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NPA to launch offensives vs GRP’s all-out war—Ka Oris

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THE National Operational Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) has announced all its units can now “take full initiative” as the 10-day grace period for the termination of its unilateral ceasefire declaration expired today.

“Starting today, the Unilateral Declaration of Interim Ceasefire is now completely terminated. All NPA commands and territorial units, as well as people’s militia and self defense units, can now take the full initiative to defend the people and advance their interests, especially in the face of the declaration of all-out war of the (Rodrigo) Duterte regime,” NPA spokesperson Jorge ‘Ka Oris’ Madlos in a statement said. Read more

Joma to Rody: Calm down, let’s talk

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NATIONAL Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Chief Political Consultant Jose Maria Sison asked Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) President Rodrigo Duterte to allow efforts to clear the air in the face of escalating tension between the two parties following the Duterte government’s declaration of an all-out war against the Left.

Sison proposed to his former student “to consult thoroughly with his negotiating panel and the peace advocates in his own cabinet and others outside of his government and encourage and allow back-channelling efforts to clarify misunderstandings and solve immediately the current problems.” Read more

CPP warns of massive rights violations due to GRP’s all-out war

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THE Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today warned of massive human and civil rights violations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as a result of the Rodrigo Duterte government’s declaration of an all-out war against the Left.

The communists said that the Duterte government’s record of more than 7,000 killings with its “Oplan Tokhang,” his constant threat to suspend the writ of habeas corpus and impose martial law-style rule to suppress political opposition pose real threats against the Filipino people.

“His record speaks for himself.  We must be ready to vigorously oppose any and all attempts to realize these threats,” the CPP said.

The underground party said the Duterte government is bound to set the “fascist dogs” in the AFP against activists and civilians, especially in areas where there are struggles for land reform and campaigns against foreign mining companies and plantations.

“In his desperate and vindictive attempt to score against the revolutionary movement, he has already targeted aboveground NDFP (National Democratic Front of the Philippines) consultants,” the CPP said.

Former activist killed

The CPP said the “Oplan Tokhang”-style killing of Glenn Ramos, 40, by military and police operatives in Barangay Ma-a, Davao City last Monday is an example of what the AFP would do.

The AFP and the PNP said they were serving a warrant for Ramos’ arrest as a suspected New People’s Army (NPA) member when a fire fight broke out after the victim allegedly refused to submit himself and instead drew a weapon.

Kodao sources however said Ramos was a civilian.  They said the raiding team used assault rifles in strafing his house.

Ramos died after sustaining two gunshot wounds.

“The entire AFP story is dubious and sounds like all the “nanlaban” (put up a fight) stories of the PNP of the past few months,” the CPP said.

Renato Olibang, Ramos’ construction boss, certifying he was a civilian at a time of his death by the hands of the PNP.

In Panay Island, a farmers’ organization complained of unwanted AFP presence and occupation of Barangay Boloc’s Hall in Tubungan, Iloilo.

Local farmers’ association Tubungan United Peasant Alliance (TUPA) said elements of the 82nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army asked for a barangay assembly last February 2 to get an approval for an encampment at the center of their community.  The soldiers were refused and were asked to leave instead.

Panay Alliance-Karapatan also reported that the community accused the military of indiscriminately firing at a farmer’s house last February 1.

Be prepared

The underground party urged members of “people’s organizations and democratic sectors” in both rural and urban areas to protest military presence (in civilian communities) and their abuses.

“They must tighten security measures and get ready to defend human and civil rights against state violence that is bound to escalate,” it warned.

The CPP said its armed wing, the NPA, will defend civilians against military abuses.

“The people’s army, the NPA, will be at the people’s side to punish the AFP’s fascist troops at every available opportunity,” it said.

The party also chided Duterte for believing his government can defeat the NPA, antagonizing all sectors supportive of the peace process, and increasingly isolating his government.

Duterte reversed on his previous positive pronouncements of the underground group and called them terrorists after AFP defeats last week.

“Defeating the NPA is a Duterte pipedream.  Other regimes before him have tried and failed. The NPA is ever ready to face his wild dogs in the AFP in battle,” the CPP said.

“Not for long, he will only have the AFP’s fascist dogs for company,” it added. (Raymund B. Villanueva/Featured photo by Southern Tagalog Exposure)

 

Malaybalay incident a ‘legitimate encounter’–NPA

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THE New People’s Army-North Central Mindanao Region (NPA-NCMR) belied accusations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that the soldiers killed in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon last February 1 were unarmed and were only deployed for “peace and development” duties.

In a rejoinder to their earlier pronouncements about the incident, NPA-NCMR spokesperson Ka Allan Juanito said Sgt. Owen Yee, Corporal Niño Christopher Talabor and Corporal Pat O. Non were engaged in psy-war (psychological warfare) operations and that their deaths was a result of a legitimate encounter. Read more

Peace spoilers won the day–Agcaoili

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PEACE spoilers won the day, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) chief peace negotiator said of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines’ (GRP) “cancellation” of the formal peace talks and termination of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) today.

