Pahayagan ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas ANG Pinapatnubayan ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo English Edition Vol. LII No. 4 February 21, 2021 www.cpp.ph

EDITORIAL National freedom has no price tag

he Filipino people were seriously disgusted by President Rodrigo initiated Operation Pacific Eagle- Duterte's February 12 speech where he declared "if America requires Philippines (OPEP). the presence of their troops here, I'm okay with that" under the Visit‐ Duterte never questioned the Ting Forces Agreement (VFA)—as long as they pay with military weapons. lopsided military agreements in‐ cluding the Military Assistance He said the US has not been the VFA" and claims of upholding an Agreement (MAA), the Mutual De‐ paying enough, especially since it is "independent foreign policy." He fense Treaty (MDT), the VFA, the already stockpiling weapons in the has exposed his unabashed pup‐ Mutual Logistics Support Agree‐ former Subic Naval Base in Zam‐ petry to the US. More guns and ment (MLSA) and the Enhanced De‐ bales and Palawan. Malacañang in‐ bombs is all he wanted all along. fense Cooperation Agreement sisted that the US must give the Over the past years, Duterte (EDCA). These treaties bind the Philippines an amount equal to pretended to be "angry" at the US country's foreign policy to the US what it gives Pakistan, a country even when in reality, he has done and is the reason why it cannot be used by the US for its aggression, nothing to defend Philippine na‐ considered independent. occupation and continued interven‐ tional sovereignty. He surrounded Duterte's "angry at America" tion in Afghanistan in one of its himself with US yes-men who per‐ stance is a sham. He merely used longest war of conquest. It claims petuate old pro-US policies, espe‐ this to show off to China, the impe‐ the Philippines should get enough cially in the military and economy. rialist rival of the US. In return, since it will surely be drawn into a He promised Trump in 2017 that he Duterte was promised tens of bil‐ war between the US and China will end peace negotiations with the lions of dollars worth of infrastruc‐ should it break out in the South NDFP, crush the armed revolution‐ ture project grants for his cronies. China Sea. ary movement and amend the con‐ Duterte and his cohorts strength‐ Duterte treats the country's stitution to give foreign capitalists ened ties with the Chinese drug and sovereignty as a commodity: "it's all full ownership rights over land, casino syndicates. On the mere about money" he declared in 2016. business and other Philippine re‐ promise of China, Duterte gave He ended his drama of "terminating sources. That same year, the US China the license to establish mili‐ tary facilities in seven artificial is‐ favor aggressive military posturing. reign ty and benefit of the economic lands within Philippine territorial After speaking recently to the and military interests of foreign im‐ waters, lay claim to Bajo de Masin‐ newly appointed US defense secre‐ perialists. The people must assert loc in violation of the 2016 decision tary, Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana that national freedom has no price of the International Arbitration declared he and the military favor tag. They must push for countries in Tribunal and drive away Filipino the continuation of the VFA. This Southeast Asia to defend their rights fishermen from their seas. was a clear message from the US and the freedom in international wa‐ Duterte's ties with China fully that it will no longer tolerate Philip‐ ters against China's expansionism. benefited a few big bourgeois com‐ pine rapport with China. It is now They must demand for the com‐ pradors, bureaucrat capitalists as mobilizing its forces in the Philip‐ plete abrogation of the VFA, EDCA, well as military officers. Some of pines, inside and outside the ruling MDT, MLSA and other one-sided them are keen to the growing eco‐ regime, to further strengthen and military agreements that give US nomic and political strength of ensure its military, economic and military forces extraterritorial China. US imperialists have grown political control of the Philippine rights in the Philippines and tram‐ concerned about this development ruling class. ple on its national sovereignty. On that it has taken measures to en‐ Because of this, expect the pro- the other hand, they must denounce sure the support and loyalty of its US politicians to intensify opposi‐ the Duterte regime for kowtowing followers in the country. tion to growing Chinese economic to China's annexation of Philippine The new Biden government of and political influence. The US may territories and plunder of the coun‐ the US aim to strengthen its control accommodate Duterte's demand for try's natural resources. of the neocolonial state, mainly by "bigger payment" but only because The Party calls on the American tightening its grip on the AFP. This is this will also serve its strategic in‐ people to censure the Biden gov‐ in line with its plan to more aggres‐ terests. On the other hand, expect ernment for aligning itself with the sively defend US economic and China to take measures to counter Duterte tyrannical regime in ex‐ geopolitical interests in the face of US influence by using both its eco‐ change for securing US geopolitical the growing strength of its rival nomic and military might. interests. The American and Filipino China. While posing as "progressive" The Filipino people must stand people must cooperate to fight US in domestic issues against the ultra- up and denounce Duterte's slavish‐ interventionism and support for the Right policies of the previous Trump ness to the US and China, to the bloody war of suppression in the government, Biden is also known to detriment of the country's sove ‐ Philippines.

