News From The Philippine Revolution

I'm going to let the "Philippine Maoists Arrest Warlord" thread die out & just start this thread, in which I'll try & keep updated as much as I can on the armed struggle taking place in the Philippines by the NPA. All the articles in the last thread will be re-published here.

NPA arrests Arroyo warlord in Surigao, 4 AFP/PNP armed escorts; Confiscates Nine M-16 rifles, pistols
May 5, 2010

Arroyo warlord and Lingig, Surigao del Sur town mayor Roberto "Jimmy" Luna Jr. and his AFP/PNP bodyguards were arrested earlier today, May 5, at 6:15 AM at a mobile checkpoint mounted by Red fighters along the Davao-Agusan National Highway in Pasian, Monkayo, Compostela Valley Province. Red fighters under the Conrado Heredia Command-Front 20 Operations Command of the New People's Army also confiscated their firearms consisting of five M-16 armalite rifles, two .45 cal. pistols, one 9 mm pistol and one .380 cal. pistol.

Luna, a last term mayor under Gloria Arroyo's Lakas-Kampi Party, is being held for investigations for numerous criminal, land grabbing and graft cases lodged before the local People's Court. Luna is being investigated for the 2007 murders of Suazo siblings who are Barangay Union residents in Lingig town; and Luna's involvement in the cold-blooded murder of Mayor Amerosin V. Onsing in 2001. Luna has also been accused of land grabbing 30-hectare peasant lands in Barangay Pagbacatan, and in Dahican Island.

Luna who is now seeking the Lingig town vice mayoralty post has been facing graft charges for the 26-million peso Land Bank loan for water ways in 2009. He has pending cases in reactionary courts for illegal logging, falsification of official documents, grave misconduct, and graft and corruption.

Luna and his AFP/PNP armed escorts -- 58th IB-AFP PFC John Rey Abao (SN 831893), PFC Arnel Dizon (SN 859544), PNP Lingig PO2 Boy de Castro and PO3 Alan Dapitanon -- are now under NPA custody while investigations are ongoing.

The NPA shall issue further statements and notices related to this latest incident.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00505;lang=eng

Here is also a document on the various corrupted doings taking place & the oppositional voices against such corruption: http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...ib/0805-08.pdf

NPA rebels attack troops guarding poll machines in South
Friday, May 07, 2010

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 7, 2010) – Communist insurgents on Friday opened fire on government troops guarding polling machines in the southern Philippines, wounding two infantrymen, officials said.

Officials said New People’s Army insurgents attacked the soldiers in the village of Taguibo in Davao Oriental’s Mati town where security forces were guarding the precinct count optical scan machines which will be used in the country’s first automated elections on Monday.

“The two wounded soldiers were rushed to hospital,” said Captain Emmanuel Garcia, a spokesman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division.

Garcia said troops were pursuing the attackers. “This is another terror act of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army and the National Democratic Front. They are sowing terror to prevent people from freely exercising their right to vote. This is hooliganism at its worst.
While soldiers are sacrificing to safeguard the election process, these terrorists breed anarchy to the detriment of the Filipino people,” he said.

On Thursday, insurgents also bombed a truck of troops escorting a convoy delivering precinct count optical scanner machines in Palanas town in Masbate province in the Bicol region, although no was injured or killed in the roadside attack.

The NPA is the military wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines while the National Democratic Front is the organization’s political arm. The Communist Party of the Philippines is fighting for decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news...20100507011255

The facts against psywar intrigues

Prof. Jose Ma. Sison
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
Chief Political Consultant
May 7, 2010

As chief political consultant of the Negotiating Panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), I am well informed about the revolutionary position of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People's Army and the NDFP as well as the position of other major political forces in relation to the 2010 elections of the reactionary government.

It is the consistent revolutionary position of the CPP, NPA and NDFP, as well expressed in the recent CPP and NPA anniversary statements, that the 2010 elections are on the whole and in essence a rotten process of a rotten ruling system dominated by the political agents of US imperialism and the local exploiting classes.

The NDFP Negotiating Panel has recently received word from the revolutionary forces of the CPP, NPA and NDFP that they are exceedingly happy that the necessity and objective conditions for waging revolution are further enhanced by the fact that the 2010 elections are manifesting the worst characteristics of the semicolonial and semifeudal system and are generating further political disorder and social turmoil.

They are amused that the poll surveys and the media reports have made an unstable, slothful and massacre-prone underachiever like Noynoy Aquino and a convicted plunderer and ruffian-type like Erap Estrada as the front runners in the presidential derby and that the Arroyo regime is still desperately maneuvering either to stay in power through failure of elections or choose the next president through manipulation of the vote count.

By manipulating the vote count through automation and/or manual count, the Arroyo regime can install as the next president either its own bet Gibo Teodoro or Noynoy Aquino who is the favorite choice of the the US country team (including the US ambassador, political officer and the mission chiefs of the AID, CIA , DIA and JUSMAG) and the Makati Business Club. One more bad president will further damn the ruling system and further incite the people to wage armed revolution.

Regarding such patriotic and progressive forces as Makabayan and some party list groups, everyone knows that the CPP, NPA and NDFP regard them as independent legal forces striving heroically to carry forward the national and democratic rights and interests of the Filipino people through the electoral form of struggle. The revolutionary forces and the broad masses of the people appreciate them as exceptional and different from the traditional politicians of the ruling system.

As a matter of public knowledge, I am aware that the bilateral alliance between Makabayan and the Nacionalista Party continues on the basis of the platform of land reform and rural development, industrial development and job generation, respect for human rights, indemnification of victims of human rights violations under the Marcos regime, protection of the environment, negotiations for a just peace, review of the Visiting Forces Agreement and other unequal agreements and independent foreign policy.

Brigadier General Francisco Cruz, chief of the AFP civil relations service, and retired police general Rodolfo Boogie Mendoza are spreading psywar intrigues and telling lies whenever they and their political masters invent stories to put the revolutionary forces at odds with the legal progressive forces and to counterpoise the central leadership of the revolutionary forces against a mere political refugee and long-disemployed teacher like me. In the days to come, the counterrevolutionary propagandists are expected to spew out more intrigues and lies calculated to favor certain parties and candidates and attack others.

I assure the two psywar intriguers and their political masters that I have the highest respect for the central leadership of the CPP, the national command of the NPA and the national council of the NDFP, which are all based in the Philippines. It is known to the public that I enjoy the trust and confidence of the revolutionary forces. They continue to let me serve the Filipino people as the chief political consultant of the NDFP in peace negotiations with the reactionary Manila government.

The broad masses of the Filipino people condemn the attempts of the most reactionary politicians and their military minions to discredit the Makabayan and progressive party list groups by Red-baiting them and witch hunting them as communists and self-contradictorily maligning them as being unprincipled for engaging in alliance tactics. These united front tactics allow them to retain their integrity, independence and initiative as patriotic and progressive forces and to facilitate and amplify their access to the people in their millions.

The anti-communist propaganda is calculated to pave the way for cheating the progressive forces and their allies and cutting down their votes. The impending electoral fraud at their expense will only further discredit the ruling system and will further justify the people's determination to intensify the revolutionary armed struggle. Definitely, the 2010 elections cannot be a way for any significant beneficial change. They are a device of the ruling system for deceiving the people and suppressing their will and voice.

The CPP, NPA and NDFP have always openly expressed their contempt for the entire ruling system of big compradors and landlords and their resolve to carry forward the people's war for national liberation and democracy. They are confident that the ever worsening crisis will continue to afflict the ruling system. The crisis will put the next president in serious trouble and compel him either to negotiate peace with the revolutionary forces or escalate the armed counterrevolution in a monstrous and self-defeating way.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00507;lang=eng

People Demand the Dismantling of Lingig Mayor's Private Army

Simon Santiago
Regional Political Department
Merardo Arce Command
NPA-Southern Mindanao
May 8, 2010
Arrested warlord Roberto 'Jimmy' Luna Jr (Lakas-Kampi) has strengthened his private army, and armed them with large caches of firearms issued by the Department of National Defense of the US-Arroyo Regime. Within nine years as mayor of Lingig, Surigao del Sur, Luna, a Gloria Arroyo ally, has maintained at least a platoon of private army which he used mainly to hit civilians and political opponents for his ambitious interests.

