Presidential security ready to secure VP

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 24, 2024): Presidential security ready to secure VP (By Darryl John Esguerra)

Vice President Sara Z. Duterte (PNA file photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)

MANILA – The Presidential Security Command (PSC) is ready to guard Vice President Sara Duterte, its Commander said Tuesday, following the recall of police officers from her protective security detail.

“The Presidential Security Command is ready to ensure the security and safety of the Vice President,” Brig. Gen. Nelson Morales, PSC commander, told reporters in a text message.

Earlier, Duterte confirmed that 75 Police and Security and Protection Group (PSPG) officers assigned to her have already been recalled by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the recall of Duterte’s police security detail is meant to rationalize deployment to security operations.

He also said the Vice President’s security is under the jurisdiction of the PSC and the PSPG only complements security details.

Formerly known as the Presidential Security Group, the PSC is a unit under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) mandated to provide protection escort for the President, Vice President and their immediate families, as well as honor guard duties for visiting dignitaries.

To recall, the AFP activated in 2022 the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group before Duterte became the second highest official of the land.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1229649

PH sustains diplomatic approach to deescalate tensions in SCS

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 24, 2024): PH sustains diplomatic approach to deescalate tensions in SCS (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

DIPLOMATIC APPROACH. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Charles Jose joins the post-SONA discussion session on Good Governance, Peace and Order, and Security on Wednesday (July 24, 2024). Jose said the Philippines will continue pursuing a diplomatic approach and uphold the rule of law in the South China Sea. (Photo courtesy of RTVM)

MANILA – The Philippines will continue pursuing a diplomatic approach and uphold the rule of law in the South China Sea, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) as it expounds on the Marcos administration’s work to defend the country's rights in the West Philippine Sea through peaceful means.

Following the third State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., DFA Undersecretary Charles Jose said the Philippines will not waver in pursuing the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law in the area.

“In the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine position remains firm. We will continue to assert our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in our maritime zones and find ways forward through diplomacy and dialogue pursuant to what the President articulated during the SONA,” he said in the post-SONA discussions on Wednesday.

“We are committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes through international law. Our actions will continue to be firmly anchored on the rules-based international order that is governed by international law, particularly UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea,” he added.

Jose cited as example the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism meeting with China, which provided the momentum for a series of consultations that led to the recently concluded “Arrangement on the Principles and Approaches” that will be observed during the Philippines' resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal.

The official said this understanding, reached without prejudicing the Philippine and Chinese positions over the South China Sea, is a “positive contribution to deescalate tensions” in the region.

Marcos in his SONA on Monday said the Philippines will neither yield nor waver in asserting its maritime rights.

He maintained that the West Philippine Sea, which refers to the maritime areas of the country in the South China Sea, is no mere figment of imagination.

“Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi isang kathang-isip natin lamang. Ito ay atin. At ito ay mananatiling atin, hangga’t nag-aalab ang diwa ng ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas (The West Philippine Sea is not just a figment of imagination. It is ours. And it will remain ours as long as our love for our country, the Philippines, remains ablaze),” Marcos said.

Manila-based geopolitical analyst Don McLain Gill of the De La Salle University said Marcos has successfully articulated that the Philippines’ position in the region is rooted on facts.

“By stating that the WPS is not a figment of imagination, the president sent a strong message to China who claims a large percentage of our EEZ (exclusive economic zone) based on a historical basis that is not grounded on international law. The WPS is rooted on facts and on international law,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

“While empowering the military, the president reiterated the continuous goal of resolving disputes through peaceful means and based on international law- another veiled hit at China which has been pursuing its expansionist ambitions by breaking principles enshrined under UNCLOS and disregarding the 2016 Arbitral Ruling,” he added.

The Philippines, China and several other coastal states have overlapping territorial claims over the South China Sea.

Beijing continues to reject the UNCLOS-based arbitration award insisting on its claims over the vast trade route, including the country’s waters within the West Philippine Sea.

Preparing for ASEAN 2026

On the multilateral arena, Jose said the Philippines is preparing to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the next two years.

This as Marcos emphasized that peace and community-building would be the Philippines’ clarion call, especially when the country serves as chair and the host of the ASEAN Summit in 2026.

The ASEAN National Organizing Council or ASEAN NOC, Jose said, is leading the preparations to ensure the orderly and seamless hosting of the landmark event.

Jose likewise highlighted the country’s selection as the host of the Loss and Damage Fund Board.

“Through this mechanism, the Philippines will continue to leverage its leadership in climate action and its goodwill with developing nations in promoting climate equity,” he said.

He also noted the adoption by the UN Human Rights Council of the Philippine-led resolution titled “Promoting and Protecting the Enjoyment of Human Rights of Seafarers.”

This resolution is the first-ever on this subject to be introduced and adopted in the UNHRC.

“Rest assured that in the pursuit of the national interest, the DFA will continue to strengthen national security, contribute to economic growth, and protect the interest and welfare of overseas Filipinos through the strategic conduct of diplomacy,” Jose said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1229754

Blinken condoles with PH typhoon victims, says US ready to provide aid

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 26, 2024): Blinken condoles with PH typhoon victims, says US ready to provide aid (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (PNA file photo)

MANILA – United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday conveyed his sympathies to the Philippines after the devastation caused by Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon, which killed 14 people and injured two.

