Pahayagan ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas ANG Pinapatnubayan ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo English Edition Vol. XLII No. 2 January 21, 2011 www.philippinerevolution.net

Editorial Attain peace based on justice and progress he preliminary talks between the National IG), which includes guaranteeing immunity from Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) arrest of NDFP consultants who have gone into Tand the Government of the Republic of the hiding and facilitatng the release of detained Philippines (GPH) on January 14-18 in Oslo, Nor- consultants. The two sides also affirmed all previ- way bore fruit as the two panels agreed to pro- ous agreements, agreed to commence negotia- ceed to the formal talks on February 15-21 and tions on socio-economic reforms and revive the implement a concurrent ceasefire. Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) to oversee The talks had been suspended for the past six both parties' compliance with the Comprehensive years due to the Arroyo regime's collusion with Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and In- the US to include the Communist Party of the ternational Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). The Philippines (CPP), New People's Army (NPA) and GPH also expressed its openness to accede to the NDFP chief political consultant Jose Ma. Sison in NDFP's demand to have other political detainees the US' terrorist listing. The regime also persist- released. ently violated past agreements and relentlessly The GPH peace panel agreed to guarantee the waged counterrevolutionary war, sowed terror and liberty and participation in the peace talks of perpetrated human rights violations. It likewise three NDFP consultants (Rafael Baylosis, Randall showed no interest in Echanis and Vicente Ladlad). resolving the political, They had been attend- socio-economic ing talks and consul- and other roots tations on vari- of the civil war ous agenda re- raging in the lated to the country. negotiations Albeit before being difficult, the slapped preliminary with talks have trumped-up had positive murder char- results. For ges. To avoid one, the Aquino govern- state persecution, ment has explicitly stated they were forced to go that it does not consider the into hiding after arrest war- CPP, NPA and Sison as ter- rants were issued against rorists. The GPH peace them. One of them, Echa- panel has pledged to nis, was arrested in Janu- comply with the Joint ary 2009 and temporarily Agreement on Safety and released in August 2010. Immunity Guarantees (JAS- The GPH peace panel has

CPP to challenge CPP slams 'midnight This issue’s privatization program NPA seizes 15 arraignment' for in peace talks firearms PAGE 7 highlights... Ka Bart PAGE 3 PAGE 4 also promised to expedite the release of 14 other consultants within the first two rounds of the formal talks. They are Eme- terio Antalan, Jovencio Balweg, Edwin Brigano, Pedro Codaste, Edgardo Friginal, Angelina Ipong, Randy Malayao, Alfredo Mapano, Glicerio Pernia, Maria Luisa Pucray, Eduardo Sarmien- to, Eduardo Serrano and Jaime Soledad. All of them are NDFP consultants who were arrested staff, the NDFP has requested garding compliance with the after the Arroyo regime sus- that the GPH comply totally JASIG that must be raised in fu- pended its compliance with the with the JASIG by stopping ture talks. The Aquino govern- JASIG in 2004. Added to this criminal proceedings against ment must solve the abduction list is Tirso “Ka Bart” Alcantara, consultants and other JASIG- of other NDFP consultants, the Southern Tagalog region's protected NDFP personnel to en- among them Leo Velasco, Roge- representative to the peace able them to freely participate lio Calubad and Prudencio Ca- talks, who was arrested on Jan- in the peace negotiations. Many lubid and their staff. One of Ca- uary 4 under the Aquino regime, of these consultants had been lubid's companions who was even after the GPH had resumed branded as “enemies of the able to escape has testified on compliance with the JASIG. state” and slapped with how they were seized and tor- Considering the ruling re- trumped-up charges under the tured and how his comrades gime's reactionary character and previous regime's “legal offen- were summarily executed. The the sheer number of issues that sive.” abduction and torture of NDFP have to be resolved and over The NDFP must also demand consultants and staff and the which the GPH must be held ac- from the GPH the release of CPP, continued refusal to surface countable, the NDFP must con- NDFP and NPA officers and mem- them is a despicable violation of tinuously demand and ensure bers arrested during the Decem- the JASIG and CARHRIHL and the GPH's fulfillment of its prom- ber 16-January 3 ceasefire. the overall peace process. ises. This, the NDFP must do be- Their arrests while traveling, In accordance with