November 7, 2008

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Pahayagan ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas ANG Pinapatnubayan ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo English Edition Vol.XXXIX No. 21 November 7, 2008 www.philippinerevolution.net

Editorial Corruption in the midst of crisis he Arroyo regime’s insatiable corruption, rot- and corruption cases exposed before the public. tenness and maneuvering burst out in the open Knowledge of the regime’s transgressions will surely Tonce more with the recent revelations of big- fuel the people’s anger. time corruption, both recent and from way back. The The Arroyo regime is hell-bent on concealing the issues take exceptional prominence now due to the anomalies behind the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani various schemes concocted by the regime to block funds especially since it intends to employ the same the investigation of former Agriculture Undersecre- scheme for the coming 2010 elections. Arroyo tary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante. Bolante, Arroyo’s has allocated more than `3.3 billion purpor- chief operator in 2004 in stealing tedly for the purchase and distribution of fer- `2.8 billion from the Ginintuang tilizer in the proposed 2009 budget. The Masaganang Ani fund amount forms part of a new `7 billion budget was recently de- for Ginintuang Masaganang Ani—the very ported back to the same program that Arroyo and Bolante used country after the as a milch cow in 2004. Arroyo and her cabal US denied his plea have yet to reveal the many other for asylum. schemes up their The ruling regime’s ma- sleeves designed to neuvers consist of its usual further raid the na- tactics to silence other poten- tion’s coffers. tial witnesses to the many Arroyo’s worsen- criminal activities involving corruption in the ing the Arroyo family. The latter years of her rule Arroyo regime’s desperate forms part of her pre- and shameless parations to ensure attempts to that she stays in muzzle Bolante power beyond and keep him 2010. She is from appearing tightening her before the Se- grip on power nate only for fear of be- betray its ing put on trial morbid fear for all her of having crimes against all its crimes the people.

NPA seizes 26 NPA rescused 7 US imperialism under This issue’s firearms, AFP-PNP detained comrades in the Obama regime suffers 43 cascualties Quezon highlights... PAGE 11 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 Arroyo has been amassing tens could not afford to buy medicines, bondage. of billions in anticipation of the millions of students are forced to The people must use every political battles she will be facing study in dilapidated classrooms means to block Arroyo’s various as a result of her unyielding desire without any facilities and millions schemes to prolong her stay in to remain in power beyond her of children and youth who could power. All democratic, patriotic and term. She will use these funds to not even attend school due to anti-Arroyo forces must strive to buy off politicians whose votes she extreme poverty have no future to unite in the face of Malacañang’s needs to push for changes in the look forward to. attempts to divide and crush them. constitution that will allow her to History will judge the US-Arro- They must forge their unity and run again as president, if not as yo regime as one of the most cor- muster all their strength to prime minister. Otherwise, she will rupt governments to use overthrow Arroyo. use the humongous funds to secure its power to amass The Filipino people must the loyalty of the winning candi- gigantic funds be made ever more aware of dates should elections push and repress its the need for a revolutionary through in 2010. Arroyo will also people. uprising as they use the funds to ensure the loyalty The people must plunge deep- of military officers and the police not let Gloria Ar- er into should she eventually declare mili- royo’s ceaseless lies, poverty and tary rule if her cha-cha schemes deceptions and backwardness fail. thievery pass. amid the Due to the worsening socio- She must not continuing economic crisis, every centavo be allowed intensifica- stolen by Arroyo from the nation’s to linger in tion of coffers adds to the impoverished power any the so- masses’ gnawing hunger. Arroyo’s longer. cio-eco- shameless plunder of billions of pe- Every sec- nomic sos condemns the people to im- ond Arro- crisis and measurable suffering and oppres- yo spends in the crimes sion and fuels their rage. Arroyo’s power, every prevarication and perpetrated by the incumbent re- pockets continue to be lined with machination employed by her is gime. As the regime’s brutalities gold as millions of people go hun- for the purpose of committing fur- escalate, the people’s determina- gry, and are landless, jobless and ther plunder and tightening the tion to tread the path of armed homeless. So many of the sick shackles that keep the people in revolution heightens. The Filipino people’s struggle ANG grows stronger and more wide- Contents spread with the tireless efforts of the broad revolutionary movement Vol. XXXIX No. 21 November 7, 2008 Editorial under the leadership of the Com- Corruption in the midst of crisis 1 munist Party of the Philippines Ang Bayan is published in Pilipino, Muzzling Bolante 3 Bisaya,Iloko,Hiligaynon, Waray and (CPP) and the perseverance of all Victorious Tactical Offensives English editions. 