Fidel Agcaoili blamed “spoilers in the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the neoliberal globalization members in the cabinet” for the collapse of their once promising peace talks with the Duterte government. Read more

GRP verbalizes ‘all-out war’ vs NPA

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DEPARTMENT of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is going all-out against the New People’s Army (NPA) two days after Government of the Philippines (GRP) President Rodrigo Duterte’s outburst against the underground revolutionary group.

“Yes, it is an all-out war,” Lorenzana said in a press briefing at Malacañan Palace Tuesday. Read more

Makilala encounter gives more ground for Reds to suspend unilateral ceasefire, says NDFP

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ROME, Italy—The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) offensive operation against a unit of the New People’s Army in Makilala, North Cotabato yesterday may give the Communist Party of the Philippines ground to suspend its unilateral ceasefire declaration, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel chairperson said.

In a press briefing, Fidel Agcaoili said that it appears there is deliberate and systematic sabotage of the ongoing formal peace talks in this city.

“What is happening is similar to what happened in 2005 to 2006 where many activists were killed, presided by the very same people like National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon and AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo Año,” Agcaoili said.

Aside from the hour-long clash that killed 33-year of New People’s Army fighter Rojet Ranara, Agcaoili also cited the killing of National Federation of Sugar Workers leader Alexander Ceballos and Katribu Party Surigao del Norte provincial coordinator Veronico Delamente last January 20.

“These attacks are putting the NPA in a tough position. The AFP are occupying communities, enforcing food blockades and preventing the farmers from going to their farmlands,” Agcaoili said.

The NDFP Panel chief said the Makilala clash was a clear AFP raid of an NPA encampment as evidenced by the photographs of backpacks and rifles posted online by the 39th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

“This is a speculation on my part, but there appears to be sabotage of the peace process.  If such is the case, the continuation of the ceasefire is becoming untenable,” Agcaoili said.

But Agcaoili clarified it is not the NDFP which would suspend their ceasefire declaration.

“The six-month standing ceasefire was declared by the CPP and the NPA upon our recommendation.  It would be up to them to suspend it based on their appreciation of the realities on the ground,” he clarified.

“The NDFP is preparing a letter of protest and we will issue a statement on the matter after,” Agcaoili said.

Bilateral ceasefire

GRP Negotiating Panel member Rene Sarmiento said the Makilala incident is not only the first test case of the newly-signed supplemental guidelines to the Joint Monitoring Committee but is another reason to forge a GRP-NDFP bilateral ceasefire agreement.

“There is more reason to sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement to be guided on what constitutes a violation. For instance, which areas are covered by the ceasefire and which are not,” Sarmiento said.

The Left’s chief peace negotiator said the NDFP is still open to discuss bilateral ceasefire proposals.

“We are set to receive the GRP’s proposal for a bilateral ceasefire (tomorrow) and we can even propose a future date for its discussion,” Agcaoili said.

He clarified however that the signing of a bilateral ceasefire agreement in this round is unlikely.

“It would not be during this round, unless Pres. Duterte declares he will release all political prisoners tomorrow,” Agcaoili said.

He added that the bilateral ceasefire agreement is dependent on the GRP’s compliance of the requisites.

“If the GRP really wants a bilateral ceasefire agreement, it should release all the political prisoners and stop their violations of their own ceasefire declaration,” Agcaoili added.

He recalled that it was Duterte who personally promised him the release of the political prisoners in May 14 and May 26 in Davao City.

But Agcaoili said Duterte admitted in their meeting in Malacañang last January 2 that the release of political prisoners is “unacceptable to the GRP military.”

“Magagalit ang militar (The military will be angry),” Duterte reportedly told Agcaoili.

“If such is the case, we can just talk while fighting,” Agcaoili said.

Agcaoili recalled that the NDFP succeeded in signing 14 major agreements with the Fidel Ramos GRP even without a ceasefire agreement.

Talks successful

Agcaoili said that the ongoing peace talksis turning out to be a success.

“We have so far signed the supplemental agreement on the Joint Monitoring Committee and there are advances in the discussions on socio-economic and political and constitutional reforms,” he said.

The third round of formal peace talks in this city is scheduled to close on Wednesday with the possible signing of the ground rules on the discussion of socio-economic reforms and a joint statement. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

Karapatan: Attacks to sabotage talks?

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ROME, Italy—The death of two activists and a New People’s Army (NPA) fighter in the Philippines since the ongoing round of formal talks began last January 19 may be the work of peace saboteurs, a human rights group said.

“Are these attacks efforts to sabotage the peace talks?” Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay asked in reaction to the killing of peasant leader Alexander Ceballos in Murcia, Negros Occidental and Veronico Lapsay Delamente in Claver, Surigao del Norte last January 20 as well as the military operation that killed an NPA fighter in Makilala, North Cotabato last January 21.

