News From The Philippine Revolution

[A Revolutionary Tool]

PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

Charter change necessary for success of peace talks--CPPAugust 17, 2010



The Communist Party of the Philippines expressed agreement with the newly appointed head of the government peace panel in talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, that for peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the MILF to succeed, agreements should not be confined to the present reactionary constitution but may have to be incorporated in a new constitution. GRP panel chief Atty. Marvic Leonen issued the statement yesterday in a press conference with foreign journalists.
The CPP said that GRP-MILF peace negotiations cannot start again from scratch and the only way for it to actually resume is to start with the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD) which is where it left off. The MoA-AD requires a drastic revision of the present reactionary constitution to do away with token autonomy and allow real autonomy for the Bangsamoro, added the CPP.
The CPP berated the present Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao as "an insult to the Bangsamoro," pointing out that it has now turned out to be, "a collection of scattered Moro areas that has become a political base for rigged elections and uncontrolled source for large-scale thievery by feudal warlords like the Ampatuans."
"The Bangsamoro people need to reacquire their ancestral lands," the CPP said further, "and real autonomy requires a contiguous area, liberation from the abusive dictates and machinations of the puppet reactionary government, and freedom to implement their own national and revolutionary program, even as they remain part of the Philippines."
"Similarly," said the CPP, "if peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the GRP are also to proceed, the remaining substantive agenda, including fundamental socio-economic reforms, political and constitional reforms, have to be seriously taken up and agreed upon before the redisposition of forces and end of hostilities. As stated in the agenda itself, such agreements would also require doing away with the present reactionary constitution to make way for fundamental reforms."
"But, now, however, the prior problem is still whether the NDFP-GRP peace talks would take place at all and prosper, given the many preconditions and hurdles that the Aquino regime and its top defense, military and peace process officials are laying in the way, such as their demand for immediate ceasefire prior to the talks, substituting the so-called 'localized peace talks' for real peace talks at the national level, and lack of commitment to implement past agreements," the CPP added.


http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...r=cpp;lang=eng

[The Vegan Marxist]

By continuing Oplan Bantay Laya, Aquino shows he is no different from Arroyo
August 18, 2010

The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas today assailed the announcement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on extending its Oplan Bantay Laya campaign until January 2011 as proving that Benigno Aquino III is no different from his predecessor. "While the world commemorates International Humanitarian Law Month today, the AFP will be continuing its campaign that has led to many killings of social activists and other civilians," said NDF-EV spokesperson Fr. Santiago Salas. "The assertions of the Aquino government and its AFP about upholding human rights and international humanitarian law are utterly meaningless. The new Aquino government thus shows it is no different from the previous Arroyo administration, which despite a so-called truth commission is not being pursued for its many rights violations under Oplan Bantay Laya. More innocent blood will thus be spilled in unresolved extrajudicial killings such as that victimized Fr. Cecilio Lucero, Rev. Edison Lapuz, Dr. Bartolome Resuello, Atty. Felidito Dacut, Atty. Norman Bocar, Sammy Bandilla and many others."

Fr. Salas also criticized 8th Infantry Division spokesperson Lt. Col. Armand Rico for saying that the military does not practice extrajudicial killings and that human rights courses are carried out in their ranks. "Speaking and studying human rights do not amount to anything without deeds. Many human rights advocates including the United Nations have condemned the killings of activists in the Philippines. In fact, Benigno Aquino III was barely warming his seat as the new Philippine president when five activists were killed in succession. But Aquino is not doing enough to stop the killings, such as explicitly ordering the military as its commander-in-chief to stop targeting activists because they are noncombatants under international humanitarian law. Moreover, he should seriously pursue Gloria Arroyo and others who masterminded and implemented Oplan Bantay Laya to bring them to account for their bloody crimes."

On the other hand, the NDF-EV spokesperson also clarified that not only the New People's Army but the revolutionary mass organizations as well study human rights, especially the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law signed by the NDFP and the Philippine government. "Everyone in the revolutionary areas, whether a Red fighter or an ordinary peasant, knows and observes human rights more than a loudmouth like Col. Rico. They know the difference between combatants and noncombatants. They know that civilians and their communities should not be harmed in war. They know that enemy soldiers who are prisoners of war and hors d' combat also have rights that should be respected. That is why in the countryside, the NPA has the political advantage and prestige over the AFP, because the people can see the difference between those who really observe human rights and international humanitarian law and those who only pay lip service."

Fr. Salas called on the people to continue to fight the fascist state terrorism of Oplan Bantay Laya and to struggle for justice for its victims. "By continuing Oplan Bantay Laya, the Aquino government is thus going from its so-called "path of righteousness" to Gloria Arroyo's road to hell of fascism, puppetry and corruption. The people must develop and advance their anti-fascist, anti-feudal and anti-imperialist struggles to fight Oplan Bantay Laya as well as the increasingly anti-people and anti-national impositions of the Aquino government. If Oplan Bantay Laya and any other succeeding campaign will escalate extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations, this will only strengthen the revolutionary armed movement by convincing the people to take up arms. The NPA is ready to fight and reap more victories from the continuation of Oplan Bantay Laya, which the AFP admits has been losing and is therefore bound to lose even more. The NPA looks forward to advancing to the strategic stalemate in the people's war in the next five years."

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

[A Revolutionary Tool]

10th ID-AFP's B/Gen. del Rosario resuscitates failed 'Alsa' Lumad in Davao City; sows terror among Davao villagers anew

Ka Parago
1st Pulang Bagani Company
Merardo Arce Command
Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command
New People's Army
August 18, 2010

