Thursday, March 29, 2018

NPA commander surrenders; one dies in military offensive

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 28): NPA commander surrenders; one dies in military offensive

Camp Datu Makapandong, Awa New Leyte, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur – An alleged team commander of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorist has voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 36th Infantry (Valor) Battallion (36th IB) in Sitio Upper Mambago, Barangay Dayoan, Tago, Surigao del Sur.

In Agusan del Norte, an NPA terrorist was killed while an undetermined number of other communist-terrorists were believed wounded when a gun battle erupted on the first day of the ‘Lenten Week’ observance between government security forces and the NPA.

Capt. Francisco P. Garello, Jr., chief of Civil Military Operation (CMO) of the 36th IB, said the identity of the NPA commander who surrendered was temporarily withheld for his security. He was an NPA Squad 1 commander, Sangay sa Platun Pangpropaganda 3 (SPP3) of Guerilla-Front Committee (GFC30) of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

He yielded Sunday night) to the command group of 36th “Valor” Battalion led by Lt. Col. Xerxes A. Trinidad, Capt. Garello said.

The NPA commander also turned over one M1 Garand Rifle, one .38 caliber pistol and one improvised/ homemade rifle with live ammunitions.

His surrender was facilitated by Datu Jomar Sabas Bucales, a Manobo tribal leader of the municipality of Lianga, Surigao del Sur province, assisted by Maj. Jerson B. Igloria of the 4th CMO Battalion, 4th ID, Capt. Garello said.

“The NPA team commander bolted his camp somewhere in Diwata ranges in Surigao del Sur last April 2017 and went into hiding,” said Garello.

“He was already tired of the movement especially with their unjust policies, the promises made by the CPP-NPA of providing his family with financial support, education, and resolving land issues were all but lies,” Garello quoted the NPA commander as saying.

Meanwhile, the identity of the slain NPA terrorist was not immediately available. The cadaver was brought to the barangay for identification by the villagers.

A flash report said that combat maneuvering troops of the Army’s 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battallion (29th IB) recovered one unit AK 47 rifle with live ammunitions and one unit cellular phone.

Initial report said one Scout Platoon of the 29th IB was conducting security operations and combat patrol when it chanced upon an undetermined number of rebels believed to belong to Guerilla Front Committee 21-C (GFC 21-C) of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) at about 2:45 p.m. on Monday.

The firefight lasted for more than ten minutes, 29th IB commander Lt. Col. Glenn Aynera said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/03/28/npa-commander-surrenders-one-dies-in-military-offensive/

Two Abu Sayyaf fighters surrender

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 29): Two Abu Sayyaf fighters surrender

The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) announced the recent surrender of two Abu Sayyaf fighters in separate occasions in Tawi-tawi and Sulu.




Maj. General Carlito Galvez, commander of the Western Mindanao Command. (Keith Bacongco/MANILA BULLETIN)
The two bandits were identified as Rizal Karaman and Alnijul Caray Aspi, alias Misang.

A report disclosed that Karaman, said to be a notorious Abu Sayyaf member, surrendered to Brigadier General Custodio Parcon, commander of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi, in Brgy. Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, Tawi-tawi at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Soldiers of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 (MBLT-9) successfully facilitated the surrender of
Karaman, a cohort of the late kidnap-for-ransom group leader Butchoy Hassan.


Karaman also turned over his cal .30 garand rifle to the soldiers upon his surrender.

He was subjected to a medical checkup to ensure that any medical conditions be given attention.

Meanwhile, Aspi surrendered to Lieutenant Colonel Ronaldo Mateo of the 32nd Infantry Battalion at the headquarters in Barnagay Bon-Bon, Patikul, Sulu, on Monday.

The 24-year-old
Aspi, a resident of Barangay Lipunos, Parang, Sulu, is a follower of ASG sub-leader Majan Sahidjuan, alias Apoh Mike.


Aspi, who also turned over an M1 Garand (Springfield) rifle upon his surrender,, underwent a custodial debriefing conducted by JTF Sulu troops.

From January 1, 2017 to March 27, 2018, a total of 204 Abu Sayyaf members yielded to the Joint Task Forces in the joint area of operations, 85 of whom surrendered in Basilan, 80 in Sulu, 37 in Tawi-Tawi, and two in Zamboanga City.

“This only manifests the progress that we are attaining in our all-out offensives to defeat the Abu Sayyaf Group in ZamBaSulTa area, particularly in the province of Sulu, and we are elated to have the support of Suluanons,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., the commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“We believe that, in time, we will bring about the peace and development in Sulu,” he added.

 https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/03/29/two-abu-sayyaf-fighters-surrender/

More Abu Sayyaf surrender to Westmincom

From the Philippine Star (Mar 28): More Abu Sayyaf surrender to Westmincom

More members of the Abu Sayyaf group surrendered to the Philippine military this week, bringing the number of militants who yielded this year to more than 200.
 
Personnel of Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 successfully facilitated the surrender of Rizal Karaman, a follower of the late Abu Sayyaf leader Butchoy Hassan, the Western Mindanao Command said.
 
Karaman surrendered to Brig. Gen. Custonio Parcon, commander of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi in Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi at 10 in the morning Tuesday.
 
The former militant, who underwent medical checkup to determine any condition that needed attention, also turned over his Garand rifle to soldiers when he surrendered.
 
On Monday, Alnijul Caray Aspi, also known as Misang, also surrendered to Lt. Col. Ronaldo Mateo of the 32nd Infantry Battalion in its headquarters in Bon-Bon, Patikul, Sulu.
 
Aspi, 24, is a resident of Parang, Sulu and was a follower of Abu Sayyaf subleader Majan Sahidjuan, also known as Apoh Mike. 
 
Aspi yielded a Garand rifle and underwent a custodial debriefing conducted by the troops from Joint Task Force Sulu.
 
President Rodrigo Duterte was recently in Sulu to receive hundreds of unregistered firearms and Abu Sayyaf militants who surrendered.
 
According to the military's Western Mindanao Command, a total of 204 Abu Sayyaf members surrendered to its joint task forces from Jan. 1 to March 27 this year.
 
Eighty-five of the militants came from Basilan, 80 from Sulu, 37 from Tawi-Tawi and two from Zamboanga, according to Westmincom.
 
“This only manifests the progress that we are attaining in our all-out offensives to defeat the Abu Sayyaf Group in ZamBaSulTa area, particularly in the province of Sulu, and we are elated to have the support of Suluanons,” Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, said.
 
“The President’s message is very clear, he will be open to accept Abu Sayyaf surrenderers (sic) if they decide to do such and they will be made to undergo programs that are similar to that of the enhanced CLIP of the NPA surrenderers (sic),” Galvez added.

13 surrender in Basilan

A leader of the Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf group and 12 of his followers surrendered to the military in Lamitan City, Basilan on Wednesday.
 
Brig. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of Joint Task Force Basilan, said Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf leader Nurhassan Jamiri is one of the two remaining top leaders of the Abu Sayyaf group based in Basilan. The others who remain at large is Furuji Indama, who was earlier reportedly groomed to succeed slain leader Isnilon Hapilon.
 
Uy said Jamiri and his followers surrendered also surrendered 12 guns to the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion led by Lt. Col. Montano Almodovar
 
"Yes, it's positive Nurhassan Jamiri surrendered with his 12 followers in Lamitan," Uy said.
 
He said Jamiri's group claimed the surrender was due to the pressure due to the relentless military operation and the recent pronouncement of President Duterte to allow those Abu Sayyaf members who want to surrender.
 
"Nurhassan Jamiri and his followers have to undergo the process of debriefing and proper documentation at the military camp," Uy said.
 
Meanwhile, officials and locals from four municipalities in Maguindanao surrendered 106 firearms to the Joint Task Force Central in the past two days. 

Loose firearms turned over

Maj. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, the task force’s commander, received 100 armaments from officials of Mamasapano, Pagalungan and Datu Montawal in Maguindanao.
 
On Monday, 13 villages in Mamasapano surrendered 25 different firearms to the 40th Infantry Battalion in its municipal hall. 
 
Pagalungan town on Monday turned over 45 assorted unregistered firearms to the 7th Infantry Battalion and 602nd Brigade while Datu Montawal municipality yielded 30 armaments.
 
On Tuesday, six firearms including one mortar were surrendered by officials of Shariff Aguak to Lt. Col. Enrique Clement.
 
“Units took custody of the surrendered firearms and were brought to their respective headquarters for initial inventory, documentation, and safekeeping,” said Maj. Gen. Arnel Delavega.
 
The surrender of firearms was part of the “Balik Baril” program of the local government of Maguindanao amid the military’s crackdown on unregistered firearms. For this year, a total of 293 armaments were surrendered by Maguindanao officials to the military. 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/03/28/1801331/more-abu-sayyaf-surrender-westmincom

CPP/CPP-Panay: Itultuloy ti Nakired ken Situtured a Panangiyabante iti Gubat ti Umili!

CPP-Panay propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 28): Itultuloy ti Nakired ken Situtured a Panangiyabante iti Gubat ti Umili!

Mensahe ti Probinsyal a Komand iti Operasyon ti New People’s Army – Kalinga para iti maika-49 anibersaryo ti NPA

NPA-Kalinga (Lejo Cawilan Command)

29 March 2018

Iti daytoy a naindaklan nga aldaw ti maika-49 anibersaryo ti pannakaibangon ti New People’s Army (NPA), itagtag-ay ti amin a Nalabaga a Kumander ken Mannakigubat ti saan-a-maparmek a pakinakem na, kasta met ti natibker a suporta ti intero nga umili kas pigsa na iti panangipaay kadagiti napipigsa a disnog laban iti agturturay a sistema. Laglagipen tayo amin ti daytoy nga aldaw babaen iti panangtaldiap kadagiti nagun-odan ken panangtan-aw kadagiti ad-adu pay a rebbengen a masangoanan tapno iyabante ti gubat ti umili agturong iti Estratehiko a Panagpapatas.

Iti sangoanan ti agmamauyong a pasista nga atake ti rehimen nga US-Duterte laban iti umili ken rebolusyonaryo a tignayan, saam a nangpakapsut daytoy iti dangadang nu di mas nangpatibker ket di kadagiti basaran nu apay a masapul nga ipagna ti panagbalballiw iti daytoy a sistema. Manipud iti gerra kontra-droga, gubat iti Marawi ken panangiyablat na ti Martial Law iti Mindanao aginggana iti panangideklara na ti all-out-awar laban iti rebolusyonaryo a tignayan, nalawagennga imbes a panagdur-as, didigra ket di ti impaay ti daytoy a rehimen laban iti umili. Masapsaplitan la ngaruden iti nakaro a baut ti kinakurapay, ket agbalballlin pay a biktima ti nadumaduma a kinaranggas ti naruay nga umili iti ima ti daytoy a rehimen. Apagsungad pay laeng ti daytoy a tawen ket dagus nga inyablat ti rehimen Duterte ti linteg a TRAIN (Tax Reform Acceleration for Inclusion) a nangipaay ti sigida a panagngato ti presyo dagiti basaran a magatang ken serbisyo. Nayon na pay ditoy ti panangikamkamakam na a maipagna ti panagbalballiw ti konstitusyon wenno Charter Change (CHA-CHA) ken pederalismo tapno agtultuloy ti pasista a panagturay na. kagiddan na daytoy ti pannakaibutaktak dagiti kaso ti kinaruker ken korapsypn a pakairamanan na ken ti pamilya na. isunga tapno makaluban ti kinabulok na ken maipagna dagiti panggep ken interes ti amo na nga imperyalista nga US, nangibulos isuna ti awanan kapada a kinaranggas labn iti umili a Pilipino. Tapno ikalintegan dagiti pammatay ken dadduma pay a langa ti saywar ken tortyur nga iyar-aramid ti aso-aso nga armado na, ilanglangdet da ti CPP-NPA-NDF ken sipapangas na pay nga impablaak a kabaelan na a pakapsuten aginggana a parmeken ti rebolusyonaryo a tignayan. Agtagtagainep isuna iti panangipagarup na a marebbek ti armado a rebolusyon babaen laeng iti militarista a pamuspusan.

