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Post by dodger on Sept 14, 2013 7:37:16 GMT
At 57 years old, Ka Vera is among the senior Red fighters of the New People's Army (NPA) in the Southern Tagalog region. Born of a peasant family, Ka Vera joined the NPA in the late 1980s and has fought countless battles. He looks forward to continue his service to the NPA as long as his body will permit or be assigned to some other tasks that will help in advancing the people's war.
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Post by dodger on Sept 14, 2013 10:18:18 GMT
Traffic jam in Mindanao. 2 kilometres. Do you have the same problems where you live? A communist meeting. A celebration. Temporarily held up at Police Checkpoint. Soon underway............and another stop!!
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Post by dodger on Sept 15, 2013 9:27:36 GMT
Leader of Agusanon Manobos killed, hacked in front of children
Militarization here is linked with the entry of New Britain Palm Oil Ltd, which is eyeing KASAKA’s ancestral domain
By EARL O. CONDEZA Davao Today
Davao City – A leader of the Agusanon Manobos who evacuated and camped in this city last month was gunned down and hacked to death by unidentified armed men in front of his two children on Friday Sept. 13.
Karapatan Southern Mindanao said Benjie Planos, officer of the group Kahugpungan Alang sa Kalambuan (KASAKA), was driving his motorcycle home with his two children in Barangay Kauswagan when assailants attacked him.
KASAKA leader Benjie Planos playing an ethnic gong last August during the evacuation of the Manobos in Bankerohan Gym (contributed photo)
In a text message to Davao Today, KASAKA spokesperson Marylin Edgames confirmed that unidentified men stopped Planos and forced his kids to disembark. Planos was then shot with a shotgun. His ears and nose were hacked afterwards. The two kids who witnessed the whole incident were left unharmed.
Edgames said Planos, a Bisaya settler living among the Manobos, and other leaders of KASAKA had been receiving death threats from the Philippine Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion and the paramilitary group Bagani.
KASAKA staunchly opposed intensive military and paramilitary operations in the area; the militarization, KASAKA leaders said, is linked with the entry of New Britain Palm Oil Ltd, which is eyeing KASAKA’s ancestral domain.
Juvanie Espana, Loreto Municipal Information Services officer, said in his blog that the company is planning to invest in Loreto as part of its 36,000 hectare-expansion in Asia.
Karapatan suspected that the military and paramilitary groups were behind Planos’ murder.
Edgames condemned the killing saying it was meant to silence the Manobos and stop the opposition to the palm oil plantation.
Last July, harassments from the military and the Baganis prompted some 800 Agusan Manobos to leave Loreto, especially after appeals to Agusan del Sur provincial officials bogged down.
The evacuees stayed in Davao City for 17 days, and returned home after securing assurance of their safety in a dialogue with Loreto Mayor Dario Otaza and Eastern Mindanao Command Commanding Officer Lt. General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III.
The dialogue, brokered by City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, concluded with an agreement providing, among other things, that the military and local authorities in Agusan should have “no retaliatory action against the bakwits and the leaders of KASAKA.” (Earl O. Condeza, Reposted by (http://bulatlat.com)) - See more at: bulatlat.com/main/2013/09/15/leader-of-agusanon-manobos-killed-hacked-in-front-of-children/#sthash.cx97YydE.dpuf
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Post by dodger on Sept 19, 2013 15:15:37 GMT
NPA attacks camp of NIPAR bandit group in San Fernando, Bukidnon
Ariel Inda Magbanwag South Central Bukidnon Subregional Command September 18, 2013
Units of the New People’s Army under the South Central Bukidnon Subregional Command attacked the camp of the criminal bandit group NIPAR (New Indigenous People’s Army for Reform) led by Aldie “Butsoy” Salusad, September 16, 2013, around 5:00 AM in Sitio Kiranggol, Brgy. Dao, San Fernando, Bukidnon. The attack was launched in response to the overdue demands for justice of this group’s victims.
One was killed while five other bandit members were wounded inside their fortified camp in a chain of sporadic firefight which lasted for more than two hours. Surprised by the sudden assault of the revolutionary army, some armed bandits ran and hid among civilians; they returned fire using the gold panners in the area as human shield.