In a call with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Blinken reiterated that the US “stands ready to provide assistance.”

“Secretary Blinken further shared condolences for those in the Philippines who have died or been displaced as a result of Typhoon Gaemi and recent monsoon-related flooding. The Secretary noted that the United States stands ready to provide assistance,” the US State Department said in a readout.

Metro Manila had been placed under a state of calamity as the intensified southwest monsoon brought torrential rains that triggered massive flooding across the capital region and several other parts of the country.

About 1.3 million people were affected by the calamity, more than 200,000 of whom are currently taking shelter in evacuation centers, according to the latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The foreign missions of New Zealand, the European Union, China, Australia, and Germany in Manila have also offered support upon the government’s request.

During the call, Blinken and Manalo also discussed the 2+2 US-Philippines Ministerial Dialogue, to be held in Manila on July 30, where the two officials will be joined by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Philippine defense chief Gilberto Teodoro for talks on wider cooperation.

“Secretary Blinken and Foreign Secretary Manalo reiterated the importance of the United States-Philippines Alliance and spoke about shared priorities, both in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world,” the State Department said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1229843

PH, UK want to expand ties on maritime domain awareness

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 26, 2024): PH, UK want to expand ties on maritime domain awareness (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

COOPERATION. Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez and United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Southeast Asia department head Matthew Findlay (10th and 11th from left) join other members of the Philippine and UK delegations at the conclusion of the 2nd Philippine-UK Maritime Dialogue in London on July 5, 2024. The DFA on Friday (July 26) said the Philippines and the UK are seeking to strengthen cooperation on maritime domain awareness. (Photo courtesy of DFA)

MANILA – The Philippines and the United Kingdom (UK) are seeking to strengthen cooperation on maritime domain awareness (MDA), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shared on Friday.

During the 2nd Philippine-UK Maritime Dialogue in London on July 5, senior officials from the DFA and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) discussed ways to further deepen collaboration on maritime and ocean-related issues.

Key discussions during the dialogue included enhancing cooperation on MDA, safety of international merchant shipping vessels and seafarers, cybersecurity challenges in the maritime sector, strategic communications, crisis management, the law of the sea, marine environment, and ocean governance, the DFA said in its belated news release.

DFA Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez led the Philippine delegation, which included officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Space Agency and the Philippine Embassy in London.

The UK delegation was headed by the FCDO, including Head of Defence and Security Partnerships Department Jason Rheinberg, Legal Director Andy Murdoch, Head of South East Asia Department Matthew Findlay and British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils.

The two sides reaffirmed their adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and underscored the importance of upholding the rules-based international order in the South China Sea and the greater Indo-Pacific region.

The UK then conveyed its support for the Philippines' diplomatic approach to managing tensions in the South China Sea and called for adherence to the legally binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award under UNCLOS.

The dialogue also explored legal cooperation and exchanged views on the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea's recent Advisory Opinion on climate change and international law (Case No. 31), deep seabed mining and other pressing maritime and ocean related issues.

“Both sides commended the depth and comprehensiveness of the discussions, reflecting a strong and growing partnership between the two countries. Both sides expressed commitment to implement the dialogue's outcomes and agreed action points,” the DFA said.

Apart from the dialogue, the Philippine delegation visited the Joint Maritime Security Centre and the Maritime Trade Operation Information Centre in Portsmouth, both of which form pillars of the UK’s inter-agency architecture on maritime security at home and abroad.

Alferez also had a separate meeting with UK FCDO Director General for Indo-Pacific, Middle East and North Africa Owen Jenkins to discuss strategic issues related to the two countries’ maritime security cooperation and South China Sea matters.

The Philippine-UK Maritime Dialogue is a regular bilateral mechanism for the exchange of views on maritime and ocean related matters of mutual concern.

It is meant as the platform for elaborating existing engagements and identifying areas for expanding maritime cooperation.

The inaugural dialogue was held in Manila in February 2023.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1229899

Army hunts gunmen who harassed patrol base in MagSur, killing soldier

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 22, 2024): Army hunts gunmen who harassed patrol base in MagSur, killing soldier (By Edwin Fernandez)

HUMANITARIAN WORK. Soldiers of the Army’s 99th Infantry Battalion help during the feeding program in Maguindanao del Sur while others secure the perimeter of an evacuation center in flood-affected Datu Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur, on Sunday (July 21, 2024). On the same day, gunmen harassed an Army base in Barangay Pagatin of the town, killing one and hurting two other soldiers. (Photo courtesy of 99IB)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte – Military pursuit operations are ongoing against a group of suspected local terrorists who harassed on Sunday government soldiers helping civilians affected by recent flash floods in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur.

Lt. Col. Roden Orbon, speaking for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the harassment occurred at about 1 p.m. while soldiers were manning checkpoints and flood control units during relief distribution activities for flood victims in Barangay Pagatin.

A soldier under the 99th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, was killed, and two others were slightly injured in the attack.

“We did not expect that to happen since we are helping our people there who were victims of calamities,” Orbon said in a radio interview on Monday.

Datu Salibo is one of the 17 towns in Maguindanao del Sur that is underwater due to floods brought by localized thunderstorms.

“Despite the harassment, we will continue to serve and help our civilians affected by floods,” Orbon said, adding that security has been increased to prevent similar attacks.