ANG Contents

Editorial: National freedom has no price tag 1 CPP assures Vol. LII No. 4 | February 21, 2021 humanitarian corridor CPP assures humanitarian corridor 2 for Covid-19 vaccines AFP modernization relies heavily on the US 3 Ang Ang Bayan is published BDP, military milking cow 4 THE COMMUNIST PARTY of the in Pilipino, Bisaya, Iloko, Philippines (CPP) assured the public Hiligaynon, Waray and English. 4 NPA offensives in Bukidnon 4 that a humanitarian corridor will be Ang Bayan welcomes Dirty war victimizes 2 children 5 opened for the safe and unimpeded contributions in the form Courts junk 5 trumped-up charges 5 passage of Covid-19 vaccines in of articles and news items. Oil prices rise for third time this year 6 guerrilla base areas and zones. It is Readers are encouraged a matter of principle for the NPA to to send feedback and Police raids bakwit school in Cebu 6 respect all humanitarian undertak‐ recommendations US Senate acquits Tump for 2nd time 6 ings that benefit the masses. for improving our newspaper. Hundreds of thousands protest in Myanmar 6 The Party strongly suggested Disinterest and low level of learning 8 that the transportation, distribu‐ instagram.com/prwcnewsroom Students' mental health suffers 8 tion and inoculation drive of Covid- 19 vaccines especially in the inte‐ Create Bill: tax cuts for capitalists 10 @prwc_info rior areas be handled by the

[email protected] International Committee of the Red Cross whose personnel are properly trained and who have the facilities Ang Bayan is published fortnightly by the Central Committee to undertake such missions. of the Communist Party of the Philippines "CPP...," continued on page 3

2 February 21, 2021 ANG BAYAN AFP modernization relies heavily on the US

he Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) modernization program Trelies on US matériel, training and aid. Majority of its big ticket items, such as airplanes, ships and helicopters, can only be acquired from US companies or its subsidiaries and partners in allied countries such as Israel, Brazil and Jordan. AFP officials insist that only US-made or those made by its allies are compatible with the current AFP weapons and systems. This is the biggest stumbling block to acquiring weapons from China or Russia.