26 firearms seized in NPA offensives 4 anti-imperialist, antifeudal and an- It is available for download at the 43 NPA military actions in Samar 4 tifascist forces. The revolutionary, Philippine revolution Web Central NPA rescuses 7 detainees in Quezon 5 patriotic and democratic forces are located at: Disarming operation in Davao Oriental 6 www.philippinerevolution.net Escape from the enemy 7 relentless in advocating the inte- Ang Bayan welcomes contributions Officer’s course in Eastern Visayas 7 rests of the people and advancing in the form of articles and news. Fascist state on a rampage their struggles. The tactical offen- Readers are likewise enjoined to send Persecution of legal activists 8 sives of the armed revolutionary Target: Southern Tagalog activists 9 in their comments and suggestions forces will further intensify, along for betterment of our publication.You Mounting number of Moro victims 10 may reach us by email at: US imperialism under Obama regime 11 with the people’s struggles and ot- [email protected] News 12 her forms of resistance to finally put an end to Arroyo’s rule and Ang Bayan is published fortnightly by the Central Commitee compel her to face the people’s of the Communist Party of the Philippines judgment. ~ 2 ANG BAYAN November 7, 2008 brought immediately to the hospital after he complained of chest pa- ins upon his arrival at the Manila International Airport. Unlike a re- gular patient, however, he was not brought directly to the emergency room, but to an expensive private room at St. Luke’s where a team of doctors awaited him. Soon after, Dr. Ramon Saavedra, Bolante’s doctor prohibited him from receiving visi- tors. Bolante simultaneously urged the Supreme Court to approve his petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms from arresting him and bringing him to the Sen- ate. On November 3, Bolante’s lawyer withdrew this petition because his client had actually already been arrested by the Senate. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice opened an investigation at the Office of the Ombudsman on Muzzling Bolante the `432 million fertilizer fund scam filed by journalist Marlene Es- he deportation by the US of former Undersecretary of Agriculture Jo- perat against Bolante. This, after celyn “Jocjoc” Bolante on October 28 has ruined the regime’s plans Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, a Tto either hide him within the country or slip him out, so he could fervent ally of the Arroyos, sat on avoid being investigated for the major corruption cases filed against the case for three years. him. The regime nonetheless persists in concocting various alibis and The recent reopening of this ca- schemes to keep Bolante from talking. se is now being used as a pretext to derail the Senate investigation. Bolante is Arroyo’s chief opera- der to arrive at a formal judgment According to Sen. Edgardo Angara tor in squandering Ginintuang Ma- and closure. and Juan Miguel Zubiri, two of Ar- saganang Ani funds worth `2.806 Malacañang failed to hold Bo- royo’s most rabid lapdogs, the Se- billion. The funds were diverted to lante a la Jun Lozada because of nate and the Ombudsman will sim- Arroyo’s electoral campaign kitty in the full media coverage and public ply be trading diatribes should the 2004. The most controversial attention attending his arrival. Senate Blue Ribbon Committee pur- among these is the anomaly-ridden Nonetheless, as he was being sue the investigation. Gloria Arroyo `728 million fertilizer fund. brought to St. Luke’s Medical Center has accused the senators and con- As early as 2005, the Senate in Quezon City, the regime wasted gressmen of grandstanding in their has already ad a standing arrest or- no time in concocting excuses to persistence to open the probe on der for Bolante, after his persistent delay his appearance before the Se- the fertilizer fund scam and other refusal to appear before Senate nate with the end goal of silencing scandals involving Malacañang. hearings on the case. The Arroyo re- him. Recently, Bolante’s son Owen fi- gime slipped him out of the coun- To prolong his hospital stay, led a petition for a writ of habeas try in 2005 and Bolante later so- Malacañang spread news about the corpus before the Court of Appeals. ught asylum in the US in 2006. possible ailments afflicting Bolante The Bolantes and the Arroyo camp Most senators fully believe that Bo- even if his medical bulletin con- expect the court to rule in favor of lante is guilty and that the only stantly described his condition as the administration, as it did in its thing needed is his testimony in or- stable and normal. Bolante was previous decisions. ~ ANG BAYAN November 7, 2008 3 VICTORIOUS NPA OFFENSIVES Dole-Stanfilco at present has over NPA seizes 26 weapons, over 30,000 hectares of banana and pineapple plantations in the region. AFP-PNP suffers 43 casualties Prior to the punitive action, the NPA had warned Stanfilco against its landgrabbing activities ed fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA) seized 24 high-pow- and its persistent refusal to attend ered rifles and two pistols in separate tactical offensives carried to the people’s demands. Instead Rout from October 4 to November 5. Twenty-three elements of the of listening to the people’s griev- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police ances, Dole-Stanfilco stepped up (PNP) and CAFGU were killed and 20 others were wounded in the clash- its aggressive and fascist acts es. against the farmers and workers. It also expanded the military deploy- November 5. A CAFGU element and three other CAFGU members ment in the area and intensified was killed in a snipe operation by were wounded. military operations in the planta- Red fighters just outside their de- Another group of Red fighters tion. tachment at Sitio Balagonon, Ba- ambushed soldiers of the 57th IB October 25. A soldier of the rangay Managa, Bansalan, Davao in Barangay Luna Norte. The soldi- 66th IB was wounded in an am- del Sur. ers were about to reinforce the Lu- bush conducted by NPA guerrillas November 3. A soldier belong- na Sur detachment. on a military truck carrying soldiers ing to the 57th IB was wounded in According to Ka Dencio Madri- in Barangay Olaycon, Monkayo, an encounter between NPA Red gal, spokesperson of the Valentin Compostela Valley. Prior to this fighters and the military in Sitio Palamine Command of the NPA in incident, a soldier was killed in an Talahek, Barangay Bacong, Tulu- Far South Mindanao, the raid was a attack by NPA guerrillas on a de- nan, North Cotabato. punitive action against Stanfilco tachment of the Philippine Army November 1. Two CAFGU ele- for grabbing lands from small Special Forces Battalion in Baran- ments were wounded in an assault farmers and abusing its workers. gay Canidkid, Montevista, Compos- by the Red army in a military detachment in Barangay Mararag, Ma- 