the fore forging other agreements. visiting loved ones or seeking CARHRIHL, the revolutionary Foremost among the agree- medical attention are but a few forces also demand the immedi- ments that the GPH must com- of the many violations of the ate release of close to 400 polit- ply with are the JASIG and the GPH armed forces to the provi- ical detainees, just as the Aqui- CARHRIHL. sions of the concurrent cease- no regime had released around Aside from the release of de- fire. 400 military detainees who had tained NDFP consultants and There are other issues re- rebelled against the Arroyo re- gime. The concrete methods of releasing the political detainees ANG must likewise be discussed. Contents Their release must not be condi- Vol. XLII No. 2 January 21, 2011 Editorial tioned on any form of humilia- Attain peace based on justice and tion, such as forced admissions Ang Bayan is published in Pilipino, progress 1 of guilt. Bisaya, Iloko, Hiligaynon, Waray and ‘Midnight arraignment' for Ka Bart 3 English editions. The GPH must also comply CPP to challenge privatization 4 It is available for downloading at with a long-standing provision the Philippine Revolution Web Central Protests vs MRT, LRT fare hikes 5 of the CARHRIHL to indemnify located at: Too little, too late 5 www.philippinerevolution.net. Barricades to stop mining operations 6 victims of human rights viola- Ang Bayan welcomes contributions Landgrabbing in 6 tions under the Marcos dictator- in the form of articles and news. NPA seizes 15 firearms 7 ship. The NDFP must extract a Readers are likewise enjoined to send in their comments and suggestions for CPP 42nd anniversary in FSMR 7 concrete commitment from the the betterment of our publication. You AFP, not NPA violated the reciprocal GPH to comply with this provi- can reach us by email at: ceasefire 8 sion within the year. Giving [email protected] News 9 proper indemnification to the Ang Bayan is published fortnightly by the Central Committee victims forms but part of their of the Communist Party of the Philippines quest for justice and is not be-

2 ANG BAYAN January 21, 2011 ing done in exchange for with- drawing all cases against the Marcoses. Granting indemnifica- CPP slams 'midnight arraignment' tion to opportunist groups for Ka Bart whose only interest is to claim he Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) assailed the the money and abandon all de- TArmed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for attempting a mands for justice does not con- “midnight arraignment” of National Democratic Front of the stitute compliance with the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Tirso “Ka Bart” Alcantara. CARHRIHL. “Ka Bart was rushed to RTC Branch 59 on January 19 for The masterminds and main an instant arraignment in violation of his legal rights, as nei- perpetrators of extrajudicial kill- ther he nor his lawyers were informed about it,” said the CPP. ings, abductions, torture, terror- Executive Judge Eloida de Leon-Diaz was, however, compelled ism and other fascist crimes to postpone the arraignment to March 1 after Ka Bart refused against activists, serious critics the services of a court-appointed lawyer. of the regime and even innocent “Obviously, it was an attempt to preempt an agreement to persons must be prosecuted, have Ka Bart and 12 other NDFP consultants released,” said tried and punished. The Arroyo the CPP. “The diehard fascist and reactionary forces want to regime's human rights violations block Alcantara's inclusion in the list of NDFP consultants to as well as continuing violations be released by the GPH.” under the current regime must Meanwhile, the CPP denied military reports that members be immediately and systemati- of the New People's Army attempted to rescue Alcantara on cally investigated, and the as- the night of January 18. The AFP claims to have arrested a sistance of human rights organ- certain Romulo Luna who was said to have gotten past sentry izations sought for this endeav- guards at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City carrying a hand gre- or. nade. Luna was supposed to have two companions who re- There must be continued vig- mained outside the military camp and immediately fled after ilance and opposition to the Luna was “caught.” maneuvers and dirty tactics of The CPP laughed off the AFP reports. “There was no such ultra-reactionaries and milita- thing as an attempt to rescue Ka Bart from detention. The Lu- rists within the Aquino regime na tale is obviously a crude and lunatic concoction by the AFP who want their counterrevolu- to impugn the legitimate demand of the NDFP to have Ka Bart tionary policies and measures to immediately released and cover up the continuing violations prevail and their fascist crimes, of his rights as an NDFP consultant in the peace talks.” human rights violations, demon- The CPP asked the media and other interested parties