On the other hand, a few Red fighters were wounded in the battle. The unit command of the attacking force decided to withdraw orderly to avoid civilian casualties, leaving the mission of meting out punishment on Butsoy unaccomplished.
This incident proves that the reactionary troops of the AFP condone the criminal activities of this notorious group. Soldiers from detachments in Dao and Kibungkog, together with Nonong Salusad, regularly visit the NIPAR camp. Instead of arresting these bandits and prosecuting them for murdering Jimmy Liguyon and robbing Tessie Ombo, these soldiers happily share the spoils from the extortion activities of their cuddled armed monsters.
The AFP’s collusion with NIPAR is beyond doubt. Without military and police backing, how could Butsoy’s group freely do business and acquire high-powered firearms to control and dominate the small-scale gold miners of Kiranggol? Clearly, the military and police are among those who benefit from the spoils of NIPAR’s illegal activities. This is the reason why the long arm of justice apparently fails to catch them. It would be a folly for the AFP-PNP to arrest Butsoy or make him surrender, since his bandit group NIPAR has served effectively their counterrevolutionary witchhunting.
In response to Butsoy’s lies peddled in the local media regarding the battle:
First, it is blatantly untrue that forces of the 23rd IB-CAA from the neighboring detachment of Kibungkog sent reinforcements to aid the beleaguered bandit group in repelling the attackers. The fact is, the group of Butsoy’s father, the CAFGU bandit Nonong Salusad, together with soldiers of the 23rd IB who were already in the NIPAR camp two days before the NPA attack, fiercely fought side-by-side with NIPAR.
Second, while it is true that a few were wounded, not one Red fighter was killed in the battle.
Third, the NPA firmly abides by its iron discipline. The alleged confiscation of a P350,000 cash from a gold buyer is pure and simple malicious accusation.
Fourth, not a single firearm of the NPA attacking unit was left in the place of incident. The M-14 rifle that Butsoy flaunted as a hard won prize captured from the NPA attackers is nothing but his own group’s firearm.
Although the mission of meting out punishment on Butsoy and his bandit group was not carried out successfully, the NPA as the people’s army has shown that, it never sat idly in waiting for an opportune time to serve revolutionary justice to NIPAR’s victims. Contrary to the nonchalance of the military and police of the ruling classes, we assure the victims and their families that the future is bursting with many more opportunities. They can hope for justice to be served in due time.
Ariel Inda Magbanwag Spokesperson South Central Bukidnon Subregional Command
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Post by dodger on Sept 19, 2013 18:42:25 GMT
2 soldiers hurt in NPA ambush in Palawan BY RAPPLER.COM POSTED ON 09/18/2013 10:04 PM | UPDATED 09/18/2013 10:11 PM
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines – Armed men believed to be New People's Army (NPA) rebels ambushed a marine contingent at dusk Wednesday, September 18.
Two soldiers from the Marine Batallion Landing Team 4 were wounded after a brief firefight before the armed men retreated, according to Wescom spokesman Maj. Oliver Banaria.
Banaria said the marines were setting up the checkpoint in Barangay Langogan north of the city proper when they were fired upon.
He said government troops are still pursuing the armed men.
A separate report by state-run Philippines News Agency said the Marines were aboard two 6x6 military trucks of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 4 (MBLT).
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Post by dodger on Sept 20, 2013 14:33:54 GMT
Lamenting lost homes, seeing MNLF forces up close
By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA Davao Today
Zamboanga City (Sept 16,2013) – Ina, a mother of two, and a resident of Sta. Barbara village, pitched her family’s tent on a cyclone fence for volleyball at the Joaquin Enriquez Sports Complex. The cyclone wire made it easier for evacuees like her to hang their malong hammocks.
Ina was among the 62,000 civilians who were displaced following a standoff between the Moro National Liberation Front rebels and government troops since September 9.
Ina wished she had pots and cooking utensils so she could prepare the rationed food they got from aid agencies. “Sometimes, we get spoiled food,” she told Davao Today.
Department of Social Welfare and Development Region IX officer Narrabelle Bue confirmed that food preparation is their biggest problem but they are hiring more cooks to be paid under their Food for Work program.