About 10 gunmen believed to be remnants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) or the Dawlah Islamiya terrorist group operating in the province carried out the attack.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1229460

2 more Eastern Samar towns cleared from NPA threats

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 24, 2024): 2 more Eastern Samar towns cleared from NPA threats (By Sarwell Meniano)

NPA-FREE. Officials in Hernani, Eastern Samar release white pigeons as a sign of peace during a ceremony on July 23, 2024. The Philippine Army on Wednesday (July 24) said the municipalities of Hernani and Maydolong have been formally declared completely free from the threats of the New People's Army. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

TACLOBAN CITY – Two more towns in Eastern Samar have been formally declared completely free from the threats of the New People's Army (NPA), the Philippine Army said on Wednesday.

In a statement on Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, said the declaration led by the town mayors of Hernani and Maydolong marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability.

“With no sightings of armed rebels for several years now, these towns have achieved insurgency-free status and, officially, stable internal peace and security conditions (SIPS),” Vestuir said.

A town earns SIPC status if there has been no NPA activity in the area in the past two years, and no resident is identified as an active armed rebel, the 802nd Infantry Brigade commander told the Philippine News Agency in a text message.

Ceremonies were held on July 23 to highlight the declarations, which included the signing of memoranda of agreements and pledges of commitment, along with the simultaneous release of white doves, symbolizing peace and new beginnings.

In attendance were Hernani Mayor Amado Candido, Maydolong Mayor Godofredo Garado, police officials, Department of the Interior and Local Government representatives, and members of the provincial and municipal task forces to end local communist armed conflict.

Earlier this year, officials held the same declaration in the towns of Giporlos, Mercedes, San Julian, Sulat, and Taft in Eastern Samar.

Vestuir said these municipalities were cleared of communist terrorist group influence in 2022 and have since achieved conflict-manageable status.

The Army official disclosed that the NPA platoon running in the mountains of Eastern Samar and Samar provinces has significantly weakened this year.

From 47 members with 43 firearms in the third quarter of 2023, Apoy Platoon's strength dropped to just 16 members with 25 firearms as of the second week of June 2024.

Most have surrendered under the Friends Rescued Engagement through their Families initiative.

The military said several areas in the region have long been peaceful; hence, the declaration of the SIPS condition is just a formal and official manifestation of the commitment of local leaders and people to sustain the peace, and never allow any threat groups to gain a foothold in their communities.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1229680

NPA squad leader killed in Eastern Samar clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25, 2024): NPA squad leader killed in Eastern Samar clash (By Sarwell Meniano)

CLASH. Photo from the Philippine Army's 802nd Infantry Brigade showing the location of a clash that killed a squad leader of the New People's Army on Thursday (July 25, 2024). The slain rebel was Joel Guarino alias Duran, the squad leader of squad 2 of the recently dismantled Apoy Platoon of the NPA, according to the Philippine Army's 78th Infantry Battalion (78IB). (Photo from PA 802nd IB)

TACLOBAN CITY – A top leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) died in a clash between government forces and rebels in the upland Osmeña village in General MacArthur, Eastern Samar on Thursday.

The Philippine Army's 78th Infantry Battalion (78IB) identified the slain rebel as Joel Guarino alias Duran, the squad leader of squad 2 of the recently dismantled Apoy Platoon of the NPA.

Lt. Col. Joseph Bugaoan said in a statement that government forces had an armed encounter with a band of seven NPA combatants early Thursday while troops were conducting development and security operations in the upland village of General MacArthur.

No one was hurt from the government side during the 20-minute firefight.

After the clash, soldiers recovered several war paraphernalia, including one caliber .45 pistol, one homemade grenade, various war materials, and documents with high intelligence value.

Bugaoan attributed the successful operation to the collective effort of the community and the government to finally end the local communist armed conflict.

“The people tipped off the presence of these NPAs, that is why our soldiers were able to track their movement. But they were fired upon when the rebels saw the incoming troops,” Bugaoan said in an update sent to reporters Thursday night.

Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army's 802nd Infantry Brigade, commended the troops for tracking the remnants of the recently dismantled Apoy platoon.

“The neutralization of Guarino left the remnants of the newly dismantled platoon leaderless and without direction. Now, they have become just a roving band of bandits, hiding in the mountains to survive,” Vestuir said.

The Apoy platoon has only 15 remaining members as of mid-2024.

He said this is another breakthrough in their campaign to win peace in the province of Eastern Samar as he calls for the remaining members to give up the armed struggle now that their leader is gone.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1229833

U.S. told Philippines it made ‘missteps’ in secret anti-vax propaganda effort

Posted to Reuters (Jul 26, 2024): U.S. told Philippines it made ‘missteps’ in secret anti-vax propaganda effort (By Christopher Bing and Karen Lema)

WASHINGTON, July 26 (Reuters) - The U.S. Defense Department admitted that it spread propaganda in the Philippines aimed at disparaging China’s Sinovac vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a June 25 document cited by a former top government official earlier this month.
The U.S. response to the Philippines was recounted in a podcast by Harry Roque, who served as spokesman for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Reuters subsequently reviewed the document, which hasn’t been publicly released by either government. The news agency was able to verify its contents with a source familiar with the U.S. response.