to ization of the revolutionary continue investigating the military report. ~ movement and derailment of the peace process to continue. Even as the Aquino regime's agenda. The agenda will cover It is important for both par- declaration that it does not the difficult issues of land re- ties to continue with their consider the CPP-NPA as terror- form, national industrialization goodwill measures in order to ists is already positive, it should and assertion of national sover- create the best atmosphere for not stop at this. The Aquino re- eignty. the conduct of the peace talks. gime must also undertake deci- The foreseen difficulties in The NDFP must strive to attain sive measures to thoroughly do the negotiations cannot be un- the maximum benefit possible away with the results of the Ar- derestimated, and the outcome for the revolutionary movement royo regime's collusion with the remains uncertain. The NDFP and the people through negoti- US and other imperialist powers must be principled, sharp and ations without laying down to falsely and maliciously in- determined in facing the many their arms. clude the CPP and NPA in their challenges it confronts in the The surest means of advanc- lists of “foreign terrorist organ- peace talks. ing the peace process and lay- izations.” Nonetheless, it must seize ing a firm foundation for peace The NDFP faces a reactionary this opportunity to put forward based on justice and progress regime in the peace talks, with the interests and agenda of the is for the revolutionary forces both parties holding diametri- revolutionary forces and the and the people to continue cally opposing views on many people and attain whatever it gaining strength by firmly and issues, including the fundamen- can for as long as it sees hope perseveringly waging armed tal socio-economic issues that from the GPH side to continue struggle and vigorous people's comprise the next substantive the peace negotiations. struggles. ~

ANG BAYAN January 21, 2011 3 companies free to raise the CPP to challenge privatization prices of petroleum products at will since the deregulation of program in the peace talks the oil industry. The prices of gasoline and other peroleum he revolutionary movement will challenge the Aquino regime's products have been raised al- privatization program in the forthcoming resumption of peace most on a weekly basis this Jan- Ttalks between the Government of the Republic of the Philip- uary. Diesel prices are now at pines (GPH) and the National Demoratic Front of the Philippines `39 per liter while unleaded (NDFP). The CPP said it would demand the junking of the Public- gasoline sells at more than `50 Private Partnership Program (PPP) once the talks reach the socio- per liter. The oil price hikes economic reforms phase. have pushed up transport fares The CPP demand was made in The regime's objective in and the prices of other com- the face of a series of hikes in raising MRT and LRT fares is to modities. the prices of goods and services make these train lines attractive Even water rates in Metro as a direct result of privatiza- to the private sector. More than have been raised recent- tion, liberalization, deregula- 75% of the stocks of the trains' ly by concessionaires composed tion and denationalization operator Metro Rail Transit Cor- of foreign capitalists and their (PLDD) policies that began in poration are set to be sold to comprador business partners, the 1980s and are being perpet- the private sector. while higher electricity rates uated by the current regime. Be- The regime also plans to im- have been a perennial problem nigno Aquino III approved in prove public television stations for consumers. early January the raising of toll and the Philippine Amusement The PLDD policies being en- fees for the North Luzon Ex- and Gaming Corporation (PAG- forced by the Aquino regime are pressway (NLEX) and South Lu- COR) to make them more attrac- dictates of the International zon Expressway (SLEX). The tive to investors. PAGCOR as Monetary Fund, World Bank and Aquino regime has rationalized well as RPN 9 and IBC 13 are other financial agencies. These the move, saying that the high- among the entities lined up for policies are meant to pave the er rates are in accordance with privatization by the govern- way for investments by foreign profit guarantees written into ment, along with a 40-hectare big capitalists in key sectors of contracts with capitalist in- lot owned by the Department of the local economy and give vestors. Both NLEX and SLEX are Health in , the 178-hectare them free rein to amass super- being run by big foreign capital- Camp Aguinaldo and the 33- profits. They are also meant to ists and their local business hectare Camp Crame in reduce government spending for partners. The higher rates have City. Aquino has already ordered social services and infrastruc- triggered fare hikes by buses an inventory of property