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CONTRIBUTED VIDEO: ‘Ka Roger’ feted anew at UP

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Five years after the Communist Party of the Philippines announced his death, the ashes of its late spokesperson Gregorio ‘Ka Roger’ Rosal was brought to the University of the Philippines for another grand tribute on the occasion of the New People’s Army’s 47th founding anniversary.

Hundreds of CPP members audaciously paraded on Metro Manila’s major streets to pay homage to one of its legendary leaders who throughout his life in the underground eluded arrest and death at the hands of government forces despite unceasing manhunts.

Among those paying tribute at the U.P. Theater are broadcasters Ed Lingao and Deo Macalma who both recalled their interviews with the charismatic rebel. Lingao and Macalma said they were surprised to learn that Rosal was a fellow broadcaster, having pioneered the underground station Radio Sierra Madre in the 80s. #

VIDEO: Northeastern Mindanao celebrates CPP 47th founding anniversary

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Despite checkpoints by the Philippine Army and threats by a paramilitary group that it will kill attendees, thousands of members, supporters and invited guests attended the grand Communist Party of the Philippines 47th founding anniversary celebrations in Northeastern Mindanao last December 26.

Here is a video of the singing of the communist hymn “Ang Internasyunal” led by a company  of New People’s Army fighters.

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

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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.

NPA in Mindanao grows, leaders say

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The Internationale. Part of a company of NPA guerrillas presenting arms as they sing the communist hymn “Ang Internasyunal” at the start of the CPP’s 47th founding anniversary.

 

Kitcharao, AGUSAN DEL NORTE—The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) further gained strength despite more than five years of brutal counter-insurgency operations by the Benigno Aquino government, a top rebel leader said during their 47th founding anniversary celebrations in this town last December 26.

National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Mindanao spokesperson Jorge ‘Ka Oris’ Madlos said that the New People’s Army (NPA) now has six more guerilla fronts from 40 at the start of the Aquino administration in five regions of Mindanao.

Madlos added that the NPA’s operations in Mindanao now cover 2,500 barrios from 1,850 five years ago.

“These ever expanding and deepening bases render great advantage to the NPA’s maneuver, the launching of tactical offensives (TO), the recruitment of Red fighters, the implementations of widespread agrarian revolution and the launching of mass struggles,” Madlos in a video message said.

A company of uniformed guerillas presented arms while the communist hymn “Ang Internasyunal” was sung to start a three-hour program marked with speeches, songs and skits that delighted the thousands of supporters, well-wishers and guests who attended the event.

The fact that a single NPA Front can organize and successfully hold a big public event despite threats and harassments by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Magahat paramilitary group is proof that Oplan (Operation Plan) Bayanihan 1 and 2 have failed, Guerilla Front 16 spokesperson Ka Utok said.

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Uniformed and fully armed. A platoon of red fighters in their uniform and high-powered arms such as AK-47s and M-16s with grenade launchers. They say most of their guns were won through victorious battles with Philippine government forces.

 

Threats and harassments

Government troops set up checkpoints on roads leading to the venue of the celebrations but were ignored by convoys of vehicles carrying visitors to the guerrillas’ celebrations.

More than a dozen journalists also covered the event despite threats by the Magahat paramilitary group that they would kill those who will cover the anniversary celebrations.

In a press conference after the main program, Utok and Front 16 political officer Ka Edroy condemned threats made by Magahat leader Loloy Tejero as part of a single act by the paramilitary group, the Philippine Information Agency and the Aquino government.

“It was the PIA who disseminated Tejero’s threat to kill journalists who will cover our celebrations and it is proof they are colluding in this criminal act,” Ka Edroy said.

Philippine Army public information officer Col. Benjamin Hao however belied the NPA’s accusation as well as claims of increased strength and influence.

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Loved and welcomed. A cultural presentation showing how the NPA guerillas are welcomed and loved by the masses.

No SOMO violations by Philippine Army

“The threat of the Magahats, if it is true, is of their own doing.  We do not have anything to do about it,” Hao said.

