CPP/CIO: Pakikiisa sa masang minorya sa Pilipinas sa Pandaigdigang araw ng mga Katutubo

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 9, 2021): Pakikiisa sa masang minorya sa Pilipinas sa Pandaigdigang araw ng mga Katutubo

MARCO VALBUENA

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

AUGUST 09, 2021

Nakikiisa ang Partido sa masang Igorot ng Cordillera, mga Agta, Aeta, Ata, Dumagat, Manibi at iba pang etnikong grupo sa buong kahabaan ng Sierra Madre, mga Mangyan ng Mindoro, mga Tumandok at Ati ng Panay, mga tribong Lumad at mamamayang Moro sa buong kalawakan ng Mindanao at iba pang grupong minorya sa buong bansa sa Pandaigdigang Araw ng Mamamayang Katutubo.

Patuloy na dumaranas ng pang-aapi at diskriminasyon ang mga grupong minorya sa Pilipinas. Labis-labis ang pagbalewala sa kanilang mga komunidad na hindi inaabot ng kinakailangang mga serbisyong pangkalusugan, edukasyon at pangkabuhayan. Patuloy silang itinuturing na mas mababang klaseng tao at inaapi ang kanilang kultura at mga kaugalian. Sa masang minorya, ang reaksyunaryong gubyerno, na laging nasa anyo ng mga armadong sundalo, ay mapang-aping kapangyarihang laging nagbabanta sa kanilang mga karapatan.

Kinakaharap ng masang minorya sa Pilipinas ang walang kasing-bangis na gera ng panunupil sa ilalim ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Sa ilalim ng Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL), ang mamamayang Moro ay biktima ng “terrorist profiling” at ang mga minorya sa kabundukan ay biktima ng “red-tagging.” Mga minoryang mamamayan sa Zambales at Mindoro ang unang kinasuhan sa ilalim ng ATL.

Inaapakan ang karapatan at kagalingan ng mga katutubong mamamayan upang bigyang daan ang interes ng dayo at lokal na malalaking kapitalista. Sa buong bansa, kabi-kabila ang operasyon ng dambuhalang mga kumpanya sa pagmimina, mga proyektong dam at mga plantasyon, huwad na reporestasyon, mga proyektong ekoturismo at iba pang yumuyurak sa karapatan ng mga minorya sa kanilang lupang ninuno at sumisira sa kalikasan sa tabing ng “progreso” at sa ngalan ng tubo.

Buong lupit na ginagamit ng tiranikong rehimen ang mga armadong pwersa nito upang maghasik ng karahasan at takot at palayasin ang masang minorya sa kanilang lupang ninuno. Sa ilalim ng programa nitong kontrainsurhensya, ang mga komunidad ng mga minorya ay isinasailalim sa paghaharing militar upang sindakin ang masa at pasunurin sa kanilang mga utos.

Buo-buong tinitipon ang kanilang mga pamayanan at pinalalabas na “sumurender” sa kapangyarihan ni Duterte. Walang-habas ang paghuhulog ng bomba at panganganyon sa kabundukan para maghasik ng takot sa masa at pwersahin silang magbakwit. Inaalok sila ng “pabahay” upang ilayo sila sa kanilang lupa at kagubatang pinagkukunan ng pagkain, tubig at kabuhayan.

Sa kabila ng pangakong kapayapaan, patuloy ang karahasan laban sa mamamayang Moro upang supilin ang kanilang rebolusyonaryong pagtatanggol sa kanilang mga karapatan at interes. Tinatakam ng malalaking kapitalista ang yaman ng lupang Moro. Pinapasok ang kanilang lupang ninuno ng mga dayong plantasyon at mga kumpanyang nagbabalak na kamkamin ang yamang langis at mineral.

Dapat magkaisa ang lahat ng minoryang mamamayan sa Pilipinas para labanan ang tiranikong paghahari ni Duterte at ipagtanggol ang kanilang mga karapatan.

Ubos-kayang makibaka para ipaglaban ang karapatan ng minoryang mamamayan sa sariling pagpapasya, para sa lupang ninuno, at pagpapayabong ng katutubong kultura. Labanan ang pang-aapi ng rehimeng US-Duterte at pagsiil sa mga minoryang naninindigan para sa kanilang demokratikong interes.

Malaking bahagi ng lakas ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) ay nagmumula sa malawak na suporta ng masang minorya sa kanayunan at kabundukan, dahil sa puspusang pagsusulong ng BHB sa kanilang interes at pag-aangat ng kanilang kamulatan. Hindi iilan ang mga minoryang nagsisilbing kumander ng iba’t ibang yunit ng BHB sa iba’t ibang rehiyon. Kabilang ang mga minorya sa pinakamahuhusay na Pulang mandirigma ng BHB.

Batid ng mamamayang minorya na ang armadong pakikibaka ang pinakaepektibong paraan upang labanan ang mga pasistang terorista na dumadahas at sumusupil sa kanila at para ipagtanggol sa kalikasan sa malawakang pangangamkam at pangwawasak ng malalaking kapitalista. Patuloy din ang pag-usbong ng mga rebolusyonaryong armadong grupo ng mamamayang Moro na handang ipagpapatuloy ang kanilang mahaba nang kasaysayan ng armadong pagtatanggol.

