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Thursday, March 29, 2012
Deles welcomes MILF bid to forge united front for peace with MNLF * Printer-friendly version
links: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/deles-welcomes-milf-bid-forge-united-front-peace-mnlf-0
Deles welcomes MILF bid to forge united front for peace with MNLF
The peace adviser said that the two groups should talk and settle their differences because that's the only way for permanent peace to reign in the region.
“We cannot see the way to a lasting peace if the MILF and the MNLF are at cross-purposes with each other,” she added, stressing that the current negotiations with the MILF involve the same core territory and the same people that are already the subject of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) with the MNLF.
In this context, "the government is pushing for a convergence framework that will join together three strands to bring permanent peace in Mindanao,” explained Deles.
The three strands in the Mindanao peace process are the negotiations for a final negotiated settlement with the MILF, the completion of the implementation of the 1996 FPA with the MNLF, and the roadmap for reform and development of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
On the first strand, peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF is “moving forward” despite difficulties, according to Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel chair Dean Marvic Leonen during the 26th GPH-MILF formal exploratory talks held in Kuala Lumpur on March 19 to 21.
Both parties will continue their discussions on substantive issues in April wherein the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is expected to sit as observer after the parties approved their request through their Office of the Secretary-General.
On the second strand, the OIC, GPH and MNLF recently concluded the tripartite review of the implementation of the 1996 FPA during the 2nd Ad Hoc High-Level Group Meeting early this month in Bandung, Indonesia. Deles related that the tripartite process is not to renegotiate the FPA, but rather to review its implementation towards its full compliance.
The third and last strand, on the other hand, is “now firmly in place with the installation of an appointive OIC regional government in the ARMM,” the peace adviser said.
Under the leadership of OIC Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman and Vice-Governor Bainon Karon, a respected MNLF veteran, "new energies are being unleashed in the ARMM to push reforms, side by side with massive financial infusion for social services and infrastructures into the area – all in accordance with the President's daang matuwid (straight path)."
ARMM reforms center on three areas, namely: governance with a special focus on making the bureaucracy functional, electoral reforms, and eradication of corruption with a priority on the regional Department of Education; peace and security with special focus on regulating the proliferation of loose firearms and neutralization of private armies; and socio-economic reform with special focus on enterprise and livelihood development. #
OPPAP Website
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/
links:
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/deles-welcomes-milf-bid-forge-united-front-peace-mnlf-0
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/
links:
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/milf/news/deles-welcomes-milf-bid-forge-united-front-peace-mnlf-0
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People’s war in Mindanao is gaining ground in spite of the OPB brutal suppression
links: http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/03/statement-on-43rd-founding-anniversary.html#more
People’s war in Mindanao is gaining ground in spite of the OPB brutal suppression
NDFP-Mindanao
March 29, 2012
Statement on the 43rd Founding Anniversary of the New People’s Army
The revolutionary movement in Mindanao has comprehensively advanced in the last five years and more so in the first two years of the US-Aquino regime in all spheres of our people’s war in spite of the widespread and intensified Oplan Bayanihan (OPB) brutal suppression campaign. The New People’s Army is becoming stronger; the agrarian revolution has deepened and expanded; the mass base and organized masses have increased; the revolutionary political influence has broadened, the Party that leads the struggle has strengthened and rooted more deeply among the masses. We are clearly gaining ground in our march towards the fulfillment of our tasks set forth by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
With these hard-earned victories, and on the occasion of the 43rd founding anniversary of the New People’s Army, it is but fitting that we lead the people in congratulating our Red fighters and Commanders, and all the revolutionary forces in Mindanao and the whole country. We also salute and honor our revolutionary martyrs and heroes whose ultimate sacrifices serve as one boundless source of inspiration in carrying forward our current urgent task – that of fulfilling the requirements of the strategic stalemate stage of our people’s war in the next few years and until victory.
We have maintained 42 guerilla fronts island-wide and increased the number of company-sized fronts. Through their own efforts and with the help of the relatively strong regions, the relatively weak regions have gradually expanded and consolidated their sub-regions and fronts, and in the next one or two years they will be able to march in step with the rest of the NPA regions in the whole archipelago. We have formed additional platoons and increased our armed strength by almost 20%, thereby increasing our capacity to launch more widespread and intensive tactical offensives.
In fact, in the past one year and three months the NPA in Mindanao has launched around 600 annihilative, attritive and punitive tactical offensives distributed island-wide (or about 1-2 tactical offensives daily), inflicting more than a battalion fatalities to the enemy’s demoralized fascist troops. This is a marked increase from the 250 tactical offensives in 2010. The NPA has also heavily punished highly exploitative, oppressive and ecologically-destructive large-scale mining, logging and plantations of the imperialists, big comprador bourgeoisie and big landlords, such as the Tag-anito nickel mines and Sumitomo nickel plant, SMI-Xstrata, Toronto Ventures, Russel Mining, Dole-Stanfilco, Sumifru, Del Monte plantations, and others.
