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

English Edition Vol. XLIII No. 10 May 21, 2012 www.philippinerevolution.net

Editorial Resist Oplan Bayanihan in South Quezon-Bondoc Peninsula

massive and brutal terror campaign is currently ravaging the structures are bases. They are a people of South Qezon-Bondoc Peninsula (SQ-BP) as part of bane to the masses' livelihood. Athe intensification of the US-Aquino regime's Oplan Bayanihan The soldiers oblige everyone war of suppression. to attend their public meetings. They subject the locals to inter- It is marked by one of the nihan but commit wanton viola- rogation in the guise of conduct- most concentrated deployments tions of human rights. ing a “census.” They summon of fascist forces in the history of Squad-size groups of armed anyone they would like to inves- the enemy's suppression and soldiers comprising “peace and tigate and harass those who encirclement campaigns. Up to development teams” stay for have been active in mass strug- eight strike battalions are posi- long periods in villages. For up gles, accusing them of being tioned in 22 towns, or an aver- to six months, they live like fat- members of revolutionary mass age of 200 fascist forces per tened pigs in peasants' houses organizations or of being sup- municipality. They include the in over 50 barrios, spending porters of the armed revolution. entire 74th IB, the 85th IB, the their days getting drunk, gam- They are then subjected to re- 76th IB and Special Forces Bat- bling and texting.They also use lentless intimidation to coerce talion, the 416th and 417th barangay centers and other them to cooperate with the mili- Public Safety Management Com- public tary and “clear their record.” panies and three and a half Those who refuse to coop- battalions of CAFGU under erate feel compelled to the 59th IB. This is aside leave the area to avoid from forces of the threats to their lives. Philippine National Police assigned to the various In this issue... towns of SQ-BP. The pres- Environmental ence of these activist slain 6 fascist forces are a major dis- Violence against ruption in the minors 7 normal course of the masses' Revolution spreads lives. They im- to an urban pose martial rule. poor They utilize their so- community 10 called “people-cen- tered” tactics un- der Oplan Baya- The fascist brutality of the need to bear arms and fight. of the favorable terrain, the su- Oplan Bayanihan in SQ-BP can- In the face of the regime's periority of guerrilla tactics and not be concealed. Since Oplan stepped up violence, the Commu- the depth of mass support in or- Bayanihan began ravaging the nist Party of the Philippines calls der to inflict casualties on the area, more than a hundred hu- on the people of SQ-BP, the con- enemy, seize their weapons and man rights violations have been cerned NPA units in the guerrilla arm the growing number of Red documented, including viola- front and in the entire Southern fighters. tions of the rights of children, Tagalog region, and all local Par- There are so many opportu- killings and abductions. Cases of ty branches and revolutionary nities for launching tactical of- illegal searches and arrests mass organizations to promptly fensives that they are sure to abound. and with all their might expose, win. The NPA must closely mon- Oplan Bayanihan is being assail, resist and frustrate Oplan itor the enemy's movements to stepped up in SQ-BP in accor- Bayanihan. In the coming determine the poorly manned dance with the US-Aquino months, they must act with all and scattered units of the AFP, regime and the AFP's objective courage and with utmost skill their supply lines and other of clearing the area of the NPA and invigorate mass struggles weak targets. The NPA must by the end of 2012. Aquino and intensify tactical offensives. raise its offensive posture and wants to turn SQ-BP into his The massive militarization of its capability for quick and clan- “trophy” for its long history of SQ-BP opens many opportunities destine action in order to take peasant struggles and armed for accumulating big victories advantage of the many opportu- revolution. and advancing the revolutionary nities that have opened to Nonetheless, the US-Aquino movement in a major way. launch arned attacks on the fas- regime is inadvertently creating The local NPA units must cist enemy. a contradiction. In intensifying launch more extensive, more nu- NPA units in other parts of its campaign of suppression, it merous and more intensive tac- Southern Tagalog must launch drives the people toward the tical offensives in the coming timely tactical offensives in ac- path of mass struggle to resist months. They must punish the cordance with their reading and oppression and assert their de- fascists who have been brutaliz- monitoring of the AFP's deploy- mands for genuine land reform ing the masses. They must steel ment and movements. The NPA and an end to feudal exploita- their determination and further in the neighboring region of Bi- tion. The US-Aquino regime's raise the capabilities of the NPA col must also launch tactical of- mounting brutality only con- units in SQ-BP. They must devel- fensives to force the enemy to vinces the people all the more of op expertise in taking advantge shift its units currently concen- trated in SQ-BP. Thus, local NPA units in SQ-BP will be further ANG Contents able to maneuver and inflict Editorial 1 ever bigger blows on the enemy. Vol. XLIII No. 10 May 21, 2012 Martyrs of Quezon 3 We must enhance the peo- ple's courage to resist the US- Ang Bayan is published in Bombing in Mindanao 5 Pilipino, Bisaya, Iloko, Hiligay- Environmental activist slain 6 Aquino regime's campaign of non, Waray and English editions. suppression. We must forge Docking of USS North Carolina 6 It is available for downloading their militancy to resist the ram- at the Philippine Revolution Web Violence against minors 7 page, terrorism, deception and Central located at: Offensives in SMR and Bicol 9 brutality being inflicted on them www.philippinerevolution.net by the fascist soldiers and other Ang Bayan welcomes contribu- Ka Ramon: Communist, peasant hero 9 armed personnel of the reac- tions in the form of articles and Revolution spreads to the urban poor 10 news. Readers are likewise tionary regime. The people must Arson as a demolition tactic 12 enjoined to send in their com- launch various kinds of mass ac- ments and suggestions for the Urban poor in Davao fight back 13 tions including organized evacu- betterment of our publication. Strike in Con Ban Kiat wins 13 ations and other protests in the You can reach us by email at: town centers to denounce the Workers in Butuan 14 [email protected] presence and basing of soldiers in their homes and villages. Ang Bayan is published fortnightly by the Central Committee Simultaneously, we must of the Communist Party of the Philippines propagate the demand for gen-