Ongoing investigations on the arrested Mayor has further affirmed the numerous complaints against him ranging from murder, land grabbing, graft cases to illegal logging and his involvement in the drug trade. Luna was arrested May 5 in the Davao-Agusan National Highway in Pasian, Monkayo, Compostela Valley Province during a mobile check point mounted by the Conrado Heredia Command-Front 20 Operations Command-NPA to arrest Luna.

Luna has used his armed goons to implement the murder of Suazo siblings in Barangay Union, Lingig in 2007, kill his political opponent Mayor Amerosin V. Onsing in 2001; and go after the Red fighters in an armed incident in 2001. Upon his orders, his private army also sowed terror among civilians in Barangay Pagbacatan and in Dahican Island where Luna's interests in agri-business and tourism lie. Luna has land grabbed at least 30 hectares of peasant lands in Barangay Pagbacatan.

In February 2006, following numerous complaints docketed with the Hukumang Bayan (People's Court) of the People's Democratic Government, the NPA made attempts to dismantle Mayor Luna's private army by raiding his house and disarming his Philippine National Police headquarters which garnered at least 22 firearms. But the Mayor has remained deaf to the people's clamor and continued to sow terror among the populace.

Warlord Luna has found a gracious ally in Gloria Arroyo who protected and coddled warlordism in the country and the proliferation of private armies via Arroyo's Executive Order 546 strengthening the regime's local officials to become warlords. The same Arroyo order that bred cold-blooded murderers like the Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao that use its private armies and DND-issued firearms to kill and maim civilians, build their vast empire, stifle the people's discontent and get away with anything -- even the most heinous crimes.

The regime merely pay lip service to dismantle private armies following the widely condemned November 23 Ampatuan Massacre. Warlords and private armies have actually continue to proliferate and enjoy the protection of the Arroyo regime.

The New People's Army for its part has remained firm in its commitment to disband private armies and all forms of warlordism inimical to the people's interests. The arrest and investigation of Mayor Luna is part of this commitment to hold accountable all those found guilty and face the legal and judicial processes as stipulated in the People's Court.

Meanwhile, Mayor Luna has remained safe and sound in the custody of the New People's Army and is being accorded humane treatment as has been the practice of the NPA towards all its captives.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00508;lang=eng

NPA to 10th ID-AFP's Capt. Garcia: What PCOS machines are you talking about?

Simon Santiago
Regional Political Department
Merardo Arce Command
NPA-Southern Mindanao
May 9, 2010

The May 7 military action of the NPA's Wilfredo Zapanta Command-Front 18 Operations Command (Wizac-NPA) is a punishment against the abusive 28th IB-AFP troops and a response to the complaints of the masses. The 28th IB-AFP casualties were not delivering Comelec PCOS machines as 10th ID-AFP spokesman Capt. Emmanuel Garcia claims. The NPA, as a matter of policy and as track record shows, fully respects the people's will in the guerilla base areas especially during this most chaotic election period.

At around 8 am that day, a team of Red fighters under the Wizac-NPA hit a unit of the 28th IB-AFP RSOT (Reengineered Special Operations Team) in Brgy. Taguibo, Mati, Davao Oriental. The ambushed enemy section was on reconnaissance patrol. They were the security elements of the 28th IB RSOT who have been conducting a month-long psychological warfare operations in Brgy. Taguibo and were not delivering Comelec PCOS machines. Private John Glenn J. Aniasco was killed while Privates First Class Abdulgani Paguildan and Julieto Domingo were wounded in the May 7 NPA ambush.

Capt. Garcia is a pathetic liar, more so, when it comes to making excuses for the 10th ID-AFP's battlefield losses. He now pegs his lies on the GRP election chaos to sell. Capt. Garcia's own yarn is a poor copy of the lies also peddled by AFP spokespersons in reaction to NPA tactical offensives in other regions. It only succeeded in unmasking him as someone who underestimates the people's sense to discern the truth from falsehood.

Capt. Garcia is covering up the gross violations of the 28th IB-AFP RSOT of the war protocols. For already a month, the Alpha Coy of the 28th IB RSOT have established an encampment within the populated civilian community in Taguibo. The fascists made the civilian population of Brgy. Taguibo virtually their shields against perceived NPA attacks. They have turned the barangay public school building into a military barracks -- and into brothels. The NPA has received reports of incidents of sexual harassment and molestation against women residents done by the soldiers of the 28th IB-AFP. Some of these cases were docketed before the local People's Court, and is presently undergoing investigations. These are some incidents that Capt. Garcia wants to keep under wraps from the public.

As a 10th ID spokesperson is paid to do the spin job, it is not surprising for Capt. Garcia to quickly conjure the lie that the NPA sought to thwart the delivery of the PCOS machines. He has to get creative and make a perfect excuse for the dismal failure of the 28th IB-AFP's RSOT operations in Taguibo, and their entire operations in Davao Oriental. Onto the homestretch of the doomed counter-revolutionary Oplan Bantay Laya, all they gained was widespread demoralization among their ranks, further alienation from the masses and the failure of the US-Arroyo regime in stemming the tide of the armed revolutionary movement.

A word of unsolicited advise to Capt. Garcia: be more original with your lies or you may lose your pathetic job.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00509;lang=eng

05/09/2010 | 11:20 AM
Army readies armed option vs Luna’s NPA captors

Soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade and the 10th Infantry Battalion from Compostela Valley are forming a circle against the NPA rebels and their captives somewhere between Compostela Valley and Surigao del Sur.

Should the negotiations for the release of Luna and his four security men fail, the military will act once it receives the order, Col. Augusto Tolentino, commanding officer of 401st IB, said in an interview.

“But of course, we will give time to the negotiating team for the safe release of Mayor Luna and his four security escorts before implementing military options", Tolentino said.

The military now knows where the NPA is hiding the kidnapped mayor and the security men, he said.

The NPA rebels holding Luna and his men have also raised the ransom money or "lodging fee" to P10 million from P2 million, according to Tolentino.

The rebels have sent feelers asking Tolentino to cease military operations in the area for the negotiations to proceed smoothly.

But Tolentino said he told the NPA to first release the kidnap victims before military troops will be pulled out of the area.

Luna and his men were on their way to Davao City near the boundary of Barangay Langkilaan, Trento, Agusan del Sur when they were captured by NPA rebels at about 6 a.m. on May 5. (See: NPA kidnaps Surigao mayor, 4 escorts—police)

A crisis committee, headed by Surigao del Sur Gov. Vicente Pimentel Jr., on Thursday tapped Agusan del Sur provincial social welfare officer Josefina Bajade as head negotiator in the talks with NPA rebels. (See: NPA holds Surigao gov’s convoy, seizes 7 firearms)

Bajade and the Agusan del Sur provincial government were responsible for the release of 75 hostages, including 17 schoolchildren, in Sitio Maitum, Barangay San Martin, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on Dec. 9, 2010.

National Democratic Front-Northeastern Regional Command (NDF-NMRC) spokesperson Jorge Madlos, a.k.a. Ka Oris, said in a statement the NPA considers the four government security escorts as prisoners of war.

They are Private 1st Class John Rey Abao and PFC1 Arnel Dizon of the 58th IB, and Police Officer 2nd Class Jose de Castro and PO3 Allan Dapitanon of the Philippine National Police in Lingig.

Lt. Col. Gilbert Saret, the Army battalion now pursuing Luna's captors said that Pimentel and his team are now negotiating for the release of Luna his men.

Compostela Valley provincial police chief Sr. Supt. Aaron Aquino said the rebels and their captives already crossed the thickly forested mountain range separating Compostela Valley and Surigao del Sur, and that a possible release might happen on the Surigao side.

This was the second time NPA rebels abducted Luna. In 2007, NPA gunmen posing as government soldiers raided the Lingig police station, using Luna as a human shield while ransacking the station's weapons cache. He was released 12 hours later.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/190456/a...as-npa-captors

05/09/2010 | 12:43 AM
NPA holds Surigao gov’s convoy, seizes 7 firearms

BUTUAN CITY — Some 80 heavily-armed NPA rebels blocked and disarmed the three-vehicle convoy of Surigao del Sur Gov. Vicente Pimentel Jr. while on their way to Tandag City at past 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, a flash report from the Philippine Information Agency special election coverage office said.

