‘Big Win!’ ASG Member Convicted Of Terror Financing – Remulla

From Politiko (May 7, 2024): ‘Big Win!’ ASG Member Convicted Of Terror Financing – Remulla

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said a female member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has been convicted of terrorism financing, adding it strengthens the government’s resolve not to give in to their unlawful demands.

A local court has convicted a female member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) of terrorism financing, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Tuesday (May 7).

“The conviction of a member of the terrorist group more so, a financial facilitator, strengthens the government’s resolve not to give in to their unlawful demands,” he said.

Remulla congratulated the prosecution team for securing the conviction of the ASG member whom he identified as Norkisa Omar Asnalul.

“This serves as a big win against the ASG network,” Remulla said.

He said Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 33 last April 4 issued a decision that found Asnalul guilty beyond reasonable doubt as accessory in three counts of violation of Section 7 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

Under the charges, she was accused of having facilitated the transfer of funds on behalf of the ASG in 2015.

The accused initially entered not guilty pleas but eventually entered into a plea bargain deal with the prosecution.

Because of this and the mitigating circumstances, Asnalul was meted with a lower penalty of imprisonment of four months and one day as minimum up to one year, seven months and 10 days as maximum for each count.

She was also ordered to pay a fine of P100,000 for each count.

“The Court finds no legal impediment to the plea-bargaining agreement entered into by the prosecution and the defense, particularly considering that the lower offense to which the accused wishes to now plead guilty to is penalized under the same law as that for which she is originally charged,” reads the court ruling.

https://politiko.com.ph/2024/05/07/big-win-asg-member-convicted-of-terror-financing-remulla/politiko-lokal/#google_vignette

Conviction of ASG financial facilitator hailed

From the Daily Tribune (May 7, 2024: Conviction of ASG financial facilitator hailed

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla on Tuesday lauded the conviction of an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member acting as an accessory in terror financing for the designated terrorist group.

In its Judgement promulgated on 04 April 2024, the Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 33 found Norkisa Omar Asnalul, also known as Norkisa Omar Ibno, guilty beyond reasonable doubt of three counts of violation of Section 7 of Republic Act (RA) 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012. The sentences shall be served successively with full credit of her period of detention.

The DoJ panel of prosecutors, in its information, charged Asnalul with three counts of violation of Section 8 of RA 10168, which carries significant penalty. The charges stemmed from allegations that she facilitated the transfer of funds in 2015 on behalf of the Abu Sayyaf.

The accused during the arraignment, entered separate pleas of not guilty to the three charges. However, the accused, through counsel, proffered to a plea bargain by pleading guilty to the lesser offenses — acting as an accessory in terror financing.

https://tribune.net.ph/2024/05/07/conviction-of-asg-financial-facilitator-hailed

CPP/Ang Bayan: Ika-40 Araw ng Cordillera, tatak ng paglaban ng Kaigorotan sa mapaminsalang mga proyekto

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 7, 2024): Ika-40 Araw ng Cordillera, tatak ng paglaban ng Kaigorotan sa mapaminsalang mga proyekto (40th Anniversary of Cordillera Day, mark of Kaigorotan's resistance to harmful projects)

 

May 07, 2024

Dumagundong ang mga gangsa, salidummay at sigaw ng Kaigorotan sa pagdiriwang ng ika-40 Araw ng Cordillera sa temang “Buong tapang na isulong ang laban para sa lupa, buhay at dangal.” Umabot sa 1,500 katao mula sa iba’t ibang prubinsya sa rehiyon at mga organisasyon at tagapagtanggol ng karapatan ng mga pambansang minorya mula sa iba’t ibang bahagi sa bansa ang nagtipon sa Sityo Liglig, Barangay Tanglag sa Lubuagan, Kalinga noong Abril 23-24.

Bago ang pagdiriwang, maraming pagtatangka ang 3rd CMO ng 103rd IB para pigilan ang mga residenteng ituloy ang pagtitipon. Nagsagawa ng “youth summit” para mamigay ng mga polyeto na naninira sa Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance (CPA) at nagpaskil ng mga sako kung saan malisyosong iniugnay ang organisasyon sa armadong kilusan.

Gayunpaman, nabigo ang mga sundalo at itinuloy ng komunidad ang pagtataguyod sa pagdiriwang sa kabila ng mga pananakot at banta.

“Kilala namin ang aming kaaway, hindi ang CPA, hindi ang aming mga bisita, kundi ang mga nagpuprotekta sa mga dayuhang gustong magtayo ng dam at malaking mina dito sa aming lupang ninuno,” saad ng isang lider ng komunidad.

Halos dalawang linggo nilang pinaghandaan ang pagtitipon, mula sa pagtatayo ng mga tent, entablado, paggawa ng mga upuan bilang sentro ng mga aktibidad, pag-aayos ng mga tulugan at pagkain, at ang araw-araw na pagbabantay sa seguridad ng lugar. Kaya kahit alam nilang maaari silang balikan at gipitin ng mga pwersa ng estado, itinaguyod pa rin nila ang pagdiriwang.
Pagpapatuloy ng laban ni Macli-ing Dulag

Makasaysayan ang Barangay Tanglag sa laban ng Kaigorotan sa Chico River Basin Development Project noong panahon ng diktadurang Marcos. Dito naganap ang isa sa unang bodong o konseho para sa kapayapaan noong 1974 sa pangunguna ni Macli-ing Dulag para pagkaisahin ang mga katutubo laban sa mapanirang dam. Pinaslang ng mga sundalo si Macli-ing Dulag noong April 24, 1980 sa pagtatangkang ipatigil ang laban ng Kaigorotan. Pero sa halip na matakot, nagtuluy-tuloy ang kilusang masa sa Cordillera.

Inalala ng lider ng lokal na organisayon ng Kalinga kung paano nila hinarap ang mga sundalo noong panahon ng diktadura. “Tinaboy namin ang mga tim na nagsasarbey, sinira namin yung mga kampo sa Tabuk. Mga babae ang nanguna, hindi namin pinalapit ang mga lalaki dahil siguradong dadanak ang dugo.”

Dagdag pa niya, tumindi ang karahasan laban sa Kaigorotan noong huling bahagi ng dekada 1970 kung kailan simulang dumami ang itinambak na sundalo at idineklarang “free-fire zone” ang barangay. Basta na lamang binabaril ang mga tinaguriang “trespassers” na mga myembro rin ng komunidad. Dahil dito, nag-armas sila bilang milisyang bayan, at marami ang sumapi sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan.

Ayon naman sa isang pamangkin ni Macli-ing Dulag, malaking tulong ang presensya ng kabataan at taong simbahan mula noong inumpisahan ang laban sa Chico Dam. “Pumunta dito ang mga nagsasarbey, hindi naman ipinaliwanag ang magiging epekto sa amin. Kaya kami mismo, inaral namin sa tulong ng ibang organisasyon ang mga proyektong ‘yan. At hanggang ngayon, patuloy naming inaaral at papanindigan na hindi dapat papasukin ang mga dam at malalaking mina na yan.”

Sa kasalukuyan, 100 proyektong plantang hydropower o dam na ang iginawad sa iba’t ibang kumpanya at aabot sa 104 ang iba’t ibang aplikasyon sa pagmimina ang nakasampa sa mga ahensya ng estado. Kabi-kabilang pagtatangka at iskema ang ginagawa ng National Commission on Indigenous Peoples para hatiin ang pagkakaisa ng mga katutubo tulad ng laganap na pananakot at pagbabanta sa mga lider-katutubo. Ang mga ito ay sinikap pinangingibabawan ng iba’t ibang tribu sa Cordillera.