“It is true that the (Department of Defense) did message Philippines audiences questioning the safety and efficacy of Sinovac,” according to the document, which references information sent from the U.S. Defense Department to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of National Defense. According to the document, the Pentagon also conceded it had “made some missteps in our COVID related messaging” but assured the Philippines that the military “has vastly improved oversight and accountability of information operations” since 2022.

The U.S. admission followed a June 14 Reuters investigation that revealed how the Pentagon launched a secret psychological operation to discredit Chinese vaccines and other COVID aid in 2020 and 2021, at the height of the pandemic. As a result of the Reuters investigation, the Philippine Senate Foreign Relations Committee launched a hearing into the matter and sought a response from the U.S.
According to the June 25 document, Pentagon officials concluded its anti-vax campaign was “misaligned with our priorities.” It says the U.S. military told Filipino officials that operatives “ceased COVID-related messaging related to COVID-19 origins and COVID-19 vaccines in August 2021.”
The artificial intelligence pioneer on Thursday announced the launch of SearchGPT.

The Philippines’ defense and foreign affairs departments did not respond to requests for comment about the U.S. military’s admission that it ran the propaganda program. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department referred Reuters to the Defense Department for comment. Pentagon spokesman Pete Nguyen declined to confirm the U.S. response cited in the document. But he acknowledged the Pentagon did distribute “social media content about the safety and efficacy of Sinovac.”

At the time the Pentagon launched its campaign, national security officials in Washington worried that China was exploiting the pandemic to negotiate important geopolitical deals and undermine U.S. alliances internationally by sending aid to the Philippines and other nations.
The clandestine psychological operation uncovered by Reuters wasn’t limited to the Philippines. It also targeted developing countries across Central Asia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia in 2020 and 2021. The Philippines and those other nations were, at the time, heavily reliant on China’s Sinvoac to inoculate their populations against the deadly virus.

Among Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines was among those hit hardest by the coronavirus. By 2024, COVID had killed almost 67,000 Filipinos, and the number of infections there had reached more than 4 million, according to World Health Organization data.

Working with a group of defense contractors and other non-military partners, the U.S. used networks of online bots and other phony social media accounts to influence foreign audiences, Reuters found. The news agency identified a network of hundreds of fake accounts on X, formerly Twitter, that closely matched descriptions shared by former U.S. military officials familiar with the Philippines operation. When Reuters asked X about the accounts, the social media company removed the profiles after independently determining they were part of a coordinated bot campaign. The Reuters article showcased a handful of these posts as examples of the messaging.

Pentagon spokesman Nguyen said an initial review by the Defense Department last month “found that the U.S. military was not responsible for the troubling social media content related to the Philippines” cited in the Reuters report. Asked whether the social media accounts with those particular posts were handled by contractors or other non-military partners working on behalf of the U.S. government, Nguyen declined to say. He also declined to answer questions about U.S. military anti-vax propaganda efforts across Central Asia and the Middle East.

In exposing the Pentagon’s anti-vax propaganda campaign, Reuters interviewed more than two dozen current and former U.S officials, military contractors, social media analysts, academic researchers and public health experts. The health experts called the propaganda campaign indefensible, saying it put innocent lives at risk.

In a statement to Chinese media after the Reuters investigation in June, a Sinovac spokeswoman blasted the U.S. military. “Stigmatizing vaccination will lead to a series of consequences, such as a lower inoculation rate, the outbreak and spread of disease, social panic and insecurity, as well as crises of confidence in science and public health,” said Sinovac spokeswoman Yuan Youwei.

The Reuters investigation has spurred a Senate investigation in the Philippines led by Senator Imee Marcos, head of the Foreign Relations committee. At a hearing on June 25, Marcos described the U.S. military campaign as “evil, wicked, dangerous, unethical.” She questioned whether it violated international law and wondered whether the Philippines had any legal recourse.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us-told-philippines-it-made-missteps-secret-anti-vax-propaganda-effort-2024-07-26/

98 rebels surrender in Antique under whole-of-nation approach

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25, 2024): 98 rebels surrender in Antique under whole-of-nation approach (By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay)

SUCCESSFUL ELCAC. Antique Police Provincial Office Deputy Director for Operations Lt. Col. Angelo Pueblos (second from left) reports on the successful implementation of the whole-of-the-nation approach in the province on Thursday (July 25, 2024). He said 98 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered from 2023 until July 24 in Antique province. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The government’s whole-of-the-nation approach or End to Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) program encouraged 98 rebels in Antique to return to the fold of law since 2023, according to the Antique Provincial Police Office (APPO).

APPO Deputy Director for Operations, Lt. Col. Angelo Pueblos, said 44 of the former rebels surrendered in 2023 and 58 for this year.

Data from the Antique Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office showed that as of today, 43 former rebels have received assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, consisting of PHP50,000 as livelihood or reintegration assistance, PHP15,000 as immediate assistance, and remuneration of their surrendered firearms.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also extended PHP20,000 under the Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Pueblos said the DSWD, through its provincial counterpart, is still profiling the remaining surrenderees so that they could qualify for the package of assistance under the ECLIP.

“Not all of the surrenderees have been issued with the Joint Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police Intelligence Committee (JAPIC) Certificates,” Pueblos said in his report on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Arturo Balgos Jr, commanding officer of the 61st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, said the number of surrenderees proves that the ELCAC program had been successful in dismantling the Southern Front Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) that operates in municipalities of San Remigio, Sibalom, Hamtic and in the adjacent municipalities of Iloilo province.