This is also the reason why the helicopters and six A-29B Su‐ threat of abrogating the Visiting per Tucano attack airplanes. Forces Agreement (VFA) was never Also on display then were six credible. US military aid is closely Hermes 900 and four Hermes linked to the extraterritorial rights 450 drones for intelligence, and privileges US troops enjoy in surveillance and reconnais‐ the country. It is in Duterte’s inter‐ sance. est to let funds flow to the AFP as The AFP also received mis‐ he coddles military officials eager to siles and a ScanEagle UAV sys‐ get hold of “modern” weapons. They tem (with eight drones) during the the US planned to grant the AFP drool over fat sales contracts, as last quarter of 2020. These were could be withheld if the VFA is ab‐ well as maintenance contracts from arranged under the US Defense Se‐ rogated. The AFP plans to acquire which they pocket kickbacks in the curity Cooperation Agency which an additional 10 Black Hawk heli‐ long term. oversees the sale of old and moth‐ copters, six to eight ScanEagle UAV Outside Duterte’s outbursts, the balled US military matériel and ve‐ and howitzers. VFA was never put into question hicles. despite its “unresolved” status. Mil‐ The AFP also received donations itary exercises pushed through in from Jordan in the form of hundreds "CPP...," from page 2 2019. The Balikatan 2020 was post‐ of M14 rifles and two old Bell AH-1S The Party also suggested poned due to the pandemic but Cobra attack helicopters. against transporting vaccines smaller exercises were launched. According to the US embassy in using military vehicles, espe‐ There have been no let-up of US the country, the Philippines re‐ cially those not properly military presence in Philippine seas ceived the largest share in military marked and carrying armed where they launch war games and aid in the Indo-Pacific region. From soldiers. freedom of navigation operations in 2015 to 2020, up to P33 billion in At present, vaccines which the South China Sea. aid has been delivered to the Philip‐ Duterte promised the people The high-level meeting of US pines in the form of airplanes, have yet to be delivered. The and Philippine military officials of ships, military vehicles, short arms delivery of vaccines from the the Security Engagement Board and other matériel, it said. In addi‐ World Health Organization was pushed through in October 2020. US tion, the US also allocated funds for delayed as the regime failed to activities in the Philippines were the operation and military support enact a requisite indemnifica‐ set. Among these is the expected through the Operation Pacific Ea‐ tion law. The Philippines is now resumption of the Balikatan in May gle-Philippines (OPE-P). In 2020, it left at the mercy of the agency this year. spent almost ₱4 billion for intelli‐ as the majority of the global In exchange, the US has pro‐ gence, surveillance and reconnais‐ vaccine supply has already vided the AFP with big items in its sance aerial support for military been monopolized by rich modernization program for 2019- and police combat operations in countries. 2020. Last February 17, the AFP in‐ Mindanao. The OPE-P is under the Instead of allotting ade‐ augurated the first of two C-130 US’ Overseas Contingency Opera‐ quate funds to ensure the inoc‐ Hercules transport airplane in Vil‐ tions, previously known as its ulation of priority sectors, the lamor Airbase. In the February 13 counter-terrorism operations. regime is pushing local govern‐ ceremony where Duterte was guest, In a Senate hearing last Febru‐ ments, private companies and the AFP boasted of its new Philip‐ ary 2020, Philippine foreign rela‐ pharmacies to act on their own. pine Air Force assets. Among these tions secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. This will further result in un‐ are six S70i Blackhawk transport said that the $245 million aid that equal distribution of vaccines.

ANG BAYAN February 21, 2021 3 NTF-ELCAC's barangay program, a military milking cow

ust like the E-CLIP, "laying down of arms" and other counterinsur‐ Jgency programs, the ₱16.4-billion Barangay Development Program (BDP) fund of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) will certainly be used to line the pockets of military officials. It provides lots of opportunity for corruption in the form of kick‐ backs from infrastructure projects in remote communities and villages.