B/Gen. Eduardo del Rosario of the 10th Infantry Division-AFP resuscitates the failed 'Alsa' Lumad campaign in its proxy war against the revolutionary movement, plans to sow terror among indigenous peoples and non-Lumad settlers in Davao hinterlands, and is bent in arming the Lumads through his trusted henchman, 'Datu' Ruben Labawan. The AFP-backed 'pangayaw' (tribal vendetta) launched anew has already killed civilian Julius Tamondes, the first victim of this savagery as the city prepares for the annual Kadayawan festival.
At around 10 am, August 12, two farmers were strafed in Saladiyoy, Monteflor, Barangay Colosas, Paquibato District by assailants armed with Garand rifles. Farmers Angelino Gentorales and Julius Tamondes were about to gather their farm animals in preparation for evacuation to the village center. They feared for their safety after Labawan's group announced the impending "pangayaw." Tamondes was killed on the spot while Gentorales was able to elude the Task Force Gantangan Bagani goons. The 1003rd Brigade-AFP troops which del Rosario heads who were at the area conducting combat operations did not respond to the shooting incident.
The livelihood of the people in Paquibato is vastly affected as they were forced to evacuate to the district center. Children were not able to attend their classes. This scenario is no different from the past when the AFP-backed Alamara and lumad bandits declared 'pangayaw' and killed civilians in cold-blood.
* On June 16, 2005, mother and son Elena and Boboy Balansag were killed by Kumander Dante Lumuyod, Erning Lumuyod and Datu Isaac Laydan in Sitio Quarry, Barangay Malinawon in Malabog;
* On February 24, 2007, Datu Nonoy Dagsil, Datu Camid Lapindoy and Datu Mongkay Matunda hacked to death couple Felimon and Trencia Quirante in Sitio Banban, Barangay Lumiad;
* On April 2007, Datu Intoy Baguio and Datu Camid Lapindoy massacred the Gonzaga family in Sitio Sled, Barangay Dalagdag in Calinan.
Under a bogus tribal ceremony in early 2000s, del Rosario was baptised Datu Limbuttong (defender). He then declared that Paquibato would be NPA-free by the year 2005 using the 'Alsa' lumad psywar concept -- pitting lumad against lumad and non-Lumad settlers in the AFP's counter revolutionary war. The proxy war has not only failed to decimate the revolutionary movement, it has also exposed Labawan and his cohorts, as well as the military and del Rosario's devious scheme, earning the ire of peasant folks in Paquibato and in other Davao hinterlands and boundary areas in adjacent provinces.
Now, del Rosario is rehashing the failed Alsa Lumad, in a patent attempt to again quell people's resistance, in this case, in Davao hinterlands. Labawan's 'pangayaw' is part of the AFP's Task Force Gantangan which aims to contain the people in their communities, organize them into the so-called Integrated Tribal Defense Force also known as the Cafgu/Alamara, an anti-Communist vigilante group, and to organize them as part of the Oplan Bantay Laya's Barangay Defense System.
Gen. del Rosario supplies high-powered rifles, logistics, military equipment and food supply, among others, to the AFP's 'Bagani' warriors and lumad liquidation squad led by Datu Labawan and Datu Arthur Ali. The military provides arms to the lumads, and has enlisted and trained even lumad minors to be Cafgus in sitio Damilag, Barangay Mapula from May to July this year. Last April, the military has launched a psywar 'information and education' drive for 'Alsa' Lumad in the districts of Paquibato, Calinan, Marilog and Baguio. It dispersed its 168-armed lumads in the 12 patrol bases within the district of Paquibato.
'Pangayaw' has been the convenient pretext to legitimize fascist repression among the people in Paquibato, Davao City. Datu Limbuttong, a.k.a. B/Gen. del Rosario has employed corrupted Lumad tribal dealers in order to divide the Lumad people and the Visayan settlers. Labawan's concept of tribal justice as inspired by his mentor Datu Limbuttong is a mockery of the genuine tradition of the Lumads. Labawan and the AFP have merely institutionalized a corrupt and twisted form of commercialized transaction bordering on outright extortion in the name of big capitalist plunderers in our soils. The Alsa Lumad campaign, indeed, is bound to fail, as history has already exposed its grossly anti-people and anti-Lumad character.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00818;lang=eng

[A Revolutionary Tool]

Confiscated military documents reveal Confidential Agent Labawan and AFP collusion -- NPA

Rigoberto F. Sanchez
Spokesperson
Merardo Arce Command
Southern Mindanao Regional Operational Command
New People's Army
August 19, 2010
Other versions: Bisaya

