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

English Edition Vol XLVII No. 16 August 21, 2016 www.philippinerevolution.net

CPP declares Editorial ceasefire It's the economy

atters concerning the economy are at the root and link the differ- THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE of ent crucial issues affecting the people. The people yearn for social the Communist Party of the and economic policy changes to set the economy into the course of Philippines and the National Mprogress from the long period of crisis and stagnation. Operational Command of the New People’s Army made Despite its progressive declara- NDFP and the GRP to integrate public on August 19 its order tions, the Duterte regime's eco- these in the agreements to be for a ceasefire to all NPA units nomic policies, in general, continue forged. They must insist that the and people’s militias in sup- to follow the neoliberal programs of economy is viewed and regarded port of, and to strengthen, the the past: attracting foreign invest- from the people's point of view and resumption of the peace talks ments, funding infrastructure that not from the perspective and in- between the National Demo- are meaningless with the persist- terests of foreign banks and their cratic Front of the Philippines ence of landlessness and low wages. trained bourgeois academics and and the Government of the In alliance and struggle with the technocrats. Republic of the Philippines. Duterte regime, the Filipino people They must assert that a healthy The unilateral ceasefire should push for substantive changes and progressive economy is meas- will take effect from 12:01 in economic policies and direction in ured not in terms of the GNP or a.m. on August 21 and will last order to solve their urgent and GDP, foreign direct or portfolio in- up to 11:59 p.m. on August 27 strategic problems. vestments or credit ratings. All to occur simultaneously with It is timely that peace talks are these merely measure how much the resumption of the talks in set to focus on the economy over foreign investments the Philippines Oslo, Norway. the next few months. The Filipino draws in but does not reflect the The declaration was made people must actively engage to un- concrete conditions of the people. hours after Benito and Wilma derscore their miserable social con- They must assert that the eco- Tiamzon walked free as the ditions and their demand for com- nomy must be understood from the 15th and 16th of the NDFP prehensive and substantial people's perspective and measured consultants which the GRP economic changes. in terms of the welfare of workers, released within five days. The people will play a big role to peasants and small employees and As per order, “During the achieve fruitful peace talks. They professionals. Do they have jobs? ceasefire period, all NPA units must assert their grievances and is- Do they earn enough? Do they have and people’s militia shall sues to the representatives of the enough land to till? Do they cease and desist from carrying out offensive military cam- paigns and operations against the uniformed armed person- nel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) of the Government of the Republic of the Philip- pines.” Nevertheless, “The NPA shall consider as hostile action to be continued on page 3 have sturdy houses, do they have economic theories promoted by the products, minerals and other raw water, electricity, communications IMF and its factotums to justify the materials. and other measures of decent liv- policies that condemn the economy It is the workers, peasants, ing? Can they avail of college educa- to chronic crisis under the semico- farm-workers and other productive tion? Are they provided with health lonial and semifeudal system. sectors who create wealth. But this services? For the toiling masses and pro- is appropriated by the ruling The entire people must become ductive sectors, questions of the classes. The toiling masses carry economic experts. They must shat- economy or the economic system the burden of widespread unem- ter the belief that studying the eco- pertain to ownership of the means of ployment, low wages, migration, nomy is only for experts and aca- production, the state of the means landgrabbing and others. demics. They must study of production, participation in pro- The people hope that the revolutionary theory and apply the duction or creation of wealth and Duterte regime's progressive as- study of economics to the concrete appropriation of such wealth. pect will grow stronger so it will experience of the toiling masses. Under the positively address their aspirations They must study, shred and re- current sys- for change. The people hope that pudiate neoliberalism and other tem, the Duterte will pursue his progressive means of declarations by pushing for land production are distribution even under CARP, end owned by the "endo" and other labor flexibiliza- big landlords tion policies, raise wages, put an and bourgeois end to relentless demolitions of compradors. In urban poor communities as well as collusion with to plunderous mining operations, foreign big cap- develop public health and education italists, they ex- services, trash K-12, subsidize rice ploit cheap labor- and food production and others. power and plun- Duterte must strengthen inde- der cheap pendent foreign policy in order to agricultural open opportunities for economic cooperation and sourcing of oil and other resources, capital for invest- ANG Contents ments and technology. Duterte's progressive de- Editorial: It's the economy 1 termination can be measured by Vol. XLVII No. 16 | August 21, 2016 how much he will strengthen his CPP declares ceasefire 1 ties with the national-democratic Ang Bayan is GRP releases NDFP consultants 3 forces through peace talks and published in Kamurayawan* 4 other forms of cooperation to pur- Pilipino, Bisaya, sue substantial economic and social Hiligaynon, NPA burns marijuana plantation 5 changes. Whether such changes are Iloco, Waray CPP pulls out of Duterte's campaign 5 extensive or not, other parts of the and English. ruling classes will surely be stirred NPA seizes 6 firearms in ComVal 5 It can be downloaded from the up, including Duterte's big compra- Philippine Revolution Web Central at No to Marcos’ burial at LNMB 6 dor and landlord supporters. www. philippinerevolution. net In the final analysis, funda- NPA's use of landmines is legitimate 7 mental changes in society and the Ang Bayan welcomes Harassment of communities continue 8 economic system will be attained contributions in the form of articles Paramilitary kills 2 Lumad activists 8 only through revolutionary change. and news items. Readers are Thus, the Filipino people must al- encouraged to send feedback and KMP and RMP officials arrested 9 ways strengthen and consolidate recommendations for improving our Negros Anti-Tiempo Muerto struggles 9 their independent political force newspapers. Send your messages to and look forward to overthrowing International Indigenous Peoples’ Day 10 [email protected] the old rotten system and building a Ang Bayan is published fortnightly by the Central Committee new democratic state that will pur- of the Communist Party of the Philippines sue socialism.