Patuloy na ipagtatanggol ng BHB at buong rebolusyonaryong kilusan ang mga karapatan at kagalingan ng masang minorya sa Pilipinas. Patuloy na isusulong ng BHB ang armadong pakikibaka at pagbubuo ng demokratikong gubyernong bayan na nagbibigay sa masang minorya ng karapatan at kapangyarihang ipinagkakait sa kanila. Ang pagkakaisa ng BHB at ng masang minorya ay patuloy pang hihigpit at yayabong.

https://cpp.ph/statements/pakikiisa-sa-masang-minorya-sa-pilipinas-sa-pandaigdigang-araw-ng-mga-katutubo/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Protest actions

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2021): Protest actions

Fight for the safe reopening of schools. Member organizations of the Back to Scho­ol Net­work-Pa­nay submitted a petition at the local office of CHEd and DepEd in Iloi­lo City on July 22 to demand the safe reopening of schools. They also demanded the regional agencies to provide a ₱10,000-aid to all students.

Students of the Holy Angel Univer­sity (HAU) protested in front of their school campus in Ange­les City, Pam­pa­nga on their first day of classes on July 15. They insisted that admi­nistration should heed their five-point list of demands for remote learning. Student leaders also appealed at the office of the university president on the same day.

Solidarity amid ECQ. The Defend Jobs Phi­lip­pi­nes moun­ted a campaign called Flag Bri­ga­de PH last August 6 wherein they conducted house-to-house drop­ping and collection of food donations. The group earlier distributed flaglets with various colors (orange for those who will donate; red for those who need donations) to indicate the particular needs and contribution of approximately 200 families in Sam­pa­loc, Ma­ni­la. The group said that the campaign is part of the movement to hold the regime accountable for its failure to aid residents amid the third en­hanced community quaran­tine in Met­ro Ma­ni­la.

Rollback oil prices. Workers under the Ki­lu­sang Ma­yo Uno mounted a picket protest near Philcoa in Quezon City on August 4 to condemn the new round of increases in prices of petroleum products and LPG. The price of gasoline increased by ₱1.05/liter, and ₱0.75/lit­ro and ₱0.80/lit­ro for ke­ro­se­ne and die­sel respectively.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and 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/2021/08/07/protest-actions/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Fake reforestation

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2021): Fake reforestation

The NGP was first implemented in 2011 under the Aquino regime. This was extended and expanded in 2015 through Executive Order 193 (E-NGP) despite being declared a failure. It was continued by Duterte’s officials because its funds (more than ₱5 billion) serves as a milking cow for politicians.

The DENR bragged in 2019 that two million hectares were planted with 1.7 billion seedlings under the E-NGP between 2011 and 2019. However, it could not offer any proof when this was questioned in the Senate. Worse, according to experts, the country’s seven million hectares of remaining forest cover remain unchanged from 2011 to the present.

Reforestation is not the real aim of the E-NGP. The trees being planted, such as bamboo, coffee and falcata, are not endemic to local forests. This contradicts scientists’ recommendation that endemic trees should be planted to ensure ecological balance. These commercial trees are planted not to revive the forests but to be harvested and exported.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and 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/2021/08/07/fake-reforestation/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Deceptive and divisive “reforestation” program

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2021): Deceptive and divisive “reforestation” program

Barrio “Sulong” is among the barrios covered by the reactionary government’s bogus reforestation program called the Enhanced National Greening Program (E-NGP). The state is using this program, with the help of the military, to grab the lands of farmers and intensify its counterinsurgency campaign.

The level of corruption of this program was evident during a meeting organized by occupying soldiers in the name of Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) in February. During the meeting, the military partnered with the local office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to push for the planting of commercial trees in at least 68 hectares of farmlands. The DENR imposed the planting of rosewood and naga trees within three years, and bamboo after these are harvested.

The DENR appointed barrio leaders to distribute ₱250 daily wages to residents who will be made to plant trees. Tillers of the affected land were given no compensation. The agency only promised them that they will be able to use the wood to construct their houses and for other needs. It also promised to have their lands titled.

The agency insisted on planting these trees even if the areas covered by the program have long been productive. In these lands, residents used to plant coconut, sweet potatoes and other important crops which are needed by the community. In the name of reforestation, the DENR obliged farmers to demolish their farms to pave the way for the planting of trees with a gap of one square-meter in between.

In reality, the DENR is only using reforestation as pretext to grab the lands which have long been cultivated by farmers. The agency reclassified the agricultural lands as forest lands to reconcentrate ownership of these to the state, and allow these to be leased or sold to foreign commercial plantations, big landlords, and their bureaucrat counterparts.

The ₱250 daily wages promised to farmers is measly and temporary. It is even lower than the legislated ₱295-minimum wage for agricultural workers in the region. (In Leyte, caretakers are paid as low as ₱11 per day.) Farmers who accidentally damage trees are fined ₱6,000 or imprisoned.

Civilian agencies such as the DENR are made to serve the reactionary government’s counterinsurgency campaign through its whole-of-government approach. In some cases, reforestation mapping is used as a tool for surveillance. The RCSP troops also use the NGP to justify military presence in barrios.