43 military actions by the NPA in Samar rihatag, Surigao del Sur. October 29. Six M16 armalite SIXTY-NINE military elements were killed in successive military rifles and a .38 caliber revolver actions carried out by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Samar is- were seized by NPA fighters from land from January to the first week of September. Twenty-five en- Jose C. Aquino Rubber Company, a emy soldiers were wounded in these encounters while five Red rubber plantation in Barangay fighters sacrificed their lives. The NPA seized 15 high-powered Sta. Teresita, Bayugan City, Agu- weapons. san del Sur. Simultaneously, the In a preliminary report issued by the NPA Regional Operations Red guerrillas confiscated the Command, the NPA launched 43 military actions in the provinces M16 rifle of an AFP sergeant at a of Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar from January to Sep- checkpoint set up by the NPA in tember 6. The military actions were composed of a raid, five am- Barangay San Jose, Prosperidad, bushes, 29 sniping/harassment operations, seven special operati- Agusan del Sur. ons and one disarming operation. The NPA likewise was able to October 25. The NPA and peo- prevail over the military in six defensive actions and five encoun- ple’s militia seized 16 high-pow- ters. ered weapons in a raid on a CAFGU Of the 43 military actions, 24 took place in Samar, 15 in detachment under the 37th IB Northern Samar and four in Eastern Samar. located inside the Dole-Stanfilco The continuing military actions are being waged by the NPA as plantation in Barangay Luna Sur, part of the campaign to frustrate the onslaught of Oplan Bantay Makilala, North Cotabato. A CAFGU Laya 2 in the island. ~ element was killed and a sergeant

4 ANG BAYAN November 7, 2008 VICTORIOUS NPA OFFENSIVES tela Valley. fighters on a CAFGU detachment October 24. Eight soldiers were under the 72nd IB in Paquibato son, the comrades seized the op- killed, including a lieutenant, in an District, Davao City. portunity to attack the exhausted ambush staged by Red fighters of October 23. Eight soldiers troops of the Philippine Army and the NPA against troops of the 66th were killed and three others were CAFGU who were resting inside a IB conducting patrols in Barangay wounded when Red fighters of the vacant nipa hut in Barangay Hi- Manurigao, New Bataan, Composte- Nerissa San Juan Command (NSJC) lawan, San Andres, Catanduanes. la Valley. of NPA-Catanduanes peppered with The enemy soldiers had been October 23. A CAFGU element bullets the nipa hut they were scouring the contiguous barangays was killed and four others were staying in. In a report by Ka The- of Tibang, Barihay and Hilawan wounded in an assault by Red resa Magtanggol, NSJC spokesper- with the Red guerrillas closely mo- nitoring their movements. Another NPA rescues 7 detained comrades in Quezon military squad that was also resting in a nearby area scampered away from the scene of the attack RED guerrillas of the Apolonio Mendoza Command (NPA-Quezon) for fear of getting caught in the raided the Quezon Provincial Jail in Lucena City on October 25 and crossfire. helped four detained comrades escape without firing a single October 19. Red fighters shot. The raid was carried out in just ten minutes. seized the .45 caliber pistol and To facilitate their entry into the prison, the Red fighters wore M14 rifle of an abusive policeman Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Philippine Drug Enforce- at a public market in Escalante ment Agency (PDEA) uniforms and claimed that they were there to City, Negros Occidental. pick up a prisoner. They timed their assault during the shifting of October 13. A CAFGU element the guards. As the off-duty guards exited the building, the Red was wounded when NPA guerrillas guerrillas positioned themselves outside. assaulted the 72nd IB detachment They immediately pointed their guns at the guards and ordered in Sitio Bukobuko sa Anay, Baran- them to lie on the floor face down. The Red fighters disarmed gay Kingking-Polacion, Pantukan, them of five revolvers and locked them in a cell together with the Compostela Valley. other guards. A private security guard from the adjacent building October 13. Two soldiers were who tried to come to their rescue was quickly stopped by the Red killed when Red fighters ambushed fighters. They confiscated his shotgun and also put him in the pri- a military truck in Talaingod, Davao son cell with the others. del Norte. Before this incident, a Aboard four vans, the Red guerrillas swiftly dispersed to dif- CAFGU element was killed when the ferent directions after the successful rescue operation. Two po- NPA attacked the 72nd IB de- licemen were wounded when they tried to block one of the vans tachment in Barangay Palma Gil in at a checkpoint in Barangay Iyam, Lucena City. The Red fighters the same town. threw a grenade at the policemen before completely withdrawing. Another CAFGU element was The daring NPA operation was conducted right at the heart of wounded when Red guerrillas fired Lucena City where the Quezon Convention Center, Regional Trial at a composite force of the 72nd IB Court, Philippine National Red Cross and the provincial capitol and CAFGU in Sitio Likupon, Baran- are situated. The Quezon Provincial Jail also lies near Camp Guil- gay Sanghay, Mati, Davao Oriental. lermo Nakar, the main headquarters of the Southern Luzon Com- October 4. Three soldiers be- mand. longing to the 29th IB were The guerrillas had closely monitored the enemy’s movements wounded in an ambush by Red for a month before carrying out the rescue. They were able to guerrillas on their convoy in Sitio seize seven pistols and a shotgun in this special operation. Kapihan, Barangay Concepcion, This incident is the second rescue operation of political de- Valencia City, Bukidnon. tainees in Southern Tagalog. On January 14, 2006, Red fighters of There were no reported casual- the Edgardo Dagle Command also freed nine NPA guerrillas impri- ties on the side of the Red fight- soned at the Batangas Provincial Jail in Batangas City. ~ ers. ~