“If journalists have problems on that, we will provide necessary assistance if they request from us, the PNP (Philippine National Police) or they can file an appropriate case,” Hao added.

The government army spokesperson belied their checkpoints were directed against the NPA and their supporters. He said no operation is conducted to violate the suspension of military operations (SOMO) with the NPA. The checkpoints, Hao claimed, were for the tower posts of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

There were no reports of NGCP towers under threat of attack in Kitcharao town where the NPA held their celebrations, however.

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A big celebration. A huge crowd of supporters, well-wishers and guests attended the anniversary celebrations despite being organized and hosted by a single NPA front, the Guerilla Front 16 in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte. Insiders say GF 16 now has at least five full-sized companies.

 

AFP records

Hao also dismissed Madlos’s statements as “highly exaggerated”.

He said that based on AFP records, the NPA strength of 2,035 has gone down to 1,691 followers this year. He added that the NPA’s most significant decline is in the number of their guerilla fronts, which used to be 29 but is now down to 24.

Hao said further that out of the 547 NPA-influenced barangays, it is now down to 413.  On firearms count, he said the NPA lost 101 firearms this year.  “They also lost a lot of leaders, especially Commander Parago,” Hao added.

“These are contrary to what are being claimed by the NPA spokesman of Mindanao (Madlos)…So wherever he got his number, he is now accountable to his boss in The Netherlands,” Hao said, referring to CPP founder Jose Maria Sison.

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Huge crowd. Part of the crowd who braved the difficult trek up and down the mountainous village, Philippine Army checkpoints and the Magahat threat of murder against attendees.

Festive mood

Despite threats by the Magahat and the presence of checkpoints on roads leading to the venue, the celebrations started on time this year.

To the delight of the crowd, the performers did not mind rolling on the ground rendered muddy by the intermittent rains.

Unlike last year, tents were put up to protect the crowd from the sun and the rain.

Before lunch time, dozens of lechon (whole roast pig) arrived strapped on “skylab” motorcycles that were served with fried chicken and rice.

Youthful NPA fighters took over the stage and sang as their guests started trekking back down to the main roads at around two in the afternoon.

On spots along the mountain roads, skylabs laden with big canisters were parked and ice cream was offered for free to the visitors.

The Philippine Army checkpoint at the corner of the provincial road and the national highway was gone by the time the main body of the attendees made their way back home. # (News and photos by Raymund B. Villanueva)

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Ready to fight. While saying the Magahat group is not present in their area, Guerilla Front 16 said they are willing to face the paramilitary and the Philippine Army if they dared to disrupt their celebrations.

 

CPP’s 47th anniversary celebs in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte

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47th agusan
Ka Edroy, political officer of the New People’s Army’s Guerrilla Front 16 in Agusan del Norte, was among the leaders of today’s public celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ 47th anniversary.

About three thousand supporters and invitees braved the difficult terrain, intermittent rains and Philippine Army checkpoints to attend one of the rebels’ year’s biggest events.

The CPP and the NPA condemned threats made by the paramilitary group Magahat through one of its leaders Loloy Tejero earlier they will kill journalists who will cover the event.

“The fact that it was the Philippine Information Agency which spread the criminal threat against journalists by the bandit group Magahat shows that they are working together on this,” the guerrilla said.

He also condemned the AFP for putting up checkpoints on roads leading to the celebration site.

“They violate their own ceasefire declarations, because they should stay inside their camps and let the people attend our celebrations,” Edroy said.
The event ended at two o’clock with much singing led by the guerrillas themselves.

Agusan Del Norte
December 26, 2015

Revolutionary orgs stage lightning rally on eve of APEC

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REVOLUTIONARY ORGANIZATIONS under the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) staged a “lightning rally” as world leaders are due to arrive in the country for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit starting Monday.

Hundreds of revolutionaries marched on Manila’s crowded downtown area to condemn APEC as an imposition on poor countries like the Philippines.

“(We) vigorously condemn the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) as an imperialist instrument of plunder and greed,” the NDFP National Council said in a statement.

“The Filipino people have long suffered under the economic policies and multilateral agreements aggressively pushed by the APEC which have only ensured the interests of the advanced capitalist economies, especially that of the United States,” the underground alliance said.