The NTF-ELCAC touts that the that there really was no assessment Of the 82 BDP-listed barangays BDP will dissuade the peasant of the specific needs of its recipi‐ in Davao City, 70 (or 85%) already masses from further supporting the ents and that the amount is merely have schools, with 65 barangays New People’s Army (NPA). Its funds to give local officials equal kickback having one to three schools, and will supposedly go to road construc‐ opportunities. The NTF-ELCAC has four barangays with up to two tion, building schools, water systems also failed to consider the different schools and one barangay with nine and health centers, as well as sani‐ population sizes in each barangay. schools. tation and reforestation programs. As a result, there is a wide disparity Past regimes have repeatedly imple‐ in the per capita distribution of the mented such projects but failed to BDP funds from ₱457 in the biggest NPA-Bukidnon mounts fundamentally improve the lives of barangay to ₱181,818 in the small‐ 4 offensives in 4 days the masses. The programs only cre‐ est barangay. ated an illusion of change as these To justify the program, the NTF- THE NEW PEOPLE'S Army- did not address widespread poverty, ELCAC claimed that the BDP list was Bukidnon mounted four suc‐ hunger, oppression and exploitation a product of rigorous vetting and cessive offensives against the in the countryside which stem from multisectoral consultations. How‐ butcher 8th IB and 3rd Special the issue of landlessness. Just like ever, even Davao City Sara Duterte Special Forces Battalion from earlier programs, the BDP will not was forced to admit that she was not February 10 to 13. Five sol‐ fundamentally alter the socioeco‐ consulted about the projects. Her diers were slain while 10 oth‐ nomic conditions of the people. denial came after she was ques‐ ers were wounded. Corruption is more evident un‐ tioned about the ₱1.64-billion allo‐ Four soldiers were in‐ der the BDP. The biggest share of cation to her city, which is 40% of stantly killed after being funds go to Davao City, with 82 the total funds allocated to the en‐ blasted by the NPA in Barangay barangays listed in the program. tire Davao region. The NTF-ELCAC is Kibalabag, Malaybalay City on Next to it are the provinces Bukid‐ clearly subsuming the civil bureau‐ February 10. Two harassment non, Davao de Oro, Agusan del cracy and local officials. operations were also mounted Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del The NTF-ELCAC's claim that at in the same barangay on Feb‐ Norte, Surigao del Sur, Iloilo, Mis‐ least 15% of the funds of the BDP ruary 11 and 12. amis Oriental and North Cotabato. will go to constructing schools (or ₱3 A 3rd SFB soldier encamped Except for Iloilo, all of these are in million per barangay) is pure rub‐ at Sitio Elyan, Sta. Filomena, Mindanao. Almost half of the total bish. Data by the Department of Ed‐ Quezon was also killed. The said BDP funds is shared between two ucation indicate that, 216 of the 822 military units are responsible regions, namely Region 11 and Re‐ barangays in the list already have for harassing and arresting gion 13. The rest of the funds is schools. These include nine schools Lumads in Bukidnon. shared by the rest of the 12 regions. in Malabog, Davao City; six in Quezon. An 85th IB These funds will supposedly be Colosas, Davao City; five each in trooper was killed during an allotted to barangays that are Barangay Kingking, Pantukan, and ambush by the NPA against “cleared” from the influence of the barangays Tamugan and Malamba in their vehicle on January 23 in NPA. However, data collated since Davao City; and four in Suawan, Ba rangay dela Paz, Buenavista. 2020 indicate that there were at Davao City. Furthermore, in the BDP Ori en tal Min do ro. The least 100 armed encounters list of barangays in Region 11, there NPA-Mindoro shot at operating recorded in 46 (5.3%) of barangays are 13 barangays with at least three troops of the 4th IB in Sitio included in the NTF-ELCAC’s BDP. schools each; 18 barangays that Paraiso, Happy Valley, Roxas on The uniform distribution of ₱20 have two schools each, and 52 January 26. Two soldiers were million to each barangay reveals barangays with one school each. reportedly wounded.