It is expected for Col. Domingo Tutaan, deputy commander of the 1003rd Brigade-AFP, to quickly deny that a 'pangayaw' is being waged by AFP henchman Ruben Labawan in Paquibato, Davao City. Col. Tutaan tries vainly to shield B/Gen. Eduardo del Rosario and mitigate the 1003rd Brigade-AFP's criminal complicity in the latest armed violence against civilians attributed to AFP brainchild Task Force Gantangan and 'Bagani' Forces.
"Datu" Ruben Labawan is del Rosario's and the AFP's stooge. Labawan's 'pangayaw' was launched at the behest of B/Gen. del Rosario and the 1003rd Brigade-10th Infantry Division-AFP. Documents seized by the 1st Pulang Bagani Company-NPA during a military action reveals the criminal conspiracy of the 1003rd Brigade-10th ID-AFP under B/Gen. del Rosario and notorious military agents masquerading as tribal leaders like "Datu" Ruben Labawan. The documents, among others, reveal the following:
1) acknowledgement receipts in different dates since late last year to early this year issued by the 1003rd Bde-AFP and signed by B/Gen. del Rosario showed Confidential Agent Ruben Labawan were issued Garand and M14 rifles, ammunitions, Cammenga military compass and Motorola GP-68 radios "to be used in rendering official duties" under the 1003rd Bde-AFP;
2) a liquidation squad is being covertly funded by the 1003rd Brigade-AFP. This Special Operations Group is composed of 14 Lumad thugs handpicked by Labawan, and are to be provided, among others, complete combat uniforms, firearms, cellphones and UHF radios;
3) Labawan and his band of Lumad thugs formed a 168-strong armed group dubbed Bahani Long Range Platoons (BLRP). This AFP paramilitary unit is divided into 12 platoons coming from 12 sitios and Barangays in Paquibato District, Davao City.
The so-called 'Alsa Lumad' as well as indigenous bandit groups calling themselves Bagani Force are AFP-concocted, and stage-managed by the 1003rd Bde-AFP under the so-called Task Force Gantangan, a nation-wide "counter-insurgency" blueprint aimed against revolutionary forces. Clearly, these paramilitary forces were created not to defend the rights of indigenous peoples but to serve the AFP counter-revolutionary objectives as cheap and expendable cannon fodder.
Labawan is a bogus tribal leader. He is more of a tribal dealer capitalizing on the poor lumads to cut deals with the reactionary government and agri-corporations than a legitimate representative of the Ata-Manobos. His aggressive recruitment of Lumads as CAFGUs is not about peace and development but more on escalating armed violence and militarizing Lumad communities. Labawan sits as chair of the AFP-created Supreme Tribal Council for Peace and Development, a group of ATADI-ALAMARA bandits who have cashed in on their acquisition of CADTs to allow agri-corporations to establish plantations in their so-called Lumad ancestral domains.
Labawan has established a menacing reputation among the Lumad community not by traditional authority bestowed on him by the Ata-Manobo tribe but by his close association with the military and his active participation in combat operations against the revolutionary mass base. Labawan is a confidential agent of the 1003rd Bde-AFP, and has undergone three-month basic Cafgu training under the 73rd IB-AFP in 2001 when B/Gen. del Rosario was still the battalion commander.
Labawan's mandate did not come from the Lumad community which he claims to represent. Instead, he takes orders from his immediate superior, Datu Limbuttong, who is none other than B/Gen. del Rosario. Labawan is actively involved in AFP strategic "counter-insurgency" planning. His most recent participation was the Final Coordinating Conference OPORD (operation order) 02-10 "PANATINGON" held at the 1003rd Bde-AFP headquarters in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, this April.
As an armed enemy combatant extremely hostile to the revolutionary mass base, Labawan is a legitimate object of NPA tactical offensives, contrary to his claim that he is being targetted by the NPA because of his 'peaceful' campaign to expose the 'excesses' of the revolutionary movement and bring development to the Lumad community. The only crusades that pre-occupy him are his frenzied brokering of ancestral lands for banana plantation expansion, soliciting rice and tinapa to be used in 'Alsa Lumad' pulong-pulong and his fanatical drive to enlist other Lumads into the AFP war machinery as CAFGU recruits.
This latest 'pangayaw' launched by Labawan's armed group aims to intimidate civilians -- both the Lumad and settlers to give up their farmlands so that his ATADI group could offer it to agri-corporations. Operating under a distorted sense of ancestral domain rights promoted by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Labawan flaunts his right to usurp lands tilled by non-Lumads as an extension of his ancestral rights.
In the 1003rd Bde-AFP's so-called information and education campaigns to incite the Lumads to rise up against the NPA in Paquibato communities, del Rosario has personally instructed his minions to exact 'pangayaw' whenever an ALAMARA member, an ATADI-affiliated bandit, CAFGU member or AFP soldier gets killed in NPA actions within the area. Labawan has likewise declared that whenever an 'Alsa' Lumad Bagani or Cafgu or AFP soldier gets killed, it will be the civilian community who will have to pay for damages in the form of farm animals and blood money. If the people should fail to comply they will be threatened with 'pangayaw.' This is their version of 'gantangan sa hustisya.'
Shortly after his brother, PFC Kimpio Labawan of the 103rd Division Reconnaissance Company-10th ID-AFP, who also served as his bodyguard, was killed after figuring in a shootout at an NPA mobile checkpoint last August 6, Ruben Labawan then demanded blood money and farm animals as damage payment from civilians. Failing that, he declared 'pangayaw' against civilians in Paquibato. This is the system of 'gantangan sa hustisya' of Datu Limbuttong and Ruben Labawan.
The guns issued by Datu Limbuttong and the 1003rd Bde-AFP to Labawan's Lumad Special Operations Group-Bagani Force and his CAFGU recruits are being used to kill civilians. Guns issued by the bogus 'Datu Limbuttong' to the equally bogus 'Datu Labawan' were the same guns used to shoot civilian Julius Tamondes in Colosas, Paquibato. The many heinous crimes and bloodletting that has victimized civilians and non-combatants perpetrated by the erstwhile Alamara, ATADI's precursor, and now by the Bagani Force of the Task Force Gantangan can ultimately be attributed to Datu Limbuttong. The general has resuscitated the counterrevolutionary concept of the 'Alsa' Lumad which became his stepping stone to a higher rank. He has pitted Lumads against Lumads and Lumads against non-Lumad settlers and, blood is in his hands.
The NPA vows to fight for the Lumads and the people's right to genuine solidarity. In due time, the divide and rule tactic which has been used by foreign conquerors since time immemorial will be totally exposed and repudiated by the people. This crude recycling of an obsolete strategy by B/Gen. del Rosario shall miserably fail as the NPA and the people's revolutionary organs of political power gain further strength and greater influence in the countryside.


http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...r=mac;lang=eng

[A Revolutionary Tool]

PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

In defense of the people against Oplan Bantay Laya: NPA offensive in Catarman victorious, more to comeAugust 22, 2010

The Efren Martires Command of the New People's Army in Eastern Visayas hailed today the NPA's successful tactical offensive against the Philippine National Police within the provincial capital of Catarman, Northern Samar on the morning of August 21. "Initial reports state that the NPA punished village councilor Rolando de Guia for espionage in Brgy. Imelda, Catarman, about a kilometer from the town proper," said Ka Karlos Manuel, EMC spokesperson. "Expected enemy reinforcements were then ambushed by the people's army, who used command-detonated explosives (which are manually set off) to disable their vehicle. At least eight police elements were killed in action, including Sr. Insp. Nicasio San Antonio, Catarman deputy police chief. The NPA also confiscated at least seven pistols and four M16 rifles." Manuel belied the claims by Sr. Supt. Vicente Loot, PNP deputy regional director for operations, that the policemen were not on combat operations and that the NPA captured and then executed them. "Regular forces of the police and military are clearly legitimate targets for NPA tactical offensives. As can also be seen from the weapons taken from them, the policemen were heavily-armed and battle-ready and were accordingly killed in action. Moreover, the NPA always gives enemy combatants the chance to surrender if they could no longer fight. The NPA abides by international humanitarian law in respecting the rights of captured enemy combatants as well the hors d' combat. Wounded enemy personnel are also taken care of by NPA medics. The PNP seems to be covering up its embarrassment because the NPA could carry out a tactical offensive within the provincial capital and close to the town proper at that."
The NPA-EV said that the Catarman tactical offensive and more to come are the NPA's answer to the Aquino regime's extension of Oplan Bantay Laya. "The people are suffering from economic hardships, but the Aquino regime remains indifferent to the peace talks that should be discussing socio-economic reforms. Instead, the Aquino regime is extending Oplan Bantay Laya, which has been widely condemned for political killings and other attacks on innocent civilians. Thus the NPA is defending the people and delivering the message to the Aquino regime that Oplan Bantay Laya and any other plan of fascist state terrorism will be defeated. The NPA will be launching even more tactical offensives in fighting to strategically raise the level of the people's war in the next five years."

