Pahayagan ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas ANG Pinapatnubayan ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo

Vol. LI No. 3 February 7, 2020 www.cpp.ph

EDITORIAL Duterte's hollow 5 soldiers killed in NPA stance against VFA armed action

res. Rodrigo Duterte recently repeated his rants against the US FIVE SOLDIERS WERE killed in government. Last month, he announcd that he will push for the an armed action mounted by the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). He said that New People's Army (NPA)-Min- Phe will carry this out within a month if the US fails to reverse the can- doro against 4th IB forces on cellation of his rabid henchman, now senator, Ronald "Bato" dela January 26, at Sitio Kianay, Rosa's visa. Barangay Naibuan, San Jose, He said that he is not joking. erect military bases in more than Occidental Mindoro. Considering the context and his 50,000 hectares of land in Clark, Ka Madaay Gasic, NPA- previous rants against the US, how- Subic and many other areas. Mar- Mindoro spokesperson, said ever, it can be seen that Duterte is cos' posturing, however, just ended that the armed action is a re- not at all serious. His stance on the up in a bargain for payment of sponse to intensifying focused termination of VFA is hollow. He is higher land rent by the US and the military operations in the prov- posturing not to advance the na- provision of more military aid to ince. Military operations com- tional sovereignty of the Philip- support his martial law. menced on Janury 11 in the pines, but his selfish political inter- Following this Marcosian ap- towns of Bulalacao, Magsaysay ests. proach, Duterte is using the con- and San Jose. This posturing is no different cept of national sovereignty as an The offensive is also a re- from the bogus nationalism of Mar- embellishment to conceal his per- sponse to the Retooled Com- cos who in the 1970s threatened to sonal interests. Firstly, in connec- munity Support Program Oper- abrogate the Military Bases Agree- tion with his stance to "align with ations which is being used by ment. The agreement, signed in China and Russia," Duterte is using the AFP to deceive and terrorize the people of Mindoro. 1946, gave the US the privilege to "Hollow...," continued on page 2 "Hollow...," from page 1 ters for their intervention. These embolden some AFP officials, in his anti-VFA antics to push the US are where they spy, launch drones, connivance with US forces and local to provide more and new weapons, and train Filipino soldiers for their oppositionists, to oust him from helicopters, bombs, and other interference in the country's in- power. What is certain is that matériel for the AFP's brutal war ternal affairs under the guise of Duterte's stance neither changes of suppression against the Filipino "counter-terrorism." nor will change the US' dominion masses, and for the bogus "war on For the Filipino people who are over the country's politics. drugs." With this, he can win the aspiring for genuine freedom from The Filipino people have long support of pro-US AFP officials. US neocolonial domination, Duter- been clamoring for the abrogation of Secondly, he is using this as a card te's posturing against the VFA will the VFA, and other unequal military to improve his worth and hinder only result in nothing. Time will treaties between the US and the some US-based groups from pres- pass and this will only be forgotten . Among these are the suring him along with his political like his past declaration to end the Mutual Defense Treaty and the rivals. Balikatan "war exercises" and ab- EDCA which were signed in 1951 and If Duterte really has even just rogate the Enhanced Defense Co- 2014, respectively. a whiff of nationalism, he should operation Agreement (EDCA). All these agreements give the US have since junked the VFA, ordered The actual result of his anti- military the power and right to be in the pull-out of American troops VFA stance will depend on how he the Philippines and violate its and dismantled their military facil- will play this card. It may either sovereignty. These agreements are ities in the Philippines. Duterte result in a mere "review," a new an affront to the national integrity turns a blind eye to what the Ame- negotiation or a new agreement; or of . ricans are doing in Fort Magsay- the US may also simply reward Under the VFA, in particular, say, Clark, Subic, Villamor Air Duterte (including his request for American troops are allowed to Base, Mactan Air Base, Lumbia the cancellation of Bato's visa). freely enter and exit the country. Airport, Camp Ranao, Camp Bau- However, this may also backfire at Contrary to the reactionary Philip- tista, Carlito Cunanan Naval Sta- him especially if the US does not pine constitution, their vehicles tion, Camp Navarro and other immediately compromise and if his cannot even be inspected for carry- places. These camps serve as cen- antics will go too far as this will ing nuclear weapons into the coun- try. American troops who commit ANG Contents crimes are immediately given pro- tection by the US government and, if not for public clamor and protests, Editorial: Duterte's stance against VFA is are absolved of their crimes. Vol LI No. 3 | February 7, 2020 hollow 1 These agreements, and the do- Armed action of NPA-Mindoro 3 Ang Ang Bayan is published minion of foreign capitalists and in Pilipino, Bisaya, Iloko, Various forms of plunder in FSMR 3 banks in the local economy, are the Hiligaynon, Waray and English. Honor and emulate FQS spirit 3 starkest manifestations of neo- colonial oppression in the Philip- Ang Bayan welcomes Attacks vs. Angkas, habal-habal riders 5 pines. Foreign control over the contributions in the form Traffic in the Philippines 5 of articles and news items. economy and military, and the con- FMO in Southern-Tagalog 6 Readers are encouraged nivance of some traitors with for- Nissen Electronic workers' struggle 7 to send feedback and eign imperialists are the primary recommendations JIPCO, Peace for capitalists 7 factors why the country remains for improving our newspaper. State forces arrest 19 farmers 8 backward, and why the Filipino people are impoverished while oli- Paramilitary attacks Lumad sanctuary 8 garchs, landlords, and big corrupt 33rd year of Mendiola Massacre 8 instagram.com/prwcnewsroom bureaucrats get richer and richer Justice for Randy Malayao 8 everyday. @prwc_info Aerotropolis project 9 The Filipino people must amplify Anomalous DICT funds 9 their clamor for the abrogation of [email protected] the VFA and all other unequal mili- tary treaties. All freedom-loving Ang Bayan is published fortnightly by the Central Committee people must hold the Duterte regime of the Communist Party of the Philippines accountable for selling out Philippine sovereignty .