2 ANG BAYAN May 21, 2012 uine land reform and agrarian reform and make it Filipinos and other nationalities abroad and en- resonate throughout. The antifascist struggle will courage them to launch protests. Let us strength- be deepened and strengthened through the invig- en the call to hold accountable the officers and oration of mass struggles to reduce land rent, raise men of the AFP responsible for violations of human the wages of farm workers, eliminate usury and rights and international humanitarian law. have the peasants' agricultural produce sold at the Let us learn from the experiences of the people correct prices. and the revolutionary forces from other regions in The revolutionary mass organizations and local order to achieve major victories in the coming Party groups and branches in SQ-BP must act firm- months against Oplan Bayanihan in SQ-BP and ly against the ravages of Oplan Bayanihan. They pave the way for the advance of the peasant mass- must strengthen mass struggles and quickly ex- es' democratic struggles and the strengthening of pand defense committees and people's militias. the armed revolution. They must strengthen the underground movement. As the brutality in South Quezon-Bondoc They must unleash the masses' initiative and cre- Peninsula has shown, Aquino has proven that ativity in using various tactics in order to seize Oplan Bayanihan is no different from, but even weapons and launch various attacks on the enemy. more violent than past oplans. It has been clearly NPA recruitmemt must be stepped up. demonstrated in SQ-BP that the AFP catchphrases We must form a broad united front to support “defending human rights” and “advancing peace” the people in SQ-BP against Oplan Bayanihan. We are worthless. must strengthen the movement against militariza- The Filipino people are acutely aware that tion and for human rights advocacy. Let us call for the US-Aquino regime's Oplan Bayanihan war of myriad investigations on the growing number of suppression is a war being waged in defense of human rights violations, especially violations of the rotten oppressive and exploitative system. the rights and welfare of children. We must expose But no matter how brutal, it will surely be de- the criminal officers and personnel of the AFP.and feated in the face of the courage and militancy file cases against them. of the people and their determination to ad- Let the cry for justice of the people of SQ-BP vance along the path of mass struggle and armed resonate worldwide. Let us win the sympathy of revolution. ~ Military abuses in South Quezon er children. The soldiers left when they could not find any uman rights advocacy groups strongly condemn the grave mili- guns. That same day, Prieto was Htary abuses accompanying the massive and intense militariza- forced to leave his house to tion in Quezon. Eight combat battalions concentrated in the avoid another bout of harass- province's first and second districts are sowing terror in civilian ment from the military. communities under the US-Aquino regime's Oplan Bayanihan. The Prieto family is but one The soldiers maliciously accuse the residents of being members of of the many civilians victimized the New People's Army to justify the saturation drives in their com- by the intensified militarization munities. of 22 villages in the province. One of the latest victims of AFP violence is the 17-year old niece The military has long been of Genelyn Dichoso, a resident of Barangay 10, Poblacion, sowing terror in Quezon. Last Catanauan. The girl was killed in the crossfire between soldiers and year, the military abducted Fe- Red fighters on April 29 in Lopez, Quezon. Martyred in the encounter lix Balaston from his farm. His was Pamela Jane Lapiz, a Party cadre. (see related article) The mili- relatives said they saw him be- tary claimed that Dichoso's niece was also a Red fighter despite ing brought to Camp San Miguel proof that she was a student who was just visiting a relative when Dao in Lopez. But the military the encounter took place. The AFP sent in two six-by-six truckloads continues to deny having cus- of soldiers to harass the people attending the wake of the slain girl. tody of Balaton. On the day of her burial, soldiers forced their way into the family's Aside from Balaton who is house where a 7-year old girl was alone sleeping. The child was trau- considered desaparecido, human matized by the experience. rights organizations have docu- In the early morning of May 9, soldiers from the 74th IB harassed mented four cases of torture, 15 Christopher Prieto and his family. They were then fast asleep when the cases of illegal arrest and deten- soldiers suddenly entered their house ostensibly looking for firearms. tion and five cases of illegal Prieto was then with his wife, their four-month old baby and four oth- searches in the province. ~