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...r=emc;lang=eng

[The Vegan Marxist]

Catarman NPA offensive aboveboard, Aquino government allegations pure hogwash
August 23, 2010

The Efren Martires Command of the New People's Army in Eastern Visayas today dismissed allegations by the Aquino government that the NPA committed rights violations in the August 21 Catarman tactical offensive. "We want to address the accusations by presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles and other Aquino government officials that the NPA used landmines, and summarily executed the government casualties as well as stole their personal belongings," said Ka Karlos Manuel, EMC spokesperson. "As clearly explained in our earlier statement, the NPA uses command-detonated explosives, which are manually set off against a defined target such as in the Catarman ambush and thus allowed in war. The NPA did not and has never used anti-personnel land mines which automatically explode when triggered by the victim, and is thus banned under international humanitarian law for causing needless casualties. Moreover, the policemen in the Catarman ambush were killed in action and not captured alive and summarily executed as alleged by the Aquino government.

"The NPA also does not stoop to looting such as widely practiced by government troops against impoverished peasants. As a matter of standard operating procedure, the NPA confiscates all materials at the scene of any military action for intelligence and inventory purposes. Whatever personal belongings inadvertently taken are returned whenever possible to the concerned families."

Manuel also pointed out the Aquino government is falsely shifting the blame to NPA offensives for allegedly "derailing" the peace talks. "It is the Aquino government which has been arrogantly posturing and warmongering regarding the peace talks. It has been trying to force ceasefire and surrender terms on the revolutionary movement since Aquino's July 26 state of the nation address. The Aquino government also exposes its insincerity to the peace talks in pursuing Oplan Bantay Laya, which has been widely condemned for political killings and other attacks on innocent civilians. The chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen. Ricardo David, has declared that Oplan Bantay Laya will be extended until January 2011, when a new operational plan will still pursue the avowed aim of crushing the revolutionary movement.

"Thus the Aquino government has the gall to pretend to be aggrieved when it is now getting its comeuppance from NPA tactical offensives. But the NPA will step up its offensives to defend the people from Oplan Bantay Laya and other Aquino government "oplans" inspired by the US Counter-insurgency Guide. The NPA will become even stronger and accumulate more weapons in advancing the people's war against the Aquino government's Oplan Bantay Laya and other operational plans of fascist state terrorism."

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...r=emc;lang=eng

[The Vegan Marxist]

Successful NPA ambush in Samar, a legitimate act of war--CPP
August 23, 2010

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today hailed the successful tactical offensive launched by the New People's Army in Catarman, Northern Samar last August 21 and at the same time assailed Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles for saying that the Samar ambush "will make the way forward (to peace) more difficult."

The CPP replied that "the Aquino government should stop making excuses not to resume formal peace negotiations."

"The Samar ambush, as well as other tactical offensives of the New People's Army (NPA), have all been carried out with the objective of advancing the struggle for national liberation and social justice, especially in the interest of the oppressed masses," said the CPP. "All these are being conducted in accordance with international humanitarian law and war conventions."

"Secretary Deles' claim that the police unit was just doing law enforcement work is pure hogwash," said the CPP. "The ambushed police unit was dispatched to a revolutionary base, heavily armed and fully aware of the presence there of the NPA and with the primary objective of attacking the revolutionary forces," the CPP pointed out.

"The police unit, however, proved to be of no match to their target NPA forces with their revolutionary dedication, full support of the masses, advantage of guerrilla tactics and mastery of terrain," said the CPP. According to reports issued by the Efren Martirez Command of the New People's Army (NPA-EMC), its unit in Catarman was able to wipe out the attacking eight-man police unit.

The CPP dismissed claims by the military and police officials that the police personnel were shot one by one "execution style." "The police unit was immediately crippled with the use of a legitimate command-detonated explosive. The police personnel were called upon to surrender. However, as they insisted on firing their weapons against the NPA fighters, a close quarter battle ensued."

The NPA unit seized at least seven pistols and four M16 rifles. Reports that personal effects of the police were also taken by the NPA unit are being looked into. "If there were any taken for safekeeping, these items will be accounted for, secured and properly returned to the concerned families," added the CPP.

The CPP disputed claims by military and security officials of the Aquino regime that the use of command-detonated explosives is prohibited under international rules of war. "Their use is perfectly legitimate under the Geneva Conventions, that serves as the frame for international rules on warfare."

"The sterling military victory in Samar shows how the people's war that is raging throughout the country is vibrant, advancing in strides with more and more victories, and bound to win in the end," The CPP declared.

The revolutionary forces under the leadership of the CPP are presently pursuing a program to achieve, in five years, a leap of the people's war it is waging, from the present stage of strategic defensive to the strategic stalemate.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...r=cpp;lang=eng

[The Vegan Marxist]

CPP scores "colossal stupidity and incompetence" in hostage incident
August 24, 2010

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today expressed sympathy with the victims of yesterday's hostage-taking in Manila, and joined nationwide and international indignation at the "colossal stupidity and incompetence" of police and government officials in the handling of the incident that led to unnecessary bloodshed.

At least nine people were killed, including the hostage-taker, former police captain Reynaldo Mendoza. The eight others were Chinese nationals on a vacation tour in Manila. Reports that some of the hostages were killed or wounded by police fire during the assault are being looked into.

Mendoza commandeered the bus used for the tour early morning yesterday in a desperate attempt to draw attention to his demand to be reinstated in the Philippine National Police (PNP). He was dismissed from the police force in February 2009 after charges of extortion were filed against him. He claimed that due process was denied him in the case.

"Colossal police incompetence was highlighted in almost every aspect of the hostage crisis," pointed out the CPP.

"Government and police officials failed to draw out the hostage-taker through negotiations. Police actions, including the arrest of his brother and nephew later in the day, only drew the ire of the hostage-taker and made worse the situation," said the CPP. "The fumbled police assault resulted in unnecessary bloodshed."

"The Filipino people are dismayed at the monumental foul-ups and deplore the incompetence and stupidities of government and police in handling the hostage crisis."