Sa kabila ng mga pananakot sa mga lider at maging sa kanilang mga pamilya, ipagpapatuloy nila ang kanilang paglaban sa mapanirang mga proyekto.

“Hangga’t may puso tayong tumitibok, may epekto talaga sa iyo ang pananakot pero hindi dapat umabot sa puntong matatakot at titigil ka,” deklara ng isang sa mga kinikilalang lider ng malawak ng alyansang nabuo sa Cordillera. “May kaakibat talagang sakripisyo ang pagtatanggol sa lupang ninuno, at tulad nang ginawa ng mga nauna sa amin, handa ang Kaigorotang harapin ang mga ito,” aniya.

[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://philippinerevolution.nu/2024/05/07/ika-40-araw-ng-cordillera-tatak-ng-paglaban-ng-kaigorotan-sa-mapaminsalang-mga-proyekto/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Ika-51 anibersaryo ng NDFP, ipinagdiwang

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 7, 2024): Ika-51 anibersaryo ng NDFP, ipinagdiwang (51st anniversary of NDFP, celebrated)

 

May 07, 2024

Ipinagdiwang ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) ang ika-51 anibersaryo nito noong Abril 24, kasama ang mga alyadong organisasyon at buong rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa Pilipinas at ibayong dagat. Isinagawa ang iba’t ibang tipo ng mga aktibidad para gunitain ang anibersaryo. Idinaos din noong Abril 17-Abril 24 ang linggo ng paggunita sa mga rebolusyonaryong martir.

“Militanteng pagbati ang ipinapaabot namin sa alyadong mga organisasyon ng NDFP, laluna sa nakikibakang masang Pilipino na ang hindi nagmamaliw na diwa at determinasyong kamtin ang tunay na pambansang paglaya at demokrasya ay nagsisilbing hindi nasasaid na bukal ng ating rebolusyonaryong lakas,” pahayag ni Ka Luis Jalandoni, Chief International Representative ng NDFP.

Sa mga pahayag, ipinaabot naman ng mga alyadong organisasyon ng NDFP ang mainit na pagbati sa anibersaryo. Binubuo ang NDFP ng 18 organisasyon. Nagpahayag din ng pakikiisa ang ilan sa mga panrehiyong balangay ng NDFP.

Binati rin ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas ang NDFP at sinabing sa harap ng walang-kapantay na korapsyon, pasismo at paninikluhod ng rehimeng Marcos sa imperyalistang US, mayroong higit na kakagyatang palakasin at palawakin ang NDFP at mga alyadong organisasyon nito.

Sa Europe, naglunsad ng piket, nagpinta ng mga islogan at nagtipun-tipon ang mga kasapi ng Anti-Imperialist Action Ireland noong Abril.

Ipininta nila sa mga pader sa ilang syudad sa Ireland ang mga katagang “VIVA CPP-NPA-NDF” at nagladlad ng bandila ng NDFP sa kanilang mga protesta at pagkilos. Isinagawa nila ang mga aktibidad ng pakikiisa sa Wicklow, Dublin, Galway, at Waterford sa Ireland.

Samantala, nagpaskil ng isang mural ang Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle (FFPS)-Vancouver sa Canada para ipagdiwang ang anibersaryo ng NDFP. Naglabas din ng isang bagong kanta ang FFPS para sa anibersaryo na pinamagatang “Celebrate the NDF!”

[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://philippinerevolution.nu/2024/05/07/ika-51-anibersaryo-ng-ndfp-ipinagdiwang/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Ka Lalay, kadre ng Partido, Pulang mandirigma, at bayani ng Lumad at mamamayang Pilipino

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 7, 2024): Ka Lalay, kadre ng Partido, Pulang mandirigma, at bayani ng Lumad at mamamayang Pilipino (Ka Lalay, Party cadre, Red fighter, and hero of the Lumad and Filipino people)

 

May 07, 2024

Binigyan ng pinakamataas na parangal ng Komite Sentral ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas noong Abril 22 si Aprecia Avarez Rosete (Ka Lalay), rebolusyonaryong pinuno at kadre ng PKP na namartir noong Pebrero 27 sa Barangay Malagad, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur. Sa panahon ng kanyang pagkamatay, si Ka Lalay ay kagawad ng Komite Sentral ng Partido at tumatayong kalihim ng panrehiyong komite ng Partido sa Western Mindanao.

Si Ka Lalay ay isang matapat na kadre na ganap na iniukol ang sarili sa Partido mula sa pagsapi niya noong 1990. Naging kalihim siya ng komite sa subrehiyon sa ilalim ng Southern Mindanao Regional (SMR) Party Committee, pinamunuan ang komite sa edukasyon at naging myembro ng komiteng tagapagpaganap nito.

Batay sa kanyang mahusay na rekord sa SMR, itinalaga siya noong 2016 bilang kalihim ng Western Mindanao, at pinangunahan ang mga pagsisikap na daigin ang konserbatismong militar na pumipigil sa pagsulong ng armadong pakikibaka sa rehiyon. Sa taon ding iyon, nahalal siya bilang myembro ng Komite Sentral noong Ikalawang Kongreso ng Partido.

Noong Pebrero 27, bumibyahe siya sakay ng motosiklo mula sa Dumingag para magpagamot ng iniindang sakit. Nasabat siya ng 53rd IB sa daan at hinuli. Subalit sa halip na kilalanin ang kanyang mga karapatan bilang bihag sa digma o kahit maging sinasakdal, tuluyan siyang pinatay ng mga sundalo at pulis na may hawak sa kanya. Kinabukasan, inianunsyo ng militar na napatay siya sa isang engkwentro sa lugar. Itinambad ng mga pasista ang kanyang walang buhay na katawan sa isang “encounter site” na kanilang itinanghal para sa isang palabas sa midya.

Ipinanganak si Ka Lalay noong Disyembre 2, 1968 sa pamilya ng mahirap na magsasakang Manobo sa Loreto, Agusan del Sur. Sa murang edad, nakatakas siya sa tradisyunal na pyudal at patriyarkal na istruktura na naglilimita sa pag-unlad sa kababaihan. Pinasok niya ang iba’t ibang trabaho upang suportahan ang kanyang pag-aaral hanggang elementarya at mataas na paaralan. Naging iskolar siya at nag-enroll sa University of San Carlos sa Cebu City, kung saan kumuha siya ng kurso sa social work.

Hindi nagtagal ay nasangkot siya sa mga isyung panlipunan nang magkaroon siya ng mas malalim na kaalaman sa pagdurusa at pang-aapi sa mga katulad niyang Lumad. Sa kabila ng mga pagkakataong gumawa ng mas magandang buhay para sa kanyang sarili, pinili ni Ka Lalay ang buhay ng paglilingkod sa iba sa pamamagitan ng pag-oorganisa at pagtulong na bigyang kapangyarihan sila.

