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CPP/Ang Bayan: 4 na magsasaka, inaresto sa Mindoro

June 7, 2019, 9:32 pm
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Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2019): 4 na magsasaka, inaresto sa Mindoro

Apat na magsasaka ng Sityo Pusog, Barangay Brigada, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro ang iligal na inaresto ng mga sundalo noong Mayo 23. Ang mga magsasaka na sina Raul Ibañez, Nonoy Obseqha, Boyna Militar at Diego Panas ay piniringan ng mga sundalo at ininteroga. Sina Ibañez at Obseqha ay dinala sa kampo ng mga sundalo sa Barangay Burgos.

Sa Laguna, binaril hanggang mapatay ng mga kasapi ng Philippine National Police (PNP)-Calabarzon si Christopher Esabia sa Barangay Palma 2, Alaminos noong Mayo 26. Si Esabia ay dating kasapi ng BHB-Rizal noong 2004. Matagal na siyang walang ugnay sa BHB.

Marahas na demolisyon. Marahas na dinemolis ng pinagsanib na operasyon ng mga elemento ng PNP at Philippine Marines noong Abril 24 ang kabahayan sa Sityo Racat, Barangay Rapuli, Sta. Ana, Cagayan. Iligal na inaresto ang 16 na residente, karamihan ay babae.

Higit 30 taon nang nakatira ang mga residente sa lugar. Ang lupang kinatitirikan ng mga bahay ay kinakamkam ng Cadilland, Inc., isang debeloper ng lupa. Noong unang bahagi ng Abril ay nagkaroon na rin ng marahas na demolisyon sa lugar. Matagumpay itong napigilan ng pagkakaisa ng mga residente.

Matapos ang limang araw na babala mula sa DENR, iligal na dinemolis ang anim na bahay ng mga maralitang magsasaka sa Sityo Laguis, Sindun Bayabo, Ilagan City noong Mayo 29.

Nangako ang mga kinatawan ng DPWH, DENR at City Engineering Department na ititigil muna ang demolisyon hanggang walang dayalogo sa pagitan ng mga residente at ng gubernador. Ngunit nang sumunod na araw, sinira ang 10 bahay at ang maisan ng mga magsasaka.

Sa Bukidnon, inaresto ng Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) ang apat na kasapi ng Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)-Bukidnon. Alas-9 ng umaga nang hulihin sina Randy Montillano, Jessel Montillano, Christine Ara Montillano at Wilfredo Darap. Nakasaad sa kanilang mandamyento de aresto ang gawa-gawang kaso ng tangkang pagpatay na may petsang Abril 14, 2018.

Tanggalan sa PEPMACO. Iligal na tinanggal ang 20 manggagawa at tagapangulo ng PEPMACO Workers Union noong Hunyo 3. Dalawa sa mga manggagawa ay pinadalhan ng babala dahil sa paglahok sa isang asembliya laban sa kumpanya. Noong Hunyo 4, naghain ng Notice of Strike ang unyon ng PEPMACO.

Nakaranas ng matinding panggigipit ang mga manggagawa matapos silang magtayo ng unyon noong Enero. Sunud-sunod na tinanggal ang 37 manggagawa at apat na lider ng unyon.

Samantala, matagal nang iniinda ng mga manggagawa ng IQOR Bacolod ang hindi makataong obertaym at pagpapatrabaho sa kanila ng 10 oras kada araw. Noong Mayo 29, kasama ang mga kinatawan ng BPO Industry Employees’ Network (BIEN) Bacolod, idinulog ng mga manggagawa ang kanilang kalagayan sa upisina ng DOLE-Region VI Bacolod.

Noong Hunyo 2 sa Barangay Bunga, Tanza, Cavite, binaril hanggang mapatay ng mga hindi kilalang armadong lalaki si Dennis Sequeña habang nasa isang pulong kasama ang mga manggagawa. Si Sequeña ay bise presidente ng Partido Manggagawa sa naturang prubinsya.

Sa Butuan City, pinagbabaril hanggang mapatay ng pinaniniwalaang mga elemento ng AFP si Esther Betonio noong Hunyo 2, alas-6:30 ng gabi sa Sityo Landing, Barangay Tungao. Nakaangkas sa motorsiklo ng kanyang asawa si Betonio mula sa pag-iigib ng tubig nang lapitan at pagbabarilin ng mga salarin. Nakaligtas sa krimen ang kanyang asawa.

Aktibong kasapi ng Unyon sa Mag-uuma sa Agusan del Norte (UMAN) si Betonio at matagal nang pinagbibintangang kasapi ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) at pilit pinasusurender ng militar. Mahusay na lider din si Betonio sa kanilang lugar.

Ayon sa imbestigasyon ng BHB-Agusan del Norte, dumiretso ang motorsiklo ng mga salarin sa kampo ng militar sa katabing barangay ng Lower Olave.

Kinabukasan alas-6 ng gabi sa Purok 6 sa parehong barangay, binaril din hanggang mapatay si Eddie Versoza, myembro rin ng UMAN.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2019/06/07/4-na-magsasaka-inaresto-sa-mindoro/
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CPP/Ang Bayan: Piket sa harap ng CHEd, dinahas

June 7, 2019, 9:37 pm
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Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2019): Piket sa harap ng CHEd, dinahas

Marahas na binuwag ng mga pulis ang inilunsad na protesta ng mga kabataan sa Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) noong Mayo 30. Kinukundena noong ng grupo ang pasya ng Korte Suprema sa CHEd Memo No. 20.

Tinuligsa ni Daryl Babaydo, pambansang tagapangulo ng College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines si CHEd Commissioner Prospero de Vera sa inilabas nitong pahayag na pumupuri sa desisyon ng Korte Suprema kaugnay ng konstitusyunalidad ng CHEd Memo No. 20 na nagtatanggal sa Filipino at Panitikan bilang mga asignatura sa kolehiyo. Ayon kay Babaydo, ang pag-apruba sa naturang memo ay magpapalala lamang sa komersyalisado at maka-dayuhang oryentasyon ng edukasyon sa bansa.
Binatikos naman ni Rep. Sarah Elago ng Kabataaan Partylist ang dalawang mukha ng administrasyong Duterte at ng CHEd. Maliban sa memo sa Filipino ay niraratsada din ang pagsasabatas ng mandatory Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) sa senior high school. “Nakakasulasok ang dalawang mukha ng rehimen: sabi nila itutulak daw ang mandatory ROTC para sa ‘nasyunalismo,’ pero aalisin naman nila ang pag-aaral ng ating wika,” dagdag pa ni Elago.

