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Open letter to nationalist, pro-people AFP and PNP troops

OPEN LETTER

By OMAR IBARRA
Spokesperson, NPA Western Agusan Norte-Agusan Sur Subregional Command
26 February 2015

Warm greetings!

The recent turn of events challenges you to make a stand.

The near-annihilation of the 84th SAF-PNP troops in Maguindanao shows the division and dissension of your ranks in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and and Philippine National Police. This is how it
happened: under US orders for the capture of an alleged terrorist
under the framework of its “war on terror”, your commander-in-chief, Benigno Aquino III, violated your chain of command and all due processes, through a faction of generals led by General Purisima.

Despite the ongoing ceasefire and peace negotiations between the
government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front, Aquino ran over all agreements to implement the US
orders. Now, he and his officials exhaust all efforts to wash their
hands of culpability after wasting the lives of 44 SAF personnel.

This incident clearly indicates the ineptness of your commander-in-chief in mobilizing your forces. He only complies with the dictates of his imperialist master and his local instigators. Now it has resulted in endless bickering and finger-pointing among military and civilian officials, and has undermined the morale of the whole organization of AFP and PNP.

Even in areas of the New People’s Army, particularly here in Front
88, Aquino uses you under the design and in furtherance of the
interests of US imperialism and local ruling classes.

You are aware that the AFP and PNP brings, not genuine peace and
development, but terrorism to our area in order to pave the way for
the entry of the foreign company, Metro Luxury Mining.

Aside from combat operations, your psy-war and intelligence activities under COPD have intimidated the lumad and peasant masses here. They are further terrorized by the activities of your counterrevolutionary paramilitary groups such as Bagani Force in La Paz, Loreto and San Luis, and Wild Dogs or BULIF in Esperanza and Las Nieves. These have resulted in the forced evacuation of families in their hundreds in a score of communities in San Luis, for several weeks now. Can you then say that you are waging a war against terrorism when your government itself sows terror against the people in furtherance of foreign economic interests?

We are aware that most of you, like us, come from the poor classes,
and that you are only forced to become soldiers and policemen because of the lack of better employment opportunities so you can feed your families. It must be made clear, however, that your service only
benefits a few foreign and local exploiters, while you suppress the
just struggle of the poor.

While you are being used as pawns in this war, you are also used by
your senior officials in enriching themselves. Taking for instance the so-called modernization programs of AFP and PNP. Have you benefited from the billions of pesos of funds allocated for these? Are you aware of the modus operandi concerning the Balik-Baril program where higher military officials pocket most of the funds allocated for fake NPA surrenderees and recycled firearms?

Despite the massive defeat in Maguindanao, should you trust your lives to Aquino as commander-in-chief after he denied culpability in such failure and failed to express sympathy to the families and loved ones of those killed?

Aquino has a lot to answer for, not only to you soldiers and policemen but to the whole Filipino people who are victimized by US imperialism’s economic and political aggression. His puppetry to
foreign interests and dictates, as well as his state terrorism against his own people, gives a push to intensifying calls for his ouster from Malacañang.

While the movement for the ouster of Aquino rages, we appeal to your
nationalist and humanitarian stand. You have a significant role in the removal of an inept president from power as exemplified by your
withdrawal of support from Marcos and Estrada. Arroyo, on the other
hand, was almost ousted when soldiers and policemen mutinied against massive corruption, violence and fraudulence.

Thus we encourage you to take the side of the broad people, especially the poor, against the trampling of our integrity and dignity as Filipino people by US imperialism. While you are serving the reactionary government, we implore you to avoid abusing the human rights of the masses, respect the people’s call for the withdrawal of COPD troops and their struggle against CADC and big mining and other foreign corporations.

Most importantly, you should make a stand and make common cause with the people’s call for the ouster of your commander-in-chief, Benigno Aquino III.

ITANONG MO KAY PROF: Podcast on POW and peace negotiations

ITANONG MO KAY PROP
Panayam ng Kodao kay Prop. Jose Maria Sison
January 20, 2015

1. Ano po ang kahalagahan sa usapang pangkapayapaan ng ginagawang pagpapalaya ng NDFP-Mindanao sa mga POW sa kanilang rehiyon?