[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://philippinerevolution.nu/2024/05/07/ka-lalay-kadre-ng-partido-pulang-mandirigma-at-bayani-ng-lumad-at-mamamayang-pilipino/

CPP/Ang Bayan: 20th IB, salot sa mamamayan ng Northern Samar

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 7, 2024): 20th IB, salot sa mamamayan ng Northern Samar (20th IB, plague on the people of Northern Samar)

May 07, 2024

Paparaming bilang ng mga kaso ng paglabag sa karapatang-tao ang naitatala sa mga bayan ng Northern Samar sa harap ng walang-tigil na mga operasyong kombat ng 20th IB dito. Kamakailan, naitala dito ang mga kaso ng pambobomba, pamamaril, blokeyo sa pagkain at kabuhayan at sekswal na pang-aabuso ng mga sundalo.

Sa bayan ng Las Navas, nagpaputok ng baril ang mga lasing na sundalo sa Barangay San Francisco noong Abril 9. Sa Barangay San Miguel, nagpaputok ang mga sundalo ng mortar nang bandang alas-11 ng gabi noong Marso 12 malapit sa mga kabahayan.

Sa Catubig, tinutukan ng baril at minolestiya ng isang elemento ng CAFGU, at isa pang sundalo, ang isang 15-taong-gulang na batang babae na pauwi mula sa isang sayawan sa Barangay Hinagonoyan noong Abril 12.

Samantala, patuloy na pinagbabawalan ng 20th IB ang mga magsasaka sa lahat ng barangay na sakop ng mga operasyong kombat nito na magdala ng bigas o anumang iba pang pagkain sa kanilang mga sakahan. Kinokontrol din ng mga sundalo ang galaw ng mga magsasaka at nagpapataw ng curfew.

Sa Davao City at Davao de Oro, ginipit at pilit “pinasusurender” ng mga sundalo ng 10th ID ang mga lider-manggagawa sa rehiyon na sina Carlo Olalo at Melodina “Melod” Gumanoy. Pinuntahan sila at kanilang mga pamilya noong Abril 23 at 26.

Sa Negros Occidental, inaresto ng 79th IB at mga pulis ang dalawang menor-de-edad na magkapatid na edad 16 at 17 sa Sityo Humayan, Barangay Pinowayan, Don Salvador Benedicto noong Abril 25. Ipinaparada sila ng 79th IB bilang mga naarestong “batang mandirigma” ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan.

Sa Albay, nasugatan sa pamamaril ng mga sundalo sina Ace Diano at Francis Leteral sa Barangay del Rosario, sa Jovellar noong Abril 25. Iligal na inaresto at pinadapa din ng mga berdugo ang magtiyuhin na sina Ernesto Lumangaya at Arlan Lumangaya, ngunit nakatakas din.

[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://philippinerevolution.nu/2024/05/07/20th-ib-salot-sa-mamamayan-ng-northern-samar/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Pagkakaso ng "terorismo," panggigipit sa mga progresibo

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 7, 2024): Pagkakaso ng "terorismo," panggigipit sa mga progresibo (Charges of "terrorism," harassment of progressives)

 

May 07, 2024

Hindi bababa sa 12 progresibo ang sinampahan ng rehimeng Marcos ng kaso ng “terorismo” at “terrorism financing” (pagpondo sa terorismo) sa nagdaang ilang linggo. Isinampa ang mga kaso para gipitin sila at kinabibilangan nilang mga organisasyon.

Sa Quezon, sinampahan ng “terrorism financing” sina Paul Tagle, tagapagsalita ng Tanggol Quezon, at Fritz Labiano, koordineytor ng Kabataan Partylist sa prubinsya. Isinampa ang kaso sa kanila dahil sa pagbibigay ng tulong at pagkain sa mga bilanggong pulitikal noong Hulyo 2023.

Sa Negros Island, sinampahan ng katulad na kaso ang ilang dati at aktibong kasapi ng “Paghida-et sa Kauswagan” Development Group Incorporated (PDG Inc). Pinaratangan ng “terrorism financing” sina Clarissa Ramos, si Felipe Levy Gelle, Federico Salvilla, at Perla Pavillar. Kinasuhan din si Darryl Albañez, hindi kasapi ng PDG Inc pero nakikipagtulungan sa grupo sa mga aktibidad nito.

Sa Leyte, arbitraryong ipina-freeze o pinagbawalang magalaw ang sariling akawnt sa bangko ni Jazmin Jerusalem at ng pinamumunuan nitong Leyte Center for Development, Inc. (LCDe) noong Mayo 2. Ipinag-utos noong Abril 26 ang pag-freeze sa naturang mga akawnt dulot ng kasong “terrorism financing” na isinampa laban sa kanya at isa pang empleyado ng LCDe.

Sa Nueva Ecija, sinampahan naman ng kasong “terorismo” o paglabag sa Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 sina Nathanael Santiago, Anasusa San Gabriel, Rosario Brenda Gonzales, at Servillano Luna, Jr na pawang mga aktibista at lider masa. Idinadawit sila ng mga sundalo ng 84th IB sa engkwentro nito sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) sa Barangay San Fernando Sur, Laur, Nueva Ecija noong Oktubre 8, 2023, matapos diumanong “makilala” ng mga sundalo. May 30 pang pangalan na idinadawit sa naturang kaso.

[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://philippinerevolution.nu/2024/05/07/pagkakaso-ng-terorismo-panggigipit-sa-mga-progresibo/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Mga protesta kontra Balikatan 39-24, inilunsad

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 7, 2024): Mga protesta kontra Balikatan 39-24, inilunsad (Protests against Balikatan 39-24, launched)

 

May 07, 2024

Sinalubong ng protesta ng mga demokratikong organisasyon ang pagbubukas ng Balikatan 39-24 noong Abril 22. Sa pangunguna ng Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), nagprotesta sila sa hedkwarters ng Armed Forces of the Philippines sa Camp Aguinaldo sa Quezon City para ipatigil ang war games ng tropang militar ng US at Pilipinas sa bansa.

Noong Abril 26, nagmartsa patungong embahada ng US ang mga manggagawa para tuligsain ang isinasagawang Balikatan war games. Ang pagkilos ay pangatlo sa serye ng inilunsad ng Kilusang Mayo Uno na protesta kada Biyernes noong Abril. Nagprotesta rin malapit sa embahada ng US ang mga grupo mula sa Southern Tagalog noong Mayo 5 at mga grupo ng kababaihan noong Mayo 6.

Samantala, kinundena ng Bayan-Ilocos ang paglulunsad ng ilang bahagi ng Balikatan 39-24 sa rehiyon. Hindi bababa sa 2,000 tropang militar ng Pilipinas at US ang pumunta sa Ilocos para sa war games. Nakatakdang isagawa sa La Paz sand dunes sa Barangay La Paz, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte ang live-fire exercises. Nakatakda ring pasabugin at palubugin ng pwersa ng US at Pilipinas ang BRP Lake Caliraya, isang barkong decommissioned, sa karagatan sa tapat ng prubinsya. Lubhang apektado nito ang kabuhayan sa rehiyon, laluna ng mga mangingisda na pinatigil sa pagpalaot.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: Protests against Balikatan 39-24, launched

The opening of Balikatan 39-24 on April 22 was greeted with protests by democratic organizations. Led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), they protested at the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City to stop the war games of US and Philippine military troops in the country.

On April 26, workers marched to the US embassy to denounce the ongoing Balikatan war games. The action is the third in a series of protests launched by the Kilusang Mayo Uno every Friday in April. Southern Tagalog groups also protested near the US embassy on May 5 and women's groups on May 6.