Samantala, nagtipon sa Mendiola ang iba’t ibang progresibong grupo ng kabataan at guro sa pagbubukas ng klase nitong Hunyo 3 upang kalampagin ang rehimeng US-Duterte sa lumalalang kalagayan ng edukasyon sa bansa .

“Kinukundena namin ang atake ni Duterte hindi lamang sa karapatan sa edukasyon, gayundin ang atake nito sa ating identidad, soberanya at karapatan. Papasanin ng mga kabataan at sambayanan ang muling pagtataas ng matrikula at iba pang bayarin sa eskwela, pagpapatuloy ng programang K to 12, at mga reporma tulad ng mandatory ROTC at ang CHEd Memorandum No. 20,” ayon kay Raoul Manuel, pambansang tagapagsalita ng National Union of Students of the Philippines.

“Talagang sinangkalan na ng rehimeng Duterte ang ating wika at pagkakakilanlan upang lalong ihiwalay ang kabataang Pilipino sa kanilang mayamang kasaysayan, tunay na identidad, at kritikal na pag-iisip,” sabi naman ni Kara Lenina Taggaoa ng League of Filipino Students.

Nananawagan ang Kabataan Partylist sa lahat ng kabataang Pilipino na manindigan laban sa mga atake sa edukasyon at mga demokratikong karapatan.

“Dapat nating ibigay ang lahat upang ipagtanggol ang bansa sa pagsalakay at atake na pinangungunahan ng kasalukuyang rehimen. Kailangan nating ipagtanggol ang ating pambansang wika, at identidad mula sa pagkabura, ang ating soberanya mula sa pananakop at pangingibabaw sa pamilihan ng mga dayuhan, at ating edukasyon mula sa higit na komersyalisasyon. Patuloy tayong magmamatyag upang tiyakin ang ating karapatan at kinabukasan!” pagtatapos ni Elago.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2019/06/07/piket-sa-harap-ng-ched-dinahas/
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CPP/Ang Bayan: Organisador ng unyon, hinatulan

June 7, 2019, 9:39 pm
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Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2019): Organisador ng unyon, hinatulan

Nakapangangalit at di makatarungan. Ito ang naging pahayag ng Karapatan sa hatol ng San Mateo Rizal Regional Trial Court Branch 76 sa gawa-gawang kasong illegal possession of firearms laban sa unyonistang si Marklen Maojo B. Maga noong Hunyo 3. Labis ang pagkadismaya ng pamilya ni Maga sa hindi katanggap-tanggap na hatol ng korte.

Haharap sa 8-taong pagkabilanggo si Maga. Kasalukuyan siyang nakakulong sa Metro Manila District Jail 4 sa Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City. Nakatakda siyang ilipat sa New Bilibid Prison sa Muntinlupa. May kinakaharap din siyang gawa-gawang kasong pagpatay sa Agusan del Norte, sa lugar na hindi pa niya napupuntahan.

Inaresto si Maga noong Pebrero 22, 2018 malapit sa kanilang bahay sa San Mateo, Rizal. Kilala siyang organisador ng Piston.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2019/06/07/organisador-ng-unyon-hinatulan/
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CPP/Ang Bayan: Paninindak ng mga operasyong ala-Oplan Sauron, laganap sa buong bansa

June 7, 2019, 9:41 pm
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Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2019): Paninindak ng mga operasyong ala-Oplan Sauron, laganap sa buong bansa

Patuloy ang paglulusnad ng mga operasyon tipong-Oplan Sauron, kung saan nilulusob at sinasakop ng mga sundalo at pulis ang buo-buong mga barangay para sindakin, supilin at dahasin ang mga residente.

Sa Masbate, walong barangay ang sinakop ng mga sundalo ng 2nd IB at Military Intelligence Company at mga pulis simula nitong huling linggo ng Mayo. (Tingnan ang detalye sa pahina 4.) Sa Barangay Dalipe, iligal na inaresto ang 11 residente.
Sa North Cotabato, nagkampo naman ang mga elemento ng 73rd IB sa mga kabahayan sa Sityo Bantaan, Barangay Bagumbayan, Magpet noong Mayo 28.

Sa Davao Oriental, kinampuhan ng mga sundalo ng 67th IB ang mga kabahayan at simbahan sa mga barangay ng Binbondo at Mahan-ub, sa bayan ng Baganga noong May 27-29.

Sa isang asembliya, ipinahayag ng mga magulang ang kanilang pangamba at takot dahil sapilitang silang pinapipirma ng mga dokumento para hindi papasukin ang kanilang mga anak sa mga paaralang pangkomunidad. Binantaan silang pagkakaitan ng 4Ps kung hindi susunod.

Samantala, noong Mayo 18, nilusob ng mga paramilitar na Alamara, kasama ang mga sundalong nakasibilyan, ang UCCP Haran sa Davao City kung saan pansamantalang naninirahan ang mga magsasakang Lumad mula sa Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

Sapilitan nilang kinuha ang 31 at isinakay sa isang trak at pinalabas na “tumakas.” Pinangangambahan ng grupong Pasaka na sisindakin ang 31 para gamitin ng militar at pulis laban sa mga bakwit.

Sa Negros Oriental, iligal na inaresto ng mga sundalo si Jiesel Castin ng grupong Anakbayan-Negros noong Mayo 24 sa Siaton. Pinalalabas ng militar na si Castin ay “sumurender” ngunit hindi siya inililitaw ng mga sundalo.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2019/06/07/paninindak-ng-mga-operasyong-ala-oplan-sauron-laganap-sa-buong-bansa/
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CPP/Ang Bayan: Mamamahayag ng CDO, nilabanan ang Red-tagging

June 7, 2019, 9:44 pm
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Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2019): Mamamahayag ng CDO, nilabanan ang Red-tagging

Pinuri ng National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) ang magiting na pagkakaisa ng mga kasapi ng Cagayan de Oro Press Club upang tanggalin ang istrimer na nagbabansag sa NUJP at iba pang grupo bilang mga “terorista” noong Mayo 28. Ikinabit ang istrimer sa bakuran ng Press Freedom Monument sa Vicente de Lara Park, Cagayan de Oro kung saan magdidiwang ang mga kasapi ng midya ng Press Freedom Week. Bilang protesta, sinunog nila ang istrimer.

Sa kaugnay na balita, ibinasura ng Sangguniang Panlunsod (SP) ng Iloilo City noong Mayo 23 ang panukala ni Iloilo City Police Director Lt. Col. Martin Defensor na ideklara ang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas at Bagong Hukbong Bayan na “persona non grata” o hindi katanggap-tanggap sa Iloilo City. Wala ni isang kagawad ng SP ang sumuporta sa panukala.