Measly budget allocations often result in misunderstanding among barangay residents. Instead of promoting collectivity, the DENR is encouraging farmers to go their own ways which destroys their solidarity and discourages mutual aid.

Barrios such as Sulong face the challenge of exposing the deceptive nature of the E-NGP and should be wary of the entry of agroforestry companies in their areas. They need to do this in order to effectively defend the victories they have won through agrarian revolution in their villages.

(Excerpt from Larab, July 21, 2021.)

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and 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/2021/08/07/deceptive-and-divisive-reforestation-program/

CPP/Ang Bayan: State forces kill four farmers in Bicol

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2021): State forces kill four farmers in Bicol

Four farmers were killed in Bicol, and four others were arrested by state forces a few days prior to Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address.

Policemen gunned down Jemar Palero, member of the Organisasyon ng mga Magsasaka sa Albay, and Marlon Naperi of the Albay People’s Organization, in the evening of July 25, in Banao Bridge, Maharlika Highway, Guinobatan, Albay. The activists were painting a protest slogan “Duterte Ibagsak!” (“Down with Duterte!”) along the highway when they were killed. The police made it appear that the victims fought back, a claim belied by the their relatives. They were last seen being shoved into a van by the policemen.

Elements of the 83rd IB killed Louie Austria and Benjamin Delos Santos in Sagñay, Camarines Sur on July 20. Soldiers made it appear that the victims were killed in an encounter. They also claimed to have seized 12 high powered rifles.

Illegal arrest. The military arrested four farmers at Sitio Buscad, Barangay Tuban, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro on July 19 and charged them under the Anti-Terror Law. They accused Miguel Manguera, Fe Marinas, Sherlito Casidsid and Allen Dela Fuente of supporting the New People’s Army (NPA) and were implicated in an encounter between the AFP and people’s army on July 5. Two of them were also charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives, while the two others were charged with obstruction of justice.

In Sorsogon, police arrested couple Ruel Llamera and Annie Jean Castillo, members of the Sorsogon People’s Organization, on July 8 while travelling home to Sorsogon City. Trumped-up charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives were filed against them.

Harassment. Elements of the 62nd IB and 16th Scout Ranger Company indiscriminately fired their guns in Barangay Banwage, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental on July 15. They also lobbed a grenade at the house of Alo Lojanio at Sitio Kapudlusan.

In Northern Samar, soldiers coerced officials of at least 17 barangays in Las Navas, 14 in Silvino Lobos, six in Pambujan, one in Catubig, and all barangays in Matuguinao to sign resolutions declaring the NPA as persona non grata.

Shelling. From July 20 to 21, the 87th IB shelled the forested areas between Km. 14 and Km. 17 in San Jose de Buan, Western Samar. The military shelled the area 20 times within two days which ravaged the farmlands of residents and forced the residents Sitio Salvacion, Barangay San Nicolas to evacuate.

In Northern Samar, two houses were hit when elements of the PNP-Special Action Force fired its grenade launcher at Barangay Hitapian, Catubig on July 10. The policemen claimed that they targeted an NPA unit which mounted an offensive on the same day. Simultaneously, policemen stole pineapples which residents sell. They also threatened barangay officials.

Evacuation. Larab reported last July 30 that residents of Barangay San Jose, Las Navas, Northern Samar evacuated due to indiscriminate bombings perpetrated by the military in the area. Almost all residents of the barrios of Sag-od, Epaw and San Jose in the said town left their homes due to military occupation. Residents in the barrios of Senonogan de Tubang, Hiyaot, and Balod in Silvino Lobos also evacuated, as well as residents of barangays Ligaya and Carolina along the boundary of Matuguinao, Western Samar.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and 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/2021/08/07/state-forces-kill-four-farmers-in-bicol/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Why the AFP will fail to crush the NPA in NCMR

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2021): Why the AFP will fail to crush the NPA in NCMR

Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Martin Andanar’s boast that the revolutionary movement in North Central Mindanao Region (NCMR) is near collapse is a big lie. According to him, 2,517 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have surrendered, 618 Red fighters have been “neutralized” and 10 guerilla fronts have been dismantled in 2020 alone. He further said 77 more barangays were “cleared” and are thus eligible for funds from the anomalous Barangay Development Program. Andanar is the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s coordinator for Region 10.

In reality, no guerilla front or center was dismantled in NCMR in 2020. Some areas were temporarily vacated but NPA units managed to maintain presence in strategic areas of the region. There have been Red fighters who surrendered but they are few and mostly due to pressures exerted by the enemy on their families.

From March 2020 to March 2021, the people’s army launched 102 tactical offensives where 94 soliders were killed and 84 wounded. At the same time, 18 Red fighters died in battle and for other reasons.

In the midst of heavy encounters, units in there region managed to launch agrarian campaigns to increase wages for farm workers and for higher farmgate prices.

Focus region

Since March 2018, the AFP identified NCMR as one of its focus regions. After two years of failed campaigns to crush the NPA, the 4th ID reorganized its forces in 2020 to focus five brigades (three full and two shared) in what it considers to be subregional centers.

The AFP deployed one to two battalions per front. Its operations consist of soldiers occupying supposed “cleared” barrios combined with putting up a network of detachments to encroach or encircle suspected bulwarks of the people’s army. (Towards the end of 2020, the AFP had 169 CAFGU detachments and 19 regular military camps in the region.)