Nadanon ti NPA ti 49 tawen ti pannakidangdang gapu iti laklak-amen na a suporta ken panagraem ti umili. manipud pay laeng kadagiti umun-una a tawen manipud naibangon daytoy aginggana iti agdama, awan ti asinnoman a rehimen ti nakabael a nangpatumba iti NPA. Nakaramut ti daytoy a reyalidad iti makagapu a naiyanak ti NPA manipud iti nauneg a kalikagum ti kaaduam nga umili a Pilipino para iti pudno a panagbalballiw babaen iti panangrippuog iti pundasyon ti reaksyunaryo nga estado, nga isu ti naindasigan a panagturay dagiti appo’t daga, burgesya kumprador ken ti ramay sa a dagiti burukrata kapitalista. Isunga nagkamali ni Duterte nu ti pagarup na a ti salawasaw a panagbassawang na ken ti panag-aramat na iti intero a pigsa ti reaksyunaryo a rehimen ti makarebbek kadagiti impundar ti rebolusyonaryo a tignayan. Gapu ta nainkalintegan ti rebolusyonaryo a gubat, awan ti dadduma a turingen na nu di ti dumur-as ken saan mapaatras.

Ti agtitimpuyog a pigsa ti umili ken ti armado na nga NPA ti mangisigurado nga umabante ti rebolusyonaryo a gubat. Nu pay kastoy, adu pay ti kinakasapulan nga aramiden tapno maragpat ti pannakapatas. Ipinget tayo ti panangipatungpal ti tallo a rebbengen ti Hukbo tapno magun-od dagiti rekisito iti panangdanon ditoy.

 Armado a pannakidangadang. Kasapulan ti panangpaadu ken mentinasyon kadagiti pwersa ken panangpadur-as kadagiti kadre ken kumander ti NPA tapno maidirehe ti nadumaduma a rebbengen ken makapagpalawa pay iti ad-adu a lugar. Masapul ti sustenido a panangibangon ken panangpadur-as kadagiti yunit milisyang bayan (YMB) tapno malabanan ti sibilyanisasyon iti intar da ken maipangato ti kalidad da kas pormasyon ti NPA. Agisayangkat kadagiti ad-adu ken mas naaw-aweng a taktikal nga opensiba basar iti kabaelan ken kongkreto a kasasaad. Pairtengen ti panangburak iti pigsa ti kabusor babaen iti pananglaban iti rekrutment ti kabusor iti intar dagiti kabataan, pulitikal a disintegrasyon kadagiti kadawyan a kameng ti AFP-PNP-CAFGU-CPLA, panangdalus kadagiti elemento ken aset a sibilyan nga agpapausar kasukat ti kuarta, ken panangbira kadagiti ahente-paniktik ti kabusor.

 Pangbukel ti base a masa. Tuloy-tuloy tayo nga ibangon, patignayen ken padur-asen dagiti organisasyon masa para iti panangsango ti nadumaduma a trabaho ken maipangato ti suporta da para iti gubat. Napinget tayo nga isayangkat dagiti anti-pasista a kampanya ken paangburak iti atmospera ti buteng ken amak para iti mas pay nadur-as a rebolusyonaryo a trabaho. Paregtaen tayo ti propaganda-ahitasyon iti intar ti umili lalallo iti intar ti kabataan para iti ad-adu a pasampa ti NPA. Agpakalaing tayo iti nadumaduma a tipo ti trabaho ken pamuspusan iti panagtignay para iti mas nadur-as a konsolidayon-ekspansyon a trabaho.

Agraryo a rebolusyon. Agpakalaing tayo iti panangisayangkat kadagiti kampanyang masa ken kampanyang agraryo tapno masungbatan dagiti pangkasapulan ti umili ken ti gubat. Papigsaen ken padur-asen dagiti nainsigudan a tinnulong tapno maiturong dagitoy kas rebolusyonaryo a kolektibo para iti panangtugon kadagiti pang-ekonomya a pangkasapulan ken pananggun-od kadagiti minimum ken maksimum a programa ti AgReb. Ipangato ti produksyon ti makan ken ipagna dagiti kampanya para iti panangdeoensa ti daga, biag ken rekurso.

Tulbek nga usapin a pangpatignay kadagiti nailian a minorya ti usapin kasilpo iti panang-agaw ti daga. Isunga rumbeng a labanan dagiti iskema ti reaksyunaryo a rehimen a mangsaklaw ken mang-agaw kadagiti ansestral a daga babaen kadagiti program a kas iti National Greening Program (NGP) ken National Resource and Environment Management Program (NREMP) ti DENR, dagiti proyekto a renewable energy a kas dagiti madama a maitaktakder a dam ken geothermal projects iti naduduma a paset ti probinsya. istorikal ti nainget a panangsalaknib dagiti umili ti Kalinga iti kadagaan ken kinabaknang na, a naikur-it iti pakasaritaan ti intero a Kordilyera aglalo iti tiempo ti dangadang ti Chico Dam. Isunga, msapul a saan nga ibbatan ti maingel a tradisyon dagiti umili ti Kalinga babaen iti panangipagna ti armado a rebolusyon kas kangrunaan a wagas iti panangsalaknib iti biag, dayaw ken kinabaknang. Labanan ti IP-centric approach ti reaksyunaryo a gobyerno babaen iti rekrutment ti militar ken oanagrekrut kadagiti paramilitar a CAFGU ken CPLA tapno ulawen ti umili ken paglalabanen ti tribu. Padayawan tayo dagiti Nalabaga a Kumander ken Mannakigubat iti awan manangimbubukod a sakripisyo, saan matawaran ken pagwadan a tured ken tibker a sumango iti rigat, panangidaton ti pigsa, sirib ken uray pay biag para iti panagserbi iti umili ken rebolusyon. Ti nadayaw a pakaugodan ti rebolusyonaryo a pakaistoryaan da ti nangted maris ken natan-ok a kontribusyon iti maiwaywayat a gubat ti umili. Saludoan tayo dagiti nasurok a 200 a banwar a Hukbo ken masa iti Kalinga kasta met ti amin a martir ti rebolusyon iti intero a pagilian. Nairut nga iggeman dagiti armas ken suroten tayo ti tugot da agturong iti naraniag a masakbayan.

Paayen ti Oplan Kapayapaan ken todo-gerra ti pasista a rehimen nga US-Duterte!
BOTAD! Sapasap a lumaban, irupir ti karbengan, ilaban ti kalintegan!
Agbiag ti New People’s Army!
Agbiag ti gubat ti umili aginggana iti balligi!

https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statements/20180329-itultuloy-ti-nakired-ken-situtured-a-panangiyabante-iti-gubat-ti-umili

CPP/CPP-Panay: Labi nga paigtingon ang taktikal nga opensiba kag bunalan ang rehimeng US-Duterte!

CPP-Panay propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 28): Labi nga paigtingon ang taktikal nga opensiba kag bunalan ang rehimeng US-Duterte!

Pahayag sang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas – Rehiyon-Panay, sa okasyon sang ika-49 nga anibersaryo sang pagkatukod sang New People’s Army

Julian Paisano, Spokesperson
Political Bureau
CPP-Panay

29 March 2018

Ang Komiteng Rehiyon sang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) sa Panay lubos nga nagakalipay kag hugot nga nagapakig-isa sa tanan sang mga Pulang kumander kag hangaway, mga katapu kag kadre sang PKP, sa bug-os nga rebolusyonaryong pwersa kag pumuluyong Pilipino sa pagsaulog sang ika-49 nga anibersaryo sang pagkatukod sang Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB), ang tunay nga hukbo sang pumuluyo. Kadungan sang pagsaulog nga ini, ginahalad namon ang pinakamataas nga pagpasidungog sa tanan nga mga kaupod nga nagbuhis sang ila kabuhi sa pagsulong sang inaway banwa kag sa pag-agum sang tunay nga pungsodnon nga kahilwayan halin sa paghimulos kag pagpamigos sang imperyalistang Estados Unidos kag mga lokal nga kahimbon nga nagahari nga sahi sang mga agalon nga mayduta kag dalagku nga burgesya komprador.

Isa sa mga talalupangdon nga bahin sang pagsaulog naton subong amo ang pagtipon sang aton mga kinaalam kag inagihan sa paglunsar sang inaway banwa sa nagliligad nga tuig kag liwat nga pagpalig-unon sang komitment para sa mas mapisan nga pagtinguha sa mga masunod nga tinuig agud mas labi nga magsulong pa ang armadong paghimakas. Mangin kabahin naman ini sang aton paghanda sa pagsaulog sang makasaysayan nga ika-50 ka tuig sang PKP kag BHB. Nagakadapat nga tumuron naton ang mga mabaskog kag mahuyang nga bahin kag magkuha sang dugang nga mga liksyon agud mas mapauswag ang tanan naton nga hilikuton sa armadong paghimakas. Hugot nga katungdanan sang PKP-Panay nga siguruhon ang husto kag absoluto nga pagpamuno sa BHB, buyukon ang malapad nga suporta sang masa kag panginpuslan ang mas nagapaborable nga obhetibong sitwasyon para sa pagsulong sang armadong paghimakas kag determinado nga mag-amot sang mas labaw pa sangsa nagligad para sa kabilugan nga pagsulong sang inaway banwa sa bug-os nga pungsod.

Nagaabanse ang aton armadong paghimakas sa Panay sining nagligad nga tuig sa tunga sang mas ginpasingki nga pagpanghimulos kag pagpamigos sang rehimeng US-Duterte sa rehiyon kag sa bug-os nga pungsod. Labi nga nagtingkad ang pagkamatarung sang aton armadong paghimakas sang arbitraryo nga gin-utas ni Duterte ang sugilanon pangkalinungan sa tunga sang NDFP kag GRP, labi nga ginmilitarisa ang sibilyan nga burukrasya paagi sa pag-asignar sang mga kilala nga pasistang heneral, kag ginlarga ang iya kontra-pumuluyo nga gyera sa bug-os nga pungsod. Walay huya nga gindeklara ni Duterte nga terorista ang CPP-NPA-NDF bisan nga siya ang nagatampisaw sa dugo sang linibo-libo ka mga imol nga biktima sang iya kabuangan nga mga gyera “kontra-druga”, “kontra-terorismo” kag kontra-Moro. Bisan ang mga sibilyan nga progresibo nga indibidwal kag organisasyon ang gintarget sang pasismo sang estado paagi sa extra-hudisyal nga pagpamatay, mga patu-pato nga kaso kag paglaragway bilang mga demonyo.