Ayon kay SP Floor Leader Plaridel Nava, hindi niya mauunawaan kung bakit ipinagpipilitan ng pulisya na ideklarang “persona non grata” ang nasabing mga rebeldeng grupo gayong wala namang lokal na batas na nagdedeklarang mga “teroristang organisasyon” ang PKP at BHB.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2019/06/07/mamamahayag-ng-cdo-nilabanan-ang-red-tagging/
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CPP/Ang Bayan: Batas ng pasismo, iniraratsada

June 7, 2019, 9:46 pm
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Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2019): Batas ng pasismo, iniraratsada

Mas masahol na pag-amyenda sa Human Security Act (HSA) o Anti-Terror Law at Mandatory ROTC sa Senior High School ang minamadaling maisabatas ng rehimeng Duterte bago magtapos ang ika-17 Kongreso. Sa pagpasok naman ng ika-18 Kongresong dominado ng mga basalyo ni Duterte, inihahanda na rin ang batas para sa Mandatory Military Service.

Pinapalabo ng panukalang pagbabago sa HSA ang depinisyon ng terorismo. Sa simpleng pagsuspetsa pa lamang, maaaring tiktikan, arestuhin, at ikulong ng dalawang linggo ang sinuman. Dahil sa pinasaklaw na kahulugan, maging ang mga rali at welga ay maaaring ituring na “terorismo.” Taong 2007 nang tinutulan ng mga demokratikong sektor ang mga mapanganib na probisyong ito.

Samantala, minamadali ring ibalik ang ROTC o pag-oobliga sa mga estudyante na sumailalim sa pagsasanay-militar. Lalo nitong palalakasin ang dominasyon ng militar sa iba’t ibang aspeto ng buhay lipunan, kabilang ang paghuhubog sa kabataan. Ipagdidikdikan nito ang militaristang pananaw sa kabataan para hubugin ang pagiging sunud-sunuran.

Tanging hangarin ng pagpapabilis ng pagpasa sa mga batas na ito ang pagsupil sa naghihirap at nagngangalit na mamamayan at iwasiwas ang kapangyarihan para sa pagbubuo ng kanyang diktadura.

Kontra-endo. Nagwelga ang mga manggagawa ng Zagu Foods Corporation noong Hunyo 6 sa harap ng upisina ng kumpanya sa Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City. Nilalaban ng mga welgista ang endo at di-pagbibigay ng sapat na benepisyo ng kumpanya. Sunud-sunod din ang pagbabanta ng kumpanya laban sa unyon.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2019/06/07/batas-ng-pasismo-iniraratsada/
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CPP/Ang Bayan: Ilantad at labanan ang bulok at pahirap na kongreso ni Duterte

June 7, 2019, 9:47 pm
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Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2019): Ilantad at labanan ang bulok at pahirap na kongreso ni Duterte




Mabilis na uminit ang pag-aagawan ng mga burukrata-kapitalista sa pwesto pagkatapos ng eleksyon. Hindi bababa sa apat ang nagpahayag ng intensyong maging Speaker (o pinuno) ng Mababang Kapulungan. Sa Senado, nagbabrasuhan ang mga senador para makuha ang pamumuno ng makapangyarihang mga komite.

Nagriribalan man, ang totoo’y nagkakaisa ang mga pulitiko at partidong ito sa adyenda at kumpas ni Duterte. Lahat sila’y bahagi ng supermayorya ni Duterte sa dalawang kapulungan. Sa Kongreso, ang apat na naghahangad maging Speaker ay pawang mga tapat na alagad ni Duterte. Dalawa ay mula sa PDP-Laban—si Lord Allan Velasco ng Marinduque at dating Speaker na si Pantaleon Alvarez. Mula naman sa Nacionalista Party (NP) si Alan Peter Cayetano ng Taguig City na tumakbong bise ni Duterte noong 2016. Manok naman ng Lakas-CMD si Martin Romualdez ng Leyte at pinsang-buo ni Imee Marcos. Sa ngayon, wala ni isa sa kanila ang malinaw na makakukuha ng mayoryang boto.

Sa Senado, umugong ang balitang papalitan ni Cynthia Villar ng NP ang nakaupong presidente nitong si Vicente Sotto. Suportado siya ng mga bagong senador mula sa Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), na nagbantang gagawa ng “bagong mayorya” sa Senado kung hindi ibibigay ni Sotto ang mga gusto nilang komite. Kaalyadong partido ni Sotto ang HNP na pinamumunuan ng anak ni Duterte na si Sara.

May paggigirian man ang mga pangkatin, litaw pa rin kung papaanong kontrolado ni Duterte ang bagong uupong Senado at Kongreso. Para makuha ang kanyang basbas, kaliwa’t kanan ang pangako ng ambisyosong mga pulitiko na isusulong nila ang kanyang adyenda. Pangunahin dito ang kanyang huwad na pederalismo sa pamamagitan ng pagbabago sa konstitusyon na dati’y nabahura sa Senado. Kasabay nito ang mga panukalang magpapatindi ng pasismo ng estado, tulad ng pagpapababa ng edad para maaari nang ituring na kriminal, pagpapatupad ng rekisitong pagsasanay-militar sa mga estudyante ng hayskul at mga amyenda sa Human Security Act.

Walang imik ang mga pulitikong ito sa mga kaso ng pamamaslang, pangungurakot at pangangayupapa sa dayuhan ni Duterte. Sa isang banda, pinatunayan nilang wala silang pagkakaiba sa esensya. Sa kabilang banda, ipinakikita ng kanilang pangangayupapa ang bangis ng naghaharing pangkatin. Hawak ni Duterte ang buong makinarya ng estado—mula sa mga ahensyang paniktik hanggang sa ahensyang naniningil ng buwis—at wala siyang pakialam sa paggamit sa mga ito para gipitin kahit ang kanyang mga kaalyado. Tinitiyak niyang walang grupo, kahit sa loob ng kanyang pangkatin, na makabubuo ng sapat na bilang o lakas ng loob para hamunin ang kanyang kontrol sa estado.

Sinasabing ang giriang ito ay girian din sa pagitan ng malalaking negosyo. Ang Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) ay blokeng kapanalig ng malaking kapitalistang si Eduardo Cojuangco. Ang National Unity Party (NUP) naman ay pinamumunuan ni Ronaldo Puno at pinagugulong ng kapital ni Enrique Razon. Ang NP naman ay dominado ngayon ng pamilyang Villar.

Sa gitna ng ribalan ng mga bulok na pulitiko ay ang usapin ng pagkopo sa matatabang kontrata sa gubyerno, pagkuha sa mga prangkisa ng mga pampublikong yutilidad, pagharang sa mga panukalang makapipinsala sa kanilang negosyo at paggawa ng mga batas na may bentahe sa kanilang interes.