Meanwhile, Bayan-Ilocos condemned the launch of some parts of Balikatan 39-24 in the region. At least 2,000 Philippine and US military troops went to Ilocos for the war games. The live-fire exercises are scheduled to be held at the La Paz sand dunes in Barangay La Paz, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. US and Philippine forces are also set to blow up and sink the BRP Lake Caliraya, a decommissioned ship, in the ocean opposite the province. This greatly affects the livelihood in the region, especially the fishermen who are stopped from fishing.

[Retired Analyst Note: All of the groups highlighted above are Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) front groups. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-New Patriotic Alliance) is the main CPP multisectoral umbrella front organizations. Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU-May One Movement) is the main CPP-affiliated umbrella labor front and is a founding member of BAYAN),  BAYAN-Ilocos is a region office the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.]

[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://philippinerevolution.nu/2024/05/07/mga-protesta-kontra-balikatan-39-24-inilunsad/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Ang mga “makasaysayang aktibidad” ng Balikatan 39-24

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 7, 2024): Ang mga “makasaysayang aktibidad” ng Balikatan 39-24 (The “historical activities” of Balikatan 39-24)

 

May 07, 2024

Sinasabi ng US na ang kasalukuyang Balikatan 39-24 ay “makasaysayan” at marami sa mga aktibidad dito ay isasagawa sa “unang pagkakataon.” Kasabay nito, inianunsyo ng Armed Forces of the Philippines ang kunwa’y “pagpihit” nito sa eksternal na depensa alinsunod sa estratehiyang Comprehensive Archipelagic Coastal Defense (CACD) bilang “direktang tugon” sa “agresyon” ng China sa karagatan ng Pilipinas. Nagbigay-daan ito sa pagpwesto ng US ng opensibong mga armas, pagtambak ng dagdag pang pwersa sa bansa, at pagsagawa ng mga mapandigmang mga maniobra sa South China Sea, lahat sa tabing ng “pagdepensa” sa Pilipinas.

Sa unang pagkakataon, dinala ng US ang Balikatan labas sa teritoryong dagat ng Pilipinas, kasama ang pwersang nabal ng France. Bago nito, isinagawa ng US ang “makasaysayang” maniobrang pandagat kasama ang Pilipinas, Australia at Japan.

“Makasaysayan” din nitong idineploy sa bansa at sa Asia ang bagong Typhon Missile System (TMS), na binubuo ng apat na missile launcher na may kapasidad na magpalipad ng misayl sa layong 1,600 kilometro. Ang mga missile launcher na ito ay sinimulang imanupaktura matapos lamang ibasura ng US noong 2019 ang Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, isang kasunduan sa pagitan nito at ng Russia. Tinatawag ng US na “susing bahagi” ang TMS sa binubuo nitong mga Multi-Domain Task Force o mga espesyal na yunit militar para higitan ang kapabilidad-militar ng China at Russia. Katambal ng TMS ang HIMARS na una nang idineploy sa Pilipinas noong Balikatan 2023.

Nagpasok ang US ng gawang-Israel na missile defense system at kaakibat nitong mga misayl na Patriot para gamiting pandepensa sa upisyal at di upisyal na mga “EDCA site.” Sa unang pagkakataon, bahagi ng kasalukuyang Balikatan ang pagsasanay ng US sa mga pwersa ng AFP sa pagpapalipad ng mga surface-to-air missile na gagamitin sa naturang sistemang pandepensa.

Sa taong ito, buo nang pinakikinabangan ng US ang mga “EDCA site” na minadaling kumpunihin at itayo ng mga pwersa ng AFP simula maupo si Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Isa sa pinakagamit ang sibilyang paliparan sa Lallo, Cagayan, gayundin ang daungan sa dating Subic US Military Base at ang mga inilatag ng AFP na pasilidad sa Balabac Island sa Palawan at sa isla ng Mavulis sa Batanes.
Reaksyon ng China

Hindi alintana ng China ang opensibong katangian ng pinakahuling mga hakbang ng US sa Pilipinas at South China Sea. Inakusahan nito ang US ng paghahabol ng “unilateral na bentaheng militar” mismo sa tarangkahan nito. Tinawag nitong mapanganib ang pagpupwesto ng mga opensibong armas sa Pilipinas dahil nagpapataas ito ng posibilidad ng “maling pagtaya at miskalkulasyon.” Anito, “banta sa istablidad at kapayapaan” ng rehiyon ang gayong mga hakbang.

Pinayuhan din ng China ang Pilipinas na “maging mapagbantay sa tunay na layunin ng US” at iwasang magpagamit nang hindi nito namamalayan. Anito, dapat pag-isipan ng gubyerno ni Marcos ang pagiging sunud-sunuran nito sa US sa kapinsalaan ng sarili nitong seguridad.

Mula nang isagawa ng US ang “pihit” nito sa Asia noong huling bahagi ng 2011, tuluy-tuloy na nitong pinalakas at pinatatag ang dominasyon nito sa rehiyon. Pinalaki nito ang bilang ng mga tropang nakadeploy sa mga base militar nito sa Australia, Japan at Korea. Binalikan ang luma at nagpatayo ito ng mga bagong base sa Pilipinas.

Pinalaki at pinalawak ang inilunsad nitong mga war games. Noong 2021-2023, may naitalang 525 malaking pagsasanay militar sa South Asia, Southeast Asia at Australia. Ang 60% ng mga ito ay pinangunahan o nilahukan ng US kasama ang mga alyado nito. Nasa 87% ng malalaking pagsasanay militar sa Pilipinas ay isinagawa ng US. Susun-suson ang mga aktibidad militar ng US sa mga bansang nasa “first-island chain” o mga islang pinakamalapit sa palibot ng China.

Naging hudyat sa China ang “pagpihit” ng US sa Asia noong 2011 na patapos na ang pakikipagsabwatan ng US dito at papasok na ito sa panahon ng papaigting na kumprontasyon. Noon pa man, malinaw sa China ang estratehikong layunin ng karibal nitong imperyalista na pagharian ang Asia. Bilang kontra-hakbang, sinimulan nitong magpalawak ng presensyang militar sa South China Sea, kabilang sa malaon nang pinag-aawayang mga islang malapit sa Japan (Senseku Islands), Vietnam (Paracelis) at Pilipinas (Spratlys).

ENGLISH TRANSLATION: The “historical activities” of Balikatan 39-24

The US says the current Balikatan 39-24 is "historic" and many of the activities here will be conducted "for the first time." At the same time, the Armed Forces of the Philippines announced its supposed "turn" in external defense in accordance with the Comprehensive Archipelagic Coastal Defense (CACD) strategy as a "direct response" to China's "aggression" in Philippine waters. This allowed the US to station offensive weapons, pile more forces in the country, and conduct military maneuvers in the South China Sea, all under the guise of "defending" the Philippines.

For the first time, the US took the Balikatan out of Philippine territorial waters, along with French naval forces. Before this, the US conducted the "historic" naval maneuver with the Philippines, Australia and Japan.

It also "historically" deployed in the country and in Asia the new Typhon Missile System (TMS), which consists of four missile launchers with the capacity to fly a missile at a distance of 1,600 kilometers. These missile launchers began to be manufactured only after the US in 2019 scrapped the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, an agreement between it and Russia. The US calls the TMS a "key part" of its Multi-Domain Task Forces or special military units to surpass the military capabilities of China and Russia. TMS is partnered with HIMARS, which was first deployed in the Philippines during Balikatan 2023.