4 February 21, 2021 ANG BAYAN Regime's dirty war victimizes two children

hile the Anti-Terror Law is still being debated upon in the Supreme Vilma Dalangin-Yecyec, 72, in WCourt on how it violates democratic rights, the reactionary state is Mainit, Surigao del Norte. The vic‐ perpetrating unabated attacks against the people especially in remote areas tim was accused of being an NPA that are far from the eyes of the media and magistrates. Two children have member. been recently victimized by the Duterte regime's dirty war which targets In Baggao, Cagayan, the police civilians. The victims also include members of organizations repeatedly red- raided the house of Ruben Salvador, tagged by the military in the past. barangay chairman of Agaman last February 8. His house was searched Attacks on children's rights. an active supporter of and cam‐ through using a warrant issued by Baby Carlen, a 1-month old infant paigner for Anakpawis partylist Judge Shiela Gacutan-Labuguen of and daughter of political detainee during the previous elections. the Baggao Municipal Trial Court. Nona Espinosa died on February 14 Last February 8, elements of the The police planted evidences of due to a lung complication and 90th and 72nd IB killed three farm‐ firearms and explosives to justify blood infection. ers in Marinangao, Barangay Sara ‐ the arrest. She was separated from her yan, Pres. Roxas, North Cotabato. Bombing. The military repeat‐ mother three days after she was The police made it appear that edly bombed the communities near born. Espinosa and eight others the victims were killed after at‐ Barangay Masaya, Buenavista, were arrested in September 2020 in tempting to "fight back." The vic‐ Quezon after engaging in an en‐ Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. tims were identified as Buena ‐ counter with an NPA unit in the said In Maguindanao, six-year old ventura Dawal and spraying ma ‐ barangay in the early morning of Saad Abdulkadir Tumbi also died on chine operator Dennis Nogollos. Da ‐ February 5. This traumatized and the same day due to infection wal's housemate who works as a disturbed the lives of 26,200 resi‐ caused by the wounds he sustained staff of a local agricultural institu‐ dents in the neighboring towns of when their house in Barangay Sam‐ tion, was also killed. Buenavista, San Narciso, Catana ‐ bulawan, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao Arrest. The police arrested Ro‐ uan and Mulanay. At least 20 bara ‐ was hit by a mortar splinter gelio de Asis, chairperson of Pa‐ ngays in Lopez, Macalelon, General launched by 6th ID on December 13, malakaya-Caraga and member of Luna and Catanauan are currently 2020. Four other civilians, including the Promotion of Church People's under focused military operations. another child, were wounded during Response, inside his house in In Mountain Province, two mili‐ the said incident. Barangay Matabao, Buenavista, tary helicopters bombed farmlands Political killing. Two suspects Agusan del Norte on February 11. and pasteurlands of residents in gunned down Lucresia Tasic, He was slapped with a trumped-up Barangay Tamboan, Besao last Feb‐ barangay councilor of Hanopol murder charge. ruary 11. After the bombing, troops Norte, Balilihan, Bohol inside her Last February 6, the police ar‐ of the 7th IB and Philippine Na‐ house last February 16. Tasic was rested activist and health worker tional Polce-Cordillera indiscrimi‐ nately strated the area. Harassment. The Bureau of Courts junk 5 trumped-up charges Immigration formally ordered the deportation of Otto De Vries, a mis‐ VARIOUS COURTS SUCCESSIVELY junked five cases with trumped- sionary from the Netherlands and a up charges against activists, an NDFP consultant and others in the volunteer researcher of the Ecu‐ past 10 days. These include the trumped up charge of illegal menical Institute for Labor Educa‐ possession of explosives against Gabriela leader Beatrice Belen; tion & Research last February 18. illegal possession of firearms and explosives against National Demolition. More than 50 Democratic Front-Panay Concha Araneta; libel against the houses were illegally demolished by broadcasters of Radyo Natin Guimba; inciting to sedition against around 150 goons of landgrabber teacher Ronnel Mas; and illegal assembly against the Marikina 10. Pablito Encarnacion, along with the The resolution of the Araneta case was issued last January 6 but police in sa Barangay Liwayway, Sta. was publicized only last February 18. Rosa, Nueva Ecija on February 17. Earlier on February 5, the court also voided the search The goons and police did not warrants used to arrest Lady Ann Salem and Rodrigo Esparago but have a demolition permit and have they remain detained until today. not informed the residents about the demolition.

ANG BAYAN February 21, 2021 5 Of the 82 BDP-listed barangays in Davao City, 70 (or 85%) already have schools, with 65 barangays having one to three schools, and four barangays with up to two schools and one barangay with nine schools.