Katulad sang naeksperyensyahan sa iban nga bahin sang pungsod, pagbukas sang tuig 2018 gilayon nga nabatyagan sang mga pumuluyo sa Panay ang mas naglubha nga kaimulon bangud sa madasig nga pagtaas sa presyo sang mga basehan nga balaklon bunga sang pagpatuman sang rehimen sang dugang nga mabug-at nga buhis (TRAIN). Mas ginpalubha pa sini ang pag-antus sang mga pumuluyo dulot sang iban pa nga kontra-pumuluyo nga programa katulad sang paltik nga reporma sa duta, agresibo nga pagkambyo-gamit sang duta sa malagpad nga palayan, tuman kanubo nga suhol sang mga mamumugon sa industriya kag agrikultura, malaparan nga kontraktwalisasyon, kag ang nagahana nga jeepney phase-out.

Mga Talalupangdon nga Kadalag-an sa Armadong Paghimakas sa Panay

Ang mga pangkugmat sang paghari sang US-Duterte nga rehimen sa kabuhi sang mga pumuluyo sa isa ka bahin kag ang hugot nga pagsakdag sang BHB sa interes sang masang anakbalhas sa pihak nga bahin sa pagsulong sang armadong paghimakas ang nag-ani sang suporta kag pagsalig sang malapad nga masa, kag nagabuyok sa madamo nga pamatan-on nga mag-entra sa BHB. Kadam-an sa ila halin sa sahing mangunguma nga pangunahon nagaeksperyensya sang pag-antus. Sa sulod sang isa ka tuig, nagdugang ang aton hukbo sa rehiyon sang isa ka daku nga platun. Mas napadamo man ang numero sang mga mangunguma nga nag-entra sa mga lokal nga yunit sang milisya sang banwa nga pangunahon para sa pagpangapin, kalinungan kag order sa ila mga lokalidad, kag nagahatag sang direkta nga suporta sa mga pultaym nga yunit sang hukbo.

Sa sulod sang mga yunit sang hukbo, mas napauswag ang sistema sang mga hilikuton pang-ideolohiya, pangpulitika kag pang-organisasyon sang mga Pulang hangaway kag kumander kag napabilin ang mataas nga lebel sang kamuklatan sa pag-alagad sa masa kag malig-on nga disiplina. Mas napauswag man ang ikasarang sa pagtungod sang mga nagapanguna nga hilikuton nga pagsulong sang taktikal nga opensiba, pagtukod sang base kag pagbulig sa rebolusyong agraryo sang mga masang mangunguma.

Sa bug-os nga tuig, nakalunsar ang BHB-Panay sang masobra 20 ka mga taktikal nga opensina (TO) kag nakaagaw sang masobra 20 ka nagkalain-lain nga kalibre sang mga armas halin sa kaaway kag nagdulot sang indi magnubo sa 10 patay kag 20 ang pilason sa mga pasistang tropa sang AFP, PNP kag CAFGU. Ang aton mga aksyon militar pangunahon gintuon sa pagsilot sang mga armado nga tropa sang kaaway nga imbolbado sa mga kalautan batuk sa pumuluyo kag nagasabwag sang terorismo sa kaumhan, kag depensahan ang kaayuhan kag mga kadalag-an sang masa sa ila rebolusyonaryong paghimakas. Sa pihak nga bahin, tatlo sa aton mga kaupdanan nga Pulang hangaway ang maisog nga nagbuhis sang ila kabuhi sa pagpakig-away sa mga mersenaryo nga tropa sang AFP.

Ang BHB nagaserbi nga pangunahon nga organisasyon sang Partido sa pagpalapad sang mga sona kag baseng gerilya kag pagkonsolida sang solido nga pundasyon sang baseng masa sa kaumhan sang Panay. Nangin maisog ang masang mangunguma sa pagduso sang ila kinamatarung nga magbungkal sang ila kadutaan labi na sa kabukiran nga ginaagaw sang Philippine Army, sang Department of Environment and Natural Resources, sang National Irrigation Administration, Department of Tourism kag iban pa nga ahensya sang reaksyunaryong gubyerno. Bangud pag-antus ukon kamatayon kag indi kabuhian ang gina-imponer sang rehimen sa masang mangunguma, maisog nga ginapangapinan sang hukbong bayan ang mga kinamatarung sang mangunguma lakip na ang ila demanda sa nagakadapat nga presyo sang ila mga produkto, pagpanubo sa usura, pagpataas sang suhol kag pagpamatuk sa mga makahalalit nga dam.

Mga Nagapanguna nga mga Hangkat para sa Masunod nga mga Tinuig

Kinahanglan naton nga dugangan ang kapisan kag pagtinguha agud pukawon, organisahon kag pahulagon ang malapad nga kubay sang pamatan-on labi na ang halin sa sahing mamumugon kag petiburgesya sa mga banwa kag kasyudaran para sa armadong paghimakas. Tuman kadamo sa ila ang gindingutan sang reaksyunaryong estado sang kinamatarung sa libre nga edukasyon, desente nga trabaho kag masanag nga palaabuton. Dapat naton buyukon ang mga pamatan-on nga lubos-panahon nga mag-alagad sa pumuluyo labi na sa pagsulong sang inaway banwa sa kaumhan.

Ang BHB-Panay dapat nga magpursige agud mas padamuon kag palaparon ang mga taktikal nga opensiba sa rehiyon nga pangunahon magtum-ok sa pag-agaw sang mga armas halin sa kaaway, pagpangsilot sa mga terorista nga tropa sang AFP kag PNP kag mga gaway sini, kag mag-amot sa pungsodnon nga pagbato kag pagpaslaw sang all-out war sang rehimeng US-Duterte, kag pagsulong sang inaway banwa pakadto sa mas mataas nga halintang. Sa pagpabaskog sang aton armadong paghimakas, hugot nga kaptan ang linya sang malapad kag dasok nga pagpakig-away gerilya sandig sa nagalapad kag nagadalom nga baseng masa. Kadungan sang pagbaskog sang aton mga taktikal nga opensiba, madasig nga padamuon man ang mga rebolusyonaryong organisasyon kag lokal nga organo sang gahum pangpulitika sang masa, kag ilunsar ang malapad kag mapagsik nga rebolusyong agraryo sa kaumhan.

Labi nga palaparon ang nagahiliugyon nga kubay batuk sa pasismo kag tiraniya ni Duterte. Adlaw-adlaw nagaigting ang kaakig kag pagkangil-ad sang pumuluyo sa berdugo kag papet nga pangulo kag nagalala ang pagkabuyagyag kag pagkahamulag sini sa pumuluyo nga nagaantus bangud sa dugang nga buhis kag mataas nga presyo sang mga balaklunon, gutom, walay pangabuhian kag paglapak sang mga kinamatarung. Dapat bugkuson ang kusog sang mga pumuluyo nga nagahimakas kag nagapangapin sa ila kinamatarung, pagpaluntad sang tunay nga demokrasya, hustisya sosyal kag kalinungan. Pukawon kag pahulagon ang pinakamadamo nga numero nga masarangan agud batuan ang mga pagtinguha nga diktadurya sang rehimeng Duterte tubtub sa lubos nga pagbagsak sini.

Dugang nga hangkat para sa BHB-Panay ang pagpabugal ni Duterte kag sang AFP nga papason kita sini nga tuig. Dapat sabton ini sang mas madamo nga mga taktikal nga opensiba nga nagabunal sa ulo, indi lang para ipakita sa ila ang walay unod nila nga ambisyon. Kag labaw pa diri, amo nga hatagan sang hustisya ang tuman kadamo nga mga biktima sang nagasingki nga pasismo sang reaksyunaryo nga rehimen.

CPP/NDF-Mindanao: The New People’s Army Must Redouble its Effort to Fulfill the Required Steps to Advance the People’ War Towards a Higher Stage, Bringing the Filipino People ever Closer to its Socialist Future

NDF-Mindanao propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 28): The New People’s Army Must Redouble its Effort to Fulfill the Required Steps to Advance the People’ War Towards a Higher Stage, Bringing the Filipino People ever Closer to its Socialist Future

Ka Joaquin Jacinto, Spokesperson
NDFP Mindanao

29 March 2018

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Mindanao (NDFP-Mindanao), resonating the collective voice of its allied revolutionary organizations in the island, unites with the Filipino people in celebrating with utmost pride the 49th anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA), which was founded on the 29th of March 1969.

On this occasion, we salute and applaud all Red commanders, fighters, political officers and members of the People’s Militia, local guerrilla and self-defense units who have rendered invaluable service to the masses of peasants, workers and the national minorities. They have effectively carried out their revolutionary tasks of defending the people’s welfare by delivering decisive blows against the fascist forces of the US-Duterte regime. They have taken significant strides to bring the people’s war to a new and higher level with the end in view of ushering in the victory of the national democratic revolution towards the country’s socialist future.

We also take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to the masses, the weavers of the fabric of history, who have offered their good sons and daughters to take conscious and active part in the undertakings of the true army of the people, the NPA. We thank all our allies as well, who, throughout these years, despite the all-out vain effort by the ruling classes and its reactionary government to malign and crush the revolutionary movement, have not waivered in their support.

We render our highest red salute to all revolutionary martyrs who have lain down their lives for the people and for the victory of the people’s democratic revolution.

The NPA has remained true to its revolutionary tasks and responsibilities and has reaped numerous victories against enemy forces because of the absolute guidance of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its re-establishment this year. The founding of the NPA in 1969 was a bi-product of the re-birth of the CPP, which launched the First Rectification Movement in 1968 that repudiated the ideological, political and organizational errors of the old party under the revisionist leadership of the Lava-Taruc-Sumulong clique.

From a handful of comrades and fighters armed with a few rifles and hand guns in the 2nd district of Tarlac, the NPA began to expand, spanning the entire archipelago – from Luzon to Visayas to Mindanao. Correctly guided by the CPP through the 2nd rectification movement, the NPA was able to repudiate the right and left opportunist errors of the early 80’s and reaffirmed the basic principles under the guidance of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.

The Party currently mobilizes the entire structure of the NPA in an all-round way to overcome its conservative tendencies, and to fulfil the requirements necessary in pushing towards a more advanced phase of the people’s war.

The people suffer from worse forms of exploitation and oppression under the US-Duterte regime
The US-Duterte regime further deepens the semi-feudal and semi-colonial crisis by completing the implementation of neoliberal policies imposed by US imperialism. Duterte’s grand plan for the economy is to inundate the country with an infrastructure frenzy (Build, Build, Build) of roads, railways, bridges and other structures, whose actual implementation will be fueled by gigantic loans from China, Russia and the US. This will bury the country in insurmountable debt, which only serves to eternally trap us within the stranglehold of servility to US imperialist dictates.