ANG BAYAN May 21, 2012 3 Ka Sol, Ka Minda, Ka Agum and semicolonial society. Thus, Martyrs of South Quezon at a young age, he had em- braced the correctness of armed revolution as the main means of a Sol, Ka Minda and Ka Agum are three of nine Red fighters struggle to achieve genuine and Party cadres slain in a series of gunbattles in South Que- change that would advance the zon in April. K welfare of poor people like him- Ka Sol. Pamela Jane “Ka Sol” Ka Sol's second child thanked self. Lapiz, a revolutionary Party those who attended the tribute. Ka Agum and Ka Minda were leader and Red fighter was killed Ka Minda. Rechel “Ka Min- engaged to each other. Ka Agum in Barangay Sta. Catalina, da” Tenteo was a worker who had never had any formal Lopez, Quezon in the morning of hailed from Catanduanes. Be- schooling, but this was not a April 29. cause of her family's poverty, barrier to their relationship, as Ka Sol was formerly a stu- she was forced to leave for Ka Minda took the effort to dent activist at the University of Manila to find work after gradu- teach him how to read and the Philippines-Los Baños (UP- ating from high school in 1995. write. LB) in the latter part of the At first, she took a computer They both decided to become 1980s. She was known to her secretarial course at AMA in Di- full-time Red fighters in Decem- fellow students and activists as liman, Quezon City but did not ber 2011 and were scheduled to a good comrade and friend and a finish it when she had to look for marry in May. compassionate leader. She was a job at once to support herself. At around 10 a.m. of April also famous for the songs she She became a contractual 20, more than 60 elements of composed and her skill in play- worker in various factories from the 85th IB encircled the house ing the guitar. 1996 to 2009. where Ka Minda and Ka Agum Ka Sol joined the New Peo- During the 2010 elections, were staying in Barangay ple's Army (NPA) in 1995. she became a volunteer organiz- Peñafrancia, Lopez, Quezon. Many of those who attended er-campaigner for a progressive They were among four NPA the tribute held for her at the partylist group. Her positive at- fighters killed by the butcher UPLB were her friends, relatives titude in integrating with the soldiers. ~ and former comrades. The trib- impoverished masses shone ute became an opportunity to through as she worked in the ur- review her life as she tread the ban poor communities of Lagu- path of revolutionary struggle. na. In the same year, she be- A video was presented docu- came a member of the Revolu- menting Ka Sol's life as a revolu- tionary Council of Trade Unions, tionary NPA cadre and teacher and eventually, the Communist to her fellow comrades and the Party of the Philippines. masses. In August 2010, Ka Minda Tributes from the New Peo- personally decided to ple's Army-Apolonio Mendoza work in the Que- Command (Quezon), Kabataang zon countryside. Makabayan, Revolutionary For six months, Council of Trade Unions, Na- she lived with the tional Democratic Front and pasant masses and other revolutionary organiza- organized them along- tions were read. side the NPA. She de- In a courageous speech, Ka cided to become a full-time Red Sol's mother told the audience fighter in December 2011. how she fully supported her Ka Agum. Rodel “Ka Agum” daughter in the path she chose Peñamente, a national minority, as a revolutionary. She said that came from Infanta, Quezon. As although she had lost a beloved a poor peasant, Ka Agum expe- child, she had no regrets about rienced hardship early in life what her daughter had done for, and suffered from the chau- and contributed to, the people. vinism spawned by a semifeudal

4 ANG BAYAN May 21, 2012 In violation of the international rules of war Ang Bayan) AFP bombings in Mindanao In violation of international hu- manitarian law he US-Aquino regime bears grave responsibility Bombing civilian communi- for the destruction to the lives and livelihoods of ties is a violation of interna- civilians as a direct result of its brutal and ag- T tional law. There are at least gressive militarization campaign that has been marked ten formal international ag- by bombings of the upland communities of Mindanao. reements that patently prohib- it the harming of civilians or The most intense bombings of the 25th and 75th IB in their anyone not directly involved in are taking place in areas where areas. The military bombed the the armed conflict. Among the people's armed and unarmed village seven times on May 7 as these are the Geneva Conven- resistance to foreign mining part of the clearing operations tion IV of August 12, 1949 companies, commercial planta- being conducted to pave the way which guarantees the safety of tions and other plunderous busi- for the entry of Oz Metal Corpo- civilians during war and pro- nesses is strongest. Part and ration and Monkayo Consolidat- hibits attacks on the general parcel of this militarization ed Mining Corporation. Sixteen- population regardless of race, campaign are the indiscriminate year old Jhon Mark Malimbasao nationality, religion or political bombing raids of civilian com- was wounded in the bombing, belief. munities and widespread viola- arrested by the military and The Laws and Customs of tions of human rights. branded as a child soldier. He is War on Land is even more forth- Under Oplan Bayanihan, the currently detained in a hospital right in prohibiting any kind of US-Aquino regime has deployed in Cagayan de Oro City. (see re- attack and bombing on towns, two of its area commands and lated article) villages, houses and buildings most of its battalions in the five According to a report by the without defenses. regions of Mindanao. These National Democratic Front-Min- Also prohibited are aerial troops have been conducting danao, the bombings have been bombings whose only objective massive bombings in at least ten concentrated in areas where is to sow terror or destroy the communities in various parts of multinational mining companies properties of civilians or any ac- the island. are operating. These are along tion that would cause harm to The latest victims of these the South Cotabato-Sultan Ku- any non-combatant. Parties to bombings are 83 families who darat-Davao del Sur-Sarangani the conflict may only bomb le- were forced to evacuate from quadri-boundary; the Surigao gitimate military targets—for- Barangay New Visayas, Trento, del Sur-Surigao del Norte-Agu- ces, equipment, camps or de- Agusan del Sur due to the inten- san del Norte tri- tachments, known arms facto- sity of the attacks and the boundary; the vast ries or centers, communication widespread plains of North and supply lines, vehicles and militariza- and South Cota- other modes of transport that tion of com- bato; the Davao are undoubtedly being used in bined Oriental-Com- military operations. forces postela Valley Any violation of these rules boundary; the constitutes a crime against hu- Zamboanga manity and may therefore be Peninsula; and the subject of proceedings in in- Bukidnon. Entire ternational courts. Any damage communities have caused by bombings must be been forced to go to paid for by the fascist criminals. the town centers to International law is strict have some respite. about protecting the safety of (see relat- civilians, the sick, the wounded ed article and others who are incapable of in the April 7, defending themselves. It is 2012 is- binding on all parties involved in sue of the armed conflict. ~