JMS: Napakahalaga ang pagpapakita ng NDFP-Mindanao ang humanitarian spirit at kagandahang loob ng kilusang rebolusyonaryo sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalaya ng mga prisoners of war. Ipinahayag ng NDFP-Mindanao na ang pagpapalaya ng mga POW ay goodwill measure para sa resumption ng peace negotiations. Pero hanggang ngayon walang maliwanag kung handa na ba ang rehimeng Aquino para sa usapang pangkapayapaan.

2. Umaasa rin po ba ang NDFP Negotiationg Panel na magpapalaya din ng mga political detainees ang GPH bago ang pag-uusap?

JMS: Syempre, umaasa ang NDFP negotiating panel at buong NDFP na mapalaya ang mga NDFP consultant alinsunod sa JASIG at iba pang political prisoner alinsunod sa CARHRIHL. Hinihiling ito ng mga religious at human rights organization at ng sambayanang Pilipino. Dumating at umalis na ang Papa, wala namang pinalaya na mga political prisoners. Maraming disappointed. Dapat palayain ang mga NDFP consultants at malaking bilang ng mga political prisoners bago magresume ng peace negotiations.

NDFP peace panel congratulates NDFP-SMR for successful release of POW Coquilla

MEDIA RELEASE
By LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
19 January 2015

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating
Panel warmly congratulates the NDFP-Southern Mindanao Region for
successfully carrying out the safe and orderly release of Prisoner of
War (POW) Jose Mervin Coquilla today to foster the immediate
resumption of peace negotiations between the Aquino government and the
NDFP.

In a unilateral exercise of political authority, the NDFP-SMR freed
the provincial warden of Compostela Valley, and suspended its judicial
proceeding against Coquilla also as a humanitarian act, in response to
the pleas of his family and representatives from the Government of the
Philippines (GPH) and well-meaning individuals.

The NDFP-SMR released the POW Coquilla to Third Party facilitators,
peace advocates and media persons.

The NDFP Negotiating Panel welcomes this NDFP-SMR gesture of
compassion and mercy, a message that has been reverberating in the
country with the visit of Pope Francis. We appreciate and support the
calls of people’s organizations and peace advocates to resume GPH-NDFP
peace negotiations to address the root causes of the armed conflict.

We call for the release of political prisoners and NDFP Consultants in
accordance with the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for
Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and the
Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).

The NDFP is open to resume peace negotiations with the GPH on the
basis of The Hague Joint Declaration of 1992, the JASIG (1995), the
CARHRIHL (1998) and other binding peace agreements.

=======================

National Democratic Front of the Philippines
Southern Mindanao Region
Press Statement
January 19, 2015

Detained BJMP warden is released for humanitarian reasons

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Southern Mindanao releases today Jose Merven Coquilla, who is under the custody of the New People’s Army Comval-North Davao South Agusan Subregional Command, as a unilateral exercise of political authority, humanitarianism, and to help propel for the immediate resumption of the Government of the Philippines (GPH)-NDFP peace negotiations.

Prior to his arrest on December 23, 2014 in Panabo City, complainants filed a case against him at the People’s Democratic Government for corrupt practices, and for planning, aiding, abetting and conspiring in the commission of ferreting drugs inside the jail, of tolerating the cruel treatment and violence among inmates, and of neglecting sick prisoners of the reactionary Provincial Rehabilitation Center of Compostela Valley in his capacity as its Provincial Jail Warden since Sept. 18, 2000.

Coquilla was accused of practicing unreasonable policies for jail visits. Family of inmates are prohibited from conducting face-to-face interaction with their loved ones.

He allegedly tolerated rampant illegal drug trade inside the jail. Jail guards and visitors freely sneak in illegal drugs for inmates, as body searches for visitors are not being done.

Complainants from the jail also said that medical care for sick inmates is inadequate. While they are admitted in separate cells, sick inmates carrying contagious diseases or not are all placed in the same cells. Those with serious ailments are not immediately brought to the hospital. There are reported deaths as a result of the lack of medical treatment. Those who are lucky to be brought to the hospital have to contend with inadequate medicines.