and ture. and other vehicles using these land owned by the various de- Privatization policies have expressways. partments to determine what wrought unspeakable suffering Along with the toll fee in- other government assets could in the last two decades of their creases, Malacañang has also be privatized. implementation. People's levels approved higher fares for the Meanwhile, there has been a of living are rapidly deteriorat- MRT and LRT despite urgent de- series of oil price hikes, with oil ing in the face of the endlessly mands from the people for the upward spiral in the prices of government to stop adding to basic goods and services. The their burdens. Train people are completely justified commuters are set to in resisting these policies. ~ pay more than dou- ble the current fares starting March 1.

4 ANG BAYAN January 21, 2011 Protests vs MRT, LRT fare Aquino's total log ban proposal hikes underway Too little, too late overnment plans to raise train fares at the GMetro Railway Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) and toll fees at NLEX and SLEX have been met with protest actions. Various sectors are set to launch mass actions to protest and condemn the more than 100% hike in train fares and looming bus, jeepney and taxi fare increas- es. A youth alliance began a petition signing campaign on January 11 against fare hikes at the NLEX, SLEX, MRT and LRT Lines 1 and 2. The looming fare increases are unjust, according to the Strike the Hike Movement. Youth activists trooped to the LRT office along Recto Avenue in Manila to assail the Aquino regime's Public-Pri- vate Partnership (PPP) scheme which was be- hind the fare hikes. eported plans by the Aquino government That afternoon, the Derail the Hikes Alliance to totally ban logging are woefully inade- staged a noise barrage in various parts of Mani- Rquate to resolve the grave environmental la. destruction. Serious flooding and severe land- The Riles Laan sa Sambayanan (RILES Net- slides now afflicting several provinces after pro- work), a broad organization of train commuters, longed rains pummeled the eastern part of the students and the general public is also set to country have underscored the reality of wide- launch a series of protest actions, said main spread environmental ruin. RILES Network convenor Sammy Malunes. At least 60 people have been killed in the Representatives of progressive parties like- past few days and tens of thousands of families wise plan to file a petition for a temporary re- victimized by these calamities. Aquino's total straining order at the Supreme Court against the log ban proposal is merely an attempt to save MRT and LRT fare hikes set for implementation face after his government's failure to prevent on March 1. Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, disasters and extend assistance to hundreds of who will be leading the team of lawyers that will thousands of suffering victims. file the motion said that the fare hike is not the Proposals to totally ban logging have been solution to the train system's financial losses. mouthed by past regimes. But none of them had Instead, it will only destroy the mass transport the determination to put a stop to widespread system because it will pass on the brunt of the commercial logging. Aquino's proposal will like- hike to commuters. The government should, in wise come to nought. fact, be subsidizing this transport system, he It is highly doubtful if Aquino would order a said. stop to the operations of San Jose Timber Cor- On the other hand, Gabriela Women's Party poration (SJTC) which is owned by Senate pres- Rep. Luz Ilagan pointed out that the fare hikes ident Juan Ponce Enrile. The SJTC concession were being implemented at a time when the covers 96,000 hectares within the 330,000-hec- public was already reeling from toll fee increas- tare protected Island Nature Park. It is al- es and hikes in the prices of gasoline, diesel, so doubtful whether he would order the 76,000- cooking gas, food, electricity and water, among hectare Surigao Development Corporation (SU- others. DECOR) in to stop its operations, She said that instead of having the public or whether he would take steps to stop wide- shoulder the government's need for more reve- spread logging operations currently going on in nue, the regime should run after smugglers and the more than 10,000-hectare area covered by big businessman-tax evaders like Lucio Tan. the Angara family's APECO project. (see related Act Teachers Party Rep. Antonio Tinio and article) Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino said The Philippines is one of the countries with the transport fare hikes will definitely push the highest deforestation rates in the world. It workers to demand higher wages so they could has only seven million hectares of forest land cope with the rising cost of living. ~ left (or only 20% of its original forest cover).