The number of barrios covered by our Party and Red army’s political work has increased, thereby greatly expanding our mass base to a million, establishing organs of political power, broadening our united front, consolidating our guerilla zones and base areas. This provides more opportunity for the NPA to launch extensive and intensive guerilla warfare based on an ever deepening and widening mass base.
Agrarian revolution as the main content of the people’s democratic revolution has become widespread and increasingly intense, economically benefitting hundreds of thousands of the peasant population in Mindanao, and in turn strengthening their political power. We have raised the struggle for agrarian reform from the barrio level to the municipal, inter-municipal, provincial and even regional level.
The people’s open anti-fascist, anti-feudal and anti-imperialist mass struggles against the current reactionary US-Aquino regime have also intensified. The escalating brutality and human rights violations of the fascist state apparatus have fanned the people’s ire. Indignation protest actions have been launched against the state-sponsored extra-judicial killings such as the cold blooded murder of Fr. Pops Tentorio, Ramon Batoy, Jimmy Liguyon, other mass leaders and activists, including media personalities and other victims.
The fascist regime has increasingly terrorized peasant and lumad communities, through indiscriminate aerial bombardments, shelling, and strafing that caused the dislocation, evacuation and extreme suffering of the people in Caraga, Davao, Bukidnon, Cotabato and other provinces in Mindanao. The people have launched massive protest actions on oil price increases, tuition fee hike and other student issues, environmental destruction caused by large scale mining, logging and plantation, massive land-grabbing of peasant lands, and the US Balikatan exercises, and the US troops’ atrocities.
The five regional Party committees in Mindanao have expanded their membership by more than 30% and have strengthened their ideological, political and organizational leadership among the ranks and units of the NPA, in the barrios, communities, factories, the mass organizations and alliances. More than 90% of their Party members among the ranks of the NPA have completed the study of the Basic Party Course, although only about 30% among the local Party branches have taken it. The study of the Intermediate Course has been undertaken by the regional, provincial or sub-regional and front level party cadres, including some section level cadres. The Advanced Course is being conducted on the regional level paving the way for more provincial or sub-regional and front level cadres to undergo this course the next two years.
Our resounding victories in the last two years have clearly belied the claim of the US-Aquino regime that its OPB suppression campaign against the revolutionary movement in Mindanao is succeeding. In truth, the revolutionary forces in Mindanao have grown bigger and stronger, even faster during the first two years of the US-Aquino regime than during the failed and much-hated Oplan Bantay Laya brutal campaign of the US-Arroyo regime.
The AFP has thrown three divisions, numbering 36 infantry battalions, and has launched sustained and simultaneous attacks against all NPA fronts in Mindanao. In the past two years the revolutionary forces in Southern Mindanao Region have frustrated the OPB brutal suppression campaign led by the Eastern Mindanao Command of the AFP (EASTMINCOM) and the region came out stronger than ever. Of late, it is North Eastern Mindanao Region’s (NEMR) turn to once again frustrate the EastMinCom-supervised military campaign by launching a combination of some annihilative tactical offensives in the midst of widespread, intense and highly mobile attritive actions. Since January 2011 the enemy casualties in NEMR reached a record high of almost 300 – around 200 of which are counted as killed in action and 100, wounded. Over-all, the revolutionary forces in the island have seized and maintained the initiative and flexibility against concentrated and sustained enemy encirclement in two regions and containment attacks in the other three regions.
The current political and economic situation of our country is irreversibly deteriorating in the midst of the worsening worldwide imperialist crisis. This is an extremely favorable condition for the fulfillment of our tasks. We must resolutely continue to heighten the momentum we have so far attained with unwavering determination to carry forward our people’s war to the higher stage in the next few years. But on top of these, we must master the art of mobilizing the masses, unleashing their revolutionary potentials to the fullest.
We must launch the anti-feudal struggle as the key link to arouse, organize and mobilize the masses in their millions. Economic gains achieved through agrarian revolution must serve as a motivation for the peasant masses to launch mass movement for political propaganda and education, mass movement for organizing and actual confrontations against class enemy targets. The struggle for economic benefits must translate into building and strengthening the people’s political power, and specially in supporting the armed revolution. In every turn of mass action, more and more people must be politically educated and organized and raised accordingly as the agrarian struggle heightens.
Getting new recruits, upgrading the organization of the NPA, and training and arming are a must. But this is not enough. We must be able to fully mobilize the masses by organizing more and more units of the Milisyang Bayan, Self Defense Units, and Self Defense Corps; training and arming them; and directly mobilizing the masses in tactical offensives, intelligence, recruitment, production, supplies and logistics, and other such tasks.