Pinalalabas ni Duterte na “free-for-all” ang labanan para sa pamunuan ng Kongreso. Wala raw siyang papanigan. Pero walang labanan para maging Speaker ng Kongreso o Presidente ng Senado ang hindi pinakikialaman ng nakaupong presidente. Sa nakaraan, mapagpasyang salik sa basbas ni Duterte ang bentaheng maibibigay ng kongresista at kanyang pangkatin at ang pagiging malapit nito sa kanya at kanyang pamilya. Wala siyang pagdadalawang-isip na palitan ang sinumang alyado na hindi nagsisilbi sa kanyang interes.

Ang ribalan at girian sa kongreso ay salamin ng bulok na pulitika ng naghaharing sistema sa Pilipinas. Ang kongreso ng reaksyunaryong estado ay pinaghaharian ng mga burukrata-kapitalista. Sa partikular, ang magbubukas na ika-18 na kongreso ay tiyak na magsisilbing tagapagsuhay at tagapagsulong ng pasismo, korapsyon, pahirap, at traydor sa bayan na adyenda ni Duterte.

Dapat puspusang ilantad at labanan ang kongreso ni Duterte. Dapat ubos-kayang hadlangan at ipakita ang mahigpit na pagtutol ng sambayanan sa mga pangunahing hakbanging balak nitong isagawa, higit sa lahat ang planong baguhin ang konstitusyong 1987 para bigyang-daan ang pagpapalawig sa poder at paghaharing diktador ni Duterte.

Ang pagbubukas ng kongreso sa mga darating na linggo ay dapat salubungin ng mainit at malawak na protesta upang ipamalas ang kahandaan ng buong bayan na labanan ang anumang plano nitong magpapahirap, gigipit at pipinsala sa interes ng mamamayang Pilipino.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippinesand is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]
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7 Kalinga LGUs condemn NPAs

June 10, 2019, 7:38 pm
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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10, 2019): 7 Kalinga LGUs condemn NPAs 

PASIL, Kalinga - - Seven local government units this province condemn anti-government groups sowing fear and atrocities on communities, Kalinga Provincial Police Office records show.

In Municipal Resolution No. 2019-21, the Municipal Council of Pasil condemned the barbaric acts of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) against government troopers and declared them “persona non grata.” 

The council in condemning and unwelcoming this anti-government group cited Duterte’s pronouncement on December 5, 2017 when the President declared them (CPP-NPA) a terrorist group, a basis also provided in RA 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007.

The resolution recalls the people of Pasil lived a peaceful and harmonious life before the municipality was infiltrated by the CPP-NPA. With the presence of this anti-government group, residents are allegedly being threatened, attacked and deceived to support their cause. It also reiterates the support and allegiance of peace-loving people of Pasil to the government. Any person or resident who accepts and help members of the CPP-NPA and their legal front organizations in the municipality will be penalized.

The council also requires legal organizations that intend to conduct activities in the municipality to pay a courtesy call with the LGU before entering the sub-tribe communities. This requirement is earlier provided under Municipal Ordinance No. 2017-01.

In Tinglayan, the municipal council approved Resolution No. 2018-06 condemning the presence of leftist individuals or groups promoting anti-government operations and also declaring Tinglayan as free from illegal gambling.

Rizal municipal council also approved Resolution No. 2019-09 condemning and rejecting the activities and presence of the NPA in the municipality.

Lubuagan municipal council in Resolution No. 2019-07 strongly condemned the NPA for the killing of one Army Sergeant and wounding of three CCAs and burning the bunk houses of the CAA/PA Patrol Base at Ag-agama, Lubuagan on December 23, 2018.

Pinukpuk municipal council in Resolution No. 2018-11 states in the matter of “denouncing illegal drug activities and terrorism in the municipality of Pinukpuk, Kalinga.”

Resolution No. 2018-11 of the Tanudan municipal council also condemns the presence and activities of the CPP-NPA-NDF and other organized crime groups within the vicinity of the municipality.

On the other hand, Balbalan municipal council in Resolution No. 2015-05 adopted the Balbalan Police Station Action Plan on Anti-Insurgency.

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1022968
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Abu Sayyaf still poses a threat: IGP

June 10, 2019, 7:48 pm
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From the Sun Daily (Jun 11, 2019): Abu Sayyaf still poses a threat: IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: The threat of the Abu Sayyaf group believed to be based in Jolo, Sulu, on islands in eastern Sabah, is still high despite the establishment of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom), according to Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador.

He said attacks by the group can happen everyday and at anytime.

“As such, ESSCom will be restructured on the placement of security forces involving the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), police as well as the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

“Among others, the restructuring will involve the structure of security in the areas and the change of security posts which have been taken over by police and MAF would be updated,” he said in an exclusive interview with Bernamaat Bukit Aman headquarters here.

Abdul Hamid said the restructuring process is being carried out via the National Security Council (NSC) to further strengthen ESSCom.

He said threats to the islands of Sabah are always there everyday.

“This is because Sabah is very near to the Philippines, it only takes 15 minutes by speed boat to reach Philippines waters,” he said.

Abdul Hamid said it was easy for the Abu Sayyaf group to intrude into Malaysian waters.

“However, the Philippines government had earlier created an overall security control on Jolo islands near Kunak as well Lahad Datu, Sabah and the new measure has eased our concerns,” he said.

Nonetheless, he said ESSCom needs to be on the alert on any threats when conducting operations.

On May 6, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu announced ESSCom would be restructured to improve security on the eastern coast of the state.

According to him, the National Security Council is discussing the decision including efforts to acquire additional equipment to boost security teams under ESSCom. - Bernama

https://www.thesundaily.my/local/abu-sayyaf-still-poses-a-threat-igp-GC958448
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Fugitive BIFF militant shot dead

June 10, 2019, 7:52 pm
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From the Philippine Star (Jun 11, 2019): Fugitive BIFF militant shot dead

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — A member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, who escaped from detention last year, was shot dead when he allegedly drew his gun as law enforcers tried to recapture him yesterday.

Torag Sandalan Sabal died on the spot in an operation conducted by personnel of the Midsayap police and the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Olandang.

Sabal was among 20 escapees from the provincial jail in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City. He had pending cases for multiple murder, drug trafficking and robbery.

Lt. Col. Aldrin Gonzalez, Soccsksargen police spokesman, said Sabal’s companion Nasser Macabangen Usman was arrested for illegal possession of firearm.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/06/11/1925375/fugitive-biff-militant-shot-dead
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The Philippines to boost maritime surveillance with drones

June 10, 2019, 8:00 pm
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Posted to OpenGov (Jun 10, 2019): The Philippines to boost maritime surveillance with drones

The eight unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be a big boost to the military intelligence capability of the Philippines.