The US has introduced an Israeli-made missile defense system and its associated Patriot missiles for defensive use at official and unofficial “EDCA sites.” For the first time, part of the current Balikatan is the US training of AFP forces in flying surface-to-air missiles that will be used in such a defense system.

This year, the US is taking full advantage of the "EDCA sites" that were hastily repaired and built by the AFP forces since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office. One of the most used is the civilian airport in Lallo, Cagayan, as well as the port at the former Subic US Military Base and the AFP facilities on Balabac Island in Palawan and Mavulis island in Batanes.

China's reaction

China does not mind the offensive nature of the US's latest moves in the Philippines and the South China Sea. It accused the US of claiming "unilateral military advantage" right at its gate. It called the deployment of offensive weapons in the Philippines dangerous because it increases the possibility of "miscalculations and miscalculations." According to him, such measures are a "threat to the stability and peace" of the region.

China also advised the Philippines to "be alert to the true intentions of the US" and avoid using it without its knowledge. This said, the Marcos government should think about its subservience to the US at the expense of its own security.

Since the US carried out its "pivot" in Asia in late 2011, it has steadily strengthened and consolidated its dominance in the region. It has increased the number of troops deployed at its military bases in Australia, Japan and Korea. It returned the old one and built new bases in the Philippines.

Enlarged and expanded its launched war games. In 2021-2023, there were recorded 525 major military exercises in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia. 60% of these were led or participated by the US along with its allies. About 87% of the major military exercises in the Philippines were conducted by the US. US military activities will be phased in the countries in the "first-island chain" or islands closest to China.

The US's "pivot" to Asia in 2011 signaled to China that the US's cooperation with it was coming to an end and that it was about to enter a period of intensifying confrontation. Since then, China has been clear about the strategic goal of its imperialist rival to dominate Asia. As a countermeasure, it has begun to expand its military presence in the South China Sea, including the long-disputed islands near Japan (Senseku Islands), Vietnam (Paracelis) and the Philippines (Spratlys).

[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://philippinerevolution.nu/2024/05/07/ang-mga-makasaysayang-aktibidad-ng-balikatan-39-24/

CPP/NPA-Southern Tagalog ROC: Pagpupugay sa pag-aambag ng NDFP sa armadong pakikibaka!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 4, 2024): Pagpupugay sa pag-aambag ng NDFP sa armadong pakikibaka! (Tribute to the NDFP's contribution to the armed struggle!

 


Armando Cienfuego

Spokesperson

Southern Tagalog Regional Operational Command (Melito Glor Command)

New People's Army

May 04, 2024

Malugod na binabati ng Melito Glor Command-NPA Southern Tagalog ang National Democratic Front of the Philippines sa 51 taon nitong patuloy at ubos-kayang pagsusulong ng pambansa demokratikong rebolusyon. Saludo ang MGC sa NDFP dahil sa susing papel na ginagampanan nito upang pagkaisahin ang malawak na rebolusyonayong hanay para sa rebolusyong Pilipino.

Patuloy na tinanganan ng NDFP ang tungkulin nito bilang isa sa tatlong sandata ng rebolusyong Pilipino para lumaya mula sa imperyalismo, pyudalismo at burukrata kapitalismo. Sa nakalipas na higit limang dekada, binuklod nito ang milyun-milyong inaapi at pinagsasamantalahang uri at sektor para pagsilbihin sa armadong pakikibaka at ibagsak ang sistemang malakolonyal at malapyudal. Nabuo ang mga rebolusyonaryong organisasyong masa sa hanay ng mga magsasaka, manggagawa, kabataan, kababaihan, pambansang minorya, propesyunal at iba pa na sumusuporta at nagsusulong ng armadong pakikibaka. Binuklod sila bilang mga alyadong organisasyon ng NDFP na ang pundasyon ay ang saligang alyansa ng uring manggagawa at magsasaka.

Malaki ang ginampanang papel ng NDFP para patatagin ang nagkakaisang prente at maging matibay na kalasag ng mamamayan at rebolusyon laban sa pang-aapi at pang-aatake ng estado. Kinakabig nito ang lahat ng mamamayang nakikibaka, kabilang ang panggitnang pwersa para sa tunay na kalayaan, demokrasya at pangmatagalang kapayapaan habang inihihiwalay ang despotiko at sagad-sarin. Nagsusulong ang NDFP ng mga pakikibakang anti-pyudal, anti-pasista at anti-imperyalista.

Sa pamamagitan ng NDFP, nakilala at naibandila ang rebolusyong Pilipino sa ibayong dagat hanggang sa umani ito ng pinakamalawak na suporta mula sa iba pang mga aping mamamayan ng daigdig. Gumampan din ang NDFP ng tungkulin para sa pagpapalakas ng pandaigdigang kilusang anti-imperyalista. Nakipagkaisa ito sa aping mamamayan upang ihiwalay ang imperyalismo, laluna ang imperyalismong US na numero unong kapangyarihang monopolyo kapitalista.

Ang hindi maubos na balon ng mga bagong Pulang mandirigma at rebolusyonaryo ay iniresulta ng patuloy na pagpupundar at pagpapalawak ng mga rebolusyonaryong organisasyong kaalyado ng NDFP sa kanayunan at kalunsuran. Patuloy na naisasalin ang bagong dugo ng mga rebolusyonaryo sa hanay ng mga bagong henerasyon ng mga magsasaka, manggagawa, peti-burgesya at iba pang uri at sektor. Ibinabandila nito ang programa ng pambansa demokratikong rebolusyon saanmang bahagi ng bansa maging sa tungki ng ilong ng kaaway. Pinatatatag nito ang mga sona at larangang gerilya, hinahawan ang landas sa pagbubuo ng mga organo ng demokratikong kapangyarihang pampulitika sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng itinatayong mga binhi ng demokratikong gubyernong bayan sa kanayunan.

Tinatamasa ng CPP-NPA-NDFP ang status of belligerency o pagkilala bilang katapat na gubyerno ng GRP dahil sa umiiral na pambansang pulitikal na liderato nito sa signipikanteng bahagi ng bansa. Mayroon itong Pulang hukbo na kumikilos sa iba’t ibang sona at larangang gerilya. Nagpapatupad ito ng kumprehensibong programa’t patakaran sa paggugubyerno sa balangkas ng pambansa demokratikong mithiin ng bayan. Kinilala ito ng ibang mga partido o gubyerno sa ibayong dagat. Ang pagharap ng GRP sa NDFP sa negosasyong pangkapayapaan ay patunay na kinikilala rin ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno ang status of belligerency ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan.

Sa gitna ng matinding saywar at paninira ng estado, mahusay na kinatawan ng NDFP ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa negosasyong pangkapayapaan upang hindi mabitag sa kapitulasyon at isuko ang rebolusyon. Matatag itong naninindigan na lalahok lamang ang NDFP sa negosasyon sa pambansang antas at itinatakwil ang localized peace talks bilang tabing sa panlilinlang, kapitulasyon at kampanyang pagpapasuko sa mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa . Itinataguyod ng NDFP ang karapatan ng mamamayan na mag-armas lalo sa harap ng teroristang estado.