The masses launching the agrarian revolution would realize the necessity for a vibrant Party to lead such struggle, hence the need for Party-building among their ranks. Launching a widespread and intensified anti-feudal struggle would, therefore, accelerate the expansion and consolidation of our Party organization, and solve our problem of overdue ideological education by launching the mass campaign for the Basic Party Course. Thus we would see Marxism-Leninism–Maoism taking deeper root among the broad masses.
The growing anti-fascist, anti-feudal and anti-imperialist mass movement in the urban and town centers must be able to catch up with the growing need for the support to armed struggle even as it projects and supports the legitimacy of the national democratic movement as a whole. We specially challenge the youth to join the New People’s Army and play a vital role to respond to the need for political officers and cadres of our growing NPA forces.
Without the People’s Army, the people have nothing against the intensifying exploitation and oppression of the ruling class. In the same vein, the New People’s Army without the people is nothing. Only through the strong support of the broad masses of the people will the NPA succeed in its central task to smash the reactionary state apparatus and build a truly democratic people’s government. Thus, today, on the occasion of the 43rd founding anniversary of the NPA, we call on all the oppressed and exploited Filipino people to unite and support our army – the New People’s Army.
Long Live the New People’s Army!
Long Live the United Filipino People!
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Website PRWC
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/
links:
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/03/statement-on-43rd-founding-anniversary.html#more
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/
links:
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/03/statement-on-43rd-founding-anniversary.html#more
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Thursday, March 22, 2012
Help for crossfire victims pour in
From the Website of AFP - GPH
link: http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/news/77-pa-news/1059-help-for-crossfire-victims-pour-in
Help for crossfire victims pour in
- Created on Wednesday, 29 February 2012 09:30
- Last Updated on , 30 November -0001 08:00
- Published on Wednesday, 29 February 2012 09:30
- Written by PAO, Army
FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – The family of the crossfire victims has received various assistance from both the military and the local chief executive of Camarines Norte, an Army official said.
Major Harold M Cabunoc, the Army Spokesperson, revealed that Camarines Norte Governor Edgardo “Egay” Tallado has provided burial assistance for the two crossfire victims who died in an encounter between the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and Army soldiers in Malaya village, Labo town two days ago.
Meanwhile, Tallado has also directed the provincial police to expedite the conduct of thorough investigation that will shed light on the circumstances behind this incident. Tallado has also called on both the military and the communist rebels to do its best in avoiding collateral damage by avoiding populated areas. The military authorities in Bicol have promptly extended assistance to the family of the crossfire victims.
"I have taken an amount from our meager resources to immediately provide help to the family of the victims. I also coordinated with the office of the Governor for additional assistance that will alleviate their hardships," said Lt Col Epimaco Macalisang, the Commander of the 49th Infantry Battalion. While awaiting for the result of the PNP investigation, a parallel investigation is also conducted by the 9th Infantry Division to look into the details that led to the clash between the soldiers and the communist rebels.
AFP-GPH Website
http://www.afp.mil.ph/
link:
http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/news/77-pa-news/1059-help-for-crossfire-victims-pour-in
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Japan to sign 8 J-BIRD Projects today
links: http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2590:japan-to-sign-8-j-bird-projects-today&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
Japan to sign 8 J-BIRD Projects today
- Hits: 325
March 22, 2012: The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines had approved eight (8) projects under the scheme Japan – Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) with the prime intention to push forward the ongoing peace process in Mindanao.
Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe will lead the Signing Ceremony for the Project Grant Contracts to be held at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in Manila tomorrow.
Local government units, government schools and nongovernment organizations (NGOs), being the grantees, will implement the projects that caters for social development and community empowerment in the conflict - affected areas in Mindanao.
According to the Japan Embassy website, J-BIRD was launched in 2006 to pursue Japan's commitment to the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Since its launching, Japan has already supported 58 grassroots projects in the total amount of 4.7 million US dollars or about 243 million pesos.
The event will be witnessed by OPAPP Secretary Teresita “Ging” Quintos-Deles, and Major General Dato’ Abdul Rahim Bin Mohd Yusoff, Head of Mission of the International Monitoring Team (IMT).
Japan is a member of the International Contact Group for the Peace Talks between the GPH and MILF, and also has two experts on socio-economic development as contingents joining the International Monitoring Team (IMT).
“These projects exemplify Japan's active role in the reconstruction and development of Mindanao. In this context , Japan strongly supports the efforts by all parties concerned to end the long - standing conflict in Mindanao through the peace process, and strongly hopes that peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will come up with negotiated and peaceful settlement to end the decades-long armed conflict and for the people to earn the dividends of peace.”