2 August 2 1 , 2 01 6 ANG BAYAN from page 1 GRP releases NDFP consultants; encroachments on the territ- ory of the people’s democratic Talks set on August 22 government by operating troops of the AFP and its he revolutionary movement and organizations advocating peace talks paramilitaries to conduct sur- Tcelebrate the release of 17 consultants of the National Democratic Front veillance, psywar and other of the Philippines and two political detainees. The consultants will attend the offensive operations that are formal resumption of peace talks in Oslo, Norway on August 22. labelled as “peace and devel- Last August 19, Benito Tiamzon ence last August 18, the released opment”, “civil-military”, and Wilma-Austria Tiamzon were consultants expressed gratitude to “peace and order” and “law released from Camp Crame after their lawyers, to the Filipino people enforcement” operations.” posting bail in four local courts. Por- and to organizations supportive of The CPP hopes that the ferio Tuna and Pedro Codaste were the peace talks. recommendation for a general also released along with Loida Mag- “The consultants will ensure amnesty for all political de- patoc who was detained in Bilibid. that socio-economic and political tainees will be discussed in Adelberto Silva, Ariel Arbitrario reforms which will benefit the people Oslo. The NPA and the CPP are and Eduardo Genelsa were released will be put forward during peace ne- also open to the possibility of a on August 18. gotiations,” said Jazmines. longer ceasefire after all Earlier, a large number of con- They also called for the immedi- political prisoners are re- sultants were temporarily released ate dismissal of all trumped up leased. on August 17. Among them were charges against them and other Concurrently, the NDF- Tirso Alcantara, Alan Jazmines, political detainees. According to Northeast Mindanao Region Renante Gamara, Ma. Concepcion them, their release proves that announced that the NPA will Araneta-Bocala, Ernesto Lorenzo Duterte is rectifying mistakes com- release the five prisoners-of- and Alfredo Mapano. Alex Birondo mitted by the past Arroyo and war currently under its cus- and Winona Birondo were also re- Aquino administrations. tody during the talks. The NPA leased at the same time. Meanwhile, The CPP warmly welcomed the captured the said police per- Kennedy Bangibang and Ruben Sa- release of 19 political detainees. sonnel in separate operations luta were released last August 16. They also hope for the release of in Surigao del Sur and Surigao Jaime Soledad who was detained other consultants in coming days. del Norte on July 5 and July in Ormoc City Jail was acquitted on Despite all these, the CPP also en- 24. August 15 for trumped up murder courages Duterte to free more than Likewise, the NPA-South- charges . 550 political prisoners across the ern Mindanao Region an- However, Leopoldo Caloza and country. nounced its intent to release Renato Baleros remain in jail includ- Last August 15, Duterte met POWs Arnold Ongachen and ing Eduardo Sarmiento, Edgardo Fri- with NDFP representatives in Michael Grande. Ongachen ginal and Emetrio Antalan, who were Malacanang to iron out the consult- was chief of police in Gov. convicted with 15-year to life im- ants'releases . Generoso, Davao Ori- prisonment for trumped-up charges. “In general, the relationship ental when cap- In a press confer- between the revolutionary move- tured by the NPA ment and President Duterte is ex- on May 29 while cellent, glitches can be fixed Grande was through peaceful dia- arrested on logue,” said Luis July 19. Jalandoni. In response, GRP President Duterte declared an indefinite ceasefire which will also start on Au- gust 21 midnight. The CPP welcomed this development.

