4 Dawlah Islamiya fighters nabbed in Lanao del Sur

From the Philippine Star (May 28, 2023): 4 Dawlah Islamiya fighters nabbed in Lanao del Sur (By Roel Pareño)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Four fighters of the Islamic State-linked Dawlah Islamiya were arrested in Marugong, Lanao del Sur on Thursday, according to the military.

Abu Rasas, 18, said to be a sub-leader of the group of Fajarudin Pangalian, alias Abu Zacariah; an alias Saidi, 18, and two boys aged 14 and 16 were arrested.

An M14 rifle, a 5.56 mm M16A1 rifle, a 5.56mm R4 rifle, an M203 grenade launcher, a 7.62mm rifle, five improvised explosive devices and assorted magazines and ammunition were recovered from the four in Barangay Pabrika, Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, First Infantry Division and Joint Task Force ZamPeLan commander, said.

Personnel of the 32nd Infantry Battalion conducted the operation based on information provided by Moro Islamic Liberation Front members led by Esmail Cosain. Five MILF members joined the operation.

The military said the four were arrested while waiting for supplies and food from their supporters.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/05/28/2269550/4-dawlah-islamiya-fighters-nabbed-lanao-del-sur

Dawlah Islamiyah leader, 3 others arrested in Lanao

From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (May 28, 2023): Dawlah Islamiyah leader, 3 others arrested in Lanao

GOVERNMENT troops have arrested a leader and three followers of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) extremist group and seized firearms and explosives in Lanao del Sur, the military reported Saturday, May 27, 2023,.

Major General Antonio Nafarrete, Joint Task Force (JTF)-ZamPeLan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces) commander, said they were arrested by troopers of the 32nd Infantry Battalion (IB) together with Moro Islamic Liberation Front members on Thursday, May 25, in Pabrika village, Marugong, Lanao del Sur.

The arrested DI extremists include Abu Rasas, 18, one of the key leaders under Fajarudin Pumbaya Pangalian, the Amir of DI-Philippines; Saidi, 18, brother Abu Sham, a DI-Lanao sub-leader; and, the other two are minors aged 16 and 14.


They were arrested while the 32IB troops acted on information from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front members under Esmail Cosain, alias Commander Delta, regarding the presence of unidentified armed men in Pabrika village, Marugong.

Seized from them were: one M-14 rifle, one M16A1 rifle, one R4 rifle, one M-203 Grenade Launcher, one Springfield rifle, five improvised explosive devices, five M-203 Grenade Launcher ammunition, and assorted magazines and ammunition.

The arrested suspects were detained while formal charges are set to be filed against them (SunStar Zamboanga)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1962454/zamboanga/local-news/dawlah-islamiyah-leader-3-others-arrested-in-lanao

2,000 residents flee Lanao del Sur’s Marogong town

From MindaNews (May 28, 2023): 2,000 residents flee Lanao del Sur’s Marogong town (By FROILAN GALLARDO)

CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 28 May) — An estimated 2,000 residents of Marogong in Lanao del Sur fled their homes on Saturday, fearing their town would be attacked by the Islamic State-inspired Dawlah Islamiyah in retaliation for the arrest of four of its members last Friday.

Shaminoden Sambitory, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, said the residents fled to the neighboring towns of Binidayan, Balabagan and Madalum late Saturday night following the arrest of the four suspects.

Sambitory said the fear that the armed group would attack Marogong town prompted the residents to seek refuge elsewhere. “That is our initial report and we are closely monitoring the situation in Marogong town. The officials are on alert status,” he said.

He said a total of 259 families or some 2,000 residents fled — 206 families to nearby Binidayan town, 45 families to Balabagan, and eight families to Madalum.

  

Marogong, Lanao del Sur. Map courtesy of Google Maps

Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarete, commanding general of the Army’s 1st Division, said the arrests came after a combat team saw the suspects who were allegedly waiting for their supporters to bring food and supplies in barangays Piangologan and Pabrika in Marogong town last Friday.

“The suspects were caught off guard by the quick raid by the combat patrol,” Nafarete said in a statement.

The military identified the suspects as Muhammad Nasif, 18; Saidi Macadaag, 18, and two minors.

Nafarete said the four are allegedly operating under Fajarudin Pumbaya Pagalian also known as Abu Zacharia, allegedly the new Emir of the Dawlah Islamiyah in the Philippines.

He said an M14 rifle, an M16A1 rifle, an R4 rifle, a Springfield rifle and a 40mm M203 grenade launcher, assorted ammunition were seized from the suspects.

In a press conference on April 2, 2023, Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, director of the Police Regional Office, announced that three alleged supporters of the Dawlah Islamiya were killed and seven others were arrested during a joint operation in Barangay Matampay 1 Dumarpa, Bubong, Lanao del Sur.