Pangita ang desperasyon ng estado na dungisan ang mabuting pangalan ng NDFP sa paulit-ulit na deklarasyong “terorista” gamit ang asong-ulol na Anti-terror Council sa bisa ng Anti-terror Law. Binansagang terorista ang mga alyadong organisasyon tulad ng Pambansang Katipunan ng Magbubukid, Kabataang Makabayan, Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan at iba pa sa layuning bigyang matwid ang panunupil sa nakikibakang magsasaka, kabataan at kababaihan at iba pang uri at sektor. Nakaayon ito sa binalangkas ng US counter-insurgency guide upang bigyan ng ligal na bihis ang atrosidad ng mga rehimen hindi lamang sa rebolusyonaryong pwersa kundi sa sambayanan.

Sa kabila nito, matatag na hinarap ng NDFP ang pasistang paninibasib ng estado. Pinapupurol ng NDFP ang pasistang pang-aatake ng estado gamit ang iba’t ibang anyo ng pakikibaka—ligal, malaligal at iligal—na mahalaga upang madepensahan ang rebolusyonaryong pwersa at mamamayan. Isang malaking tagumpay laban sa tuluy-tuloy na pasismo ng estado sa Timog Katagalugan ang lumalakas na panawagan sa mga pakikibakang bayan sa mga sentrong bayan at syudad, gayundin ang pagpupunyagi ng mga larangang gerilya. Puhunan nito ang malalim na pag-ugat ng Partido at ang malawak na lambat ng ugnayang nailatag ng kilusan katuwang ang NDFP sa rehiyon.

Hindi matatawaran ang dakilang ambag ng NDFP sa lahatang panig na pagsusulong ng armadong pakikibaka, rebolusyong agraryo, pagtatayo ng baseng bukid at pagbubuo ng solidong lakas ng rebolusyon sa kanayunan. Binibigkis nito ang pinakamaraming bilang ng uring magsasaka at manggagawang-bukid—ang pinakamalaking bilang ng populasyon at inaaping uri sa bansa. Pinagmumulan ito ng pinakamaraming sampa ng mga Pulang mandirigma sa NPA. Ubos-kayang isinusulong nito ang rebolusyong agraryo upang mapahina ang kapangyarihan ng panginoong maylupa sa kanayunan at lutasin ang problema sa lupa ng masang magsasaka. Ipinuputok ng NPA ang mga taktikal na opensiba upang bigwasan ang palalong kaaway at kumpiskahan ng mga armas.

Sa tulong ng NDFP, tiyak na magkakamit ng higit pang malalaking tagumpay ang NPA. Ngayong dumaranas ng sobrang pang-aapi at kahirapan ang mamamayan, tiyak na dadami ang aanib sa mga rebolusyonaryong organisasyong masa at higit na lalakas ang base ng rebolusyon. Pinapanday sa pukpukang pakikipaglaban sa marahas na estado ang buong bayan. Susing rekisito sa pagtatagumpay ng digmang bayan ang patuloy na paglakas ng NDFP.###

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/pagpupugay-sa-pag-aambag-ng-ndfp-sa-armadong-pakikibaka/

CPP/NPA-Southwest Negros/Armado Sumayang Jr. Command: Sekreto nga intel asset sang AFP, ginsilutan sang ASJC-NPA

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 6, 2024): Sekreto nga intel asset sang AFP, ginsilutan sang ASJC-NPA (Secret intel assets of the AFP, punished by the ASJC-NPA)

Andrea Guerrero

Spokesperson

NPA-Southwest Negros

Armando Sumayang Jr. Command

New People's Army

May 06, 2024

Ginsilutan sang isa ka yunit sang Armando Sumayang Jr Command-New People’s Army (ASJC-NPA) ang sekreto nga intel asset sang Armed Forces of thee Philippines (AFP) nga si Donie Baculi sa Sityo Baktolon, Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City sadtong Mayo 3, 2024 ala 7:30 sang gab-e.

Si Baculi, isa ka hepe sang tanod sa nasambit nga barangay kag sekreto nga nagapanilag sa rebolusyonaryo nga kahublagan. May angot si Baculi sa AFP kag masupog nga gintahasan nga maniktik sa pumuluyo kag sa hulag sang mga NPA sa lugar. Nangin prente sang iya paniktik ang pagpanglibod sang isda sa bilog nga lugar agud makalab-ot sa mas malapad nga erya nga mapanilagan. Miyembro man si Baculi sang Peace Maker, isa man ka kontra-rebolusyonaryo nga organisasyon nga gintukod mismo sang AFP-PNP. Lawig na nga ginpanilagan sang NPA ang kontra-rebolusyonaryo kag kontra-pumuluyo nga hulag ni Baculi.

Sa idalum sang International nga Laye sang Gyera, isa ka lehitimo nga target si Baculi sa rebolusyonaryo nga kahublagan. Ginpanawagan man namon sa tanan nga mga espiya kag asset sang reaksyonaryo nga gobyerno nga mag-halin sa sina nga trabaho kag mangin kabahin sa produktibo nga mga pwersa sang sosyedad. Gina-engganyo man naton ang tanan nga mga narekrut sang AFP-PNP nga mangin local asset nga magsurender sa pinakamalapit nga yunit sang NPA.

Sa pagpatuman sang operasyon, nakumpiska sang ASJC-NPA ang isa ka .45 calibre nga pistola, mga bala, radio handset, handcuff kag mga personal nga I.D.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/sekreto-nga-intel-asset-sang-afp-ginsilutan-sang-asjc-npa/

Ouster plot rumors hound Marcos gov’t a year before midterms

 From Rappler (May 7, 2024): Ouster plot rumors hound Marcos gov’t a year before midterms (By DWIGHT DE LEON, BONZ MAGSAMBOL)

Former senator Trillanes claims that Rodrigo Duterte is behind a destabilization plot against the Marcos administration, and that the alleged effort stems from the looming threat of Duterte's arrest in connection with the ICC probe into his drug war.

MANILA, Philippines – Rumors of an effort to unseat President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have begun to circulate a year before the 2025 midterm elections, with former and current lawmakers adding to the noise.

On Tuesday, May 7, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that active senior officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are involved in an ouster plot against the President, adding that no member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has joined the cause.

He went a step further by alleging that Marcos’ predecessor – former president Rodrigo Duterte – is behind the alleged coup effort.

“Hindi naman gagalaw itong mga ito pagka walang imprimatur ni Duterte, ‘yung tatay. And makikita natin doon sa kanyang mga public pronouncements (These people won’t move without the imprimatur of Duterte, the patriarch. And we can see this from his public pronouncements),” Trillanes said in a press conference.

Duterte has been attacking Marcos since the start of the year, calling him a “drug addict” at a protest rally organized by his supporters in Davao City on January 28. In a press conference in April, he described Marcos as a “crybaby” for favoring the United States. This was after Marcos latter thumbed down his “gentleman’s agreement” with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Ayungin Shoal.

Trillanes alleged that Duterte sees the urgency to unseat Marcos amid the looming threat of arrest in connection with the International Criminal Court’s probe into his bloody drug war.

Trillanes’ bombshell came just days after some ranking House lawmakers floated the possibility that bad actors are deliberately trying to undermine the Marcos presidency.

In response to the testimony of a former drug enforcement intelligence officer linking Marcos to the drug cartel, House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre was quoted as saying on May 2, “These events are part of a bigger effort to discredit and destabilize the current administration.”
Senate probe

Trillanes claimed that it was Duterte who instructed Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to hold hearings into the alleged leak of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) documents concerning Marcos’ purported involvement in illegal drugs.