In order to strengthen its surveillance capabilities, the Philippines is acquiring eight (8) ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) worth US$ 9,633,665 from an aircraft maker’s subsidiary, under the United States Foreign Military Sales program.

According to a recent report, the contract was shared by the maker of the drones. The procurement will be added to the scheduled deliveries of the company to Southeast Asia by 2022.

Other countries in the region that also ordered the same type of UAV are Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Procurement inclusions

Through the United States Department of Defence, the company shared that the Philippines’ order provides for spare payloads, spare and repair parts, and support equipment as well.

Additionally, it also includes tools, training, technical services and field service representatives.

The ScanEagle is a well-known tactical UAV and used principally for maritime surveillance, with most of the procuring states intending to use it to patrol their vast maritime waters.

It characteristics include:
  1. Being launched through a catapult and being recovered using a skyhook
  2. Has more than 24 hours of flight endurance
  3. Maximum speed of 148 kilometres per hour
  4. Carries a maximum of 4.3 kg of fuel
This model can perform a plethora of missions. These are:
  1. Intelligence
  2. Surveillance and reconnaissance
  3. Special services operations
  4. Escort operations
  5. Sea-lane and convoy protection
  6. Protection of high-value and secure installations
  7. High-speed wireless voice, video and data communications relay
Boosting capabilities

As reported, the unmanned surveillance drone will be a big boost to the military intelligence capability of the Philippines, particularly in the South China Sea.

The procurement of the eight UAVs will be an addition to the current inventory that the Philippine Air Force has of such aircraft.

In March of 2018, the United States turned over six ScanEagle 2 drones to the Philippine Department of Defence (DOD).

The six drones were acquired through a grant amounting to US$ 13.2 million, which was a part of the financial assistance provided by the United States to its allies in Southeast Asia.

These drones are currently being operated by the 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing of the Philippine Air Force at Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan.

This province is the closest to the disputed portion of the South China Sea.

The ScanEagle 2 model has several functions and is capable of performing a variety of missions. The missions include:
  1. Internal security operations
  2. Counterterrorism
  3. Reconnaissance
  4. Patrol
Aside from boosting its maritime domain awareness, particularly in the South China Sea, buying the UAVs will further boost the military’s capability in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations and counter-terrorism capabilities.

https://www.opengovasia.com/the-philippines-to-boost-maritime-surveillance-with-drones/
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Gov’t panel prepares MILF camps for normalization

June 11, 2019, 9:44 am
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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2019): Gov’t panel prepares MILF camps for normalization



MILF CAMP VISIT. Residents listen to the Government Implementing Panel members, who recently visited Camp Bushra in Lanao del Sur as part of the preparation for the implementation of the Normalization Track of the Comprehensive Agreement this year. Bushra is one of the six Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camps identified in the peace agreement that is poised to be transformed into a peaceful and resilient community. (Photo courtesy of OPAPP)

Members of the Government Implementing Panel have begun their camp visits and “conversations” in the six camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in preparation for the implementation of the Normalization Track of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) this year.

The panel visited Camp Bushra, one of the six camps of the MILF identified in the peace agreement that is poised to be transformed into a peaceful and resilient community.

Other camps include Camp Bilal, Camp Rajamuda, Camp Abubakar, Camp Bad’r, and Camp Omar.

The event is part of the information and education campaign of the government panel to further enhance the communities within and near MILF camps understanding of the Bangsamoro peace process, particularly the Normalization Track, which includes the decommissioning of MILF forces and weapons.

Gloria Jumamil-Mercado, the chair of the Government Implementing Panel and Undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), ensured that “inclusive approach” will be employed in the planning and implementation of programs under the Normalization Track.

“Ang gagawin natin, magkakaroon ng malalim na pag-uusap at konsultasyon sa inyong lahat para ang maibaba ng gobyerno ay mga bagay na gusto at kailangan ninyo…para manggaling ang plano sa inyo at hindi sa labas. (We will be having in-depth conversations and consultations with you so that the government will be able to download what you really want and need…so that the plan will be coming from you and not from the outside),” she told residents here.

The Normalization Process is one of the annexes of the CAB signed between the Philippine government and the MILF in 2014.

The peace agreement has two tracks: the Political Track, which pushed for the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), and the Normalization Track, which covers the decommissioning of MILF fighters and their weapons, the dismantling of Private Armed Groups, as well as the transformation of several camps into progressive and resilient communities.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte had earlier signed the Executive Order No. 79 on the implementation of the MILF Normalization. It is a comprehensive plan of the national government that is designed to aid former combatants, their families, and their communities as they undergo the delicate transition process.

The normalization process has four major components: the security aspect, socio-economic development program, confidence-building measures, and transitional justice and reconciliation.

Working GPH Implementing Panel

Mercado noted the “new panel is a working panel” that aims to help the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) -- the interim government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao -- realize the genuine aspirations of the Bangsamoro people anchored on good and moral governance.

She assured the MILF members here that the programs and projects they have identified for their community will be implemented under the Bangsamoro Transition Plan and the Bangsamoro Integrated Development Plan.

Sense of ownership

Panel member and OPAPP Assistant Secretary Ma. Cecilia Papa said it is very important for the members of the camps to have a sense of ownership in designing and identifying the socio-economic interventions for their communities.

“For change to happen, we in the government is here so that the consultation is not limited to the government only, your needs will also be heard,” said Papa, who leads the unit handling Transitional Justice and Reconciliation component of the Normalization Track.

From counterpart to partner

For his part, OPAPP Assistant Secretary Dickson P. Hermoso, who is also a panel member, explained the different bodies that will be created under the security aspect of the normalization program.

This includes the Joint Peace and Security Teams that will need at least 6,000 personnel. Half of this number will come from the MILF, who will undergo proper military training.

These bodies will form part of the transitional security arrangements that will ensure peace and order in the communities as the MILF fighters undergo the decommissioning process.

The transitional security arrangements will also deal with the disbandment of private armed groups, resolution of clan-ethnic conflict and the proliferation of loose firearms.

“We will not leave you. We will be with you. That is the essence of partnering, we will be together,” Hermoso said.

"We are no longer counterparts but partners," he added.

Socio-economic interventions

Panel member Ariel Hernandez emphasized the critical stages on the transformation of the combatants and the camps.

He admitted that the “negotiation phase was difficult; the implementation phase will be a complex one.”

Hernandez said the community will undergo the processes of various extensive exposure programs, inclusive planning within and among community stakeholders, community-based trainings, agreement on projects to be implemented, and finally, utilization of funds.

“Mahal ang pagbabago pero mas mahal kung palaging may giyera (Development is costly but war is more expensive),” he pointed out.