Lt. Col. Jamal Christopher Adiong, chief of the intelligence unit of the Lanao del Sur police, estimated the number of hardcore members of Dawlah Islamiya at 14, led by Zacharia and hiding in the mountains of Marogong, Lanao del Sur and neighboring areas.

The Islamic State-inspired Dawlah Islamiyah, also known as Maute Group, laid siege on the Islamic City of Marwai on May 23, 2017. It took the military five months to defeat the group led by the Maute brothers Omar and Abdullah and the alleged ISIS Emir in Southeast Asia, Isnilon Hapilon of the Abu Sayyaf Group. The Maute brothers and Hapilon were killed.

Then President Rodrigo Duterte declared Marawi “liberated from the terrorist influence” on 17 October 2017 while his Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana terminated all combat operations in Marawi on 23 October 2017, exactly five months from Day One of the siege. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/05/2000-residents-flee-lanao-del-surs-marogong-town/

3 Sayyaf men surrender in Basilan

From the Manila Times (May 28, 2023): 3 Sayyaf men surrender in Basilan (By Al Jacinto)

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Three Abu Sayyaf terrorists surrendered separately to the Philippine Navy in the southern Muslim province of Basilan and Sulu with security officials saying the trio may be given amnesty under the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

The trio — Akmad Hassan, Sibar Asid and Anting Addalal — who surrendered on Thursday, May 25, also underwent a thorough medical checkup at the military's Camp Navarro General Hospital here to ensure their well-being, said Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor, commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), which facilitated the surrender of the terrorists.

"They were turned over to the Joint Task Force-Basilan and Joint Task Force-Sulu, in collaboration with MPOS-BARMM, for proper documentation and appropriate disposition, and their possible inclusion in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program," Miraflor said, referring to the Ministry of Public Order and Safety of the Bangsamoro autonomous region.

"They (surrenderers) willingly turned over a significant cache of firearms and explosives, demonstrating their commitment to leaving behind their militant activities," he added.

The former Abu Sayyaf members turned over one M16 rifle, one M1 Garand rifle, one.45-caliber pistol, one fragmentation grenade, one smoke grenade, one canister of tear gas and ammunition, according to Miraflor, who said the men were presented to Army Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, chief of the Western Mindanao Command.

"The continuous surrender of ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) members is a testament to the NFWM's unwavering efforts to establish lasting peace and security in Western Mindanao," he said.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/05/28/regions/3-sayyaf-men-surrender-in-basilan/1893398

4 Abu Sayyaf Group bandits surrender; DI teens arrested

From the Philippine News Agency (May 27, 2023): 4 Abu Sayyaf Group bandits surrender; DI teens arrested (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

SURRENDER. Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor (left), Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, welcomes the Abu Sayyaf Group members who have turned their backs on terrorism in Zamboanga City on Thursday (May 25, 2023). The surrenderers underwent medical checkups and debriefing and will be evaluated for inclusion in government assistance. (Photo courtesy of NFWM-PIO)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The government continues to win the war against insurgency and terrorism with the surrender of four Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members here and in two provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office director, on Saturday identified the four ASG members as Ahmad Mawali, Akmad Hassan, Sibar Asid, and Anting Addalal.

The 30-year-old Mawali, a resident of Sitio Niyog-Niyog, Barangay Muti here, also yielded an M-14 rifle to police and military operatives here on Thursday.

He is a follower of ASG sub-leader Marzan Ajijul, who was involved in the February 2017 ambush of a bus that injured eight passengers in Barangay Buenavista here.

Rear Admiral Donn Anthony Miraflor, Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, said Sulu-based Hassan and Asid, and Basilan-based ASG Addalal surrendered through the efforts of the Joint Task Forces (JTF) Sulu and Basilan and the BARMM Ministry of Peace, Order and Safety, also on Thursday.

“They willingly turned over a significant cache of firearms and explosives, demonstrating their commitment to leave behind their militant activities,” Miraflor said in a statement.

The trio underwent a medical checkup at Camp Navarro General Hospital here and were turned over to JTF Basilan and Sulu for documentation and possible inclusion in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

Mawali was placed under the custody of the Joint Task Force Zamboanga for debriefing.

All four received food packs as initial assistance from the government.

Teenaged DI members arrested in Lanao

Meanwhile, a key leader and three followers of another terrorist group, the Dawlah Islamiya (DI), were arrested while waiting for the arrival of their supplies in Lanao del Sur.

Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, 1st Infantry Division commander, said Saturday the four were arrested by troops of the 32nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Pabrika, Marugong town on Thursday night -- Abu Rasas, 18, a leader under Fajarudin Pumbaya Pangalian, the amir (ruler) of DI-Philippines; Saidi, 18, brother of DI-Lanao sub-leader Abu Sham; and two others aged 16 and 14.

Seized from their possession were firearms, explosives, and ammunition, including grenade launchers.

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Western Mindanao Command chief, commended the soldiers and credited the tip provided by the group of Moro Islamic Liberation Front commander Esmail Cosain.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1202328

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Sertipikasyong “kagyat” ng panukalang MIF, di dapat sundin

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (May 28, 2022): Sertipikasyong “kagyat” ng panukalang MIF, di dapat sundin ("Urgent" certification of the MIF proposal, should not be followed)

 

May 28, 2023

“Di konstitusyunal” ang hakbangin ni Ferdinand Marcos Jr na sertipikahang “urgent” ang panukalang Maharlika Investment Fund, ayon kina Atty. Neri Colmenares ng Bayan Muna at Sen. Koko Pimentel. Sa gayon, hindi dapat sundin ng mga senador ang atas ni Marcos na ipasa ito bago magsara ang regular na sesyon ng Senado.

Ayon kay Atty. Colmenares, “abuso sa kapangyarihan ng upisina ng presidente” ang ginawang sertipikasyon ni Marcos. Ginawa ito para ikutan ang konstitusyunal na rekisito kung saan kailangan ng tatlong pagdinig ang isang panukala bago ito aprubahan. Saklaw lamang ng ganitong awtoridad ang mga panukalang nakatuon sa mga kalamidad, pandemya o iba pang kalagayang pangkagipitan, aniya.

“Anong emergency sa publiko o kalamidad na tinutugunan ang Maharlika Investment Fund?” tanong ni Sen. Pimentel. “Hindi ba pangmatagalan ang pamumuhunan sa pondong ito?” Aniya, aabutin ng lima hanggang 10 taon bago matamasa ng mamamayan ang mga benepisyo, kung magkakaroon man.

Umalma rin si Sen. Chiz Escudero na nagsabing “talon sa kawalang-katiyakan” ang MIF. Kinwestyon niya ang kakayahan nitong kumita ng mas malaki sa kinikita ngayon ng mga bangkong pagkukunan ng pondo. Tinutukoy niya ang Development Bank of the Philippines at Land Bank of the Philippines, na kumikita ng abereyds na 6% mula sa mga pamumuhunan nito sa kasalukuyan. Tanong niya, makatitiyak ba na mas mataas ang kikitain ng MIF mula sa ₱75 bilyong pondo na kinikita nito ngayon mula sa pamumuhunan.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/sertipikasyong-kagyat-ng-panukalang-mif-di-dapat-sundin/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Mga akusasyon ng AFP kontra sa mga Lumad sa Davao, ibinasura ng korte

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (May 28, 2022): Mga akusasyon ng AFP kontra sa mga Lumad sa Davao, ibinasura ng korte (Accusations by the AFP against the Lumads in Davao, dismissed by the court)

May 28, 2023

Nakalaya noong Biyernes, Mayo 26, ang magkapatid na Lumad na sina Ismael Pangadas at Mawing Pangadas, at ang mga boluntir na guro sa paaralang Lumad na sina Lerna Laiwan Diagone, Jeffrey Diagone at development worker na si Elenita Elmino matapos silang ipawalang-sala sa gawa-gawang kasong human trafficking na isinampa laban sa kanila. Nakulong ang lima nang walo hanggang 10 buwan.

Ang magkapatid na Pangadas ay inaresto sa Davao City noong Hulyo 25, 2022 matapos dumalo sa protesta kontra sa unang State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Ang magkapatid ay mga Manobo na mula sa bahagi ng Pantaron Range na saklaw ng Talaingod, Davao del Norte. Samantala, ang mag-asawang Diagone kasama ang kanilang noong 9-buwang anak ay inaresto ng 39th IB noong September 6, 2022.

Sa mga desisyon ng korte, bigo ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na patunayan ang krimeng ibinintang sa lima dahil sa mahihinang ebidensya.

Binati ng grupong Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas ang paglaya ng lima. Ayon sa grupo, ang pagpapawalang-sala sa mga “kasapi at tagasuporta ng mga eskwelahang Lumad ay nagpapatibay sa laban para sa…edukasyon na nakaugat sa kaalamang Katutubo, siyentipikong konsepto ng sustainability, at dekolonisadong pamamaraan sa kasaysayan.”

Pinagpugayan din ng grupo ang kahandaan ng mga bagong-laya na ipagpatuloy ang kanilang pakikibaka at pakikiisa sa laban para sa sariling pagpapasya ng mga pambansang minorya.

