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

English Edition Vol. L No. 22 November 21, 2019 www.cpp.ph

EDITORIAL End martial law and NPA-Eastern plunder in Mindanao Samar ambushes 14th IB and the entire country THE NEW PEOPLE'S Army he people of Mindanao are tired of living under military rule and state (NPA)-Eastern Samar ambushed terrorism. For more than three years, they suffer everyday from a unit of the 14th IB at Sitio killings, arrest and detention, intimidation, surveillance and other Bangon, Barangay Pinanag-an, Tmilitary abuses. They are denied of their rights to express dissent or protest Borongan City on November 11, against the suffering and exploitation they experience. Anyone who speaks is 5 p.m. The said enemy troopers immediately tagged as a communist and is suppressed. were blasted with a command- detonated explosive. Defense Secretary Delfin Loren- To end the military rule in Min- Initial reports indicate that zana's statement that the Min- danao, the people demand to im- at least six soldiers were killed, danao martial law could already be plement the following democratic including three officials. Addi- lifted is plain hogwash. Lorenzana measures: tionally, at least 20 were only said this because he knows (a) allow the several thousands wounded during the blast. that even without martial law, the of Marawi City residents to returm The 14th IB is notorious for foundations and system they have to their homes and lands, and in- perpetrating human rights built for their military rule, not only demnify them over damages caused abuses, particularly against in Mindanao, but across the whole by the massive bombing of the city children. In 2011, two minors, country will continue to exist. in 2017; both children of peasants, who Without dismantling these, martial (b) withdraw all abusive military were on their way to their farm law will carry on in essence despite units camping in the middle of to gather copra were illegally being lifted explicity. "End...," continued on page 2 "NPA...," continued on page 3 "End...," from page 1 Executive Order 70 (EO 70) and his situation as they are tagged as NPA communities under the guise of so called “counter-insurgency” “supporters” or implicated in drug “peace and development;” program to end the armed revolu- syndicates. (c) dismantle all CAFGU units tion in the country. These are on top Military rule is worst in farms and paramilitary groups along with of the Memorandum Order 32 (MO and mountains as the direct pres- their detachments in and around 32) which placed Samar, Negros and ence of fascist military troops in barrios; Bicol under military rule. barrios and communities are main- (d) stop the arbitrary tagging of Through EO 70, Duterte placed tained. Barangay officials are co- civilians as “rebels” to force them to the whole Philippines under the erced to serve as their subordi- “surrender” even though no cases control of the so called National nates; those who refuse to follow are filed against them; Task Force (NTF) which is led by are harassed or suppressed. Many (e) stop aerial bombing and Duterte and dominated by his mili- were killed. In Mindanao, several strafing which endangers the lives of tary officials. The NTF has regional bogus leaders were appointed by residents in farms and mountains; and provincial offices which sub- the AFP as “datu” (cheiftain) to (g) end “Red tagging” or the sumed various agencies of the civil- deceive and divide the Lumad practice of declaring organizations ian bureaucracy to serve its masses. and activists as “communist fronts” “counter-insurgency” interest. At least 549 AFP and CAFGU or “NPA recruiters" which is being The AFP interferes and sets the troops are currently operating in used to subject them to military programs of all government agencies. various barrios across four Min- surveillance and other repressive It also encroaches in economic pro- danao regions: 217 in Southern measures; grams and social services which ac- Mindanao (in 2018), 139 in North (h) release all political prisoners tually are not military-related. Newly Central Mindanao (including 105 and end the scheme of filing of elected local government officials are CAFGU detachments), more than trumped up criminal charges and rendered powerless because of AFP 100 in Northeast Mindanao (exclud- planting of evidences. surveillance. The congress and sen- ing SCAA detachments put up by Beyond Mindanao, Duterte's ate are but ornamental. Those who mining companies); and 93 in Far martial law and tyranny is imple- do not abide by the program set by South Mindanao. Majority of these mented across the country through the AFP and NTF are put into a tight are situated in areas that are being targeted as sites for mining opera- ANG Contents tions and destructive infrastructure projects. In Southern Mindanao, Editorial: End martial law and plunder in 64% or 137 CAFGU detachments are operating in 43 towns and cities with Vol L No. 22 | November 21, 2019 Mindanao and the entire country 1 mining companies currently or plan- NPA ambushes 14th IB 1 Ang Ang Bayan is published ning to expand their operations. Anomalous SEA Games spendings 3 in Pilipino, Bisaya, Iloko, The imposition of de facto mar- Hiligaynon, Waray and English. CSP in Masbate 4 tial law in the face of EO 70 across Ang Bayan welcomes Maranaos oppose new military camp 5 the country, and especially the contributions in the form Yolanda's 6th year 5 outright implementation of martial of articles and news items. AFP kills barangay captain 6 law in Mindanao, are closely linked Readers are encouraged PNP harassment vs. Ibon Foundation, to advancing the economic inter- to send feedback and ests of big multinational corpora- Altermidya 6 recommendations tions and the local bourgeois com- Regent strike dispersal 6 for improving our newspaper. prador and landlord counterparts. Delta Serra 7 Fascism is needed to suppress Ampatuan massacre 7 all forms of dissent against the en- instagram.com/prwcnewsroom Tribute to judge in Cordillera 7 try of destructive mining, expansion US-orchestrated coup in Bolivia 8 of palm oil, rubber, pinapple and @prwc_info other plantations, tourism projects,