Gov. Pimentel and his security escorts were on board a convoy of three vehicles—a Toyota Land Cruiser, a Nissan Patrol and a Toyota Hi-Lux—at the Hinatuan-Bislig City boundary road when the camouflage-uniformed suspects flagged them down at Sitio Tandawan, Barangay Loyola, the PIA report said.

Pimentel’s younger brother Johnny, confirmed the incident in a text message.

Pimentel’s vehicle was reportedly able to speed away, but the two other vehicles remained stuck at the NPA checkpoint, forcing the governor’s vehicle to turn back and rejoin the convoy.

The NPA rebels then disarmed Pimentel’s security personnel after a heated altercation that nearly led to a shootout.

Pimentel’s convoy was later allowed to proceed unharmed, minus their firearms. The NPA rebels reportedly seized four M16 rifles, an MP5 rifle, two .45-caliber pistols, and ammunition.

The governor’s party came from Lingig, Surigao del Sur, where Lingig Mayor Roberto Luna Jr. and his four security escorts were being held captive by the NPA in nearby Compostela Valley province.

The governor is head of the crisis committee on the Mayor Luna kidnapping, and was reportedly trying to hold talks with NPA unit holding Luna and his four escorts near the boundary of Surigao del Sur and Compostela Valley before the incident happened.

Pimentel is the regional chairman of the Caraga Region Peace and Order Committee and also an official of the Caraga Regional Development Council.

He is now on his third term as Surigao del Sur governor, and has been campaigning as Lakas-Kampi’s mayoral bet in Carrascal town.

Pimentel’s younger brother, Johnny, is Surigao del Sur provincial administrator, former vice governor, and now Lakas gubernatorial bet. Another Pimentel brother is reelectionist Tandag City Mayor Alexander Pimentel.

The Pimentel family reportedly owns one of the biggest mining companies and timber concession in Surigao del Sur.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/190446/n...zes-7-firearms

MILF, NPA blamed for election violence
05/11/2010

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—The military in Maguindanao on Tuesday linked the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to at least one incident of mortar shelling there while balloting was being conducted on Monday.

In Compostela Valley, New People's Army rebels were also being accused of staging an ambush that killed five people—two soldiers, two policemen and a poll watcher—on Tuesday.

Colonel Herbert Yambing, chief of the Joint Security Coordinating Council in Maguindanao, said MILF rebels fired the three mortar shells that landed near a voting center in Pagatin Elementary School in Salibo town at about noon on Monday.

No one was hurt in the incident but Yambing said the explosions sent voters and poll officials into panic.

"We know the MILF did it," Yambing said.

He said the incident was a violation of an agreement the MILF signed with the government in which the rebels agreed to help in maintaining a peaceful and orderly election in Maguindanao and other areas.

Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, branded Yambing's accusation as "hastily issued."

Jaafar said the incident should be investigated first.

He said that instead of directly accusing the MILF, Yambing could have waited for the results of an investigation which a neutral body like the International Monitoring Team could conduct.

"We are committed to help the government ensure the holding of peaceful and orderly elections in accordance with the commitment of understanding that we agreed upon," said Jaafar said.

He said that after the signing of the agreement, the MILF moved out its forces from areas near polling places so that misencounters would be avoided.

Brigadier General Ariel Bernardo, deputy commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division and chair of Task Force HOPE (Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections), said Yambing's statement was already being looked into.

Meanwhile, Yambing said three more explosions rocked Maguindanao on Monday evening while votes were being counted.

But he said that this time, followers of losing candidates were behind the three rifle grenade explosions in three barangays in the municipality of S.K. Pendatun.

Another grenade, he said, was lobbed by unidentified men into a polling precinct in Datu Paglat town but it did not explode.

Voters and poll clerks inside the polling precinct at the time were thrown into panic, Yambing said.

He said followers of losing candidates could also be behind Monday's 7:30 p.m. ambush of poll officials and Army personnel from SK Pendatun town, who were transporting precinct count optical scanner (PCOS) machines to Shariff Aguak.

No one was reported injured in the ambush, Yambing said.

In Maragusan, Compostela Valley, Colonel Romeo Calizo, commander of the Army's 1001st Infantry Brigade, said a convoy of vehicles bearing government forces and election watchers were heading for the town's center to deliver election results when fired at by rebels in sitio Mangga in Barangay Mahayahay around 9:30 a.m.

Calizo said 9 soldiers and three other civilians were wounded in the attack.

"Pursuit operation is ongoing," he said.

http://politics.inquirer.net/politic...tion--violence

Keep in mind that every site that I'm getting information from, except the NPA's main site, is very anti-NPA & will lead to whatever propaganda against them as they can.

Communist rebels kill six in Compostela Valley ambush
12 May 2010

DAVAO: Communist rebels in the southern Philippines killed six people and wounded 12 others on Tuesday when they ambushed an election convoy, the military said.

Two soldiers, two government militiamen, an election official and the poll watcher of a local candidate were killed in the attack in the restive Mindanao region, said local military commander Col. Romeo Calizo.

Guerrillas of the New People’s Army (NPA) ambushed the group as they were delivering the results of Monday’s national elections to the town of Maaragusan, said Calizo.

Nine soldiers and three civilian poll watchers were also wounded in the ambush, the colonel said. He said the incident was probably an attack on government forces and not an attempt by the rebels to influence the polls.

“We condemn this attack on innocent people,” said Army Captain Emmanuel Garcia, a spokesman for the 10th Infantry Division, as he called on the Commission of Human Rights and other human rights organizations to investigate the attack which occurred at about 8.30 a.m. on a village near Maragusan town.

Garcia said rebels also attacked Friday and wounded two government troops guarding polling machines in the village of Taguibo in Davao Oriental’s Mati town. Security forces were guarding the machines when rebels opened fire at them.

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php...-valley-ambush

NDF wants new admin to remove terror tag on NPA
05/12/2010 | 11:35 AM

Even before the incoming administration could formally be sworn in, communist rebels on Wednesday disclosed their first condition for the resumption of peace talks with the Philippine government.

In a radio interview, a National Democratic Front (NDF) spokesman said that while the mainstream communist group is open to talks with Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III, it wants his administration to remove the terrorist tag on its armed wing first.

Aquino appears headed to winning the May 10 presidential polls as shown by his very string showing based on the partial and unofficial tally as of Tuesday.

"The NDF and Communist Party of the Philippines have always been open to peace talks. But we wish it would be on the level. The government claims it does not deal with terrorists. Yet it deems the CPP and New People’s Army terrorist groups. So it should work to remove the terrorist tag from these groups," NDF Mindanao spokesman Jorge “Ka Oris" Madlos said in Filipino over dzXL radio.

Madlos was referring to the Arroyo government’s representations in the early 2000s to have the United States and European Union tag the NPA as a terrorist group.

The terrorist tag on the NPA had been one of the key reasons behind the stalling of peace talks between the Arroyo government and the communist rebels in August 2004.

"Marami pang parameter ng peace talks na dapat ayusin. Ang NDF interesado ma-resolve ang root ng crisis ang social problem sa Pilipinas (There are many other parameters to the peace talks that must be addressed. The NDF wants to resolve the root of the crisis and the country’s social problems)," Madlos said.

On the other hand, Madlos warned the NPA is ready to "fight" against the new government if it refuses to address the social problems hounding the country.

"Handa rin kami lumaban kung sakaling walang kasiguruhan makamit ng mamamayan ang tunay na para sa kanila (We are ready to fight if we see no certainty that the people will get what they deserve)," he said.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/190762/n...ror-tag-on-npa

This just shows the lack of agreement taking place in the Filipino gov. & military, & apparently have contradicted their selves as they keep trying to pin blame the NPA with the destruction of PCOS machines & claiming they're trying to disrupt the election campaign taking place over there. This is nothing more than a propaganda campaign against the NPA.

05/11/2010 | 10:02 PM
Army unit now doubts ‘NPA role’ in Iloilo PCOS burning

The military tentatively "cleared" the communist-led New People's Army (NPA) of involvement in the burning of precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines in Iloilo province the weekend before the May 10 elections.