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...r=cpp;lang=eng

[The Vegan Marxist]

A Statement on the Current Military Operations in FarSouth Mindanao: PERPETUATING A LEGACY OF STATE TERROR; FURTHER ENTRENCHING FEUDAL AND FOREIGN DOMINATION

Ka Efren
Spokesperson
NDF-Far South Mindanao
August 18, 2010

Gloria Arroyo may no longer be in Malacañang but the same policy of relentless state terror continue to hound the Filipino masses and especially those who dare to resist and defy the most abusive and exploitative foreign multinational companies operating in the Philippine countryside.

In FarSouth Mindanao where lies one of the biggest mining firms side by side with the vast Dole-Stanfilco plantations, a full brigade under the 10th Infantry Division – AFP is currently on operation. Specific targets are the gold-rich areas of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Sarangani Province particularly the towns of Kiblawan, Tampakan and Colombio which are the current mining sites of the multinational Xstrata-SMI. This military operation has been extremely harsh and merciless on the people especially on the poor peasant masses and the lumads living in the area.

Under the bloody banner of Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) 2, troops of the 27th IB, the 39th IB and the 72nd Cadre Battalion have been plundering the countryside, intimidating and harassing the residents, imposing food blockades, and terrorizing civilians who are forced to leave their ancestral lands to escape the wrath of the military operation. This is very fine for the MNCs who want full control of the area.

Having miserably failed to stem the tide of opposition to the mines, the 39th IB has taken it out on the people by committing a long list of abuses and atrocities. Barrios in the peripheries of the mining areas such as those in Matanao town have been subjected to indiscriminate aerial bombardment, food blockade and harassment. In Sitio Datalfitak, Brgy Colonsabak, Matanao, Davao del Sur, many peasant homes were ransacked and dismantled because the residents were accused of being NPA supporters. A peasant leader was mauled and hit with a rifle butt.

The 27th IB, on the other hand has continued its rampage in the mining towns of Tampakan and Columbio, sowing intrigues and creating a climate of fear and mistrust among those who have consistently opposed large scale mining. In the B’laan community of Bong Mal, Sultan Kudarat, two camps of Task Force KITACO have been set up to ensure the continued operations of the gold mine. Recruitment of civilians into the paramilitary units such as the SCAA has also been intensified. If outright fascism is a mark of achievement for the reactionary AFP, full honor goes to the 1002nd Brigade of Col. Rainier Cruz. He may be awarded by his imperialist masters but his atrocities will never be forgotten by the people.

Simultaneous with the brigade operation, the 57th IB under the 6th ID – AFP has also conducted a military campaign in the plantation areas of Dole-Stanfilco in the towns of Makilala, Tulunan and Mlang, all in North Cotabato including the peace zone areas which former Pres. Corazon Aquino had previously imposed as part of the AFP’s base denial operations and total war policy. In a blatant display of arrogance and in total disregard for the basic rights of civilians, peace zone residents are systematically interrogated, intimidated and harassed by the AFP. As in the mining sites, the people have suffered the full brunt of the mercenary armed forces’ state terrorism– all for the sake of the uninterrupted operations of foreign multinational companies such as Dolefil.

Aquino III is so beholden to his imperialist master he has in fact ordered the extension of the most hated OBL 2, demanded the surrender of the revolutionary movement as a precondition for peace talks and, as in Hacienda Lusita, has had no qualms about perpetuating and strengthening the rule of the feudal oligarchy in Philippine society. Like his predecessors, Aquino III has allowed the multinational Dolefil to landgrab thousands of hectares of peasant lands. He has put on sale Philippine patrimony by giving full authority to the giant foreign mining companies to lord it over the gold and copper resources in Mindanao.

The Aquino III administration is grossly mistaken into thinking that brute military force and subservience to the imperialists will silence the people into submission. On the contrary, it shall fan the flames of the Filipino masses’ continuing resistance and revolution.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00818;lang=eng

[The Vegan Marxist]

NDF-EV in solidarity with the Catholic Church against large-scale foreign mining in Region 8
August 26, 2010

The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas today said it is one with the Catholic Church in fighting large-scale foreign mining in Region 8. "We agree with the stand of the Palo Archdiocese that large-scale mining today will not benefit the people but only foreign capitalists, as well as seriously damage the environment,"said Fr. Santiago Salas, NDF-EV spokesperson. "Indeed, foreign mining seeks the quickest way to make profits from simple raw materials extraction and export, without contributing to our industrial development and without regard for safeguarding the environment. Thus, the Aquino government's fast-tracking of foreign mining projects in Samar and Leyte is immoral and unjust for betraying the people and the national patrimony, as well as being anti-development and anti-environment."

Fr. Salas added that the foreign mining issue also opens up other related issues of the people regarding genuine economic development. "An economic issue like foreign mining brings up the dire socio-economic conditions of the masses of the people who suffer from landlessness and joblessness. Meanwhile, the minority made up of the landlords, big business and big bureaucrats control and plunder the economy together with foreign monopoly capital. The Aquino government's push for large-scale foreign mining is therefore plain highway robbery in the interests of the few. On the other hand, any plan for national development should have agrarian reform and national industrialization to benefit the majority who are the peasants and workers. Genuine land reform will liberate the peasantry from poverty and contribute to the production of raw materials for industrial production. National industrialization will create jobs and manufacture the country's needs."

The NDF-EV spokesperson called for broad unity against large-scale foreign mining in the region. "The various sectors can unite and carry out mass actions and other activities in demanding a stop to foreign mining in the region and for the scrapping of the Mining Act which makes it possible. They must furthermore continue the struggle against the the Aquino regime's economic policies that are anti-people, anti-national and subordinate to imperialist globalization. They must assert genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization as essential for economic development. In the future, the struggle for economic emancipation and sovereignty will find fruition when the people's democratic government has been built to serve the interests of the majority."

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

[The Vegan Marxist]

26th IB-AFP Punished for Violations of Human Rights in Agusan del Sur

Ka Aris Francisco
Alejandro Lanaja Command
Front 3 Operations Command
New Peoples Army-Southern Mindanao
August 26, 2010

The August 24 tactical offensive by the Alejandro Lanaja Command Guerilla Front 3 Operations Command-NPA in Barangay La Fortuna, Veruela, Agusan del Sur is a punitive action against the 26th Infantry Battalion-AFP for its abuses and violations of human rights.

The daring early dawn attack wiped out a team of the 26th IB-AFP with five killed and one wounded. One Minimi machine gun, two M16 rifles, about 1,800 rounds of ammunition and 10 M203 grenades were confiscated. No Red fighter was wounded.