MILF Website
http://www.luwaran.com/home/
links:
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2590:japan-to-sign-8-j-bird-projects-today&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
http://www.luwaran.com/home/
links:
http://www.luwaran.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2590:japan-to-sign-8-j-bird-projects-today&catid=31:general&Itemid=41
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Paglilinaw ng Jose Rapsing Command sa Pahayag ng 9ID sa serye umano ng labanan noong Marso 19, 2012
links: http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/
Paglilinaw ng Jose Rapsing Command sa Pahayag ng 9ID sa serye umano ng labanan noong Marso 19, 2012
Jose Rapsing Command BHB--Masbate
Marso 20, 2012
Nais ilinaw ng Jose Rapsing Command ang sinasabing sunud-sunod na mga labanan ng militar at NPA sa probinsya ng Masbate kung saan nakakuha umano ng maraming armas at namatay ang tatlong pulang mandirigma noong Marso 19, 2012.
Ang totoong nangyari ay pumusisyon ang isang iskwad ng NPA sa isang lugar upang abangan ang pagdaan ng mga sundalo ng Alpha Company ng 9th Infantry Battalion at 93rd Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC) na noon ay naiulat ng masa na nagsasagawa ng operasyong-militar sa interyor na bahagi ng mga bayan ng Dimasalang at Palanas.
Habang nasa pusisyon ay nag-ulat ang masa ng kahina-hinalang tao na di nila kilala at sumisilip sa direksyon ng pwesto ng mga pulang mandirigma. Dahil dito ay lihim na nagbago ng pusisyon ang iskwad at nagmatyag sa mangyayari.
Hindi nagtagal ay dumating ang isang platun ng mga sundalo at pumusisyon sa isang bahagi ng kalupaan sa unahan lang ng dating pusisyon ng mga pulang mandirigma. Hindi pa nagtatagal ay lumapit din ang isa pang grupo ng mga sundalo mula sa ibang direksyon at walang sabi-sabi na nagputukan ang dalawang grupo na di na siguro nagkakilala dahil sa papadilim na ang paligid.
Walang puknat na putukan at sigawan ang nangyari. Pagkaraan ng halos 30 minutos na putukan ay mukhang nagrabe ang isang grupo ng mga sundalo at nagkahalataan na sigurong pare-pareho silang mga militar. Pero sa ikinabigla ng mga pulang mandirigma na nasa di-kalayuang bahagi ay kahit sumisigaw na ang iba na sundalo rin sila at pareho silang nasa serbisyo ay tuluy-tuloy pa ring nilusob ng isang platun ang kanilang kasamahan at kahit may nagmamakaawang mga sundalo ay paisa-isang pinaputukan ng lumulusob na mga sundalo.
Sa halip na tulungan ang kanilang kasamahan -- siguro dahilan sa takot at kahihiyan o di kaya ay talagang kumbinsidong mga pulang mandirigma ang kanilang napatay ay pinagkukuha pa ng mga sundalo ang ilang kagamitan at armas ng mga kapwa sundalo at mabilis na tumakas patungo sa kanilang himpilan. Tamang-tama naman na ang ikatlo pang platun ng mga sundalo ay dumating sa pinangyarihan at agad ding nagpaputok ng mga baril na lalong nagpakumplika sa kalagayan nila.
Sa panahong ito ay nagmaniobra na rin palayo ang mga pulang mandirigma at ang masa na lamang ang nagbalita na inabot halos ng umaga ang mga sasakyan ng militar sa paghakot ng kanilang mga patay at sugatang kasamahan.
Ang sampung baril na umano'y nakumpiska ng mga sundalo mula sa mga pulang mandirigma ay malamang na ang mga baril ng kanilang kasamahan na binitbit ng isang platun ng mga sundalo na nakapatay sa marami nilang kasamahan. Buong pagmamalaking iprinisinta ang mga ito sa kanilang himpilan na walang kaalam-alam na sa kanilang kasamahan ang mga baril, o di kaya'y itinuloy na lang ang pagpapanggap na mga pulang mandirigma ang kanilang napatay para makalusot sa malaking kahihiyan.
Maaaring walang kaalam-alam si Col. Jun Pacatan sa totoong nangyari kaya agad itong nag-ulat sa kanyang mga upisyal sa 9th Infantry Division ng pekeng report ng umano'y tagumpay ng kanyang mga tauhan o di kaya naman ay sinasadya nitong pagtakpan ang kanilang malaking pagkakamaling militar.
Aaminin naming malaking bentahe sa panig ng mamamayan at Bagong Hukbong Bayan ang kapalpakan at pagkakamaling-militar ng 9th IB na tuluy-tuloy na nagpapahirap sa mga mamamayan ng Masbate at nagmamaskara pang mabait habang ang katotohanan ay wala silang pinag-iba sa mga kriminal na sangkot sa panggagahasa, pagsalbeyds, iligal na droga at nitong huli ay ang pagpatay sa sarili nilang mga kasamahan.
Pero nalulungkot din kami para sa mga ordinaryong sundalong pumasok sa AFP sa hangaring matulungan ang kanilang pamilya ngunit namamatay sa mga labanan at mga mis-encounter habang ang kanilang mga opisyal at pinagsisilbihang malalaking pulitiko ay nagpapasarap sa mga maluluhong himpilan at opisina.