ANG BAYAN August 2 1 , 2 01 6 3 Kamurayawan* when Duterte withdrew his first ceasefire declaration. There should be negotiations first, before any nside a guerilla front in Northern Samar, discussions are lively on the ceasefire, says Ka Menang, a guer- IDuterte regime’s characteristics and the revolutionary movement’s pro- illa front Party official. A ceasefire spects on the peace talks. In the face of rapidly changing developments, should be the result of negoti- members of the local Party branch, Red fighters and local activists strive to ations, she adds. This is one of the clarify to the revolutionary forces and the people they lead the Party’s views lessons gleaned from the failed and policies in relation to the regime. ceasefire and peace negotiations Since May, they have intensified residents’ petitions but time and during Cory Aquino’s time in the the study of the Party’s memos, again, they return to conduct oper- 1980s. statements and views, including ations. According to Mosi, many The Party and the people’s those featured in Ang Bayan. Says peasants have been victimized by army have already laid out plans in Ka Mosi, a member of the Party sec- abusive soldiers. Up to the present, anticipation of the upcoming talks tion in Cluster 5, they may watch not one soldier has been punished. and possible ceasefire. These in- television at times, or listen to the In spite of this, the people in the clude continuing education cam- radio, but mainly they rely on the guerilla front are optimistic of the paigns, anti-feudal struggles, re- Party newspaper to deliver the news peace negotiations. Like other cruitment and expansion of the and analysis of current events. They peasants in the entire country, they guerilla base. Particular to the exert effort so that 100% of mem- are happy that their issues such as people’s army, plans for all Red bers of mass organizations are able the free land distribution and needs fighters to finish the basic Party to discuss its issues. such as farm implements, seeds and course and push onwards with the "We have been able to answer irrigation will feature in the talks. intermediate course are already and clarify a lot of the questions They are also glad that aside from afoot. Regular discussions based on about Duterte as unification inside the talks, progressives have been Ang Bayan issues, nightly news the Party and people’s army has given positions in the reactionary discussions and cultural efforts will been fast," says Ka Unli, the local government, small as these may be. continue. NPA’s political instructor. Peasants They may be miles away from Ma- Most of the revolutionary work have no problems appreciating the nila, but they are able to follow the should not only be continued but two opposing characteristics of the people’s agenda, Ka Paeng Mari- even intensified. An example is the Duterte regime. They are aware that ano’s moves inside the Department people’s militia’s defense of their while it has progressive facets, it of Agrarian Reform and other issues. communities. With or without the remains the representative of the “We are ready for whatever comes talks, bad elements will not disap- ruling class. out of the peace talks,” declared Ka pear in the barrios, says Ka Ditoy, Nothing has changed in their Inday, Ka Singko and Ka Olan, people’s militia commander in the everyday lives. Even when Duterte members of the local Party branch. said cluster. They don’t stop with declared a unilateral ceasefire, sol- The local NPA unit and people’s their activities, that’s why the militia diers did not leave their communit- militias are also ready to comply has still a lot of things to do, he adds. ies. According to Ka Lani, member of with the ceasefire declaration by the local Makibaka chapter, it would the CPP and the NPA National Op- *Peace in Waray language have been better if Duterte also erational Command, once it is de------ordered a military pull-out from clared. They were not surprised Interviews with the Northern their barrio during the Samar comrades can be seen in ceasefire. They are a “Kamurayawan,” a video feature hindrance to the people’s produced by SineProletaryo, in livelihoods, as the milit- cooperation with Talutang Pro- ary singles out those ductions, Eastern Visayas’ re- who work in their fields volutionary multimedia collective. outside the barrio and Watch at youtube/prwc and accuse them as NPA facebook/philippinerevolution- members. They en- webcentral. Also available camp in homes and in are Ang Bayan videos and barangay halls. In other SineProletaryo pro- the past, they had ductions such as on the been driven out from NPA Medics and What is the barrio by the CPP.