“There is no more fund generation or extortion activities among the businessmen in Antique now,” Balgos said.

He said that they continue to appeal to the remaining insignificant number of the communist terrorist group (CTG) to surrender and return to their normal lives.

The Philippine Army will remain in Antique or Panay province to sustain their program and prevent the revitalization of the CTG, he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1229826

Soldiers deployed to protect civilians after clashes in MagNor town

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 25, 2024): Soldiers deployed to protect civilians after clashes in MagNor town (By Edwin Fernandez)

PROTECTING CIVILIANS. Soldiers and police are deployed in three adjoining villages of Datu Odin Sinsuat, town, Maguindanao del Sur province, on Thursday (July 25, 2024) following hostilities involving Moro clans that already killed one and wounded three others. Over 200 families have fled to safer grounds to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. (Photo courtesy of Mark Tayco/DXMS-Cotabato)

COTABATO CITY – About a hundred soldiers, backed by Simba armoured personnel carriers, were deployed in the coastal villages of Datu Odin Sinsuat town, Maguindanao del Norte province following clashes between armed men that left one dead and three injured before dawn Thursday.

The clashes also sent hundreds of families to safer grounds to ensure safety and avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

Lt. Colonel Roden Orbon, speaking for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the soldiers were deployed to ensure the safety of civilians.

“The safety of civilians, especially women and children, are our priorities,” Orbon said in a radio interview.

Hostilities erupted on Wednesday night and continued until dawn Thursday in the adjoining villages of Mompong, Linek, Badak, and Kusiong, all in Datu Odin Sinsuat.

The fatality was identified as a certain Saidali Mantawil.

Soldiers and police officers put up checkpoints to prevent the conflict from escalating, while allowing local officials and traditional Muslim leaders to facilitate peace negotiations between the warring families.

About 300 displaced families are now housed at the Sarilika Village National High School in Barangay Semba, Datu Odin Sinsuat.

On Thursday, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament member Dr. Susana Anayatin filed a resolution before the regional legislative body urging the police and military authorities to ensure the safety of civilians in Barangay Kusiong.

She said most of the displaced families were peaceful settlers whose livelihood have been affected by the conflict.

Maguindanao del Norte Governor Abdulraof Macacua has condemned the atrocities perpetrated by armed groups who are yet to be officially identified.

“I call upon individuals involved in this incident to cease the hostilities immediately. Conflict and misunderstanding can be resolved through dialogue and peaceful negotiation, not by escalating violence,” he said in a statement.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1229827

CPP/NDF-KAGUMA: Pahayag ng KAGUMA sa Ikatlong State of the Nation Address ni Ferdinand Marcos, Jr//Wakasan ang dalawang taon na pagpapakatuta ng inutil na rehimeng Marcos Jr sa imperyalistang US! Isulong at ipagwagi ang demokratikong rebolusyong bayan!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jul 21, 2024): Pahayag ng KAGUMA sa Ikatlong State of the Nation Address ni Ferdinand Marcos, Jr//Wakasan ang dalawang taon na pagpapakatuta ng inutil na rehimeng Marcos Jr sa imperyalistang US! Isulong at ipagwagi ang demokratikong rebolusyong bayan! (KAGUMA's Statement on the Third State of the Nation Address by Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.// End the two years of the useless Marcos Jr. regime's taunting of the imperialist US! Promote and win the people's democratic revolution!)

 


Katipunan ng mga Gurong Makabayan (Kaguma)

National Democratic Front of the Philippines

July 19, 2024

Dalawang taon na sa pagiging inutil ang tutang Pangulo na walang ginawa kung ‘di ang maglamiyerda sa ibang bansa upang pilit na pabanguhin ang umaalingasaw na baho ng pamilyang Marcos at magmalimos sa mga lider ng iba’t ibang bansa habang nagugutom at naghihirap ang sambayanang Pilipino.

​Sa dalawang taong pagtitiis, naranasan ng mga Pilipino kung paano malunod ang sektor ng agrikultura na si Marcos Jr mismo ang nagsilbing unang kalihim bago niya inilagay ang fishing tycoon na si Francisco Tiu bilang gantimpala sa 30 milyong donasyon nito sa kanyang kampanya noong 2022 eleksyon. Sa dalawang taon ni Marcos Jr, napahiya siya na matupad ang kanyang pangako na ibaba ang bigas sa 20 pesos. Bagkus sumirit ang presyo ng kamatis, sibuyas, luya at iba pang pangunahing bilihin.

​Imbes na tanggalin ang kontra-magsasakang 2019 Rice Tarrification Law, nilagdaan pa ni Marcos Jr ang Executive Order 62 noong ika-2 ng Hunyo para tapyasin ang taripa ng bigas mula 35% tungo 15% simula taong 2024 hanggang 2028. Nagbubunyi ang mga lokal na kartel at mga importer ng bigas habang lugmok sa kahirapan ang ating mga magsasaka.