ANG BAYAN May 21, 2012 5 Environmental activist slain pany of Red fighters at around 5 a.m. when soldiers opened fire. mong the latest victims of the US-Aquino Trinidad was severely wounded regime's Oplan Bayanihan are an environmental and rushed to a hospital by the Aactivist, a civilian, a brother of the principal wit- comrades but she died on the ness against the butcher general Jovito Palparan and a way. Three Red fighters were nun. martyred in the fighting, includ- ing Trinidad's husband Leopoldo May 16. Roland Manalo, 41, langi leader Margarito Cabal “Ka Jig” Nebres, 43. was killed in San Rafael, Bula- was shot to death in Barangay March 2. 1Lt. Hermie Mon- can, succumbing to six gunshot Palma, Kibawe, Bukidnon. Task telibano of the 28th IB openly ac- wounds to the body. It is as yet Force Save Pulangi is an organi- cused Sr. Stella Matutina of being unclear who the assailants were zation campaigning against the an NPA member and of mas- but Manalo's body was brought construction of a hydroelectric querading as a nun. The accusa- to the Baliwag District Hospital dam in Pulangi River. An esti- tions were hurled during a public by elements of the 306th PNP mated 6,000 families are ex- meeting called by the military in Provincial Mobile Group. Manalo pected to lose their land and Barangay Lantawan, Lupon, Da- is a brother of Raymond Manalo, livelihoods if the project pushes vao Oriental. Sr. Matutina, a the principal witness against through. Members of the Mano- Benedictine nun, is secretary- Ret. Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, bo tribe will also be displaced general of Panalipdan (Defenders Jr., for the 2006 abduction and from their ancestral lands. and Advocates of Environment, torture of University of the Before he was killed, the mil- Creation and Patrimony). Philippines students Karen Em- itary had branded Cabal as a She has already filed com- peño and Sherlyn Cadapan and member of the New People's plaints about the harassment farmer Manuel Meriño. Army. Cabal is the 13th environ- with the Commission on Human In his sworn statement, Ray- mental activist killed under the Rights and at the United Na- mond Manalo testified that his Aquino regime. Nine of the 13 tions Human Rights council abductors asked him about the killings took place in Mindanao. meeting in Geneva, Switzerland whereabouts of his brother May 8. A civilian was killed by last March that she attended as Rolando because he was al- soldiers in Barangay Pina- a representative of Panalipdan legedly a Red fighter. manaan, Donsol, Sorsogon. Joce- and the Sisters Association in May 8. Task Force Save Pu- lyn Trinidad, 37, was in the com- Mindanao. ~ CPP assails docking of USS North Carolina submarine in Subic

he Communist Party of the Philippines con- marine is a direct provocation against China since demned the sudden docking of the USS North the USS North Carolina was docked only 200 kilo- TCarolina, a US attack submarine, at the Subic meters away from Scarborough Shoal. The Philip- Bay Freeport in Olongapo City, Zambales on May 15. pines and China have been at a standoff for more The USS North Carolina is among the US mili- than a month over the disputed territory. tary's most advanced submarines and is likely ca- The USS North Carolina, one of the US' most pable of launching nuclear weapons. Its presence modern assault vessels, is a “fast attack subma- in Philippine waters is violative of even the reac- rine” that has been deployed ostensibly to ensure tionary constitution which prohibits the entry of freedom of navigation in the international waters nuclear weapons in the Philippines. of the Western Pacific. It came from a US military As a mark of its arrogance and contempt for base in Hawaii. Philippine sovereignty, the US did not even bother Its deployment to the Western Pacific and its to seek permission from the puppet government's mandate of projecting US power in Philippine wa- agencies for the submarine to surface. But the local ters is part of US strategy regarding the so-called reactionary government also amply demonstrated “American Pacific Century” whose objective is to its puppetry by just shrugging off the incident. strengthen and maintain US military control and The entry and presence of the US attack sub- power in the region. ~

6 ANG BAYAN May 21, 2012 Oplan Bayanihan intensifies fare of civilians in enforcing its Oplan Bayanihan war of sup- violence against minors pression. It maintainsarmed sol- diers in civilian population cen- Beginning with this issue, Ang Bayan will feature and highlight vi- ters who use public facilities olations of children's rights by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in such as daycare centers, the course of Oplan Bayanihan. This is part of efforts by the Commu- barangay halls, chapels and nist Party of the Philippines and the entire revolutionary movement clinics as their detachments. to promote the rights and welfare of children. They thus use the people as “hu- man shields” against armed at- iolations of the rights of children by the Armed Forces of the tacks—a flagrant violation of in- Philippines continue to grow in number and intensity. Filipino ternational humanitarian law. Vchildren and their parents suffer greater brutality under Setting up detachments or Oplan Bayanihan. There are mounting cases of killings, intimidation, maintaining armed soldiers mandhandling and sexual crimes by soldiers against children. Sol- within or adjacent to schools is a diers routinely base themselves within or beside schools, aside from violation of the rights of chil- staying in village centers and insisting on sleeping in the masses' dren. In not a few cases, class- houses. rooms are used as sleeping quarters by the soldiers, dis- Reports collated by Ang Their young age and simple in- rupting classes and other school Bayan indicate growing cases terests are exploited by the activities. The very presence of of heinous violations of the hu- armed soldiers to entice them. armed soldiers and the fear and man rights of minors. Among Intimidating children is among unease this generates creates a them are killings, rape, attacks the terror tactics employed poor learning climate for the on schools and the malicious against families involved in mass children. branding of minors as “child struggles. The military's use of public soldiers.” schools and other population Invoking Oplan Bayanihan's Militarization of schools and centers for basing is widespread “people-centered” tactics, the communities in Southern Mindanao. The AFP AFP has strengthened its pres- The AFP systematically has used or continues to use the ence in communities with tramples on the rights and wel- following schools in Compostela strong democratic struggles by the people and that are suspected of supporting the armed revolutionary move- ment. In the name of “peace and development,” armed sol- diers maintain their presence in the middle of population centers to control the peo- ple's movements, instill a cli- mate of fear, derail organiz- ing efforts and resistance, en- courage antisocial activities and create suspicion and dis- unity. Children or minors are among the most vulnerable to the AFP's fascist violence dur- ing the military's repressive operations in the communities. The very presence of armed soldiers in their schools and houses results in deep psycho- logical trauma among children.