A local Army unit who interviewed residents of the village contradicted the claims of two policemen on what caused the fire, Iloilo-based The News Today reported Tuesday.

Five PCOS machines were razed in the Home Economics building of Caduldulan Elementary School in Miag-ao, Iloilo last Saturday.

The 82nd Infantry Battalion, in its report to the military's Task Force HOPE, said residents saw no armed group in the area or heard any explosion when the incident happened.

It contrasted with the allegation of the Miag-ao Police Station, which claimed 15 armed rebels led by Armando "Allan/Kamlon" Sabares were behind the incident.

PO2 Placido Nacis and PO1 Cenon Elicanal, the police officers detailed at the JSCC-Security Assistance Desk, claimed they were fetching water at a nearby well when they saw smoke coming from the HE building.

They added they saw armed men firing their guns, and withdrew and reported the incident to the Miag-ao Police Station.

But village captain Romeo Forclarans said he and other residents saw the two policemen eating some 200 meters from the HE building.

After seeing the smoke, residents rushed to the area to put out the fire, but the building was locked, preventing them from retrieving the PCOS machines.

Investigation also showed residents in the area suspected the fire stemmed from an electrical short circuit in the kitchen.

The burned PCOS machines were to be used for Cabalaunan, Caduldulan, Matalngon, Onop and To-ong villages.

Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Elizabeth Doronila immediately sent PCOS machines to replace the burnt ones.

Meanwhile, PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas had announced on May 9 that they will create a special investigation task group to look into the incident.

The group will have Chief Insp. Fernando Salvatierra, provincial officer of the Iloilo Criminal Investigation and Detection Team; Supt. Edgardo Lenizo; Lt. Col. Jorge Joel Lalaquil of the Army’s 82nd IB; and Insp. Ferdinand Limbungan of the Miag-ao Police Station, as members.

“Pending the result of the investigation, we maintained that the incident was perpetrated by armed rebels," Cuevas added.

Nacis and Elicanal were also placed on probe.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/190730/a...o-pcos-burning

NPA rebs abduct 4 soldiers in ComVal
By Frinston Lim
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 07:23:00 05/13/2010

Filed Under: Guerrilla activities, Abduction
TAGUM CITY--Communist New People’s Army rebels struck anew in Compostela Valley province, abducting on Wednesday four government troops at a birthday party.

Capt. Emmanuel Garcia, 10th Infantry Division public affairs officer, said the kidnapping happened in Sawangan village in Mawab town.

He identified the seized troopers as Corporals Marcial Bagawan, Ariel Asumo, Eduardo Alcala and militiaman Victor Pitogo.

The government troops were at Bagawan’s house for his three-year old son’s birthday when gunmen believed to be members of the NPA’s Front 27 swooped down and held them at gunpoint.

“According to witnesses, the rebels forcibly herded the victims to a black van before speeding off toward the direction of Sangab village, also in Compostela Valley,” Garcia said, adding that Bagawan’s wife, Jenny, tearfully pleaded to the rebels not to take her husband away but to no avail.

The military suspects Bagawan’s abductors are the same group of rebels, which on Tuesday ambushed troops escorting election officials in the transport of election paraphernalia in nearby Maragusan town, which resulted in the death of five persons and the wounding of 12 others.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...iers-in-ComVal

Good idea TVM. Keep them coming :-)

I ended up finding this on the NPA's official website & thought people would like to hear it. It's the Filipino version of the Internationale by the NPA:

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...rnationale.mp3

Cool thread, was thinking of starting one similar.. Is it for the Fillipino situation in general, or just the military actions of NPA? Would it be good to post things from CPP, NDFP and other revolutionary forces?

You should name the thread "News from the Philippine revolution" or something, since, as scarletghoul said, there are other revolutionary and progressive national liberation forces operation in the Philippines united with the NPA, such as the MILF (ha-ha, it's Moro Islamic Liberation Front actually).

Alright, thanks for the tips, Comrades. Can any moderator change the name of this thread to "News from the Philippine Revolution"?

Done.

People will confront incoming Aquino regime with pressing demands

Communist Party of the Philippines
May 13, 2010

With the reactionary elections coming to a close, it now appears that the Philippine neocolonial state will be headed next by Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Once Aquino assumes power on June 30, the Filipino people are intent on immediately confronting his presidency with the most pressing issues arising from the basic political and socio-economic problems they have been suffering under the prevailing rotten semi-colonial and semifeudal system.

The Number One immediate demand of the Filipino people is the prosecution and punishment of Gloria Arroyo and her ilk for all the crimes they have committed while in power.

They demand justice for numerous crimes of plunder including the ZTE national broadband network deal, the IMPSA deal, the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard scam, the Fertilizer Fund scam, the Swine Fund scam, and several other cases of gross plunder.

They demand redress of grievances and remuneration for the numerous crimes against humanity and violations of human rights in the conduct of the US-Arroyo regime's Oplan Bantay Laya 1 and 2. Justice is demanded by human rights advocates and the families, friends and supporters of more than a thousand victims of extrajudicial killings, thousands more illegally arrested, tortured and detained, abducted and involuntarily disappeared, and millions of victims of forced evacuation, looting and razing of their homes and farms by the fascist troops under her command.

Any vacillation on Aquino's part to pursue, prosecute, arrest and punish Arroyo and her ilk will be roundly rejected by the people.

There remains the threat of Arroyo's power perpetuation schemes through the backdoor of Congress by seizing the Speakership, weakening the executive branch, pursuing charter change and eventually repositioning herself as Prime Minister. Arroyo will be bankrolling efforts to seize the Speakership with billions of pesos accumulated through plunder. She will rely on the loyalty of key officials in the military, especially of newly appointed Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit and her other loyal generals at the top of the AFP, as well as her majority of loyalists in the Supreme Court, including the incoming Chief Justice Renato Corona, whom she has just appointed.

Aquino's impending assumption of the presidency significantly facilitates the return to power of the Aquino-Cojuangco haciendero clan. His presidency will be highlighted by the demand of the restive peasantry for genuine land reform, including the scrapping of the fake stock distribution option, the immediate distribution to the tillers of their family's vast landholdings, and the dispensation of justice to the victims of the Hacienda Luisita Massacre.

Given the Aquino-Cojuangco clan's insistence on holding on to Hacienda Luisita and Aquino's own evasiveness regarding the issue of genuine land reform, his presidency will be marked by a nationwide upsurge of the revolutionary struggle for genuine land reform and the emancipation of the peasantry from feudal bondage.

Aquino and the clique of US-led foreign chambers of commerce, big landlords, big compradors, the Aquino-Cojuangco clan and pseudo-reformists behind him are bearers of neocolonial, feudal and elitist policies.

In the face of all this, the Filipino people are determined to confront the new presidency with pressing demands for more significant socio-economic reforms. They demand an end to, and the reversal of, the IMF-dictated neoliberal policies obsequiously implemented by the US-Arroyo regime and other regimes before it. They demand a stop to opening up vast tracts of the nation's agricultural land and natural resources to the gross plunder and wanton destruction of imperialist, big comprador and big bureaucrat capitalist corporations.

They demand the establishment of real national industries instead of export processing zones, sweat shops and outsourcing centers. They demand an end to the labor-export policy, the creation of solid instead of casual and contractual domestic jobs, and the guarantee of just and sufficient wage increases to meet the highly increased costs of living. The continuing and worsening international and domestic crises are pushing the Filipino toiling masses and impoverished people to tread the path of militant struggle.

Aquino will be confronted as well with the people's patriotic demand to put an end to the permanent presence of US military troops in the Philippines and an end to the unequal military treaties with the US superpower. Patriotic forces and the people demand an end to the intervention of US troops and advisers in the country's internal military affairs, including the US military's role in designing and planning the AFP's campaigns of suppression against the anti-imperialist, progressive and democratic forces.

US imperialism maintains its interest in keeping the ruling political system and neocolonial state stabilized and, thus, securing the long-term economic, political and military interests of the US in the Philippines. US imperialism thus pushed hard on Arroyo and rivals among the ruling classes to make the just concluded reactionary elections appear more orderly and conclusive than previous ones in the hope of mitigating the contradictions among the rival factions of the reactionary ruling classes.