Nananawagan kami sa mga sundalong di pa lulong sa kasamaan at bisyo na gawin ang lahat para di masangkot sa mga masasamang gawi at maging kasangkapan sa pagpapahirap sa mga mamamayan, talikuran ang mga mapagsamantala at mapang-aping uri, at kung kaya na ng kanilang kalooban ay sumapi sa hanay ng mga "soldados san pobre" - ang New People's Army.
PRWC Website
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/
links:
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/
links:
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/
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Karahasang militar sa EV
links: http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/03/karahasang-militar-sa-ev.html#more
Karahasang militar sa EV
Ang Bayan
March 21, 2012
Download PDF here
Matitinding paglabag sa karapatang-tao at dislokasyon sa kabuhayan ng mga mamamayan sa Eastern Visayas (EV) ang idinudulot ng malawakang militarisasyon sa tabing ng "peace and development" ng Oplan Bayanihan. Sinimulan ng 8th Infantry Division ng Philippine Army ang mga operasyong militar noong Pebrero 27.
Noong Marso 4, bandang hatinggabi, dinukot ng mga sundalo ng 87th IB sina Barangay Kagawad Artemio Labong at ang kanyang anak na si Ruel, 21 taong gulang, sa Barangay Pagsanjan, Paranas, Samar. Ininteroga at tinortyur muna sa kanilang bahay si Artemio sa harap ng kanyang 12 taong gulang na anak na babae. Sa kabila ng sinasabi ng 8th ID na ang mga sundalo ay naroon para sa "kapayapaan at kaunlaran," todo-todong armado ang mga ito.
Araw-araw umiikot-ikot ang mga helikopter sa mga baryo dahil may nasalakay umanong kampo ng BHB. Nagbunsod ito ng takot sa mga residente. Dagdag pa, natakot din sila na baka sila ang susunod na dudukutin ng mga sundalo.
Napilitan ang mga magsasaka na huwag pumunta sa kanilang sakahan dahil sa ganitong kalagayan. Dahil sa dislokasyon sa kanilang kabuhayan, natulak silang humingi sa lokal na gubyerno ng Paranas ng kanilang pang-araw-araw na pagkain.
Samantala, noong araw ding iyon, sa Barangay E. Duran, Bobon, Northern Samar, inaresto at ininteroga ng 20th IB ang isang residente bandang alas-8 ng gabi dahil pinagdudahan siyang tagasuporta ng BHB. Pero napilitan ang militar na pakawalan siya matapos sugurin ng kanyang mga kababaryo ang kampo ng militar kung saan siya ibinimbin.
Naghihimpil ang mga sundalo sa labas ng baryo. Gayunman, kanilang iniinteroga at tinatakot ang mga mamamayang lumalabas sa baryo at pinagbabawalan silang pumunta sa kanilang bukid.
Inokupa rin ng mga sundalo ng 19th IB na nakasakay sa limang trak ang barangay hall, kapilya at day care center ng Barangay Libertad, Ormoc City. Bunsod nito ay sinuspinde ang pasok ng mga bata sa day care center noong Marso 9-12. Nagbahay-bahay din ang mga sundalo para isailalim sa interogasyon ang mga residente, sa tabing ng sensus. Dahil sa takot ay natigil din sa pagsasaka ang mga tagabaryo.
PRWC Website
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/03/karahasang-militar-sa-ev.html#more
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/
links:
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/03/karahasang-militar-sa-ev.html#more
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/03/karahasang-militar-sa-ev.html#more
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/
links:
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/03/karahasang-militar-sa-ev.html#more
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Thursday, March 15, 2012
UN and regional experts urge countries to stop reprisals against rights defenders
links: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41541&Cr=rights+defenders&Cr1=
UN and regional experts urge countries to stop reprisals against rights defenders
“Reprisals have to cease immediately and credible investigations into pending cases of reprisals have to be carried out,” said Margaret Sekaggya, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Reine Alapini-Gansou of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights ACHPR); and José de Jesús Orozco of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), in a joint statement.
They also called on States to ease civil society’s access to the UN and regional human rights institutions.
The experts said that reprisals against individuals or groups engaging directly with the UN and the regional human rights systems took the form of smear campaigns, harassment, intimidation, direct threats, physical attacks and killings.
In an effort to safeguard collaboration between civil society and the UN and regional human rights mechanisms, the three experts called for enhanced monitoring and action to ensure respect of UN, ACHPR and IACHR normative agreements and rules of procedure prohibiting acts of reprisals by States and non-state actors.
“Such steps towards full accountability for reprisals are an important preventive measure that should be combined with those that facilitate, rather than deter, civil society’s safe and unimpeded access to the UN and the regional human rights institutions,” they stressed.