Duterte will also open the country for the entry of more imperialist mining firms and capitalist plantations, which will further denude Mindanao’s remaining forest cover and rapidly deplete its mineral resources. Under Duterte’s “environmental policies,” stringent restrictions will be relaxed as more incentives and protection will be given to these imperialist companies, for them to continue ravaging the environment and rake in super profits from exploiting Mindanao workers and syphoning out non-renewable raw materials, to the detriment of future generations.

The country’s economy is made afloat by OFW remittances, but the level of remittances has gone down. The Duterte regime in the meantime continues with the policy of exporting human labor abroad even as overseas Filipino workers are being subjected to maltreatment and other despicable forms oppression in other countries, similar to what Joanna Demafeliz and Josie Lloren suffered in Kuwait that led to their tragic deaths.

The state of unemployment in the country is at its worst in years at 9%, or between 70,000 to 1.4 million out of work. This will further debilitate the labor sector unless thorough-going national industrialization is implemented. Labor policies imposed by the Duterte regime continue to deprive Filipino workers of job security, totally reneging on its promise to eradicate contractualization. More and more Filipino workers, especially those in Mindanao, are losing their trust of Duterte and are readying themselves to strongly oppose his anti-labor policies .

The US-Duterte regime seethes with fascism as it continues to employ militarism and other draconian measures to suppress any and all forms of opposition and dissent. Duterte seeks to wipe-out the NPA by end of 2018 through his AFP’s bloody Oplan Kapayapaan (OpKap), which employs a smattering of vile military and psywar tactics rehashed from the failed internal security plans of previous regimes.

In his desperation, he has issued Proclamation 347 that tags both the CPP and the NPA as “terrorists.” He has gone to lengths of almost sociopathic proportions as to offer “P25,000-P100,000 for every NPA fighter killed,” or exclaim the even more despicable “shoot a captured woman NPA in her private parts.”

Under the direction of the US-Duterte regime, the AFP/PNP has resorted to the psywar tactic of subterfuge, perfidy and black propaganda. AFP psywar experts employ orchestrating the murder of civilians, make it appear like it was executed by “terrorists,” and impute the crime on the NPA. Then, through their trolls, they poison both social and mainstream media with such fake news. For instance, AFP-sponsored bandit groups beheaded a CAA member in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, and in another incident, state agents murdered Datu Tiambong, a Mamanwa local chieftain, in Alegria, Surigao del Norte, both treacherous acts aimed at maligning the credibility of the NPA.

This also holds true with “fake surrenders,” with which the AFP uses, but in vain, to paint a portrait of a “weakening NPA.” But, the masses in Mindanao are well aware of the real nature of their own army, a people’s army that adheres to a strict code of discipline and fundamental rules that hold paramount the well-being of the masses and, without second thought, defend them whenever under attack.

OpKap has resulted in some of the gravest manifestations of human rights abuses in Mindanao since the US-Marcos dictatorship, which, from March 2017 to March 2018, has already victimized hundreds of thousands in the island. In particular, extra-judicial killings have snuffed out 127 mass leaders and activists in Mindanao.

Some of the more grisly crimes of the AFP in the past couple of years include: the torture and frustrated murder by setting on fire two young activists on December 6, 2017 by elements of the 71st IBPA in Maco, Compostela Valley; the massacre of eight Lumad villagers in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato on December 3, 2017 by elements of the 33rd and 27th IB; the murder of 19-year old Lumad student Obillo Bay-ao by CAFGU elements on September 5, 2017 in Talaingod, Davao del Norte; and the shooting of a pregnant woman by elements of the 8th IBPA in Bukidnon on July 2016.

The AFP also deploys its attack helicopters, fighter jets and combat-capable drones to conduct bomb runs as well as its 105 mm cannons to launch artillery attacks on areas near or on hinterland Lumad and peasant villages. For instance, the nearly five hour aerial bombing and artillery attack on May 25, 2017 against several barangays in President Roxas, North Cotabato and Damulog, Bukidnon combined with ground operations of the 39th and 72nd IBPA; almost incessant bombings and shelling on areas in close proximity to Lumad schools and communities in the hinterlands of Lianga, Surigao del Sur and Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte; and, the attack of drones with combat capabilities on farms and hinterland communities of peasants and Lumad in several towns in Surigao del Norte.

Drones are being used by AFP units to assist them to either survey the area for their targets or to launch via remote control “rockets” to decimate whatever they consider their “enemy target,” which include civilian communities.

The extension of the implementation of martial law in Mindanao has left leaders and members of open and legitimate mass organizations to brutal attacks by the reactionary state, which employs the filing of trumped up charges, warrantless arrests, imprisonment and torture, surveillance and profiling of targeted individuals, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and other means of psywar and intimidation. The AFP also uses its “recruitment” activities in schools and colleges as a cover to conduct surveillance on students whom they suspect to be “recruiting for the NPA.”

The Duterte regime recently filed a case against more or less 600 individuals whom it claims to be members of the CPP, NPA and NDFP and aims to officially declare the CPP and the NPA as “terrorists.” This is a virtual hit list of the AFP’s targets for arrest, persecution or political assassinations, as many of the names, more than half of which are from Mindanao, include those from legal organizations, human rights workers and activists, prominent individuals and leaves space for those whom they wish to add later. This is also farcical because it also include names of people who are long dead and even some are elements who are now in cahoots with the AFP.

The regime’s Oplan Tokhang/Double barrel has not only been used to capture and kill small-time drug users and peddlers but also to arrest and even murder political activists. Duterte recently revealed his “true colors” when drug charges against drug lords Peter Lim and Peter Co and self-confessed drug kingpin Kerwin Espinosa were dropped by the courts on mere technicality. These big time drug dealers are in fact close buddies of Duterte.

After the five-month brutal siege of Marawi City, no clear and significant rehabilitation effort that serves the needs of the Bangsamoro who evacuated from the city is underway; Bangsamoro civilian leaders/representatives of the people who were deprived of their homes and livelihood have not been consulted by the Task Force Bangon Marawi. Marawi residents now reside in make-shift tents located in the outskirts of the city.

The US-Duterte regime remains unrelenting in its war against the Bangsamoro and continues to intensify it even after the Marawi seige and as it extends martial law in the island. On one hand, it engages in direct attacks against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF); continuing its bombing/shelling on Moro communities such as the S.K. Pendatun incident, which has resulted in the evacuation of a number of Moro communities.

While on the other, it continues to contain the MILF and the BIAF by dangling the enactment of the BBL into law, as well as the federal form of government as an assurance that the Bangsamaoro will have a “share” in the state’s power. However, the enactment of the BBL into law remains far from being realized and creates a more volatile condition for the rekindling of an even bigger Moro armed resistance against the reactionary government.

The intensified war against the Bangsamoro is part of the Asia-pivot design of US imperialism to buttress its hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region, where China is also increasing its hold. The US Armed Forces has launched Operation Pacific Eagle–Philippines, an all-out US counter-insurgency operation in the country which replaces Operation Enduring Freedom. This gives full license to US military forces to directly operate against “terrorists,” establish new military bases with more than 6,000 heactares of land in Marawi City granted to them as military reservation, and use all their deadly hi-tech weaponry against the people of Mindanao. This will also serve as a launch pad for its war against China and North Korea, and establish its claim over the South China Sea.

The NPA in Mindanao continues to surge in an all-round way

Despite the all-out attacks of the US-Duterte regime, the NPA is making headway in 46 guerrilla fronts in Mindanao, where its units are operating in more than 2,500 barrios in over 200 municipalities in 20 provinces in the island. In these areas, hundreds of thousands are directly organized, while tens of thousands are covered by the people’s revolutionary government at the barrio level, and a few at municipal levels.

In the first quarter of the year alone, the combined strength of all NPA units in the five regions of Mindanao have launched a relatively significant number of tactical offensives against enemy troops, which have been inflicted with more casualties.

NPA units are hard at work cooperating alongside revolutionary masses in launching agrarian revolution. Thousands have benefitted from its minimum program of agrarian reform, which include reduction in the rent of land, farm animals and tools and in the levels of usury, while striving to increase wage rates of farm workers, as well as the level of productivity in the base areas. NPA units also provide social services, such as medical services, and conduct revolutionary cultural campaigns which help raise the level of consciousness among the organized masses.

Under the absolute leadership of the CPP, the NPA is imbued with Marxism-Leninism-Maoism as its ideological guide. Contrary to the claim that it has veered away from its principles, the NPA is strict in the implementation of its basic education, which is a collection of basic courses under the Pambansang Demokratikong Paaralan (PADEPA). It has made sure that members of the NPA who qualify for Party membership undergo the Basic Party Course (BPC) and the Intermediate Party Course (IC), and for cadres, the Advanced Party Course (AC).

NPA units regularly take stock of statements and articles featured in Ang Bayan, the official national publication of the CPP. At the same time, Red fighters are encouraged to read articles that feature burning issues of the day and, if they are able, to read revolutionary classics to help them strengthen their resolve and sharpen their analytical skills, especially in the midst of ever changing social conditions.

 Red fighters are steeled and guided by its 3 Main Rules of Discipline and 8 Points of Attention enshrined in the Basic Rules of the New People’s Army in all their political and military undertakings. For instance, the NPA has displayed utmost discipline in the proper handling of prisoners of war and hors d’combat, taking into account the strict adherence to the CARHRIHL, Protocols, the Geneva Conventions and other international laws that govern civil wars.

NPA platoons and companies in Mindanao are now spread all over their base areas, helping the masses to defend themselves from impending attacks of enemy forces, recovering those relatively disrupted by enemy troops and re-invigorating revolutionary mass organizations into launching agrarian revolution campaigns and participating in meaningful activities that help advance the people’s war.

Further strengthen our efforts to reap more victories

Thus, on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the founding of the New People’s Army, the NDFP–Mindanao resoundingly applauds the accumulated victories in the past year, and calls upon all Red fighter units to redouble efforts in launching more and more tactical offensives against operating enemy troops, utilizing a wide array of tactics and technics in order to achieve our strategic revolutionary goals.

The NPA must also make it a point to pay more attention in the intensification agrarian revolution campaigns, mobilizing the masses in their hundreds of thousands in order to bring about significant victories, both in the minimum and even in the maximum program.

We encourage NPA units in Mindanao to mark their every political and military undertaking this year as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the re-establishment of the Communist Party of the Philippines. We must take this opportunity to sum-up, learn from past mistakes, and aim ever higher to fulfil the requirements to help usher the people’s war towards the strategic stalemate phase and bring the nation ever closer to its glorious socialist future.#

Long live the New People’s Army, the real people’s army!
Long live the Communist Party of the Philippines!
Long live the People’s Democratic Revolution with a Socialist Perspective!