​Si Marcos Jr din ang pinakabarat na pangulo sa pagtataas ng sahod. Hindi lamang siya manhid sa mga manggagawa sa pribadong sektor, nananatiling bingi at manhid din siya sa kalagayan ng mga pampublikong guro na humihiling ng dagdag na sahod. Imbes na taas ng sahod, binigyan lang niya ang mga guro ng dagdag na allowance na hindi pa sapat na pampalubag-loob. Hinayaan din ni Marcos Jr ang kanyang ka-unity team na si Sara Duterte bilang Kalihim ng DepEd na gawing militarisado ang ahensya sa pamamagitan ng paglalagay ng mga retiradong heneral sa kagawaran. Ang sabwatang Marcos-Duterte ay nagbigay daan din para makuha ni Sara ang Php 250 milyong confidential funds na winaldas sa loob lamang ng labing isang araw! Kibit-balikat si Marcos Jr na pakialaman ni Sara ang mga aklat sa kasaysayan upang simulan ang paglilinis sa maruming pangalan ng mga Marcos.

​Walang napala ang mga guro at estudyante sa Bagong Pilipinas ni Marcos Jr maliban sa utusan ang mga paaralang pampubliko na awitin ang walang katuturang himno ng pagpapakatuta niya. Imbes na magtayo ng mga paaralan at magdagdag ng mga guro, nagtapyas pa ng Php 1.1 bilyong pondo para sa DepEd. Pinahirapan ni Marcos Jr ang mga mahihirap na kabataan sa ginawang 6% pagkapos ng budget sa mga state colleges and universities (SUCs) habang nilagak niya lahat nang kaban ng bayan sa kanyang baol na Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF).

​Ang pinakamalala sa lahat, hindi rin pinahinto ni Marcos Jr ang red-tagging at terror-tagging sa mga guro, estudyante at progresibong organisasyon sa mga paaralan dahil sa pag-iral ng Anti-Terror Law. Kibit-balikat lamang si Marcos Jr habang pumapasok ang mga militar sa mga paaralan at mga katabing komunidad. Sa loob ng dalawang taon, lalong naghirap ang mga guro at manggagawa sa edukasyon dahil sa implasyon, sa kontraktwal na paggawa, at pagkait sa pagtaas ng sahod.

​Bilang inutil na Pangulo, pinakita ni Marcos Jr sa mga guro kung gaano kasukdulan ang kanyang pagkatuta sa imperyalistang US na apat na beses na niyang binisita upang mamalimos habang nababahag ang buntot niya sa Tsina. Si Marcos Jr ang pinakamasahol na guro kung pagtuturo ng patriyotismo ang pag-uusapan. Ampaw ang kanyang gulugod sa pagsandal sa mga eherhisyong militar na sinalihan na rin hindi lamang ng imperyalistang US ngunit pati mga alyado nito. Takot, walang paninindigan at baog ang rehimeng US-Marcos Jr!

​Kaya ang KAGUMA ay makikiisa sa lahat ng mga pagkilos laban sa lumalalang kalagayan ng ating bayan. Ang mga kasapi ng KAGUMA ay dapat na aktibong lumahok sa pag-oorganisa at pagpapakilos ng mga estudyante at mga manggagawa sa edukasyon upang lumahok sa demokratikong rebolusyong bayan. Anihin natin at gamitin ang mga aral mula sa ating sama-samang pagkilos noon at ngayon upang lalong maging epektibo ang ating bigwas sa estado. Dapat na magpalawak at magpalapad tayo ng ating hanay at pampulitikang kabalagan sa kalunsuran upang gapiin ang imperyalismo ng US at ang lumalalang pasismo ng estado. Huwag na nating antayin pa na matapos ni Marcos Jr ang kanyang termino. Walang repormang magsasalba sa kabulukan ng neyoliberal na mga polisiya ng rehimeng US-Marcos Jr maliban sa armadong pakikibaka.

IBAGSAK ANG REHIMENG US-MARCOS JR!

ILANTAD ANG PAGKATUTA NI MARCOS JR SA IMPERYALISTANG US!

BIGUIN ANG PASISMO NG ESTADO!

SUMAMA, PAIGTINGIN AT IPAGWAGI ANG PAMBANSA DEMOKRATIKONG REBOLUSYONG BAYAN!

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/wakasan-ang-dalawang-taon-na-pagpapakatuta-ng-inutil-na-rehimeng-marcos-jr-sa-imperyalistang-us-isulong-at-ipagwagi-ang-demokratikong-rebolusyong-bayan/

CPP/Masbate: Ang rehimeng US-Marcos ang numero unong kaaway ng mga Masbatenyo

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jul 21, 2024): Ang rehimeng US-Marcos ang numero unong kaaway ng mga Masbatenyo (The US-Marcos regime is the number one enemy of the Masbatenyos)

Luz del Mar

Spokesperson

NPA-Masbate (Jose Rapsing Command)

New People's Army

July 21, 2024

Kinasusuklaman at itinatakwil ng mamamayang Masbatenyo ang rehimeng US-Marcos. Sa loob lamang ng dalawang taon, sukdulang pagpapahirap, pasismo at terorismo at pagpapakatuta sa imperyalista ang ginawa ni Marcos sa taumbayan.

Numero uno siyang pahirap sa bayan. Ipinataw ni Marcos ang mga neoliberal at maka-dayuhang patakarang nagpapalala sa krisis sa ekonomya. Walang awat ang pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain at bilihin. Sa Masbate umaabot sa ₱60.00 kada kilo ang presyo ng karaniwang kinokonsumong bigas. Luging-lugi pa rin ang mga magbubukid sa pagkapako sa mababang halaga ng kanilang mga produkto sa kabila ng mataas na gastos sa produksyon. Sa prubinsya, umaabot sa higit ₱3,000 ang kada sako ng abono.