Giit ng grupo, ang paglaya ng lima ay isa lamang unang hakbang. Nangako rin ang grupo na igigiit ang pananagutan at pagpapanagot sa mga sangkot sa hindi makatarungang pagkukulong sa lima nilang kasamahan.

Samantala, patuloy ang panawagan ng mga grupong sumusuporta sa mga pambansang minorya na tuluyan nang ibasura ang mga gawa-gawang kaso sa binansagang Free Lumad and Environmental Defenders (FLED) 14, kung saan kabilang ang lima. Ang FLED 14 ay mga katutubong Lumad at tagapagtanggol ng karapatang-tao na binubuo ng anim na estudyanteng Lumad, anim na mga guro ng paaralang Lumad at dalawang lider ng komunidad, na ginigipit ng estado dahil sa kanilang pagtindig para sa lupang ninuno.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/mga-akusasyon-ng-afp-kontra-sa-mga-lumad-sa-davao-ibinasura-ng-korte/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Hustisya at “kambalingan,” panawagan sa ika-6 taong anibersaryo ng Marawi Siege

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (May 27, 2022): Hustisya at “kambalingan,” panawagan sa ika-6 taong anibersaryo ng Marawi Siege (Justice and "peace", a call on the 6th anniversary of the Marawi Siege (Justice and infidelity call on the 6th anniversary of the Marawi Siege)

 

May 27, 2023

Nagmartsa sa loob ng Marawi City ang mga bakwit at grupong Maranao sa ika-6 na taong anibersaryo ng pananalakay ng AFP sa syudad noong Mayo 23. Isinagawa nila ang “Solemn Walk for Justice and Peace” para patuloy na igiit ang hustisya at pagbabalik nila sa kanilang syudad.

Panawagan nila ang kambalingan (homecoming) na ligtas at may dignidad, hindi lamang sa kanilang mga buhay kundi pati na sa kanilang identidad bilang mga Meranao. Kasama sa martsa ang mga residenteng may mga kaanak na napatay o nawala sa panahon ng pananalakay at hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa natatagpuan.

“Sa ika-anim na taong paggunita ng Marawi siege ay muling ipinapahayag naming mga bakwit ng Marawi na walang substansyal na pagbabago sa aming buhay, nananatlili pa rin kaming bakwit na nahaharap sa samutsaring problema at kahirapan,” pahayag ng Reclaiming Marawi Movement sa naturang araw.

Sa tala ng ReliefWeb, mayroon ang 80,300 katao o 16,070 pamilya na hindi pa rin nakauuwi sa kanilang lugar. Nasa 70% sa kanila ay nananatili sa kanilang mga kamag-anal, habang mayroon pa ring natitira sa mga pansamantalang tirahan. Wala na ngang katiyakan ng kanilang kalagayan sa mga tirahang ito, kulang pa ang mga ito sa tubig at puno na ang mga septic tank. Isa sa pinoproblema nila ang banta ng pagpapalayas sa sobrang tagal nang mga temporary shelter, tulad nang nangyari sa Bakwit Village I sa Matungao, Lanao del Norte na napilitang ilipat sa Dulay Temporary Shelter na napakalayo na sa syudad.

Sa Metro Manila, isinagawa ng Sandugo-Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination ang isang pagtitipon para gunitain ang pambobomba sa Marawi at ang kasabay nitong pagpataw ng batas militar sa buong Mindanao.

Sa Davao City, nagpiket naman ang mga demokratikong grupo para gunitain ang pagpataw ng batas militar sa Marawi at sa buong Mindanao anim na taon na ang nakararaan. Nagbunga ito ng napakaraming paglabag sa karapatang tao, kabilang na ang walang pakundangang pambobomba at ekstra-hudisyal na pamamaslang sa mga sibilyang Moro. Marami sa mga ito ay ipinalabas ng estado na myembro ng nakalaban nitong grupong Maute sa syudad.
Kumpensasyon sa mga biktima

Sa araw na iyun, pinirmahan ang Implementing Rules and Regulations ng Republic Act 11696 o Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act, ang lubha nang naantalang kumpensasyon sa mga biktima ng pananalakay. Matagal na nila itong hinihintay para makabalik na sila sa kanilang dating lugar at masimulan ang pagtatayo ng kanilang nasirang mga bahay at ari-arian. Ang malala, naantala na nga, lubha pa itong mababa. Aminado maging ng mga upisyal ng Marawi na kulang na kulang ang matatanggap na kumpensasyon ng mga biktima.

