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Various sectors vow support for peace talks continuation

Various sectors converged at the Palma Hall of the University of the Philippines last February 10 to urge President Rodrigo Duterte to let formal peace negotiations between his government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines continue.

Bayan Muna Karlos Ysagani Zarate said it would be a waste to terminate the peace talks given the many gains achieved in the last three rounds of the negotiations.

Here’s another video of the event. Read more

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

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

1 soldier killed, 5 injured in ongoing clash with NPA in Cagayan

FIGHTING between the Philippine Army (PA) and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sto. Niño, Cagayan erupted anew yesterday resulting in the wounding of five government troopers, a radio station reported.

Police Senior Inspector Rogelio Catubag of the Sto. Niño police station said the latest clash lasted for an hour, according to Bombo Radyo-Tuguegarao.

Reportedly injured were Sgt. Antonio G. Abarriao Jr., Sgt. Johndick T. Padua, Cpl. Orly C. Camarao, PFC Recher M. Basyagon and one Villamor Bumussao. Read more

Resume talks, not all-out war – peace advocates

By Mikhaela Dimpas, UP College of Mass Communications

VARIOUS sectors and peace advocates mobilized in front of University of the Philippines’ Palma Hall to remind the Duterte Administration that an all-out war against the New People’s Army is an all-out war against the people.

“Hindi na sila natuto sa leksiyon ng kasaysayan mula pa kay Marcos, Aquino, at Erap,” Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Ysagani Zarate said.

“Ang all-out war ay napakalaking pagkabigo na pigilan ang rebelyon,” he said. Read more

Artists’ Creed for Peace

Basic sectors, UP community, lawmakers urge resumption of peace talks

The University of the Philippines (U.P.) community led by Chancellor Michael Tan and Vice chancellor Nestor Castro welcomed representatives of basic sectors of workers, farmers, women and youth to call for the continuation of peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Rep. Carlos Zarate, joined by other members of the Makabayan bloc in Congress, announced that 103 lawmakers signed a House Resolution to continue the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. T

he gathering is one of simultaneous peace rallies of #peacetalksituloy held on February 10, 2017. Read more

Joma to Rody: Calm down, let’s talk

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

Ailing detainee back in jail after Duterte’s lifting of ceasefire

AN AILING political prisoner recuperating in a care facility had been taken back to jail last February 4 after President Rodrigo Duterte lifted his government’s unilateral ceasefire declaration with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Amelia Pond, teacher and curriculum developer of the Lumad school Salugpongan Ta ‘Tanu Igkanogon Learning Center (STTICLC), was brought back to Tagum District Jail by her police guards reportedly on “orders from the top.” Read more

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

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)