“We are hiring some from nearby barangays; we also welcome volunteers,” she said.
But Ina’s children Abe, 14, and Badi, 17, and two other neighbors interviewed by Davao Today had other things in their mind more unsettling than spoilt food. They spoke on condition of anonymity.
A mother hangs clothes to dry along RT Lim Boulevard. Sept 2013 (davaotoday.com photo by John Rizle L. Saligumba)
How can they go on with their lives, now that their homes were burned to the ground? This and other fears were foremost in their minds, they said.
The boys remembered their encounter with MNLF forces last Monday, adding that their families only left their homes at around 5:00 in the afternoon or several hours after rebels arrived via shoreline.
“They were courteous, shook our hands and greeted us with Assalamulaikum,” Abi said.
He recalled that the MNLF forces explained to their elders what they intended to do.
“They said they plan to put their banner at the City Hall and leave it there for four days alongside the Philippine flag. They planned to hold a parade around the city, but they said they were not allowed to do so,” said Badi.
They said an armed encounter between the MNLF and police troops occurred because the police shot at the MNLF forces first forcing the MNLF forces to defend themselves.
“They said they were merely fighting for their lives but they were also afraid to die,” said Badi.
Dali, a fruit vendor, said the MNLF forces were not really violent.
“They even assisted an old woman to climb up a jeepney that was heading out of their village,” he said.
Badi said the MNLF told them to board jeepneys and vacate their homes so they will not be caught in the crossfire.
In contrast, Dali and Charry (not their real names) told Davao Today they found it odd that the military burned houses of civilians as a form of strategy.
On September 13, the military burned the houses in the villages of Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara and Rio Hondo, Dali said.
“Our house was burned along with all of my cash,” lamented Dali.
Dali strongly believed that the burning is a strategy of the military because “if there are no more houses, the MNLF forces have nowhere to hide and it will clear (the military’s) view,” he said.
Charry, a resident of Sta. Barbara, agreed with Dali.
“I saw that there was a fire truck and firefighters nearby. A house was burning but the military did not allow the firefighters to act because they said there were snipers around,” he said.
Apart from the house burning allegedly committed by the military, a resident revealed to Davao Today that the military also made mistaken arrests.
Nidz Usman, a local Moro health officer, said they left their homes later than most of the evacuees in Sta. Catalina. This raised suspicions from the authorities that they were somehow connected to the MNLF rebels despite the fact that their family had members who were government employees.
“When we went out– there were 20 of us– we were accosted by the RSAF (Regional Special Action Force),” Nids said.
“We were interrogated 11am of Tuesday (September 10) and subjected to a paraffin test,” he said.
When the arresting officers learned that Mayor Beng Climaco knew Nids to be a health worker, the officers released them immediately and brought them to the evacuation center.
Badi said that they had a neighbor who was also arrested because he sported a long beard.
“It was the NBI (National Buruea of Investigation) who arrested him who was a tabligh (Moro missionary),” Badi said.
Badi said his neighbor had a nephew who was a police, and that forced the arresting officers to release him later.
For Dali, it was like an anti-Muslim hysteria is spreading, as he what he sees in Facebook posts.
Evacuees interviewed by Davao Today were one in saying that while they want the standoff to end, they do no want to become victims in the current military operations against the MNLF.
Dali said a compromise must be reached between the MNLF and the government.
“The government must listen to what the MNLF is saying, and vice versa,” Dali said.
Mayor Climaco, in a television interview yesterday, said she would not allow the MNLF’s goal of raising their banner and “staging propaganda.”
“We will never let you use us as a propaganda mechanism. We will never allow you to plant your flag in our city,” she said.
As strong words flow and fighting continues in the city, for evacuees living at city’s main grandstand, they only have memories of their ordeal and a craving to survive. And the RT Lim Boulevard amid a backdrop of colorful sunset was a silent witness to their agony.
It was a sight to behold at the famous boulevard overlooking the Basilan Strait and Sulu Sea, where angled rays of the sinking sun transforms the sky’s colors over the horizon. The setting sun slowly turned the sky into a deep orange vista, cooled with dabs of blue before sinking crimson.