Police raids Bakwit School in Cebu Hundreds of thousands protest in Myanmar THE POLICE RAIDED the Bakwit School serving as tem‐ DESPITE THE PANDEMIC, hundreds of thousands are porary school of Lumad evacuees at the University of marching daily in Myanmar since February 5 to protest San Carlos in Talamban, Cebu City on February 15. The against the military dictatorship. They demand the mil‐ Lumads and their teachers sought refuge at the univer‐ itary junta which took over the government to relin‐ sity since March 2020 as they could not go back to Min‐ quish its power and to release the country's elected danao due to the lockdown. The university government officials led by Aung San Suu Kyi. administrators consider them as their guests. The Tatmadaw (military in Myanmar) imposed rigid A video recording of the raid showed Lumad chil‐ restrictions to prevent the demonstrations. Most dren screaming and crying while being forcibly taken protests were dis persed. It also repeatedly cut the peo‐ by police. Twenty six individuals were arrested and ple's internet access in an attempt to prevent the people detained, including 19 minors. Chad Booc, a volunteer from converging. More than 500 individuals have been teacher and petitioner against the Anti-Terror Law, arrested and three have died after being shot by the po‐ was also arrested. lice. The police connived with the military, members of The Tatmadaw launched a coup and arrested the the Alamara paramilitary and local officials of Talaingod, civilian officials of the country on February 1. Many Davao del Norte, to make it appear that the raid was a believe that this attack aims to dismantle Suu Kyi's "rescue operation." They charged Booc and six other party and permanently reimpose absolute military rule volunteer teachers with kidnapping and illegal detention. in the country. The illegal raid and arrest was met with wide‐ spread condemnation. Students of the Bakwit School in US Senate acquits Trump for second time the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines THE US SENATE acquited former Pres. Donald Trump along with their supporters immediately protested at last February 14 of the charge incitement of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Even the CHR insurrection which resulted in a riot at the US Capitol belied the claims of the police that the Lumad children on January 6. Voting 57-43 in favor of the conviction, were "coerced" to stay at the Bakwit School. the Senate failed to convict Trump because the vote The Makabayan bloc filed a resolution in Congress fell short of the two-thirds majority (67 votes). The to have the incident investigated. At the Supreme Senate first acquited Trump of other charges in Court, the magistrates ordered petitioners to include January 2020. the case of Booc in their written petition against the In response, the US Congress announced its plan to Anti-Terror Law. form a commission to investigate pro-Trump groups and Meanwhile, the Communist Party of the Philip‐ their Republican supporters who participated in the riot. pines vowed to hold to account the Lumad exploiters. Initial reports indicate that one out of five rioters are It condemned the NTF-ELCAC which was undoubtedly veterans or active members of the US military. behind the incident.

Oil prices rise for third time this year

FOR THE THIRD time this year, prices of petroleum products increased last The Department of Energy itself February 14. In particular, the prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene then warned that the additional tax increased by ₱0.75, ₱1.25 and ₱1.10 per liter, respectively. On February 9, will increase the price of gasoline and the prices also rose by ₱0.85, ₱1.10 and ₱1.00 respectively. diesel by ₱0.60 and ₱0.84 per liter. This means that a portion of Compared to last year, prices of artificially increase prices of crude Duterte's much touted pandemic gasoline are already higher by ₱4 oil. The price of crude oil hit record aid actually came from the pockets per liter, diesel by ₱3.90 and high in a year last February 5. of the people in the form of higher kerosne by ₱3.35. This is despite the Previous decreases in global charges for transportation, food drop in the global prices of crude oil prices were not felt in the Philippines and public utilities. during the pandemic. due to the additional 10% tax imposed The regime has earlier imposed The Department of Energy by the Duterte regime on imported additional taxes on crude oil reasoned that the increase is due to crude oil and petroleum products last through the TRAIN Law. This the continuous cut in oil production May 2020, through Executive Order increased the prices of gasoline, by member-countries of the 113. This aimed to generate an kerosene, LPG and other petroleum Organization of the Petroleum additional ₱6.8-billion revenue pur ‐ products by ₱1 per liter, and ₱1.50 Exporting Countries or OPEC to por tedly fo pandemic aid pro grams. per liter for diesel.