2 February 7 , 2 02 0 ANG BAYAN Various forms of plunder in FSMR

he suppression campaign mounted by the Armed Forces of the Philip- ment oppressive schemes such as Tpines (AFP) across the Far Southern Mindanao Region (FSMR) has been the leasehold and growership sys- continuing for more than three years now. It launches sustained military op- tems to expand their plantations. erations in the provinces of the region to facilitate the entry and defend the Under the leasehold system, com- plunderous activities of multinational and local agribusiness and mining panies lease private or public lands, companies. often at extremely low rates, and convert these into plantations. Under the guise of the so-called Landgrabbing by Growership system is a production Community Support Program, the agribusiness companies arrangement wherein companies military besieges peasant communi- Agribusiness companies are ag- hire private individuals to plant ties and forests to expedite land- gressively expanding their planta- specific products. Capitalists grabbing. It threatens and intimi- tions through various forms of shoulder all production costs, but dates peasants, especially those landgrabbing and schemes for the the farmer is obligated to sell all his who are poor, to suppress their production of export products. Si- produce to the company at a price struggles. Those who refuse to give multaneously, mining companies determined by the capitalist. their lands up are accused of being have flocked to the region. In the case of Dole Philippines terrorists and are harassed. Agribusiness companies imple- "FSMR...," continued on page 4

Honor and emulate FQS spirit—JMS

n the 50th anniversary of the (FQS), various groups said that a clear manifestation of Oorganizations commemorated i`ts contribution in the revolutionary this is the Executive Order 70 which movement. Series of activities were spearheaded by the FQS movement since was designed to suppress the peo- January 26. Prof. said that it is noble and urgent task to ple's rights. celebrate the First Quarter Storm of 1970 and to honor and emulate those A program was also mounted at who participated in this revolutionary storm by carrying out mobilizations, the in forums and other gatherings. on January 26. Pro- gram participants paid tribute to all The FQS gave birth to so many struggle against the fascist regime. students and activists from other youth activists and so many youth Apart from the discussions, sectors for who led the mass groups. It played a key role in veteran and new activists con- movement agains the Marcos dic- arousing, organizing and mobilizing verged in Mendiola on January 30 tatorship. They also honored the the youth. They advanced the na- to commemorate the 50th anniver- struggle of the current generation tional democratic revolution and sary of the "Battle of Mendiola." for genuine democracy and free- did mass work among the workers, The historical protest was partici- dom, and expressed their support peasants, indigenous people, youth, pated in by more than 10,000 stu- for the resumption of peace nego- women and professionals. and other dents and youth to fight the fascist tiations between the NDFP and people in order to wage all forms of US-Marcos dictatorship. In re- GRP. They also demanded the re- struggle, especially people’s war, sponse to their rally, the Metrocom lease of all political prisoners. against the fascist puppet regime. harassed the activist. This was fol- Relatives of martyrs and heroes They also strengthened the ranks of lowed by even bigger protests by of martial law Rizalina Ilagan, Em- the Communist Party of the Philip- the youth and workers in Mala- manuel Lacaba, , Ma. pines. cañang. Lorena Barros and Sison recounted that member- Young and elderly activists are among those who participated ship of Party, New People's Army participated in the activity. For in the activity. and various mass organizations them, the main reason why they The FQS started on January rapidly grew as a result of the FQS. mounted the protest is because 26, 1970 and ended in March When martial law was declared on fascism continues unabated and is 1970. It played a major role in the September 21, 1972, a significant even more intense under the series of mass protests which led number of activists went under- Duterte regime. Prof. Judy Tagui- to the ouster of the dictator Mar- ground and participated in the walo, an activist and FQS veteran, cos.