At the same time, focused and sustained combat operations using a thousand troops supported by jetfighters and helicopters, drones, mortars and cannons were launched. No less than 23 aerial bombing incidents using FA-50s and helicopters were reported from December 2018 to August 2020. In 2020, the AFP used the Covid-19 pandemic to intensify its rampage in the countryside and control the people’s mobility.

Countering heightened attacks

In general, NPA units in the region employed guerrilla tactics of shifting and fluid warfare to maintain initiative and flexibility in waging war.

Guerrilla forces strove to raise the politico-militar capacity of its commanders and fighters to repel enemy attacks and raise the level of warfare. They assessed and gleaned lessons from extensive encounters, as well as attacks and counterattacks between its units and the AFP.

In the midst of heightened attacks, the need for the NPA to conduct extensive and intensive guerrilla warfare became more imperative. The consolidation and expansion of guerilla base areas and zones is key. To do this, commanders and officials of the people’s army need to master waging systematic agrarian revolution and other campaigns to organize and mobilize the masses and address their needs and welfare. This became more important in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and its threat to the countryside where health infrastructure is minimal, if not absent.

The people’s army also understood the need to urgently combat the enemy’s gradual constriction and encirclement tactics by attacking its detachments and launching coordinated offensives at the front and subregional levels. This is to counter the enemy’s plan to cut mass support for its units, isolate them in interior areas and force them into a purely military situation. It is also apparent that military abuses and brutalities run rampant in barrios where there are detachments.

Towards this goal, the Party committee has ordered the army to firmly grasp the platoon’s basic orientation and operate in its set cluster of barrios. At the same time, Party units must firmly guide the masses’ armed movement and utilize this and units of the people’s militia to support regular forces and assist in launching tactical offensives.

Comrades in the region are confident that the AFP will not crush the NPA and the revolutionary movement in Duterte’s remaining year in office. They have lessons learned from decades of revolutionary struggles and intense warfare, especially in the last three years. These have produced cadres, commanders and personnel who have solid ideological grounding, rich military experience, high degree of readiness to sacrifice and face hardships and possess an unwavering fighting spirit.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and 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/2021/08/07/why-the-afp-will-fail-to-crush-the-npa-in-ncmr/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Religious sector expresses willingness to mediate peace negotiations

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2021): Religious sector expresses willingness to mediate peace negotiations

Despite the resolution issued by the Anti-Terrorism Council declaring the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) as a “terrorist” organization, the religious sector expressed its willingness to mediate peace negotiations between the NDFP and the reactionary government of the Philippines.

The Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) announced its plans to conduct public consultations and campaigns to support the resumption of negotiations with the people’s chosen newly elected leaders come 2022. In the upcoming elections, the group urged the people to consider aspiring candidates’ willingness to engage in peace talks.

On July 22, the PEPP criticized the resolution declaring the NDFP a “terrorist” group. They raised alarm over the possibilty of organizations, such as theirs, being tagged as “terrorists” for supporting peace negotiations.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and 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/2021/08/07/religious-sector-expresses-willingness-to-mediate-peace-negotiations/

CPP/Ang Bayan: On Duterte’s last SONA: #DuterteWakasanNa, Filipinos clamor to end Duterte’s reign

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2021): On Duterte’s last SONA: #DuterteWakasanNa, Filipinos clamor to end Duterte’s reign

According to reports, around 6,000 protesters marched along the Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on July 26 in conjunction with Rodrigo Duterte’s fifth and last State of the Nation Address (SONA). Organizations from Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon participated in the protest. With the theme “Duterte, wakasan!” (End Duterte) and “Goodbye Duterte,” they demanded an end to Duterte’s reign and to hold him accountable for all his crimes including mass killings, selling out the country’s sovereignty, failed pandemic response, and widespread corruption. Similar protests were mounted in Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, Iloilo, Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya, Roxas in Capiz, Kalibo in Aklan, and Naga City. Protests were also held in various cities in the US, Canada and Hongkong.

Prior to the SONA, various sectors mounted a series of protests and activities to discuss the people’s concrete situation and assessment of the regime’s five year reign and its failures.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno held the State of Labor Address on July 23 with the theme “ENDOterte” to criticize his failure to deliver his promise to end contractualization. It noted that approximately 9.2 million to 13.5 million individuals are unemployed amid the pandemic.

On July 25, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas held the State of the Peasant Address to condemn the Rice Liberalization Law and the regime for neglecting the agricultural sector. It pointed out that rice farmers lost ₱90 billion in income due to liberalization. They demanded a ₱15,000-production subsidy amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“No justice, no peace.” This was how human rights alliance Karapatan described the five-year reign of the dictator Duterte. On top of the 30,000 victims of the regime’s “war on drugs,” it also perpetrated 414 cases of extrajudicial killings, 2,725 cases of illegal arrests which further increased during the militarist lockdown, and numerous cases of harassment against progressive individuals and activists. The group also documented 25 massacres under the regime.

Teachers also gave Duterte a failing grade. “We have not seen a clear program for education,” pointed out the Alliance of Concerned Teachers on July 23. “He cannot claim any achievement in the education sector.” The alliance also gave a failing grade to Sec. Leonor Briones of the Department of Education (DepEd). It said that the DepEd’s blended learning program only caused huge hardships on teachers, students and their parents.