In Veruela town alone, the 26th IB-AFP committed serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law directed against civilians. After the February 24, 2010 harassment operations that resulted in the killing of a 26th IB-AFP lieutenant and four enlisted personnel, the 26th IB-AFP and other units of the 402nd Brigade-4th Infantry Division-AFP threatened entire peasant villages, mauled civilians on suspicions of being NPA members, ransacked houses and made illegal arrests and other abusive acts. And being an apologist of the AFP, the Commission on Human Rights-Caraga regional office did not lift even a finger to address these clear violations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention.

Being armed combatants of the GRP and legitimate military targets, the NPA launched a tactical offensive to punish the enemy fascists. And yesterday, the 26th IB-AFP suffered new casualties as a column of their operating troops were surprised and hit by NPA gunfire. Two enlisted personnel and a Cafgu were wounded.

Political and military victories in the armed struggle and the revolutionary mass movement are accumulated as the people's war continues its forward march towards a strategic advance.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00826;lang=eng

[A Revolutionary Tool]

PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

Alleged "rebel returnees" are torture victims of the 34th IBAugust 28, 2010


The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas said today that the two alleged "rebel returnees" in the custody of the 34th Infantry Battalion are not members of the New People's Army but ordinary civilian peasants who were abducted, tortured and are being held under duress. "The brothers Cesar and Juanito Gabac were presented as "rebel returnees" by the 8th Infantry Division to the media and the local government of Paranas, Western Samar last Aug. 16," said Fr. Santiago Salas, NDF-EV spokesperson. "But reports reaching NDF-EV indicate the Gabac brothers were abducted along with their mother Lucia last July 25 by 34th IB troops in Brgy. Anagasi, Paranas. Furthermore, the guns they allegedly "surrendered" were in fact not in their possession but found elsewhere by the military after the NPA left these in temporary storage. The brothers are believed to have been tortured and forced to guide the soldiers during their military operations."
Fr. Salas also slammed the 34th IB led by Lt. Col. William Penafiel for making up the psywar story that the Gabac brothers were NPA members who were "tired" of the armed struggle and "surrendered" and "cooperated" with the government. "The military is resorting to hoodwinking the media and the public to obscure the failure of the Oplan Bantay Laya campaign. It is also clear from the case of the Gabac brothers that it is civilians who in the main continue to suffer from the government offensive. The brothers' rights were violated several times: they were abducted, tortured, forced to guide soldiers in dangerous military operations, and falsely presented as NPA members without the chance to defend themselves or the benefit of legal counsel. Meanwhile, like in other cases of fake "rebel returnees", the military will surely pocket the Paranas local government's P20,000 "cash incentive" for the brothers who are being held against their will."
The NDF-EV demanded the immediate release of the Gabac brothers and their mother, as well as justice and redress for their ordeal. "We are concerned for the safety and well-being of the Gabac family. There is the fresh torture scandal video by the police in Manila of a detainee, who remains missing and is feared to have been summarily executed. Thus the ordeal of the Gabac brothers shows they are vulnerable to the impunity of the military and police for gross human rights violations such as illegal detention, torture and summary executions. As Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have said, President Benigno Aquino III has failed to fulfill his campaign promise of human rights protection as well as to investigate political killings. The extension of Oplan Bantay Laya till January 2011 is thus bound to leave in its trail many more human rights violations. The people must stand up for their rights, demand justice for the victims, and press for the punishment of the perpetrators under Oplan Bantay Laya, including the previous Arroyo administration."

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

[A Revolutionary Tool]

Letter to the Editor, PDI

Karlos Manuel
Spokesperson
Efren Martires Command
NPA-Eastern Visayas
August 29, 2010


Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc
Editor-in-Chief
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Dear Editor:
This is in reaction to the news article "A town mourns for its slain lawmen" in your August 28 web edition, regarding the August 21 tactical offensive of the New People's Army in Catarman, Northern Samar.
It is mentioned that the NPA remained silent about the accusation it committed coup de grace executions of the casualties from the Philippine National Police. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We bring your attention to the fact the revolutionary movement has issued four statements about the Catarman tactical offensive: specifically, from the NPA's Efren Martires Command, the Information Bureau of the Communist Party of the Philippines, and the Human Rights Committee of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. All these firmly state the Catarman ambush was a legitimate act of war and that the PNP casualties were killed in action after refusing to surrender. Furthermore, the statements were emailed to the media, including the Inquirer. If the emails were somehow lost, the statements are still accessible at the websites of NDF-Eastern Visayas and the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Given the seriousness of the allegation, the news report should have been carefully researched and all sides considered. Yet the NPA's side was never quoted.
We hope the Inquirer isn't being casually dismissive of statements from the revolutionary movement. Otherwise, there could be unwanted consequences to the parties involved in the hostilities as well as the people. The Inquirer is widely read and generally trusted. Now, for example, if government forces are being told they would be executed when captured, needless casualties could ensue because they would choose death over surrender during an NPA offensive. That is precisely why the revolutionary movement takes pains to explain its side, such as affirming the lenient treatment of prisoners of war and the hors de combat.
Another point in the news article brought out the result when the people are misinformed. The residents of Brgy. Imelda where the Catarman offensive occurred became panic-stricken and started to flee a day later, due to false reports the NPA had planted landmines all over the area. Yet as the NPA has asserted time and again, including this one, it has never used the landmines banned under international humanitarian law, but command-detonated explosives permissible in war. As the Brgy. Imelda incident shows, if the media neglects to report the NPA's assurances, it would unwittingly be helping to sow disinfomation and fear among the people.
We all do not want that to happen, thus we challenge the Inquirer to be more circumspect and responsible, not prone to "unbalanced news, fearful views."[I am totally stealing that for next time I'm talking about FOX News. Epic.]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00829;lang=eng

[The Vegan Marxist]

NDF-Mindanao scores AFP's latest publicity stunt
September 1, 2010

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Mindanao scores both the AFP's Eastern and Western Mindanao Commands gimmickry saying its "shedding off warrior image" and "war without bullets" mantra under the Aquino administration are nothing but among its latest publicity stunt in its vain attempt to win the hearts and minds of the people.