They also called on governments to immediately put an end to harassment and intimidation of individuals and groups attending the ongoing session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
United Nations - UN
http://www.un.org/news/
http://www.un.org/apps/news/subject.asp?SubjectID=5
links:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41541&Cr=rights+defenders&Cr1=
http://www.un.org/news/
http://www.un.org/apps/news/subject.asp?SubjectID=5
links:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41541&Cr=rights+defenders&Cr1=
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PNP Statement re shooting of Fernan Angeles
From the Website of Philippine National Police Website - PNP-GPH
Press Statement of
CHIEF SUPT AGRIMERO A CRUZ, JR.
PNP Spokesman
March 12, 2012
The Philippine National Police join the family, colleagues and friends of Daily Tribune reporter Fernan Angeles in expressing the strongest condemnation over the violent attack on Fernan last night in Pasig City.
The Chief PNP, Director General Nicanor A Bartolome has put to task the National Capital Region Police Office and the Eastern Police District to dig deep into the shooting incident with the end in view to immediately identify and arrest those responsible.
AS we speak, EPD investigators are working double time to limit the movement of the gunman and perhaps effect an arrest soonest.
Likewise, the PNP Task Force Usig has been tasked to extend every possible assistance to the family of Fernan, including security to his immediate family.
What we can share at the moment is the information that the violent attack was the result of a melee or brawl that erupted in Fernan Angeles’ neighborhood on Sunday evening, this information will form part of the ongoing police investigation to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. (PNP-PIO)
PNP-GPH Website
http://www.pnp.gov.ph/main/#main-content
links:
http://www.pnp.gov.ph/main/#main-content
http://www.pnp.gov.ph/main/#main-content
links:
http://www.pnp.gov.ph/main/#main-content
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Deles lauds reforms in the PH security sector
links: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/news/deles-lauds-reforms-ph-security-sector
Deles lauds reforms in the PH security sector
“The innovations and institutional reform efforts in the security sector that we are seeing today is something we must take notice of, truly affirm, and support,” Deles conveyed in her message during the launch of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) handbook entitled “Transformation” held at the Oakwood Premier Joy –Nostalg Center in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
The handbook is a compilation of results of the series of SSR study sessions convened by the International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov), a civil society group which Deles joined in 2006.
While she was in the civil society sector in 2007, Deles convened a study group to orient and develop the capacity of civil society and related sectors to engage in the public discourse on the broad SSR framework focused on the Democratic Control of the Armed Forces. The initiative was supported by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES).
In her message, Deles also mentioned the civil society-led Bantay Bayanihan (BB) that was launched in November last year. BB aims to institutionalize the participation of civil society and relevant agencies in the implementation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP), otherwise known as Oplan Bayanihan.
“As far as the security sector reforms instituted by the AFP are concerned, partnerships and multi-stakeholder cooperation on a shared vision are at work. This is a huge transformation and a milestone for Philippine democracy,” she pointed out.
AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Jessie Dellosa, in his solidarity message read on his behalf by Brigadier General Romeo Calizo of AFP J3, said that “We in AFP have been relentlessly pursuing our own security sector reform. We in AFP under the IPSP Bayanihan shall adhere to democratic principles of transparency and accountability.”
“We shall also enhance understanding and appreciation of our troops on SSR, skills on conflict resolution, peace-building, good governance, and resource management…and strict adherence to human rights,” he stated.
“With so many tasks ahead of us, we in AFP will remain grateful in the involvement of stakeholders,” Dellosa said, adding that several NGOs and CSOs have been their dialogue partners in BB.
Deles underscored that in moving forward, “Like other reform issues, Security Sector Reform needs a broad public constituency to push it and to defend it.”
“Especially since our focus is on developing democratic control of armed forces, the call is to make ordinary citizens understand that what happens in the security sector will have an effect on their lives,” she added.
Melito Salazar, a member of INCITEGov’s Board of Trustees, related that “there’s so much lack of understanding on the security sector. In this view, we hope that the SSR reader can help in educating on the sector.”
Also present in the launch were BGen. Romeo Calizo of AFP J3; National Security Council Deputy Director General RAdm. Vicente Agdamag (Ret.); Augustus E. Cerdena, program coordinator of FES Philippines; Hans Born, senior fellow of Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces; and Sam Chittick, governance adviser of Australian Agency for International Development.
