Pahayagan ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas ANG Pinapatnubayan ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo English Edition Vol XLIX No. 22 November 21, 2018 www.philippinerevolution.info

EDITORIAL AFP suffers 39 Duterte is putting the casualties country in the middle of the THE ARMED FORCES of the suffered not less battle of imperialist giants than 39 casualties—23 killed and 16 wounded— from suc- cessful military actions resident recently expressed apprehension over launched by the New People’s the possible break-out of armed confrontation between the US Army (NPA) in Bukidnon, and China in the South China Sea (SCS). He claims, China is Iloilo, Northern Samar and P"already in possession" of the sea and that US military drills are only Camarines Sur this October. provoking counter-action. The Philippines will suffer in the event of such Bukidnon. Successive a war in the area. armed actions were mounted Duterte is washing his hands of people's wealth and national by the NPA-Bukidnon from responsibility for the rising tensions freedom, which further November 10 to 16, killing 13 in the SCS. The fact is he has a lot to strengthens imperialist power and soldiers and wounding at least answer for in the state of affairs in domination. 10 others. the SCS which arose partly because On the one hand, Duterte is On November 16, a unit of of his two-sided betrayal of Philip- completely selling out to China the the NPA-Bukidnon ambushed pine national sovereignty allowing country's wealth and rights in the 65th IB troopers operating in both the US and China to militarize SCS. In the past two years, he has the boundary of the province or heighten their military presence in set aside Philippine sovereignty in and Pinilayan, Tagoloan 2, the sea. the Spratly islands when he acted . Two enemy The Filipino people are suffering meek while China engaged in the units were slain in the incid- from Duterte's spineless foreign reclamation of close to 1,300 ent. The troopers were de- policy and his refusal to uphold the hectares of land on which it erec- ployed as reinforcement to country’s sovereignty on various is- ted various facilities. Several the military elements already sues. Duterte's betrayal is tan- thousand hectares of reefs and operating in the area. tamount to selling off the Filipino "Imperialist giants...," continued on page 2 "39 casualties...," continued on page 4 "Imperialist giants...," from page 1 secure vast resources under the sea. completed in 2007 but China has ex- fishing ground were ruined by these In the face of all these, the ob- clusively held on the results. China construction. sequious Duterte has acted like a estimates that the SCS holds as much Duterte set aside the 2016 Ar- meek lamb who knows no profanity. as $60 trillion worth of oil, natural bitral Tribunal decision which de- With complete servility, he recently gas and other minerals. In the name cided that the Spratly islands, the declared to China: "So you’re there, of "exploration," China hopes to de- Scarborough Shoals and other you’re in possession, you occupied it. termine whether it is commercially areas of the SCS as part of the Then tell us what route shall we take viable to mine these resources. Philippine exclusive economic zone and what kind of behavior." Just like how China dangled a and extended continental shelf and Duterte's servility is absolutely ob- $904 million loan package in 2004 recognizes Philippine rights under scene. He has no sense of national for Arroyo in exchange for the the UN Convention on the Law of integrity. JMSU, China is now dangling several the Seas. Duterte is inciting base- Duterte's shameless servility billion dollars of loans for Duterte less fear that "the Philippines can- and submission to China has no oth- including funds for rail projects, not afford to go to war with China" er aim but to plead for more loans to roads and others to have the "joint as if war is the only way to assert fund his ambitious Build, Build, Build exploration" agreement which the country's rights. program. The visit by China Presid- China wants to be presumed on its With Duterte's refusal to uphold ent Xi Jinping this November will sovereignty claims. In exchange for such decision, China was given free serve as occasion to sign an agree- these few billion dollars of loans, rein to build its military bases in the ment for "joint exploration" of the Duterte wants to give China not Spratly islands to strengthen its Philippine seas, violating even the only trillions of dollars worth of re- military presence in the area against 1987 constitution which reserves sources, but the country's sover- the US. Among others, China built such right to the State. eignty as well. With Duterte's ap- an airfield with a 10,000-foot run- Similarly questionable is the petite for high-interest China loans, way, ports and other facilities. China-funded 2005 Joint Marine the Philippines is bound to be a Chinese coast guards continue to Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) which debt-slave. interdict Filipino fisherfolk as if they sought to determine the wealth in On the other hand, Duterte is own the Philippine seas. Heightened more than 142,886-square-kilometer also shameless for his subservience Chinese military presence in the SCS of seas (almost half of the total Phil- to the US imperialists. He has cas- aim to curb US military presence and ippine land mass). The study was tigated the SCS naval exercises of the US for risking an armed con- ANG Contents frontation with China, but has al- lowed the US’ full military use of the Editorial: Duterte is putting the country's ports for US warships. country in the middle of the battle of Issue XLIX No. 22 | November 21, 2018 imperialist giants 1 The Philippines serves as a base of the US for mounting so-called AFP suffers 39 casualties 1 "freedom of navigation operations" Ang Bayan is published China accelerates econ colonization 3 in Pilipino, Bisaya, Iloko, to supposedly secure trade routes Xi Jinping protests 4 Hiligaynon, Waray and English. but in fact ensure only US presence NPA-Zamboanga foils AFP attacks 5 Ang Bayan welcomes and power in the SCS. contributions in the form Imelda, sentenced but remains free 5 At any time, the US military of articles and news items. Building the Party in Regata 6 can use Philippine airports and other facilities to stockpile war Readers are encouraged International Students' Day 7 materiél and for rest and recre- to send feedback and Justice evades HLI victims 8 recommendations ation of American troops. NDFP consultant, arrested 8 for improving our newspaper. Under Duterte, the number of Terror and disinformation in Negros 9 joint exercises and war games instagram.com/sine.proletaryo Fascist attacks in Cebu 9 mounted by the US military is in- creasing. @prwc_info AFP vs Lumad school in Talaingod 10 Maguindanao Massacre 10 Duterte's proclamation that he fb.com/groups/prwcnewsroom would not allow stockpiling of France protest 10 weapons in Palawan is meaning- [email protected] The bias of corporate media 11 less. In fact, the US has long been Anti-worker capitalist media 11 using the Ulungan naval base which Ang Bayan is published fortnightly by the Central Committee it expanded in 2014 to be used as of the Communist Party of the Philippines. "Imperialist giants...," continued on page 3