ANG BAYAN November 7, 2008 5 VICTORIOUS NPA OFFENSIVES that they be freed. But the Red fighters, adhering to the principles Disarming operation in Davao of revolutionary justice, did not grant their requests. Nevertheless, Oriental Provincial Jail as the comrades were withdrawing, a prisoner shouted “Long live the This article is based on a correspondence report submitted by the NPA NPA! Long live the revolution!” 3rd Pulang Bagani Company in Southern Mindanao. The PNP got wind of the incident but all the policemen did was ed fighters launched a daring disarming operation at the Davao to block the road leading to their Oriental Provincial Jail in Mati City on May 19. The guerrillas, who headquarters. The firemen sta- Rbelonged to the 3rd Pulang Bagani Company were joined by a squ- tioned nearby jested that the po- ad each from Front 2 and Front 27. lice were only good at attacking In a matter of 15 minutes, the gratitude as the disarming opera- roast pig, but would not respond Red fighters were able to break in- tion was taking place. Corruption when attacked. to the provincial jail, situated a was rampant in the jail, they said, The masses were elated upon few kilometers away from the Mati and it was a good thing the guer- seeing the comrades after the tac- city hall, and were able to seize rillas came to teach the abusive gu- tical offensive because no bullet two M16s, an M14, two Garands, ards a lesson. Some prisoners asked was spent and no life sacrificed. ~ three carbines, two shotguns, two 9 mm pistols, a .45 and a .357 caliber pistol and rounds of ammuni- tion. The Red guerrillas also confiscated magazines, 12 hand- cuffs, a base radio and several handheld radios. The provincial jail guards were clueless that the uniformed men who arrived on board two trucks and a van were NPA guerrillas. The NPA strike squad immediately brought the guards to the entrance gate leading to the jail warden’s office while two other teams of guerrillas proceeded to the guard house tower, another tower near the ar- mory and a place where the guards usually hang out. The other squad maintained position outside to mo- nitor the movements of the guards. “We are only after your weapons,” announced the Red guerrillas after they had introduced themselves as NPA fighters and declared their intention to disarm them. The guards were taken aback. Shaking with fear, they could do nothing but hand over their shotguns while the jail warden helplessly looked on. The prisoners expressed their 6 ANG BAYAN November 7, 2008 Escape from the enemy clothes that he had hung out to dry. As soon as he had collected his resolved that day that I would never allow the enemy to capture me clothes, however, he bundled them alive and I was willing to die just to escape from my captors!” and scampered out of the prison. I He had to pass through 20 This was what Ka Don, a Red first tried to pass through his cell barbed wire fences surrounding the fighter from a province in Southern gate and flee but a guard was detachment and dodge spot lights Tagalog said when he successfully watching that position all day. The inside the camp. He had lacera- escaped after 17 days of detention. day after, there were too many sol- tions and scratches from the Ka Don was captured along diers scattered all over the com- barbed wire and from having had with two Red fighters in September pound. On the third day, he saw a to walk through the camp perime- in the course of conducting intelli- chance to escape when he saw the gence work in preparation for a soldiers in a drinking session. tactical offensive. He told his fellow inmate When they were taken and that he was going out to get the brought to the military camp, they were immediately subjected to psychological torture. The military threatened to hurt their families if they refused to collaborate with them. His fellow comrade eventually gave in to these threats and divulged information to the enemy. Ka Don, however, remained firm. The enemy offered money to Ka Don in exchange for pointing out where his other comrades were, but he refused. On the 15th day of his impri- sonment, Ka Don attempted to escape from the military camp. He

NPA officers course in Eastern Visayas makes headway

hundred officers and cadres of the Party and the ned with workshops and case study discussions. ANew People’s Army (NPA) in Eastern Visayas Military exercises and drills were also conducted have completed the special officers course since with a view of standardizing their conduct by offi- the NPA Efren Martires Command launched its poli- cers in their respective units and areas of respon- tico-military school in December 2007. sibility. Officers of staff units were also given tra- The special course constitutes studies on gene- ining whenever needed. For instance, they were ral principles of warfare, lessons from guerrilla given crash courses on intelligence and commu- warfare in China and Vietnam, specific characteris- nications work. There were also particular training tics of people’s war in the Philippines and the les- modules for political officers of squads and plato- sons drawn from actual experiences in guerrilla ons. warfare in the region. The course also delves on the The five batches of trainees that have gradua- conduct of war at tactical levels (such as a military ted from the school underwent six- to ten-day tra- action) and operational levels (such as a series of inings on the average. The graduates said that the military actions implemented over a wider scope training course contributed significantly in building and a longer timeframe). their confidence and knowledge in leading and di- The theoretical studies include lectures combi- recting military actions and campaigns. ~