SSR reader contributors include Dr. Jennifer Santiago Oreta of Ateneo de Manila University Department of Political Science - Working Group on SSR; Maxine Tanya Hamada, executive director of INCITEGov; Paola Margarita Deles, deputy director of INCITEGov; aCmdr. Carlos Agustin of SUDECO-Subic West; BGen Galileo Kintanar, chair and president of Sultan's General Consultancy; and Ryan Mark Sullivan, among others. #
OPPAP Website - GPH
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http://www.opapp.gov.ph/
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Lumad leader, barangay chief murdered by a terrorist gang organized and armed by the 8th IB
links: http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/03/lumad-leader-barangay-chief-murdered-by.html
Lumad leader, barangay chief murdered by a terrorist gang organized and armed by the 8th IB
Ariel “Inda” Magbanwag
Ernesto "Boyboy" Roa Command - Front 6, Northcentral Mindanao Region
March 10, 2012
Barangay Captain Jimmy M. Liguyon, aged 36, barely even seated himself when he was shot dead right inside his house in Purok 2, Brgy. Dao, San Fernando, Bukidnon last March 5, about 6:30 PM.
Two men armed with high-caliber rifles— among them Aldie “Butsoy“ Salusad, leader of the terrorist New Indigenous People’s Army for Reform (NIPAR)— entered the house of Liguyon and shot him dead with a baby Armalite rifle. Three bullets hit Liguyon’s body.
Liguyon’s brother Emilio witnessed the said incident.
Liguyon, the Vice-Chairperson of Kaugalingong Sistema sa Igpasasindog to Lumadnong Ogpaan (KASILO), was known to be firmly against the entry of large-scale gold mining operations in Brgy. Dao. Since 2010, Liguyon has struggled against Butsoy and his father Nonong “Loloy“ Salusad, who, together with the San Fernando Tribal Datus Association (SANMATRIDA), actively support the big mining companies interested in operating in the area. In fact, it went into such extent that Loloy confiscated the taxes levied by the barangay government on small-scale mining operations in the area. Liguyon was also known to be against the inclusion of Sitio Kiranggol in SANMATRIDA’s Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) claim.
Last September 2011, Liguyon was even tied up with a rope by Angi “Taruc“ Dal-anay, a member of TRIOM— another terrorist group led by Loloy— and was threatened with death unless he stops going against big mining investors.
This case of murder exposes the true intentions of NIPAR and other Lumad terrorist groups in San Fernando and nearby municipalities who claim to be fighting for the right of the Lumad people to their ancestral domain. With this incident, they exposed themselves as running dogs for those big companies who want to wrest away the lands occupied by the Lumad people. Together with the regular and paramilitary forces of 8th IB PA, they spread terror among the people to quell their struggle against the entry of large-scale mining operations in their areas.
Their terrorist acts do not end with the death of Liguyon. Even peasants from other barrios who were going to visit Liguyon’s dead body were not spared from their terrorism. One group was intercepted by Loloy and their driver was ordered to get out of their vehicle. When they refused to stop, they were chased by to motorcycles all the way to where the vigil was being held. While peasants were paying tribute to Liguyon, members of Loloy’s group kept passing to and fro around them.
Many other members of KASILO were threatened with death for their role in exposing the crime. But the people should not be overcome by fear. They need to unite to bring justice for Liguyon and many other victims of NIPAR and TRIOM. The people need to carry on with the struggle against the greedy mining companies who will plunder the natural resources of their land. Butsoy, Loloy, Taruc and other terrorists must be punished for their crimes against hundreds of Lumad people whom they terrorized and abused for their selfish ends.
PRWC WEBSITE
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links:
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links:
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NPA grows in strength to advance the revolution to strategic stalemate in the next five years
links: http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/03/npa-grows-in-strength-to-advance.html#more
NPA grows in strength to advance the revolution to strategic stalemate in the next five years
Roselyn Pelle Command, NPA - Negros
March 12, 2011
[Audio clip] Col. Lactao of the 303rd Bde has stated that the NPA in Northern Negros has been downgraded. He assumed the NPA has weakened in Northern Negros as a result of the intensified military operations involving troops from the 62nd IB PA, Scout Ranger Battalion, RMG 6, CAFGUs and many others. Col Lactao is ignorant on the guerrilla principle “ Evade big and strong attacks of the enemy, make the enemy blind and deaf and let him punch the air.”
The peoples army remain intact and no unit of the NPA in Northern Negros was destroyed. Col. Lactao is daydreaming when he said that the NPA has weakened in Northern Negros. He has put himself on the line of dreamers of the 303rd Bde like Col. Alphonsus Crucero of 2001, Col Fajardo of 2007, Brig Gen Gaverza of 2009 and Col Jonas Sumagaysay of 2011 in the island of Negros.
There was no confiscation of a significant number of firearms and the NPA has only a few casualties. To project a “weakened image” of the NPA, the military has projected several NPA “surrenderees.” The truth is not a single active member of the NPA surrendered. These so called “surrenderees” paraded by the military have long left the revolutionary movement (4-5 years ago) and many others never joined the NPA. They were offered a big amount of money to surrender or pretend to be one. An opportunist few were convinced to become assets in the counter-insurgency campaign of the Phil Army in exchange of money. What is a fact is that these “surrenderees” is a source of corruption inside the Phil Army because only a small amount was given compared to the amount originally promised.