4 August 2 1 , 2 01 6 ANG BAYAN NPA burns paramilitary's NPA seizes 6 marijuana plantation in Bukidnon firearms in he New People's Army (NPA)-North Central Mindanao Region launched Compostela Valley Ta series of tactical offensives last August 17 targetting marijuana plantations run by the paramilitary group Alamara. Ka Alan Juanito, the NPA's an hour. Three Red fighters were THE NPA’s 8th Pulang Bagani spokesperson in the region, said wounded. Company seized six firearms in that the NPA confiscated a Garand The following day, AFP troops a series of successful counter- rifle, two carbines, five shotguns carrying out clearing operations offensives against troops of and two sacks of marijuana. The were ambushed by an NPA team the 25th IB in Monkayo town, NPA burned the marijuana in the wounding a soldier. The AFP used Compostela Valley during the presence of residents of Sitio Kat- the NPA's supposed extortion as a first week of August. ablaran, Barangay Kanangaan, Ca- pretext which obligated them to At about 7:30 a.m. last Au- banglasan, Bukidnon. An Alamara respond to the area. gust 5, Red fighters ambushed member, the notorious Manlumakad At midnight, soldiers roused the a 25th IB company in Sitio Bocalas, was one of those killed. residents of the nearby sub-village Inuburan, Barangay Rizal. Five According to Ka Alan, the Ala- and forced them to help in trans- soldiers were killed and more mara together with the Bocalas porting to their command post their or less ten were wounded. The brothers have been sowing terror casualties and equipment left be- NPA confiscated two M203 among the Lumad communities in hind by the NPA. The soldiers grenade launchers, one M4 the boundaries of Agusan del Sur threatened to kill the residents' rifle, Harris radios and other and Bukidnon provinces. livestock if they disobeyed. military hardware. Before this, on August 5, the Last August 6 and 7, the AFP Earlier, on August 4, Red AFP's 1st Special Forces Battalion fired mortars on the site of the en- fighters attacked a platoon of (SFB) and CAFGU elements counter, bringing fear to the civilians. the 25th IB in Barangay Pais- launched a surprise attack against According to another statement an, Monkayo. Two soldiers an NPA unit under the Mt. Kit- by Ka Alan, the NPA unit lowered were killed and three were anglad Subregional Command en- their guard even when the GRP had wounded. camped at a forested area in Sub- already withdrawn its unilateral On August 2, the 8th PBC- village Tungungan, Barangay ceasefire last July 31. Furthermore, NPA neutralized Cpl. Castro, Lilingayon, Valencia City. the NPA should triple its alertness an intelligence operative of the The firefight lasted for almost against enemy attacks. 25th IB who was caught con- ducting combat intelligence operations in the communities CPP pulls out of Duterte’s anti-drug campaign of Barangay Baylo, Monkayo. A 9mm caliber and .22 caliber pistol were seized from him. he Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) declared on August 12 the According to Rigoberto F. Twithdrawal from the Duterte regime’s anti-drug campaign. The CPP Sanchez, NPA-Southern Min- explained that the regime’s anti-drug war is clearly anti-democratic and anti- danao Regional Operational people because this has spiralled into a frenzied campaign of extrajudicial Command spokesperson, the killings and vigilante murders perpetrated by the police and by police-linked series of offensives was carried criminal syndicates. out in response to the 25th IB’s The New People's Army (NPA) has come up with one list after ceaseless operations in the will continue to intensify its another of so-called protectors, barangays of Monkayo since operations to arrest and disarm narco-politicians and judges June, even during the govern- drug trade operators and without proof nor clear basis for ment’s ceasefire declaration. protectors in its territory. As accusations of their involvement in In reaction, soldiers at- before, the NPA will continue to drugs. It is a mystery even to the tacked civilians and their com- exercise due process in dealing with chief intelligence officer and head munities. Among the military’s suspects, such as those PNP officers of the PNP. It would be no surprise crimes were aerial bombings, presently in custody in Compostela if the lists made public by Duterte strafing, hamletting and food Valley and Surigao del Sur. were fed to him by these criminal blockades against the Lumad These past few days, Duterte syndicates. people.