The deepening economic crisis, the diminishing state resources for sharing the spoils of power and the continuing tightness of their power struggles, however, continue to further intensify the contradictions and violence among the rival reactionary factions. The crisis of the ruling political system will further deepen and escalate as Aquino tries to assume power while Arroyo continues to scheme her way to perpetuate herself in power and evade prosecution and punishment.

The puppet reactionary state will continue to be rocked by contradictions among the ruling classes and and by the intensification of the people's struggles.

The revolutionary forces are facing an excellent opportunity to step up the revolutionary struggle. They are determined to pursue the path of people's war to advance the national and democratic aspirations of the Filipino people.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00513;lang=eng

This is hardly revolutionary news however its very important and interesting when looking at the Filipino situation. The family of former fascist/puppet dictator Marcos have done pretty well in these elections-etc
Full story here http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...xTUOwD9FLDNH00

Politics in the Phillipines is thoroughly rotten, corrupt and dominated by rich families of capitalists, US puppets, and feudal landlords and clans, all with their own private armies. Its no wonder the people are turning to the red alternative

NPA sends voice tape of kidnapped mayor

By Germelina Lacorte
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:36:00 05/14/2010

Filed Under: Kidnapping, insurgency, Police
DAVAO CITY, Philippines—The New People's Army in Southern Mindanao released on Friday voice clips of kidnapped Mayor Roberto Luna of Lingig, Surigao del Sur, and four of his security escorts.

Luna and his escorts—Privates First Class Johnrey Abao and Arnel Dizon, PO2 Boy de Castro and PO3 Alan Dapitanon—were seized from a roadblock the rebels set up in Barangay Pasian in Monkayo, Compostela Valley, on May 5. Two other Luna aides were released the same day.

Luna was then on his way to this city to visit a sick child when abducted.

In an apparently distressed voice, a man who claimed he was Luna, announced that he and his security escorts were being taken good care of.

He said the rebels were also providing him his medicines. It was not clear what illness Luna was suffering from.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...idnapped-mayor

NPA releases voice clips of detained Lingig Mayor Luna, bodyguards assuring their families that they are safe and well

Roel Agustin II
Conrado Heredia Command
Spokesman
Front 20 Operations Command
New People's Army-Southern Mindanao
May 13, 2010
Bisaya

The Conrado Heredia Command-Front 20 Operations Command-New People's Army releases these voice clips of detained Lingig, Surigao del Sur Mayor Roberto 'Jimmy' Luna Jr including his four AFP/PNP escorts -- 58th IB-PFC Johnrey Abao, PFC Arnel Dizon, PO2 Boy de Castro and PO3 Alan Dapitanon.

In these voice clips, Mayor Luna along with the other detainees assured their families not to worry for they are in good health, and being treated well under the custody of the New People's Army.

Mayor Luna along with his AFP/PNP bodyguards were arrested May 5 at the Davao-Agusan national highway in Barangay Pasian, Monkayo, Compostela Valley Province. They are presently under the care of the New People's Army while Mayor Luna is facing charges and the people's clamor to dismantle his private army which he built since 2001.

The NPA hopes that these clips will reach their families and relatives and give assurance that the detainees are safe and in good health.

[Voice clips:]

• Mayor Roberto 'Jimmy' Luna Jr.
• PFC Johnrey Abao
• PFC Arnel Dizon
• P02 Boy de Castro
• PO3 Alan Dapitanon

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00513;lang=eng

One Soldier Killed and One AFP Junior Officer Wounded in NPA-Rizal Latest Tactical Offensive Against Government Troops!

Macario "Ka Karyo" Liwanag
Spokesperson
Narciso Antazo Aramil Command
NPA-Rizal
May 13, 2010

The New People's Army unit operating in Rizal Province under Narciso Antazo Aramil Command (NAAC-NPA-Rizal) launched a successful sniping/harrasment operations against a joint platoon of government troops under 22nd Reconnaissance Company, 2nd ID-PA and "butcher" 16th IB-PA, in Sitio Kinabuan, Sta. Ines, Tanay, Rizal at around 8:45 yesterday morning, May 12, 2010.

After 5 minutes exchange of fire, a government soldier named Private First Class Roel Saclote was killed instantly by NPA sniper and one unnamed junior officer with a rank od 2nd Lieutenat was seriously wounded. The team of NPA fighters who conducted this tactical offensive suffered no casualty and safely returned in their camp inside the Sierra Madre mountain.

This tactical offensive is the continuous response of the NPA-Rizal to the demands of the people of Rizal Province to punish members of 22nd Reconnaissance Coy and the "Butcher" 16th IB-PA AFP troops who are notorious violators of human rights.

This tactical offensive is also our "pasalubong" to the newly elected government officials who will form a new regime to replace the corrupt Macapagal-Arroyo Regime. The new regime, most probably an Aquino regime, will have to decide which path to pursue in dealing with the ongoing civil war in our country, whether a genuine peace based on justice or to continue the internal security operations plan that his predecessors vigorously implemented but miserably failed. Whichever path the new government takes, the New People's Army and the whole revolutionary movement in Rizal province is ready and will vigorously pursue the people's war.

We also express our thanks to the people of Rizal Province including those concerned members of PNP, CAFGU-AFP and government officials who extends their help to us. Their timely information regarding the movements and activities of the AFP troops who wantonly wreak havoc to the lives and properties of the people was crucial for us to be able to launch this successful tactical offensive.

Long Live the New People's Army

Long Live the Communist Party of the Philippines

Long Live the National Democratic Front of the Philippines

Long Live the Filipino People!

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00513;lang=eng

Understand this is coming from anti-rebel news sites, so don't take everything said as truth. Let's see how things go from here.

‘NPA insurgents’ kill cop, civilian in Negros Oriental
05/15/2010

Five suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels shot dead a policeman and a civilian companion in Negros Oriental province late Friday.

A report on Visayan Daily Star Saturday said the incident occurred at Carmenville Subdivision in Guihulngan City at 5 p.m. Friday.

The report cited military and police sources identifying the fatalities as SPO1 Ronnie Marinog of the Guihulngan City police station, and civilian Budoy de la Peña.

Guihulngan police chief Senior Inspector Carlos Lacuesta said the two died on the spot.

It was not immediately clear if the policeman was armed when they were shot.

Lt. Col. Ramil Bitong, 11th Infantry Battalion commander, said pursuit operations were still ongoing against the fleeing suspected rebel assassins Friday night.

Police checkpoints were also established in strategic areas of Guihulngan, he said.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/191038/n...egros-oriental

I find this to be important because it shows the responsibility behind the NPA & how they try to stay on the initial agenda of People's War, rather than mere guerrilla warfare on any target. Is it true? I don't know. We'll see soon.

Reds apologize for deadly Compostela ambush
05/12/2010

Communist rebels based in Mindanao apologized profusely to the Department of Education and the Commission on Elections Wednesday for the killing of an election official and at least five others in an ambush in Compostela Valley province Tuesday.

National Democratic Front Mindanao spokesman Jorge "Ka Oris" Madlos said an investigation is now underway on the New People’s Army unit that conducted the deadly ambush.

"We are not justifying this. Nais namin ipaalam sa lahat ng biktima lalo sa civilian di intended yan para ambush-in ang mga personnel na nagma-man ng precinct (We are not justifying this. We want the victims to know we did not intend to ambush the civilians, especially the election officials)," Madlos said in an interview on dzXL radio.

"Humihingi kami ng paumanhin sa Department of Education [at sa] Comelec. Hindi namin ginusto ang nangyari. Inaako namin ang responsibility at gagawin namin ang dapat gawin lalo sa pag-imbestiga sa pangyayari (We ask the forgiveness of the Department of Education and the Commission on Elections. We did not wish this to happen. We accept full responsibility and will do everything starting with an investigation)," he added.

Killed in the ambush were four government soldiers, a board of election inspector, and a poll watcher, according to the Armed Forces’ Task Force Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections. [See: 6 dead, 12 hurt in attack on election convoy in ComVal]

Wounded in the attack near Sitio Manga in Mahayhay village in Maragusan town were at least nine soldiers and three poll watchers.