A People’s Court constituted by the People’s Democratic Government ordered the arrest of Coquilla so that legal and judicial processes are applied and the above-mentioned allegations are substantiated. If evidence warrants, the process progresses to prosecution, trial and judgment. Upon his arrest, the People’s Democratic Government formed an investigating body to formally receive the complaints and conduct a preliminary investigation to determine the participation and culpability of respondent Coquilla. The body was tasked to determine whether there was prima facie evidence to establish Coquilla’s commission and commission with impunity of such criminal acts.

As a head of a state apparatus that is an armed security machinery of the reactionary government, Coquilla is being held liable for allegations of crimes that hurt citizens whose freedom of movement is already absent by virtue of their incarceration and those who are victims of the unjust reactionary Philippine judicial system that arbitrarily detained them.

The arrest, custody and investigation of Coquilla are all in line with the cause of revolutionary justice, governed by the laws of the People’s Democratic Government and in accordance with international rules of war.

Information have been obtained pointing to a specific violation of Coquilla and those under his command responsibility of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), specifically, Part III Respect for Human Rights, Article 2, Nos. 4,5,7,11 and 20, which provide the “right not to be subjected to campaigns of incitement to violence against one’s person,” “right to liberty, particularly against unwarranted and unjustified arrest and detention,”, “right not to be subjected to physical and mental torture and other inhuman, cruel or degrading treatment, detention and punishment,” “right to access to basic services and health care.”

Because he supervises a facility that houses political detainees, charges were also levelled against Coquilla for violating No. 6, Article 4, Part IV of CARHRIHL which provides that “All persons deprived f their liberty for reasons related to the armed conflict shall be treated humanely, provided with adequate food and drinking water, and be afforded safeguards as regards to health and hygiene, and be confined in a secure place.”

The NDFP-SMR, however, suspended its judicial proceedings against Coquilla as a humanitarian act in response to the pleas of his family and representatives from the GPH and well-meaning individuals, and as a gesture of compassion and mercy—a message that is reverberating in the country with the recent visit of Pope Francis.

The suspension of revolutionary judicial process over respondent Coquilla is also a unilateral exercise of political authority of the NDFP, as an act of goodwill for the immediate resumption of peace negotiations between the GPH and the NDFP.

As such, the case of Coquilla is being archived.

The release of respondent Coquilla, however, does not preclude the revolutionary forces from subjecting him to future arrest and detention if the masses file new charges against him and if he is found to be unremorseful.

The NDFP-SMR has ordered the NPA Comval-North Davao South Agusan Subregional Command to carry out the safe and orderly release of Coquilla to be witnessed by Third Party facilitators, peace advocates, and the media.

(Sgd.) Rubi del Mundo
Spokesperson
NDFP-SMR

ITANONG MO KAY PROF: Podcast on Peace Talks Preparations (Part 3)

  1. Ano na po ang ginagawang paghahanda ng NDFP kung sakaling matuloy ang paghaharap ng dalawang panig? Wala rin po bang nabago sa inyong hanay bilang mga negosyador sa usapang pangkapayapaan?

JMS Sagot: Nananatili ang komposisyon ng NDFP negotiating panel. Pareho ang chairman at mga miembro. Estable at tuluy-tuloy ang karanasan at kaalaman. At tungkol sa usapang pangkapayapaan, desidido na ipatupad ang kanyang bahagi sa peace negotiations tungo sa makatarungan at matibay na kapayapaan.

Marami ang ginagawa ng NDFP negotiating panel para paghandaan ang pormal na pag-uusap sa kabilang panel kung matutuloy ito. Aktibo sa mga consultations ng mga special representatives ng dalawang panig para ihanda ang agenda, saklaw at direksyon ng pag-uusap. Nagpupulong ang NDFP panel, mga working team at mga consultants para patibayin nila ang prinsipyadong posisyon ng NDFP at inaaral din nila ang pleksibilidad para maisagawa ang mga comprehensive agreement, tulad ng nangyari sa pagsasagawa ng Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.

Inaaral din nila kung paano pangingibabawan ang obsesyon o kagustuhan ng kabila na hanggang surrender ng mga rebolusyonaryo at tigil-putukan o pasipikasyon lang ang mangyayari. Para sa interes at kapakanan ng sambayanang Pilipino, gusto ng NDFP na magkaroon ng tunay na pambansang kalayaan, demokrasya, reporma sa lupa, industryalisasyong nasyonal at hustisya sosyal sa ating bayan.