Alinsunod sa batas, makatatanggap ang bawat pamilyang nawalan ng kamag-anak nang P350,000. Makatatanggap naman ng P35,500 kada kwadro metro ang mga may-ari ng mga bahay na sementado na nawasak at P18,000 kada kwadrado metro ang matatanggap ng mga may-ari ng nawasak na bahay na gawa sa kahoy. Gayunpaman, naglaan lamang ang estado ng P1 bilyong pondo para sa kabuuang kumpensasyon. Ayon sa mga residente, lubha itong mababa lalupa’t buu-buong mga ospital, paaralan at iba pang pribadong negosyo at gusali ang pinulbos ng militar sa araw-araw nitong pambobomba sa syudad.

Malayong-malayo ito sa taya ng Asian Development Bank noong 2018 na P11.5 bilyong halaga ng nasirang mga pampubliko at pribadong mga ari-arian, at P7 bilyon na pinsala sa kabuhayan ng mamamayan.

Higit dito, nananatili ang panawagan ng mamamayang Meranao para sa hustisya. “Totoo na isa ang compensation sa mekanismo para makamit ang transitional justice at dapat at kinakailangan na hangarin ng lahat ang hustisya,” anila. “Pero bago ang lahat, dapat na may pagkilala sa mga naging inhustisya at kung ano ang mga ito, kinakailangan na maipahayag ang katotohanan at mapanagot ang mga gumawa sa anyo man ng pagkukulang at mga kalabisan. Sa ganitong paraan lamang masisimulan ang proseso sa pagkamit ng hustisya at maghilom ang mga sugat.”

Samantala, patuloy na inookupa ng militar ang syudad. Mula 2017, umaabot sa 3,000 sundalo, o isang “supersized brigade” ang permanenteng nakatalaga sa syudad para diumano sa seguridad. Binubuo ito ng 103rd IBde, isang engineering brigade, isang yunit para sa Civil Military Operations at isang logistics team. Liban sa kanila, naglipana ang mga sundalong Amerikano sa syudad, laluna sa tinaguriang Ground Zero, kung saan itinatayo ang isang kampong militar.

Noong Mayo 22, pormal na inilunsad ang Task Force Marawi na binubuo ng 103rd IB, Philippine National Police at mga upisyal ng lokal na gubyerno. Ang pormasyong ito ay katulad sa itinayo sa ibang syudad sa Mindanao.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/hustisya-at-kambalingan-panawagan-sa-ika-6-taong-anibersaryo-ng-marawi-siege/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Piket kontra-kwari sa Silay City, isinagawa ng mga magsasaka

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (May 26, 2022): Piket kontra-kwari sa Silay City, isinagawa ng mga magsasaka (Anti-quarry picket in Silay City, carried out by farmers)

 

May 26, 2023

Nagpiket sa harap ng Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) sa Bacolod City ang mga magsasaka ng Silay City noong Mayo 19 para ipanawagan ang pagpapahinto sa mga operasyong kwari na nangyayari sa kanilang syudad. Ayon sa mga magsasakang kinatawan ng Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Negros, wala pa ring aksyon ang lokal na gubyerno sa mapaminsalang operasyong kwari na nagsasapanganib sa kanilang kabuhayan at kaligtasan.

Sa protesta, ibinahagi ng mga residente ng Baragay E Lopez at Hacienda Macamig 3 ang kanilang pangamba sa masamang epekto ng operasyong kwari sa lugar na nagsimula noong 2019. Anila, nagagambala sila ng ingay ng mga trak na naghahakot ng buhangin. Nasira din ang kanilang sistema sa irigasyon na dahilan ng paghina ng inaani, dagdag nila.

Nangangamba rin ang mga magsasaka sa posibleng epekto nito sa kalikasan laluna sa panahon ng tag-ulan na maaaring magpalubha ng pagbaha sa maraming barangay.

Isiniwalat din ng mga magsasaka ang panloloko sa kanila ng mga upisyal ng barangay na nagpapirma sa kanila ng “attendance sheet” sa isang aktibidad na ginamit para pahintulutan ang naturang operasyong kwari.

Kasabay ng protesta, nakipagdayalogo ang mga kinatawan ng magsasaka sa mga upisyal ng PEMO. Matapos ang pag-uusap, nangako ang PEMO na iimbestigahan nito ang kwari at bibisita sa lugar ng kwari.

Sa ulat ng lokal na alternatibong midya noong 2021, may limang operasyong ang umiiral sa syudad. Pag-aari ang naturang mga operasyon ng malalaking negosyanteng sina Jerry Sy na nagmamay-ari ng Silver Dragon, Juan Miguel Gomez, Emilio Jose Gaston, Perseus Causing, at Sandra Encarnacion Sisip. Ang mga ito’y ilan lamang sa pinatatakbo ng daan-daang opereytor ng kwari sa 3rd district ng Negros Occidental.