CPP/NPA-Camarines Sur: Biguin at Ibagsak ang Diktador at Tiranikong Rehimeng US-Duterte at Patuloy na Maglingkod sa Mamamayan

NPA-Camarine Sur propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 28): Biguin at Ibagsak ang Diktador at Tiranikong Rehimeng US-Duterte at Patuloy na Maglingkod sa Mamamayan

Mensahe ng Norben Gruta Command sa ika-49 na Anibersaryo ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan

Michael Robredo, Spokesperson
NPA-Camarines Sur (Norben Gruta Command)

29 March 2018

Ang Norben Gruta Command (NGC), Bagong Hukbong Bayan sa kanlurang Camarines Sur, ay taas-kamaong nakikiisa sa pagdiriwang sa ika-49 na taong pagkakatatag ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB). Binibigyan ng pulang saludo ang ating mga martir na pulang kumander at mandirigma ng BHB, na dahil sa kanilang pag-aalay ng sarili, ay nakamit natin ang mga makabuluhang tagumpay sa pagsusulong ng armadong pakikibaka para sa sambayanang Pilipino.

Ang binhi ng BHB sa kanlurang Camarines Sur ay naipunla noong 1976, mula sa pagsisikap para pambansang pagpapalawak ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan at ng armadong pakikibaka sa buong bansa. Nakapagpundar ito ng panimulang lakas mula sa pwersang nagmula sa mga setler na “kaingero” sa kagubatan ng unang Distrito ng Camarines na nangahas lumaban sa mga montero at konsensyunaryo sa mga lupaing publiko. Mula noon, ang NGC ay patuloy na tumalima sa absolutong pamumuno ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas sa gabay ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Marxismo. Bilang pangunahing sandata ng PKP sa pagpapatupad ng rebolusyong agraryo, naisakatuparan ang pagpapalayas sa mga mangangamkam ng lupa sa mga lupang publiko at ngayon, ang mga ito ay malayang binubungkal ng mga magsasaka.Kasabay nito, sa patuloy ng paglakas ng BHB at paglakas ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan dahil sa suporta ng masang magsasaka sa kanayunan, marami sa mga panginoong maylupa sa unang distrito ng Camarines Sur ang napilitang i-abandona ang kanilang lupain. Bunga nito, nagkaroon ng lupa ang mga magsasakang dati ay wala o kulang ang lupang binubungkal. Naipatupad din ang pagbabago ng partihan at nanyutralisa ang mga ibang mga di-palabang panginoong maylupa.

Bukod sa pagpapatupad ng rebolusyong agraryo, nasawat din ang mga sindikatong kriminal, mula sa mga “dose pares” noong dekada 80 hanggang sa mga lokal na tiranong naghahasik ng takot sa mga mamamayan. Mula sa ilang yunit na sandahatang pamproganda ay nakapabuo ito ng mga platung gerilya, naitayo mga lokal na yunit gerilya na may malalim na balon mula sa mga lakas iskwad at platung yunit milisya sa baryo. Mayroong itong malawak at malalim na baseng masa mula sa naitayong mga ganap na samahan at mga lokal na organo ng kapangyarihang pampulitika.

Nabigo ng BHB ang lahat ng kontra-insurhensyang Oplan ng lahat ng dumaang mga papet at pasistang rehimen mula sa Diktadurang US-Marcos hanggang sa Rehimeng US-Aquino. May sapat itong lakas para labanan ang tuta, pasista at tiranikong Rehimeng US-Duterte. Hindi nito papayagan na mabawi ang mga naipong tagumpay sa pamamagitan ng digmang bayan — mga tagumpay sa rebolusyong agraryo, pagsusulong ng armadong pakikibaka at pagtatag ng baseng masa. Puspusan nitong lalabanan ang hibang at ubod-arogansyang deklarasyon ng rehimeng Duterte na dudurugin ang BHB bago matapos ang 2018.

Naipatupad ng NGC ang pagpapaigting ng pakikidigmang gerilya at paglaban sa konserbatismong militar. Bukod sa mga naunang taktikal na opensiba sa mga nakaraang taon, kamakailan ay nakapaglunsad din ng mga anihilatibo at atritibong aksyon, tulad ng operasyong demolisyon sa pwersa ng PA sa Napolidan, Lupi noong Abril 2017, at ang 2 magkasunod na isnayp nitong Marso 2018, na nagresulta sa 1 patay at 2 sugatan sa hanay ng CAFGU. Matatandaan din na nitong nakaraang taon ay matagumpay na binigo ng NGC ang mga atake ng 9th IB at 92nd DRC nang bigwasan ang mga pwersa nito sa pamamagitan ng aktibong depensa noong Hulyo 2017 sa Ragay, Camarines Sur at noong Nobyembre 2017 sa Del Gallego, Camarines Sur na nagresulta sa kaswalti sa tropa ng AFP at CAFGU. Nitong Marso 25, 2018,nuling binigo ng NGC ang tangkang kubkob ng magkasanib ng pwersa ng 9th IB, 93rd DRC at 22nd CAA.

Nananawagan ang NGC sa mamamayan na patuloy na suportahan ang ating armadong pakikibaka, partikular ang pagsisikap ng ating mga pulang kumander at pulang mandirigma ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan. Napatunayan ng ating kasaysayan na tanging sa pagsusulong ng armadong pakikibaka mapapatupad ang tunay na reporma sa lupa at iba pang kapakipakinabang sa mamamayan at hindi tayo makakaasa sa pangako ng mga nag-aastang makamasa at sosyalista ngunit sagadsaring tagapalingkod ng mga naghaharing uri na umaasa sa pasista at mersenaryong reaksyunaryong AFP at tuta ng teroristang imperyalistang Estados Unidos. Maghanda tayo sa mahirap na pakikibaka’t umambag sa pambansang pagsisikap para sa pagpapahina hanggang sa tuluyang pagpapabagsak sa kasalukuyang rehimen.

Mabuhay ang BHB sa ika-49 taong anibersaryo!
Patuloy na pag-alabin ang paglilingkod sa sambayanan!
Mabuhay ang rebolusyong Pilipino!

CPP/NPA-Sorsgon (Mar 28): Panghawakan ang mga Tagumpay, Biguin ang Pasismo ng US-Duterte at Ibagsak ang Mala-Kolonyal at Mala-Pyudal na Sistemang Panlipunan!

NPA-Sorsogon propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 28): Panghawakan ang mga Tagumpay, Biguin ang Pasismo ng US-Duterte at Ibagsak ang Mala-Kolonyal at Mala-Pyudal na Sistemang Panlipunan!

Mensahe ng Pakikiisa ng Celso Minguez Command para sa ika-49 Anibersaryo ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan

Ka Samuel Guerrero, Spokesperson
NPA-Sorsogon (Celso Minguez Command)

29 March 2018

Iginagawad ng Celso Minguez Command (CMC) ang pinakamataas na parangal sa mga martir ng rebulosyon sa Sorsogon ngayong ika-49 Anibersaryo ng BHB. Nagpupugay din ang CMC sa rebolusyonaryong mamamayan, mga beterano, mandirigma at komander ng BHB na walang pag-iimbot na nagaalay ng kanilang lakas, talino at tapang upang isulong ang rebolusyon sa mas mataas na antas.

Sa gitna ng mapanupil na atake ng rehimeng US-Duterte sa ilalim ng mapanlinlang na Oplan Kapayapaan, napanghawakan ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan ang mga naipundar na tagumpay sa mga nakaraan dekada at nakapagkamit ng pagsulong sa larangan ng gawain sa ekonomiya, pulitika, kultura at militar sa nagdaan taon.

Ang mga aral mula dito ay magsisilbing gabay at inperasyon sa pagkamit ng mas marami pang tagumpay upang salubungin ang pagdiriwang ng ika – 50 anibersaryo ng BHB sa susunod na taon. Ang hindi matatawarang komitment, disiplina, katapangan ng mga kasama at rebolusyonaryong mamamayan at ang pagiging makatarungan ng pagrerebolusyon ang tiyak na magdadala sa pagkakamit ng mga rekisitos upang abutin ang estratehikong pagkapatas na magtutulak sa mas matataas na tagumpay.

Sa nakaraang taon, nagkamit ng mga tagumpay militar ang CMC sa gitna ng masinsing operasyon ng mga berdugong sundalo ng 31st IBPA. Epektibong nakapagtanggol sa sarili ang pulang hukbo at ginamit ang pagkakataong ito upang makaatake sa kaaway.

Pebrero 6, 2017, panahon na may deklaradong tigil-putukan, inatake ng pwersa ng 31st IBPA ang mga kasamang pansamantalang nakahimpil sa Trece Martirez, Casiguran. Walang naging pinsala sa kasama sa nasabing labanan samantalang tatlo ang kumpirmadong patay at dalawa ang sugatan sa kaaway.

Hulyo 28, 2017, pinutukan ng mga kasama ang detatsment sa Bungsaran na ikinamatay ng isang elemento ng 31st IBPA at ikinasugat ng isang CAFGU.

Agosto 7, 2017, matagumpay na inambus ng mga kasama ang pinagkumbinang pwersa ng 31st IBPA at 5th Regional Public Safety Batallion (5th RPSBPNP) sa Barangay Marinas, Gubat, Sorsogon kung saan nakasamsam ng tatlong R4 carbine rifle, mga bala at iba pang gamit militar. Namatay sa nasabing ambus ang apat na elemento ng 31st IBPA kasama ang dalawang opisyal at lima ang sugatan, samantalang walang kaswalti sa panig ng BHB na ligtas na naka-maniobra matapos ang 45 minutong labanan.

Setyembre 2017, magkakasabay na pinaputukan ng mga kasama ang istasyon ng pulis sa Gubat at ang kampo ng 508th RPSB-PNP sa Bulan na ikinamatay ng isang pulis sa Gubat. Nakasamsam din ang mga kasama ng isang M16 na riple at mga bala. Bago ito, sinunog ng mga kasama ang mga motorsiklo na nakaparada sa detatsment ng RPSB-PNP sa San Ignacio, Gubat. Ginagamit ito ng mga intel at death squad para sa EJK at mga iligal na aktibidad.

Ilan lamang ito sa mga taktikal na opensiba ng BHB – CMC sa taong 2017. Ito rin ay pamamarusa sa napakahabang listahan ng mga krimen ng AFP at PNP sa mamamayang Sorsoganon. Pagbibigay din ito ng hustisya sa walang awang pagpaslang sa magigiting na kasamang sina Andres “Ka Magno” Hubilla, Miguel “Ka Billy” Himor kasama ang dalawang mangingisda at sa napakaraming biktima ng EJK at iba pang pagyurak sa karapatang tao sa probinsya.

Hindi rin naging epektibo ang malawakan at matagalang operasyong militar ng 31st IBPA sa buong probinsya upang sagkaan ang mga gawain ng hukbo sa pagmumulat, pag-oorganisa at pagpapakilos sa mamamayan para sa rebolusyon. Naging pagkakataon pa ito sa mga kasama upang magpalawak sa mga lugar na matagal nang naghihintay ang masang magsasaka. Dito ay mainit na tinatanggap ang mga programa na inilulunsad ng pulang hukbo para sa produksyon, kultura, edukasyon at propaganda na nagbibigay ng pag-asa at lakas ng loob sa kanila na iangat ang kanilang kabuhayan at ipaglaban ang mga lehitimong karapatan sa harap ng lumalalang krisis at terorismo ng rehimeng US – Duterte. Sa kabila ng atake ng militar sa kabuhayan at karapatan ng mamamayan, patuloy ng dumarami ngayon ang mga Grupong Tulongan ng mga magsasaka para sa produksyon. Nagpatuloy din ang pagtatag ng mga Organo ng Kapangyarihang Pampulitika (OKP) sa probinsya upang higit na patatagin ang rebolusyonaryong gobyerno sa kanayunan.