2 November 2 1 , 2 01 8 ANG BAYAN China accelerates economic colonization of the Philippines*

hina aims to overwhelm the Philippine economy with its excess capital, China seeks to accelerate its Cmake it dependent on Chinese loans and grants, impose neoliberal eco- economic domination of the Philip- nomic policies, plunder and exploit the country's labor and natural resources, pines by investing in large infra- control the key aspects of the economy, and lock the Philippines in a perennial structure projects in order to mo- state of exporting cheap and low value-added raw and semi-processed goods bilize its idle capital and provide a and importing capital goods and consumer commodities. market for its surplus steel and ce- ment. It has enticed Duterte with Having been at the center of the assistance has shot up to $63.5 mil- promises to spend $15 billion in imperialist global value chain, China lion last year from $1.5 million in dams, roads, bridges, sea ports and has long become the top destination 2016. Foreign direct investments railway projects and provide loans of Philippine exports of raw materi- (FDI) from China grew at a faster of up to $9 billion in the next few als and semi-manufactures and has rate reaching $1.043 billion in the years. become the primary source of the first two years under Duterte, close These promises of fund infusion, country's imports. to 85% of its total FDI over six years however, remain largely unfulfilled. Over the past two years, China under the previous Aquino regime But bureaucrat capitalists are has moved more quickly to further ($1.231 billion) and more than that drooling over the potential kick- strengthen its economic presence in ($825 million) under Arroyo's nine- backs to be pocketed in the form of the country. Its official development year reign.

"Imperialist giants...," from page 2 now used as platform for US inter- crisis of the global capitalist system port and storage under EDCA. It has vention in the country. By extend- and rising China challenge to US constructed a series of radars along ing martial law in Mindanao, US ini- power, the Philippines is a tool and the Palawan stretch to spy on the tiative is also strengthened through target of both imperialist powers. Philippine seas. In the name of pre- the AFP's imposition of absolute Because of Duterte's servility to the positioning "humanitarian and dis- power. US and China, sooner or later, the aster response," the US set up facil- The US has long used the Phil- country will be caught between the ities in Pampanga to be used by its ippines as an instrument for its he- battle of two imperialist giants. military. It is building military facil- gemony. It has used the country as This can only be avoided if the ities in no less than five AFP camps base for its wars in Korea, Vietnam, whole Filipino people will firmly as- across the country. Iran, Afghanistan and other coun- sert national sovereignty and vigor- The US continues to fortify its tries. Because of this, it is also al- ously advance the policy of peace domination in the Philippines by ways a target of US rivals and en- and non-alignment. The people must strengthening its control of the AFP. emies since the 1930s. assert the country's sovereignty in According to the US, it has 200-300 Under Duterte, the US continues the SCS and demand its demilitariz- military advisers to the AFP who are to use the Philippines for its military ation, calling for both the dismant- permanently stationed in the Philip- strategy. It is now using the country ling of Chinese military bases and pines. They provide trainings and as a base to contain the rise of the withdrawal of all US warships in direct some AFP operations. The US China's military power, project power the Philippine territorial seas. continues to provide military aid to and maintain permanent military In line with this, the people the AFP, including drones, heli- presence in the South China Sea to must assert economic sovereignty, copters, guns, bullets and other secure control of the trade routes. through genuine land reform and weapons used in armed suppression The country remains without national industrialization. Uphold- under Oplan Kapayapaan. national sovereignty and economic ing national sovereignty can be ef- The US continues to pour funds freedom under Duterte. It remains fectively carried out only if the to Marawi to strengthen its presence to be a semicolony of US imperial- country has economic freedom and in Mindanao. On its prodding, ism which continues to be the dom- can stand on its own two feet; on Duterte declared the CPP and NPA inant political and military power in the other hand, economic freedom as "terrorists" to give the US pretext the country. Duterte's declaration can only be achieved if there is na- for establishing its Operation Pacific of an "independent foreign policy" tional freedom to determine the Eagle-Philippines (OPE-P) as a US is hollow. country's destiny in accordance "anti-terrorist operation" which is In the face of the worsening with the people's interests.