Ang dala nitong malawakang pagkawasak sa kalikasan at kabuhayan ng masa ang dahilan kung bakit may ilang ulit nang nagsagawa ng armadong aksyon ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/piket-kontra-kwari-sa-silay-city-isinagawa-ng-mga-magsasaka/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Mga Rizaleñong tinulungan ng mga progresibo, binantaan ng 80th IB

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis online propaganda posted to the PRWC Newsroom, the blog site of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Information Bureau (May 26, 2022): Mga Rizaleñong tinulungan ng mga progresibo, binantaan ng 80th IB (Rizaleños helped by the progressives, threatened by the 80th IB)

 

May 26, 2023

Ipinatawag at ginipit ng mga sundalo ng 80th IB noong Biyernes, Mayo 26, ang lahat ng residente ng Sitio, Ligtas, Barangay San Rafael, Montalban, Rizal na nakatanggap ng ayuda mula sa grupong Serve the People Corps (STPC) at Karapatan-Rizal noong Mayo 22. Sa pulong, tinakot at binantaan nila ang lahat ng tumanggap ng tulong.

Pinagbintangan ng 80th IB ang mga boluntir na nagbigay ng tulong sa barangay na mga tauhan diumano ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan. Ipinailalim nila sa interogasyon ang mga residente. Pinalalabas ng mga sundalo na krimen ang pang-uupat ng paglaban sa gubyerno.

Ayon sa Karapatan-Rizal, layunin nilang maghatid ng tulong materyal at moral sa mga apektado ng sapilitang pagpapalikas sa nangyaring labanan noong huling linggo ng Abril sa pagitan ng mga sundalo at Bagong Hukbong Bayan.

Nagbigay ang mga grupo ng bigas at vitamins sa mga residente. Itinayo din ang community kitchen at isinagawa ang psycho-social na aktibidad para sa mga bata. Kasabay nito, isinagawa rin din ang talakayan hinggil sa Basic Human Rights. Inilunsad ang isang “open forum” sa kanilang mga karapatan at lumitaw na malaki ang tulong na kailangan ng mga residente lalo na sa usapin ng lupa.

Binatikos ng Karapatan-Rizal ang walang patumanggang pananakot, harassment, pangrered-tag at paglalagay sa panganib sa kaligtasan at buhay ng mga residente at ng mga boluntir ng STPC at Karapatan-Rizal. Anila, “ang ginagawang ito ng 80th IB ay naglalantad lamang sa tunay nilang kulay na anti-mamamayan at ang pinaglilingkuran ay interes ng malalaking negosyante.”

Ang 80th IB ay nagsisilbing gwardya ng anti-katutubo at mapanirang Wawa-Violago Dam na pag-aari ng mga Razon at Violago na magpapalayas sa mga residente doon at magdudulot ng malawakang pagbaha at pagkasira ng kalikasan ng Montalban.

https://philippinerevolution.nu/angbayan/mga-rizalenong-tinulungan-ng-mga-progresibo-binantaan-ng-80th-ib/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Political cases junked

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 21, 2023): Political cases junked

May 21, 2023

This article is available in Pilipino

Consecutive legal victories were achieved by activists and political prisoners in the past weeks.

The Bangued Regional Trial Court Branch 2 quashed the warrant of arrrest issued against the so called “Northern Luzon 7” on May 11. The court said that the seven were not named by the “survivors” of an ambush by the people’s army on October 2022 at Sitio Kutop, Barangay Gacab, Malibcong, Abra.

The seven are composed of activists and progressives Jennifer Awingan, Sarah Abellon-Alikes, Stephen Tauli, Windel Bolinget, Lucia Lourdes Gimenes, Nino Joseph Oconer, and Florence Kang.

On May 12, a Muntinlupa City court acquitted former senator Leila de Lima of her second drug case. The case’s primary witness Rafael Ragos recanted his allegations in 2022 and said he was merely forced to lie.

[Ang Bayan ("The People") is the official publication of the Communist Party of the Philippines, guided by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It is published by the Central Committee. AB comes out fortnightly every 7th and 21st of each month. The original Pilipino edition is translated into English, Bisaya, Waray, Hiligaynon and Iloco.]

https://philippinerevolution.nu/2023/05/21/political-cases-junked/

CPP/Ang Bayan: AFP fake encounters in Bicol

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 21, 2023): AFP fake encounters in Bicol

May 21, 2023

This article is available in Pilipino

Not less than three fake encounters were staged by the 9th ID and police forces in Bicol’s provinces this May to project the Marcos regime’s victory in decimating the armed movement in the region.