Yet, not even the picturesque sunset could divert journalists from catching sight of wretched evacuees cramping along the sea wall, unfinished bay walk, grassy park, grandstand cement bleachers and track and field space. (John Rizle L. Saligumba/Reposted by (http://bulatlat.com)) - See more at: bulatlat.com/main/2013/09/19/69352/#sthash.1UN1lDY4.dpuf
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Post by dodger on Sept 21, 2013 16:16:54 GMT
Generations.
A young boy offers purple flowers to generations of Fidelisan tribal women before a Sunday church service and a forum on the recent aerial bombing of their communal forest and watershed area by Philippine Air Force gunships. (Bangaan, Sagada, Mt. Province) By RAYMUND B. VILLANUEVA - See more at: bulatlat.com/main/2013/09/21/generations/#sthash.ZQQprAKL.dpuf
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Post by dodger on Sept 21, 2013 17:34:17 GMT
NPA--Samar Island--flying high.
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Post by dodger on Sept 22, 2013 15:39:01 GMT
Surrender of "NPA amazon" a dud, dismays media Sunday, 22 September 2013 11:16 Hits: 6 News
Loradel Esquilon also known as Ka Sisa, an alleged NPA rebel take oath of allegiance before provincial administrator Robert Rodrigueza, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013 at Sorsogon Governor’s Training Center, Sorsogon City.BicolToday.com
SORSOGON CITY, 21 Sept 2013 (BicolToday.com) -- A number of media practitioners and journalists were dismayed Thursday morning when the 9th Infantry Battalion of the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army presented a rebel returnee at the capitol training center here whom the army admitted that she was already in the mainstream this year. The alleged ranking rebel identified as Loradel Esquilon is said to be non-active in the movement since 2009.
The Army statement released by Capt. Arthur L. Eamiguel of the 9th Infantry Brigade in Poblacion, Castilla, Sorsogon said that the alleged New People's Army rebel Loradel Esquilon also known as Ka Sisa/Ka Megan left the movement in 2009, deciding to formally come out in the mainstream society only this year after she was convinced of the good programs of the government for NPA surrenderees. The army release said further that Esquilon was the logistics and finance staff (S4) of Komiteng Probinsyal (KOMPROB) Sorsogon, voluntary surrendered to the elements of 31st Infantry Battalion in Juban, Sorsogon earlier this month.
Esquilon further revealed that upon entry in the movement she underwent several training and teaching (aralin) and eventually became a trusted follower of their leader, Andres Hubilla also known as Ka Magno, Secretary KOMPROB, Sorsogon.
She was later entrusted with the vital designation as Finance and Logistics Officer of the Central Committee covering the province of Sorsogon. Voluntarily, she declared that as the S4, she received more or less 3 million pesos every month as collection money from businessman, construction companies implementing road and other infrastructure projects and even from government officials. They were able to collect more money during election period from the imposition o PTCs (Permit to Campaign), as stated in the army release. Loradel Esquilon also known as Ka Sisa, an alleged NPA rebel take oath of allegiance before provincial administrator Robert Rodrigueza, Thursday, 19 September 2013 at Sorsogon Governor’s Training Center, Sorsogon City.
Esquilon surrendered an M16 riffle with magazines with live ammo and subversive documents. She also received the amount of P50,000.00 as part of the firearms remuneration package and other existing government assistance coming from the line government agencies.
Regional media in attendance were wary because of the blunder of Donsol PNP in presenting an alleged NPA surrenderee whose pronouncements about the movement were hard to believe.
Because of the fiasco the media of Albay province have expressed disgust over the way the top police official in Bicol handled the press conference on the surrender of an alleged NPA rebel.
They also want an investigation into the alleged surrender of Merjel O. Nebria alias Ka Joy, reportedly vice commanding officer of the NPA Larangan No. 2 operating in Donsol, Sorsogon, as they said they doubt the information they got from him and the police. Sorsogon rebel said in their statement that Nebria was a fake NPA and the alleged “surrender” is an ongoing ” syndicated racket” to collect reward money and to fast track promotions in the military and police establishments.