ANG BAYAN May 21, 2012 7 Valley as detachments: Paloc El- leave the area for their own cay on De- ementary School, Tandik Ele- safety. cember 21, mentary School, Parasanon Ele- The BLSLC had been in exis- 2011. They mentary School and Cambagang tence for four also Elementary School, all in Mara- years and run gusan town; and New Leyte Ele- by the Center mentary School and Sangab Ele- for Lumad mentary School, both in Maco Advocacy and town. Services (CLANS). In Compostela Valley, the Since November 72nd IB maintains a patrol base 2010, when the near the population centers of 73rd IB arrived, the villages of Anitapan, Pa- the soldiers camped namin and Cabuyuan in Mabini; have been ha- at Ba- in the villages of New Visayas, rassing CLANS rangay New Asturias, Libay-libay, Kinu- projects and resi- Gangal, not far from a ban and Mapaang in Maco; and dents of the area. The school. in the sub-villages of Palo, BLSLC teachers were interro- In Mankayan, Benguet, sol- Bukobuko sa Anay and Gumayan gated and photographed with- diers posted themselves in hous- in Barangay Napnapan in Pan- out their consent. They were es at the village center. This was tukan. Meanwhile, the head- branded as “communist teach- where a military officer was re- quarters of the 71st IB is locat- ers” and “anti-government” and ported to have raped two high ed right behind the Pantukan threatened with death because school students “Isabel” and municipal hall. of an antimining poster the sol- “Katrina.” The incidents hap- In Northeastern Mindanao, diers saw at the school. The pened in December 2011 and the military camped at the day- teachers were forced to close February 17-20. The perpetra- care and health center in down the school by March. tor, Army Capt. Danilo Lalin was Barangay Mahaba, Marihatag, In Bukidnon, soldiers also not relieved from his post but Surigao del Sur from June to Ju- reportedly camped at a CLANS merely transferred to another ly 2011. A hundred and fourteen branch in one of the province's unit. families were forced to evacuate towns. As a result, the residents In Metro Manila, policemen out of fear. were forced to stop their chil- camped at the San Juan Munici- In Paquibato District, Davao dren's schooling. pal High School on January 13 to City, residents have long been In Pantukan, Compostela implement the violent demoli- complaining about the 69th IB's Valley, a seven-year old pupil at tion of an urban poor communi- encampment near the Paradise Biasong Elementary School was ty in Barangay Corazon de Je- Embac Annex School and in shot by a drunken soldier on sus. houses of civilians due to the September 3, 2011. Sunshine In Barangay Libertad, Ormoc danger this poses to the people. Jabinez was sleeping when Pfc City, five truckloads of soldiers The military insists on staying Baltazar Ramos strafed several of the 19th IB swooped down on despite the residents' strong op- houses near a videoke bar. One the village and occupied the position. Those who oppose the of the houses hit was that of the barangay hall and daycare cen- soldiers' presence are automati- Jabinezes. Ramos was part of an ter. As a result, classes in the cally branded as supporters of AFP Peace and Development daycare center were suspended the New People's Army and Team that was camped out in from March 9 to 12. threatened with death. the area. In Barangay San Miguel, Las In Far South Mindanao Re- Meanwhile, in Luzon, the Navas, Northern Samar and in a gion, 73rd IB troops relentlessly NPA Saulo Lumadao Front in number of villages in Paranas harassed teachers and pupils of Abra reported that troops of the and Motiong, Samar, soldiers the B'laan Literacy School and 50th IB violated the military's camped at the schools and oth- Learning Center (BLSLC) in Sitio own suspension of offensive mil- er public facilities. The soldiers D'Lumay, Upper Suyan, Malapa- itary operations when they also occupied the houses of res- tan, Sarangani until the teach- camped out at the elementary idents at the barrio center it- ers and staff were forced to school in Barangay Tabiog, Bu- self. ~