[email protected] and energy and other infrastruc- tures that are funded by foreigners. Since 2017, the suppression and Ang Bayan is published fortnightly by the Central Committee military operations escalated in ar- of the Communist Party of the Philippines "End...," continued on page 3

2 November 2 1 , 2 01 9 ANG BAYAN "End...," from page 2 "NPA...," from page 1 eas targeted for mining operations Assiduously expose and oppose held by 14th IB troopers. in Andap Valley, as well as palm oil multinational companies that ex- The two were also pho- plantations in the Pantaron moun- tract huge amounts of money by tographed and subjected to tain range along the border of plundering our country and de- interrogation. The victims Davao del Norte and Bukidnon, and stroying the environment. Unite and were traumatized due to the the plan to expand plantation and militantly fight these companies incident. The soldiers also logging operations in the Daguma that grab the ancestral lands of na- stole their farming tools. mountain range. Big military opera- tional minorities and the farmlands In 2006, a young man tions are also part of the plan for of peasants. Expose Duterte's bogus and two minors were illegally the construction of the Chico River land reform program, which he is arrested by the same battal- Pump Irrigation Project in Kalinga, vaunting of, as a scheme to fast ion and were presented as the Kaliwa Dam in Rizal and Laguna, track the use-conversion and grab- NPA fighters. the Pulangi 5 Hydro Power Project in bing of peasant lands. The 14th IB also mas- Bukidnon, amd also various eco- The New People's Army (NPA) is terminded a corruption tourism projects in Masbate. tasked to defend the social and eco- scheme through the anoma- Under de facto martial law, cor- nomic interests of the Filipino people lous mass surrender of civil- ruption is worst and concentrated against foreign capitalist plunderers. ians in Eastern Samar. On under Duterte and his AFP and mili- The NPA must strictly implement the November 18, it coerced 16 tary officials in form of bribes from policies of the revolutionary move- farmers to attend a meeting big companies, kickbacks from infra- ment to defend the environment and at the provincial capitol in structure projects, and pocketing of the livelihood of the masses, and Borongan City who were funds allocated for the military op- hold destructive mining companies later presented as "NPA erations of soldiers and paramili- and big local capitalists accountable. surrenderees." The batallion taries. The revolutionary movement must also employed this scheme in In plain words, the US-Duterte tirelessly rouse and mobilize the December 2018 against 27 regime's martial law and fascism is broad peasant masses to advance peasants from Barangay correlated with foreign plunder of the struggles for their right to land Concepcion, Paranas. Philippine patrimony and environ- and the revolutionary program for In Panay, the NPA re- ment, corruption, exploitation of the genuine land reform. ported that 13 troopers of toiling masses, and the worsening Strengthen the clamor to end the 61st IB and CAFGU were poverty of the people. martial law, EO 70, MO 32 and killed while four others were The Filipino people must con- crush the foundation of Duterte's wounded in successive mili- tinue to strengthen their struggle fascist rule. Forge the broadest tary offensives mounted by for democracy and defend their pat- unity among the Filipino people to Red fighters. rimony from foreign plunder. They advance the struggle for democracy, The NPA mounted a ha- have to wage this along their fight the fight against military rule, and rassment operation against against the US-Duterte regime's end Duterte's tyranny and terror- the 61st IB on September 20 tyranny and fascism. ism. in Barangay Ungyod, Miag- ao, Iloilo, and against a Anomalous SEA Games spendings CAFGU detachment in Dagami, Maasin on Septem- THE EXTRAVAGANT COST for the construction of a monument for the 30th ber 23. On September 25, Southeast Asian (SEA) Games which will kick of on November 30 was widely the security guards of Cen- criticized. tury Peak Hydrodam in Ig- The monument, satirically called "Cayetano's cauldron" costs about P50 cabugao, Igbaras were also million. It was named after Rep. Allan Peter Cayetano, chairperson of the harassed. Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee. The revolutionary move- The P50-million budget used for the construction of the monument is part ment and the people offer of the P11-billion loan from a Malaysian bank for the construction of new their highest tribute to Ka sports facilities in New Clark City. Among the provisions of the loan contract is Denden and Ka Aden who a P2.5-billion sovereign guarantee which will benefit the company. The com- were martyred during the pany will also get 50% of the income generated from facilities in the next 25 said offensives. years.