ANG BAYAN November 7, 2008 7 ter that spanned one hectare. FASCIST STATE ON RAMPAGE When he finally got out of the detachment, he limped his way through the highway and headed Persecution of legal activists towards a barrio where he knew he could seek help. There was an instance when he came across ene- escalates my soldiers, so he walked as nor- mally as he could by the roadside llegal arrests of personalities from the legal democratic movement to avoid being recognized. His and filing of trumped-up criminal cases against them topped cases journey lasted for three gruelling Iof human rights violations gathered by Ang Bayan. hours before he was able to reach November 6. Men on board ted. the village. four motorcycles gunned down October 31. Lt. Col. Manuel By the time he reached the Bayan Muna municipal coordina- Sequitin, 66th IB chief at- barrio, it was dawn. He was very tor Danny Qualbar of Compostela tempted to prevent the evacuati- thirsty and shivering from the town in Compostela Valley. Qual- on of some 300 families from Ba- cold and the sheer exhaustion bar was headed home when he rangay Andap, New Bataan, Com- from his long walk. He knocked at was ambushed in Osmeña town in postela Valley on October 31 in a nipa hut. When the door the same province at around 5:30 spite of threats to their lives opened, he introduced himself as p.m. wrought by military operations in an NPA fighter. He explained to November 6. Two men wear- their area. The civilians were the owner of the house that he ing bonnets shot at Sensuous headed towards the town center had just escaped from a military Union Labor Organization vice of New Bataan when military ele- camp and that he needed to get in president Arnold Cerdo as he was ments blocked them and ordered contact with the comrades as soon talking with his brother-in-law in them to instead seek shelter at as possible. his residence in Riverside, Calam- Sitio Mother of Perpetual Help, The man he talked to seemed ba City at around 9:30 p.m. Cer- which is near the area where the to doubt him and hesitated to do, also a staff of Cabuyao Wor- military and the NPA were having help him. But the comrades, who kers Alliance was nearly hit in the a firefight. The civilians insisted at that time were in the barrio as- face. on, and succeeded in, proceeding ked the house owner to attend to November 4. A court dismis- directly to the New Bataan Gym Ka Don’s immediate needs. He sed the petition for a writ of am- in the town center which was gave Ka Don food and allowed him paro filed by the family of Mary temporarily converted into an to enter their house and rest. Grace Delicano, a Gabriela mem- evacuation center. They stayed Soon after, a team of Red ber who was illegally arrested in there until November 1. The fighters came and talked with Ka September in Bacolod City. The clashes prompted the mayor of Don. The NPA unit’s leading com- dismissal came despite irregulari- New Bataan to put Barangay An- mittee analyzed the interview re- ties in the conduct of her arrest dap and the neighboring Baran- sults and was immediately con- by the PNP. The warrant of arrest gay Manurigao under a state of vinced of the truthfulness of his used to capture Delicano was for calamity. account. That same evening, he a certain alias “Kim” who is accu- October 31. Media worker was collected by the comrades sed of theft in relation to a raid Loreto Rosario, a dxMS reporter and reintegrated with his unit. conducted by the New People’s became a victim of harassment Ka Don’s staunch conviction Army (NPA) in Escalante, Negros after covering a fire that des- while in the hands of the enemy Occidental in May 2005 where troyed the AFP Field Supply Sup- and his planning out an escape comrades confiscated nine fi- port Unit inside Camp Siongco in are remarkable. His experience of rearms. Delicano’s name does not Datu Odin Sinsuat, Shariff Ka- being able to muster enough appear anywhere in the warrant. bunsuan. In a statement, Rosa- strength and resolve to overcome The police only requested that rio disclosed that Col. John Os- big challenges provides valuable the arrest order be amended to wald Bucu, Camp Siongco com- lessons for fellow comrades who state that Delicano and “Kim” are mander, accosted and berated may find themselves in the same one and the same person after him, confiscated his press card situation. ~ Delicano had already been arres- and cellphones and accused him 8 ANG BAYAN November 7, 2008 FASCIST STATE ON RAMPAGE of being an intruder. pine Army in Tarlac. October 30. Combined elements of the Caloocan October 13. A civilian was seriously wounded by Police and AFP Intelligence Service nabbed Norberto shrapnel from an M203 fired by government soldiers Murillo Sr., 52, in his house in Camarin, Caloocan City. in Barangay Sanghay, Mati, Davao Oriental. Isidro Murillo, who is accused of being an official of the Gerona, 60, was tending their store when NPA fight- Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) was illegal- ers and 72nd IB elements engaged in a gunfight ly arrested on fabricated murder charges related to a nearby. The Gerona family fled but the father was left purported purge in Hilongos, Leyte in 1985. behind. His son went back for him after hearing a October 24. Trumped-up murder and robbery grenade explosion from an M203 fired in the directi- charges were used to arrest couple Margie Lupo Navia on of their house. He found his father covered in and Donato Palo in Barangay Bolo, Labrador, Panga- blood and their dog killed after being hit by shrap- sinan. Navia and Palo, accused of being CPP officers nel. Their dining table was also in shambles. Gero- in Quezon were arrested by the police in Pangasinan na’s son said that the government soldiers continu- while visiting relatives. They were brought to the 3rd ed firing even though the NPA guerrillas had long Intelligence Service Unit headquarters of the Philip- withdrawn from the area. ~