Maraming Masbatenyo ang walang trabaho. Marami ang natutulak maghanapbuhay labas sa mga kabukiran dahil sa tumataas na gastos sa produksyon. Sa kabila nito, walang disenteng trabahong nakukuha ang mga Masbatenyo sa loob at labas man ng prubinsya. Kung mayroon man, marami ang sumasahod ng mababa pa sa rehiyunal na minimum wage sa pagtatrabaho bilang construction worker, bantay sa bakery o tindahan, kasambahay o utusan. Nagiging laganap ang odd jobbers.

Numero unong mangangamkam ng lupa ang rehimeng Marcos. Sa Masbate, nakabalangkas sa tabing ng kontrainsurhensya ang malawakang pang-aagaw ng lupa, laluna yaong mga lupang napagtagumpayang maipaglaban ng kilusang magbubukid sa prubinsya. Ilanlibong ektarya ng lupaing agrikultural, laluna sa mga bayan ng Cawayan, Cataingan at Milagros ang inagaw ng tuta ni Marcos na si Gov. Kho mula nang maupo si Marcos sa poder.

May basbas rin ni Marcos ang iba pang mapaminsalang neoliberal na proyekto sa prubinsya tulad ng ekspansyon ng dayuhang mina na Filminera. Plano ring magtayo ni Kho ng 300-ektaryang special economic zone sa Cataingan na sisira sa kabuhayan ng mga magbubukid sa naturang bayan.

Numero unong kurakot at sugapa si kapangyarihan si Marcos. Habang lumalala ang kabuhayan ng mamamayan, walang inaatupag si Marcos at iilang kapwa niya gahaman kundi magpayaman sa kurakot at kapangyarihan. Ilampung bilyong pondo ng taumbayan ang winawaldas ng pamilya ni Marcos sa pamamasyal at pagpapasarap sa ibang bansa.

Ang kanyang pakulong “Bagong Pilipinas” ay isang kampanya ng panlilinlang upang pagtakpan ang malawakang pandaraya sa darating na halalang 2025 at solohin lahat ng kurakot at dambong. Ang plano na Charter change ay isa ring pakana para maisemento ni Marcos ang sarili sa kapangyarihan. Dapat itakwil ang lumalalang hidwaan ni Marcos at ng mga Duterte para sa kapangyarihan at sa halip ay samantalahin ng taumbayan upang labanan ang parehong kriminal at demonyo.

Numero unong traydor at tuta si Marcos. Sa halip na idaan sa mapayapa at diplomatikong paraan ang paggiit ng karapatan ng Pilipinas sa West Philippine Sea at resolusyon ng usapin sa Tsina, isinuko ni Marcos ang soberanya ng Pilipinas sa dikta at patakarang gera ng US laban sa Tsina. Ito ay sa kabila ng malinaw na kawalang-intensyon ng Amerika na tulungan ang bansa sa usapin ng West Philippine Sea.

Pinahintulutan ni Marcos na gawin ang Pilipinas bilang base militar at imbakan ng kagamitang pandigma ng Amerika. Sa katunayan, dapat hadlangan at batikusin ng mga Bikolano ang napapabalitang mala-Balikatan na aktibidad na planong ilunsad ng mga tropa ng US, South Korea at Australia sa Bikol ngayong 2024.

Numero unong terorista si Marcos. Sa ilalim ng utos na wakasan ang armadong pakikibaka ngayong 2024, ilinulunsad ng rehimen ang teroristang gera ng panunupil sa mamamayan bilang haligi ng kanyang paghahari. Binusog niya ang militar at pulis ng ilang trilyong pondong pangkurakot at pinanatili ang National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, bilang haligi ng kanyang pasistang makinarya.

Sa Masbate, todo-todo ang ilinulunsad na gera kontra magsasaka ni Marcos kasabwat ang AFP-PNP-CAFGU, NTFELCAC at lokal niyang alipures tulad ni Gov. Antonio Kho. Sa kanyang termino, 32 na magsasaka ang pinaslang sa prubinsya. Kabataan, kababaihan, matanda, walang pinipiling biktima. Liban pa rito ang mga iligal na inaresto at daan-daan pang biktima ng panggigipit ng militar. Marami ang takot magreklamo dahil pinagbabantaang kakasuhan o isusunod sa mga pinatay. Kaliwa’t kanan ang ipinapatayong detatsment at hindi tinatantanan ng presensya at kontrol militar ang mga baryo.

Para sa mga Masbatenyo, ang ikatlong State of the Nation Address ni Marcos ay senyales ng papatinding pang-aapi at pagsasamantala, laluna sa harap ng desperasyon nitong mapagtibay ang kapangyarihan. Tulad ng kanyang ama, ang terorista, pahirap, kurakot at taksil sa bayang rehimeng Marcos ay patunay na wala nang maasahan sa kasalukuyang bulok na sistema.

Para ipagtanggol ang lupa, kabuhayan, karapatan at buhay, kailangang buuhin ng mga Masbatenyo ang kanilang pagkakaisa at isulong lahat ng porma ng paglaban, laluna ngayong panahon ng halalan.