ANG BAYAN November 2 1 , 2 01 9 3 Regional corresponsal CSP: The face of the "whole-of-nation" approach in Masbate

n Masbate, the "whole-of-nation" approach, the US-Duterte regime's and mining companies. Icounterinsurgency program, is characterized by the military occupation Simultaneous with the imple- of civilian communities under the guise of the Community Support Program mentation of bogus land reform, the (CSP) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Duterte regime is peddling its projects under the National Devel- The three major islands of the through the creation of local task opment Plan 2018-2022. Among Masbate province, Ticao, Burias and forces against communism. these is a contract for the Masbate Masbate, have been under de facto The CSP primarily aims to evict Park tourisim project which was martial law since Rodrigo Duterte's residents from areas targeted as awarded to Chinese capitalist Huang issuance of Memorandum Order sites for businesses of both local and Rolon. These also include the Mas- (MO) 32. Duterte further consoli- foreign capitalists. A large portion of bate International Economic Zone dated the military rule in the island these are agricultural lands culti- (MIEZ) which will cater to foreign by issuing the Executive Order 70 vated by poor peasants and ances- capitalists. In peddling these, which created the National Task tral lands of national minorities. Duterte is making it appear that Force to End Local Communist such projects will generate jobs in Armed Conflict (ELCAC). Bogus land reform, anti-people the province and help the livelihood As per the AFP's design, the de- projects of residents. ployment of combat units for the CSP In January 2018, Duterte or- However, Ma. Roja Banua, is in support for Oplan Kapayapaan dered the distribution of lands in spokesperson of the National which purportedly aims to "clean" Masbate to purportedly counter the Democratic Front-Bicol, said that areas that it alleges as bases or po- growing strength and influence of the promised "biggest ecotourism tential bases of the New People's the NPA in the island. In truth, project" which will purportedly Army. These are also called COPD Duterte plans to have these lands, benefit the town of Dimasalang and (community organizing for peace and which have long been tilled by peas- Masbateño masses is a big fat lie. development) operations wherein ants, titled in order to award these She said that "the administra- local government units and agencies to his favored individuals. This tion is peddling its grandiose Mas- are tapped by the AFP for its coun- scheme will ease the process of sell- bate Park and Masbate Interna- terinsurgency program. Under EO ing lands to real estate developers tional Economic Zone in an attempt 70, the AFP fully subsumed the civil- who intend to invest in tourism to woo Masbateños, and make it ian bureaucracy and its structures projects, export processing zones appear that the regime has concrete plans to address poverty in the province. By spewing these enticing and deceptive promises, the regime aims to make Masbateños shun their support for the revolutionary move- ment in the province. On top of the Masbate Park and MIEZ, there are also other massive projects in the province such as the Masbate International Tourism En- terprise and Special Economic Zone, a project of the Masbate Park and Land Development Corporation (MPark) in the towns of Palanas and Dimasalang, and Matibay Cement Factory and Coal Power Plant in Barangay Casabangan, Pio V. Cor- pus. "CSP...," continued on page 5