To the surrenderees who have betrayed the revolutionary movement and have become active assets of the enemy in the counter-revolutionary campaign, their protection status as civilians based on the Rules of War has been compromised and they become target of punitive actions by the NPA. It is not true that all surrenderees that are former comrades are target by the NPAs, but only those who commit themselves to betray the revolutionary movement, cooperate with the enemy and are active in spying and running after the revolutionay forces.
There are active assets of the Phil Army that were punished by the NPA like a certain Joseng of Sitio Pantao, Calatrava and Aming Lutrago of Sitio Lacanon of Brgy Libertad, Escalante City. Their status as protected civilians no longer exist when they become active in the counter-revolutionary campaign of the enemy. They never heed the warning of the revolutionary movement.
On the case of Aming Lutrago, a local intel asset of the Phil Army under the guidance of his handler Popoy Ledama was very active in spying reporting the location of the NPA for the strike operations of the Phil Army. He was punished by an NPA team in the first week of December 2011. The Lutrago brothers (Budoc, Vito and Buging) together with Jose Pios has vowed to take revenge. However since they cannot locate the NPA, they instead target civilians they accused as sympathizers of the revolutionary movement. The NPA appeals to them not to continue the anti-NPA activities of their brother and instead live as ordinary civilians so they can be protected in the Laws of War however if they choose to continue attacking the people, they will no longer be treated as civilians and will be targeted by the NPA.
There is also the case of a civilian wrongly accused of the death of Serio Villadar Jr last July 2010 despite the NPA claiming responsibility in the shooting of Villadar when he resisted arrest by an NPA team to bring him to a Peoples Court on the murder case of Qumawas last 2007 in Brgy Libertad, Escalante City. The innocent civilian Richard Dacal-dacal, 37 years old, married and with children and resident of Sitio Dita, Brgy Libertad, Escalante City is presently in jail on the killing of Villadar. Richard Dacal-dacal has no connections whatsoever in the death of Sergio Villadar and it is a clear case of injustice to put him in jail. The NPA was the one responsible in the line of implementing its sworn duty of fulfilling the process of revolutionary justice. The comrades only defended themselves when Villadar resisted arrest and pulled out his 45 caliber pistol to fight.
There are also several policemen in Escalante City whose jobs were affected in the death of PO2 Urbano last November 2010 in Sitio Bug-as, Brgy. Balintawak, Escalante City. The NPA has already admitted responsibility on the death of the said policeman because of his involvement in drug syndicates and on the murder of a businessman in Bacolod City. The NPA and the victims of PO2 Urbano believe that justice can never be served because of his connection to the “higher ups.”
The NPA will continue to fulfill its tasks and obligations as the real army of the oppressed and the exploited people and as a pillar of the Democratic Government of the People that was established in the country sides of Negros.
The conditions in Negros island continues to simmer as a social volcano where injustice is crystal clear and inequality sharpens on the contradictions between the rich landlord-haciendero class and the majority of the poor peasants and farm workers.
Gov Marañon’s Negros First Program does not address the worsening hunger and poverty of the broad masses of Negrosanons. In contrast, many peasants have been dislocated by the cow-sheep project of Marañon. His mining projects will not also benefit the people and the environment. The lives of the people in Sitio Looc in Brgy Old Sagay are at risk because of Marañon’s magnetite mining that is damaging the coastal area and affecting the livelihood of the people in Sitio Looc. The people here are worried but they are afraid because it is a project of Marañon. The bio-fuels project of the governor like jathropa or “kasla” has also affected the food security of the local people dependent on the planting of rice, corn, camote, “balingoy” or cassava, vegetables, etc.
Overall the Negros First Program of Gov Marañon is only for the interests of the big landlords, businessmen (compradors) and bureaucrats in government. The poor majority of the people in Negros cannot expect something essential in the pro-landlord projects of the governor.
The struggle for land cultivation of the peasant and farm workers is a collective and important effort to solve the problem of the crisis of lack of livelihood, and the prevalent poverty and hunger. They are demanding land to grow food as a solution to the present dire situation. Their unity and determination has guaranteed victory to their noble cause.
However the problem of land is tied to the feudal power of the landlords and their monopoly of lands in the countrysides. The revolutionary program of land reform of the revolutionary movement is the sole solution to the land problem of the peasant and farmworkers. The NPA and other revolutionary forces are the reliable partners of the peasants and farm workers in solving the land problem and in the advancement of the revolutionary armed struggle for national freedom and democracy.
The Red fighters in Northern Negros, in the coming 43rd Anniversary of the New Peoples Army pledge to further strengthen their resolve, determination, daringness and courage in advancing the revolutionary armed struggle towards the strategic stalemate in the years to come until total victory is achieved.
PRWC Website
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/
links:
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/03/npa-grows-in-strength-to-advance.html#more
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/
links:
http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2012/03/npa-grows-in-strength-to-advance.html#more
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