Police officers in the area were caught flat-footed by the swift mobilization, which proceeded to march from the Carriedo area and dispersed at the corner of Recto Avenue and Quezon Boulevard.

The Benigno Aquino government has been implementing street-clearing operations and raising security alerts as it welcomes heads of states from dozens of countries, including United States president Barack Obama.

The revolutionaries distributed leaflets and painted slogans on walls as many of bystanders—mostly ambulant vendors—cheered from the sidelines.

The NDFP and its allied organizations are waging a “national democratic revolution” for nearly five decades, said to be the longest running revolution in Asia. #

Hindi na kaylanman sa batas militar: Hanguin ang mga aral

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(Repost)

Ito ay panayam kay Crisanta Gorospe, isang negosyante at magsasaka sa Mexico, Pampanga. Siya ay pinaghinalaan na sumusuporta sa mga NPA noong panahon ng batas militar at madalas na nire-raid ng mga sundalo ang kanilang bahay.

Mexico, Pampanga
September 17, 2014

NPA honors Parago with 21-gun salute

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A New People’s Army unit in the foothills of Mt Apo honored Leoncio “Commander Parago” with a military parade and a 21-gun salute two days after the late rebel leader was cremated in Davao City last July 10.

A platoon belonging to the NPA’s Mt. Apo Operational Command performed the rare ceremony for its “shining red star” in front of hundreds of civilian supporters and people’s militia members.

Pitao was killed by soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division in Davao City’s Paquibato District last June 28. The NPA said he was being treated for a variety of ailments when he was mowed down by gunfire along with medic Vanessa “Ka Kyle” Limpag.

The ceremony followed an unprecedented public wake, tribute and funeral march in a major Filipino city for a rebel attended by an estimated ten thousand supporters and friends, including national and local political and business leaders.

Led by Communist Party of the Philippines, NPA and National Democratic Front of the Philippines colors, the rebel troopers marched in single file into a clearing and performed rifle drills before consecutively firing their rifles.

They proceeded to present arms before singing Ang Internasyunal, the universal anthem of communist parties all over the world.

The audience joined in the singing of the anthem.

The ceremony ended with shouts of “Long live Ka Parago!”, “Long live the Filipino people!”, “Long live the New People’s Army” and “Long live the Communist Party of the Philippines!”

The 21-gun salute is traditionally a cannonade for surrendering ships but has developed through the centuries into an honorifical ceremony reserved for royalty, heads of state, high government officials and heroes, especially during important events and funerals using both cannons and rifles.

There is no universal pattern in performing the gun salute and every armed force may devise their own style.

Several NPA units around the country performed an honor drill and gun salute for the late CPP spokesperson Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal who died of natural causes in 2011.

“Ka Teo,” a veteran NPA fighter who once fought and worked with Pitao, described their fallen hero as an extraordinary leader who was a brilliant military tactician and inspiring revolutionary.

“The many military tactics that we use today to defeat the enemy were devised by Kumander Parago. His brilliance is proven by the fact that our casualties are always fewer than the number of our enemies killed and wounded in battle,” he said.

Teo said that Pitao’s influence was a major factor in his decision to become a full time NPA fighter in the 1980s.

“He did not convince us in so many words. His examples were enough for us to commit our lives to the revolution,” Teo said.

Ka Karen, a local Makabayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan member, said they will never forget Pitao who they consider their hero.

“He inspired us to stand and fight for a society that is just to women, peasant and Lumad,” she said.

“Contrary to what the Armed Forces of the Philippines said, his death does not weaken our resolve to push the revolution forward. His death strengthens our determination to defeat the enemies of the people,” Karen said.

The NPA usually holds public parades during the CPP’s anniversary on December 26, but only when both the CPP and the Philippine government reciprocally declare ceasefires in observance of the Yuletide season. These parades do not include live fire salutes.

The AFP often violates these ceasefires, however, by putting up roadblocks and harassing the NPA’s civilian supporters, even media persons and local and national government officials who wish to cover or attend the rebel’s celebrations.