In their State of the Youth Address on July 19, participants issued their #DutertePalpak (Du­ter­te A Failure) judgement. The youth criticized the regime’s inaction and lack of plans to ensure the safe reopening of schools amid the pandemic. Around 2.73 million students or 10% of the total 27.77 million enrollees dropped out from school during the academic year 2019-2020. The youth also criticized the continuing attacks of the fascist regime on academic freedom and campus press.

The hardships suffered by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) amid the Covid-19 pandemic were doubled due to the regime’s inaction. Only 2% or 250,000 of the total 12 million OFWs were aided by the regime. Hundreds of thousands OFWs who were forced to return to the country after losing their jobs abroad were squeezed into crammed quarantine facilities. Before the pandemic, OFWs were also levied an increase in mandatory contributions for PhilHealth membership and premiums amounting to ₱24,000 during the first year, as well as increase in mandatory contributions for SSS membership and premiums.

Environmental groups held an online forum to condemn the dirty and pro-foreign environmental policy of the regime. The church sector also demanded an end to attacks and illegal arrests against their ranks. Media groups also labeled the Duterte regime as an enemy of press freedom. In Mindanao, Moros criticized the failed rehabilitation of Marawi City which Duterte ravaged in 2017, and the lack of compensation for evacuees.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and 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/2021/08/07/on-dutertes-last-sona-dutertewakasanna-filipinos-clamor-to-end-dutertes-reign/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Duterte’s lies in his last SONA

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2021): Duterte’s lies in his last SONA

Rodrigo Duterte delivered his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City in the afternoon of July 26. Lasting around three hours, his speech predictably focused on his agenda for the military and counterinsurgency, as well as his bogus war against drugs, terrorism and corruption. He also laid out 12 priority bills, two of which have previously hurdled committee level at the Lower House, while six have counterpart bills pending before the Senate.

Prioritizing the military and police

Despite the raging pandemic, Duterte refused to prioritize public health and the welfare of health workers. Instead, his top agenda was to ensure legislations for the pension Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, as well as free legal assistance for uniformed personnel implicated in crimes and anomalies. These bills aim to secure the loyalty of his soldiers and police to his tyrannical reign.

Duterte also lauded his criminal war on drugs despite widespread condemnation. People have long known how his campaign aims only to establish himself as the drug overlord in the country.

The Communist Party of the Philippines belied Duterte’s claim that his counterinsurgency campaign is succeeding in “resolving” the root cause of the armed conflict. It dismissed Duterte’s claim of 17,000 “surrendered” fighters of the New People’s Army as “a big fat lie” pointing out that those are actually civilians. It also said Duterte’s claim that 15 guerrilla fronts have been dismantled in the past five years is unfounded.

Bogus anti-corruption campaign

Duterte’s claims regarding his bogus anti-corruption campaign are plain hogwash. This includes claims of “firing” 43 Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers involved in the “pastillas scheme” in 2020, and 200 other employees involved in corruption.

Contrary to his claim, the BI officers were only suspended and not sacked, and are already back at the agency without being held accountable. There are also no reports to prove his claim of sacking 200 other employees.

In 2020, he also ordered to restrict public access to public officials’ statements of assets, liabilities and net worth which are usually scrutinized to probe whether an official is involved in corruption.

No plans for the pandemic

In his SONA, Duterte failed to lay out concrete plans to face the Covid-19 pandemic amid increasing threat of the Delta variant spreading across the country.

In his speech, he only ordered the National Employment Recovery Strategy Task Force to spearhead his so-called Reform, Rebound and Recover Program which purportedly aims to vaccinate qualified workers to fill in more than one million jobs. However, vaccine supplies remain inadequate as the regime continues to rely on paltry donations from other countries.

Duterte’s order to establish the Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines is sanctimonious in the face of his regime’s scarce public health fun­ding.

As expected, Duterte ordered Congress to railroad the Foreign Investments Act, Public Service Act, and Retail Trade Liberalization Act to fully liberalize the economy under the pretext of stimulating economic activity. These bills have already hurdled the committee level of the Lower House and already have equivalent bills pending before the Senate.

Other lies

Duterte bragged that the Philippines was “one of the fastest growing economies in Asia before the pandemic scourge.” In reality, the gross domestic product growth of the country had dropped from 7.1% in 2016 to 6.1% in 2019.

People were also outraged by Duterte’s false boast that he “took away the misery of commuting” with the help of his grandiose road and skyway projects. This is far from reality as commuters daily suffer from the lack of public transportation due to restrictions imposed on jeepney operations.

He also lied when he claimed that he is “pursuing” an independent foreign policy when people are well aware of his puppetry to China and the US. He did not discuss his treasonous policy of selling out the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea to China in exchange for support for his regime, and his policy of using the Visiting Forces Agreement to obtain bigger military aid from the US.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and 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/2021/08/07/dutertes-lies-in-his-last-sona/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Continuing US intervention

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2021): Continuing US intervention

Rodrigo Duterte formally reneged on his threat to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) after personally meeting US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on July 29. Thus, the unimpeded entry and exit of huge number of US troops, materiél and military equipment to and from Philippine sovereign territories was officially restored.