Ang malakas na suporta ng malawak na masang Sorsognanon ang isa sa batayan ng mga tagumpay na inani ng CMC sa nakaraang taon. Ang kanilang pagkakaisa ay masasaksihan din sa iba pang mga pagkilos laban sa mga pagsupil ng mga berdugong militar sa mga batayang karapatan ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan.

Sa loob ng mahigit isang taon ay umabot na sa dalawampung (20) Sorsoganon ang biktima ng EJK sa ilalim ng rehimeng US-Duterte, habang nagpapatuloy ang mga pananakot at pandarahas ng mga sundalo sa mga mamamayang. Nananatiling nasa ilalim ng PDT ng mga elemento ng 31st IBPAang mga baryo ng Bulacao, Casili, Sangat at Payawin sa Gubat; mga baryo ng Sta. Cruz, Trece Martirez at Boton sa Casiguran at Brgy. Marinas, Sorsogon City.

Ganoon pa man ay hindi nayanig ang paninindigan ng mga mamamayang Sorsoganon sa mga ganitong kalagayan. Sa katunayan ay sawa at galit na ang mamamayang Sorsoganon sa mga kasinungalingan ng doble-kara at buang na pangulong si Rodrigo Duterte na lalo lamang pinalala ang krisis at panunupil sa mamamayan ng sunod – sunod na programa at patakarang anti – mamamayan at makadayuhan.

Minadali noong katapusan ng 2017 ang pagsasabatas ng bagong buwis na tinawag na TRAIN na sumagasa sa dati nang lugmok na kalagayan ng masang anakpawis. Ang totoo’y pinakinabangan lamang ang reporma sa buwis ng mga malalaking kapitalistang dayuhan at lokal, habang lalong nagpabigat sa pasanin ng mga maliliit na negosyante, empleyadong kumikita ng minimum na sahod, mga manggagawa at magsasaka na siyang dumanas ng sobrang pagdarahop dulot ng biglaang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin at serbisyo.

Gamit ang kamay na bakal, agresibo ang rehimeng US – Duterte sa pagsusulong ng CHA – CHA na naglalayong palitan ng Pederalismo ang kasalukuyang porma ng gobyerno sa Pilipinas. Ang totoo’y panabing lamang ang Pederalismo sa tunay na layuning ibukas ng tuluyan ang ekonomya ng bansa sa mga dayuhang kapitalista, mapatatag at mapalawig ang kanyang paghahari at ipawalambisa ang mga tagumpay ng mamamayan sa paglaban para igiit ang kanilang mga demokratikong karapatan.

Babaguhin ang mga probisyon sa ekonomya upang ipagkaloob ang isandaang porsyentong pag-aari ng mga dayuhan sa mga lupain at negosyo sa bansa. Sasaklawin nito ang mga lupaing ninuno, lupaing publiko, eskwelahan, masmidya, public utilities at iba pa. Babaguhin din ang mga probisyon sa pulitika upang tiyakin ang walang sawang pagkontrol sa poder ni Duterte at kanyang mga alipores. Kasabay ang mas matinding panunupil sa mga karapatan ng mamamayang naghahangad ng tunay na pagbabago. Ibubukas din ang bansa sa walang sagkang pagpasok ng mga tropa at armas militar ng US bilang pagtitiyak ng kanilang interes sa ekonomya at pulitika sa bansa at bilang pagtiyak ng kontrol sa buong Asya – Pasipiko.

Sa madaling salita ang pederalismo sa pamamagitan ng Cha-Cha ang bagong porma ng diktadura ni Duterte na magbibigay sa kanya ng labis-labis na kapangyarihang kaparis nang sa kanyang idolong diktador na si Ferdinand Marcos noong ibaba ng huli ang Batas Militar.

Ito ang pinaghahandaan ng mga kasama at mamamayan ng Sorsogon. Lalo pa’t nitong nakaraang taon lamang ay tinuldukan ni Duterte ang usapang pangkapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng Presidential Proclamation 360 at iginiit na mga terorista ang mga NPA sa pamamagitan din ng Presidential Proclamation 374. Palaban na niyang idineklara ang mas papaigting ng gera laban sa rebolusyonaryong kilusan tulad ng pag-utos sa ‘pagpapatag sa mga bundok’; ng pag-alok ng malaking gantipala sa mga sundalo at pulis na makapapatay o makapupugot ng ulo ng NPA at ang pag-utos na barilin ng mga sundalo at pulis ang mahuhuli nilang mga amazona sa ari nito.

Nangangarap ng gising ang rehimeng US – Duterte kung inaakala niyang mapapaluhod ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan at ang malawak na mamamayang lumalaban na malaon nang nakapagpondar ng lakas at mahigpit na tumatangan sa wastong linya ng pagsusulong ng makatarungang digma.

Nanawagan ang CMC sa mga mamamayan ng Sorsogon na pahigpitan pa ang kanilang pagkakaisa at paigtingan ang pakikibaka laban sa mga pakana at panlilinlang ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Sa kalagayang mas titindi pa ang panunupil sa darating pang mga panahon, mas makabubuti para sa mga pinag-iinitan sa ligal na kilusan ang sumampa na sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan. Ganoon din, nananawagan ang CMC sa mga kabataang Sorsoganon na mag-ambag ng kanilang talino, lakas at galing sa hukbong bayan upang tumulong sa pagpapanday ng maaliwalas na bukas na kaylan man ay hindi makakamit sa ilalim ng reaksyonaryong gobyernong nagsisilbi sa mga panginoong may-lupa, burgesya komprador at imperyalismong US.

Higit sa lahat, maglulunsad ang CMC ng mga taktikal na opensiba upang yanigin ang ipinagyayabang na paghahari ni Duterte. Hindi kailanman dapat mabigyan ng puwang ang barbarikong paghahari-harian ng mga pasistang tropa ng 31st IBPA sa kanayunan ng Sorsogon; kasama ang mamamayan dapat silang itaboy sa anumang paraan at dapat silang maturuan ng leksyon upang matigil ang paghahasik nila ng lagim sa ating mga komunidad.

Ang ating pagkakaisa ang tiyak na magpapabagsak sa mala-kolonyal at mala-pyudal na sistemang pilit pinalalala ng kasalukuyang gahamang rehimeng US-Duterte.

Sa pagsalubong natin sa ika-50 taon ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan sa susunod na taon, maipagmamalaki ng mga Sorsoganon ang kanyang mayamang karanasan sa gabay ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas, kasama ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan at National Democratic Front bilang ambag sa paglaban at pagbagsak sa pang-aapi at karahasan ng mga berdugo at diktador.

MABUHAY ANG MAMAMAYANG SORSOGANON!
IPADAGOS ANG PAGLABAN SA REHIMENG US-DUTERTE!
KABATAAN SUMAMPA SA BAGONG HUKBONG BAYAN!
MABUHAY ANG IKA-49 ANIBERSARYO NG BAGONG HUKBONG BAYAN!

CPP/NPA-SM: NPA offensives strike new enemy deployment in Southern Mindanao as AFP churns out fake news

NPA-Southern Mindanao propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 28): NPA offensives strike new enemy deployment in Southern Mindanao as AFP churns out fake news

Rigoberto F. Sanchez, Spokesperson
NPA-Southern Mindanao

28 March 2018

In the run-up to the 49th founding anniversary of the New People’s Army, Red fighters delivered blows against the newly-deployed AFP battalions around the region. The series of tactical offensives belied the US Duterte regime’s pronouncement that the NPA is fast-becoming a “spent force” with its thousands of surrenderees. The recent NPA offensives also contradicted the AFP’s fake news concealing their battle losses.

On March 22, AFP troops were hit thrice in a series of attritive actions in North Cotabato, Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley, killing 8 soldiers and wounding at least 5 others. The 7-vehicle convoy of the 19th IB operating troops was harassed by Red fighters under the Mt. Apo Sub-Regional Command in Brgy. Manobo, Magpet town while troops of the 56th IB were ambushed in Sitio Nasilaban, Brgy. Palma Gil in Talaingod. The 19th IB fed the media false information of having killed 4 Red fighters, complete with photos to vainly give credence to fake news. On the same day, the NPA ambushed 71st IB agents on board six motorcycles in Brgy. Magangit, Maco town, killing three on the spot, and wounding four. The 71st IB unit was responsible for the series of illegal arrests, detention and extra-judicial killing of civilians in Compostela Valley, including the arrest, torture and attempted burning of bodies of a minor and a civilian last year.

On March 20, three 46IB troopers were wounded following a demolition operation in Lawasan, Pantukan by the ComVal-Davao Gulf Sub-Regional Command while on March 18, three 66IB soldiers were killed in another demolition operation by the ComVal-Davao East Coast Sub-Regional Command in Sitio Taytayan, Brgy. Andap, New Bataan.

On March 5, the joint operation of the 102nd Division Reconnaissance Company and the 39th IB were ambushed by Red fighters belonging to Mt. Apo Sub-Regional Command in Sitio Landig, Brgy. Sibulan in Sta.Cruz, Davao del Sur. The spin doctors of the 10th ID tried to save face by denying their 7 casualties and instead claimed that only one of their soldier was wounded.

In Baguio District, Davao City, troops of the 3rd IB were hit three times in attritive actions by the 3rd Pulang Bagani Company in Sitio Basicong and Sityo Utan in Brgy. Tamugan from February 23 to 26. In retaliation, enemy troops bombed the Lumad communities for two days, torched and ransacked 2 houses of civilians. Three troopers of 19th IB, meanwhile, were confirmed killed in a demolition operation of Red fighters under the Mt. Apo Sub-Regional Command in Purok 8, Brgy. Greenhills in Pres. Roxas, North Cotabato on February 24.

In Laak, Davao del Norte, enemy troops of the 60th IB were likewise harassed by Red fighters in Purok 1-A in Brgy. Kiokmay on February 11. On February 9, Guerrilla Front 56 operatives triggered command detonated explosives against the 3rd IB soldiers where five troops were killed in Sitio Balaas, Barangay Gumitan, Marilog district.

Red fighters have likewise meted out revolutionary justice against known intelligence agents of the AFP who were fanatic implementors of counter-insurgency tactics of profiling and targeting mass leaders and local activists and sowing discord among civilians. Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN) members and concurrent paramilitaries Toto Costan and Daden Diaz were neutralized on February 22 in Brgy. Manuel Guianga, Baguio District in Davao City.