ANG BAYAN February 7 , 2 02 0 3 "FSMR...," from page 3 in 2018. Approximately 91% of this in 63,559 hectares of land in the Inc. (Dolefil), local subsidiary of or 58,000 hectares can be found in Region. Of these, only Sagittarius US-based multinational Dole Food North Cotabato. Mines Inc. was given a Financial Company, the area of its operations On the other hand, the total oil and Technical Assistance Agree- has already expanded to 70,000 palm plantation area grew from ment by the reactionary govern- hectares just by implementing the 14,609 hectares in 2010 to 20,500 in ment for its 28,539-hectre conces- said schemes. The company only 2018. Half of this or 10,105 hectares sion in Tampakan. (Read related maintains a 9,364-hectare base can be found in Sultan Kudarat. article in Ang Bayan, October 7, plantation. Barangay Ned, in Lake Sebu, 2019). Meanwhile, four of these Since 2014, combat operations South Cotabato, is one of the places companies were granted a Mineral by the Task Force Central under the that are most adversely affected by Production Sharing Agreement 6th ID have continued unabated in the operations of these companies. (MPSA) each for five concessions Sultan Kudarat to pave the way for The barangay and adjacent villages which cover a total area of 17,439 the expansion of plantations. During are being targeted for the expan- hectares. The reactionary state also the first year of its suppression cam- sion of multinational plantations. allowed four companies to conduct paign, the area covered by banana The reactionary provincial govern- exploration operations in 17,579 plantation operations of multina- ment has even named the area as hectares of land. tionals alone have expanded by more its agribusiness zone. Barangay Ned Apart from these, 27 other than seven times (from 220 hectares is the largest barangay in the coun- mining operation applications are to 1,574). In the next three years, try in terms of area and covers currenty being processed and will this grew further by 70% (to 2,677 41,200 hectares. It also serves as cover 160,544 hectares of land. hectares). Among those that bene- the ancestral land of Lumad tribes Four of these are applications for fitted from this are Dolefil and Sum- T'boli, Tiruray, Ubo and Manobo. MPSA and will cover 10,323 ifru Philippines Corporation (local hectares, while the other 23 are subsidiary of Japan-based multina- Encroachment of mining companies applications for exploration permits tional Sumitomo Corp.). Gold, copper and iron reserves which will cover up to 150,221 Nestlé Philippines also expan- can be found in the region, specifi- hectares. sively put agricultural lands under cally in the provinces of North Landgrabbing by multinationals concessions for the production of Cotabato (Pigcawayan and Mag- is also widespread in the region. In coffee for export. It also has a ma- pet), Sultan Kudarat (Kalamansig, the Daguma mountain range in Sul- jor control over coffee production in Palimbang, Bagumbayan and tan Kudarat, Korean multinational Sultan Kudarat, which is the second Columbio), South Cotabato (Tam- General Resources Co., Ltd. (GRCO) biggest coffee-producing province pakan, Lake Sebu and T'boli) and has shamelessly grabbed the mining in the country. In addition, approx- Sarangani Province (Maitum, Ki- area of small-scale miners. Its sub- imately 12,000 hectares of coffee amba, Maasim and Glan). sidiary GRCO Isulan Mining Corpo- plantations are controled by the More than 30 multinational and ration is currently operating in M&S Company and Silvicultural In- local companies are already operat- 4,500 hectares of land in Barangay dustries Inc., companies owened by ing or processing their application Kinayaw, Bagumbayan. the Consunji family. for massive mining operations in the Chinese companies Epochina Rubber and oil palm plantations said areas. The operations of these Mining Corporation and Xin Lin In- have also rapidly expanded in the company cover up to 224,103 ternational Mining Corporation past decade. The total rubber plan- hectares. have also encroached the area. The tation area in the region grew from Ten of these companies have concessions of the said companies 31,235 hectares in 2009 to 63,500 been granted contracts to operate cover up to 4,549 hectares of land. Xin Lin Mining is a local subsidiary of the Shanghai Xin Lin Interna- tional Trading Company Ltd., one of the biggest Chinese steel exporters. The application of British multinational Alphaville Mineral Resources, Inc. for the exploration of gold, copper and silver in 16,133 hectares of land in Tulunan, North Cotabato and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat is also currently being processed.