Reds accept condemnation

The military said the victims were on their way to bring back election paraphernalia to Poblacion Maragusan for canvassing.

Madlos said that while the NPA did not know the military unit they attacked was engaged in an election-related activity, it accepts full responsibility.

He said the NPA had mistaken the military escorts for a military unit involved in an alleged human rights violation.

"Nais namin aminin at lahat na condemnation ay tinatanggap namin. Anyway ang unang hakbang namin kaagad pinaimbestiga ang sirkumstansya. Pina-contact namin ang pamilya ng civilians na biktima, mukhang magkaroon ng kaunting tulong sa pamilya. Ang tulong di makabawi ng namatay," Madlos said.

(We accept full responsibility and condemnation for what happened. We have started an investigation and contacted the families of the victims to offer some assistance, although we know it will not bring their loved ones back.)

Lack of intelligence?

Madlos said the ambush stemmed from a lack of intelligence gathering.

He insisted the NPA had no intention of disrupting the elections, saying the NDF had instructed all NPAs not to take any action that will do so.

"Kulang ng intelligence-gathering. Wala kaming intention guluhin ang election (There was a lack of intelligence-gathering. We never intended to disrupt the elections)," he said.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/190754/r...postela-ambush

NPA rebels still hold mayor, 4 bodyguards
By Franklin A. Caliguid, Germelina Lacorte
Inquirer Mindanao
05/15/2010

Filed Under: Armed conflict, insurgency, Local authorities, Kidnapping, Crime
BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – The good news is that Mayor Roberto Luna of Lingig, Surigao del Sur, and his four escorts are still alive. The bad news is that the New People’s Army is still holding them hostage.

Luna and several of his men were seized at a roadblock the rebels set up on a highway in Monkayo, Compostela Valley, on May 5. Luna was on his way to Davao City to visit one of his children, who was in a hospital, when the rebels stopped his convoy.

Two of Luna’s men – his aide and driver – were set free shortly after the incident but the rebels decided to take him and his four security escorts, Privates First Class Johnrey Abao and Arnel Dizon of the Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion, and policemen Police Officer 2 Boy de Castro and PO3 Alan Dapitanon into custody.

On Friday, the NPA’s Conrado Heredia Command operating in Southern Mindanao released voice clips of Luna and his security escorts.

This was the first proof that the mayor and his escorts were alive, officials said.

The voice clips were made on May 12, according to Roel Agustin II, the rebel group’s spokesman.

The NPA, Agustin said, was hopeful that the voice clips would reach the families of the captives and reassure them that their loved ones were in good health.

In the clips, Luna said he and the other captives were in “good hands” and that the rebels had taken good care of them.

Speaking in Visayan, Luna said the rebels even provided him medicines but it was not clear what for.

“Dili mi patay, buhi mi [We’re not dead, we’re alive],” another voice, identified as that of De Castro, said.

"They’re kind and they’re taking good care of us,” he added.

Agustin said the NPA was not releasing the mayor yet as he faced charges “for possible people’s crime.”

He also said they captured Luna because of the “people's clamor” to dismantle the private army that Luna had built since 2001.

Jorge Madlos, spokesman of the National Democratic Front in Mindanao, said talks between the NDF and government negotiators concerning Luna’s possible release have been stalled by the elections.

“No development yet on the negotiations for his release and his trial because of the elections. Luna and his four security escorts are in good condition and there’s no cause for their families to worry,” Madlos said.

Madlos said Luna’s freedom depended on the outcome of the investigation and his trial for murder, land grabbing, graft, illegal logging and involvement in the illegal drugs trade.

“If it’s proven during trial that Luna is guilty of the charges, then he will be meted the death penalty and if not, he would be freed,” he said.

But Madlos hinted that a “political intervention and settlement" could prompt the NPA to free Luna and waive the trial.

“But if there is political intervention and settlement between the government and NDF, then the trial and subsequent judgment could still be changed,” he said, without saying what the intervention and settlement were.

Madlos warned that any attempt to rescue Luna and his aides could lead to disaster.

Senior Superintendent Nestor Fajurra, spokesman of the police in the Caraga region, said they were relieved by the news that Luna, who was elected vice mayor of his town in last Monday’s balloting, was alive and was being treated well.

“It’s good to know that he is still alive since rumors have been circulating around that he had already been executed by the rebels,” Fajurra said.

Fajurra said the police were also hoping that the NPA would reconsider Luna’s case because he won the elections, which meant that “the people have forgiven him if he had sinned and the charges were baseless.”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...r-4-bodyguards

Alright, apparently, there are conflicting reports going on about the attack on Compostela, & the NPA, themselves, are stating that the reports on them killing military officials carrying PCOS machines is an outright lie. I'm not sure if the report made on the 12th where it showed the NPA apologizing for attacking PCOS carrying military officials was a lie or a fabrication, but this report was made 2 days before the NPA have come out & said this is a lie. I'll keep trying to update this as much as possible.

NPA-Rizal Denies Targeting Election Personnel and PCOS Machine, Accuses 2nd ID-PA-AFP of Lying to Cover-up their Defeats in the hands of the NPA!

Macario "Ka Karyo" Liwanag
Spokesperson
Narciso Antazo Aramil Command
NPA-Rizal
May 14, 2010

The NPA-Rizal vehemently denies targeting election personnel and PCOS machine in their tactical offensive last May 12. The statement made by 2nd ID-PA spokesperson 2nd Lieutenant Frank Celeste Sayson as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Daily Tribune and other news agencies is a clear lie. If the said news agencies bothered to check the veracity of the incident, they could have asked the people living in the area where the NPA tactical offensive happened. If they did their homework to present the truth, they will easily know that the joint platoon of government troops under 22nd Reconnaissance Company, 2nd ID-PA and "Butcher" 16th IB-PA were not escorting PCOS Machine carried by members of the BEIs and Smartmatic personnel when they were attacked by NPA Snipers.

The said government troops were in the area since July last year. They are part of the Re-engineered Special Operation Teams (RSOT) of the 2nd ID-PA who are harassing, intimidating and accusing the farmers, settlers and Dumagat tribesmen as NPA members and NPA-coddlers. They brought so much hardship to the mountain people, the very reason why they were targeted by NPA tactical offensive. They were not escorting PCOS Machine and election personnel because the area where the NPA offensive happened is not a voting area and no election personnel nor PCOS machine is brought to the area. The nearest voting precint where the people voted last May 10 is located in the barangay proper of Sta. Ines, Tanay, Rizal, 5 kilometers away from the place where the NPA forces sniped the government troops. Even at the voting place, there were no PCOS machine and election personnel because the election personnel with the PCOS machine already left the polling place early morning of May 11, 2010. The BEI and the Smartmatic personnel were already resting in their homes when the tactical offensive happened. They had a good laugh when informed that AFP is telling the press people that they were being escorted by AFP when the government troops came under attacked by NPA red fighters.

The statement by the 2nd ID-PA spokesperson is therefore a clear lie. To cover-up for their successive defeats in the hands of NPA-Rizal, the 2nd ID-PA-AFP led by Maj. Gen. Segovia is continuously lying to the public and to the media people. They always tried to hide the number of AFP casualties in their battles against NPA forces while being boastful when they arrests civilians like the Morong 43 health workers whom they presented as NPA bomb makers. They want to recover their battlefield losses thru black propaganda and distortion of facts. But again, only the senior AFP officers believed their tales because the ordinary soldiers and junior AFP officers in the field knows exactly the real picture of the government campaign to destroy the NPA, where failures and setbacks dominates. Besides, the people know the truth and could not be deceived by mere poisoned press releases by the AFP propagandist.