While the national leadership of the AFP has been parading self-negating figures of supposed “NPA surenderees,” the situation on the ground could not be more different for the 17 battalions, four of which were only deployed in the last six months in Southern Mindanao Region. The 89th IB has been assigned in the towns of Sto. Tomas, Carmen, Dujali in Davao del Norte and Island Garden City of Samal, the 19th IB in North Cotabato while the 16th IB was deployed in the second district of Davao City. In the town of Talaingod, the 56th IB was exclusively deployed to wreak havoc among the Lumad and peasant communities late last year.

The masses in the region are, in fact, boggled by the fact that while the AFP insists that the Red Army is weakening in number due to the supposedly thousands of surrenderees in the region, four more battalions have been forward-deployed since December last year. Case in point is the recent statement of Capt. Randy Llunar, Civil Militar Officer of the recently-installed 901st Brigade in North Cotabato, who said that they are planning to add 2 more battalions to cover the towns of Antipas, Magpet, Pres. Roxas and Kidapawan City because according to their studies, the NPA force are strong in these areas.

It must also perplex the AFP’s foot soldiers to hear such preposterous claims from their command when even their forces who are supposed to be “old hands” in counter-insurgency are taking a beating from Red fighters around the region.

It is fast becoming clear that what the US-Duterte regime and the AFP lack in any substantial victory in their counter-revolutionary and anti-people Oplan Kapayapaan, they make up for fake surrenders, fake statistics and fake news.

Joma: Without peace talks, we’ll have to go on fighting

From Malaya Business Insight (Mar 28): Joma: Without peace talks, we’ll have to go on fighting

THE Communist Party of the Philippines yesterday said it will be forced to fight government if President Duterte and Defense Secretary Lorenzana would remain opposed to a resumption of peace negotiations.

The communists have been waging an armed struggle for almost five decades now, and have been holding preliminary and/or formal peace negotiations with past administrations since 1986.

CPP founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison, who has been on self-exile in the Netherlands since the late 80s, said the National Democratic Front of the Philippines is “definitely willing” to return to the negotiating table.


“But if President Duterte and his subordinates Lorenzana and (PNP chief Director General Ronald) dela Rosa are unwilling to negotiate peace, the revolutionary forces and people represented by the NDFP have no choice but to concentrate single-mindedly on fighting those who lust for their blood, death and humiliation,” he said.

Duterte, during a visit to Sulu on Monday, said his administration is determined to finish the 49-year-old insurgency problem. Earlier on Monday, Lorenzana said the communists have not shown sincerity in talking peace and asked what they really want “because we have been talking to them for the past several decades and nothing is happening.”

A call for the resumption of talks was made by at least 60 members of the House of Representatives over the weekend through a resolution, one of whose authors belongs to the Bayan Muna party-list group which is identified with the Left.

Duterte cancelled the negotiations in November last year, after four rounds of formal talks, because of continued attacks by the New People’s Army, the CPP’s armed wing, on government forces even while the talks were ongoing.

Sison said the Duterte administration should not delay the resumption of the peace talks and should stop believing in the government propaganda that they can destroy the communist movement by “sheer violence” and harping that the communists are insincere in the peace process.

Lorenzana yesterday reiterated his opposition to the revival of the peace talks and noted an increase in the number of NPA rebels and supporters who are surrendering to the military.

The military has said at least 4,000 NPA members and supporters have surrendered this year.

Lorenzana also said he shares the pronouncement of presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza that an “enabling environment” is not present to resume the talks, referring to a bilateral ceasefire agreement.

Told he may be accused by the Left of being anti-peace for opposing the resumption of talks, Lorenzana said, “That would be their most probable argument, but we have bent backwards again and again but the result is the same.”

“We cannot repeat what we have been doing and expect a better result this time because, believe me, it will result in the same -- failure. Past experiences are our best guide,” he also said.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said even without the peace negotiations, government efforts to bring peace have been gaining ground, “as evidenced by the surrender of NPA fighters.” He did not say what those efforts are.

He thanked the signatories of the House resolution and also talked about an “enabling environment.”

“Right from the very beginning of his term, the President’s position has always been clear and consistent: He remains committed to peace. However, we find it unfortunate that the communists have become spoilers of peace because of their penchant for double talk and treachery. Their motives are not for attaining sustainable peace but rather to push for their greater control and influence. As before, we reiterate that there must be an enabling environment that must be present for the desired resumption of peace talks,” he said.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/joma-without-peace-talks-we%E2%80%99ll-have-go-fighting

Another Abu Sayyaf leader surrenders in Basilan – WestMinCom

From Rappler (Mar 29): Another Abu Sayyaf leader surrenders in Basilan – WestMinCom

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says the series of surrenders by Abu Sayyaf leaders signals the 'eventual collapse' of the terror group

SURRENDER.  Abu Sayyaf Group  sub leader in Basilan Nhurhassan Jamiri (seated, center) and his 13 followers surrender to government forces Wednesday at Barangay Sirongon , Mohammad Adjul. Photo by Richard Falcatan

SURRENDER. Abu Sayyaf Group sub leader in Basilan Nhurhassan Jamiri (seated, center) and his 13 followers surrender to government forces Wednesday at Barangay Sirongon , Mohammad Adjul. Photo by Richard Falcatan

Defense Secretary Delfin Lazaro announced a breakthrough in the government’s goal “to achieve peace without bloodshed” with the surrender Wednesday, March 28, of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Nhurhassan Jamiri and 13 of his followers.

Jamiri and his group gave up and turned over their weapons to soldiers of the Joint Task Force Basilan, composed of the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion, 8th and 9th Scout Ranger Companies, 104th Infantry Brigade; 74th Infantry Battalion and 14 Light Armor Company.


Lorenzana’s statement said: “The surrender of notorious Abu Sayyaf leader Nhurhassan Jamiri and his entire group after successful negotiations and military operations, will hopefully bring the eventual collapse of the ASG in Basilan, restore peace and order in the province, and bring justice to the death of thousands of soldiers, who sacrificed their lives to protect our people.”

Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command, told Lorenzana of the surrender of Jamiri’s group 9 am, Wednesday.

Galvez said the latest surrender of a top ASG officer, which is among a series which started in February, validated the “strategic leadership and sincerity of the Duterte Administration to solve the problem in Mindanao coupled with the strong cooperation between the LGU, AFP, PNP with the active participation of the affected communities.”

"This surrender only proves that with the President’s strategic guidance, our relentless offensives on the ground and our diplomatic approach are effective in defeating the Abu Sayyaf bandits and in addressing the internal aggression in ZamBaSulTa area," said Galvez. ZamBaSulTa covers the areas of Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi.

The WestMinCom chief added: “Following Jamiri’s surrender, we expect the other top leaders of the Abu Sayyaf to do the same in the upcoming days.”

Brigadier General Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Basilan commander said Jamiri’s group “are currently undergoing custodial debriefing.”

According to the WestMinCom, Jamiri is the overall ASG commander operating in Tuburan, Albarka, Tipo-tipo, Akbar, Mohamad Adjul and Lamitan City. He is also the operations officer and chief of the ASG in Basilan. His group gained notoriety in 2002 for claiming the Fort Pilar bombing in Zamboanga City; the 2007 ambush of Philippine Marine troops in Albarka, which killed 24 soldiers; the killing of 19 Special Forces students in Cambug, Albarka, and the 2001 Lamitan Siege.

WestMinCom also blamed the Jamiri Group for hosting the Sulu-based ASG, which conducted seajacking and kidnapping of Vietnamese vessels and sailors crossing the Basilan Strait. Jamiri Group also perpetrated several IED attacks in the cities of Isabela, Lamitan, Zamboanga, as well as kidnapping-for-ransom and extortion activities in Basilan province.

Lorenzana credited the efforts of Defense Undersecretary Reynaldo B. Mapagu, as well as key security stakeholders of Basilan Province, including Gov. Jim Hataman, Vice Mayor Cherilyn Akbar of Isabela City, and Ustadz Hud Limaya, deputy commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/199196-another-abu-sayyaf-leader-surrenders-basilan-westmincom

Abu Sayyaf leader, 12 followers surrender in Basilan

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28): Abu Sayyaf leader, 12 followers surrender in Basilan

A leader of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrendered along with 12 followers in Basilan province, a top military official disclosed Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade commander, said Nurhassan Jamiri and 12 of his followers surrendered Wednesday morning to the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion in Lamitan City, Basilan.

The 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Montano Almodovar turned over Jamiri and his followers to Uy.

No other details was available surrounding the surrender of Jamiri and his followers.

Jamiri is one of the leaders of the ASG based in Basilan province and was involved in several atrocities, including attacks on government troops.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030382

PRRD campaign vs loose firearms continues to gain support

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28): PRRD campaign vs loose firearms continues to gain support



A caliber .30 machinegun, Armalite and M-14 rifles were among the the high-powered firearms that are turned over to the military by residents of three towns in the province of Lanao del Sur. (Photo courtesy: Westmincom PIO)

The campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte to recover all loose and undocumented firearms has continued to gain headway here in Mindanao, military officials announced Wednesday.

This, as another 81 assorted loose firearms were voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 1st Infantry Division by officials and residents of three towns in Lanao del Sur.

Of the total loose firearms, 27 were surrendered on Monday by the residents of Maguing, Lanao del Sur to the Army’s 63rd Infantry Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Rizaldo Laurena.


Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the surrendered firearms included one caliber .30 machine gun; three caliber .30 M1 carbine rifles; 11 M-16 Armalite rifles; one M4 5.56-mm rifle; two M-14 rifles (one with scope); five shot guns; and, five 9-mm Ingram machine pistol.

The remaining 54 firearms were surrendered last March 24 by the residents of Lumba Bayabao and Masiu, Lanao del Sur in a simple ceremony.

Those who attended the ceremony were officials of the two towns and Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva, commander of the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion.

“This endeavor was made possible through the continuous collaboration of our infantry units and the local chief executives of Lumba Bayabao and Masiu municipalities relative to the national campaign against loose firearms,” Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, said.

The firearms that were surrendered were caliber 5.56-mm rifles; caliber 7.62-mm rifles; caliber .30 M1 and M2 carbine rifles; shotguns; caliber .45 pistols; caliber .38 pistols; caliber .357 magnum pistols; and, caliber .22 pistols.

“These (firearms) will eventually be subject for demilitarization similar to what we did to the recovered fireams in Marawi in order to prevent the use of deadly weapons in committing crimes and lawless violence,” Murillo said

As of March 26, the firearms that were surrendered to the Army’s 1st Infantry Division also known as Joint Task force Zampelan have already reached 162.

Based on the previous reports, the first batch of turned over firearms accounted for 43 from Piagapo, Lanao del Sur last March 18 and 11 from Lumbatan, also in Lanao del Sur last March 18.

For the entire area of Westmincom, a total of 1,304 firearms were already surrendered to the security forces with the following breakdown: 179 from Joint Task Force Central; 185 from Joint Task Force Zampelan; 222 from Joint Task Force Zamboanga; and 718 from Joint Task Force Sulu.

“In line with the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte, the campaign against loose firearms was launched by the entire Western Mindanao Command through our Joint Task Forces to implement the Security, Governance and Development Strategies of Martial Law in Mindanao,” Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030371

Former NPA rebels join march for peace in Davao Norte

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28): Former NPA rebels join march for peace in Davao Norte



More than 7,000 former fighters, local militia members, supporters and sympathizers of the underground mass organizations of the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) joined the Mindanao-wide peace rally held Tuesday in different places in Davao Region.