The push for the VFA and other military agreements with the US is in accordance to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the two countries. In the past seven decades, the US was able to maintain its military power in the country through this unequal military treaty, as well as the VFA, Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and Operation Pacific Eagle-Philippines (OPE-P). Through these, the US was able to further tighten its operational control over the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Even when Duterte play-acted to abrogate the VFA, US military presence and activies continued unabated in the country. In April, it continued to launch the Balikatan exercises despite rising cases of Covid-19 infections in the country. It also held the three-week Salaknib exercises of the 1st Brigade Combat Team this July. Prior to this, the US delivered ₱48.5-million worth of firearms to the AFP.

The unimpeded occupation of military facilities in at least five AFP camps by American soldiers is also maintained through the EDCA. Ame­rican soldiers operating under the OPE-P were among those who transpoted the bodies of the casualties after the crash of an AFP C-130 plane in Sulu. Meanwhile, the US mounted at least three freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea during the first half of 2021.

The US has long been using the MDT to use the Philippines as a base in its saberrattling campaign in the Asia-Pacific region. Under this agreement, the Philippines deployed its own troops during the wars in Korea and Vietnam, as well as the US wars of aggression against people who are struggling for democracy and national liberation. Former US military bases in the Philippines were also used as bases in the US war of aggression in Iraq, Iran, Kuwait and Afghanistan.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and 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/2021/08/07/continuing-us-intervention/

CPP/Ang Bayan: NPA mounts 11 offensives in conjunction with Duterte’s SONA

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2021): NPA mounts 11 offensives in conjunction with Duterte’s SONA

Units of the New People’s Army (NPA) mounted 11 offensives in Samar, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Sorsogon from June 15 to 29 as challenge to Rodrigo Duterte’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA). Initial reports indicate that enemy units sustained 30 casualties with at least 26 killed.

Northern Sa­mar. The NPA-Northern Samar am­bushed soldiers scouring Km. 18, Happy Valley, San Isidro on July 23. Eleven soldiers were killed in the offensive. On the same day, an NPA unit ambushed another military unit in Catarman. These ambushes were mounted amid the enemy’s focused military operation that it has been conducting for half a year.. These mili­tary operations are conducted simultaneous with forced surrenders and harass­ment cam­paigns in around 25 barangays under the guise of the Retooled Community Sup­port Program.

On the day of Duterte’s SONA, a police officer was killed while another was wounded during an NPA sniping operation in Barangay San Jose, Catubig. The NPA unit first encountered the police along the boundary of barangays Anongo and Hitapian on July 10 where two policemen were wounded. Red fighters also paid tribute to Ka Diwa, 24, who was martyred during an encounter last July 10 in Las Navas.

On July 29, the NPA-Northern Samar ambushed operating troops of the 83rd Military Intelligence Company in Barangay Dolores, Las Navas. Initial reports indicate that a military officer was killed while two others were wounded.

Neg­ros Occidental. On July 21, the NPA-Southwest Negros mounted a harassment operation against operating troops of 15th IB at Sitio Makapula, Barangay Cabia-an, Candoni. The day before, Red fighters successively encountered the military at sitios Guinobatan and Moromanila in Barangay Caningay; and at sitios Lunoy and Catmon, Barangay Agboy. At least five soldiers were killed in the encounters.

A encounter between the NPA-South Central Negros and 94th IB also took place on July 22 at Sitio Manulaya, Barangay Tana-uan, Kabankalan City. Three AFP elements were killed in action.

Negros Oriental. In Guihul­ngan City, the NPA-Central Negros harassed a CAFGU detach­ment in Barangay San­da­yao on July 21. The CAFGU and 62nd IB troops are notorious for harassing and threatening ci­vi­lians, ransacking residences, and killing those whom they suspect of supporting the NPA.

Sor­so­gon. A policeman was killed in a sniping operation mounted by the NPA-Sorsogon at a checkpoint of the 2nd Police Provincial Mobile Force Company in Barangay Sta. Teresita, Bulan on July 21. The NPA-Sorsogon offensive was aimed to punish armed state elements who continue to perpetrate killings and sup­pres­sion against Sor­so­ga­nons.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and 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/2021/08/07/npa-mounts-11-offensives-in-conjunction-with-dutertes-sona/

'Martabbat’ may have factored in Sulu shootout

From Rappler (Aug 8, 2021): 'Martabbat’ may have factored in Sulu shootout (ByFRENCIE CARREON)

'[D]o not shame [the Tausug] because he is prepared to kill and die for his dignity,' says Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy convenor Mehol Sadain

Cultural differences and insensitivity may have factored in the shooting deaths of provincial police director Colonel Michael Bawayan Jr. and his subordinate Staff Sergeant Imran Jilah in Sulu province, a history and political science professor from Western Mindanao said on Saturday, August 7.

Bawayan, 49, was an Igorot from Baguio, while Jilah, 43, was a Tausug.

Both men were pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after the staff sergeant shot his superior at close range, and was gunned down in turn by the colonel's aides at a quarantine checkpoint in Barangay Asturias, Jolo, at around 4:20 pm on Friday.

Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) professor Henry Solomon said there may be more to the incident than meets the eye – that it wasn't just a case of insubordination and instilling discipline.

For some Tausugs, according to Solomon, some conflicts are about "martabbat" (dignity and honor).

“(It's) not about disrespect toward a superior officer, disobeying the police code of ethics, policies, and organizational leadership and chain of command, but a case of mishandling a non-officer of the PNP, if the intention was to inculcate the right discipline and boost the morale of the members of the organization," Solomon said.

Initial reports said Jilah pulled a gun and shot Bawayan after the latter called him out at a checkpoint inspection, pointing out Jilah's untidy hair and trying to cut some of it with a pair of scissors.

Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy convenor Mehol Sadain said, "The Tausug (recognizes) authority, and has a high respect for authority, from the time of the Sultanate to the present secular governance. But do not shame him because he is prepared to kill and die for his dignity.”

Thoney Jacoba, supervising tourism operations officer of Parang town, Sulu, said Jilah had "reached his boiling point" because he felt that his self-respect had been trampled on.

Jacoba said, "No ethnicity, no gender, can define what a human can do when one’s self- dignity is crushed.”

History of conflict

Police said it was not the first time that Bawayan had confronted Jilah.

There was talk among Tausug circles of an earlier incident, in which the staff sergeant was slapped and kicked as soon as he turned his back on his superior officer, an allegation that could not be independently verified as of this posting.

Sulu police has kept mum on the allegations and only said that an investigation was ongoing. However, several personnel from the command attended Jilah's Saturday funeral dressed in civilian clothes instead of their uniform, which could be construed as a jab at authority.

Professor Solomon said there were better ways of instilling discipline among police officers, and that the confrontational approach could have been avoided. Superior officers, he suggested, should check on attendance, uniforms, firearms, haircuts, nails, and the like during regular formations instead.

"This must be the proper way to do it, instead of cutting the hair of the policeman while on duty," Solomon said.

Police culture

“It is very unfortunate," Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said of the incident.

He called Bawayan a "fine officer who was performing his duty at that time to ensure that everything was in order."

Tan recalled that when Bawayan paid him a courtesy call after the colonel assumed the role of Sulu's police director in March 2020, he emphatically told the police official that he wanted him to “maintain discipline and professionalism in the ranks" of the province's police force.

Tan said he also told Bawayan to put a premium on "good appearance" because he was convinced this was a big factor in gaining the respect of citizens.

Tan said Bawayan's way of disciplining his subordinates was part of police culture.

He said the objective was to make the Sulu police at par with other police commands elsewhere in terms of discipline, behavior, and appearance. – Rappler.com

Frencie Carreon is a Mindanao-based journalist and an awardee of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/martabbat-may-have-factored-in-sulu-shootout

Navy officer is new Westmincom deputy chief of command staff

 From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 7, 2021): Navy officer is new Westmincom deputy chief of command staff (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

TURNOVER. Capt. Robeline Carpio (center) hands over the symbol of the Assistant Chief of the Unified Command Staff for Personnel to Brig. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, Western Mindanao Command deputy commander for administration at Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City on Friday (Aug. 6, 2021). Carpio has retired and will be replaced by Navy Commander Edwin Ello (left). (Photo courtesy of Westmincom-PAO)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has installed a new Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff (ACUCS) for Personnel at Camp Navarro here on Friday.

Navy Commander Edwin Ello assumed the ACUCS for Personnel post from Capt. Robeline Carpio, who has reached the mandatory retirement age of 56, the Westmincom said in a statement issued on Saturday.

Ello said in his speech he would give his best to fulfill his duty as one of the unified command staff.

Brig. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, Westmincom’s deputy commander for administration who presided over the turnover of duties, extended his greetings to Ello and gratitude to Carpio.

“Despite the casual change in leadership, continuity becomes our conclusive rule. We manage to succeed despite the transition. There may be a change in leadership style or the system that the new leader adopts, but all leaders have one thing in common. They lead their men to accomplish the mission,” Nafarrete said in his speech.

“Remember, retirement is not the end of the road. It is only the beginning of the open highway and it’s time to finally enjoy the view after climbing the many mountains and sailing the seas,” he told Carpio.

Nafarrete presented the Command Plaque, Major Service Plaque, Plaque of Honorable Service, Encased Philippine Flag, and Framed Medals to Carpio.

A plaque of appreciation was also awarded to his wife.

“I am very proud and humbled to stand before you today to share this momentous occasion with all of you after serving 37 years, 11 months, and 22 days in the military service. I’m very grateful that I’ve finished the race with flying colors. I will miss what I have established here but I will leave with a heart full of gratitude,” Carpio said in his valedictory address.

Following the Change of Chief of Office Ceremony, a departure honors ceremony was tendered to Carpio at the parade ground of Camp Navarro, home of the Westmincom headquarters.

The ceremony was participated in by the officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian human resources of the command led by Nafarrete and Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, Westmincom deputy commander for operations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1149703

Aurora rebel gives up fight to 'peacefully live' with family

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 8, 2021): Aurora rebel gives up fight to 'peacefully live' with family (By Jason De Asis)

NEW LIFE. A member of Militia ng Bayan of the New People's Army surrenders with his firearm to military authorities in Aurora on Saturday (Aug. 7, 2021). Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, commanding officer of the Philippine Army's 91st Infantry Battalion said the surrenderer is eligible for a package of benefits under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. (Photo courtesy of 91IB)

BALER, Aurora – A guerrilla of the New People's Army's (NPA) Militia ng Bayan (MB) voluntarily surrendered and turned over his firearm to military authorities in this province on Saturday afternoon.

Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, commanding officer of the Philippine Army's 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion (91IB), on Sunday said a total of 38 regular NPA fighters and 19 MB members have so far opted to return to the fold of law in Aurora this year.

The latest surrender, he noted, was made possible through the efforts of the 91IB’s Bravo Company, Dinalungan Municipal Police Station and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Aurora Police Provincial Office.

The surrenderer was identified as “Ka Orlan” (not his real name), 47, married, a resident of Barangay Calaocan, Dipaculao, Aurora.

He turned over to the military his defaced .22 caliber pistol, four rounds of 40 millimeters explosive cartridge, one portable generator, one flashlight, acupuncture materials and subversive documents with high intelligence value.

Rubio said the realization of the meaningless revolution and terrorist activities, hunger, and hardships were among the reasons cited by Ka Orlan for deciding to yield to the authorities.

“I surrendered for my family. I am thinking about my wife and children. I want to live peacefully,” the former rebel was quoted as saying.

Rubio said Ka Orlan is eligible to receive a package of benefits under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) including immediate assistance amounting to PHP15,000, firearm remuneration based on the type of surrendered firearm, and PHP50,000 livelihood aid.

The surrenderer is now undergoing tactical interview and documentation at the Bravo Company headquarters.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1149754

‘Deceived’ IPs return home, cite abuses inside Haran

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 8, 2021): ‘Deceived’ IPs return home, cite abuses inside Haran

FREE ONCE MORE. Some of the families of the 99 indigenous peoples (IPs) of Talaingod municipality who were rescued from Haran by the provincial government of Davao Del Norte and Talaingod municipality undergo medical and psychological assessment on Sunday (Aug. 8, 2021). After years of deliberate neglect for their well-being and being held against their will by Haran organizers, the victims are highly likely to have suffered and developed serious health and psychological trauma problems that urgently need to be addressed. (Photo courtesy of 10th Infantry Division)

A total of 99 indigenous peoples (IPs) on Sunday finally returned home from Haran after being deceived by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) of false promises.

The IPs also cited abuses while they were inside the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Haran compound in Davao City.

Datu Tungig, a resident of Talaingod and one of the hundred victims of "Taktikang Bakwit" of the CPP-NPA-NDF, led the ritual called “panubadtubad” inside the Haran compound before they traveled to return to communities in Talaingod, Davao del Norte after years of being captive by the Haran administrators and facilitators.

Last July 20, some 69 IPs were also rescued from UCCP Haran. Upon arrival in Talaingod, the local government unit (LGU) welcomed them and provided appropriate medical attention.

They also received food packs and enough supplies as they went back to their houses in Sitio Dulian, Barangay Palma Gil in Talaingod.

The local government of Davao City and Talaingod, together with other government agencies including the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, for so long, took numerous efforts in rescuing the IPs brought by organizers of CPP-NPA-NDF and allied groups to UCCP Haran.

The 56th Infantry Battalion under the 1003rd Brigade of 10th Infantry Division (10ID), on the other hand, coordinated with the provincial, municipal and barangay governments and local government areas (LGAs) and other stakeholders to operationalize the Balik Community Assistance Team (BCAT) as some remaining IPs in Haran finally break free from their captors.

RETURNED HOME. Members of the 5th Infantry Battalion under the 103rd Brigade of 10th Infantry Division help the 99 indigenous peoples (IPs) as they return from Haran to their communities in Talaingod, Davao del Norte on Sunday (Aug. 8, 2021). (Photo courtesy of 10th Infantry Dvision)

BCAT will be employed for any necessary assistance to the IPs such as the shelters for the families and classrooms for the students thru bayanihan.

Transition to normal life

Livelihood will also be provided to the IPs to start anew while the 10ID and Police Regional Office in Region 11 (Davao Region) will also assist them in coordinating with other government and IP officials of the community for them to have a smooth transition to a normal life free from CPP-NPA-NDF intimidations.

The 10ID will also help distribute relief goods “BOSS” (bugas, odong, sardinas ug sigarilyo) in coordination with the Davao Del Norte governor's office, Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR), LGU Talaingod and other stakeholders.

Treat meals will also be provided while they are in the municipal consolidation and processing area prior to returning back to their respective communities. For the meantime, toys for the children will be distributed.

Meanwhile, Kindemin, former Platoon Commander of Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit (SRGU), is hopeful to see his party wife Trisha Apoga, sister of alias Macky, commanding officer of CTG's SRGU, was among the IPs rescued from Haran.

The 10ID troopers, through its broadest means of protecting the people, will always be at the service of the people whom they have sworn to serve.

All government instrumentalities are also ready to perform their respective mandates for the people, especially the most vulnerable.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council earlier issued a freeze order on four accounts being used by UCCP Haran and facilitators to feed the terrorist units of Southern Mindanao Regional Command (SMRC) while IPs in Haran suffered famine and malnutrition.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1149773