Last year, Philippine Army soldiers in Surigao del Sur tried to prevent Bayan Muna representative Carlos Ysagani Zarate and special envoy for the peace negotiations Hernani Braganza from attending the CPP’s 46th anniversary celebrations and peace consultations in Marihatag town. The presence of Surigao del Sur vice governor Manuel Alameda in behalf of governor Johnny Pimental also did not deter the troopers from violating their own government’s ceasefire declaration.

As a rebel guerrilla force, the NPA can only hold open celebrations, especially involving live gunfire, in areas where it enjoys strong support from the residents.

The NPA’s Mt Apo Operational Command includes the First Pulang Bagani (Red Warrior) Battalion and other company-sized formations. Pitao was the most famous commander of this famed command known for conducting the most audacious operations in the rebel army’s history. (Jola Diones-Mamangun, Earl Condeza/Davao Today and Raymund B. Villanueva. Text by R. Villanueva)

PEACE TALKS UPDATE: Sino si Kumander Parago?
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PARANGAL KAY KASAMANG LEONCIO PITAO (KUMANDER PARAGO)

Ni Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Founding Chairman, Communist Party of the Philippines
Chief Political Consultant, National Democratic Front of the Philippines
June 29, 2015

Kasama ako ng sambayanang Pilipino, rebolusyonaryong gobyerno ng bayan, Partido Komunista ng PIlipinas (Communist Party of the Philippines-CPP), Bagong Hukbong Bayan (New People’s Army-NPA), at Pambansang Nagkakaisang Prente ng Pilipinas (National Democratic Front of the Philippines-NDFP) mga rebolusyonaryong organisasyong masa at iba pang rebolusyonaryong pwersa sa pagdadalamhati sa pagkamatay ni Kasamang Leoncio Pitao (Kumander Parago) at sa pagbubunyi sa mga tagumpay na nakamit niya mula nang sumapi siya sa NPA noong 1978 hanggang sa kanyang pagkamartir nitong Hunyo 28, 2015.

Marapat at angkop lamang na idulot nating lahat sa kanya ang Pulang saludo at pinakamataas na paggalang at karangalan sa kanyang paglilingkod sa sambayanang Pilipino at pandaigdigang proletaryado. Siya ay dakilang makabayan, katangitanging Komunistang mandirigma at rebolusyonaryong kumander. Makabuluhan ang kanyang mga ambag at ang kataas-taasang pagpapakasakit alang-alang sa demokratikong rebolusyon ng sambayanang Pilipino tungo sa kalayaang pambansa at panlipunan laban sa dayuhang monopolyo kapitalismo, pyudalismo at burukrata kapitalismo.

Tapat si Kasamang Leoncio Pitao (Ka Parago) sa teorya at praktika ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo at matagumpay niya itong ipinatupad kasama ang iba pang mga kasama at masa sa Rehiyon ng Katimugang Mindanao (Southern Mindanao Region). Namukod-tangi siyang kadre ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas at kumander ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan. Itinaguyod niya ang Ikalawang Dakilang Kilusang Pagwawasto at isinulong niya ang pagpapalawak ng Partido, hukbong bayan at nagkakaisang prente.

Sa pagsusulong ng digmang bayan, kanyang pinagsanib ang rebolusyonaryong pakikibaka sa reporma sa lupa at pagtatayo ng mga organo ng kapangyarihang pampulitika at ng mga organisasyong masa. Inilapat niya ang linya ng masaklaw at masikhay ng digmang gerilya batay sa lumalawak at lumalalim na baseng masa. Pinaunlad niya ang mahigpit na pakikipag-ugnayan sa mamamayang anakpawis, sa mamamayang indigena at sa mga alyado.

Taglay niya ang kadalubhasaan ng estratehiya at taktika ng digmang gerilya, angkop na gumagamit ng konsentrasyon, pagpakakalat at paglipat-lipat batay sa pangagailangan sa agos ng digmang makilos. Nakilala siya sa labas at loob ng bansa dahil sa kanyang mga rebolusyonaryong tagumpay bilang kumander ng First Pulang Bagani Company sa Southern Mindanao Region.