“The killing of Ceballos and Delamente are cases of human rights violations while the military operation in Makilala is a violation of the reciprocal ceasefire agreements,” Palabay said.

Ceballos, a leader of the National Federation of Sugar Workers, was gunned down in his home in Barangay Pandan Silos, Murcia, Negros Occidental by a masked goon reportedly in the employ of former Don Salvador Benedicto town mayor Nehemias dela Cruz.

Delamente, a Mamanwa leader and member of Kahugpungan sa Lumadnong mga Organisasyon (Kasalo), was shot by unknown assailants in Punta Naga, Barangay Cagdianao and later died at a Surigao City hospital. He previously reported receiving death threats because of his anti-mining activities, Kasalo said.

Delamente was also the Katribu Party provincial coordinator since 2010.

In Makilala, 39th Infantry Battallion soldiers of the Philippine Army pursued an NPA unit in Barangay Biangan that resulted in an hour long gunfight and the death of a Red fighter, 33-year old Rojet Ranara.

Eight soldiers were also killed, NPA-Southern Mindanao Regional Operations Command Spokesperson Rigoberto Sanchez said.

“The war dogs of the 39th IB and the entire AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) cannot wash their hands clean of this flagrant violation of their own ceasefire. Sitio Lokatong in Barangay Biangan is a remote area that their presence can only mean an offensive operation against the NPA,” Sanchez said.

“They fool no one by claiming that their combat operation was merely in response to reports by local authorities of the presence of lawless groups, for the entire day, they actively maneuvered to engage the evading unit of the NPA,” he added.

Sanchez said the Rodrigo Duterte government should know it is the insincerity of the AFP that is the biggest impediment to the quest for just and lasting peace.

Palabay said the killings and the military operations are attacks on the ongoing peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

“Is the AFP laying the ground for further human rights violations akin to those committed under Oplan Bayanihan? Its Oplan Kapayapaan in its first three weeks is nothing but the same counter-insurgency program that unleashes war against the people and fomenting un-peace,” Palabay said.

Asked for comment, GRP Negotiating Panel chairperson Silvestre Bello III said they still have to receive an official notice from the NDFP.

“We cannot turn a deaf ear to these reports, but such incidents should not negatively affect the peace process,” Bello said.

“In fact, such incidents should compel both parties to accelerate the peace talks to its logical conclusion for a just and lasting peace,” he added. # (Raymund B. Villanueva/Featured image by Breakaway Media)

NPA ready to punish GRP troops encamped in communities when ceasefires end

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PAQUIBATO DISTRICT, Davao City—The New People’s Army’s (NPA) Pulang Bagani Battalion led the celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) 48th founding anniversary in this upland community yesterday in a show of force in President Rodrigo Duterte’s own hometown. Read more

GRP harassment of civilians preventing bilateral ceasefire agreement–NDFP Negros

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COMMUNISTS on Negros Island said they are not ready for a bilateral ceasefire agreement between the Rodrigo Duterte government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) until President Rodrigo Duterte orders the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to stop targeting activists for assassination.

Speaking to journalists at a grassroots peace forum last December 22, National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Negros spokesperson Frank Fernandez said the AFP is “using the war on drugs as a justification” for targeting 16 activists all over the country, including an indigenous people’s leader.

The former Roman Catholic priest said that instead of respecting Duterte’s unilateral ceasefire declaration in effect since August, the AFP is using the anti-narcotics campaign as a cover for counterinsurgency operations.

“This is why we cannot agree right away to a bilateral ceasefire with government because we have to secure the people in the areas where we operate against abuses like this,” Fernandez said.

Duterte had been exerting pressure on the NDFP to sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement with his government, repeatedly threatening them that there will be no further releases of political prisoners unless he receives a signed declaration.

Fernandez for his part slammed the government’s anti-drug campaign and said Duterte’s approach “can never solve the problem.”

Anti-poor anti-drug campaign

Speaking in the same forum, New People’s Army (NPA) commander Juanito Magbanua said they initially appreciated Duterte’s efforts to solve the drug problems “but quickly saw something was wrong because most of those who have died are the poor.”

“Drugs reach the streets from above, from the drug lords and large distributors. Why not go after them first instead of killing only the poor, who are as much victims of the drug trade?” Magbanua asked.

The guerrilla commander said even the street pushers belong to the suffering poor.

“We are not saying they (pushers) are right but most of them were pushed to the trade by poverty,” he stressed.

Magbanua said that long before Duterte started going after drug addicts and pushers in Davao City, the NPA already had an anti-drug program in the guerrilla zones.

But while they share Duterte’s goal of eradicating illegal narcotics in the country, Magbanua said they “cannot agree to the extrajudicial executions whose targets are largely the masses.”

Both communist leaders said they are still waiting for Duterte to prove himself to the people, noting that in his first six months as president, “wala sang benepisyo sa masa (there have been no benefits for the masses).”

More than a hundred NPA guerrilla fronts are set to celebrate the Communist Party of the Philippines’ 48th founding anniversary tomorrow, December 26. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)