4 November 2 1 , 2 01 9 ANG BAYAN 100,000 Maranaos oppose March in commemoration creation of new military camp of Yolanda's 6th year PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATIONS, arawi and Lanao del Sur residents filed a petition at the Malacañang led by People Surge, marched to Mon November 15 to oppose the planned creation of a new military Tacloban last November 8 to camp in their city. Around 100,000 signed the said petition. The camp will commemorate the 6th year of be constructed in Barangay Kapantaran, one of the 24 barangays that were the super typhoon Yolanda most ravaged by Armed Forces of the Philippines bombings in 2017. which devastated Eastern Visayas. The groups condemned The petitioners said that the inaugurating the target area in the Duterte regime's neglect new camp will have an adverse po- January 2018. and his henchmen's brazen litical and social effect. They It has also been a year since corruption of rehabilitation stated that the presence of sol- the Department of National De- funds. diers in their city is against their fense was allocated a P51-million Relatedly, 400 members of culture and religion and will only fund for the procurement of land the Coalition of Yolanda Sur- sow fear among residents. They properties in Kapantaran. Within vivors and Partners filed a peti- asserted that the Maranao identity two years, the value of the land in tion at the Office of the Ombuds- is dependent on Marawi and that the area has increased from P100- man in Tacloban last November 7 the creation of a camp will affect P200 per square-meter to P1000- to demand a stop to the anoma- the future generations of P2000 in 2018. Until today, the lous housing projects of the Na- Maranaos. regime is still in the process of tional Housing Authority in East- Contrary to the petition, Ro- identifying the owner of the land. ern Samar. drigo Duterte signed Memorandum The newly formed committee Order 41, also on November 15, neither includes representatives and ordered the creation of a com- from the local government of mittee that will take charge of con- Marawi nor the residents. Accord- ducting "studies" on the creation ing to Moro Consensus Group, this of the said camp. Duterte issued violates their right to free prior the order almost two years after and informed consent.

"CSP...," from page 4 These projects exclude mining trated killings, 302 cases of illegal bubukid ng Masbate (KMM), Mas- companies such as the Masbate Gold arrest and detention, and 14 cases bate People’s Organisation (MAPO) Project which has long been operat- of abduction. More than 1,000 indi- and the local offices of Karapatan ing in eight barangays of Aroroy. viduals were subjected to threats and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. and other forms of intimidation. Sol- Similarly, the forced surrender Killings, fake surrender and PNG diers also perpetrated indiscriminate of civilians either as sympathizers of To railroad the delivery of these strafing, aerial bombings, ransacking Red fighters is a major aspect of the projects, the regime implemented a and hamletting. Because of this, CSP in the province. The AFP imple- new wave of military occupation af- more than 1,000 residents have been ments the surrender campaign un- ter the May midterm election. Ac- compelled to evacuate from their der the guise of the Enhanced Com- cording to Ka Luz Del Mar, barrios. prehensive Livelihood Integration spokesperon of the NPA-Masbate Of Bicol's six provinces, the sec- Program (ECLIP). Data from the AFP (Jose Rapsing Command), the AFP ond highest number of political indicate that about 539 civilians and PNP heightened their operations killings and other human rights have “surrendered.” in the province in order to declare abuses were recorded in Masbate, To hinder the strength of the Masbate as “conflict manageable” next to Sorsogon. According to mass and revolutionary movement, and “ready for development.” Cur- Karapatan-Masbate, peasants, fish- residents and local government of- rently, CSP operations cover up to erfolks, drivers, municipal and ficials are coerced to sign "persona 59 barangays in nine towns of the barangay officials are severely af- non grata" declarations against the province. (See infographic.) fected and victimized. Soldiers and Communist Party of the Philippines, The relentless military occupa- police operatives primarily target and even legal organizations that tion resulted in more than 27 cases members of progressive organiza- stand for the rights and livelihood of of political killings, 12 cases of frus- tions such as the Kilusang Mag- Masbateños.