ANG BAYAN November 2 1 , 2 01 8 3 so-called "finder's fees." The big pines remains a semicolony and Groups meet Xi Jinping bourgeois compradors and military stronghold of the US im- with protests Duterte dummy capitalists perialists, with which China is GROUPS LED BY the Pilipinong eagerly await the partnership now locked in an intensifying Nagkakaisa para sa Soberanya with Chinese corporations to trade war and challenging US (P1NAS), Bagong Alyansang make large profits in state-guar- economic, political and military and Anakbayan met Xi anteed projects. domination. Jinping’s arrival in the Philippines Although fast catching up, last November 20 with protests. Perpetuation of Philippine China still trails behind the US P1NAS trooped to the Chinese economic backwardness and Japan in terms of invest- consulate in Makati to demand By applying the same method ments and loans to the Philip- China’s withdrawal from the West of economic colonialism on the pines. In the field of portfolio Philippine Sea where it has conduc- Philippines, China will merely investments or infusion into the ted reclamation and constructed perpetuate the backward, agrari- Philippine stock market and oth- various military infrastructures. The an and non-industrial character er financial instruments, the US group said that no amount of loan of the Philippine economy which remains the top source of capital can make its illegal occupation ac- has long been dominated by the with 43% share compared to ceptable to the Filipino people. US and Japan monopoly-capital- China's share of 6%. Joining the rally were members ists. Philippine addiction to China Economic policies, such as of Dumagat communities from loans will make it a debt slave of the imposition of the TRAIN law, Southern Tagalog which face threats China, in addition to being de- continue to be influenced of flooding with the impending con- pendent on loans and grants from primarily by the IMF, US-con- struction of the China-funded Kali- IMF-WB, the ADB, the Japan Ex- trolled credit rating agencies wa Dam in Sierra Madre and Zam- Im Bank and other creditors. and such groups as the Partner- bales fisherfolk who continue to be Up to the present, the Philip- ship for Growth. adversely affected by the Chinese *From the CPP statement "Resist China efforts to impose imperialist coast guard’s occupation and con- power on the Philippines," November 20, 2018. trol of the Scarborough Shoal.

"39 casualties...," from page 2 cabugao, Igbaras, Iloilo last Northern Samar. Five soldiers Earlier, on November 12, the November 12. were slain while many others were fascist troopers were hit twice in Initial reports indicate that wounded in the harassment opera- armed actions launched by the Red four soldiers were killed. To save tion launched by the NPA-Northern fighters in the said barrio. Three face, the troopers peddled a lie Samar (Rodante Urtal Command) were slain and four wounded. On that a car and not their base was against operating troopers of the November 11, they conducted a hit in the offensive. They also ar- 43rd IB in Barangay Cag- counter-offensive against elements rested a farmer and accused him as amesarog, Lope de Vega on of the same unit who attempted to an NPA sympathizer. After a day, November 6. raid their camp, killing three sol- the troopers were compelled to re- In retaliation, more than 100 diers and wounding four others. A lease the victim after failing to fascist soldiers scoured the area Red fighter was martyred during present any evidence against him and sowed disinformation to be- the encounter. Since 2015, troopers of the little the victory of the NPA. Meanwhile, a unit of the NPA- tactical patrol base serve as mer- Camarines Sur. The NPA-Bicol Bukidnon harassed operating cenaries of Century Peak, a com- (Romulo Jallores Regional Operations troopers of the 8th IB in Barangay pany operating a mini-hydro plant Command) applauded the successful Bulonay, Impasug-ong on Novem- in the area. Residents of Igc- ambush by Red fighters under the ber 10 at 4 p.m. The troopers have abugao, Passi and other neighbor- Norben Gruta Command in Sitio Pa- been operating in the area for more ing barrios are opposing the plan of tag, Barangay Mambulo Nuevo, Lib- than a week already, causing dis- the company to conduct mining op- manan last November 17 at 4:30 p.m. tress among residents and disrup- erations. Six police officers who are tion of their livelihood. In a related news, the NPA- members of the Task Force Bic- Panay. The NPA-Southern Southern Panay offered a Red sa- olandia were wounded during the Panay (Napoleon Tumagtang Com- lute to Casimiro (Ka Boy) na who attack. The said task force was es- mand) attacked a patrol base of the was martyred during the offensive tablished to “decimate” the armed 61st IB and 33rd Division Recon- in Igcabugao. He is a resident of revolutionary movement in the re- aissance Company in Barangay Ig- Barangay Buloc, Tubungan, Iloilo. gion.

4 November 2 1 , 2 01 8 ANG BAYAN Corresponsal from West Mindanao NPA-Zamboanga foils AFP attacks

mid relentless attacks of the fascist troops and local spies of the US- IB, recently de- ADuterte regime, the New People’s Army (NPA) and its mass base in the ployed in the area, Zamboanga Peninsula remain steadfast and are steadily fighting back. Among had been scouring the the victories won by the NPA in the last six months (May-September 2018) are forested boundaries of as follows: Godod and Kabasalan towns Last May, the 42nd IB attemp- respect and were immediately re- intending to start their operations ted to conduct extensive military op- leased. After the incident, one of the with a bang. By the early morning of erations in Zamboanga del Norte police officers commented that he August 23, they attempted to raid an purportedly to decimate the NPA in was wrong to think all along that Red NPA camp in the area. The Red the area. But even before they could fighters of the NPA are crooks. fighters, however, had been alerted hit any NPA unit, comrades were On July 27, elements of the 42nd and were able to fire at and blast the already able to score an attritive op- IB and CAFGU failed in their attempt maneuvering enemy troopers. eration against them on May 18. An to raid an NPA unit resting in the When the attackers took over the NPA unit blasted a truck of the en- forest areas of Sitio Kulasian, abandoned camp, they were still de- emy unit killing seven and wounding Barangay Kulalian, Kalawit. The Red liriously mad and spent thousands of three troopers on board. The truck fighters foresaw the plan of the en- ammunition rounds firing aimlessly at was also completely destroyed. The emy and were able to mount an ef- open air, silent trees and empty hill- incident took place just a kilometer fective defense plan. After a 30- sides. While Red fighters were able to away from Kalawit town where the minute running gunbattle, the sol- withdraw with no casualties, five en- battalion headquarters is located. diers withdrew carrying their emy troopers were confirmed killed On May 30, in an NPA check- casualties which included seven while three others were injured in- point in Sitio Tanggupon, Barangay killed and one wounded troopers. cluding a CAFGU combatant. Mauswagon in Godod town, the Red The NPA scored another victory An army officer lamely admitted fighters captured two police officers against operating troopers of the by saying, “The NPAs were just lucky and seized three M16 rifles, one 67th IB in an encounter last August that time. They occupied superior 9mm pistol, thirteen magazines and 23 in Barangay Delokot in Godod ground, fired their guns first while live ammunition from them. town. we were still trying to gain a more The captives were treated with Fascist troopers from the 97th favorable position.” Imelda, sentenced guilty but remains free

