clash with NPA in CamSur; 1 rebel dead

From the Manila Bulletin (May 23, 2020): Troops clash with NPA in CamSur; 1 rebel dead (By Martin Sadongdong)

The Philippine Army (PA) figured in an armed encounter with alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Iriga City, Camarines Sur on Friday, leaving one suspect dead.


Philippine Army (MANILA BULLETIN)

Major General Fernando Trinidad, commander of Joint Task Force Bicolandia, said elements of 83rd Infantry Battalion (83rd IB) were conducting security operations in coordination with the local police when they encountered at least 20 fully-armed men in Barangay Sta. Cruz Norte around 5:15 a.m.

A 25-minute firefight ensued until the enemies retreated, leaving behind one of their own who got killed.

Meanwhile, no one was hurt on the side of the government forces.

Trinidad said the operation was hatched based on a tip that reached them about the NPA’s supposed recruitment of fighters in the village.

He thanked the community for its cooperation with the government’s intensified campaign against insurgency.

“This only proves that the community strongly rejects the communist-terrorist group and its terroristic activities while the whole nation is battling a health crisis,” he said.

The troops brought the cadaver to Camp Angeles in Pili town for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, troops also recovered an M653 rifle, rifle grenade, four magazines, various ammunition, training kits, subversive documents, and other personal belongings on the encounter site.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/23/troops-clash-with-npa-in-camsur-1-rebel-dead/

BIFF bandit slain in Maguindanao clash

From the Philippine Star (May 24, 2020): BIFF bandit slain in Maguindanao clash (By John Unson)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — A member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) tagged in the killing of a soldier in Radjah Buayan town was slain in an encounter on Friday.

Sainudin Nilong died in a clash with personnel of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Tabungao.

Nilong, said to be a BIFF bomb maker, was one of the two suspects in the ambush of Pfc. Jerome Tahad.

Tahad and his colleagues were on their way to their command post after manning a quarantine checkpoint when they were attacked.

In a report to Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon of the 6th Infantry Division, the 33rd IB said improvised explosive devices, bomb materials and ammunition were recovered from Nilong’s hideout.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/05/24/2016066/biff-bandit-slain-maguindanao-clash