Captain Jerry Lamosao, spokesperson of 10th Infantry Division, said of those who came for the march for peace, about 3,000 were from Mati City, 1,906 from Tagum City, 1000 from Compostela Province, 700 from Davao City, 700 from South Cotabato, and 362 from Banay-Banay town, Davao Oriental.

They joined various people’s organizations in Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley, and South Cotabato gathered in different places of convergence at the Rotary Plaza in Tagum City, Davao Oriental Capitol in Mati City, Town Center in Compostela, Rizal Park in Davao City and the Town Center in Surallah South Cotabato.


The rally was also attended by religious leaders governors, mayors and different tribal leaders.

During the rally, selected former NPA leaders shared their sufferings under armed communist movement and their current experience with the government’s sincerity to help them achieve peace and development.

They also encouraged their former comrades to go back to the folds of law and live with their families that they have abandoned for a long time.

Major General Noel S Clement, Commander of the 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, commended the former rebels for their courage and bravery in coming down and embracing peace and to become partners of the government.

"We have come here for one common goal, to show the rest of the world that we are for peace. The initiative of our partner peace advocates, wherein some of them were identified former rebels make it happened today,” he said.

In three months, Clement said the military collectively achieved remarkable scores that translate not only military achievements but “our accomplishments” emphasizing on peace and development efforts of Local Government Units and Agencies, People’s Organization and all stakeholders.

Under 10th Infantry Division, Clement noted 33 encounters that yielded 56 firearms; 10 NPA members killed; 63 IEDs recovered; 48 enemy encampment discovered; 90 firearms surrendered by NPA supporters; 27 NPA members captured to include a barangay chairman who possessed firearms from NPAs.

The 10th ID reported that the surrender of regular NPA members already reached 238 and 3,721 members of Underground Mass Organization, Milisyang Bayan, Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad, NPA Mass Supporters and, 10 left-leaning organization members.

“Let us make sure that no one among (you) the surrenderers will go back and support the CPP-NPA terrorist group," Clement said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030380

Thousands of cops, soldiers secure Holy Week activities in Zambo

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 29): Thousands of cops, soldiers secure Holy Week activities in Zambo

The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) deployed close to 2,000 policemen as security has been tightened in all places of worship and sites of religious activities during the Holy Week observance.

Senior Insp. Shelamie Chang, ZCPO information officer, on Thursday told the Philippine News Agency that 1,500 of the 1,900 policemen were ZCPO personnel while the remaining 400 come from the Philippine Public Safety College.


Chang said they were deployed since Wednesday at the Climaco Freedom Park on Mount Abong-Abong in Barangay Pasonanca; Monte Santo Park in Barangay Lumayang; and in churches on the island barangays.

The police forces are backed by troops from the Task Force Zamboanga, the maneuver force of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) in this city.

The task force maintains two battalion of troops--one Army and one Marines--that secure the outskirts of this city.


Thousands of devotees converge on Mount Abong-Abong and on Monte Santo for the way of the cross.

Thousands of devotees will also stay overnight on Maundy Thursday and until Good Friday in the two places.

Chang said the intelligence community has been working since last week monitoring if there is any movement of lawless elements in this city.

“The threat is always there, but its not imminent,” she said giving assurance “we are prepared for it.”

She said the “No ID, No Entry” policy has been continuously and strictly implemented in roads leading to this city.

The policy has been in force since last year when President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire Mindanao under Martial Law.

Meanwhile, Chang said pilgrims will not be allowed to stay overnight at the station of the cross.

“This is to give others the chance to trek up the hill (for their traditional penitence). Otherwise, if we allow them to stay overnight (up the hill), others cannot anymore go up due to limited space,” she added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030404

PNP-12 hunts colleagues of arrested Indonesian bomber

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 29): PNP-12 hunts colleagues of arrested Indonesian bomber

Police authorities in Region 12 have increased covert operations against possible colleagues of an arrested Indonesian national suspected of having links to terrorists in southern Philippines.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, Police Regional Office -12 director, said that law enforcers have continued to search for colleagues of Indonesian Mushala Rashim alias “Abu Omar” who could be hiding in the region’s remote villages.

Abu Omar was suspected to have links with Ansar al-Khilafa Philippines (AKP), a local terrorist organization allied with the ISIS-linked Abu Sayyaf and Maute terror groups.


Senior Supt. Raul Supiter, Sultan Kudarat police director, said Abu Omar was arrested by joint police and military authorities in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat on March 10.

He said the police received a tip from concerned citizens about his suspicious presence along a coastal village of Palimbang and was telling the locals he was looking for a certain “Commander Tokboy.”

“Commander Tokboy” was Ansar al-Khilafah commander Mohammad Jaafar Maguid alias "Tokboy", who was killed during police operation in Maasim, Sarangani, on January 4 last year.


Morales said Abu Omar could not produce travel documents when police accosted him after admitting to authorities he was an Indonesian.

Morales said Abu Omar was turned over to the Bureau of Immigration in Mindanao for violating of immigration laws.

A police intelligence officer, who requested anonymity, said the Indonesian consulate in Davao provided intelligence information about Omar.

“He has a bomb in his body and tried to set it off when accosted by the police, but he failed,” he said.

According to Morales, Omar has been convicted in Indonesia for terrorism charges but was able to escape and traveled to Mindanao. Recovered from him was an ATM card and some 250,000 rupiah bills.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030416

DND pays tribute to women in defense sector

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 29): DND pays tribute to women in defense sector

In honor of all women serving the agency, the Department of National Defense (DND) conducted its "Gender, Peace and Security Forum 2018: Women in Defense Sector" which recognizes their role in the security of the nation and in peace-building efforts.

The forum held on March 27 at the AFP Commissioned Officers' Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City was in line with the celebration of the International Women’s Month and in accordance with the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAPWPS).

Notable women commanders and decision-makers, as well as women in the front line of combat operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster response served as forum speakers and shared their actual experiences in their respective careers.


Director Pamela Ann Padilla-Salman from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) opened the forum with an overview of the NAPWPS concepts, followed by the sharing of experiences of the women leaders who are involved in decision-making, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, and women in the frontline ensuring the protection of civilians and prevention of conflict.

First to share her story was Lt. Col. Rozelle B. Salvosa, a pilot of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and currently assigned at the AFP's Joint Command Staff for Plans and Programs (JC-5). Equating gender equality to one’s personal choice, competence, and commitment (3Cs), Salvosa said, "Gender- equal opportunities under gender and development is not a female thing. It’s everybody’s concern."

Meanwhile, Col. Joselyn Regis-Bandarlipe, Philippine Army Chief Engineer, admitted that it is not easy to be a woman in a male dominated profession. She, however, proved that gender is not a constraint when it comes to serving the country.

"Along the way, I experienced situations that tested my wits and courage... And I know the effort is being sustained by the government in upholding the rights and power of the women in terms of providing service; I believe in the effort of the government as articulated in the NAPWPS," Regis-Bandarlipe stated.

She also expressed her support for the government’s campaign in maintaining the right of the women in performing their duties.

For her part, Col. Maxima O. Ignacio, also from PAF, said that getting into a man's world is not an overnight affair. She related crucial instances when she had to over-exert efforts just to prove to her male counterparts her competence and capability in the face of double standard in the profession of arms.

Ignacio described her experiences in the military profession as a lifetime and fulfilling journey, and encouraged more Filipinas to join their ranks.

While the last speaker, Capt. Luzviminda A. Camacho, of the Philippine Navy, challenged the future female defenders of the nation to prove that gender is not a hindrance in reaching their goals and actualizing their fullest potentials.

“All women should remember that woman can also do what men can do, just be yourself and stay focused,” she said.

DND Undersecretary Cardozo M. Luna capped-off the event with his message thanking the NAPWPS Focal Point System members for organizing the very first forum that gave voices to women in the male-dominated defense establishment.

He urged all uniformed and civilian personnel of the One Defense Team to be exemplars in supporting and promoting the NAPWPS, and be agents of change towards the advancement of gender equality.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030407

NPAs, bane to PH growth, dev't: Lorenzana

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 29): NPAs, bane to PH growth, dev't: Lorenzana

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the New People's Army (NPA) is a "bane" to the country's peace, security and national development as the rebel group celebrates its 49th founding anniversary Thursday.

"On 29 March, the communist terrorists NPA will be marking their 49th year of futile, delusional and vicious existence that is a bane to our country's peace, security and national development," the DND chief said in a statement released Thursday.

Lorenzana also scored the NPA for its penchant of carrying out a string of celebratory attacks, atrocities and criminal acts to hide their dwindling number and degraded strength during their foundation day.

While the military is on alert for such attacks, the DND chief urged the public to be more vigilant against atrocities that might be committed by the NPAs.

"While the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is on heightened alert to fully protect our people and thwart possible hostilities by the NPA, we enjoin the public to be more vigilant and proactive in securing our communities against treacherous activities such as intimidation, extortion and murder of innocent civilians, burning of private properties and vital installations and conduct of ambuscades against government security forces," the DND chief said.

In urban areas, NPA members commonly intersperse with leftist groups and legal front organizations to conduct lightning rallies, vandalism and disruption of regular activities in schools and workplace, to cause severe traffic congestion and massive disturbance of peace and order, he added.

"Ang dapat nating itanong sa mga NPA ay ano nga ba ang ipinagdiriwang ninyo tuwing anibersaryo nyo? Wala naman kayong maipakitang magandang nagawa, bagkus wala kayong ginawa kundi pumatay, mangotong sa mga negosyante, at manunog ng mga ari-arian ng mga ayaw magbayad sa inyo. Kayo ang dahilan kung bakit hindi tayo umuunlad. Kayo ang tinutukoy ni President Duterte na pabigat kung kaya di tayo makaangat (What we must ask the NPA is what they are really celebrating in their anniversary? You haven't showed anything good that you have done. Instead, you do nothing but kill, extort money from businessmen and burn properties of those who don't want to pay you. You are the reason why the country is far from progress. You are the one whom President Duterte referred to as a burden which hinders us from achieving development)," he said.

Instead of being one of the road blocks to the country's development, Lorenzana urged remaining NPA members and supporters to lay down your arms and re-join society.

"Do not continue to be blinded by the propaganda of your selfish leaders who live in luxury, away in a foreign land, with their families and loved ones by their side, at your expense and at our people's expense, especially those from vulnerable communities. Your cause has become irrelevant and your ideology, bankrupt," Lorenzana said.

"For the past 49 years, you have failed to overthrow the duly-constituted government and replace the ideals of democracy with your brand of communism, despite your relatively stronger force and mass base support. What makes you now think that you can succeed even in the next 50 years given your dwindling number, degraded capability and lack of people's support?" he added.

Rebels willing to surrender will be aided by the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) set-up by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"For the remaining members of the NPA, it is time for you to return to society. Give up violence and the deceitful ideology you are fighting for. Think about the welfare of your families and of the nation," he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1030411