THE SANDIGANBAYAN FOUND Imelda Marcos, wife of the late dictator dictatorial regime’s victims promptly Ferdinand Marcos, guilty of seven counts of graft and corruption in a ruling is- mounted successive protest actions sued last November 9. Despite this, she was not arrested and was even allowed to condemn the disinterestedness of to post a bail bond of P150,000. the Duterte regime to convict Mar- The decision by the Sandigan- already came “too late.” This ad- cos. Carrying placards with the call bayan is a ruling over the ten cases dresses the demand of the Filipino “Imelda, Iselda!” (“Imprison filed against the Marcoses on people to penalize the Marcoses over Imelda!”), members and supporters December 1991. The cases involve their crimes against the nation. The of the Campaign Against the Return the Marcos couple’s hidden wealth case was, however, queued for 30 of the Marcoses and Martial Law deposited in their private bank ac- years in the reactionary court, al- staged a protest last November 12 in counts in Switzerland and Imelda’s lowing Imelda Marcos to evade im- front of the Sandiganbayan. abuse of power. prisonment. Now, at the age of 89, On November 14, similar protest Marcos was sentenced to six she is left with only a few years to actions were mounted by martial law years and a month up to eleven years serve her sentence, if she is indeed to victims from North Luzon and by stu- in prison for each case she was found be imprisoned. dent activists in UP Dilman, Uni- guilty of or a total of 42 and seven In previous years, all reactionary versity of Sto. Tomas, Far Eastern months up to 77 years. The ruling also regimes failed to address the demand University and De La Salle University. prohibits her from running for any po- of the Filipino for swift justice and Earlier, on November 9, the UP sition in the reactionary government. even allowed the Marcoses to re- Diliman community lighted a bonfire The Party welcomed the ruling habilitate themselves. in celebration of the issuance of the against Marcos but said that it Various organizations and the ruling.

ANG BAYAN November 2 1 , 2 01 8 5 Building the Party in Regata

This article is a contribution by Party members from the youth sector to Ang Bayan's (AB) series featuring outstanding experiences on Party branch building in various fields of revolutionary work. AB's editors encourage all Party committees to contribute to this series by submitting their featured stories.

egata is a university in the national capital with a large student population Rand broad influence. It is also among the universities where the Commun- ist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is deeply rooted and where it has actively led the campaign and worked to forge a broad unity against the tyranny of dictat- or-wannabe Rodrigo Duterte.

On top of skyrocketing tuition was gradually able to spearhead reach the broadest number of stu- and other school fees which increase mass struggles within the entire uni- dents, Party members delved into annually, students are also burdened versity. A major factor contributing their ranks. The interplay of the with the university’s oppressive anti- to this achievement is the determin- students’ initiative and firm political democratic policies. Organizing in ation of the students themselves to guidance enabled them to lead the this university is a rigorous task be- stand up for their democratic rights sector’s struggles. cause of stringent policies on the re- and to get involved with national is- Party members carry on with cognition and operation of organiza- sues that affect them and the organizing work even during their tions. A Party group has long been people. Advanced elements eventu- vacation. Semestral breaks allow operating in the university but has, ally emerged from their ranks and them to integrate, organize and however, experienced problems with served as seedlings for the Party’s teach in urban poor communities. expansion and consolidation. further growth and consolidation The experience helps shape and firm Change, indeed, came in the uni- within the university. up the perspective of students for versity when Duterte became pres- Party organizers in Regata deployment to other sectors. ident and started his campaign of seized every issue and mass struggle The prompt delegation of par- suppression which has killed thou- to educate, organize and rouse the ticular and concrete organizational sands and plagued the lives of mil- student masses to action. Every op- tasks to new members is an effective lions of Filipinos. A broad unity portunity is used for recruitment and key to recruiting new cadres who will among students was gradually promotion of the revolutionary ana- eventually lead the university-wide forged within the university which lysis of the Philippine society and the mass base that is being established. resulted in successive campaigns national democratic alternative. Re- Party branches were formed in against Duterte’s “wars”--his “war cruitment is carried out at the various colleges within a short span on drugs”, the “war on terror” which classroom level. of time. Simultaneously, the number he used as a pretext to impose mar- Ka Mina was among those who of full-time cadres grew. They took tial law in Mindanao and his “all-out were recruited during the course of a on the responsibility of leading the war” against progressive forces. national campaign. She was politic- university-wide operations of the This unity has served as a ally roused after attending a film Party. springboard for the Party’s expan- showing depicting the fascist attacks sion and consolidation work in of the state on various democratic Education campaign Regata. Starting with the broad anti- sectors. Afterwards, she was invited Along with ensuring political fascist sentiment within the uni- to further discussions wherein she leadership and organizational versity, the Party strove to rouse actively studied various local and expansion, the revolutionary students to tread the path of the na- national issues. forces in Regata are also tional democratic struggle by edu- She was then given specific or- responsible of raising the cating them on broader issues and ganizational and political tasks. political consciousness of problems that confront the Filipino Eventually, she was recruited into the studentry through masses. the Party and became one of the constant education. Edu- cadres responsible for building the cation on local and national Striking deep roots Party in Regata. issues are broadly conduc- Despite the relative smallness of The interplay of expansion and ted in the form of discus- its initial machinery, Regata strove prompt consolidation was key to the sion groups and study to expand in strategic colleges and fast development of local cadres. To circles. Formal courses on

6 November 2 1 , 2 01 8 ANG BAYAN dictatorial regime’s victims promptly mounted successive protest actions to condemn the disinterestedness of the Duterte regime to convict Mar- cos. Carrying placards with the call “Imelda, Iselda!” (“Imprison Imelda!”), members and supporters of the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law staged a protest last November 12 in front of the Sandiganbayan. On November 14, similar protest actions were mounted by martial law victims from North Luzon and by stu- dent activists in UP Dilman, Uni- versity of Sto. Tomas, Far Eastern University and De La Salle University. Earlier, on November 9, the UP Diliman community lighted a bonfire in celebration of the issuance of the ruling.