Latest among these is the fake report of an encounter in the boundary of Garchitorena and Lagonoy towns in Camarines Sur in the first week of May. The military also issued fake reports of encounters in Masbate and Camarines Norte. Because of the military’s failure to corner units of the people’s army in the region into decisive and tooth-and-nail engagement, the fascist military and police aim its terrorist violence against the civilian populace.

Meanwhile in Sorsogon, state forces released a fake report on May 6 claiming to have “arrested” former Red fighter Marlon Macabuhay, who actually surrendered on April 3. Contrary to the state’s promises of “assistance and reintegration,” Macabuhay was imprisoned in Gubat police station even in the absence of any legal charges.

[Ang Bayan ("The People") is the official publication of the Communist Party of the Philippines, guided by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It is published by the Central Committee. AB comes out fortnightly every 7th and 21st of each month. The original Pilipino edition is translated into English, Bisaya, Waray, Hiligaynon and Iloco.]

https://philippinerevolution.nu/2023/05/21/afp-fake-encounters-in-bicol/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Abduction and summary killings of civilians and non combatants ANG BAYAN, ARTICLES

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 21, 2023): Abduction and summary killings of civilians and non combatants

This article is available in Pilipino

May 21, 2023

The military reportedly killed three civilians presented as NPA combatants in a fake encounter last week in Visayas. They are the most recent among those summarily killed in the brutal pursuit for “strategic victory” over the NPA.

In Samar, families call for justice for the killing of chainsaw helpers Joel Balading Recare and Oscar Alastoy by the police in Sitio Ibaliw, Barangay Sangay, Palapag, Northern Samar on May 5. Both were not members of the NPA, the families assert. They were residents of Barangay Capacujan and were only there for employment. Even the barangay captain and other barangay officals corroborated this. Their loved ones’ anguish was further aggravated because it took the police more than 24 hours to bring their bodies to the funeral parlor.

In Bohol, activist and organizer Arthur Lucenario was held by the 47th IB for one month before he was presented killed in an “encounter” on May 12 in Barangay Tabuan, Antequera. He was abducted on April 14 in San Miguel City. His remains bear marks of severe torture.

Meanwhile, the revolutionary forces in Bohol reported the killing of Manuel Tinio (Ka Dodie), peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. Tinio was shot seven times on the night of April 14 while he was driving a motorcycle along the boundary between San Miguel and Ubay. The military planted a caliber .45 and claimed “firing back” to conceal the heinous act.

Illegal arrests. The 94th IB captured and forcibly disappeared farmer Allan Ramos in Sityo Dingalon, Hilamonan, Kabankalan City in the afternoon of May 11. The military claims Ramos was arrested after an alledged encounter with the NPA. In fact, soldiers strafed the family’s home before they abducted Ramos.

Meanwhile, the team searching for two forcibly disappeared IP advocates Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz Jamil de Jesus determined recently that the two were forcefully boarded in two different vehicles by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detetection Group. They were last seen on April 28 in Taytay, Rizal.

Bombings. Two consecutive bombings and strafing operations were launched by the 203rd IBde in Oriental Mindoro on April 29 and May 8. The military first bombarded the mountains in the boundary between Roxas and Mansalay on April 29. The bombings were part of their “test firing” in the said area. The bombing caused distress to the 10,870 residents in the area.

On May 8, bombing and strafing harassed the residents of Barangay Tawas, Bongabong and Barangay Malo, Bansud. It targeted the residents’ huts and banana fields.

[Ang Bayan ("The People") is the official publication of the Communist Party of the Philippines, guided by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It is published by the Central Committee. AB comes out fortnightly every 7th and 21st of each month. The original Pilipino edition is translated into English, Bisaya, Waray, Hiligaynon and Iloco.]

https://philippinerevolution.nu/2023/05/21/abduction-and-summary-killings-of-civilians-and-non-combatants/

CPP/Ang Bayan: NPA mounts five consecutive armed actions

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 21, 2023): NPA mounts five consecutive armed actions

 

This article is available in Pilipino

May 21, 2023

The New People’s Army (NPA) mounted five consecutive armed actions in Panay and Kalinga provinces from May 2 to May 8. These form part of the all-out effort of NPA units to vigorously fight and deter the all-out-war of the reactionary government against the masses and the revolutionary movement.

A harassment operation was first staged by the NPA-Southern Panay (Napoleon Tumagtang Command) on May 2 at 10 in the evening in Barangay Luyang, Sibalom, Antique, where they attacked AFP troops stationed in the CAA detachment.

On May 3, the NPA-Kalinga (Lejo Cawilan Command) ambushed an operating unit of the 50th IB in Sitio Agod, Barangay Poswoy, Balbalan, Kalinga. Two enemy troopers were killed. A Red fighter, Baliwag “Ka Bombo” Buccol, was martyred in the said operation.