4 February 7 , 2 02 0 ANG BAYAN Attacks on the livelihood of Angkas and habal-habal riders

ue to the absence of an efficient public mass transport system across riders were al- Dthe country, many commuters opt to avail of the services of motorcycle lowed to oper- taxi riders in urban centers and habal-habal riders in the countryside. In- ate temporarily stead of improving the rotting transport system, the Duterte regime is hell for a pilot bent on attacking the livelihood of riders who only seek to earn a living and study. The pilot help ease the traffic woes of commuters. This only proves that the regime is program and the anti-people and utterly contemptuous of the welfare of the majority. permits of Angkas, JoyRide Attacks on Angkas riders Regulatory Board (LTFRB), ordered and Move It are Commuters are constantly Angkas on December 2019 to lay- set to expire next faced with mobility issues because off 17,000 of its riders. The LTFRB month. This will result of the rotting public transport sys- claimed that this had to be imple- in the massacre of not less than tem in the country. To avoid grid- mented to be fair amid the entry of 30,000 jobs in Metro Manila alone. lock, many in Metro Manila and new players in the industry. Re- Metro Cebu depend on the services cently in January, two motorcycle Attacks on habal-habal riders of Angkas, a company that provides companies, namely JoyRide and Long before motorcycle taxis ride hailing services using motorcy- Move It were permitted to operate thrived, habal-habal services were cle taxis. Many commuters avail of in Metro Manila. Under the guise of already a popular mode of trans- its services as motorcycles are ensuring "fair competition," the portation especially among the toil- more compact in size and can easily LTFRB implemented a 10,000-rider ing masses. Motorcycles-for-hire, maneuver even in congested roads. cap for all motorcycle taxi compa- colloquially called habal-habal or This is a big deal for commuters as nies. "skylab" are used as an alternative they are able to save up time and The LTFRB had no mechanism mode of public transport in the money. to ensure that all those laid-off countryside and even in towns Angkas was only established in would be absorbed by the new where transportation services are December 2016 but its operations companies. The mass lay-off in scarce. Habal-habal rides are prac- expanded rapidly simultaneous with Angkas is not only an attack on the tical especially in far-flung areas the worsening of the traffic situa- livelihood of the riders and their where roads are usually narrow, tion. Due to lack of sufficient and families but also to the hundreds of steep and rough and cannot be ac- decent job opportunities, many thousands of commuters who de- cessed by tricycles or four-wheeled were enticed to work for the com- pend on their services. vehicles. pany as full-time riders are able to This was not the regime's first There are two types of habal- earn up to P1,500 per day. In De- attack on Angkas riders. In No- habal. This first type is that which cember 2019, the company em- vember 2017, the LTFRB canceled has a wooden plank attached to the ployed up to 27,000 riders. the permit of Angkas to operate as main seat of the motorcycle. This Instead of supporting the rid- its services purportedly violate can accommodate up to five pas- ers, the regime, through its Land traffic regulations. The cancellation sengers. The second type of habal- Transportation Franchising and was only lifted in May 2019 and habal is that which has protruding "wings" or two wooden planks at- Traffic in the Philippines is second worst in the world tached on each side of the motor- cycle. This can accommodate up to TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN Metro Manila ranked second in the world ac- 13 passengers. cording to the Traffic Index 2019, a report issued last month by German Habal-habals are often used by company TomTom. The report analyzed traffic congestion in 416 major peasant residents in transporting urban centers across the globe. their farm produce to markets. The report indicates that the average congestion level in Metro Manila These may also used in carrying is at 71%. It revealed that motorists lost about 257 hours last year in baggages and even livestock. gridlocks. Due to traffic congestion, a 30-minute trip on average becomes Habal-habal riders may be con- 59 minutes in the morning and 68 in the evening. sidered as part of the rural prole- Roads are most congested during rush hour (8-9 a.m.; and 6-7 p.m.). tariat. Due to insufficient income The average congestion level reaches 128% in the evening and 95% in the and widespread landgrabbing and morning. It peaks at 143% during the evening rush on Fridays. "Attacks...," continued on page 6