“Itong hearing ni Bato dela Rosa, part ‘yan ng communications plan nila ‘yan (This hearing being conducted by Dela Rosa’s committee is part of their communications plan),” Trillanes said.

The Senate committee on public order chaired by Dela Rosa had conducted two motu propio hearings on the said issue, but the supposed involvement of the President was not established. Still, Dela Rosa is convinced that the leaked documents were not fabricated.

A fuming Dela Rosa faced reporters later on Tuesday to address Trillanes’ claim. “Kung siya puwede madiktahan, kung kapartido niya, kung nagpagamit siya. Me? Never. Kung ikaw ay isang senador na nagpapagamit, ako, huwag ako,” he said.

(If he can be dictated upon or used by his party mate, I cannot, never. If you are the type of senator who can be used by others, not me)

“I can never be used. Nobody dictated [on] me. Nobody. Not even [former] president Duterte. He never called me,” Dela Rosa added.

During a Senate hearing on April 30, PDEA chief Moro Lazo denied the existence of the said document implicating Marcos.

“There are no such documents, your honor. We are very sure of that. There is no such document,” he said.

Senate President Migz Zubiri, a close ally of the President, is not convinced that Marcos was implicated in illegal drugs based on what was presented in the two hearings conducted at the upper chamber.

“While certain claims were made, documentary evidence is yet to be presented. There were no pictures, no corroborating testimonies. In other words, this was solely based on the testimony of one person based on what appears to be hearsay evidence,” he said.

Zubiri then cautioned his colleagues, alluding to Dela Rosa, “to be very careful not to use hearings in aid of political persecution.”

“While legislative inquiries are very liberal in terms of adhering to rules of evidence, it is our opinion that hearings should aim to ferret out the truth using evidence and facts,” Zubiri added.
More denial

The PNP dismissed Trillanes’ claims as baseless, and asked him to spare the police force from the rumors.

“We have not monitored any active police official who is allegedly involved in the so-called destabilization plot,” PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo was quoted as saying in Filipino.

For Duterte’s former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, Trillanes’ claims are “absolute nonsense.”

“The renegade only wants publicity for himself because he has become totally politically irrelevant. He is a discredited in visual. His past misdeeds as a military man and public official speak themselves,” Panelo said.

President Marcos or Malacañang has yet to comment on the matter.

The rumors come as preparations for the 2025 elections kick into high gear in the coming months, with critics expecting a showdown between the camps of President Marcos and the Duterte family.

On paper, Marcos is still allied with his predecessor’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, but infighting within the UniTeam electoral alliance that has spilled into public view indicates she has made an enemy out of the chief executive’s closest confidantes.

The House of Representatives under the leadership of the President’s cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, stripped Sara’s offices of hundreds of millions of pesos in confidential funds for the current year, while First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos has admitted that she was not on good terms with the Vice President.

Sara drew Liza’s ire after the Vice President was supposedly seen laughing after her father accused Marcos of being a drug addict during a rally in Davao City in January.

The former president’s tirades against his successor during that event prompted a feisty response from Marcos, blaming his predecessor’s foul-mouthed, off-script rant on his fentanyl use.

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/ouster-plot-rumors-hound-marcos-government-year-before-2025-elections/

Philippine naval commander goes on leave as Beijing insists on ‘new model’ deal with PH

From Rappler (May 7, 2024): Philippine naval commander goes on leave as Beijing insists on ‘new model’ deal with PH (By BEA CUPIN)

Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos makes the move days after China bared a supposed agreement with his command to manage West Philippine Sea tensions

MANILA, Philippines – Days after China bared a supposed agreement with the Philippine military’s Western Command (Wescom) to manage tensions at the West Philippine Sea, its commander, Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, went on leave.

The military confirmed on Tuesday, May 7, that Carlos has gone on “personal leave.”

AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla however said that this had nothing to do with China’s claim that it was the Wescom which had “agreed on a new model” for the management of the situation in Ayungin Shoal early this year. Based off Palawan, Wescom has jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea, including Ayungin Shoal.

Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres Jr., commander of the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command, will be taking over as acting commander of Wescom.

Other Stories

Philippines: We’ve never agreed to China’s Ayungin proposals

Only the President can 'approve or authorize' agreements on the West Philippine Sea, says the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, in a press conference on May 6, reiterated the supposed agreement made “after multiple rounds of discussions through the diplomatic channel and AFP WESCOM.” Lin also claimed the “new model” on Ayungin had the approval of the Philippines’ Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro Jr and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año – a claim both officials have categorically denied.

Ayungin Shoal is where the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era ship, was ran aground on purpose in 1999 after China built a military outpost in nearby Mischief Reef. It’s since been continually manned by a small team of Filipino soldiers from Wescom.

Military circles have been abuzz with rumors that Carlos was on his way out.

China’s ‘new model’

China, over the past month, has been insisting that the Philippines reneged on an agreement – which they called a “new model” – to manage tensions in Ayungin Shoal, a feature that’s within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Beijing claims Ayungin Shoal, and most of the South China Sea, as its own despite a 2016 Arbitral Ruling that deemed its claim of the vital waterway invalid.

Rotation and resupply missions to Ayungin have turned tense and precarious in the past year, with China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia ships harassing and blocking Philippine vessels, including Navy-contracted boats.

Carlos has joined several of these missions, including two that were met with China’s water cannons.

View from Manila: Why isn’t China confirming the next South China Sea meeting with Philippines?

Just a ‘coincidence’

Padilla tried to downplay speculation that Carlos’ leave was related to Beijing’s allegations. “It’s not related. It’s just coincidental that [China’s talk of a “new model” and Carlos’ leave] happened at the same time,” she said.

She also declined to expound on Carlos’ reasons for taking leave. “Let’s respect his inherent right… to go on leave, for whatever reasons.”

From its headquarters in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, Wescom’s area of command includes features in the Spratlys that are under Philippine control, as well as Pagasa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

Carlos was appointed to the post in January 2022 by former president Rodrigo Duterte, just five months before his presidential term ended. Under Duterte, the Philippines grew close to China, with the former Davao mayor apparently making informal agreements that experts said “waived” Philippine entitlements in the West Philippine Sea.

The military general is well-credentialed, Rappler executive editor Glenda Gloria pointed out in her weekly newsletter: he finished at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1989, then studied at China’s Naval Command College-People’s Liberation Army-Navy for his command and general staff course.

He is also the brother of former police general Dionardo Carlos, who was police chief under Duterte.

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/naval-commander-takes-a-leave-as-beijing-insists-on-new-deal-with-philippines/

China ups ante, says it has audio recording of ‘new deal’ arrangement with PH Wescom chief

From Rappler (May 8, 2024): China ups ante, says it has audio recording of ‘new deal’ arrangement with PH Wescom chief (By BEA CUPIN)

(1st UPDATE) Chinese officials tell Bloomberg about possibly releasing the audio recording – while they provide a local newspaper a supposed transcript

MANILA, Philippines – The word war between the Philippines and China intensified on Tuesday, May 7, with Chinese officials telling Bloomberg News that it “may soon” release what it’s claiming to be a phone call with a Filipino general about a supposed agreement to ease tensions in Ayungin Shoal.

Bloomberg, citing a Chinese official on background, said a transcript of the supposed recording of a phone call with Western Command (Wescom) Commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos “may be released to the public within days.” Still citing Chinese officials, Bloomberg said the transcript covers two minutes of a 12-minute phone call.