Higit sa lahat, dapat at kailangang tahakin ng mga Masbatenyo ang landas ng demokratikong rebolusyon para labanan ang teror, paglubha ng kahirapan, kurapsyon at banta ng gerang hatid ni Marcos. Sa tagumpay ng rebolusyon nakasalalay ang tunay na kalayaan at kasaganaang dapat matamasa ng Pilipinas.#

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/ang-rehimeng-us-marcos-ang-numero-unong-kaaway-ng-mga-masbatenyo/

CPP/CIO: Filipino people's money used to rush US runway in Palawan

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jul 21, 2024): Filipino people's money used to rush US runway in Palawan

 

This article is available in Pilipino

Marco Valbuena

Chief Information Officer

Communist Party of the Philippines

July 21, 2024

The Marcos regime’s rushed construction of a runway and military facility at Balabac island for use of US military forces is a gross display of subservience to its imperialist master. The US plans to use this southernmost island of Palawan as a military base to preposition its weapons and troops, in line with its strategy to contain the growth of its imperialist rival China.

It is an outrage that Marcos spent ₱170 million of the Filipino people’s money to construct a military base for the US. This is a grievous affront on the Filipino people who are suffering from high prices, low wages and burdensome taxes.

The claims of the US-Marcos regime that the US military facility will serve the purpose of “defending the West Philippine Sea” are hollow and false. Marcos’ push to complete the construction contrasts with his own declaration to “deescalate” tensions with China. The presence of US military forces and weapons in the Philippines serves no other purposes but that of the war-obsessed US war machine.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/filipino-peoples-money-used-to-rush-us-runway-in-palawan/

CPP/CIO: Marcos does not want to hear people's grievances during SONA

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jul 21, 2024): Marcos does not want to hear people's grievances during SONA

 
This article is available in Pilipino

Marco Valbuena

Chief Information Officer

Communist Party of the Philippines

July 21, 2024

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) joins the Filipino people, and their democratic and patriotic forces, in condemning the Marcos regime for its brazen attempt to prevent the people from marching and demonstrating near the Batasan Pambansa, where he is set to deliver his state of the nation address tomorrow.

Marcos is displaying mortal fear of people’s protests by mobilizing at least 23,000 police personnel in the National Capital Region, including sniper-backed riot police. He wants to make sure that the collective grievances and demands of the people will not reach his ears or his sights (even banning protest outfits in congress). Like his dictator father, Marcos Jr only wants to hear hallelujahs to his Bagong Pilipinas, a fraud worth hundreds of millions of pesos being foisted on the people.

The broad masses of the Filipino people are suffering immensely under the Marcos regime. Prices are skyrocketing while wages are extremely low. There is widespread joblessness and loss of livelihood. People are burdened by onerous taxes. Human rights are wantonly violated in the vain attempt of Marcos to stifle the people’s dissent. Marcos is acting as an American stooge, allowing all-out US military intervention, to use the country as base for its war preparations and provocations.

The Filipino people have a long history of resistance against fascists and dictators. They draw lessons from the past, and inspiration from their heroes. They are as determined as ever to fight for their national democratic aspirations.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/marcos-does-not-want-to-hear-peoples-grievances-during-sona/

CPP/CIO: NPA recruitment continues under Marcos brutal regime

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (Jul 21, 2024): NPA recruitment continues under Marcos brutal regime

 

Marco Valbuena

Chief Information Officer

Communist Party of the Philippines

July 21, 2024

Recruitment by the New People’s Army (NPA) continues steadily and is certain to rise in the coming months and years in the face of worsening oppression and political repression. People are determined to fight for their rights, defend their livelihood, and fight for a better future for their children, in the face of the increasingly brutal, corrupt, and oppressive Marcos puppet regime.

Declarations by Gen. Carlito Galvez that the country will be “insurgency-free” in three years is pure wishful thinking. This is a simple rehash of declarations made in the past thirty years. As before, such pronouncements will be proven hollow brags.

The Filipino people and the New People’s Army are ever determined to wage revolutionary armed struggle in the face of people’s acute sufferings under the Marcos regime.

Majority of the Filipino people are mired in poverty as prices continue to rise and wages remain low. Unemployment is widespread. Land and other sources of livelihood are being taken away from the masses by foreign companies in connivance with Marcos crony big business. Poverty is particularly acute in rural areas, where an average of 1.1 million jobs have been lost every month.

Marcos has resorted to martial law tactics to suppress the people’s resistance to his regime’s anti-people, anti-national and anti-democratic policies. He rules with an iron-fist across the country, especially in the countryside. His power-intoxicated and often drug-crazed soldiers carry out extrajudicial killings and other crimes. In the past two years, at least 175 people have been killed by Marcos’ armed minions, most of whom were peasants.

Last July 8, 2nd IB soldiers opened fire and killed siblings Robert and Ronel Monsanto, 18 and 22, while tending to their farm animals in Barangay Aguho, Esperanza, Masbate. On June 5, the 74th IB opened fire on 11 farmers, including seven minors in Sitio Canonghan, Barangay Osmeña, Palapag, Northern Samar. They were later rounded up and brought to a military camp, and falsely linked to the NPA. These are just some recent examples of the brutal forms of armed suppression perpetrated by Marcos against the people.

Marcos’ tyrannical rule teaches the people that only by taking up arms and joining the NPA can they effectively defend their lives and fight for their rights and aspirations.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/npa-recruitment-continues-under-marcos-brutal-regime/