6 February 21, 2021 ANG BAYAN Vilma Dalangin-Yecyec, 72, in Mainit, Surigao del Norte. The vic‐ tim was accused of being an NPA member. In Baggao, Cagayan, the police raided the house of Ruben Salvador, barangay chairman of Agaman last February 8. His house was searched through using a warrant issued by Judge Shiela Gacutan-Labuguen of the Baggao Municipal Trial Court. The police planted evidences of firearms and explosives to justify the arrest. Bombing. The military repeat‐ edly bombed the communities near Barangay Masaya, Buenavista, Quezon after engaging in an en‐ counter with an NPA unit in the said barangay in the early morning of February 5. This traumatized and disturbed the lives of 26,200 resi‐ dents in the neighboring towns of Buenavista, San Narciso, Catana ‐ uan and Mulanay. At least 20 bara ‐ ngays in Lopez, Macalelon, General Luna and Catanauan are currently under focused military operations. In Mountain Province, two mili‐ tary helicopters bombed farmlands and pasteurlands of residents in Barangay Tamboan, Besao last Feb‐ ruary 11. After the bombing, troops of the 7th IB and Philippine Na‐ tional Polce-Cordillera indiscrimi‐ nately strated the area. Harassment. The Bureau of Immigration formally ordered the deportation of Otto De Vries, a mis‐ sionary from the Netherlands and a volunteer researcher of the Ecu‐ menical Institute for Labor Educa‐ tion & Research last February 18. Demolition. More than 50 houses were illegally demolished by around 150 goons of landgrabber Pablito Encarnacion, along with the police in sa Barangay Liwayway, Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija on February 17. The goons and police did not have a demolition permit and have not informed the residents about the demolition.

ANG BAYAN February 21, 2021 7 Effect of the failed blended learning system Disinterest and low level of learning

he Duterte regime has allowed this February the reopening of classes in Tuniversities and colleges offering medical-related courses. These include the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, University of Sto. Tomas and Centro Escolar University. But how about other schools?

The government still has no system, unsupported by adequate comprehensive plan for the safe re‐ funds, is not sufficient to address opening of schools for majority of the needs of students until the The ACT Teachers said that in children in the country. While its next academic year,” said ACT. implementing limited physical economic managers railroad the re‐ Jane, a Grade 2 teacher, said classes, the government must en‐ opening of cinemas, sports hubs and only 12 of her 23 students regularly sure that there are health facilities other places for entertainment, it participate in online classes. Many and workers in schools, and priori‐ continues to hesitate to reopen are unable to attend classes be‐ tize the inoculation of education schools even in areas with low cases cause they have no or slow internet frontliners. of infection. connection. She said not all parents This program will require an Sec. Leonor Briones of the De‐ can avail of internet services. additional budget of ₱2 billion, on partment of Education (DepEd) her‐ Teacher Elsa thinks that stu‐ top of the ₱13 billion slashed from self admitted last February 16 that dents can only understand 20% of the proposed DepEd budget for 50% of students said they want to the lessons under the current learn‐ 2021. return to face-to-face learning. In ing system. She also noticed the de‐ an earlier survey by the Movement creasing number of participants in for Safe, Equitable, Quality and Rel‐ her online classes. The number of Students' mental evant Education, a teachers and absentees increased from only five health suffers parents alliance advocating safe re‐ per session in the beginning, to opening of schools, 54% of teachers more than half this January. THE ILL-ADAPTED BLENDED said a significant number of stu‐ Meanwhile, more and more stu‐ learning system is causing dents could no longer follow online dents are also becoming disinter‐ unmanageable mental stress classes and lessons. ested in learning as they stare at to more and more children. Among them is Lester, a Grade gadgets all the time, with no physi‐ Since its implementation, at 4 public school student currently cal interaction. They sorely miss least 18 children have re‐ enrolled under the modular learning face-to-face classes as well as portedly committed suicide system. "I do not understand some physically relating with their friends after experiencing difficulties of the lessons because we are on and teachers. in answering modules, due to our own in answering the modules," Jona, a grade 8 student, said the lack of a support system, he said. He only uses Facebook that "it is difficult to focus while at and slow or lack of internet Messenger to consult his classmates home. There is no clear boundary connection. and teachers on lessons he cannot between home and school." She al‐ The last incident was the understand. lots 4-6 hours daily for her studies, suicide of a 10-year old child He allots up to four hours per and sometimes less when she is from Catanduanes who re‐ day during weekdays to answer the sleepy or gets bored. portedly committed suicide modules. "I'm lucky because my When asked if she wants to go last February 17 after failing parents and cousins sometimes help back to school, she responded: "of to answer his module. me." The erroneous content and course." She said that it feels dif‐ Instead of addressing the slow distribution of modules further ferent to study in classrooms. "It is problem, the DepEd denied burdens him. easier to consult teachers, and stu‐ that these incidents are re‐ The Alliance of Concerned dents can interact with their class‐ lated to its failed learning Teachers (ACT) asserts that the di‐ mates." program. minishing number of students can This was also the response of Meanwhile, DepEd's an‐ be resolved with limited and safe other students who already want to nouncement of its plan to ex‐ face-to-face classes while imple‐ go back to school. Joel, another stu‐ tend the academic year by menting distance learning in other dent, that he already misses school two weeks was also met with places. activities and programs, as well as widespread criticism. "The current blended learning playing with his friends."