ANG BAYAN January 21, 2011 5 Despite the grave depletion of the country's forests, the reactionary government continues to Fishefolk, minorities grant logging concessionaires the right to cut down trees for commercial use and for export. condemn landgrabbing These companies destroy up to 100,000 hectares of forest land per year. The reactionary govern- in Aurora ment has done nothing but prattle about protect- esidents of Aurora province are up in ing the forests. Rarms against large-scale landgrabbing On the other hand, the revolutionary move- being perpetrated by the Angara political ment has for years effectively enforced a ban on dynasty. large-scale logging and mining operations that They angrily aired their views in a protest have plundered and devastated the environment action on January 17 that was joined by up and squandered the country's natural resources. to 400 Dumagat tribespeople and small fish- Taking care of the remaining forests is being done erfolk. The protest was held to coincide with effectively wherever the authority of the revolu- the inauguration of a housing project at- tionary movement and the people's democratic tended by Sen. Sr., who au- government prevails. ~ thored the law that set up the Aurora Pacif- ic Economic Zone Project (APECO). The hous- ing project is reportedly meant for 450 fam- ilies who have been displaced from the coastal town of Casiguran to give way to a free port being built as part of the APECO project. The project is nothing but a massive landgrabbing scheme. From the original 500 hectares, APECO has been expanded to in- clude up to 12,427 hectares of prime agricul- Mankayan residents put up tural land in Casiguran and other coastal towns. The area covers 110 hectares allotted barricades to stop mining operations to land reform; some 300 hectares of irrigat- “WE will be on guard day and night,” said a ed and productive farms; residential areas of resident of Sitio Tabbak in Barangay Bulala- fisherfolk; and the ancestral lands of Duma- cao, Mankayan, as he and other gat national minorities. barriofolk put up barricades in the first week APECO has also acquired for `120 million of January to prevent a mining company's the logging rights of Industries Development drilling operations. Corporation and has in fact been rapidly Residents of Tabbak are fiercely against clearing the forests and cutting down trees drilling operations as this would soon be fol- for APECO's various needs. lowed by large-scale mining operations if Among the project's most severe critics is they don't put a stop to it now. Once the the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Phil- mines start operating, they fear the loss of ippines which has repeatedly urged their remaining source of water, the destruc- the Angara tion of their livelihoods and possibly their clan to desist entire community. from pursuing Indodrill, the company in question, is a APECO. subcontractor of Far Southeast Gold Mining The Anga- Resources Inc. and Lepanto Consolidated ra political Mining Company. In December 2010, Man- dynasty is led kayan residents were surprised to find the by Senator presence of drilling equipment in their area. Angara, his One-hundred and ten (110) residents imme- son Rep. Ed- diately trooped to the village hall in Bulala- gardo “Son- cao to demand a dialogue with barangay of- ny” Angara, ficials. It was only then that they learned Jr., and Aurora that the Benguet provincial government had Gov. Bella Angara- granted Indodrill permission to operate in Castillo, the senator's their community. ~ sister. ~

6 ANG BAYAN January 21, 2011 VICTORIOUS NPA OFFENSIVES CORRESPONDENCE REPORTS NPA seizes 15 A festive celebration firearms in Davao del of the CPP 42nd Sur, ComVal anniversary in FSMR he New People's Army (NPA) seized 15 ore than 500 people attended a festive firearms in tactical offensives launched in celebration of the Communist Party of TDavao del Sur and Compostela Valley these Mthe Philippines' 42nd anniversary in Far past few days. Four enemy elements were killed South Mindanao Region (FSMR) on December and five were wounded in these firefights. 