To the media people, we call on you to always verify the veracity of statements being given to you by 2nd ID-PA officers lest you'll be used as instrument to propagate lies instead of truth. Exert effort to seek truth from the people where the incident happens.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00514;lang=eng

Arrested AFP soldiers, paramilitary undergoing investigations; treated well under NPA custody

Simon Santiago
Regional Political Department
Merardo Arce Command
NPA-Southern Mindanao
May 14, 2010

The Crucifino Uballas Command-Front 2 Operations Command of the New People's Army in Southern Mindanao implemented Wednesday, May 12, the arrest order handed down by the local revolutionary People's Court against three AFP soldiers and a paramilitary Cafgu under the 72nd Infantry Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division-Eastern Mindanao Command-AFP. The arrested AFP/Paramilitary men were Barangay Limbo, Maco detachment commander Cpl. Marcial B. Bawagan (SN # 794130) and his assistant detachment commander Cpl. Ariel P. Asumo (SN 803445); Barangay Anitapan, Mabini detachment commander Cpl. Eduardo Alcala (SN # 806489) and paramilitary Victor Pitogo (SN # 006279). They were arrested at around 10:30 AM in Barangay Conception, Mawab, Compostela Valley Province.

The arrest order was handed down by the local revolutionary People's Court against the AFP/Paramilitary men for the following complaints:

1. Active counter-revolutionary activities;
   
2. A number of human rights violations perpetrated against the masses in their areas of responsibility. In fact, their victims have already filed complaints against Cpls. Bawagan and Asumo in the GRP's Commission on Human Rights (CHR) but the case suffered inaction;
   
3. Violation of the People's Democratic Government regulations especially within the guerilla bases. Barangay Conception where Cpl. Bawagan lives is located in a guerilla base.

The four AFP/paramilitary men are undergoing investigations. The NPA-Southern Mindanao assures their families that they are being treated well under the revolutionary movement's strict adherence to the international humanitarian law and war protocols.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00514;lang=eng

I do wish the term "revolution" was not used so indisciriminately and was confined to the noition of a fundamental change in the basis of society. Violent uprisings are not in themselves revolutuionary and can quite easily denote just the attempt to swap one set of rulers with another withing the same basic social framework of capitalism

robbo203, I don't think there's any reason to say the revolutionary movement in the Philippines is not revolutionary.
You're thinking the CPP doesn't want fundamental change in the basis of society, but do you really know about its program?
I suggest looking at this CPP document: Program for a People's Democratic Revolution

I suggest you better search for "revolutionaries" among aliens.

Revolutionary Political Authority Asserted and Upheld in Guerilla Territories in NPA Release of Lingig Mayor Luna, 4 POWs

Roel Agustin II
Conrado Heredia Command
Spokesman
Front 20 Operations Command
New People's Army-Southern Mindanao
May 17, 2010

Bisaya
The People's Democratic Government in Guerilla Front 20 has ordered the release of detainee current Lingig mayor Roberto "Jimmy" Luna Jr. on account of his voluntary admission of culpability and issuance of a public apology in relation to the various crimes for which he stands accused of in the revolutionary People's Court.

The Merardo Arce Command-New People's Army has likewise directed the Camp for the Administration of Detainees of the Conrado Heredia Command-NPA to release the four Prisoners of War (POW) who are AFP/PNP elements. The release of Luna and the 4 POWs is also being undertaken as a humanitarian consideration to the appeals made by their respective families and friends and various individuals and groups who made representations on their behalf.

Luna has admitted his culpability in maintaining a large private armed group consisting of AFP and PNP elements and hired goons. He employed this private armed group in furtherance of his political and economic interests and in the process violated the human rights of the masses. The People's Court shall further investigate Luna's involvement in the following cases:

1. The Murders of former Lingig Mayor Amerosin V. Onsing in 2001, and the Suazo brothers in Barangay Union last 2007;

2. Land-grabbing of 30-hectare peasant lands in Barangay Pagbacatan and in Dahican Island;

3. Engaging in environmentally destructive logging;

4. Human rights violations;

5. Embezzlement of the people's money

Despite Luna's release from detention, the legal and judicial procedures in connection with these cases will continue; only his custodial detention is terminated. As for the four POWs, the investigation shall be suspended.

The NPA and the revolutionary masses enjoin Luna to desist from doing acts inimical to the interest of the people, particularly peasants and lumads, respect their political, economic, social and other human rights and make amends to those whom he had done injustice to.

The release from custody of Luna and the four POWs shall in no way mean that the People's Democratic Government, its People's Court as well as the NPA will not undertake justifiable course of action in the event that Luna and Pfc John Rey Abao, Pfc Arnel Dizon, P02 Boy de Castro, P03 Alan Dapitanon commit fascist acts and crimes against the people, the revolutionary movement and the environment.

During their detention, the NPA custodial unit strictly adhered to the international humanitarian law, the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (CAR-HR-IHL); and the NPA's Three Basic Rules of Discipline and Eight Points of Attention towards the four POWs and the rules of the People's Democratic Government governing the arrest and detention of civilians facing criminal cases before the People's Court. The detainees were provided with utmost medical care, security, food and other basic necessities under guerilla conditions inside the territory of the People's Democratic Government.

The safe and orderly release of Mayor Luna, and the four POWs once more humiliates the 10th Infantry Division-Eastern Mindanao Command-AFP and exposes their long talk about so-called rescue operations as mere empty boasts ending in utter failure in the same way that its Oplan Bantay Laya was frustrated and defeated by the revolutionary resistance of the people and their revolutionary army.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00517;lang=eng

It's amazing how much a guilty conscience keeps talking.

Bangit admits military can’t crush NPA by June
By Jocelyn R. Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:52:00 05/17/2010

Filed Under: Armed conflict, insurgency, Government, Military
MANILA, Philippines – Armed Forces Chief Delfin Bangit declared Monday that the military won't meet the June 2010 deadline President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo set four years ago to crush insurgency in the country.

Although government troops have made substantial gains in curbing the growth of the New People's Army, the armed-wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, insurgency could only be crushed if its root causes were addressed, Bangit said.

"I don't think our soldiers can address poverty, poor literacy and health services," he said in an interview with reporters at Camp Aguinaldo before he took off for Masbate Monday.

A look at the military's "scoreboard" slashing the NPA strength from its peak of 25,200 in 1987 to over 4,800 this year showed that the AFP has "best achieved its mission," Bangit said.

Records showed that from the 5,021 NPA fighters recorded during the first semester last year, the figure fell to 4,895 early this year.

In June 2006, Ms Arroyo instructed the military to finish the communist insurgency in the country, now on its 41st year, before she stepped down from Malacañang.

But Bangit admitted it could not be done by the military alone.

"We should be able to address the large portion of the problem, which are the root causes of insurgency ... we have to go back to poverty, the administration of health, literacy," said Bangit.

"If we list the causes of insurgency, you will see that many do not call for a military solution," he added.

But the military would continue to speed up its tempo against insurgency, said AFP spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Arnulfo Burgos Jr. in a separate interview Monday.

In a consultation meeting with battalion commanders in Masbate, Bangit announced that the joint security control centers the military and the police set up for the 2010 automated elections shall continue functioning across the country to undertake counter-insurgency operations, Burgos relayed to reporters.

"Our coordination with the police was very good in this kind of setup so the AFP has decided to continue with it, this time for internal security operations," said Burgos.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...sh-NPA-by-June

Well its pretty clear that the CPP does not envisage a fundamental change in the basis of society. What it wants is a modified or reformed system of capitalism as even a cursory glance at the programme reveals. For example in the section on the economy, clause 8 states


Protect and encourage Filipino-owned commerce and industry by providing market guarantees, protection, credit and tax relief;

There are several other indicators of the bourgeois and state capitalist outlook of the CCP

You might argue that this is a progressive form of capitalism, preferable to the existing form of capitalism but by no stretch of the imagination can you claim that the CPP programme entails a "fundamental change in the basis of society"

As you can see here, media are apparently mixing "innocent people" with police personnel as well in the Philippines. I wonder how many times they used this tactic in order to make the NPA look as if they're merely killing "innocent lives" rather than waging a revolution?

Soldiers engage NPA in gunbattle

BY GILBERT BAYORAN
Tuesday, May 18, 2010

A 20-minute gunbattle erupted yesterday in Toboso, Negros Occidental, between soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion and the New People’s Army that the military said had foiled rebel attempts to launch terroristic activities in northern Negros.

Lt. Col. Alberto Desoyo, 62nd Infantry Battalion commander, said the running gunbattle took place between his soldiers and about 30 armed rebels in Sitio Bugho, Brgy. General Luna in Toboso.