The socio-economic package will focus on the following levels: camp transformation for basic and life sustenance, scholarships, school buildings, farm-to-market roads and other infrastructure components. The component also includes sustainable livelihood for employment and business and community resiliency.

MILF Central Committee Member Samanoding Sansarona, who warmly welcomed the members of the panel in Camp Bushra, said the event is very important for their members to fully understand the decommissioning process.

He said the conversation between the GPH Implementing Panel and the members of their community is very critical.

“The panel explained to us the measures that will alleviate the living conditions of different communities,” he said.

“It is timely and beneficial to the members of the Bangsamoro who suffered the hardship and sacrifices in the struggle,” Sansarona said, adding that the visit of the panel is an indication that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is “sincere in his actions for the aspirations of the Bangsamoro come to reality.”

Also present during the event were Director David Diciano, vice chair of the government implementing panel, the base commanders of the MILF North Eastern Mindanao Front Command headed by the Bushra Base Commander Sultan Asarah Tomawis, base commanders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Women Auxiliary Brigade, Chairman Jaafar H. Rauf of the technical working group from the office of the MILF 2nd vice chair, members of MILF Ranaw Peace Mechanism, Task Force Camps Transformation for Camp Bushra headed by Oshama Bin Ali, Bangsamoro United Team Into Growth and residents of Butig and nearby municipalities.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1072087
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Joma’s revolution views 'jurassic': Parlade

June 11, 2019, 9:54 am
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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2019): Joma’s revolution views 'jurassic': Parlade



A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) scored Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairperson Jose Maria "Joma" Sison for continuing to live in the past and trying to force his long-dead communism ideology to a country and people who are clearly not supportive of it.

Major Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr., who is also Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations, said the communist leader's views are so "ungrounded and jurassic" as the issues surrounding his calls for revolution are long gone.

"JMS (Jose Maria Sison) is so ungrounded and jurassic. He talks of conditions in (the) 60s to 80s (It's the 21st century and the ISMs (Imperialism, Feudalism and Capitalism), which are the basis for his communist revolution, are non-issues anymore. Communism is dead and those communist frameworks he copied have since turned to capitalism," he said in a statement Tuesday.

Stuck in the past

The issues in the 1960s and 1980s Parlade is referring to are rampant human rights abuses, martial law, a debt crisis, extreme poverty and severe underemployment among others.

He said the enemy that Sison and his cohorts have been trying to fight and defeat for so long have been replaced.

"The imperialist he was trying to fight has been replaced by another communist cum capitalist state. Sure we are still a feudalistic society but a lot has changed to the point that the mass supporters he is talking about have abandoned his cause. They have spoken last election and affirmed their support to PRRD (President Rodrigo R. Duterte) and his candidates. This scares Joma," Parlade added.

The NTF ELCAC official was referring to the massive defeat of the Makabayan bloc and its allies in the recently-concluded May 13 mid-term elections while a majority of candidates endorsed by the Chief Executive have managed to clinch significant victories in the polls.

Parlade attributed the defeat of the CPP and its political allies in the elections to ongoing government efforts to inform the public of the duplicitous and illegal activities of the communist rebels.

"The CPP got a heavy dose of the antidote for the propaganda they have been peddling for 50 years -- the truth. The truth (serum) shared by the government to the people was a bitter pill to swallow but worked. There is no way it won't because it’s the truth," he said.

Ugly truth

Despite the best efforts of the CPP to counter or suppress the government's information drive, with the help of their various allies, the ugly truth about the communist rebels still managed to reach the minds of the discerning public.

"No matter how much they attempted to suppress it through the echelons of their allies in the media, even the church, the bureaucracy, the international community and international organizations, the basic and peasant sectors, and even the professional sectors which include the lawyers and fake human rights advocates, the truth had a way of coming out. The people, especially the vulnerable sectors which the CPP has exploited are not stupid. Now they are awake," he said.

The CPP's credibility, he added, was also hard hit by its ongoing efforts to silence and kill Indigenous Peoples (IPs) resistance to their propaganda in Mindanao and continuing surrenders from their fighters and supporters who all made public various illegal activities being conducted by the communist rebels to get funding from here and abroad.

"What’s with the daily surrenders and the subsequent revelations that these former rebels are saying? What’s with all the defection that's happening from the CPP ranks which now expose how they manage to generate funding from foreign NGOs using bogus advocacies like Climate Change Initiative, Save our 'Communist' Schools, forced 'Bakwit', and selective human rights advocacies, which these defectors have clearly admitted to be fundraising activities for CPP-NPA-NDF (New People's Army-National Democratic Front) armed rebellion?" he said.

Parlade added that CPP-NPA efforts to tarnish and destroy the government with allegations of red-tagging, harassments and twist facts to suit their illegal means have clearly "boomeranged" as proven by an estimated 1.6 million supporters who dropped them like a hot rotten potato during the last elections.

"No matter how much their propagandists twist the facts, with their fabricated reports of drug-related killings, human rights abuses, harassment and intimidation, and even with their filing of writs of amparo and habeas data, to dramatize these perceived threats on their person, some 1.6 million former supporters junked them last election. The only CPP party-list who gained additional votes compared to last year was Bayan Muna, owing to the fact that it is listed as No. 1 among the choices. This is even hard to explain if a fair and transparent drawing of lots was followed. Even then, the result of the last election was a clear verdict that JMS is now worrying about," he added.

Creepy agenda

With the ranks of the communist rebels now badly decimated, Parlade finds it ludicrous that Sison and his supporters are pushing for the reopening of another round of peace talks with the government.

And yet, when the duly-elected government is asking questions on some aspects of their Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) like the demobilization of the AFP instead of the NPA; if and when the government will sign a final peace agreement; rescind existing laws like Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997; and the Agricultural Modernization Act, the communist rebels are largely silent.

"Many of their demands prove disastrous to our people and state and they are not transparent about it. Even their allies in the media are so afraid to see these issues in print. Who is afraid of the truth?" Parlade added.

The Filipino people, he said, deserve to know the real agenda of the CPP-NPA in pushing for peace talks especially those calling for the disbandment of the AFP should negotiations with the communist rebels go forward.

"Don't you think they should know about the disbandment of their armed forces should the peace talks succeed? How irrelevant is this issue for the media not to publish?" he added.

"So my question is not for JMS. It is for our media partners. Indeed, what has happened to balanced news? Will these not sell?" Parlade said.

He expressed doubts whether it is fair for the new and coming generations to be bombarded by another 50 years of lies and deceptions coming from the CPP-NPA, which is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Philippines.