Some capitol employees who requested anonymity were not sympathetic the way the army was soliciting media mileage saying, “Akala namin mataas na opisyal, di naman pala at matagal na pala itong bumaba mula sa kabundukan”. So what is the intention of this press conference? Parang nadaya kayong mga taga media, gusto lang siguro ng media mileage at nagamit pa kayo sa kanilang propaganda”, was their observation.
They said, that the government should focus comprehensively to battle the real cause of armed struggle not just a mere propaganda at the expense of this alleged rebel. “Ano na ngayon manggyayari dun sa amazona? Sana tinutukan nila ang pangmatagalang solusyon, ituloy nila ang peace talks”.
Brigadier General Yenson Depayso, 9th Infantry Division commander gave Esquilon an assurance of AFP’s protection as he called on her former comrades to respect her decision to live in peace.
Gen. Depayso further encourage the local government units, the civil government agencies, civil society organizations to work together in reaching to other members of the New People’s Army and convince them to return to their families. [BicolToday.com] >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...>>>>>>>>
Yet another Army Public Relations disaster--only vast amounts of reward money could tempt anybody to spout such ridiculous whoppers. Even the most gnarled news hacks are visibly insulted at having to be compliant, publishing these falsehoods l Absurd.
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Post by dodger on Sept 22, 2013 15:42:07 GMT
4 killed, 3 wounded as leftist rebels launch attack in S. Philippines Xinhua | 2013-9-22 16:01:32 By Agencies
Four Philippine government troopers died while three others got injured as members from the leftist rebel group of New People's Army (NPA) attacked a military detachment in Balingasag, a town in Southern Philippine province of Misamis Oriental on Sunday.
Captain Christian Uy, spokesman for the Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division, said an undetermined number of NPA rebels around a military outpost in Kibanban village, Balingasag shortly after 1 a.m Sunday, unleashing volley of gunfire and throwing Molotov bombs on the installation made of light materials.
Uy said a portion of the detachment caught fire in the process, and 18 troops, who were manning the detachment, tried to defend their post but withdrew around 5 a.m. because they were overpowered by the insurgents.
"The rebels threw Molotov bombs, burning a portion of the detachment which was made of light materials...They (rebels) were able to get inside (the detachment) and later left," the official said.
He said the fighting left an Army soldier and three militiamen dead, while another soldier and two more militiamen were wounded. He said the rebels also suffered casualties as evidenced by traces of blood in their positions, but he did not know the exact figure.
Uy said military and police forces have been deployed to pursue the perpetrators. He said coordination is being made with other agencies "to give justice to the victims of this cowardly harassment."
The NPA was formed on March 29, 1969. The latest military estimates placed the NPA's strength at about 4,000. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sitio Lantad, Barangay Kibanban, Balingasag was dubbed as the “Village of Hope” in 2005 when the military, together with the local government of Misamis Oriental, was able to reach out to its citizens and cleared the area of insurgency.
Yes-- some hope!
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Post by dodger on Sept 22, 2013 19:18:27 GMT
Martial Law continues under the US-Aquino regime
Cesar Renerio NDFP-NCMR September 21, 2013
Today is the 41st year since the declaration of martial law, marking the 14-year dark period of our nation’s history under the fascist US-Marcos dictatorship. We also call to mind the heroic anti-dictatorship struggle of the Filipino people, who offered many lives and endured countless hardships, that culminated with the overthrow the infamous dictator in a people’s EDSA uprising in 1986. The heroes of the anti-dictatorship struggle, including those nameless and faceless martyrs from the ranks of the oppressed and exploited classes, are memoriaized in the hearts and minds of each Filipino carrying on the torch of resistance against the undeclared martial law of the incumbent US-Aquino regime.
Oplan Bayanihan is the US-Aquino regime’s counterrevolutionary program with an ambitious aim of totally quelling the people’s revolutionary struggle by the end of his term. Under Oplan Bayanihan, the AFP, paramilitary forces and the PNP are constantly strengthened in order to repress the people. Intelligence, psy-war and massive military combat operations in the countryside are being intensified. In urban areas, the presence of armed police and military forces, armed security guards and SCAA is maintained; demolition teams violently tear down entire urban poor communities; and authorities chase poor vendors outside marketplaces or on sidewalks. Even peaceful rallies and demonstrations expressing the people’s legitimate grievances and issues are countered with police brutality.