8 ANG BAYAN May 21, 2012 AFP suffers 12 casualties in SMR and Bicol

he Armed Forces of the in Barangay Suba sa Bahayan, off that 24 soldiers of the 31st Philippines (AFP) suffered also in Trento. Two more sol- IB were approaching their posi- Ta total of 12 casualties diers were wounded in this gun- tion. from blows meted by the New battle, including their leader The NPA valiantly fought the People's Army (NPA) in separate Captain Braganza. troopers and were able to re- gunbattles in Agusan del Sur, The AFP concealed the real treat unscathed. On the other Sorsogon and Catanduanes from extent of its casualties and hand, a soldier was killed in this March to May. claimed that only four soldiers gunbattle but battalion officers In Agusan del Sur. The ene- were wounded in these fire- concealed this from the public. my suffered nine casualties in fights. The military also immedi- In Catanduanes. An NPA two successive firefights be- ately sent war planes to bomb team under the Nerissa San tween forces of the 1002nd Divi- the area. (see related article) Juan Command harassed 83rd sion Reconnaissance Company The operations are meant to IB troops in the early morning and Red fighters of the Conrado pave the way for the entry of big of March 26 in Barangay Kiliki- Heredia Command (Guerrilla foreign mining corporations. lihan, San Miguel town, killing Front 20 of the NPA in the In Sorsogon. The NPA Celso a soldier and wounding anoth- Southern Mindanao Region) in Minguez Command thwarted an er. The troopers were aboard a Trento, Agusan del Sur on May attack by the 31st IB in Ba- truck on the way back to their 7. ran-gay Salvacion, Magallanes camp after several days of mil- The first gunbattle occurred town in the morning of April 8. itary operations when they at around 9 a.m. when guerrillas The Red fighters were then rest- were fired upon by the Red ambushed a Scout Rangers unit ing when villagers tipped them fighters. ~ in Upper New Visayas that was conducting clearing operations along the Agusan del Sur-Com- People's clinic in Masbate postela Valley boundary. Three soldiers were killed in people's clinic was conducted by medical officers of the this ambush. Four soldiers were AJose Rapsing Command (NPA-Masbate) on April 25. It was also wounded, including Lieu- held in a farflung barangay along the Uson-Milagros-Mobo tri- tenant Masumpad, the com- boundary. The area has not received any medical services from manding officer. On the other the reactionary government and from corrupt politicians in a hand, three Red fighters were long time. wounded. According to the NDF-Bicol Information Office, more than a Three hours later, an en- hundred people benefited from the New People's Army's free counter ensued between Red clinic. They received dental services, free checkups and medi- fighters and another enemy unit cines and were treated with minor surgery and acupuncture. ~

Ka Ramon: Communist, hero a stranger to working hard in the fields. When he became a of the peasantry Party member, he remolded himself and wholeheartedly em- ot a few mourned when Ka Ramon passed away on September braced the principles of the 1, 2011 at the age of 46. Hundreds of peasants, Red fighters Communist Party. He was Nand Party cadres wept in their village and nearby barrios. known for his humble but deter- Everyone stopped what they were doing during his burial to give him mined and militant style and a revolutionary salute. standpoint. He had compassion Ka Ramon was one of the leaders of a branch of the Communist for the oppressed and exploit- Party of the Philippines in a village in Northern Samar. He was one of ed. the trees luxuriant in growth that sprung as the Party took root in the It was the Party's principles fertile soil of the countryside. that Ka Ramon always placed Although he came from a rich peasant family, Ka Ramon was not first in whatever issue he faced.

ANG BAYAN May 21, 2012 9 He starkly demonstrated his selflessness. Although reducing land Ka Ramon's dedication to rent in the rice fields and coconut lands and raising the wages of farm the Party never wavered, even workers ran counter to his family's interests, he never hesitated to when his health began to fail in advance the campaign and serve as a model in implementing the poli- 2009 because of cancer. The in- cies that had been agreed upon. He patiently explained and con- terest of the movement, the vinced his wife and relatives about the justness and correctness of state of their revolutionary the policies. tasks, the welfare of comrades Ka Ramon was not able to go to school when he was young. He was in their Party branch were al- already an adult when he learned to read and write in the literacy ways foremost in his thoughts. school the NPA led. Despite these limitations, he quickly grasped the Even when he had just been op- Party's basic principles and tightly embraced them. He had a deep erated on, he insisted on calling understanding of the principles of the mass line and the class line. up his collective to inform them He began his political involvement in their village when he was a about his condition and ease teenager. At the age of 15, he joined the Kabataang Makabayan. their worries. He wanted to Since then, the revolutionary movement had become Ka Ramon's life. make sure that the collective He joined antifeudal struggles and became one of the leading ac- continued to run and that the tivists in their barrio. tasks entrusted to them by the He eventually became a Party member and seriously participated Party were being accomplished in studies and persevered in raising his consciousness and knowledge well. in waging revolution. It did not take long for him to become one When Ka Ramon was near of the leaders of death, he repeatedly told his the Party wife and five children and branch in their etched into their consciousness village. He was the constant need to unite and also elected as trust in the revolutionary move- one of the lead- ment. He reminded everyone to ers of the Party sec- continue fulfilling their revolu- tion committee cov- tionary tasks. ering a cluster of Ka Ramon's life, which was barrios. Whenever lived for others, and not just for soldiers were in his own family will remain an in- their area, he would spiration to the peasants he temporarily join the served. His memory will serve NPA and serve as a as a beacon to all the oppressed Red fighter. and exploited. ~

Revolution spreads the first industrial factories were built. Like other areas in to an urban poor community Metro Manila, the community continued to grow despite the lack of employment opportuni- aligaya (not its real name) is like other urban poor commu- ties. But along with the massive nities in Metro Manila. Most of the people living here are se- factory closures in the 1980s up mi-proletariat who are either unemployed or without regu- M to the 1990s came the wide- lar sources of livelihood. Many of them earn subsistence income as spread crash in the residents' tricycle and jeepney drivers or as construction workers or odd job- economic conditions. bers. Others eke out a living as scavengers. A few small sarisari store Poverty and other threats to owners or families that happen to have relatives working abroad al- the livelihoods of the residents ready count as among the better off. of Maligaya made them open to More than five decades have passed since the first families set- the Party and the other revolu- tled in the area. They built houses on public lands that were then part tionary forces' first attempts to of Metro Manila's sprawling idle grasslands. Most, if not all of the take root in the community in early settlers were peasants displaced from their lands in the Visayas the 1980s. Nonetheless, organi- and Mindanao. zational expansion was spo- The community further expanded in the 1960s and 1970s when