ITANONG MO KAY PROF: Podcast on Peace Talks Preparations (Part 2)

Panayam kay Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Chief Political Consultant ng NDFP Negotiating Panel
Enero 12, 2015

2. Maraming naguguluhan sa pagpapatakbo ni Aquino sa peace negototations sa NDFP. Si Aquino ba mismo ang dahilan ng gulo o si Deles? Ang balitang nasagap namin ay lusaw na ang GPH negotiating dahil sa pagresign ni Alex Padilla bilang chairman at may pag-aatubili pa si Aquino tungkol sa appointment ni General Bautista bilang Chairman o member na lang ng panel? Sa kabila ng kaguluhan sa panig ni Aquino, makakaasa kaya ang mga political prisoner na ma-release kaugnay ng bisita ng Papa at mga panawagan ng mga religious at human rights organizations?

JMS: Sa tingin ko, parehong magulo si Aquino at Deles. Pero mas magulo si Deles. Nakita na ng NDFP ang panggugulo ni Deles magmula pa noong 2004 sa panahon ni Arroyo. Ika nga ng ilang observer, magulo ang utak ni Aquino pero si Deles sadyang nanggugulo. Ang balita ng NDFP hindi nabubuo agad ang GPH negotiating panel dahil gusto ni Deles na isaksak sa panel ang mga katulad niyang rabid anti-communist at mga uto-uto niya.

Kabado rin siya kay General Bautista dahil baka hindi niya kayang utus-utusan kahit magkahawig sila sa pagiging pusakal na anti-komunista. Tungkol naman sa pagrelease ng mga political prisoners, may mga umaasa na baka magrelease ang marami si Aquino dahil sa posibleng paggalang niya sa Papa at sa mga religious at human rights organizations na nanawagan ng pag release sa mga political prisoner.

Pero sa karanasan ng NDFP, matigas, walang puso at walang awa si Aquino sa mga political prisoner. Wala siyang respeto sa JASIG na nagbabawal sa pagkulong at pagpatay sa mga NDFP consultants. Wala rin siyang respeto sa CARHRIHL na nagbabawal sa pagkulong sa mga political prisoner dahil sa mga sabay-sabay na charges of rebellion at common crimes o kaya common crimes sa halip na rebellion.

ITANONG MO KAY PROF: Podcast on Peace Talks Preparations (Part 1)

Panayam kay Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Chief Political Consultant ng NDFP Negotiating Panel
Enero 12, 2015

1. Quoted kayo dati na okay lang si former AFP chief of staff Emmanuel Bautista na maging bagong chairman ng GPH negotiating panel dahil sa retired military officer na siya. Pero marami naman ang nagsasabi na kung siya ang i-appoint ni Aquino sa ganoong posisyon bale binabastos niya ang NDFP at buong kilusang rebolusyonaryo dahil nagmamalaki siya na siya ang utak o designer ng Oplan Bayanihan. Sa tingin niyo ba ay wala nang ibang mapipili ni Aquino na maging chairman ng kanyang panel. Siya na ba ang pinakamagaling o pinakaangkop kahit na mastermind siya ng Oplan Bayanihan?

JMS: Prerogative ni Aquino na piliin ang kahit sinumang sibilyan na maging chairman ng GPH negotiating panel. Technically, si General Bautista ay civilian dahil retired na. Pero totoo rin na marami ang nagsasabi na insulto sa NDFP at buong kilusang rebolusyonaryo kung siya ang gagawin ni Aquino na panel chairman niya sa punto na self-proclaimed na utak siya ng Oplan Bayanihan. Hindi baleng retired military officer siya kung katulad siya ni former General Fidel Ramos na marunong sa peace negotiations.

Pero umaabot din sa NDFP ang mga ulat na garapal na militar ang mentalidad niya at wala siyang gusto kundi ipataw daw niya ang pagsurender ng NPA dahil sa natatalo na raw ito at kung hindi payag ang NPA tuloy pa rin ang balasik ng kanyang Oplan Bayanihan. Palpak naman itong Oplan Bayanihan, lalong lumakas ang NPA. Sa tingin ko, kung seryoso si Aquino sa peace negotiations, makakapili siya ng mas angkop at mas magaling na chairman ng kanyang panel. Baka naman hindi interesado si Aquino sa pag-usad ng peace negotiations.