ANG BAYAN November 2 1 , 2 01 9 5 AFP murders barangay captain in Masbate

lements of the 2nd IB and PNP killed a barangay captain and six other In Davao, Hanimay Suazo, for- Ecivilians in Masbate during the first week of November. The captain was mer secretary general of Karap- identified as Wolfert Dalanon of Barangay Libertad, Cawayan. He was gunned atan-Southern Mindanao, was re- down by soldiers on November 6 in what soldiers claim as an encounter with ported missing by her relatives last the New People's Army (NPA). November 2. She was last seen rid- ing a motorcycle on her way home Dalanon and four other civilians In Iloilo, police and military el- after going to the cemetery. A were falsely presented as NPA ements illegally arrested peasant month before this, Suazo reported members. The two other victims leader Herman Allesa in Barangay the relentless surveillance against were identified as Joan Versaga and Bolo, Maasin on November 10. her and her family. Arnel Ortillano, both members of Allesa was a former official of the In Macalelon, Quezon, ele- the Masbate People’s Organization Paghugpong sang mga Man- ments of the 85th IB besieged who were gunned down in separate gunguma sa Panay kag Guimaras Barangay Malabahay on November incidents last November 1 and 2. (Pamanggas). He was accused of 17. They trooped to the residence In Batuan, Bohol, Rolando Pat- participating in a raid against police of peasant leader Eliseo Batarlo to aca, captain of Barangay Rizal was station in Maasin on June 2017. coerce him again to surrender as also intimidated by police and 47th In Montalban, Rizal, urban poor an NPA member. The 83rd IB has IB elements. On November 7, state leader Lilibeth Gelith was arrested been perpetrating various rights elements forcibly entered and ille- by the police last November 6. Lili- violations against residents of the gally searched his residence. A beth Gelith was charged with de- said barangay since the early part week before this, Pataca helped in privation of property. Gelith was a of the year. Among the incidents searching for and rescuing resi- leader of the Montalban Homeless that were documented were cases dents who were coerced by the mili- Alliance, an urban poor alliance of interrogation, intimidation, ille- tary to serve as guide in their com- that demands the state for housing gal detention, coerced surrender bat operations. services. and physical assault.

PNP attempts to enter PNP, goons disperse Ibon Foundation and Altermidya offices Regent Foods workers strike

POLICE OPERATIVES ATTEMPTED to enter the offices THE POLICE AND goons of Regent Foods Corpora- of Ibon Foundation and Altermidya in Timog Avenue in tion violently dispersed the strike of Regent Food Quezon City and the Philippine Collegian office, campus Workers Union at its factories in Pasig City and publication of the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Taguig on November 9. Twenty-four individuals were illegally arrested, including two members of On November 7, officers of the National Capital the Defend Job Philippines and a tricycle driver Region Police Office called on the said offices who just passed by the picketline. They were prompting that they will be conducting an inspection at charged with physical injury, and alarm and scan- the Ibon Building wherein Altermidya and other legal dal among other cases. Many workers were injured and international organizations are based. Three men during the dispersal. also attempted to forcibly enter the Philippine The workers mounted their strike to oppose Collegian office on November 16, also purportedly to the harassment against their union and demand conduct an inspection. their right to regularization, especially those According to Altermidya, the illegal entry of the serving the company for several years already. The said elements in their office can be considered an strike also aims to prevent the company from attack to press freedom. sneaking out its machines and closing down. On November 7, a journalist, identified as Dindo On November 15, 11 workers were released Generoso, was gunned down in Dumaguete City, after Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto had a dialogue Negros Oriental. The victim was aboard his car, on the with the company. Several others were released on way to a radio station where he works, when he was November 18 after posting a bail of P8,500 per in- shot. dividual.

6 November 2 1 , 2 01 9 ANG BAYAN Establishing the people's government in Delta Serra

t was during the summer of 2014 when two Iplatoons of the New People's Army (NPA) ar- rived at and converged in Delta Serra after several months of conducting strenuous expansion work. Delta Serra is a vast mountain range which con- nects four provinces in Mindanao. Most parts of the area have not yet been penetrated by the rev- olutionary movement in the past decades.

The two platoons started out fighters in their communities and in Delta Serra. separately in both ends of Delta participated lively in political dis- Serra. After traveling for three cussions and researches. Residents History and social conditions in months, the units have arrived at bridged them to other communities Delta Serra communities of various Lumad and facilitated their safe passage to Distinct in the history of the tribes, Moros and settlers who for other areas. Lumad and Moro masses in Delta the first time had the opportunity to The successful expansion jour- Serra is their century-long and interact with Red fighters. Resi- ney of Red fighters served as seed bloody struggle against various log- dents warmly accepted the Red in founding the people's government "Establishing...," continued on page 8