10 ANG BAYAN May 21, 2012 radic. It was in 2010 that organiz- ing and mobilizing efforts were invigorated in the area. Since then, Party work has been fruit- ful in Maligaya. The revolution- ary forces in the community ex- panded due to allout struggles and continuing education on revolutionary practice and theo- ry. The lessons and victories of Maligaya have since guided the struggle of residents in other urban poor communities as well. Mass movement against demolition. For years, Maligaya urban poor. has been threatened with demo- They have confronted at- can gather. Studies have also lition to give way to government tempted demolitions with all been launched on Mao's writ- infrastructure projects. The their courage and demonstrated ings, documents of the National threats waned only during elec- a high level of militancy. They Democratic Front and the tions, when politicians promise have consciously and systemati- CARHRIHL, among others. Mass to defend the residents' rights cally assessed their struggles, courses are taken up collective- in order to win their trust and risen above their weaknesses ly in various parts of the com- their votes. and rectified their errors. They munity. There are days set But as before, after the 2010 collectively look for solutions to aside for regular education elections, the residents once the residents' problems, espe- work. more faced the threat of having cially those who have lost their An education committee has their houses razed to the homes. Win or lose, the commu- been formed in the community ground. The entire community nity was prepared for the next and several instructors have rallied around the call to resist stage of struggle. been trained. Cultural activists the demolition and forced relo- Studying society and revolu- have also been trained, which cation in an area that was far tion. These struggles have further raised the residents' from their sources of livelihood. steeled and consolidated the po- fighting spirit, especially among They systematically pre- litical consciousness of the the community youth. pared for the attack by the local masses. The Party has roused Widespread organizing and government's armed goons and the masses to revolution and ex- Party building. Organizations actively defended their homes panded and consolidated the are being painstakingly and sys- during the demolition. They dia- revolutionary forces and mass tematically built, starting with logued with the local govern- activists in the community. It contact building and setting up ment to present alternative so- has guided the masses in assess- organizing groups and commit- lutions that would allow them to ing and understanding their tees, on to creating fullpledged remain in the area. The local past struggles. mass organizations. Democratic government responded with A systematic and widespread organizations have rapidly ex- threats and further violence but education campaign on political panded amid the intensity of the residents stood their ground and social issues has been the residents' struggles. The and refused to leave. launched. Here, they discuss not association of the semiprole- In the face of repeated dem- only the issues of the urban poor tariat has been built and con- olitions, the residents have but the people's issues as a solidated in the area. It has a raised the level of their cooper- whole. Studies on Philippine so- council composed of the most ation. They have won broad sup- ciety and revolution are consolidated elements with the port among students, the launched in alleys, vacant lots, readiness to work full-time for church, progressive organiza- waiting sheds, watering holes, the organization. tions and even from internation- classrooms of nearby schools Sectoral organizations have al advocates of the rights of the and other areas where residents also been built and traditional

ANG BAYAN May 21, 2012 11 organizations transformed for militant struggle. Challenge of bigger struggles. The victories at- Everyone in the community—the young, the old, tained in arousing, organizing and mobilizing the the women, the employed and the unemployed— residents of Maligaya are a valuable resource in has been organized into groups and mobilized. confronting the bigger struggles that lie ahead. Everyone—including the children—is actively en- The rapid descent to crisis of the semifeudal and gaged in various organizing tasks. A counter-intel- semicolonial system poses a huge challenge to the ligence unit has also been created to ensure the residents to step up their struggle to face bigger security of the community, especially the local social issues. leaders. A “warning system” has been put in place They are challenged to unite with the rest of to make sure that residents could gather as quick- the toiling masses in struggling against the ruling ly as possible to defend the community against system that has kept them in the morass of crisis, threats such as “surprise demolitions.” poverty, oppression and severe exploitation. They Activists who are ready to swear to the Party are challenged to unite in struggle against the ris- constitution and those recommended by their re- ing prices of oil and other commodities, for higher spective organizations are recruited into the Par- wages, better education and healh services, for ty. In a matter of months, the Party has experi- jobs and against contractualization, for genuine enced a 700% expansion in its membership in Mali- land reform and national industrialization. The gaya. broad ranks of the urban poor are challenged to The most determined members of the revolu- rise against the oppressive and exploitative ruling tionary mass organizations have been appointed systen and against the reactionary Aquino regime. as Party leaders. Those chosen have the readi- The residents of Maligaya are challenged to ness to work full-time to lead the organization. deepen their participation in people's war. With Through these leaders' perseverance, CPP mem- the further systematization of recruitment into the bers have completed the Basic and Intermediate NPA, tens of thousands of youth will surely re- Party Courses. Political consciousness is contin- spond as they look forward to a brighter future ually raised through struggle and further educa- wrought by the revolutionary movement. Revolu- tion. tionary families may likewise consider transferring Because of their vigorous and dynamic study of their homes to the countryside where they could society and revolution, many youth have expressed participate in agrarian revolution and armed the desire to join the NPA and the revolutionary struggle and in building the new people's demo- armed struggle. Not a few of them have already cratic government. ~ been deployed as full-time Red fighters. Arson as a demolition tactic guards prevent them from leav- ing the stadium and construct- ive thousand families lost their homes when fire razed more ing their houses anew at Isla than a thousand houses in three subvillages of Isla Puting Ba- Puting Bato. Fto, Tondo, Manila on May 16. Residents strongly believe that There is nothing new about the their community was purposely put to the torch to evict them arson as a demolition tactic es- from the area. Some of them even received warnings that their hous- pecially in organized communi- es would be burned. ties. It is done to force the ur- ban poor to transfer to reloca- As far back as the Estrada uncle. tion sites. Aside from arson, the regime, the government has A 15-meter area between reactionary government also wanted to pursue the “mod- the shoreline and the communi- uses “road widening” as a pre- ernization” of Manila North ty had earlier already been des- text to slowly demolish houses Harbor. The Aquino regime ignated a “danger zone” where and prohibit residents from now considers this a priority the building of shanties is pro- building new infrastructure. under its Public-Private Part- hibited. Another tactic is “pocket demo- nership program. The project Thousands of residents are litions” where houses are torn will be managed by a group of now cramped at the Del Pan down only in one area at a time companies led by Eduardo Co- Stadium which serves as an until the entire area is eventu- juangco, Benigno Aquino III's evacuation center. Armed ally demolished. ~