On May 5, the NPA mounted punitive actions against the Atrila Builders Inc in Barangay Cabungaan, Leon, Iloilo, just two hours away from a CAA detachment in Barangay Maliao. Four pieces of equipment were paralyzed including a backhoe, a grader, a truck and a roller which costs P900,000 in all. The company is notorious for abusing workers by not paying them enough and being subjected to inhumane working conditions.

On May 6, Red fighters blasted troops of the Philippine Army who responded to the incident and planned to retaliate against the NPA. Using command-detonated explosives (CDX), the NPA ambushed one of the three vans transporting soldiers. The vehicle turned on its side towards a cliff. As a result, the military troops withdrew and cancelled their planned operations in the area.

In the morning of May 8, a unit of the NPA fired at a paramilitary detachment in Barangay Igcococ, Sibalom, Antique.

[Ang Bayan ("The People") is the official publication of the Communist Party of the Philippines, guided by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It is published by the Central Committee. AB comes out fortnightly every 7th and 21st of each month. The original Pilipino edition is translated into English, Bisaya, Waray, Hiligaynon and Iloco.]

https://philippinerevolution.nu/2023/05/21/npa-mounts-five-consecutive-armed-actions/

AFP-Ang Bayan: AFP pensions burden the nation

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Philippine Revolution Web Central (PRWC) Website (May 21, 2023): AFP pensions burden the nation

This article is available in Pilipino

May 21, 2023

Like leeches, the huge fascist machinery of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sucks dry the people’s funds, not only in the purchase of increasing number of and bigger arms and equipment, but also to cover the pension of its butcher elements after their “service.”

Combatant and non-combatant alike, members of the military bureaucracy do not contribute a single centavo to their pension funds. The entire fund is taken from the national treasury. This is in addition to the maintenance costs of active elements which eat up the biggest share in the budget of the Department of National Defense. This is in contrast to deductions from the salary of public and private employees are deduction as “contribution” to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS).

Soldiers’ pensions are tax-free. They start receiving the pension at age 56, or nine years earlier than the retirement age of other government employees. Their pension is also based on the salary of the next higher rank upon their retirement. This promotes competion for promotion and a race to ranking positions, especially among generals.
Huge leak in the national budget

The needed pension ballooned severalfolds after the former Duterte regime doubled the base pay of the military and police as bribe for their loyalty. The few thousand new soldiers which compose the established combat, arillery and other battalions recruited by Duterte on the promise of high salary, special priveleges and pensions add up to the nation’s spending.

At present, the lowest official (2nd lieutenant) receives a net salary of ₱43,829 per month. This is a far cry from the ₱30,742.27 net entry salary of nurses after deducting required contributions to GSIS, Philhealth and Pag-ibig. A teacher’s net pay is even far lower standing at ₱23,465.50. A new soldier recruit which only trained for six months receives a higher salary of ₱29,668. (In comparison, a worker’s regular wage which stands at ₱8,902 is utterly grievous.)

Officials of the reactionary state admit that the increasing pension funds of the AFP is unsustainable. To cover the pension budget of the military and police and other uniformed personnel, ₱9.6 trillion or ₱800 billion yearly is needed in the next 20 years. According to the Department of Finance, the state will need to borrow an additional ₱3.43 trillion up to 2030, 25% higher than the current level.

The agency suggests deducting 5% to 9% from the salary of soldiers, police, coast guard, prison and personnel of police academies to fund its own pension. (The GSIS deducts about 10% from the gross pay of other government employees per month, while the SSS deducts about 5% from workers earning less than the minimum.)

The agency also suggests to remove the automatic promotion to a rank higher of retirees and add a year to its retirement age. It will cover all active and incoming uniformed elements.

At present, the pension of the lowest ranking soldier is ₱40,000 per month. This is three times bigger than the ₱13,600 monthly pension of a government employee and nine times bigger than the ₱4,528 a worker receives.

Members of the AFP threatened to vehemently oppose to proposed reforms to the military’s pension funds. Retired generals, who are not covered by the proposal, were first to oppose this. Instead of contributing, they want an increase to their pension from 85% to 90% of their base pay.

This does not yet include the bribe given to retired generals after their stint its “pasalubong” system and the anomalous military contracts which their private companies and controlled criminal syndicates monopolize.

[Ang Bayan ("The People") is the official publication of the Communist Party of the Philippines, guided by Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It is published by the Central Committee. AB comes out fortnightly every 7th and 21st of each month. The original Pilipino edition is translated into English, Bisaya, Waray, Hiligaynon and Iloco.]

https://philippinerevolution.nu/2023/05/21/afp-pensions-burden-the-nation/