Desoyo said the rebels probably had plans to hit military or police detachments, as they were monitored to have regrouped in the place, before the encounter took place.

Pursuit operations against the fleeing rebels are still ongoing, and, as of last night, soldiers were still scouring the encounter site.

No casualty was reported on the government side, Desoyo said.

Inspector Mateo Maguate,Toboso police chief, yesterday said eight families fled from their homes, for fear of being caught in the crossfire. He, however, said they returned to their homes after the gunbattle.

The Toboso encounter took place three days after suspected rebel hit men assassinated a policeman and a civilian in Guihulnmgan, Negros Oriental.

The Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion has condemned what it called another “terroristic act” of rebels.

1Lt. Joseph Buencamino, 11th IB Civil Military Operations chief, also challenged the rights group, Karapatan, and its allied organizations, known critics of alleged military abuses, to also condemn the NPA for the summary execution of PO3 Ronnie Villegas Marinog, a member of the Guihulngan City Police Station, and his civilian companion, Reynaldo de la Pena, alias Budoy.

Buencamino said the alleged rebel hitmen also took the 9mm pistol of Marinog, before they withdrew.

Once again the CPP-NPA has proven to the public how inhuman they are, killing innocent people and unwary government personnel, he added.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010.../topstory8.htm

4 suspected NPA assassins arrested by Army

By Carla Gomez
Inquirer Visayas
First Posted 20:34:00 05/18/2010

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental Philippines -- Government troops captured four suspected New People's Army (NPA) assassins on Tuesday in Barangay (village) Tabugon, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

Lt. Col. Ricardo Bayhon, 61st Infantry Battalion commander, identified the four alleged rebel hit men as Roderick Silaga, 23; his brother, Ricardo, 21; Allan Mahusay, 21; and Ruel Morales, 24.

The soldiers also confiscated a .357 Magnum revolver with six pieces of ammunition, a .38 caliber revolver with nine bullets, a homemade 12-gauge shotgun with eight bullets, a fragmentation grenade, tear gas and two bladed weapons from the four alleged rebels.

Bayhon said the arrest of the four at about 8:50 a.m. Tuesday came after the 61st IB Charlie Company soldiers led by ILt. Roberto Graciano learned about the presence of the armed men at a variety store, about 25 meters away from the Dacongcogon Sugar Central in Barangay (Village) Tabugon, Kabankalan City.

Bayhon said the four suspects who tried to flee, however, were cornered by soldiers.

Initial military investigation showed that the alleged NPA hit men might have been among those tasked to liquidate five military and police personnel, whose identities have been withheld, in the urban areas of Kabankalan and its neighboring places.

The 61st IB recently uncovered a rebel drive to intensify their operations in the so-called white areas or lowlands.

The capture of four rebel assassins believed to be members of the Special Armed Partisan Unit of the Kilusang Larangan-South West (South West Field Movement) came four days after five suspected rebel hit men gunned down a policeman and a civilian in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, according to the military.

Killed were PO3 Ronnie Villegas Marinog, a member of the Guihulngan City Police Station, and his civilian companion, Reynaldo de la Pena, alias Budoy.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...rested-by-Army

Soldiers recover bombs after clash with NPA

By Frinston Lim
Inquirer Mindanao
05/19/2010

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines -- The military on Wednesday said it has recovered several improvised bombs following a clash with New People’s Army rebels in Maco town, Compostela Valley.

Soldiers from the army’s Scout Rangers Battalion stumbled upon seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs) after troops overran a suspected rebel encampment in Panangan village at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Capt. Emmanuel Garcia, 10th Infantry Division public affairs chief, said.

Garcia said troops were conducting an operation to locate and rescue four government troops the NPA had abducted in nearby Mawab town over a week ago when they ran into some 40 communist insurgents, resulting in a firefight.

“No one from our troops was hurt but we suspected the enemy suffered heavy casualties whom they dragged along as they withdrew,” Garcia said.

Garcia said government troops recovered a total of eight improvised mines across Davao region that day, with the other one being discovered by soldiers patrolling a hinterland village in Davao City.

Three assault rifles and other war materials were also captured from the rebels in Maco, Garcia said.

“Our soldiers’ efforts of safeguarding our people against this kind of terrorism are already gaining ground and getting good results,” said Maj. General Carlos Holganza, the army’s 10th ID commander.

The military has accused the NPA of using IEDs banned by international war protocols due to the harm these explosives pose even to non-combatants.

In 2009, the NPA carried out 11 attacks using IEDs in Davao region, killing almost a dozen soldiers and civilians and wounding at least 30 others, Garcia said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...clash-with-NPA

Suspected NPA rebs seize 2 govt militiamen in CamSur
05/20/2010

Suspected communist rebels on Thursday abducted two government militiamen after torching two heavy equipment owned by a private firm in Camarines Sur province, a military official said.

Major Harold Cabunoc, spokesman of the Philippine Army's 9th Infantry Division, said the two militiamen were seized shortly after armed men believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA) burned down two motor graders owned by Sunwest Corporation at about 10:40 a.m. in Sto. Niño village in Bula town.

The two abducted members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) were identified as Edwin Bilando and Stanley Furtugues. Both were unarmed when seized, Cabunoc said.

Cabunoc said the attack was connected to the NPA’s extortion activities in the province.

"Pinapatuloy nila yung kanilang extortion scheme dito sa Kabikulan at kung hindi magbigay itong construction company na nag-iimplement ng development projects ng pamahalaan ay kanilang sinusunog at inaatake," Cabunoc said.

(This is part of the rebels’ extortion racket here in the Bicol region. They usually attack construction companies that do not give in to their extortion demands.)

He noted that the torched heavy equipment were being used in the Panoypoyan-Minalabac road project.

Major General Ruperto Pabustan, commander of the 9th ID, appealed to the abductors to respect the human rights of the two captured CAFGU members.

"Respect [their] human rights and dapat na hindi papatayin itong in-abduct ng [NPA] kasi sa hanay naman ng Philippine Army, ang lahat ng nahuli namin ay binuhay naman," Pabustan said.

(We are asking the abductors to respect the human rights of their captives because we are doing that on rebels we have captured.)

He cited as an example Reynante Mortel, a 40-year-old rebel commander captured during an encounter with government troops on the day of the recently-concluded elections.

"Wala naman kaming pinatay sa mga captured namin. (Si Mortel ay) hindi ito binaril, kahit nahuli ito sa isang encounter (We have never killed any rebel captured in battle)," he said.

Pabustan has personally visited the site to assess the situation and has already directed the Army's 902nd Brigade to conduct pursuit operations against the rebels.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/191413/s...amen-in-camsur

4 arrested AFP men safe and well; AFP offensive operations would only prolong custodial detention, investigation

Anvil Guinto
Spokesperson
Crucifino Uballas Command
Front 2 Operations Command
NPA-Southern Mindanao
May 20, 2010

The Crucifino Uballas Command-Front 2 Operations Command of the New People's Army in Southern Mindanao assures the families and relatives of arrested AFP Corporals Marcial B. Bawagan, Ariel P. Asumo and Eduardo Alcala, and CAA Victor Pitogo that they are safe and well. Their rights are respected under the protocols of war and international humanitarian laws, and the inherent rules of discipline strictly adhered to by the NPA.

The detainees -- Cpls. Bawagan (SN # 794130), Asumo (SN # 803445) and Alcala (SN # 806489), and CAA Pitogo (SN # 006279) -- are under investigation for charges ranging from active counter-revolutionary acts to violations of human rights, and of the regulations of the People's Democratic Government in the base areas. Their May 12 arrest was implemented following the order of the local revolutionary People's Court.

The rescue operations-cum-offensive military operations of the 10th Infantry Division-Eastern Mindanao Command-AFP to retrieve the detained AFP and paramilitary personnel will only achieve two things:

First, it will only prolong the on-going investigation and custodial detention of Cpls. Bawagan, Asumo and Alcala and CAA Pitogo. And second, more and more civilians will only become victims of human rights violations in villages subjected to offensive combat operations of the desperate 10th ID-EastMinCom-AFP reeling from defeats due to the active resistance of the people and the revolutionary movement.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00520;lang=eng