12 ANG BAYAN May 21, 2012 Urban poor community in Davao fights back

he Katipunan ng Samahang Manggagawa ed the residents from returning to the area. On the T(KASAMA) strongly condemned the landgrab- same day, Nanay Silay, a 71-year old resident, bing and other violations of human rights against threw a stone at the backhoe that was used to mow the semi-proletariat of Purok 13, Bugac, Maa, down her crops. She was charged and jailed for Davao City perpetrated by the Villa Abrilles, one of four days. the oldest landlord families in the city. The Villa Abrilles tried to evict the residents The Villa Abrilles have long been oppressing three times from August to September 2011. At the residents of Purok 13. In 2004, the family each instance, the guards indiscriminately fired brandished a fake land title to claim the land cur- their weapons at the barricading residents. Eleven rently occupied and tilled by 19 families. The Villa guards have been charged and jailed for the shoot- Abrilles fenced off 11 hectares of the land and ings, but were soon released. forced the families living there to sell the land to Last March 20, private guards once again them for only P3,000 to P15,000. opened fire at the residents, hitting 44-year old In May 2011, the landlord family went ahead Merceditas Dagoc in the stomach. Several chil- with the construction of a high-end subdivision dren were traumatized at the incident, especial- called Le Jardin de Villa Abrille. Their guards bull- ly after witnessing the guards arrest a minor as dozed the residents' vegetable gardens and or- he tried to defend his family's home and veg- chards, paved the roads with cement and prohibit- etable garden. ~

workers after six months' work. Workers win strike Lumaug said that more than 100 out of the Tambo, at Co Ban Kiat Hardware Parañaque-based warehouse's 300 workers are contractual. n May 13, after a ten-day strike at Co Ban Kiat Hardware, The workers are on five-month Inc., 103 workers who had been illegally dismissed by the contracts, after which they are Ocompany won the right to be reinstated at work. made to “rest” for two weeks before signing another five- The workers' collective ac- the legitimacy of their union. month contract. tion was spurred by the layoff of Aside from demanding the rein- The company pays low 103 regular and contractual statement of the laid off work- wages. Regular workers re- workers. Said Regie Lumaug, ers, the strikers also com- ceive only P426 daily, and con- president of Co Ban Kiat Hard- plained about their illegal dis- tractuals even less. Moreover, ware Workers Union, manage- missal, their illegal lockout and the warehouse workers labor ment timed the mass layoff on the company's attempts to bust under subhuman conditions. May 3—the same day the De- their union. For instance, ventilation is partment of Labor and Employ- Management has long been poor at the Tambo warehouse, ment recog- oppressing the workers, who which causes illness and other nized are mostly contractuals. They physical difficulties to work- are often dismissed arbitrarily ers. or trans- Co Ban Kiat Hardware, Inc. ferred to which is owned by Johnny other Cobankiat was embroiled in a depart- smuggling case in 2009. ments to Cobankiat is a business part- avoid ner of SM owner Henry Sy. The the obli- company is a supplier of Ace gation of Hardware of SM Malls, DIY upgrad- Hardware of Robinson's Malls ing their and other hardware stores in status to Sta. Cruz and Bimondo, Mani- regular la. ~

ANG BAYAN May 21, 2012 13 Justice for the victims of the Novo Dept. Store fire

Relatives and co-workers of the victims of workers' union is affiliated. Initial reports indi- the fire that razed the Novo Jeans and Shirts cate that the doors were locked both in and from Department Store at Montilla Boulevard, Butuan the outside allegedly to prevent pilfering. The City in the early morning of May 9 are crying for store also did not have enough emergency exits. justice. Novo has up to 40 employees, half of whom They have asked the Aquino government to live in the company dormitory, said KMU-Caraga conduct an immediate investigation and make secretary-general Jacinto Tanduyan. They work sure that the owner of Novo is held accountable for 12-14 hours and earn only P160 per day. for the deaths of at least 17 persons in the fire. They do not receive overtime pay or any other One worker remains missing while three others benefits. All of the workers are under six-month were injured in the blaze. Most of the fatalities contracts. were women, one of them five months pregnant, The fire has underscored the dismal condi- said the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), where the tions of workers in the region. ~

14 ANG BAYAN May 21, 2012