ANG BAYAN February 7 , 2 02 0 5 FMO in Southern Tagalog

roopers of the butcher 4th IB killed civilians Mark Ederson Valencia De- ing in each FMO area. Tlos Santos and Jay-ar Mercado in Barangay Happy Valley, Socorro, Ori- Approximately 32 barrios in ental Mindoro on January 31. Mercado was a volunteer organizer of Bigkis at South Palawan are covered by the Lakas ng mga Katutubo sa Southern Tagalog who was abducted by the mili- FMO of the AFP Western Command tary on January 26. The butchers buried Mercado's cadaver on February 1, and the Provincial Task Force to without the knowledge of his relatives. After the crime, the military made it End Local Communist Armed Con- appear that both were members of the New People's Army. flict. The 1st Mobile Force Company of PNP Palawan was de- The crime is part of the focused- force of the 85th IB and PNP milita- ployed in the towns of Quezon, military operation or FMO of the rized several barangays in Gumaca. Rizal, Bataraza, Brooke's Point and Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) The troopers put up checkpoints in Sofronio Española. in several provinces in Southern Gumaca and other towns of South Human rights are violated and Tagalog in January. The troopers Quezon. communities are terrorized during ransacked rural communities, put up Similarly, a battalion-sized FMOs. In Gumaca, Quezon, a jeep- checkpoints, and violated the rights force of the 1st IB, PNP and CAFGU ney was stopped at a checkpoint and of peasants and minorities residing were deployed in the towns of Real was illegally searched. An incident of in areas where they were operating. and Sampaloc, Quezon; and indiscriminate strafing perpetrated These operations are directed by Kalayaan and Luisiana in Laguna by soldiers was also recorded in the newly-appointed Solcom com- since the second week of January. Rizal, Occidental Mindoro. Three mander Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade. Meanwhile, interior barangays in Tadyawan youth were harassed on A division-sized force was deployed Rizal and San Jose, Occidental Min- January 12 in Happy Valley, Socorro, in Quezon and Mindoro. doro; and Bulalacao, Mansalay, Vic- Oriental Mindoro. Due to intense In Quezon, 201st IBde and PNP- toria and Socorro in Oriental Min- military operations, residents have Calabarzon elements ransacked doro are militarized by elements of evacuated from six sitios in three barangays Villa Espina, Pisipis and the 203rd IBde and PNP-Mimaropa barangays in Socorro, and four sitios Vergania in Lopez from January 10 to since January 8. Reports show that in three barangays in Victoria since 30. Simultaneously, a battalion-sized two companies are currently operat- January 13.

"Attacks...," from page 5 faced with increasing prices of fuel to the armed state forces' fascist land-use conversion, many peasants and other basic commodities. These suppression. This aims to silence are compelled to look for additional problems further cut their already riders and suppress their struggle source of income. Many farmers meager incomes. for the right to livelihood. Among the consider habal-habal driving as an Their plight compels them to most recent cases of suppression alternative source of income. unite and struggle. In the barangay against riders was that of Lito Itao, Despite being a popular alter- level, riders organize associations auditor of the Guihulngan City Ha- native, the reactionary government to fight for their right to livelihood. bal-habal United Operators and strictly prohibits habal-habal ser- These associations set local trans- Drivers Association, who was killed vices as it purportedly violates traf- port regulations including the by 3rd ID elements in June 2019, fic regulations. Most habal-habals standardization of fare in Negros Oriental. To justify the in provinces are not registered with rates and ensuring killing, the fascists the LTFRB as the application the safety of pas- made it appear that process is expensive and very strin- sengers among ma- the victim was a gent. Because of this, habal-habal ny others. These member of the riders are often apprehended and associations are New People's their motorcycles confiscated. They also mobilized du- Army. are then fined with P5,000. Often, ring disasters and The suppression campaign of they are also victims of extortion by emergencies in the barrio. Rid- the reactionary state compel ha- soldiers and police operatives in ers see their travels to and from bal-habal riders to directly con- checkpoints. various roads as part of their daily tribute in advancing the people's Riders are also burdened with livelihood and obligation to provide democratic revolution. Among other rough roads in the countryside as transportation services to their fel- tasks, some riders regularly provide these wear down habal-habal parts low villagefolk. logistical and intelligence support quickly. In addition, they are also Despite this, they still fall victim to Red fighters.