NDF- Mindanao made its lashing in the light of EastMinCom chief Lt. General Reymundo Ferrer's pronouncement during the Eastmincom's fourth anniversary last Monday that the AFP will focus on "peace-building" and "conflict resolution efforts". Lieutenant Gen. Ben Dolorfino, head of the Western Mindanao Command, likewise, said recently, that the AFP will wage a war "war without firing a shot" in dealing with the members of the New People's Army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Ka Oris, spokesperson of NDF-Mindanao, said that while the AFP's bigwigs mouth more than a handful of words, the extension of the Oplan Bantay Laya campaign itself proves otherwise the true calling of the AFP now under its new commander-in-chief, which is intensified offensive against the NPA and the MILF and more vicious attacks against progressive groups and individuals.

"OBL 1 and 2 already snuffed out the lives of more than a thousand individuals, what made them think that the extension will not be as murderous and as bloody than its original counterpart?," Ka Oris said.

Ka Oris said that both Ferrer and Dolorfino have acquired the style of their new commander-in-chief Aquino who continues to regale the public with his rhetoric but actually is sinister in his war policies.

"The AFP, like Aquino, says one thing but does another," Ka Oris said.

The NDF Mindanao said that the public should be wary that in less than 100 days in power, six activists and one journalist were killed under the Aquino administration.

The NDF-Mindanao pointed out further that in the island alone, incidents of human rights abuses continue to recur. Some of these included parading of minors as NPA child warriors by the 39th Infantry Battalion in Davao del Sur; the intensified recruitment of civilians into paramilitary units in Davao del Sur and the arming of Lumads through the Alsa Lumad campaign in Davao City; indiscriminate aerial bombing, food blockade and harassment such as those in Matanao town, Davao del Sur and massive military operations that lead to civilian evacuations, particularly in the towns of Surigao del Sur, and in Butuan City.

"Aquino's and the AFP's words are in stark contrast with what's happening in the different parts of Mindanao," Ka Oris quipped. "That the AFP will cooperate with investigating agencies to clear its image as human rights violators, Ferrer only deliberately admitted what its forces have been doing all along."

Ka Oris also lambasted Ferrer's words that the military will be "transparent" and "free of corruption". "True to its mercenary tradition, the AFP in actual, are acting as private guards evident in some foreign multinational mining firms in Compostela Valley Province, Davao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani Provice and in big plantation areas such as of Dole- Stanfilco in North Cotabato and in the towns of Tago and Barobo in Surigao del Sur and in New Bataan and Maragusan in Compostela Valley Province.

Ka Oris said, "In the same manner, they acted quick in the execution of martial law in Maguindanao to exonerate the Ampatuans and clear the evidences that will persecute further the Ampatuans and their former commander-in-chief Arroyo.

"The people know too well to be deceived in what is another publicity stunt of the AFP's notorious command", Ka Oris ended.

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

[The Vegan Marxist]

NPA launches tactical offensive in Bukidnon, 3 enemy forces killed
September 1, 2010

Red fighters of the New People's Army (NPA) under the Boyboy Roa Command launched a tactical offensive last August 26 against operating troops of the 4th ID Division Reconnaisance Company (DRC) in Sitio Gamit, Baranggay Sta. Filomena, Quezon, Bukidnon. The early morning tactical offensive resulted in three enemy forces killed, including an army corporal.

The tactical offensive was launched within the area of operations of Front 6 under the NPA's North Central Regional Command. From April to August this year, at least 24 AFP soldiers have been killed in several NPA-initiated tactical offensives and encounters.

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

[The Vegan Marxist]

People's water system in Misamis Oriental destroyed by Army troops
September 1, 2010

The National Democratic Front-North Central Mindanao (NDF-NCM) today denounced the Philippine Army's 8th IB and the 4th ID's Division Reconnaisance Company (DRC) for the destruction of the local water system in Sitio Salahon, Barangay Alipuaton, Salay, Misamis Oriental last August 13.

According to Cesar Renerio, NDF-NCMR spokesperson, the people of Salahon are outraged at the destruction of the water system by the fascist troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The water system was built by the people on their own initiative after the local government consistently ignored the appeal of the residents. Sourced from a source two kilometers from their sitio, the people labored to bring water to their households using bamboo trunks as pipes.

The destruction of the water system has caused great difficulty and disruption in the lives of the people of Sitio Salahon. The people demand the Army to pay for the damages they have caused and the punishment of the responsible officers, Renerio added.

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

[scarletghoul]

http://bit.ly/mdb042

NPA trounces AFP operations in Davao Oriental; 18 fascist troops wiped out in back-to-back Red Army ambuscades

Roel Agustin II
Conrado Heredia Command
Spokesman
Front 20 Operations Command
New People's Army-Southern Mindanao
August 30, 2010

Eighteen enemy soldiers were killed and more than 10 others were severely wounded following the back-to-back tactical offensives launched by the Red fighters of the Conrado Heredia Command-Front 20 Operations Command-New People's Army August 27 and 28 in Cateel and Boston towns in Davao Oriental. An AFP brigade-sized combat operation involving the 25th IB, 67th IB of the 1001st Brigade and a formation of the Scout Rangers Company were engaged by Red fighters in two separate ambushes resulting to enemy casualties amounting to an undersized platoon.

Last August 27, a platoon of the 25th IB-AFP that scoured the interior of Boston was squarely hit by Red fighters at 3 am in Barangay Sumilao. The dawn ambush felled 10 enemy soldiers and wounded many others. About 36 hours later, a composite formation of the 67th IB-AFP and the Scout Rangers Company that forayed deep into guerilla territory in Sto. Buko-Buko Abehod, Cateel took a fatal beating at around 3:10 pm, August 28. Confirmed killed were eight enemy soldiers and five others wounded after the 45-minute gunbattle.

The brigade-sized AFP operation's main aim is to clear the grounds for the unbridled economic plunder of big logging concessions and large-scale mining companies that span Cateel, Boston and the gold-rich Mt. Diwata range in Diwalwal, Monkayo. The mercenary AFP are the soldiers of big business plunderers out to destroy lives and the livelihood of the masses in the base areas. Unfortunately for them, the Red Army was fully prepared to meet their fascist incursions with tactical offensives.