ANG BAYAN August 2 1 , 2 01 6 5 Hundreds have been killed while "resisting arrest" In this regard, on August 2, the International Drug or while under custody and detention, in police cars as Policy Consortium (IDPC), which counts as members well as in jails. more than 300 organizations all over the world, Many of the summary and vigilante killings are being denounced the spate of drug-related extrajudicial carried out by the criminal syndicates who use the "anti- killings of suspects in the Philippines. They called on the drug war" as camouflage for waging all-out war against United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to their rivals and their rival protectors in the police, call on Duterte to immediately stop the killings. bureaucracy and judiciary or to rub-out their own men. The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches The CPP added, “Duterte's "drug war" is bound to (PCEC), a coalition of Christian churches, and other fail because it does not address the socio-economic lawyers' and activist youth groups also denounced the roots of the problem. It has been proven in history that executions. no amount of killing will succeed in putting an end to the Meanwhile, the NDF-Eastern Visayas denied having drug menace. cleared former congressman Emil Ong and present All democratic forces must unite and demand justice congressman Edwin Ong as protectors of drug and an end to the madness of police and vigilante traffickers, but instead said that they are presently killings. At the same time, the people should amplify under investigation. Spokesperson Fr. Sanny Salas also their urgent clamor to set the conditions to end the said that the Ongs concocted the media releases that proliferation of drugs,” the CPP calls. they have been cleared.

No to Marcos’ burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani

he CPP condemned the Duterte Tregime’s plan to give the former fascist dictator Ferdinand Marcos a hero’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on September 18. Other pro- Historical Commission also gressive organizations likewise de- stated that Marcos is unfit nounced the plan. for burial at the Libingan ng The Filipino people hold all post- and the Marcos dictatorship mga Bayani because he lied Marcos regimes equally culpable for has yet to pay for the thou- about his military medals. the political restoration of the Marcos sands of youth activists who were Protest actions were family—Imelda and their children, who killed for fighting martial law, ac- launched on August 13 in all took part in the machinations of cording to Anakbayan. The Alliance of Quezon City by the National the Marcos dictatorship. According a Concerned Teachers, for its part, said Council of Churches in the hero’s burial to the dead dictator will that this equals “rewriting history” Philippines, and by SELDA and complete the Marcoses’ political res- and insults martial law victims and other groups in Luneta, last toration and will complete the white- their families. The Catholic Educa- August 14. wash of all the crimes they perpet- tional Association of the Philippines, a The next day, a formal pe- rated against the people. national association of more than a tition was filed at the Supreme The CPP supports the people’s thousand Catholic schools in the Court by former Bayan Muna protests against the Duterte regime’s country, declared that Marcos is a Representative Neri Colmen- plan to give a hero’s burial to Marcos “plunderer who was responsible for a ares, former congressman Sat- at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The failed economy—the effects of which ur Ocampo, Dr. Carol Araullo of revolutionary forces continue to stand we are seeing now in the oppressive Bayan, National Artist for Lit- against the political restoration of the poverty all around.” erature Bienvenido Lumbera, Marcoses and demand that they be In Congress, seven congressmen Bonifacio Ilagan and Dionito made to pay for all the crimes against from the Makabayan bloc filed on Au- Cabillas of SELDA and other the Filipino people. gust 11 House Resolution 197 oppos- groups appealing for certiorari The planned burial is a “travesty ing the move as a “monumental his- and prohibition of the said of justice and distortion of history,” torical distortion.” The National burial.