International Students’ Day commemoration Marxism-Leninism-Maoism are promptly conducted to ensure VARIOUS YOUTH GROUPS attended the National Students’ Rights Summit 2018 in the students’ ideological devel- the office of the Commission on Human Rights in Quezon City on November 17 in opment. The comrades ensure conjunction with the commemoration of the 79th International Students’ Day (ISD). that all Party members are able The said activity was spearheaded by Rise for Education, Partylist at to study the Basic Party Course Youth Act Now Against Tyranny (YANAT) and was participated by nearly 200 stu- (BPC) and regularly study other dent leaders from 55 universities and schools. Party documents. They are also Meanwhile, progressive student youth groups mounted successive protest ac- striving to ensure that BPC tions across the country. Simultaneous protests were conducted last November 16 graduates are able to immedi- in Baguio by members of YANAT-Baguio-Benguet; in the Polytechnic University of ately take up the Intermediate the Philippines by students and workers who slammed the proposed budget cut in Party Course. the university; in the Bulacan State University by students who opposed various The vigorous education maneuvers being implemented by the school administration to deny students their campaign in Regata is considered right to free education; and in Cebu by members of Anakbayan who demanded to as the comrades’ most effective scrap the neoliberal K-12 program. tool for consolidation and raising Students of the University of the Philippines (UP) also protested on the commitment of Party cadres. November 15 to condemn the presence of police and military elements in the campus After such in-depth studies on who conducted a forum where they maliciously tagged progressive students and or- theory and practice, most of the ganizations as members of the armed revolutionary movement. Students of UP Los members are often convinced to Baños also condemned the university’s stringent enrollment system. serve full-time. Students, employees, teachers, drivers and vendors also protested in UP Diliman To Ka Mina, such studies on November 9 to demand the junking of the Master Development Plan and other firmed up her decision to visit a privatization and commercialization schemes being implemented by the university ad- guerrilla front and eventually ministration. join the New People’s Army. It is In a related news, students, teachers and employees condemned the Supreme clear to her and other young re- Court ruling issued this November declaring the K-12 program “constitutional.” The volutionaries that the youth has ruling simultaneously revoked the temporary restraining order on CHED Memor- an important role in advancing andum Order 20, a legal action against the removal of Filipino and Literature as key the revolutionary movement in subjects in college. Students of the College and Letters in UP Diliman mounted a urban areas and the armed protest on November 13 to condemn the said ruling. struggle in the countryside. The congruous interplay of Women strike back at SM’s “endo” scheme proper political leadership and the cadres’ eagerness to raise the GABRIELA AND KILUSAN ng Manggagawang Kababaihan mounted a picket-rally political consciousness of the in front of SM Manila to condemn the widespread implementation of “endo” (end- local Party’s general membership of-contract) in the company. and of the studentry has enabled They called for an inquiry on the consignment scheme implemented by the SM the Party in Regata to overcome Retail Inc. to circumvent its legal obligations to workers. Under this scheme, SM the problems which hindered its hires contractual workers, but passes the burden of paying salary and benefit to development in the past. It third-party agencies called consigners. A similar protest was simultaneously con- dropped various unnecessary re- ducted in front of SM Cebu by GABRIELA-Cebu. quisites for recruitment of new Last November 13, Workers of SMT-Philippines from Laguna trooped to the members and strategically or- headquarters of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Intramuros, ganized local chapters of Manila. They conducted a noise barrage to condemn DOLE’s inaction in the face of in every the illegal lockout and food blockade in the company. college where the greatest num- Members of the Nexperia Inc. Workers Union NAFLU-KMU conducted a similar ber of students are concentrated. protest in Laguna last November 17 to demand the scrapping of the scheme re- Lessons from organizing the quiring them to explain absentism even during holidays. This was used by the Party in Regata are celebrated management to dismiss union officers from the company in 2014. by the whole sector as it anti- Meanwhile, the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) conducted a cipates the 50th year an- protest along Agham Road on November 18 to oppose the continuing price hikes niversary of the Party. The sec- and call for the scrapping junk the regime’s TRAIN law. The group said that work- tor recognizes the challenge to ers’ wages have remained extremely low in the face of incessant increases in the the youth to go the countryside prices of basic commodities. It also condemned the demolition threat against urb- and contribute to advancing the an poor communities to pave the way for the construction of business and corpor- armed revolution. ate establishments.