6 February 7 , 2 02 0 ANG BAYAN Nissen Electronics workers' struggle

issen Electronics Philippines is a Japanese company that produces auto- In response, the Nissen man- Nmotive fuses. The companies supplies these to various car manufacturing agement fired 21 workers for par- multinationals in the country including Toyota, Nissan, Ford and Isuzu. The ticipating in protests since January company is a local subsidiary of the multinational company Nippon Seisen Ca- 3, 2019. ble, Ltd which reported a sales of 10 billion yen (P4.6 billion) in March 2018. Instead of being cowed, Nissen workers became even more coura- The operations of Nissen Elec- Assertion of rights geous. They posted their placards tronics Philippines in Southern Aspiring to address their and streamers on the walls of the Tagalog started in 2009 at the La- plight, the workers factory. They shouted out their guna Technopark Incorporated, be- organized Mangga- demands in front of police fore relocating at the Daiichi In- gawang Regular at operatives and soldiers in- dustrial Park in Cavite, in 2016. Kontraktwal sa Nissen side and outside the Daiichi After relocating, workers' wages Electronics Phils.–Liga Industrial Park. were pulled down as the minimum (Marekonep-Liga) in Nissen workers con- wage in Cavite (P351.50) is lower 2018. This served as the van- tinued to pressure DOLE than that in Laguna (P378.50). guard of their struggle for regular- until it released an order for regu- Workers are further exploited as ization which sparked in July 2018, larization on February 2019. The they are compelled to render over- when employees filed a petition for order declared the 502 contractual time work, under the "six to six inspection at the Department of La- employees of the company, includ- scheme" wherein they are to work for bor and Employment (DOLE)-Cal- ing the 21 who were fired, must be 12 hours a day. Holidays and days-off abarzon. regularized. The workers consid- are unpaid, and employees are re- The letter contained the work- ered this as a victory of their col- quired to shoulder the costs for their ers' complaints regarding the vio- lective action amid harassment at- uniforms and safety equipment. lations and maltreatment commit- tempts mounted by capitalists. In 2018, 468 of its 493 total ted by the Nissen management employees are contractual. Majority against them. Their complaints in- New mass lay off, new struggle of the workers are female (412) and cluded the company's practice of Labor rights violations have only 56 are male. Nissen outsources contractualization; non-compliance continued unabated despite the is- its contractual employees from man- with the legislated minimum wage; suance of the toothless DOLE order, power agency Career Power Profes- and non-payment of overtime, 13th as the company appealed against it. sional Mgt. Services. The said month, holiday and night differen- On September 13, 2019 the com- agency is owned by Edgardo Etac. tial pay. The employees protested pany laid-off 89 of its workers, ma- Nissen makes it appear that it has in front of the office of DOLE in jority of whom have been working in no direct obligation to the employ- Trece Martires City on December the company for years. ees, claiming that they are employed 11, 2018 to demand for immediate In response, workers mounted a under Etac's agency. regularization. new wave of protests in front of the Daiichi Industrial Park. They also JIPCO: Peace for capitalists regularly conduct mobilizations and programs simultaneous with the LABOR GROUPS CRITICIZED the Philippine National Police (PNP) after it entry and exit of workers to and launched the Joint Industrial Peace and Concern Offices (JIPCO) on January from the enclave. They demand the 22 at the Clark Freeport Zone in . The PNP claims that the pro- reinstatement and regularization of gram will purportedly protect various economic zones across Central Luzon. their co-workers who were illegally The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights, however, said the program terminated by the company. will only legalize the widespread violation of human rights in enclaves. This will The struggle of Nissen employ- only serve the aim of the reactionary state to suppress militant unions, under ees carries on. On the other hand, the guise of a counterterrorism campaign, to ensure capitalists' profits. Nissen continues to employ various When it was launched, the Police Regional Office 3 blatantly said that forms of attacks to suppress their the program primarily aims to prevent militant unions from organizing fac- struggle. It may take workers a tory workers in enclaves. long time to win their struggle, but The Kilusang Mayo Uno said that the JIPCO is a direct affront to the one thing is certain: the end of rights of laborers to unionize. Peace will never never be achieved especially capitalists' exploitation has begun if state security forces such as those from the PNP implement policies that as the workers have already been kill thousands of people. roused.