26. The celebration was held at a village center Red fighters from the Alex Ababa Front Oper- in a farflung Lumad community in Tanggali La- ations Command (Front 71) disarmed a paramil- tian mountain in . itary group led by Barangay Chairman Ramon It was the first time a celebration of this Dawata in Bolita village, Malita, Davao del Sur kind was held in this area. Most of those who on January 18. The guerrillas seized three M16 attended came from the village, but some who rifles, an M14, a Garand, two carbines, an M79 came from neighboring barrios trekked for hours grenade launcher, three 12-gauge shotguns and to be able to join the festivities. a cal .22 pistol, reported the NPA Valentin The program began at around 10 a.m. when Palamine Operations Command in Far South Min- Ka Nonoy, a local Party cadre presented the danao Region. overall state of the revolutionary movement na- Dawata was killed in the operation when he tionwide and in FSMR and the CPP program’s was left resisting after his men in the Civilian calls to attain the strategic stalemate (estrate- Volunteer Organization and Barangay Defense hikong pagkapatas in the local language, or ES- System had surrendered to the NPA. Dawata has PAT for short). When the Red fighters heard this, long been actively colluding with the AFP in the they began chanting “ESPAT! ESPAT! ESPAT!” latter's military operations in the localities. followed by clapping by the masses. An old man Troops from the 39th IB sent reinforcements commented, “Oh, if the strategic stalemate is to help the paramilitary forces but were them- just around the corner, then I might still live to selves ambushed by another team of Red fight- see victory!” ers. Five soldiers were wounded in the attack, After this, “creative theater” was staged, de- among them the commanding officer (a 1Lieu- picting the lives of Red fighters. Some present- tenant Vallejos) and two of his sergeants. ed dances depicting the situation and experien- Earlier, back to back ambushes were ces of comrades. Others presented plays depict- launched in Compostela Valley by the NPA Cru- ing the plight of peasants under a despotic cifino Uballas Command (CUC-Front 2) in South- landlord. ern Mindanao Region. B'laan Red fighters also presented through The NPA seized two M16 rifles and an M203 maral (their tribe's traditional dance) the lives grenade launcher in an ambush on a Reengi- of the Lumad. To begin the maral, the guerril- neered Special Forces Team under the AFP's 3rd las took a malong, a kerchief and a katik (per- Special Forces Battalion. Killed were three sol- cussion instrument made of bamboo) from a diers who were aboard a motorcycle as they backpack. A four-year old boy darted towards passed through Barangay Magdum, Tagum City the stage as the dance began, curiously taking on January 6. a peek inside the backpack. But when he saw The 10th ID claims that the soldiers were on the comrades' dance movements, he imitated their way to a “peace and development pro- them, drawing laughter and applause from the gram” in the village. But the fact that they were crowd. armed to the teeth proves that their activities in The cultural program was followed by games. Barangay Magdum had nothing to do with peace At first, only the children joined in. But the and development. adults soon followed suit. For the celebration, Two days after, another team from the CUC the usual parlor games were imbued with revo- ambushed a platoon under the 71st IB in Sitio lutionary content. One particularly enjoyable Darot, Barangay Libodon, Mabini, Compostela game was “lihok aktibista” (make like an activ- Valley, killing a soldier. ~ ist), where participants tried as fast as they

ANG BAYAN January 21, 2011 7 could to put on the typical clothes and bring the game “Pinoy Henyo” (Filipino genius), contest- usual items associated with an activist on his ants were asked to guess words usually used by way to organize the masses. This was followed by the revolutionary movement. “lihok hukbo” (make like a Red fighter). In their The program ended at around 4 p.m. with the version of the popular noontime variety show singing of the Internationale. ~ AFP, not NPA violated the reciprocal ceasefire t was the soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ed COPD operations in the moun- and elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who bra- tainous areas of Barangay Say- Izenly violated the reciprocal ceasefire declared by the National awan, Impasugong, . Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of December 17-27. A Civilian the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) from December 16, 2010 to Armed Auxiliary (CAA) detach- January 3, 2011. ment under the 23rd IB set up a This was NDF-Mindanao Oris cited incidents of ceasefire checkpoint and searched every- spokesperson Jorge “Ka Oris” violations by AFP units in Suri- one passing throuh Barangay Madlos' reply to the malicious gao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Guilang-guilang, Manolo For- editorial of one of the country's , Bukidnon, tich, Bukidnon. leading newspapers which ech- , North December 17-31. Four pla- oed AFP accusations that the and . The military set toons under the 8th IB scoured New People's Army (NPA) up random checkpoints along the mountainous areas of Ba- treacherously violated the the highway in Surigao del Sur rangay Matupi, San Fernando, ceasefire (Philippine Daily In- and Bukidnon to stop people Bukidnon. quirer, January 9, 2011). from attending the celebration December 8. A squad under All units of the NPA strictly of the Commnist Party of the the 73rd IB conducted military complied with the 19-day cease- Philippines' 42nd anniversary on operations in Barangay Upper fire, said Ka Oris. He also clari- December 26. Suyan, Malapatan, Sarangani. fied that the two NPA tactical At the time the reciprocal The detachment in the area was offensives cited in the editorial ceasefire was in effect, AFP and reinforced with additional per- were launched outside of the PNP operatives arrested Com- sonnel in anticipation of the scope of the ceasefire. The NPA rades Pedro Codaste (North Cen- start of operations of the San ambushed a unit of the Philip- tral Mindanao Region) and Ed- Miguel Corporation-owned Looc pine Army 63rd IB in Barangay win Brigano (Southern Mindan- Mining Co. Sta. Fe, Las Navas, Northern ao Region). Soldiers ransacked and carted Samar on December 14, two Following is a partial list of away personal belongings of a days before the ceasefire. The AFP violations of the reciprocal Lumad known only as Sumil. The NPA ambush of a team of the ceasefire in Mindanao: military interrogated Sumil at 3rd Special Forces Battalion in December 16 up to the gunpoint and asked him the Magdum, Tagum City was under- present. COPD operations con- whereabouts of a “Commander taken on January 6, three days tinue without letup in the villa- Boyax.” When he answered that after the ceasefire. ges of Tinago, Bunyasan, Ha- he didn't know, the soldiers On the other hand, even be- nagdong, Cansayan, Masgad and seized his bolo and threatened fore the reciprocal ceasefire, Cantapay, all in Malimono town, to hack him. AFP officers had already ordered and in Barangay Ema, Sison A week before, the 73rd IB units under their command to town, all in ; had already begun a series of launch military operations with as well as in the villages of Si- military operations in Sitio Da- the so-called “Community Or- lop, Mapawa, Trinidad and Mab- talnay, Upper Suyan, victimizing ganizing for Peace and Develop- wa in Surigao City. several civilians. Among those ment” (COPD) as cover. In the November 18-December harassed by the military were COPD, the military “invites” 27. A long-term military opera- Lumad schoolchildren aged 7-13 mass leaders for interrogation, tion was launched in Bislig City, years old. Soldiers seized and with a number of them subject- Surigao del Sur covering the vil- read the children's notebooks, ed to torture. This is in obvious lages of San Agustin town and looking for “lessons from the violation not only of their hu- Sitios Mabog and Km 4 in San NPA.” man rights but of their basic Roque town. Other civilians were harassed rights as citizens, said Ka Oris. December 17-26. A military Particularly in Mindanao, Ka squad under the 8th IB conduct- Continued on “AFP...,” on page 9