Ampatuan Massacre: a decade of impunity Progressives pay tribute to judge in Cordillera THE COMMUNIST PARTY of the Philippines (CPP) joined the Filipino people in commemorating last November 17 the 10th HUMAN RIGHTS AND progressive organi- year anniversary of the Ampatuan massacre wherein 53 indi- zations in Cordillera paid tribute to Judge viduals were killed, mostly journalists. The Party said that the Mario Anacleto Bañez during his wake last massacre is a manifestation of the rotten state of the political November 11. Bañez was gunned down in system in the country which is dominated by feudal landlords his car by several unidentified in Barangay and warlords. They employ their armed goons to perpetuate Mameltac, San Fernando, La Union on No- their power, protect their businesses and criminal syndicates vember 6. He is the judge of the Regional and suppress anyone who challenge their rule. Trial Court in San Fernando, La Union. The party is one with the victims' families in their clamor The Center for Development Programs for justice. For ten years now, the reactionary justice system in the Cordillera believes that Bañez was has failed to decisively resolve the case. It has allowed the assassinated for standing by a fair and im- legal maneuvers of the Ampatuans to delay the criminal pro- partial judiciary. On September 4, she ac- ceedings. quitted Rachel Mariano, a health worker The same conditions which led to the Ampatuan massacre who was illegally arrested and accused by are present until today. Political dynasties still exist and so are the 8th IB of participating in an ambush by their violent rivalries. The Duterte regime has worsened this by the New People's Army against a military perpetrating killings and intimidation against the political op- unit in Quirino, Ilocos Sur on October 17. position, its critics and members of democratic organizations. During the hearing, Bañez upheld that In particular, Duterte is attacking the local media, espe- the accused is an activist and that the mil- cially practitioners who are critical of his fascist ambitions. itary's allegations is not sufficient to con- Eighty-five harassment incidents against journalists and 14 vict Mariano. Four other individuals ac- killings have been documented since 2016. Even student cused as communists were acquitted by journalists are subjected to harassment and intimidation by Bañez. the state. Earlier, the AFP asked the Supreme The Ampatuan massacre is considered the worst case of Court to investigate judges who acquit election-related violence in the country. It is also the worst those accused by the military as commu- case of media violence in the country and in the world. nists.

ANG BAYAN November 2 1 , 2 01 9 7 US-orchestrated coup d'état in Bolivia

rogressive peoples and leaders across the world Pcondemned the US-orchestrated coup d'état to oust Evo Morales as the elected president of Bolivia last on November 10. Morales voluntarily resigned amid violent demonstration spearheaded by his po- litical opponents. Morales decided to seek assy- Violence broke out after the result, his political opponents lum in Mexico after goons ran- Morales' victory in the presidential called for a massive demontration. sacked his and his sister's houses. election on October 20. He was The oppositionists (mostly rightists) Earlier, Morales and his cabinet elected for the fourth time after particularly target national minori- members received threats that they garnering 48% of the total number ties who comprise 60% of the total and their families will be killed. of votes. But instead of upholding "Bolivia...," continued on page 9

"Establishing...," from page 7 ging companies that grab and de- and the residents' objectives in its mass movement played an active stroy their ancestral lands. In the base, army and Party building work. role in organizing. Because of of past four decades, they suffered Mass campaigns and the lines that this, revolutionary mass organiza- worse forms of oppression and ex- would be carried in the said period tions, the people's militia and local ploitation from the armed goons of a were also set. Party branches continued to ex- large logging, mining and plantation The committee promptly stud- pand quickly. Later on, revolution- company. This is owned by a power- ied the terrain and devised possible ary committees were formed in the ful bourgeois comprador and land- maneuvers for the people's army. It clusters of various barrios. lord who also has a private army. continuously expanded and deep- Comrades thoroughly explained ened its analysis to ensure that it is Strengthening the mass that only through unity and waging able to firmly understand the gen- movement a democratic revolution will they be eral and particular conditions in the In the early part of 2015, a able to address their land problems area. It regularly holds study circles historic mass action against a log- and poverty. This roused them to that is participated in by more and ging company was mounted in one organize their ranks. They industri- more individuals. It immediately of the communities in Delta Sierra. ously participate in discussions and established the organizing commit- More than 300 residents mounted a attend in political studies that are tees for the founding of the Rebo- barricade to oppose the demolition given by Red fighters. They enthusi- lusyonaryong Organisasyon ng of their homes and the construction astically accepted their role in Lumad, Kabataang Makabayan and of an access road by the company. politicizing and revolutionary orga- MAKIBAKA in the area, as well as The masses also mobilized nizing. The people of Delta Serra squads of the people's militia. It against the expansion of a com- are likened to a forest with huge actively gave medical services in mercial plantation, and opposed heaps of dried branches and leaves communities and participated in the the attempt of the company to which will conflagrate in one in- people's production activities. It bulldoze their farms. They also op- stance. held a discussion which was partic- posed the expansion of commercial ipated in by 70 tribal leaders from timber plantations. Systematic and quick organizing seven barangays. The participation of Delta In analyzing the social condi- Expansion work was conducted Sierra residents in urban mass mo- tions in and planning for the area, quickly with the help of local lead- bilizations is also notable. Thou- the leading Party committee de- ers, the militia and organized sands participate in large demon- cided to establish a front committee masses. They even reached com- strations even as their convoys to effectively direct its expansion munities and barrangays in adja- were forcibly stopped several times work. The committee devised a one- cent municipalities. by the reactionary local govern- year plan to set the people's army Newly elected leaders of the ment and the fascists.