"What about the freedom we are celebrating tomorrow? Do we want another 50 years of deception and conflict with these communist terrorists? And hope to see a more independent Philippines by promoting more lies and deception from the CPP? Let's ask our children if this is fair to them," he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1072061
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DND calls on Filipinos to help free PH from communist threat

June 11, 2019, 9:57 am
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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2019): DND calls on Filipinos to help free PH from communist threat



The Department of National Defense (DND) is calling on all Filipinos to support the government's move to eradicate the threat of communist terrorists in the country.

"In the spirit of nationalism, I call on every Filipino to safeguard the freedom that our ancestors fought for; the very freedom we have sworn to protect. Let us rally behind our government to end local communist armed conflict to eradicate the flaw of a foreign ideology that has inflicted division in our Motherland for decades. We will show the world what true Filipinos are: a disciplined, patriotic race, with an ever-burning sense of duty, ready to defend our nation against threats and foes," said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in a message to reporters on Tuesday, ahead of the observance of the country's 121st Independence Day.

The defense chief also recognized the gallantry of uniformed personnel, who continue to protect the country's freedom and sovereignty from all forms of threats.

"We pay tribute to our soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, airwomen, reservists, and civilian volunteers who relentlessly guard our seas, lands, and air, and who tirelessly keep our communities safe," Lorenzana said.

"As we commemorate our 121st Independence Day, may we never forget the valiant sacrifices of our defenders and our veterans, who fought and protected our nation and people," he added.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), meanwhile, echoed the defense chief's remarks.

"The AFP will continue to work tirelessly and selflessly in securing our nation’s freedom and independence. The Filipino soldier is always ready and willing to make sacrifices to protect the interests of the people. For many decades, thousands of soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that citizens have a peaceful and secure environment conducive to national development," said AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal in a statement forwarded to reporters.

In line with this, the AFP chief urged all Filipinos to continue treasuring and using their freedom to become productive members of society.

"As we continue to draw courage and inspiration from all Filipinos, we call on them to treasure our independence and use their freedom to develop themselves as productive members of our society," he added.

Noting that security is a shared responsibility, Madrigal said the best way to repay the heroism sacrifices made by all Filipino heroes, both in the past and present day, to be responsible and active in protecting the nation's freedom.

"We encourage every Filipino to actively participate in protecting our country and making our communities safe. Let us all take pride in our freedom not only during the celebration of our Independence but in every waking moment that we have as Filipinos," the AFP chief emphasized.

Also, Madrigal expressed the AFP's gratitude to every Filipino and organizations who supported them through the years.

"From discounts, free rides and services, to donations that benefit our soldiers and their dependents; we have so much to be thankful for to the Filipino people," he added.

This includes up to 70 percent discount on selected items in participating SM Supermalls tenants nationwide this Independence Day for all active, retired and veteran members of the AFP and other uniformed services.

"While we fully appreciate, and are thankful and inspired for these gestures of support, even without these, the AFP will continue to perform its mandate and sworn duty to protect the people and the nation," Madrigal said.

This year's Independence Day celebration carries the theme, “Kalayaan 2019: Tapang ng Bayan, Malasakit sa Mamamayan”.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1072068
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Marine battalion to be deployed to Sulu for anti-ASG ops

June 11, 2019, 10:02 am
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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2019): Marine battalion to be deployed to Sulu for anti-ASG ops



Photo courtesy: Marine Corps Public Affairs Office

After retraining and refurbishment, the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) on Tuesday announced that its Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT)-8 will be deployed to Sulu soon to help in ongoing operations aimed at neutralizing the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorist threat.

Marine Capt. Felix Serapio Jr., PMC spokesperson, said the looming deployment of MBLT-8 is in line with President Rodrigo R. Duterte's guidance to focus operations in Sulu so that the ASG threat can be defeated.

This is also why the Philippine Army has earlier deployed its 1st Brigade Combat Team to the province, he added.

Serapio declined to comment on when the MBLT-8 will be deployed to Sulu and stressed that the higher headquarters, from the Philippine Navy and Armed Forces of the Philippines, will decide on when the unit will be sent to Sulu.

MBLT-8 was declared as an operational unit during short ceremonies at the Bonifacio Naval Station Parade Ground, Naval Station Jose Francisco, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City with PMC Commandant, Major Gen. Alvin Parreño, gracing the Tuesday morning event.

Retraining of the MBLT-8 took nine months, Serapio said.

"In retraining, we're building the skills (set of every Marine assigned in MBLT-8) and afterwards we come up with team training, then we will review the lessons learned and also they will have get new gear or upgraded equipment," the PMC spokesperson said in Filipino.

Serapio said MBLT-8 was originally based in Cagayan and that all 12 battalions of the PMC are scheduled for retraining and refurbishment every 10 years. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1072038
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PH-China ties 'greatly reinforced' in past 3 years

June 11, 2019, 10:05 am
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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2019): PH-China ties 'greatly reinforced' in past 3 years


Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Chinese President Xi Jingping (right)

The China-Philippines cooperation has been "greatly reinforced" in the past three years, a ranking official of the Chinese Embassy in Manila said on Monday as the two states celebrate 18th Friendship Day.

"Since President Duterte took office in 2016, under the strategic guidance of our two leaders, China-Philippines relations have witnessed turnaround, consolidation, and elevation, and entered a new golden age," said Embassy Chargé D'affaires a. i. Tan Qingsheng at the reception for the 121st Independence Day of the Philippines and the 18th China-Philippines Friendship Day.

"Our strategic coordination on bilateral and international affairs has been greatly reinforced," he said.

Tan highlighted the milestones Beijing and Manila achieved over the past three years, such as the signing of cooperation documents.

President Rodrigo Duterte and President Xi Jinping have already met for seven times, with more than 20 agreements inked during the latter's visit in the Philippines last year.

"(This) elevated our bilateral relationship to comprehensive strategic cooperation," Tan said.

Over the past three years, the series of dialogue and consultation mechanisms have also been revitalized, such as in foreign affairs, defense, energy, economy, and trade consultations, the envoy said.

"Our cooperation in various fields has generated tangible benefits for our peoples. In 2018, bilateral trade volume reached USD55.7 billion, with an 8.5 percent year-on-year increase," he said.

"China is now the Philippines’ top trading partner, the largest source of imports and the fourth largest export market," he said, noting that China will continue its cooperation with the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1072034
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4 more amphibious assault vehicles to arrive in August

June 11, 2019, 10:08 am
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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2019): 4 more amphibious assault vehicles to arrive in August

The remaining four amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs), out of the eight ordered from South Korean defense manufacturer Hanwha Techwin, will be delivered in August.

This was confirmed by Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Captain Jonathan Zata when sought for an update on the project's status Tuesday.