8 ANG BAYAN January 21, 2011 NEWS Peasant groups commemorate Tunisian president ousted 24th anniversary of Mendiola via massive protest actions Massacre STRONG and sustained protest actions by the Tunisian AFFILIATES of the Kilusang Magbubukid people led to the ouster on January 14 of the country's ng Pilipinas (KMP) launched a series of president Zine al-Abidine ben Ali. The ousted strong- protest actions to commemorate the 24th man transferred political power to his prime minister. anniversary of the Mendiola Massacre. There is massive unrest among Tunisians due to a KMP members launched a caravan on grave economic crisis that has triggered widespread un- January 21 from the Department of Agrar- employment. Ben Ali and his wife (known as the “Imel- ian Reform (DAR) office in da Marcos” of Tunisia) along with their extended fami- going to Mendiola. They passed by the De- lies and cronies are also widely hated for their corrup- partment of Justice to call for the junking tion as well as decades of repressive rule and persecu- of the Stock Distribution Option in Ha- tion of their political enemies. Ben Ali ruled the coun- cienda Luisita and file a motion to reopen try for 23 years. the Mendiola Massacre case. Farmers from The protests were ignited by a young vendor's act Southern Tagalog and as of self-immolation after Tunisian authorities attempt- well as other progressive organizations ed to seize his cart full of vegetables and fruits. In the joined the protest action. succeeding weeks, up to 90 people died in almost a Peasants from the Katipunan ng Sama- month of clashes between the people and armed min- hang Magbubukid-Timog Katagalugan and ions of the Tunisian government. Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Tunisia is a country is northern Africa bounded on Luzon challenged Benigno Aquino III to the southeast by Libya and on the west by Algeria. reopen the Mendiola Massacre issue where Most of its people are Arabic. 13 farmers were killed. KMP deputy secretary-general Willy Marbella said that it is but proper to ask “AFP...,” from page 8 for a reopening because not one of the military or police officers involved has as well, such as Maling Baral, a 35-year old Lumad who been punished. The massacre took place was interrogated twice in six hours. According to the during the administration of Pres. Corazon military, Baral was “likely” being assisted by the NPA Aquino, the current president's mother. because he had a large farm. The KMP earlier rallied in front of Camp December 18. Troops from the 27th IB Alpha Com- Aguinaldo in Quezon City on January 20 pany along with CAFGU elements patrolled a number of to oppose Oplan Bayanihan and the con- villages in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, particularly Sitio tinuing extrajudicial killings of farmers Dam, Barangay Maligaya. The troopers entered Baran- and activists. The KMP cited the killing of gay Sinapulan on December 23 and harassed residents, Oyi Villarosa, a peasant leader who was most of whom oppose the operations of Xstrata-SMI, a shot to death in this January, huge foreign mining company. saying he was the first victim of Oplan December 23-27. Troops from the 68th IB Bravo Bayanihan. The progressive peasant or- Company and a number of CAFGU paramilitaries led by ganization also called for the release of a 1Lieutenant Cebreon conducted foot patrols in a detained peasant leaders Dario Tomada, number of barangays in Batang and Genoveva Bayno- Darwin Liwanag, Esmeralda Bardon, Felici- sa towns; and in Sitio Lambusong, Barangay Bacong, dad Caparal and other political detainees. all in Tulunan, North Cotabato. They also combed On January 19, they rallied in front of through the villages of Bella Flores, Malabuan and the Batasang Pambansa to demand the re- Guangan, all in Makilala town. On the night of Decem- peal of the Comprehensive Agrarian Re- ber 23, several residents saw soldiers taking up am- form Program Extension with Reforms bush positions in Genoveva Baynosa, near the Dole- (CARPER) and a stop to Charter Change Stanfilco banana plantation. The soldiers later pro- (or cha-cha). The KMP slammed CARPER ceeded to an upland sitio in Barangay Bacong. as an instrument to preserve landlord rule December 30, at 3 p.m. up to dawn of December in the countryside and cha-cha as an in- 31. A platoon under the 39th IB plus CAFGU elements strument of foreign capitalists. Both have positioned themselves in Barangays Macol and Sang- the objective of grabbing the farmers' hay in Malita, Davao del Sur. The military's presence lands. caused fear among the locals. ~

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