Target: Southern Tagalog activists ass leaders and activists of the open democratic movement in duled for an operation when he Southern Tagalog are now facing an intensified repression cam- was seized by 15 elements of the Mpaign. Forty leaders and members of progressive organizations in Cavite PNP and regional intelli- the region were slapped by the Arroyo regime with trumped-up criminal gence agents. He was also brought charges. Twenty-seven of them were accused of torching the Globe Te- to the Calapan provincial jail the lecommunications cell site in Lemery, Batangas in August. following morning, where three of his co-accused—Attorney Sala- Meanwhile, 17 of them also ning for a hearing on the fa- dero, Nestor San Jose and Bayan face murder charges for an ambush bricated charges against Muna coordinator Crispin Za- by the New People’s Army on ele- him. Saladero is also panta were already being de- ments of the PNP Regional Mobile one of the accused in tained. Zapanta was arrested Group in Puerto Galera, Oriental the Globe Telecommuni- on October 27. Mindoro on March 3, 2006, where cations cell site arson ca- Various progressive organi- two policemen were killed and se. zations vehemently de- three others were wounded. A to- Mean- nounced the blatant tal of 72 persons are accused in while, on persecution of mass the Mindoro Oriental case, 30 of November leaders and activists them open mass leaders and ac- 3, Rogelio in Southern Tagalog. tivists. Galit, Bayani Cambronero, Several of those named in the spokesper- Bayan Muna- charge sheet have been picked up son of the Southern Tagalog by the police and military. Kalipunan regional coordina- The most prominent victim is ng mga tor stated that the KMU lead counsel Atty. Remigio Sa- Magsasaka sa witchhunt is part ladero. He was illegally arrested by Kabite (Ka- of a scheme to cri- combined elements of the Antipolo magsasaka-Ka) minalize activists. “The Arroyo Police and Military Intelligence was arrested in government is conjuring trumped- Group 4A of ISAFP at his home in his house in Silang, Cavite, for the up charges against us because of Antipolo City on October 23 and Oriental Mindoro case. Galit who its failure to silence us through was brought to Calapan City, Min- suffers from diabetes, has been extrajudicial executions,” he doro Oriental the following mor- bedridden for a year and was sche- added. ~

ANG BAYAN November 7, 2008 9 FASCIST STATE ON RAMPAGE census in Mlang, three civilians Mounting number of Moro were seized by elements of the 40th IB in Barangay Nalapaan in the bordering town of Pikit, North victims Cotabato. The victims were iden- he number of Moro civilians victimized by ruthless military operati- tified as Rahman Suleik, his son ons perpetrated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) con- Taurin and Tongtongan Dilangga- Ttinues to swell in various parts of Mindanao. len. The International Committee of Residents who still live in the- In the nearby province in Ma- the Red Cross (ICRC) reported on ir villages are likewise plagued by guindanao, six people were arbitra- October 29 that in evacuation cen- anxiety. MILF website Luwaran re- rily arrested in Barangay Linanta- ters in Datu Piang, Maguindanao ports that many residents of Bara- ngan, Mamasapano on October 16 alone, the number of individuals ngay Inas and Dungguan in and beaten up by military agents. who fled their homes have bal- Mlang, North Cotabato have be- The victims were identified as Ala- looned to 55,000 from 35,000 in gun packing up and preparing to din Lamalan, Ding Datuan, Alimu- August. Since August until the flee since the military started din Ibrahim, Daud Ibrahim, Binya- third week of October, almost conducting a census among Moro min Abdulatip and a certain Kaum- 127,164 families or 611,753 indivi- residents on October 18. With the bo. They are still under military duals have been affected by clash- soldiers giving no valid reason for custody as of this writing. es between the MILF and the AFP the census, the Moro residents in The government soldiers also in the provinces of Lanao del Nor- the area fear that the military is torched more than 100 civilian te, Lanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat “cooking up” something against houses in Barangay Nimao and and Maguindanao. them. Andamit in Datu Piang, Maguinda- Widespread anxiety. Intense Such fears among the Moros in nao in mid-October, Luwaran ad- militarization has resulted in vari- the area are not surprising. Two ded. ous psychological problems among days before the soldiers began the AFP starves evacuees. On top internal refugees. In a study con- of the sufferings the internal refu- ducted by the Commission on Hu- gees already have to endure, the man Rights (CHR) in October, AFP continues to deny them symptoms of traumatic distress much needed assistance. Troops are prevalent among the evacuees belonging to the 54th IB such as anxiety, nervousness blocked a convoy of the United and extreme suspiciousness. Nations World Food Programme Such characteristics have carrying food supplies at a been noted among evac- checkpoint in Dapiawan, Da- uees from Lanao del Nor- tu Piang, Maguindanao. The te who fled towards food aid was intended for Kauswagan and Kolam- hundreds of evacuee fa- bungan in the same milies in Libutan, province and to 17 Mamasapano, other evacuation Maguindanao centers in Oza- who had been miz City and starving ever since the soldi- Tudela in the ers forbade them from wor- neighboring king on their fields and province of Misa- harvesting their crops. mis Occidental. The CHR added Those who dared brave that one of the reasons for the threat and tend their fields this was fear arising from were shot. Two farmers rumors of impending clashes have already been wounded, between the AFP and MILF. said Luwaran. ~ 10 ANG BAYAN November 7, 2008 US imperialist policies will continue under Obama regime the “friendship” between the US The following is based on a statement by the Communist Party of the and its neocolonial client state. Philippines issued on November 7. He has completely disregarded the fact that Balikatan is used to ca- arack Obama’s victory in the US presidential elections reflects the mouflage the buildup of perma- American people’s overwhelming rejection of the militarist and nent US military presence and in- Bneoconservative Bush regime. Obama, who ran under the Democra- terventionism in the country. He tic Party, presented himself purportedly as an antithesis of the Repub- has called for the further expan- lican George W. Bush. He took advantage of the current intense and wide- sion of programs to supply spread disenchantment of the American people with the Bush regime, es- weapons to the Philippine mili- pecially in the face of the US political and military disasters in Iraq and tary, in utter disdain of the sever- Afghanistan and the worst economic crisis in the US since the Great