"The expected arrival of the four remaining AAVs is expected this August," he said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

The AAVs, along with four vehicles that arrived last May, will be used by the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and will be based in two strategic sealift vessels, the BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), boosting the ships'"limited sea basing capabilities".

Zata said the AAVs will be commissioned by the PMC once it has successfully completed its Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee evaluations shortly after its August arrival.

The AAV contract is worth PHP2.42 billion.

The first batch of four amphibious assault vehicles will be commissioned this June 17, also the 121st PN founding anniversary, during ceremonies at Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, in Cavite.

These vehicles are armed with .50 caliber machineguns, 40-mm grenade launchers and smoke launchers.

"The PMC (Philippine Marine Corps) is essentially an amphibious ready force and part of our doctrine is that they can be embarked in our landing docks. Part of the doctrine is the so-called 'limited sea basing', which means that a battalion of Marines is always on board, at any one time, ready for any possible exigencies," Zata earlier said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1072022
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7 hurt in military truck, motorcycle collision in Basilan

June 11, 2019, 10:11 am
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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2019): 7 hurt in military truck, motorcycle collision in Basilan

Seven people were injured in a head-on collision between a military truck and a motorcycle carrying several passengers along the Isabela-Lamitan highway in Basilan province.

Maj. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) information officer, said the incident happened in Barangay Baluno at the provincial capital of Isabela City at about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Galvez identified the victims as Isma Abing Sabdani, 40, the motorcycle driver; Hamja Sabdani, 18; Radmi Samonte, 14; Steefi Gimeno, 13; Krizzle Andico, 15; Keith Lawrence Andico; and Charmaine Enriquez, 14.

Police investigation showed the two vehicles were traveling from the opposite direction and collided after the motorcycle encroached on the lane being traversed by the KM-450 military truck driven by Ahmad Awali, 46, a soldier.

The KM-450 truck belongs to the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade.

Galvez said Sabdani, the motorcycle driver, sustained serious head injury and fractured right leg while the other victims, who are all his passengers, suffered minor injuries.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1072077
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11IB returns to NegOr after 3-year absence

June 11, 2019, 10:18 am
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From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 11, 2019): 11IB returns to NegOr after 3-year absence


WELCOME BACK. After almost three years of deployment in Mindanao, the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army returns to Negros Oriental on Monday (June 10, 2019). The battalion has been instrumental in fighting insurgency, especially in the province's 1st district during its previous stint in Negros Oriental. (PNA photo by Judy Flores Partlow)

After almost three years of being away from Negros Oriental, the 11th Infantry “Lapu-Lapu” Battalion (11IB) of the Philippine Army has finally returned to this Central Visayas province to help government efforts in addressing the insurgency problem posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Lt. Col. Carlo Ferrer, battalion commander of the 11IB, led the estimated 500-strong troops on Monday during arrival ceremonies held at the Port of Dumaguete City, where government officials, led by Gov. Roel Degamo, welcomed them.

The returning troops arrived on board the Philippine Navy ship BRP Tarlac.

The soldiers are back on orders of President Rodrigo Duterte to beef up the military force in Negros after staying in Mindanao for two years and nine months, Ferrer said in a media interview.

It was not immediately known which area of operations they will be assigned to but "we are prepared to be assigned anywhere as we are soldiers,” Ferrer said.

The battalion will proceed first to Camp Leon Kilat in Tanjay City while the troops are being oriented on their assignments.

The majority of the returning soldiers of the 11IB have already been deployed here previously and about half of the battalion have their families in Negros, Ferrer added.

He said that their standing order is to help "eradicate the insurgency in Negros Oriental", although there is no timeline because it all depends on the military’s assessment of the CPP-NPA.

The arrival of the 11IB to Negros Oriental brings to five the number of Philippine Army battalions on Negros Island to hasten the end to the insurgency and to help in the development of the affected areas, he said.

Two of the battalions, the 94IB and the 11IB, are currently in Negros Oriental,

Meanwhile, Gov. Roel Degamo, upon receiving the 11IB, reassured the troops of the full support of the provincial government as he also expressed optimism that with their return, the insurgency problem in Negros Oriental will be significantly addressed.

Degamo said the Capitol would be providing soldiers living quarters.

He appealed to civil society to help the Philippine Army to achieve lasting peace because the latter cannot do this alone.

Also, taking up arms is not the only solution to the insurgency, as there are other non-combat ways to address the problem, he added.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, the original mother unit of the 11IB, commended the battalion for a job well done in Zamboanga even as he challenged the troops that there is still a lot to be done because the CPP-NPA is still an “inconvenience and a hindrance” to the people and the island even though their numbers have already diminished.

Another ranking Army official, Brig. Gen. Ignacio Madriaga, commander of the 303rd Brigade, said that the CPP-NPA is no longer “a force to reckon with” because their number is no longer “significant but they can still do terroristic atrocities” such as liquidation of innocent civilians.

For his part, Police Col. Raul M. Tacaca said the police in Negros Oriental are happy because they now have more allies to help them in their fight against insurgency and criminality.

The military and police officials expressed hope that with the participation of the local government units and the people, the common desire to win a lasting peace in Negros Oriental can be achieved in due time.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1071944
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Peace advocacy against insurgency launched in Lipa

June 11, 2019, 10:30 am
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From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 11, 2019): Peace advocacy against insurgency launched in Lipa

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LIPA CITY - The Philippine Air Force has rolled out its advocacy for peace at the Fernando Air Base in Lipa City this June 7 in support of the national task force working to end insurgency in the Philippines.

Col. Gerardo Zamudio, Jr. of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, said the the peace advocacy is in support of the national task force working to end the Communist armed conflict pursuant to Executive Order 70 that President Duterte signed in December 2018.

In line with the peace advocacy, the PAF also launched on Saturday, June 8 the multi-sectoral forum Usapang Pangkapayapaan, Usapang Pangkaunlaran Timog Luzon (Up Up, Timog Luzon) and Project Tinta which are both platforms for the government to discuss its whole of nation approach in ending insurgency.

Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr., Deputy Chief of Staff of Armed Forces for Civil Military Operations and a national task force official, has been working on an information campaign to end insurgency and bring about peace in the country.

“This advocacy is meant to unify our government efforts in working towards achieving peace. We hope to see an end to the insurgency problem before the end of the Duterte administration,” Parlade said.

The Philippine Information Agency is part of the government task force designated as chair of the strategic communication cluster.

Other state agencies in Calabarzon region have organized an action plan to address the root cause of insurgency ranging from establishing more government presence in the communities, improving accessibility and delivery of services to basic sectors and partnering with the private sector in opening up employment opportunities.

The peace advocacy will visit other provinces in the country until July.

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1023039
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