Contrary to face-saving reports fed earlier by the AFP to the media, the Red Army safely withdrew from their positions with no casualty after the engagements. In the wake of the AFP battlefield losses, the fascists vented their ire on civilians. AFP soldiers illegally apprehended and detained seven civilians in Boston and two others in Cateel. Civilians were forcibly taken as guides while others were subjected to psychological torture and made to sign surrender papers as NPA members. They were only released three days later after families and residents took to the Tactical Command Post of the operating AFP troops at Barangay Sta Fe, Cateel.

The success of the back-to-back NPA tactical offensives is due to the popular mass support being enjoyed by the Red Army. The breadth and depth of the revolutionary mass base and the NPA's creative application of guerilla warfare forces the AFP to spread thin its combat troops into smaller, isolated formations making them vulnerable targets to annihilative and attritive actions by the Red Army.

As expected, the swivel-chaired bigwigs of the 10th ID-AFP in Camp Panacan, Davao City have commenced their all-too familiar media blitz of half-truths and outright lies. But none of their pathetic and rehashed stories can deny the reality of the steady advance of the people's democratic revolution as the enemy's fascist intrusions into guerilla territories serving big business plunderers are actively confronted by the armed and unarmed resistance of the people and its revolutionary army.

[The Vegan Marxist]

CHR insults the victims of Oplan Bantay Laya
September 1, 2010

The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas today expressed outrage at the Commission on Human Rights in Region 8 for calling for, among others, the intensification of Oplan Bantay Laya. "Shortly after the extension of Oplan Bantay Laya, Casiano Abing, a Bayan Muna member and court sheriff in Balangiga, Eastern Samar, was killed by suspected military elements on August 25," said Fr. Santiago Salas, NDF-EV spokesperson. "Abing is the sixth activist killed since the inauguration of the Aquino government, and the 121st activist killed in Eastern Visayas since 2001 when Oplan Bantay Laya began. The statements of CHR regional director Paquito Nacino are therefore extremely stupid, obnoxious and unbefitting that of a human rights official."

Fr. Salas also said the CHR regional director reflects the fascist views of his principals in the Aquino government. "Despite the findings of UN special rapporteur Philip Alston putting the blame for political killings squarely on Oplan Bantay Laya, justice remains elusive for the victims under the new government. Worse, Oplan Bantay Laya has been extended until January 2011 and may be replaced with a similar government campaign."

The NDF-EV spokesperson added the CHR has to prove it is still relevant to human rights advocacy, rather than an appendage of the Aquino government's "counterinsurgency" campaign. "The victims of Oplan Bantay Laya have long lost respect for the CHR and regard it as the "commission of human rights for the military and police only." Instead of attending to the 121 unsolved political killings in the region now, the CHR today is trying to pin baseless human rights violations on the New People's Army. Such allegations will get nowhere because the NPA is fighting a just and legitimate war, subscribes to international humanitarian law, and is led by a revolutionary government advancing the interests of the people.

"Conversely, we challenge the CHR: Is Oplan Bantay Laya just and legitimate in attacking noncombatants in more than 1,000 political killings and more than 200 forced disappearances? By pursuing Oplan Bantay Laya despite international criticism, is the Philippine government honoring its state obligations to international humanitarian law, much less protecting the people and enforcing its own laws against torture and summary killings?"

Fr. Salas concluded that, "The CHR's near uselessness and the rising fascism of the Aquino government compel the people to stand up and fight for their rights, demand the end of Oplan Bantay Laya and the punishment of its human rights violators, and struggle for genuine change."

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

[The Vegan Marxist]

NPA trounces AFP operations in Davao Oriental; 18 fascist troops wiped out in back-to-back Red Army ambuscades

Roel Agustin II
Conrado Heredia Command
Spokesman
Front 20 Operations Command
New People's Army-Southern Mindanao
August 30, 2010

Eighteen enemy soldiers were killed and more than 10 others were severely wounded following the back-to-back tactical offensives launched by the Red fighters of the Conrado Heredia Command-Front 20 Operations Command-New People's Army August 27 and 28 in Cateel and Boston towns in Davao Oriental. An AFP brigade-sized combat operation involving the 25th IB, 67th IB of the 1001st Brigade and a formation of the Scout Rangers Company were engaged by Red fighters in two separate ambushes resulting to enemy casualties amounting to an undersized platoon.

Last August 27, a platoon of the 25th IB-AFP that scoured the interior of Boston was squarely hit by Red fighters at 3 am in Barangay Sumilao. The dawn ambush felled 10 enemy soldiers and wounded many others. About 36 hours later, a composite formation of the 67th IB-AFP and the Scout Rangers Company that forayed deep into guerilla territory in Sto. Buko-Buko Abehod, Cateel took a fatal beating at around 3:10 pm, August 28. Confirmed killed were eight enemy soldiers and five others wounded after the 45-minute gunbattle.

The brigade-sized AFP operation's main aim is to clear the grounds for the unbridled economic plunder of big logging concessions and large-scale mining companies that span Cateel, Boston and the gold-rich Mt. Diwata range in Diwalwal, Monkayo. The mercenary AFP are the soldiers of big business plunderers out to destroy lives and the livelihood of the masses in the base areas. Unfortunately for them, the Red Army was fully prepared to meet their fascist incursions with tactical offensives.

Contrary to face-saving reports fed earlier by the AFP to the media, the Red Army safely withdrew from their positions with no casualty after the engagements. In the wake of the AFP battlefield losses, the fascists vented their ire on civilians. AFP soldiers illegally apprehended and detained seven civilians in Boston and two others in Cateel. Civilians were forcibly taken as guides while others were subjected to psychological torture and made to sign surrender papers as NPA members. They were only released three days later after families and residents took to the Tactical Command Post of the operating AFP troops at Barangay Sta Fe, Cateel.

The success of the back-to-back NPA tactical offensives is due to the popular mass support being enjoyed by the Red Army. The breadth and depth of the revolutionary mass base and the NPA's creative application of guerilla warfare forces the AFP to spread thin its combat troops into smaller, isolated formations making them vulnerable targets to annihilative and attritive actions by the Red Army.

As expected, the swivel-chaired bigwigs of the 10th ID-AFP in Camp Panacan, Davao City have commenced their all-too familiar media blitz of half-truths and outright lies. But none of their pathetic and rehashed stories can deny the reality of the steady advance of the people's democratic revolution as the enemy's fascist intrusions into guerilla territories serving big business plunderers are actively confronted by the armed and unarmed resistance of the people and its revolutionary army.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/...00830;lang=eng

[scarletghoul]

Beat you to it