Dahil sa wastong linyang pampulitika at sa kanyang mabisang taktikal na pamumuno, ang magiting at marangal na kumpanyang ito ay umunlad tungo sa pagiging unang Pulang Bagani Battalion. Batay sa Southern Mindanao Command, si Ka Parago ang nagplano at namuno sa di-mabilang na operasyon ng pagdisarma noong 1980s at 1990s, pagkakaaresto kay General Obillo at Capt. Montealto noong 1999, reyd sa Davao Penal Colony at maraming iba pang taktikal na opensiba.

Dinakip si Ka Parago noong Nobyembre 1999 at ipiniit na mag-isa sa punong himpilan ng ISAFP sa Camp Aguinaldo. Inalok siya ng kaaway ng malaking halagang suhol para lisanin at itakwil ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan. Ngunit kagyat niya itong tinanggihan at itinaguyod ang kanyang katapatan at pangako sa sambayanang Pilipino at sa rebolusyon.

Kinausap ng mga abugado ng Public Interest Law Center at ng Departmento ng Hustisya ang hukuman na palayain si Ka Parago bilang pagpapakita ng Pamahalaan ng Republikang Pilipinas ng katapatang-loob para sa negosasyong pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng GRP-NDFP. Sa panahong ito, nakadalaw kay Ka Parago ang tagapangulo ng NDFP Negotiating Panel na si Luis Jalandoni at isa pang myembro nito na si Coni Ledesma at nakapagdaos sila ng press conference na kasama siya. Si Ka Parago ay pinalaya mula sa bilangguan noong 2001.

Pagkalaya niya, nagdesisyon si Ka Parago na muling sumama sa mga kasama sa kanayunan. At mula noon patuloy siyang nag-alay ng namumukod-tanging paglilingkod sa rebolusyonaryong mithiin ng sambayanang Pilipino laluna sa larangang digma. Labis ang pagkamuhi sa kanya ng kaaway kung kaya dinukot, tinortyur, ginahasa at pinatay ng mga ahenteng militar ang kanyang 22 edad na anak na si Rebelyn, isang guro at itinapon ang kanyang bangkay sa isang kanal sa Panabo City noong 2009. Ang barbaridad na ito ay nagdulot ng matinding galit sa hanay ng mga mamamayan at mga organisasyo ng karapatang-tao sa Pilipinas, gayundin sa ibang mga bansa.

Sa kabila ng pagkadukot, tortyur, paggahasa at pagpaslang sa kanyang anak, nagpatuloy siya bilang maprinsipyong rebolusyonaryo na gumagalang sa patakarang ng CPP at NPA sa maayos na pagtrato sa mga bihag ng digma gayundin sa International Humanitarian Law kaugnay ng paggalang sa karapatang-tao ng mga naturang bihag. Taglay ang karunungan pampulitika naglabas siya ng pahayag na tumiyak sa pamilya ng mga upisyales at tauhan ng kaaway na walang magaganap na paghihiganti sa kanila. Bilang katarungan sa ilalim ng gubyerno ng bayan, hiningi niya ang parusa para lamang sa mga tukoy na dumukot at pumatay sa kanyang anak.

Napakamatagumpay ang mga taktikal na opensibang pinamunuan ni Ka Parago kaya madalas mangyari na may mga sundalong nabibihag. Siya at ang mga Pulang mandirigma sa ilalim ng kanyang kumand ay gumagamit lamang ng kailangang pwersa upang kamtin ang tagumpay. Ngunit sila ay mapagbigay at mabait sa mga upisyales at tauhan ng kaaway na sumuko o nakaligtas sa labanan. Iginagalang nila ang mga bangkay ng mga napatay. Ang mga sugatan ay ginagamot ng mga medics ng NPA. Ang mga bihag ay tumatanggap ng parehong pagkain ng mga mandirigma ng NPA. Sila ay pinalalaya sa pinakamaagang panahon bastat sila ay walang seryosong pagkakasalang kriminal.