De- al hundreds of thousands victi- pression. mized by the Arroyo regime’s Op- Imperialism’s continuing polici- advocated sending lan Bantay Laya being waged es of global hegemonism, plunder an additional under the tutelege and sup- and war, however, blur the line of 10,000 troops to port of the US military. demarcation between Obama and Afghanistan and The Communist Party Bush and show that they simply re- carrying out of the Phil- present two factions of the US mo- unilateral ippines nopoly bourgeoisie. strikes at (CPP) urges The current deepening reces- its borders the Filipino sion and desperation in the US with Pakistan, people, as and the world capitalist system is on the pretext well as the pushing the US to intensify impe- of going after American rialist exploitation, plunder and the al-Qaeda. people, and oppression in its home country While calling the people in and its semicolonies, covet more for the eventual the semicoloni- areas for expansion and wage withdrawal of es of the US and wars of counterrevolution and ag- American troops in other countries gression. Iraq, he has also fighting for natio- The US will continue to expand made clear that the nal liberation and its military-industrial complex, flex US will continue to democracy not to al- its military muscle and wage big exert its military low themselves to be and small wars in order to pursue presence there in beguiled by the newly its hegemonism, prevent rivals order to ensure elected American from carving up its vast empire, that the puppet president. The CPP and seize new markets and territo- Iraqi government is confident that ries for greater imperialist plunder will carry out US the working class and clout. Obama will only serve as dictates. and people of the US imperialism’s new lead instru- Last June, Oba- world will persist in ment for all this. With Obama’s po- ma also advocated their struggle aga- pulist rhetoric, US hegemonism continuing military inst imperialism and and aggressiveness only become intervention in the reaction, and for the more devious. Philippines, saying attainment of nation- Obama has repeatedly expres- that he will support the al and social libera- sed support for the Bush-initiated Balikatan military tion, de- war of terror. He has specifically exercises in line with mocracy and progress. ~ ANG BAYAN November 7, 2008 11 NEWS Migrants hold successful parallel conference workers and their families. The rogressive organizations from various countries successfully con- regime fully embraces the GFMD ducted the first international conference on migrants and framework because it affirms the Prefugees issues. The International Assembly of Migrants and state’s labor export policy and its Refugees (IAMR) was held as an alternative conference to the second reliance on remittances to keep Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) hosted in the the bankrupt economy afloat. Philippines from October 28 to 30. On the other hand, migrant groups gathered at the IAMR to Also successful was “Zero Re- ness, the GFMD gathered coun- strengthen the level of their soli- mittance Day,” a protest cam- tries who are the biggest viola- darity and solidify their struggle paign on October 29 carried out tors of migrants’ rights and did for their rights and welfare. They by the migrants group and spear- not even bother to invite orga- shared experiences from their co- headed by the International Mi- nizations that have long been untries of origin and the countri- grants Alliance. That day, mi- struggling for migrants’ rights es they work in. They criticized grants refrained from sending re- and welfare. the GFMD framework and called mittances to protest the GFMD’s The GFMD’s inutility became on the world’s governments to framework and campaign. all the more obvious with its put an end to forced migration The first forum, which was at- choice of the Philippines and the and ensure the availability of tended imperialist countries and Arroyo regime to host of the jobs in their own countries. They multilateral institutions such as event. The regime is unsurpassed also demanded respect for mi- the World Bank was held in July in its greed for migrants’ remit- grants’ rights and guarantees for 2007 to support the prevailing or- tances at the expense of migrant their welfare. ~ der and policy where rich countries take advantage of cheap labor from poor countries. These policies justify and encourage the in- Philippines ranks 5th among hunger-stricken countries tensified global export of workers from poor countries under the THE Philippines is 5th among countries worldwide suffering from guise of “global migration.” severe hunger, according to the World Food Survey in Gallup Inter- They propagate the slogans national-Voice of the People 2008. The list of the world’s hunger- “migration for development” and stricken countries was released on November 4 after surveys of “migration rights” in order to jus- 58,000 people from 55 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and tify the exploitation by rich coun- Europe in June and September in commemoration of World Food tries of cheap and docile labor Day. from backward countries. Such a Gallup reported that 40% of Filipinos say they frequently or setup is heavily reliant on mi- occasionally went without food or did not have enough to eat in grants’ remittances from host the past 12 months. Survey results also revealed that Metro Mani- countries as an alternative way to la, the country’s capital had the highest incidence of hunger. achieve development and solve Among the countries Gallup surveyed as suffering from severe poverty. The policy also pushes hunger were 1) Cameroon, 55%; 2) Pakistan, 53%; 3) Nigeria, 48%; for the allocation of these remit- 4) Peru, 42%; 5) Philippines, 40%; 6) Bolivia, 35%; 7) Guatemala, tances to resolve government 35%; 8) Ghana, 32%; 9) Mexico, 23%; and 10) Russia, 23%. budgetary deficits and service the Gallup’s survey results are even more alarming than those of the debts of poor countries. Social Weather Station which revealed that 16.8% of the Filipino As a testament to its rotten- people suffered hunger in the third quarter of 2008.

