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NDFP-Mindanao on the CPP’s 47th anniversary (w/ English subtitles)

National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Mindanao spokesperson Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos delivers their statement on the 47th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Madlos says the New People’s Army in Mindanao has doubled its tactical offensives against the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 250 in 2010 to more than 500 in 2015 as the Benigno Aquino administration is about to end. He also announced that the NPA has increased its guerrilla fronts from 40 in 2010 to 46 in 2015. Furthermore, NPA operations has increased from 1,850 barrios in 2010 to 2,500 barrios in 2015.

Madlos did not attend the anniversary celebrations held in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte because of the heavy military presence in the adjacent Zapanta Valley. Philippine Army checkpoints did not deter the thousands of guests from attending the celebrations, however.

Despite rains, farmers protest vs WTO

Braving rains from tropical storm Nona (Melor) in the Philippines, farmers pushed through with their protest last December 15 against the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Nairobi, Kenya. Citing an almost 300 per cent increase in local rice prices since 1995 when the Philippines joined the WTO, the farmers called on the Philippine government to junk its membership in the trade organization.

The KMP or Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Peasant Movement of the Philippines), an affiliate of the Asian Peasant Coalition (APC) and the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS).

Human rights raps in the Philippines

Human Rights Day 2015 in the Philippines with street protests on violations under a neocolonial regime. Speakers include torture victim Fr. Ben Alforque and KARAPATAN secretary-general Tinay Palabay. The International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) also demanded the release of Palestinian leader Khalida Jarrar and all political prisoners.

Workers launch Joma Sison’s latest book

Filipino workers under the Kilusang Mayo Uno lead the launching of Prof. Jose Maria Sison’s latest book “Crisis Generates Resistance”. Writing mostly as chairperson of the International League of People’s Struggles, Sison comments on burning social and international issues in the immediate past years.

These are some of the highlights of the Manila launching of the book held at the conference hall of the National Cathedral of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente last December 4.

US Marine found guilty of killing Filipino transgender

Militant organizations cheered as the Olongapo Regional Trial Court found US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott guilty of homicide for killing Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude.

Led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, they held a vigil rally last December 1 as the promulgation of the judgement was ongoing.

Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr said that the Filipino people should remain vigilant on where the convict would be jailed.

Their fears were proven correct soon after as the Philippine government agreed to returning Pemberton to the US-controlled facility Joint US Military Advisory Group compound inside Camp Aguinaldo.

This move violated the court’s order that Pemberton should first be committed to a Philippine jail facility such as the National Bilibid Prisons pending formal agreements on where the convict should serve the rest of his jail term.

Pemberton should be committed to a Philippine jail, militants insist

Militant organizations held a protest rally while the promulgation of the judgement on US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton was being read at the Olongapo Regional Trial Court last December 1.

Pemberton was found guilty of committing homicide in connection with the death of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude last year.

He was sentenced to a minimum of six year and a maximum of 12 years for the crime.

While declaring partial victory over the conviction of the US soldier, the militants said that he should be jailed in a Philippine correctional facility.

They warned that the US government may initiate moves to take custody of the convict and that the Philippine government may agree to such machinations.

They were proven correct when the US and Philippine government immediately agreed to transport Pemberton to a US facility inside Camp Aquinaldo last night.

The move is contrary to the explicit instructions of the court to bring Pemberton to a national jail such as the National Bilibid Prisons.

This is not Bonifacio High Street

The International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) Philippines chapter takes part in commemorating Bonifacio Day 2015 in the streets of Manila amid jeepneys, SUVs and dilapidated buildings. This is not Bonifacio High Street of the high-end botique districts of global cities but a protest march of wage-workers, private and public, saying “there can be no development without independence”.

Bomb scare dampens revelry after bar exams

A bomb scare caused a stampede at España Avenue last November 29 as 2015 bar examinees are starting to emerge from the University of Santo Tomas campus.

A spent cartridge from a party popper device was thought to be a grenade and panicked thousands of well-wishers who scampered away from the spot.

The scare dampened the raucous celebrations by the country’s leading law schools and biggest fraternities.

It also worsened vehicular traffic originally brought about by the closure of España’s West-bound lane.

The PNP says they will ask the Supreme Court to ban party poppers in the next bar examinations.

Kodao’s Villanueva accepts Titus Brands Award

Kodao Productions’ Raymund Villanueva was awarded the Titus Brandsma Award 2015 for Emerging Leadership in Journalism in a ceremony last November 27.

The award is given to an “outstanding young journalist who possesses an impressive and commendable track record in his or her professional performance and who has shown fidelity to the journalism code of ethics.”

The award is also given to journalists for their “use of the tools of media in fresh and innovative ways and has displayed courage in speaking the truth about issues involving peace, social justice, and the integrity of creation.”

The Titus Brandsma Award is a biennial recognition of outstanding journalists and social communication practitioners given by the Order of Carmelites in the Philippines.

This year’s award is the seventh time the awards have been held. Villanueva is the only second recipient of the Emerging Leadership in Journalism award.

Asian Institute for Journalism and Communication president Florangel Rosario Braid, PhD served as this year’s jury chair.

In this acceptance speech, Villanueva cited Kodao’s efforts to establish community radio stations for vulnerable communities all over the country.

He also mentioned Kodao’s workshops and training for marginalized sectors in the Philippines and abroad.

Villanueva is a veteran broadcaster, journalist and photographer for various alternative media organizations. He is now head of Kodao’s radio department.

This is a video of Villanueva’s acceptance speech.

Journalists hold torch parade to mark 6th anniv of Ampatuan Massacre

The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines held a torch parade from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines to Mendiola Bridge to mark the 6th anniversary of the Ampatuan Massacre last November 23. This event followed another march by journalists belonging to the National Press Club earlier that day.

Watch highlights of the parade and listen to the statement given by one of the lawyers of the victims’ families.