Matagal-tagal na ring maysakit na diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hepatitis at altapresyon si Ka Parago. Nasa pangangalagang medikal nang siya ay pinatay. Pinayuhan siya ng mga kasama na magpagamot sa labas ng kanyang erya ng kumand ngunit nagpumilit siyang manatiling malapit sa masa. Napatunayan ng imbestigasyong ginawa ng rebolusyonaryong awtoridad na nireyd ng kaaway noong June 28, 2015, 2:30 ng hapon ang Purok 9 ng barangay Pañalum sa distrito ng Paquibato sa Lunsod ng Davao kung saan nasa pangangalagang medikal si Ka Parago, at walang nangyaring sagupaan sa pagitan ng mga yunit ng NPA at ng kaaway.

Agad pinaulanan ng awtomatikong bala ng kaaway si Ka Parago nang siya ay mamataan. Ang kanyang di-armadong tagapangalagang medikal na si Ka Kyle o Vanessa Limpag ay nakapagtaas ng kanyang mga kamay at nakasigaw na siya ay isang medik. Ngunit hinabas pa rin siya ng mga paputok ng kaaway. Tinanggal na ng kaaway ang litrato at video na una nitong inilabas na nagpapakitang si Ka Parago ay nakadamit pambahay at nakayapak, may dalawang ripleng armalite na halatang inilapat sa tabi ng kanyang katawan at sa katawan ni Ka Vanessa para lamang retratuhan.

Ang kaaway sa propaganda nito ay ipinagyayabang ang brutal na pagpaslang nito kay Ka Parago at kanyang medik. Ipinagyayabang nito na ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan ay papalubog na. Bulag sa katotohanan na bago nila patayin si Ka Parago, nagawa na niyang turuan at sanayin ang maraming kahaliling rebolusyonaryo sa loob ng 37 taon ng rebolusyonaryong pakikibaka. Nitong nakaraang mga taon, buwan at araw, tumanggap ng nakamamatay na dagok mula sa NPA sa Southern Mindanao Region ang reaksyunaryong armadong pwersa at mga di katanggap–tanggap na dayuhang monopolyong empresa.

Patuloy si Ka Parago na nabubuhay at lumalaban para sa pambansang kalayaan at demokrasya sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga tagapagpatuloy sa loob ng CPP, NPA at kilusang masa. Sa kanyang pagkamartir, ang mga humalili sa kanya ay lalong humahango sa kanya ng inspirasyon at higit na determinadong makibaka para sa isang bago at mas maayos na mundo.

Ang reaksyunaryong armadong pwersa ay nagkonsentra ng mahigit sa 50 porsyento ng kanilang lakas sa Silangang Mindanao sa bigong pag-asang gapiin ang NPA sa erya noon pa man. Ngunit sa loob ng erya, ang NPA ay mayroong sapat na lugar upang magniobra. Ginagamit din ng pwersa ng NPA ang bentahe ng bawas na lakas ng reaksyunaryong armadong pwersa sa ibang bahagi sa Mindanao at sa Visayas at Luzon upang maglunsad ng mga taktikal na opensiba. Ang mga ito ay hindi ganap na nailalathala ng burges na masmidya.

Walang paraan ang mga imperyalista at lokal na reaksyunaryo na pigilin ang paglaki ng CPP, NPA, mga organisasyong masa at organo ng kapangyarihang pampulitika dahil ang krisis ng pandaigdigang sistemang kapitalista at naghaharing sistema sa bansa ng mga kumprador at panginoong maylupa ay higit pang lumalala, at ang malawak na masa ng mamamayan ay muhing-muhi sa di-matiis na mga kundisyon ng pang-aapi at pagsasamantala at minimithi nila ang rebolusyonaryong pagbabago.

Mabuhay ang alaala ni Kasamang Leoncio Pitao!
Isulong ang rebolusyonaryong adhikain na kanyang ipinaglaban at pinag-alayan ng buhay!
Mabuhay ang rebolusyonaryong pakikibaka sa Mindanao, Visayas at Luzon!
Isulong ang rebolusyong Pilipino! Mabuhay ang mamamayang Pilipino!

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