6 August 2 1 , 2 01 6 ANG BAYAN NPA's use of landmines are purportedly engaged in non- military activities such as "human- is legitimate itarian work" or "relief missions" when in fact, they are combatants. Likewise, those alleged anti-person- he Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People's Army (NPA) nel and claymore landmines sup- Tand the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) maintain posedly confiscated from the NPA that the revolutionary movement has taken great pains to observe the highest are none other than US government- standards of international humanitarian law in waging armed struggle for supplied military assistance to the national liberation. AFP against the NPA. It has demonstrated such stepped upon or contacted by the Conforming to the vilification of through formal and official adher- target. The Ottawa Treaty does not the revolutionary movement are the ence to the Geneva Conventions and prohibit use of command-detonated schemes of some rabid anti-com- its 1997 Protocols, and likewise with anti-personnel landmines, or both munist and reactionary individuals, its agreement with the Government target-detonated and command- as well as populist and pacifist in- of the Republic of the Philippines in detonated anti-tank and anti- ternational non-government organ- forging the Comprehensive Agree- vehicle landmines. The CPP is not izations (NGOs) that masquerade as ment on Respect for Human Rights bound by the Ottawa Convention advocates of the prohibition of and International Humanitarian because only state actors can sign it landmines. They demand that Law (CARHRIHL). All these declare to become contracting parties, movements for national liberation that in the course of armed conflict, aside from the fact that the Ottawa like the NDFP denounce the use of civilians and the civilian population Treaty does not belong to custom- landmines. are to be protected. ary law which is otherwise binding For the NDFP, ploys by these The use of improvised explos- on all subjects of international law. NGOs, which in truth are imperial- ives and landmines - in particular Although not bound by the ist-funded, are objectionable. The those that are command-detonated treaty, the CPP and the NPA respect national liberation movements are anti-personnel and anti-vehicle the prohibition of anti-personnel pressured to surrender the use of types, and including those target- landmines and explosives that are landmines as the weapon of the re- detonated anti-vehicle types, are target-activated or contact-activ- volutionary forces and people legitimate for so long as they only ated. The NPA makes sure that ex- against an enemy that uses far more target legitimate military objects of plosives used are solely, directly destructive weapons against the ci- attack, and prevent any potential, and exclusively directed against and vilian population. Examples of these actual and impending damage to ci- guaranteed to hit only legitimate are bombardments, artillery fire, vilians and the civilian population. military objects of attack such as arson, use of weapons of mass de- The command-detonated land- combatants or military personnel. struction (WMD) such as cluster mines that the NPA currently uses The AFP conceals the failures of bombs, white phosphorus, daisy do not explode even when these are its forces by misrepresentation of cutters, MOABs, etc. It would be stepped on, tripped upon or kicked facts, fabrication of allegations, more proper for these NGOs to de- around. These are wired to manual distortion of CARHRIHL principles vote time and effort to campaigning blasting machines which the Red regarding landmines, and outright against nuclear, biological and fighters most carefully attend to in vilification of the revolutionary chemical weapons, and the said order to ensure that these will ex- movement. Those reactionary WMDs, and against state terrorism plode only against legitimate milit- troops killed or injured by com- and wars of aggression. ary targets. These are carefully mand-detonated landmines are There is a lot of hypocrisy from manufactured by ordnance units of falsely portrayed as "victims" that critics of landmines especially the the NPA. These are discriminatingly apologists and defenders of the US laid out, always manned and within which is known to be the foremost the immediate proximity of the NPA supplier, stockpiler and user of unit that emplaced them. The NPA landmines. Instead of stopping the is most careful in using weapons NPA to use command-detonated that may accidentally harm civil- explosives, these critics should call ians. on the US to stop using WMDs that What the Ottawa Treaty are prohibited under international clearly prohibits is the use of anti- laws. They should also demand that personnel landmines that are tar- the GRP's armed forces stop its at- get-detonated. These explosives tacks against civilian communities are designed to blow up when and suspected areas of the NPA.

ANG BAYAN August 2 1 , 2 01 6 7 Harassment of progressives and civilian communities continue