46, 50, 300, at iba pang bilang sa kanayunan ni Raymund B. Villanueva

Piyesta ang pakiramdam sa baryo noong dumating kami bandang alas-10 ng gabi. Marahil, Pasko kaya maraming tao sa kalsada at bukas pa ang mga bahay na aming nadaanan. Tila abalang-abala ang mga tao sa maraming bagay. Isa na rito ang paggawa ng mga residente ng malaking entablado sa isang malaking hawan sa gitna ng baryo.

Maging ang mga bata ay gising pa, nagtatampisaw at naglalaro sa aming paligid. Kahit panaka-nakang umuulan sinamantala nila ang liwanag mula sa mga bumbilyang pinailaw ng mga dyenereytor. Wala kasing linya ng kuryente sa lugar.

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Mayroon pang isang dahilan bukod sa Pasko. Ang baryong ito ang lugar ng isang malaking pagdiriwang kinabukasan.

Matapos kaming makapagpahinga at makapagbidyo ng mga pumapanday ng entablado, sinundo kami upang makadaupang-palad ang mga nag-imbita sa aming tatlong naunang mamamahayag. Pagpasok sa isang kuwartong may maliwanag na ilaw tumayo ang isang matanda upang tanggapin kami—Si Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, ang tagapagsalita ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines sa buong Mindanao. Tinanong kung kumain na kami at kung kami ba’y nahirapan sa biyahe dahil sa malakas na ulan at maputik na daan. Napakagiliw lagi ni Madlos sa mga alagad ng midya.

Pansin naming marami at sunud-sunod ang parating na mga grupo. May malalaking bag sa likod, puro nakabota at may dala-dalang malalakas na riple. Sila ang iba’t ibang yunit ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) sa Hilaga-Silangang Mindanao, ang isa sa pinakabeteranong yunit panlaban ng mga rebelde na halos may engkuwentrong militar linggu-linggo. Di na namin sila tinangkang bilangin; ilang daan sila sa aming paligid. “May isang batalyon pa ng Milisyang Bayan sa paligid ng ating lugar,” sabi ni Madlos. Hindi man niya tuwirang sinabi, ipinahiwatig niyang wala silang kalabang makakapasok sa lugar.

Inaya kaming sa loob ng kuwarto na iyon na lang kami maglatag para matulog. Tumanggi kami dahil maya’t maya ang dating ng mga kumander ng iba’t ibang yunit upang bumati sa kanya. Dinala kami sa kabilang gusali. Sa tulong ng aming plaslayt nakita naming puno na ang mga kuwarto ng natutulog. Subalit bumangon ang ilan para bigyan kami ng espasyo. Agad kaming nakatulog dahil na rin sa pagod.

Nagising kami umaga ng ika-26 sa tunog ng nagsasanay na mga sundalong rebelde para sa gagawin nilang martsa sa pag-uumpisa ng programa kalaunan. Pagmulat ng aking mata, napansin kong kami na lang pala ang nakahiga at abala na ang lahat sa paghahanda. Nakapag-almusal na sila’t paparating na mula sa pakikiligo sa mga bahay sa paligid at sa malapit na ilog. Maya’t maya naglakad na sila patungo sa ginagawang entablado kagabi, malinis ang mga bota at pare-pareho ang mga t-shirt.

Nanpansin kong napakaganda ng lugar. Napapaligiran ang baryo ng mga burol na marami pang puno. Ang mga bahay, bagamat payak, ay nakahilera ng maayos. Ang eskuwelahan ay nasa isang mataas na lugar. May ilog sa gilid na nilalambing ng mababang hamog ng umagang iyon.