ANG BAYAN November 2 1 , 2 01 8 7 Justice evades Hacienda Luisita Massacre victims

PEASANTS COMMEMORATED THE 14th year of the Hacienda Luisita Mas- Mass in commemoration of Le- sacre last Novemeber 16 and condemned the continuing suppression and at- onard Co. A mass in remembrance tacks against their ranks. of environmentalists Leonard Co, The sacadas (sugarfield workers) mass and built a human chain in Sofronio Cortez and Julius Borromeo along with members of progressive or- front of the gate of Lupang Kapdula, was held last November 15 at Dita ganizations held a mass at the Central Barangay Sampaloc II. Tree, EDC Arboretom, Institute of Azucarera de Tarlac Gate 1 before The farmers who have long been Biology, UP Diliman. The three were marching towards the Northern Luzon conducting bungkalan activities in murdered by 19th IB elements in Command to denounce the presence the said areas are now subjected to Kananga, Leyte eight years ago. The of a military detachment in the constant harassment and threats by program was spearheaded by Ad- hacienda. They culminated the com- landlord Rudy Herrera’s goons. vocates of Science and Technology memoration with a program at the for the People (AGHAM). Candles Tarlac City Downtown Public Market. Yolanda survivors storm Tac- were lit by supporters to demand In solidarity with the sacadas, loban. The People Surge alliance justice for the victims. progressive groups also launched a spearheaded the protest action of cultural night in Plaza Miranda, nearly 5,000 Yolanda survivors who Third martial law extension. Angeles City on November 15. occupied the whole downtown area In conjunction with the commem- In Metro Manila, the Kilusang of Tacloban City last November 8. oration of the Children’s Day last Magbubukid ng Pilipinas spear- They condemned the government's November 20 at the Sunken Garden headed a protest action at the Men- criminal neglect over the victims. in UP Diliman, the Save Our Schools diola Arch on November 16 to de- The alliance demanded that the Network and Lumad youth con- mand justice for the victims of the Aquino and Duterte regime be held demned the threats of the Philip- Hacienda Luisita Massacre and the accountable for their failure to pine National Police and Armed recent massacre in Sagay City. promptly provide aid and address the Forces of the Philippines to pursue On the same day, members of demands of the disaster victims. Re- with the third extension of martial the Peasant and Church People’s lief and cash assistance are yet to be law in Mindanao. Movement of Cavite stood in solid- distributed to the victims while there Students from the University of arity with the farmers of Lupang remains no support for the agricul- Santo Tomas and UP Diliman parti- Ramos and Kapdula in Dasmariñas, tural sector. They also condemned cipated in the protest to oppose the Cavite to defend their bungkalan the substandard housing units that threat which they said will further (collective land cultivation). The were given them and the intensifying intensify violence in Lumad schools farmers and their supporters held a militarization of their communities. and across the whole island. State forces illegally arrest NDFP consultant and two others

ELEMENTS OF THE police and military illegally arrested National Democratic goat the CPP, NPA and NDFP as “ter- Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Vicente Ladlad along with Alberto rorist organizations” and give him the and Virginia Villamor last November 8 at midnight in Doña Tomasa, San Barto- pretext to establish a fascist dictat- lome, Novaliches, Quezon City. orship through martial law his bogus federalism. The police planted with AK-47 gravated his complications. Meanwhile, Fidel Agcaoili, Luis rifles, grenades and subversive doc- The NDFP vehemently con- Jalandoni and Coni Ledesma canceled uments to make it appear that they demned Ladlad’s arrest, a member of on November 19 their plan to visit the were combatants despite their age the Reciprocal Working Committee on country for the supposed informal and sickly condition. Ladlad, 69, has Political and Constitutional Reforms. negotiations on the possible resump- a lung (emphysema) and heart com- He is the third NDFP consultant to tion of peace talks. This cancellation plication, Alberto Villamor has dia- have been illegally arrested under the came after Duterte’s threat that he betes and Virginia Villamor has a Duterte regime, which blatantly viol- will have them arrested upon their pelvic fracture. The three were ates the GRP-NDFP Joint Agreement arrival. Later on, it was discovered by charged with illegal possession of on Safety and Immunity Guarantees. lawyers of the NDFP that the Manila firearms and explosives. Jose Maria Sison, chief political con- Trial Court has already issued an ar- The victims were initially de- sultant of the NDFP said that, “it is rest warrant for Jalandoni and tained in Camp Karingal in Quezon obvious that Duterte is leaving no Ledesma in connection with the pro- City. Ladlad’s was then moved to space for the possible resumption of scription case filed by the regime various detention cells which ag- peace negotiations in order to scape- which declares them as “terrorists."

ANG BAYAN November 2 1 , 2 01 8 8 AFP sows terror and disinformation in Negros

fter the massacre in Sagay, the 303rd IBde of the Armed Forces of the voking story, made-up and peddled APhilippines (AFP) now aims to sow terror by focusing its military opera- by the troopers, was that the sus- tions in the communities of Escalante City where farmers are actively mobil- pects of the Sagay massacre are izing and struggling for their right to land. hiding in the village. The residents firmly confuted this lie. They test- On November 16 at around 4 supposed to deliver humanitarian ified that massacre survivors’ rel- a.m., more than 100 soldiers and aid were blocked in the said check atives are the ones who actually paramilitary elements occupied Si- points and were barred from enter- fled to the community for refuge. tio Puting Bato and Pangahuyan in ing the community. Members of the In connection with this, har- Barangay Washington, and Cogon media were also prohibited from assment against the supporters of and Lawes in Barangay Alimango, entering and reporting about the the massacre victims continues. On Escalante City, Negros Occidental. ongoing military occupation. November 9, Clarizza Dagatan, Several households, particularly The troopers sowed disinform- secretary general of KARAPATAN- that of Elena Yap, a member of ation to justify their encampment in Negros, received death threats via PAMALAKAYA and Gabriela- the villages. First, they absurdly text message saying that she will Negros, were surrounded by the claimed “sightings” of Abu Sayyaf be the next to be killed. Roque troopers. rebels in Puting Bato. They also Rillo of the National Federation of Checkpoints were mounted in claimed that an encounter between Sugar Workers, Noli Rosales of Puting Bato and Tubigon, depriving the NPA and AFP took place in the Kilusang Mayo Uno and Christian residents of their freedom of move- same barangay, a fictitious incident Tuayon of Bagong Alyansang ment. Church people and members which was promptly belied by the Makabayan-Negros likewise re- of cause-oriented groups who were NPA-North Negros. The most pro- ceived threat messages.