UMAN rights organizations expressed alarm on the growing number of the AFP’s practice to harass and Hsurveillance and harassment cases committed by military agents against accuse them of being NPA mem- known activists and civilian communities. bers. According to Agaton Bautista of Samahang Magbubukid ng Coral Ifugao. Brandon Bonulna, a while leading the protests. ni Lopez, they were told that their member of the Ifugao Peasants Agusan del Sur. Troops indis- names are on the Order of Battle, a Movement (IPM) said he recently criminately fired at house belonging military hitlist. Because of this, noticed men in civilian clothes tail- to a certain Lolong Gomez in Purok many farmers have fled their ing him after he attended a court 7, Barangay Zillovia, last August 13. homes and farmlands out of fear. hearing and visited political prison- Tony Bautista, Lolong Kali and his Farmers have already filed a ers in Lagawe. 13-year old nephew, who were complaint regarding their case at According to the Cordillera Hu- gathered inside the house during the Department of Agrarian Re- man Rights Alliance, it was not the the straffing, were wounded. A form. first time Bunolna had come under neighbor was also hit and is in crit- surveillance. He was among the lead- ical condition. Paramilitary kills 2 ers, members and supporters of the Manobo families evacuated to Lumad activists IPM who were openly tagged as sup- the Zillovia barangay gym for fear porters of the New People’s Army. of their lives and to escape the Sorsogon. Juvy Solaon, staff of surveillance by paramilitary groups TWO LUMAD activists were Karapatan-Sorsogon, was followed formed by former Loreto mayor, killed on August 12 in San Luis, by military agents aboard a motor- Dario Otaza. The NPA meted out Agusan del Sur in successive cycle from their office in Barangay death penalty to Otaza last 2015. AFP-backed paramilitary at- Polvorista. According to Solaon, Compostela Valley. Residents tacks. she already noticed two men stand- of Purok 4, Sitio Tagbaw, Barangay Jerry Layola, 42, was at- ing in front of their office before she Rizal in Monkayo complained about tacked first inside his home in rode the tricycle going to her the onging patrols of 25th IB in Barangay Balit at around 7 friend's house. their communities. p.m. A few minutes later, Aside from surveillance, harass- According to Purok chairman armed men shot Jimmy Mapin- ment of communities and individuals Lino Inbad, the AFP pretended to be sahan Barosa, 48, outside a continue. NPA members. friend’s house in Barangay Antipolo. In a forum commem- Last August 7, soldiers preven- Baylo. Barosa, a Barangay orating World Indigenous Peoples’ ted farmers from going to their Kasilayan resident, was in Day, last August 8, Arnel de los San- farms after an encounter between Balosa en route to a hospital to tos shared the harassment commit- the AFP and the NPA occurred. deliver food to his wife. Nine- ted by 80th IB elements in a Du- Around 37 families were affected by teen-year old Rene Mapinsahan magat community in Apia, Calawis these harassment. Soldiers have was wounded in the incident. village. Because of this, residents been conducting operations in their Both men were members of evacuated their community. Resid- community since July 25. Tagdumala, a Banwaon organ- ents acknowledged that the series of Batangas. A military operation ization actively fighting against harassments were done because was also conducted by the 16th IB destructive mining in their mu- they oppose the construction of a and 730th Combat Group of Philip- nicipality. This includes the 500-megawatt Wawa pump storage pine Air Force in Sitio Santolan, plan to initiate open-pit mining hydropower project by Olympia Viol- Barangay Coral ni Lopez last July by the Tambuli Mining Com- ago Water and Power Inc. between 26. This took place even after pany Inc and Malampay Mining Antipolo and Montalban, Rizal. Duterte’s unilateral ceasefire de- Inc, for whom the AFP are con- Delos Santos is currently the claration. ducting clearing operations. secretary general of Bigkis at Lakas The community has been en- The responsible paramilit- ng Katutubo sa Timog Katagalugan. during the military operations by ary group was formed and is His father, Nicanor de los Santos the joint forces of the Philippine being funded by the 29th IB. It was killed by the AFP's Task Force Army and Philippine Air Force since was previously headed by a Panther last December 8, 2001 December 2015. It has long been CAFGU element.

8 August 2 1 , 2 01 6 ANG BAYAN State forces illegally arrest KMP, RMP officials

JOINT FORCES from the police and military illegally being a member of the CPP Mindanao Commission. arrested two known activists holding high positions in On August 20, RMP-Cebu members protested in progressive organizations. This was at a time when front of Camp Sotero in Cebu City to demand her re- the NDFP and the entire revolutionary and progressive lease. forces were gearing up to the formal opening of the Prior to this, state forces also illegally arrested peace negotiations. Antonio Pajalla in Macalelon, Quezon on August 12. On August 19, state forces arrested Amelia Pond, Pajalla was then boarding a jeepney for Catanauan to Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) regional prepare for a peasant protest. coordinator for the Southern Mindanao Region, in Pajalla is KMP’s vice-chairperson and longstanding Barangay Lahug, Cebu City. She also serves as a re- Piglas (Pinagkaisang Lakas ng Magbubukid sa Quezon) searcher and teacher to the Salugpongan schools in leader. He led the coconut farmers’ struggle in Quezon Mindanao. Pond left the RMP three-day national as- to reclaim the multibillion coco levy funds. He was ar- sembly when she was accosted by members of the rested and charged with a rebellion case filed in 1995. Criminal Investigation and Detection Group inside the He was detained despite having presented an amnesty taxi she was riding. Four other assembly delegates certificate awarded in 1997. He is currently under the were with her at that time. She was slapped with PNP-Macalelon’s costudy. trumped up murder and frustrated murder charges On August 13, progressive organizations picketed under the name “Adelfa Toledo.” She was accused of to call for his immediate release. Farmworkers launch anti-Tiempo Muerto struggles in Negros