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Nagpatuloy ang tila-piyestang atmospera sa baryo. Tulung-tulong pa rin ang mga panday sa pagtatapos ng entablado na nilalagyan na nila ng malalaking trapal dahil sa ulan. Sa isang gilid ng hawan nakaumpok ang mga nakasama namin sa kuwartong aming tinulugan. Mga kasapi sila ng Kabataang Makabayan (KM) sa Surigao del Sur at pare-pareho rin sila ng suot. “KM 50, STP (Serve the People), Ika-46 nga anibersaryo, Partido Komunista sa Pilipinas” ang nakaimprenta sa kanilang suot. (Ginunita nga pala ng KM ang ika-50 ng kanilang pagkakatatag noong nakalipas na anibersaryo ng pagkapanganak ni Andres Bonifacio noong ika-30 ng Nobyembre.) Nagsasanay sila sa kanilang presentasyon sa programa at pinipinturahan nila ang kanilang mga mukha.

Masaya sila, nagbibiruan at nagkakantahan. May isang pares din silang tinutukso. Ngunit di sila maharot. Umaalis lang sila sa kanilang lugar upang makisilong sa panaka-nakang buhos ng ulan.

Naging mahaba ang aming paghihintay noong umagang iyon sa higit 10,000 panauhin mula sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Mindanao. Nalaman namin sa mga kasapi ng BHB na nangharang ang mga kagawad ng Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas (Philippine Army) sa isang baryo malapit sa haywey. Di na ako nagulat. Ginawa na rin nila ito noong huling nakadalo kami sa katulad na selebrasyon ng PKP noong 2010 sa kalapit ding lugar. Hinarang din nila ang nakapaketeng pagkain para sa mga panauhin.

Bago magtanghaling tapat, dagsa nang dumating ang libo-libong nagsipagdalo. Pagod sila dahil napilitan silang maglakad ng maraming kilometro sa maputik at matarik na kalsada makarating lamang. At tulad din noong 2010 muli kaming pinahanga sa kanilang tapang at determinasyon. Masayahin din ang lokal na mga mamamahayag kahit hinarang at tinuya rin sila ng mga sundalo ng pamahalaang Maynila.

Hindi naman binigo ng BHB ang mga dumalo. Masinop ang pormasyon ng isang buong kumpanya para sa pagkanta ng “Ang Internasyunal” sa pagsisimula ng programa. Sinundan ito ng mga sigaw ng “Mabuhi ang Partido Komunista sa Pilipinas!” mula sa mga nagsidalo—ispontanyo, madamdamin at nakapanindig-balahibo.

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Isa sa inabangan ang talumpati ni Madlos. Mas maigsi ang kanyang pananalita ngayon, pero marami pa ring palakpak ang tinanggap, lalo na noong sinabi niyang napanatili ang 46 na larangan ng BHB sa buong Mindanao at walang nadurog ang kanilang kaaway kahit isa man lamang. Sa kabilang banda, ayon kay Madlos, kasindami ng isang batalyong sundalo ng gobyerno ang kanilang napatay sa mahigit 300 na engkuwentro sa buong 2014.

Sentrong parte ng pagdiriwang ang “Peace Forum”. Pangalawang bahagi ito ng maghapon sanang programa. Dalawang Obispo, ilang pari, maraming madre at pastor ang dumalo sa bahagi ng sektor ng mga relihiyoso. Ang bise-gobernador ng Surigao del Sur na si Manuel Alameda naman ang nagtalumpati para sa lokal na mga ehekutibo. Nagtalumpati rin ang kinatawan ni Alkalde Rodrigo Duterte ng Lungsod ng Davao. Ang negosyador ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines na si Fidel Agcaoili ang tumanggap ng rekomendasyon ng iba’t ibang sektor na binigyang oras ding makapagpahayag. Isang tanging emisaryo naman ng Malakanyang ang naroon upang saksihan ang selebrasyon ng PKP at ang peace forum sa Mindanao. Nagkaisa ang lahat na itulak kapwa ang administrasyong Aquino at NDFP na ipagpatuloy ang pormal na usapang pangkapayapaan sa lalong madaling panahon.10270468_10153022879679866_1724159650343811471_n