8 February 21, 2021 ANG BAYAN CREATE Bill: Tax cuts, profit increase for capitalists

he Lower House and Senate submitted last February 3 to Malacañang economy. the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (Create) Bill. Create also has anomalous pro‐ T visions that provide tax exemptions This bill will reduce the corporate tax rates from 30% to 25% for big corpora‐ tions, and up to 20% for small and medium enterprises. This aims to ensure to local oil refineries as well as so‐ bigger profits for capitalists under the guise of reviving the economy. cialized and low-cost housing. Cur‐ rently, Petron Corp., a subsidiary of The bill languished in Congress benefit the least from this tax mea‐ Ramon Ang's San Miguel Corp., is for several years as TRAIN 2, TRA‐ sure. Gains will largely accrue to the only company which refines oil BAHO and CITIRA. It was renamed multinationals and big bourgeois in the country. The local housing Create to conjure an illusion that comprador companies which rake in sector, on the other hand, is domi‐ foreign investments will "create" billions of profits in their operations nated by the Villar family. opportunities for economic recovery in the country. Create has small and token from crisis and pandemic. Create will also weaken the fi‐ provisions which seek to give tax Create also empowers the Na‐ nancial capacity of the state by exemptions for the sale and impor ‐ tional Economic Development Au‐ narrowing down the tax base. Cur‐ tation of Covid-19 vaccines and thority (NEDA) to arbitrarily rently, corporate taxes serve as the other medical equipment until provide incentives and tax exemp‐ biggest source of government rev‐ 2023; as well as for medicines for tions to big companies. It autho‐ enue, 75% of which are levied on big kidney diseases, cancer and tuber‐ rizes NEDA to give a 17-year tax corporations. As in the past, the culosis. exemption to export operations of people will be made to shoulder the According to Ibon Foundation, those bourgeois compradors it will revenue losses from this measure in the distribution of adequate aid, categorize as "critical." Further‐ the form of additional and higher and not Create, will stimulate the more, NEDA can grant 12-year tax consumption taxes. economy that was devastated by exemptions to enterprises with a Conservative estimates by the the pandemic and lockdown. It sug‐ minimum investment of ₱500 mil‐ regime indicate that the state will gested to allocate ₱540 billion to lion. lose at least ₱251 billion in rev‐ aid the poorest 18 million families Contrary to the regime's claims, enues within two years should the in a span of three months or smaller enterprises which suffered scheme be passed. This fund could ₱10,000 monthly per family. Thus, operation stoppages and huge in‐ be used for aid and other programs the ₱420-billion aid dubbed as the come cuts during the pandemic will that could directly stimulate the Bayanihan 3 which was filed by 220 legislators last February 16 is in‐ sufficient to aid Filipino families. The ₱52-billion minimum subsidy proposed by the Department of La‐ bor and Employment to aid 2-3 million workers of small and medium-scale enter‐ prises is similarly insuffi‐ cient. The said proposals were filed because the regime did not allot a single centavo for pandemic aid programs in the 2021 na‐ tional budget.

ANG BAYAN February 21, 2021 9