ARMWORKERS in Negros Occidental’s sugar plantations launched a three He says, as in other provinces, the Fday protest from August 10 to 12 to demand the immediate release of island experienced El Niño, such food aid from government agencies. that there were even less chances of finding work during the planting They demanded the immediate Magalona, Manapla, and Escalante season. There are times when distribution of P40 million in calam- City. The dead season usually lasts landlords hire workers during ity fund and the multimillion Social till mid-September. Tiempo Muerto but at very low Amelioration Fund which should aid Yearly, sugarcane farmworkers wages (P8 -17/daily). the poor but are actually pocketed go through Tiempo Muerto and its On the other hand, “sugar bar- by landlords. (See Ang Bayan July accompanying hunger and hardship. ons” or big landlords continue to 21, 2016.) This is according to Danilo Ramos, rake in profits. According to a re- The sugarcane farmworkers spokesperson of Unyon ng mga cent NFSW research, a landlord launched their protest during the Manggagawa sa Agrikultura. They acquires up to P80,000 net income Tiempo Muerto (dead season), the seek alternative work but these are per one hectare planted with sug- months between planting and har- very scarce due to Negros’s back- arcane. vesting sugarcane. This is typified ward system of monocropping and Aside from immediate aid, the by widespread hunger and death decades of feudal oppression. Land UMA and NFSW demanded the im- due to the absence of the sugarcane monopolization is high in the island, plementation of genuine land re- farmworkers’ alternative sources of which produces 48% of sugarcane form and industrialization. livelihood. Since the start of Tiempo supply in the country. He said, in the long term, only Muerto in June, protests have been According to Roland Rillo, these can solve the hunger and launched in the sugarcane planta- chairperson of the National Feder- death brought by Tiempo Muerto, tions of Murcia, Don Salvador Bene- ation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), as with the other basic issues of dicto, Talisay City, Silay City, EB Tiempo Muerte is worse this year. farmers and farmworkers.

ANG BAYAN August 2 1 , 2 01 6 9 International Indigenous Peoples’ Day observed

UNDER Katribu’s leadership, nationalist groups ob- Atayal, Kavalan, and Truku. Activist youth groups par- served on August 9 the International Indigenous ticipated in the discussions. People’s Day by a protest action at the Mendiola Bridge On August 8, more than 300 indigenous people at- in Manila. At the same time, the Cordillera People's Alli- tended a forum at the College of the Holy Spirit in ance paraded through Session Road in Baguio City be- Quezon City. Dumagats, Aytas, Mangyans, Igorots, Tu- fore gathering at the Igorot Park. mandoks and Lumáds attended the forum, as did stu- Although the international theme for this day was dents and teachers of Holy Spirit. Aiza Seguerra sang education for indigenous people, the indigenous peoples her support. in the Philippines presented other matters that affected Earlier, Katribu picketed the National Commission them. Among these are genuine recognition of their on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) office the last week of right to ancestral land and self-determination, an end July to demand the repeal of the Indigenous Peoples’ to plunder of patrimony in their territories, adequate Rights Act and dismantling of the NCIP, the agency it and appropriate basic social services, and relief for dis- created. According to Katribu, the said law is being aster victims. They also called for the resumption of used by local and foreign corporations to arrogate an- peace talks between the National Democratic Front of cestral lands for big mines and agribusiness plantations. the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of NCIP even grants fake “datu” titles to paramilitaries the Philippines. like the New Indigenous People’s Army for Reform (Ni- They held fora and workshops in different places par), a group which indiscriminately fired at a wedding throughout the country. Among these were a series of last July 30. Therefore, they should share responsibility sharing sessions between indigenous Cordillera youth for this massacre and other sufferings foisted on the and youth of Taiwan from tribes such as the Amis, Lumad.

10 August 2 1 , 2 01 6 ANG BAYAN