Subalit ang presentasyon ng KM ang masasabing pinakamakulay na bahagi ng programa. Malikhain nilang inilarawan ang sa kanila’y mga suliranin ng lipunan na tinutugunan ng rebolusyong kanilang sinalihan. Ilan sa kanila ang gumanap bilang asendero, militar, imperyalista; ilan sa kanila ang gumanap bilang mga biktima ng karahansan, kahirapan at kawalang katarungan; ilan sa kanila ang gumanap bilang kabataang aktibistang namumulat sa kanilang tungkulin para sa bayan; at ang pinakagusto ng nanood ang pagganap nila bilang mga bagong mandirigma ng BHB. Di alintana ng mga nanood na di pantay-pantay ang antas ng husay ng pagganap ng mga kabataan. Ang gumanap na “Uncle Sam” ay tila nahihiya pa sa entablado, samantalang kuwelang-kuwela naman ang gumanap na “P-Noy.” Tila tatak na ng KM ng Surigao del Sur ang makulay nilang pintura sa mukha tuwing nagtatanghal sa pagdiriwang ng selebrasyon ng PKP kaya naman magkasindami ang larawan nila ng mga mandirigma ng BHB sa mga pahayagan at telebisyon kinabukasan.

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Di na nasaksihan ng kapwa niyang mga kagawad ng midya ang huling bahagi ng programa. Kinailangan na nilang bumalik sa kanilang pinanggalingan upang magsumite ng kanilng mga istorya. Subalit masaya rin ang bahaging ito ng pagdiriwang. Siyempre pa, di nagpahuli ang mga kabataan sa pakikipagtagisan ng galing sa pagkanta. Napa-indak nila ang mg beteranong mandirigma ng BHB maging sa kanilang mga kantang “hip-hop.” Kakaiba, di-inaasahan, subalit bakit hindi kung pareho lang ang mensahe ng mga ito sa ibang kantang progresibo?

Gabi na ulit nang kami’y makalabas dahil hindi kami nabalikan ng amin sanang sasakyan. Muling hinarang ng mga sundalo ng gobyerno ang kalsada ng baryong malapit sa haywey. Masaya ang paalamanan sa hawan at sa bukana ng baryong pinagdausan ng pagdiriwang. Kasama naming umalis ang maraming kasapi ng KM na anila’y babalik sa kanilang mga eskuwelahan at pamayanan. Ngunit napansin kong may mga kasapi silang nagpaiwan, kasama sina Madlos at ang BHB.

Sa kahabaan ng aking paglalakbay ng gabing iyon pabalik sa lungsod, hindi maiwasang sumaisip ang nakitang pagtitimbang ng mga bagay-bagay sa rebelyong pinamumunuan ng PKP. Matanda na nga ang kanilang partido sa 46 na taon, at higit na mahaba ang pag-aaklas ni Bonifaciong sinasabi nilang kanilang ipinagpapatuloy. Ngunit nakikita sa kabataan sa kanilang hanay na laging may bagong lakas na handang ialay ang sambayanan sa rebolusyon. RAYMUND B. VILLANUEVA

(Repost from PinoyWeekly)

Ka Oris: Patuloy na sumusulong ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa buong isla ng Mindanao

Panayam kay Ka Oris, Jorge Madlos, tagapagsalita ng National Democratic Front-Mindanao hinggil sa tagumpay na naabot ng Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) sa ika-46 taon ng pagkakatatag nito.

Marihatag, Surigao Del Sur
December 26, 2014

Despite rains and harassments, CPP in Mindanao celebrates 46th anniversary with impressive attendance

Marihatag, SURIGAO DEL SUR– Military harassments and heavy rains failed to dampen the anniversary celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in Northeastern Mindanao yesterday.

Thousands of members and supporters, as well as national legislators and local executives, trekked steep and muddy roads to attend one of the biggest public events in years held around a huge, tarpaulin-covered stage in a farming village of this town.

The underground party had foregone big celebrations since 2010, electing to donate its resources earmarked for such occasions to survivors of destructive typhoons Sendong, Pablo and Yolanda in succeeding years instead.

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 Philippine Army’s 401st Brigade put up barricades to prevent dozens of buses, trucks and smaller vehicles carrying thousands of attendees from proceeding to the event venue. Mindanao journalists were also delayed and were even taunted even after presenting identification.

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But the government soldiers were forced to allow the long convoy to proceed an hour later after Surigao del Sur vice governor Manuel Alameda helped in the negotiations. Alameda later delivered a short speech and a message from provincial governor Johnny Pimentel at the celebrations.