8 November 2 1 , 2 01 9 ANG BAYAN "Bolivia...," from page 8 local population in the country. On pendent pollwatchers insist that the land distribution to poor farmers November 7, the oppositionists election was legitimate. To face the when he first sat in power in 2006. burned down the town hall of Vinto. accusations, Morales called for a More than 60 major indigenous They dragged Patricia Arce, mayor reelection. This, however, was un- communities, which comprise al- of the said town, through the heeded by the US as it subverted most 3 million hectares of land, streets. She was shamed in public the decision of the Bolivian people. benefitted from the program which and was coerced to sign a resigna- It instead called for strikes and he dubbed an “agrarian revolu- tion letter. On the same day, the boycotts, majority of which ended in tion.” Part of his programs were group attacked the 200,000-strong violence. Allies of his political op- the construction of infrastructures demonstration of peasant women in ponents along with the police and in the countryside, such as access support for Morales. More than 10 military violently dispersed the road, schools, hospital, and facili- of Morales' supporters were killed peaceful protests in support for ties for water and eletricity. In while 400 others were wounded in Morales. 2017, even US institutions re- the said attacks. The US replaced ported that the extreme poverty in Morales with Jeanine Añez, a candi- An independent leader Bolivia decreased by 43%. This date who garnered a meager 1.6% Like Maduro, Morales has long was a result of Morales' additional of the total number of votes in the been targeted by the US for his firm 43% budget allocation for social election. stance against the imperialist services, and 88% for minimum hegemony of the US in Latin Amer- wage. Role of the US ica. In 2017, he declared that Bo- US and its allies played a big livia is already free from the control International support role in delivering the "regime of the International Monetary Fund Hundreds of thousands of peo- change" in Bolivia. The coup against and World Bank. Many of the big- ples condemned the US-orches- Morales is no different to the coup gest mass movements in Bolivia are trated coup in Bolivia and ex- attempt against Venezuela Pres. against privatization of public re- pressed their support for Morales. Nicolas Maduro during the early sources, such as water, by imperi- They condemned the rascist vio- part of the year. In Bolivia, the US alist companies. lence which the political opposition particularly employed the National He is known for his pro-people used against national minorities. Endowment for Democracy, an policies and for fighting against the For its part, the International agency which poses as a non-gov- local oligarchs. He frugally controls League of Peoples’ Struggles issued ernmental organization (NGO) to the resources of Bolivia. Among the an open letter declaring “Peoples of fund the political opposition and in- policies he implemented to protect the world for Evo." The organiza- cite its organizations to oust his country was the implementation tion said that the destabilization Morales. The opposition is com- of an 82% tax on lithium mining campaign against Evo aims to quell posed of local oligarchs who chal- companies. Recently, he allowed the revolutionary minorities strug- lenged Morales' 14-year presidency. Chinese mining companies to oper- gle for self determination. The US also employed the Or- ate in the country. About 70% of the Academics, minorities and pro- ganisation of American States, a total lithium in the world is in Bo- gressive organizations held a Washington-based institution, to livia. Lithium is a mineral that is protest in front of the Oblation reverse the election result. Even be- used in manufacturing batteries. Statue at the University of the fore completing the tally of votes, Bolivia is also rich in hydrocarbon, a Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, the organization along with US and chemical compound that is a pri- in support for Morales and the European Union officials, that the mary component of petroleum and people of Bolivia. election was "rigged." They de- natural gases. Hundreds of thousands of manded a nullification of results Morales' regime saw an im- farmers also rallied in Guatamela in even as they failed to provide suffi- provement in the quality of life in support of Morales. The peoples cient evidence to prove the alleged Bolivia, especially to that of farm- and independent leaders Vene- election fraud. They demanded a ers and national minorities. He im- zuela, Cuba and Brazil also ex- reelection, even as majority of inde- mediately implemented extensive pressed their solidarity.

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