Carlos has gone on leave.

A copy of the transcript, as well as the recording itself, was later shared with The Manila Times also on Tuesday. The Times, in its report, said it could not confirm if Carlos was on the other side of the phone call with what the transcript referred to as a “Chinese diplomat.”

In the Times-published transcript of the purported January 3 call, Carlos allegedly agreed to and claimed the following: A “1+1” proposal, meaning only one Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship and one civilian vessel would be involved in the resupply mission. In the past year, the PCG deployed at least two – and even three – of its ships to escort two Navy-contracted civilian ships to bring supplies to Ayungin Shoal.
The Philippines will notify China at least two days ahead of a resupply mission to the Sierra Madre.
The agreement has the approval of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr., Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and another name which the transcript redacted.

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Philippine media have made requests to the Chinese embassy in Manila for the official release of the purported transcript or the recording itself.

Spokespersons for the AFP and Navy downplayed China’s latest claim. In a message to Rappler, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla said: “We do not comment on unsubstantiated, unverified and questionable sources.”

The Navy’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, called China’s newest claim as “zombie stories.”

“The best approach is to put these stories where they rightfully belong – in the grave, never to be heard again,” he said.

Carlos, who has commanded the Palawan-based Western Command since January 2022, is currently on “personal leave.” A two-star general has been assigned acting commander of the crucial post while Carlos is out.

Chain of command

Typically, chiefs of the different commands of the AFP have a degree of autonomy in making operational, tactical, and even strategic decisions concerning their area of operations.

But things are different when it comes to the West Philippine Sea, which is under Wescom.

Voyages to contested or disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea – the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal, Pagasa Island, or even Panatag Shoal which is under the Northern Luzon Command – must be first approved by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, which is headed by Año in his capacity as the National Security Adviser.

To be able to attempt a sail close to Ayungin Shoal back in December 2023, for instance, the civic coalition Atin Ito! first needed the clearance of the task force. The group waited for the same approval for a planned mission to Panatag Shoal off the coast of Zambales.

Even in operations directly concerning Wescom, it’s the NTF-WPS – and Año, especially – who has the final say.

Año emphasized as much in his May 5 statement: “Neither I nor any other principals or officials from the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea have consented nor committed to any proposal that will compromise the National Interest from agents of a foreign power actively engaged in oppressing us in our territories and waters.”

When the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) first brought embedded journalists aboard PCG vessels during an April 2023 resupply mission to Ayungin, for instance, Wescom was taken by surprise. Sources privy to that mission said Carlos called up Año himself to understand what was going on. Embedding journalists aboard PCG vessels would later become the norm for government missions to Ayungin Shoal and elsewhere in the West Philippine Sea as part of the government’s “transparency initiative.”

All about Sierra Madre

At the center of this tiff is the BRP Sierra Madre. The World War II-era ship, purposefully run aground in 1999 in Ayungin Shoal, is a flashpoint for tensions between the two countries.

Ayungin, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is a feature located just over 120 nautical miles off the coast of mainland Palawan, where Wescom is based. China claims Ayungin and most of the South China Sea as its own and has, particularly in the previous year, harassed and blocked rotation and resupply missions to bring a fresh batch of soldiers and supplies from Wescom to the makeshift military outpost.

Carlos, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1989, has joined several of these missions himself – most recently, an early March 2024 mission that was met by the China’s Coast Guard’s strong water cannons.

Sought for comment on Beijing’s latest threat, National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya, reiterated that a May 5 statement would be their last on China’s “new model” claims.

In that statement, Año said China’s insistence on a “new model” was “absolutely absurd, ludicrous, and preposterous” Teodoro has also categorically denied agreeing to a bilateral deal on Ayungin Shoal. Carlos has yet to speak publicly on the matter.

MUST READ: Philippines: We’ve never agreed to China’s Ayungin proposals

Who is authorized?

The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a May 7 statement that only the Philippine president, in this case President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., can “approve or authorize” agreements concerning the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea.

The DFA added that no Cabinet-level official in the Marcos administration has agreed to “any Chinese proposal pertaining to the Ayungin Shoal.”

How has China’s Ayungin claims evolved?

Beijing, first through its embassy in Manila and then through its foreign and defense ministry, had insisted that in early 2024, the Philippines and China agreed on a “new model” for dealing with tensions in Ayungin.

The term was first used in an April 12, 2024 statement from the Chinese embassy in Manila, in which they claimed that the “new model” was agreed on by “the Chinese side and the Philippine side.”

Proof of this new model, China claimed, was a February 2024 resupply that was “flawless.” The Philippines did not publicize much about that mission and did not bring along journalists to witness it.

It was the first resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre after Manila and Beijing met in Shanghai for the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea. There, the two sides agreed to improve communications between diplomats and even its coast guards.

Days later, on April 18, the Chinese embassy said the “new model” was “also agreed upon by both sides early this year after rounds of serious communications with the Philippine military.” Questions from journalists, including Rappler, on whom China communicated with went unanswered by the Chinese embassy in Manila.

It was on May 4, through a statement, that the Chinese embassy named Wescom as the unit that purportedly agreed on the “new model.” In the same statement, the Chinese embassy claimed Wescom “made repeated confirmation” that Teodoro and Año “approved” the “new model.”

On Monday, May 6, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing made the same claim about the supposed “new model.”

Before the purported “new model” was first presented by China, Beijing had long bemoaned the Philippines’ supposed reneging of agreements in the West Philippine Sea. The embassy, for instance, has made public supposed deals made under former president Rodrigo Duterte to manage tensions in those waters.

Under former president Rodrigo Duterte, for instance, Manila apparently had a “gentleman’s agreement” that meant it could not bring construction and repair materials to Ayungin Shoal. Doing so would have left the rusting BRP Sierra Madre fall victim even faster to the wear and tear of life out in the open sea.

Marcos has instructed the military to make sure the outpost is manned and provided for at all times.

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/china-claim-audio-recording-new-deal-arrangement-ayungin-shoal-west-commander/

Soldiers seize high-powered guns, explosives

From the Visayan Daily Star (May 8, 2024): Soldiers seize high-powered guns, explosives (By GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Explosives and high-powered guns seized by Army soldiers during encounters in Brgy. Carol-an, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.* PA photo

Army soldiers have seized high powered guns and explosives, following two encounters with New People’s Army rebel remnants on May 6 in Sitio Tagok, Brgy. Carol-an, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental

Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, 3rd Infantry Division Civil Military Operations chief, said the first encounter, which lasted about 10 minutes, ensued after 94th Infantry Battalion troopers responded to reports of the presence of about nine rebels in the area, believed to be remnants of the dismantled Central Negros 2 guerilla front.

Almost an hour later, the blocking forces of the 94IB encountered the fleeing rebels, where a firefight also lasted about five minutes, prompting the insurgents to disperse in various directions, leaving behind a cache of firearms and explosives.

Recovered at the encounter site were four M16 assault rifles, a caliber 5.56 carbine rifle, two rifle grenades, two backpacks, and a bandoleer containing magazines filled with ammunition.

Javines disclosed that traces of bloodstains were also discovered at the encounter, which indicated that some of the fleeing rebels may have been also injured in the gunbattle, while no soldiers were hurt.*

https://visayandailystar.com/soldiers-seize-high-powered-guns-explosives/