12 ANG BAYAN November 7, 2008 NEWS Militants condemn coverup of “Euro Generals” scandal REP. Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Ca- rals” incident smacks of immorality more recently, intended for the siño of Bayan Muna have de- in the face of the severe poverty af- purchase of surveillance equip- nounced a decision by House Com- flicting the country. ment. It turns out that aside from mittee on Public Order and Safety Puno and Versoza have been the `6.9 million handcarried by De chair Rep. Rodolfo Albano to sus- hard put coming out with sensible la Paz, a former PNP comptroller, pend investigations on high-rank- answers whenever questions are ra- the police officers also had in their ing officers of the Philippine Natio- ised against the issue. They have possession a so-called “contingency nal Police (PNP) dubbed the “Euro claimed that the money was a “cash fund” in the amount of `2.192 mil- Generals.” The progressive solons advance,” a “contingency fund” and lion or `274,070 per person. disagreed with Albano’s rationaliza- tion that the case was now being heard by the PNP, the National Po- JDV endorses new impeachment complaint against lice Commission (Napolcom) and the Office of the Ombudsman. Arroyo Ocampo and Casiño are the au- FORMER House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. endorsed the impeach- thors of House Resolution No. 843 ment bid against Gloria Arroyo on November 4. He signed the com- calling for a thorough investigation plaint at the Philippine consulate in San Francisco, California, along of eight PNP officers who attended with Filipino-American members of Bayan-USA, Gabriela and Nation- the Interpol meeting in Russia in al Alliance for Filipino Concerns. The document will be formally sub- October. They were headed back to mitted to the Lower House at the opening of the session on Novem- the country on October 9 when po- ber 10. De Venecia also announced that he is willing to testify on the lice authorities at St. Petersburg case and reveal everything he personally knows about the corruption airport intercepted P/Dir. Elizeo de cases involving Arroyo. la Paz for carrying `6.9 million The impeachment case, the fourth since 2004, was filed last Octo- (105,000 euros), which exceeds the ber by De Venecia’s son Joey, Atty. Harry Roque and Iloilo Vice Gov. amount allowed by law. The general Rolex Suplico. The bid was first endorsed by Rep. Satur Ocampo and and his wife were detained for a Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna and Rep. Liza Maza of Gabriela Women’s week, while his companions P/Dirs. Party. The charges consist of grave abuse of power of the president; Silverio Alarcio, German Doria and violations of the constitution; corruption involving cases such as the Romeo Ricardo, Dep. Dirs. General NBN-ZTE deal, Northrail Project and the `28 million “fertilizer scam;” Emmanual Carta and Ismael Rafa- and extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses. nan, Chief Supt. Jaime Caringal and Meanwhile, church leaders, including Archbishop Angel Lagda- Supt. Elmer Pelobello were relea- meo, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines sed. (CBCP); Archbishop Oscar Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan (Pangasinan); At the Senate Foreign Affairs Bishop Emeritus Jose Sorra of Legaspi (Albay); Bishop Joel Baylon of Committee investigation on Octo- Masbate; and Bishop Socrates Villegas of Balanga (Bataan) have ber 23, Interior Secretary Ronaldo called for a new government to immediately replace the Arroyo gov- Puno (concurrently Napolcom chief) ernment for its severe corruption. and Police Director General Jesus Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and several patriotic and progres- Verzosa could not explain why such sive organizations have backed Lagdameo’s call. Also expressing sup- an exorbitant allowance was given port are Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi of Nueva Caceres (Camarines to the high-ranking PNP officers Sur); the Bishop-Businessmen’s Conference headed by Archbishop who even brought along their Antonio Ledesma of Cagayan de Oro; the National Council of Church- wives. These funds are “loose cha- es in the Philippines; and Chief Justice Reynato Puno of the Supre- nge” compared to the millions in me Court. Rep. Eddie Villanueva of Jesus Is Lord Movement conveyed question in cases involving Arroyo his solidarity and called on all leaders of the CBCP and the Protestant and her cohorts. Nevertheless, tho- and Evangelical churches, Muslim religious leaders and other religio- se who pushing for a further inves- us groups to meet, forge a common stand and and agree on the mea- tigation say that the “Euro gene- sures needed to support the call for a new government.

ANG BAYAN November 7, 2008 13