ANG BAYAN February 7 , 2 02 0 7 State forces arrest 19 farmers Paramilitary attacks Lumad sanctuary

n Northern Samar, 15 farmers from Barangay Osmeña, Palapag were ar- FEW DAYS AFTER the Regional Irested by the military. On January 22, elements of the 20th IB arrested Con- Peace and Order Council 11 or- stancio Capate Martinico, Renaldo Longcop, Gonzalo Magayes, Jomar Orua, Del- dered the closure of the UCCP phin Meraya Jr. and JR Laoreno. The six were brought to their military camp and Haran Center in Davao City, the were interrogated. On the next day, nine farmers were arrested by 803rd IBde compound was attacked by para- troopers and were brought to their camp in Catarman where they were interro- military forces on January 25. gated and coerced to surrender. Their relatives were barred from visiting them. Using bolos, members of the Ala- mara, a paramilitary group di- Also, on January 23, four peasant in Mindanao. Aguhob was also rected by the butcher military, leaders were arrested in Bukidnon af- threatened and harassed by the destroyed the walls and fences of ter holding a dialogue with Rep. military in 2017 and 2018. Haran which serves as sanctuary Manuel Zubiri. The victims were iden- In Laguna, the cadavers of to 500 Lumad evacuees. The said tified as Jun Guinanao, Kasama- peasants Emerito Pinza and Romy evacuees were forced to leave Bukidnon chairperson, June Makute Candor were exhumed on February their ancestral lands due to in- of Buffalo-Tamaraw-Limus (BTL), 5. They were abducted by Regional tense militarization. Danilo Menente and Albert Tanallion. Mobile Force Battalion 4A elements Around 50 paramilitary troop- The four went to Zubiri to demand a on January 19. The butchers made it ers attacked at Haran. According stop to peasant killings and filing of appear that the two were killed in an to reports, the Alamara members trumped up charges against activists, encounter. To conceal their crime, coerced evacuees to return to their and for production subsidy. After the the victims were buried under fabri- communities in Kapalong and Ta- dialogue, they were held and arrested cated names at the Calamba Munic- laingod, Davao del Norte. by 88th IB elements and were ipal Cemetery. The two were mem- The policed arrived at Haran brought to their camp in Maramag. bers of the Pinagkaisang Ugnayan ng but refused to arrest the Alamara The four were accused of harboring a mga Magsasaka sa Laguna. members. Instead, they barred the member of the New People's Army In Bohol, suspected state media from entering the compound. (NPA) at their farm in BTL, Maramag. agents gunned down Pelagio Com- Lumad leaders stood firm On February 5, Engr. Jennefer poc at his farm in Barangay Dago- that they will stay in the sanctu- Aguhob was arrested by the military hoy, Bilar on January 22. He was a ary until they are ensured of and was detained at the Oroquieta member of Humabol-Kilusang Mag- safety in the communities. City Police Station. She was slapped bubukid ng Pilipinas and a village with a trumped up murder charge. watchman. Earlier, he was harassed Aguhob is a member of Karapatan and accused that his brother is an Justice for Randy Malayao and the Union of People's Lawyers NPA commander. IN COMMEMORATION OF Randy Felix Malayao's first death an- On the 33rd year of Mendiola Massacre: nivesary last January 30, ac- Duterte Legacy, hunger and death tivists and his relatives protested in front of Camp Melchor dela PROGRESSIVE GROUPS AND RELATIVES of Mendiola Massacre victims Cruz of the 5th ID in Gamu, Isa- converged in Mendiola, Manila on January 22 to commemorate the 33rd bela to demand justice. Malayao anniversary of the massacre. They said that the Duterte regime has failed to was a consultant of the National give justice to the 13 farmers killed on January 22, 1987. Democratic Front of the Philippi- The 13 farmers were among thousands who protested in Mendiola to call nes. on former President Cory Aquino to implement genuine agrarian reform. Military and police forces vi- According to Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, several regimes have olently dispersed the protesters. passed but the plight of the Filipino majority remains unaddressed. They To distract the program, they added that the “Duterte Legacy” that the regime is bragging about is nothing parked a truck and an ambulance but a big lie. Thirty-three years have passed but farmers remain landless. beside the protesters and honked There is still no justice and genuine peace. at them. In a statement, the Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura said that Before the program, the peasant killings has intensified under the Duterte regime, which recorded a group offered mass at the grave total of 244 victims. Farmers also suffer from hunger due to the Rice of Malayao in San Pablo, Isabela. Liberalization Law. According to the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Malayao was killed in a bus Luzon-Nueva Ecija, farmers suffer from low palay prices and are left with on pitstop at Aritao, Nueva almost no income due to the said law. Vizcaya on January 30, 2019.