The harassments succeeded however in delaying the start of the formal program by more than two hours, even as New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas scrambled to put up tarpaulins against the intermittent rains.

There was no sign of any security tension as the program remained upbeat once it got started.

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National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)-Mindanao spokesperson Jorge Madlos revealed to Bulatlat that at least a battalion-sized “people’s militia” was deployed around the area to complement several company-sized units of the NPA in attendance.

A company of uniformed NPA guerillas stood at formation and presented arms as the communist anthem “Ang Internasyunal” was sung to start the program.

In his speech, Madlos, popularly known as Ka (Comrade) Oris, said the CPP’s maintained its 46 NPA fronts despite unrelenting attacks from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which poured 55 infantry battalions throughout the island.

The NPA in turn launched around 300 attacks throughout 2014 that inflicted casualties against the AFP that would cumulatively amount to a battalion-sized enemy unit, Madlos said.

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The CPP also announced it has active formations in urban areas in Mindanao, including Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Surigao, General Santos, Iligan, Zamboanga, Dipolog, Kidipawan, Cotabato and Tagum cities.

The CPP said its membership in Mindanao has increased to “tens of thousands, majority of whom are in barrios, factories, schools and communities,” without revealing exact numbers.

It said it maintained its organizational growth this year through ideological activities such as intermediate and advanced party courses among its members.

The CPP said it continues to exert strong influence on various sectors, including the religious, academic, legal and other middle forces, in their respective struggles against imperialism, local feudalism and graft and corruption in government.

The Party maintains relationships with different Bangsamoro organizations that are working for genuine autonomy, aside from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which “has turned its back on armed struggle,” Madlos said.

The NDFP spokesperson said that the grave conflicts among the ruling classes, represented by corrupt politicians, is weakening the dominant political system in the country. The Benigno Aquino III government exposes itself as a servant of the interests of United States imperialism, landlordism, and bureaucrat capitalism, he said.

These problems pushes the people towards the struggle for genuine change and serve as bases for the CPP’s people’s democratic revolution, Madlos said.

The CPP also took the opportunity to include a peace forum and consultation in the formal program of its 46th anniversary celebrations, marked by the presence of NDFP negotiating panel member Fidel Agcaoili.

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Agcaoili accepted a manifesto of support to the (Government of the Philippine[GPH]-NDFP)    peace talks and the Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Agenda from Sowing the Seeds of Peace- Mindanao Movement for a Just and Lasting Peace (SSP-MMJLP) represented in the forum in the by bishops, priests, pastors and nuns.

SSP-MMJLP’s eight-point agenda includes calls for genuine agrarian reform, national  industrialization and development, employment and respect of workers’ rights, socio-economic  and democratic rights, respect of rights of national minorities, nationalist and scientific culture,  independent foreign policy, and equitable resource allocation for Mindanao from the national  budget of the GPH.

The movement is composed of church leaders and workers, lawyers, human rights advocates, Bangsamoro organizations, and local government unit officials.

In his short acceptance speech, Agcaoili promised to submit the documents to his colleagues in the NDFP negotiating panel upon his return to The Hague, The Netherlands.

A cultural program followed the peace forum when various individuals and groups representing provinces and sectors performed.

After the program the NPA guerrillas gathered at a clearing to wave the last of the civilian attendees off. They also took turns exchanging pleasantries with other guerrillas belonging to other units while partaking of fresh fruits and cake given by sympathetic businessmen and politicians.

Meanwhile, AFP soldiers were stationed along the road leading to the national highway well after dusk, even as the NPA guerrillas have left the village. Military checkpoints still littered the roads along the length of the province well into the night, long after most of the attendees have reached their destinations.

(Repost from Bulatlat.com/Raymund Villanueva)

http://bulatlat.com/main/2014/12/27/despite-rains-and-harassmentscpp-in-mindanao-celebrates-46th-anniversary-with-impressive-attendance/

LARAWAN: Pinangunahan ng mga magsasaka at kanilang pamilya ang pagdalo sa ika-46 taong anibersaryo ng PKP sa kabila ng malakas na ulan at pagpigil ng mga sundalo ng gobyerno