Fascist suppression and attacks intensify in Cebu

THE FASCISTS ATTACKS of the US-Duterte regime against progressive March 2016. Not every family was forces in Cebu are unrelenting. Cases involving a violent dispersal of a camp allowed to return to their respect- and the arrest of workers who constructed it, sexual harassment of a female ive barangays. On April 17, the paralegal, demolition of hundreds of houses, and Red-tagging of youth activ- local government conducted a ists have been reported in just a span of four days. raffle to identify those who could return. Up to the present, there is Dispersal in Coca-Cola. Police assistance to the arrested workers. no clear relocation plan for the officers and goons violently demol- The police officer coerced her to residents. ished the camp of Alsa Kontraktwal leave but she resisted. Con- “CPP’s minions.” Last Cebu and Coalition of All Coca-Cola sequently, the officer harassed her November 17, alleged military ele- Workers (CACCWO) in front of the saying, “You shut up! Otherwise, I’ll ments distributed flyers along Coca-Cola FEMSA plant in Mandaue make you my mistress!” Gorordo Avenue maliciously tagging City on November 16 at around 7 Demolition in Mandaue. On progressive youth leaders as “CPP’s p.m. November 14 in the morning, state minions” and “deceivers of the After the dispersal, three work- agents demolished the houses of youth. Printed on the flyers are ers were illegally arrested and de- more than 550 families near the photographs and names of six tained in Subangdaku Police Sta- abandoned Cebu International leaders of the local chapters of tion. The arrested were identified as Convention Center in Mandaue City Anakbayan, Kabataan Partylist and Oscar Villarino, vice chairperson of to pave the way for the construction Youth Act Now Against Tyranny; Alsa Kontraktwal-Coca-Cola of a hotel-casino in the area. Police and of three student leaders from Chapter, Gerome Villarino and Vin- officers were deployed in the com- the University of the Philippines- cent Juarez. They installed the munity to prevent the residents’ Cebu and University of San Carlos. camp to demand the reinstatement resistance. They also accused the Anakbayan Cebu condemned of 40 dismissed workers and oppose residents as members of the NPA. the harassment against the youth widespread contractualization in The residents whose houses leaders. The state is conducting a the company. were demolished have been tem- “Red-tagging” campaign to justify The next day, a police officer porarily settling in the area after its armed suppression of activists, sexually harassed a female their houses in Barangay Guizo and human rights defenders and other paralegal who was providing legal Mantuyong were razed by fire on civilians.

9 November 2 1 , 2 01 8 ANG BAYAN Maguindanao Soldiers encamp in civilian structures in CamSur Massacre commemoration MILITARY OPERATIONS ARE relentlessly conducted by elements of the 902nd IBde, 9th IB, at 92nd Civil Military Company in barangays Villasocoro, Tanag, Calabnigan, FAMILIES AND MEMBERS Malinao and Odoc in Libmanan town, Camarines Sur. The troopers are spreading of the media commemor- psywar to threaten the residents of the said barangays. ated the ninth year an- The troopers are currently occupying the schools, barangay halls and churches in niversary of the the communities. Residents are subjected to surveillance, harassment and interroga- Maguindanao Massacre at tion, while some, particularly those who are accused as members of the NPA, are co- Sitio Masalay, Ampatuan, erced to surrender to purportedly “clear” their names. The residents believe that the Maguindanao last Novem- soldiers were behind the bombing of a chapel in Barangay Tanag last October 21. ber 18. The families held a Attempted killing of a NAMASUFA striker mass in the site of the TWO UNIDENTIFIED GUNMEN shot Jerry Alicante in front of his house in Purok 10, massacre in remembrance Osmeña, Compostela last November 11 at 8:20 p.m. The victim survived the slay try of the victims. The parti- and sustained two bullet wounds on his right arm. Alicante, a plantation worker of cipants called for the con- Sumitomo Fruit Corp., is an active member of Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Suyapa viction of the Ampatuan Farms (NAMASUFA) which mounted a strike on October 21. Along with other work- brothers, the prime sus- ers, he is actively campaigning for the regularization of contractuals and the recog- pects in the 2009 carnage nition of the right of their union to collective bargaining. wherein 58 people were NAMASUFA condemned the intensifying attacks against their ranks in their killed, 32 of whom are me- protest last November 16 outside the Davao Convention Center where the National dia workers. Banana Congress was concurrently being held. In a related news, the National Union of Journal- AFP pursues closure of Lumad school in Talaingod ists of the Philippines stood against PNP’s blatant har- THE 56TH IB and the ALAMARA paramilitary group continue to harass the com- assment of media workers. munity of the campus of Salugpongan Ta’ Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning On November 9, they Center, Inc. (STTICLCI) in Sitio Nasilaban, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod. Carrying launched a campaign which hammers, four elements of Alamara forcibly entered the school compound and they dubbed as “Sign threatened to destroy the campus last November 11. This compelled 35 students and against the Sign” to oppose three volunteer teachers to immediately evacuate to Sitio Dulyan. Simultaneously, the PNP’s scheme compel- 56th IB troopers coerced the tribal chieftains of Talaingod to sign a petition for the ling media workers to be- closure of the campus. On November 13, they assembled and forced the residents to come witnesses in anti- participate in a “protest” against Salugpungan. drug operations. In a related news, a member of MISFI Academy Parents-Teachers-Community They said that signing Association was killed by suspected 19th IB and CAFGU elements in Kitaotao, Bukid- this scheme is tantamount non last November 17 in the evening. The victim was identified as Esteban Empong to expressing support for Sr., 49, resident of Barangay `, Arakan, North Cotabato. The victim was shot dead the PNP’s war on drugs. while sleeping in his relatives’ house in Barangay Sagundanon. Earlier, Empong re- Journalists must only stand ceived threats from19th IB troopers who coerced him to surrender and accused him for the truth, they added. of being a member of the people’s army.