Martial law was declared because the ruling classes found it difficult to rule the old way and thus resorted to naked fascism to supress the escalating people’s resistance in the ‘70s. But history has witnessed that the Marcos ruling clique and all other regimes that followed failed dismally in suppressing the revolution’s continuous advance.
Amidst the ever intensifying armed struggle in the countryside and mass movements in the cities, as well as the Moro people’s resolute struggle for self-determination, the ruling classes increasingly tighten their grip on fascism as their main weapon against the people. Even without naming it martial law, the power of the reactionary armed forces essentially remains as the ruling classes’ bastion in defending the ruling system and remaining in power.
Since martial law until now, the fascist machinery of state terrorism remains intact. This is shown by the sheer power of the fascist military—generals are cuddled, modernization of equipment is ensured, and their department receives a far greater portion of the yearly budget than those alloted to social services for the people.
Fascism comes with matching widespread human rights violations: military abuses, forced mass evacuations and dislocation, trumped-up charges, arrests, killings and others.
In Cagayan de Oro City, the AFP implements the Bayanihan Alert for Peace and Development (BAPD), deploying armed BAPD teams in six densely-populated barangays where the city’s poor and typhoon Sendong victims are concentrated. An undisguised fascist maneuver of this kind has never happened during the whole course of martial law. The mere presence of armed BAPD teams in communities terrorize citizens who are subjected to surveillance, and made vulnerable to legal suits, arrests or killings on plain suspicion or trumped-up criminal accusation.
The regime also adheres to its militarist formula in dealing with the MNLF-Misuari faction’s adventurist undertakings without regard to adverse consequences. Its utter insensitivity burdened the hapless residents to pay for the great social cost of its military solution in terms of lives, properties and the dislocation of 114,000 ordinary citizens in Zamboanga City.
No amount of deodorizing can ever conceal the reeking stench of fascism. Oplan Bayanihan’s psy-war component is sugarcoated with ‘peace and development’ to deceive the people. Its counterrevolutionary aims to intimidate and silence the people who have been steeled in the struggle against martial law is not peace, much less development. Far from bringing development, the 4Ps dole-outs of the regime are a mockery to the dignity of the poor while the rotten bureaucrats involved in the pork barrel scandal plunder and squander billions of pesos of the people’s hard-earned money, provoking the ire of Filipino taxpayers.
While the family of the dictator Marcos is now back in power, justice remains elusive for the 10,000 victims of human rights violations under the fascist regime. More than a year has passed since the the approval of Martial Law Human Rights Victims Recognition and Compensation Act, a law establishing a historical imprint of the dictatorship’s barbarity. Until now, the victories won by the victims and their families remain in paper. The US-Aquino regime pays no serious attention to giving the victims their long overdue compensation. The victims and their families must resolutely demand for their compensation, and closely guard the funds taken from the Marcoses’ plundered money. Famished crocodiles in Aquino’s cabinet brandishing human rights always lie in anticipation of booty. The irony of it all is that, the flock of Etta Rosales herself of the Commission on Human Rights is viciously masterminding the delisting of legitimate victims from the list of claimants.
Aquino does not need to declare martial law anymore. It exists today, de-facto. To suppress the people’s struggle, military rule has always been the general policy of the reactionary state. While the nation continues to be deeply mired in crisis, the US-Aquino regime’s counterrevolutionary violence will stoke the fires of guerrilla warfare, which will bring the people’s war to the strategic stalemate and onward to complete victory.
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Post by dodger on Sept 23, 2013 17:43:15 GMT
www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2013/09/23/rebels-raid-military-outpost-5-killed-5-wounded-304893CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Five people were killed and five others were wounded when communist rebels attacked a military outpost in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental Sunday dawn, the New People’s Army (NPA) confirmed Monday.
NPA spokesperson Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos said a soldier and five members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) were among the casualties.
Five militiamen were also injured in the fight, while the assailants sustained no casualties, he added.
The attack happened in Sitio Lantad, Barangay Kibanban in Balingasag while the community was still asleep. It caught soldiers and Cafgu men by surprise, as they only managed to duck for cover, said Madlos in a radio interview Monday.
The rebels, he added, withdrew and grabbed about 16 high-powered firearms from the military’s patrol base.