ANG BAYAN February 7 , 2 02 0 8 Aerotropolis project, a bane to fishermen and the people

mid intensifying rivalries among capitalists, Ramon Ang believes that the ANew Manila International Airport will benefit him. The project, which is commonly known as the Aerotopolis, is being developed by San Miguel Holdings Corporation (SMC) in a 2,500-hectare coastal area of Barangay Taliptip, Bu- lakan, Bulacan. Fishermen and residents of the area, however, see the project as a mere game of big businesses, where their livelihood, habitat and environ- mental preservation are at stake.

Approximately 700 families will This is being implemented along with lose their homes and livelihood with the militarization in the area to sup- entry of the massive project in the presses the resistance of the resi- area. In addition, intensifying land dents. speculation and plans for land-use The Aerotropolis project is being Anomalous DICT conversion in adjacent towns may implemented in accordance with the intelligence funds result in the eviction of thousands of design of Manila Bay Coastal families. Strategies, one of the major pro- THE ANOMALOUS USE of con- According to the Advocates of grams of the Greater Capital Region fidential funds in 2019 by the Science and Technology for the Peo- under the Duterte regime's Build, Department of Information and ple (AGHAM), approximately 24 Build, Build program. Duterte has Communications Technology hectares of fishing reservation areas controlled the reclamation across (DICT) was exposed on Janu- will be wiped out due to massive the country to pave way for the ary 31. The office spent P300 reclamation. Since April 2018, about projects of his favored big capital- million in conducting surveil- 600 mangroves in Barangay Taliptip ists. In Manila Bay, the massive lance which violates the right have been cleared by suspected SMC reclamation is killing the livelihood of to freedom of expression, and personnel to pave way for the fishermen and others who rely on its possibly using the personal project. Majority of those cut were resources. data of Filipinos for intelligence piapis, a resilient type of mangrove Under the public-private-part- purposes. that serves as a natural habitat of nership (PPP) scheme, San Miguel This was exposed by DICT fishes and barrier against massive Holdings Corp. will fund the con- Undersecretary Eliseo Rio, Jr. waves. struction of the P735-billion upon his resignation. He ex- Aerotropolis project. After the con- plained that surveillance oper- Privatization of public struction, its operations will be ations are beyond the mandate fishing reservations transferred to the reactionary gov- of the DICT. He also accused Due to the absence of genuine ernment, and the latter will be obli- the department of failing to agrarian reform, those who rely on gated to pay for the construction immediately release opera- fishing reservations are exploited expenses at a highly usurious rate. tional funds. and evicted from reservation areas. Similar to other PPP projects, the Progressive groups re- The reactionary state also provides Aerotropolis guarantees that Ramon sponded by filing a resolution no subsidy to fishermen especially Ang will rake in billions of profits. in the Congress and Senate last after calamities. This is why propri- One of the components of the project February 5 to conduct an in- etors are unable to enhance their is the construction of an expressway vestigation on the utilization of fish production and salt farms. to link the airport and the North Lu- intelligence funds. Among those that will be wiped out zon Expressway. This will pass Amid worsening fascist at- by the Aerotopolis are fishing reser- through and wipe out farmlands in tacks and widespread Red- vations and salt farms which were Marilao, Bulacan. Another compo- tagging against progressives acquired by the SMC after being nent of the project is the Manila In- and activists, the surveillance devastated by successive calamities. tegrated Flood Control and Coastal operations conducted by the This has massacred the jobs of work- Defense Expressway Project of the office pose a huge threat to ers in the fishing sector, salt-pro- San Miguel Holdings Corporation and freedom of expression. The ducers and smallscale fishermen, the San Jose Builders. The program department's confidential funds and has simultaneously evicted them covers the entire Manila Bay from has reached P800 million this from the idle fishing reservation. Navotas to Bataan. year.

9 February 7 , 2 02 0 ANG BAYAN