283,000 march against rising fuel price in France

NEARLY 283,000 FRENCH citizens participated in more The action was dubbed as the “yellow vests move- than 2,000 coordinated protest-actions in France last ment,” because the protesters wore yellow vests that all November 17 against the anti-people reforms imple- French drivers must keep in their vehicles in case of mented by their president, Emmanuel Macron. breakdowns. The protesters voiced their anger over the continu- The citizens blockaded the major roads of various ous fuel price increases brought by Macron’s imposition cities, including Paris, the national capital of France, as of additional fuel taxes. Their call for Macron’s resigna- sign of their protest. tion resonated across the country’s major roads. The protesters said that the blockade symbolizes Police officers blocked the protesters’ marches and the isolation of the Marcon regime from the people and violently drove them back using tear gas. More than 220 its disconnect to their day-to-day economic diffi- protesters were injured while 100 others arrested. culties.

10 November 2 1 , 2 01 8 ANG BAYAN The bias of corporate media

ast October, the Committee to Protect Journalists, an international organ- and public utility companies such as Lization, listed the Philippines as the third most violent country to journal- Meralco and Maynilad. The group also ists. The country has held this position since 2010. Majority of the victims were operates the Manila North Tollway members of regional or provincial media outfits who were killed due to their and Cavitex, some of Luzon's primary exposés of corruption and other anomalies of those in power. highways. On one hand, this demonstrates They also own electrical, real estate Ownership of a media company is a the courage and standpoint of the and telecommunications companies. major factor on the quality and cred- local and independent media in car- The Lopezes also have shares in ibility of its coverage. Ownership plays rying out their task of giving the manufacturing, remittance and other a deep and extensive role on the kind public the correct information. On media-related companies. Mean- of content, type of stories, issues and the other hand, it does not reflect while, the Gozons and Jimenezes who news a company (television, radio and the character of the dominant media control GMA7 (both radio and tele- print) will highlight. News companies in the Philippines which is controlled vision) have shares in financial insti- and their owners are careful not to by big bourgeois compradors and tutions and real estate corporations. impugn or compromise their own in- their cohorts in politics. Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corpora- terests and that of their partners and In reality, the largest media insti- tion bought a stake in the industry in advertisers. (See related article below.) tutions in the country are controlled 2017 when he bought the Philippine To avoid this, media companies by a few families and biggest govern- Daily Inquirer, one of the country's often center their coverage on com- ment officials for a long tine. Majority major newspapers. Although his mon crimes which they sensationalize of these institutions were created and stake are relatively small compared to catch the public's attention. Under operated for big compradors to main- to TV5/Interaksyon (television and this system, journalists have their tain control over their other busi- online news), Pangilinan exercises hands tied as they are required to nesses and for competition, raking in substantial influence on other media follow the policy of protecting the in- more profits and promotion of their and telecommunications groups. He terests of the companies’ bourgeois- own economic and political interests. bought shares in two of the most comprador owners and their political This character and system is called widely read newspapers in the coun- allies. the corporate media. try—the PDI and Philippine Star by Contractualization and job insec- In the Philippines, the Lopez and partnering and using the funds of urity is rampant among media work- Gozon families, as well as Manuel Anthoni Salim, an Indonesian busi- ers. Most of them can be arbitrarily Pangilinan dominate the media. The nessman. The Pangilinan-Salim group dismissed or their contracts discon- Lopezes own ABS-CBN which has ra- also jointly control telecommunica- tinued when they insist on their views dio, television and film subsidiaries. tions groups (Smart, Sun and PLDT) and stand for their rights.

Anti-worker capitalist media

CORPORATE MEDIA’S CAPITALIST interests are in full display in their treatment of their employees and coverage of recent struggle of Filipino workers. A striking example is the media's coverage of the consecutive protests by PLDT workers after its management fired 8,000 contractuals last June. The massive lay-off took place despite a Supreme Court order to regularize the said workers. This was the biggest lay-off this year. Despite gaining mileage in social media, the workers Asia and Middleby also got little or no coverage. and their supporters' protests did not make the news in In the case of the violent demolition of NutriAsia Pangilinan-Salim-controlled TV5. Coverage was also thin workers and supporters on July 31, ABS-CBN even used a in ABS-CBN and GMA7, companies where contractualiza- video captured by an independent group to slander the tion is also rampant. workers. The network only started broadcasting the truth Though some newspapers and online sites reported after alternative groups showed more videos proving that about the lay-off and the #SavePLDTContractuals cam- police attacked the striking workers and their supporters paign, discussions on systematic contractualization by big without provocation. The corporate media repeatedly companies, including in the media, to shortchange the work- snubbed the workers’ and their supporters' accounts on ers and deny them their rights, were either missing or insig- the dispersal and their protest. nificant. The media failed to put the PLDT workers' plight in Still in the case of Nutriasia, TV networks and news- the context of extensive labor contractualization and job in- papers even peddled a fake news about a "rallyist" who security. There was also no coverage on big companies' was supposedly caught carrying a gun during the picket. various maneuvers to skirt their legal obligations. In time, the said rallyist confessed that he was acting on Other workers' struggles such as in Jollibee, Nutri- orders of the police.

ANG BAYAN November 2 1 , 2 01 8 11