Madlos said 50 to 60 armed rebels tied some of the Cafgus after they torched the outpost, which quickly burned since it was made of light materials.
Due to abuses
Madlos said the attack stemmed from alleged abuses that the military in the area committed against the residents there.
He cited the delayed release of stipend of the Cafgu Active Auxiliary (CAA) by the military, and that residents have less freedom of movement in the area due to tight security.
Madlos said the honorariums could have been pocketed by high-ranking officials of the military.
He said these issues were raised following a recent mass meeting with the NPA leaders and residents in Lantad.
Sitio Lantad was dubbed as “Village of Hope” in 2005 as it symbolized the cooperation of the military and the local government in curbing insurgency. A military outpost was established in the area to maintain peace and order. There are more than 1,000 Cafgu militias spread throughout Misamis Oriental and patrol bases in remote areas in the province.
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Post by dodger on Sept 28, 2013 13:54:43 GMT
Condemn the Aquino regime and AFP for the military occupation and terrorizing of civilian communities in Eastern Visayas
Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas NDFP-Eastern Visayas Septyembre 28, 2013
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Eastern Visayas condemns the Aquino regime and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the military occupation and terrorizing of civilian communities in the region under Oplan Bayanihan. These violations of international humanitarian law and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) between the GPH and NDFP lay bare the fascist state terrorism behind Oplan Bayanihan's sugarcoating of “peace and development.” There are already residents of some communities who have trooped to the mass media to express their fear and anger at the 8th Infantry Division's impunity. There are certainly more cases that have yet to reach human rights advocates and the media.
Residents of Brgy. Robas, Jaro, Leyte exposed last Sept. 22 over the radio that the “peace and development” team of the 19th IB is currently based in the middle of the barrio in violation of international humanitarian law and the CARHRIHL. Moreover, the soldiers harassed and intimidated the residents that the military would get back at the civilians if something happened in their operations. Indeed, after the New People's Army (NPA) ambushed the soldiers last Sept. 14 at the barrio outskirts, the soldiers indiscriminately strafed the then unoccupied house of a civilian and even damaged nearby streetlights. After an earlier NPA tactical offensive last December 2012, a habal-habal (motorcycle-for-fire) driver was also summarily executed by the 19th IB on the mere suspicion he participated in the NPA tactical offensive.
During the NPA ambush last Sept. 14, the 19th IB elements also tried to turn some civilians who were safely far away from the line of fire into human shields. This can be gleaned from the news report of the account given by 802nd Infantry Brigade chief Col. Rafael Valencia while awarding medals to two soldiers wounded in action: “Seeing that the civilians were endangered and could be caught in a crossfire, Sgt. Palacio and Cpl. Legado exposed themselves to withering enemy fire and raced towards the civilians, and protect[ed] them [italics ours]... ” If true, that wasn't bravery, that was evil-mindedness because maneuvering towards the civilians who were not in a crossfire would most likely draw the line of fire to them and put them in one. But of course the soldiers also knew the NPA respects international humanitarian law and would not fire if civilians would be hit. It was the civilians who saved the soldiers, not the other way around.
It is just for the residents of Brgy. Robas to demand that the military leave their community. A state of martial law exists in the village. The 19th IB soldiers impose a curfew and curtail the movements of the peasants who find it hard to work their farms. The “peace and development team” also pretend to be there to bring socio-economic projects, but they are in fact combat-ready for offensive missions. Thus their presence for so-called socio-economic projects such as developing a hot spring for tourism as well as organic farming are highly questionable. The civilians could do such projects without the soldiers, while the projects are no substitute to agrarian reform that the peasants really want. The Brgy. Robas residents furthermore complain that they are forced to pay ₱20 membership fees to the 19th IB for “developing” their own village.
The experience of Brgy. Robas is reflected as well in other parts of the region. In Carigara, Leyte, according to the Mt. Amandewin Command-NPA-Leyte, the 19th IB battalion commander Lt. Col. Joel Nacnac personally goes to the homes of civilian activists to accuse them of being NPA sympathizers and warn them they are targets of the military. Just before the Brgy. Robas residents aired their grievances to the public, the peasants in Brgy. Victory, Las Navas, Northern Samar also exposed a similar tale of militarization and fascist terrorism in their village. The Arnulfo Ortiz Command of the NPA in Western Samar has also slammed the military for the same stories of accusing civilians of being NPA supporters, imposing curfews, restricting free movement, ruining livelihoods, and making the people live under duresss. These occur in Western Samar's hinterland villages of Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Paranas, Motiong, Jiabong and Villareal.
Putting civilians at risk is also inherent in the setting up of Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to support Oplan Bayanihan. The BPATs are ostensibly crimebusting forces at the village level to augment the PNP. But part of their functions is “internal security operations” and thus the BPATs are essentially “counterinsurgency” vigilante forces. This could lead to more human rights violations. According to regional police head Chief Supt. Elmer Soria, almost 94% of barangays in the region have organized BPATs. Soria has promised a stronger partnership between the PNP and AFP in the region.
This oppression of the people occurs while the Aquino regime is being scrutinized for massive corruption in the “pork barrel” scam.Thus the people are inflamed that they are suppressed and suffering so that those in power could wallow in corruption and commit anti-people and anti-national policies with impunity.
Thus the NDFP-Eastern Visayas calls on the people to express their grievances and struggle against the militarization and fascist state terrorism under Oplan Bayanihan. They must assert their rights under international humanitarian law and the CARHRIHL. They must persevere in their democratic struggles not only for basic civil liberties but also for land, work and other basic socio-economic reforms. They must demand the resumption of peace talks between the Aquino government and the NDFP. The “peace and development” agenda of the Aquino regime and the AFP's Oplan Bayanihan is bogus, fascist, anti-people and anti-national. The struggle for peace is a struggle for justice, democracy and national sovereignty against the corruption, fascism and puppetry of the Aquino regime
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Post by dodger on Sept 30, 2013 12:48:50 GMT
Leyte town police chief, 2 cops killed in ambushTACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Philippines — A town police chief and two of his men were killed in an ambush allegedly perpetrated by communist rebels in Arteche town, Samar on Saturday night. Inspector Alberto Ayad, Arteche police chief, and Police Officer 1 July Juliata were killed on the spot after they were shot in the head and in different parts of their bodies. PO3 Glorioso Nebril died while being treated at a hospital in Tacloban on Sunday morning. Ayad and his two policemen were on board their service vehicle to patrol the area about 9 p.m. when they were fired upon by armed men who were in the dark portion of Arteche Central Elementary School. After 10 minutes, the alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) ran toward the back of the school and escaped into the mountain, said Municipal Councilor Roland Boey Evardone. It was not known if the policemen were able to fire back during the ambush, which took place at the start of the election gun ban for the barangay (village) elections on Oct. 28. “We are shocked by this attack. (And in) behalf of the municipal government, we express our deepest condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families of the slain policemen,” Evardone told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview. Evardone said the municipal government would provide financial assistance to the families of the victims. The councilor’s father, Roland Evardone, is mayor of Arteche. Ayad, who is from the neighboring town of Dolores, assumed his post as Arteche police chief only in August. Nebril and Juliata were from Arteche, more than 200 kilometers from the capital city of Borongan. Eighteen police officers man the police station of Arteche, which has a population of more than 17,000 spread in 20 villages. Security forces in Eastern Visayas have reported the presence of communist rebels in Arteche.Read more: newsinfo.inquirer.net/497505/leyte-town-police-chief-2-cops-killed-in-ambush#ixzz2gNbDRu5B Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
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Post by dodger on Oct 6, 2013 7:33:24 GMT
www.philippinerevolution.net/images/library/281298273601802/original/Negros_NPA05.jpgNegros one of the 7,200 islands that make up the Philippines. An NPA unit going about its work. Below taking a well earned breather. The boys and girls have my respect. The terrain, heat and humidity saps the strength of even the hardiest. Insects and deadly snakes add to the dangers. Small wonder they give off an aurora of quiet confidence and self discipline ....when encountered. Many from the town--workers and students-- join a partizan unit for a period to learn what being an NPA entails. This cross fertilization brings benefits. The NPA has survived and seeks to prosper in these difficult times. They have more volunteers than guns right now.
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