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

Vol XLVIII No.4 February 21, 2017 www.philippinerevolution.info

#PeacetalksItuloy*

HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS, church workers, academe, cultural wor- kers and human rights advocates expressed their continuing sup- port for the resumption of peace talks between the NDFP and GRP after GRP Pres. arbitrarily terminated the nego- tiations. Last February 10, hundreds of students held a protest along Taft Avenue to Pedro Gil St., Manila. Students and progressive groups also gathered at the University of the -Diliman, in Free- dom Park, Davao City and People's Park in Baguio City. The groups demanded the continu- ation of the scheduled meeting on EDITORIAL February 22 and April 2 and the release of all political prisoners. Defend the people against In Congress, the bloc filed a resolution to push for the AFP's all-out war the continuation of the talks. They were able to gather more he Filipino people must firmly and vigorously fight back against the than 103 signatures from the relentless all-out war being carried out by the fascist AFP under the lawmakers. In the motion, they Duterte regime. declared that compared to the T previous administrations, peace After both the GRP and the CPP and landgrabbing are strong. negotiations under the Duterte and NPA terminated their reciproc- The fascist soldiers hound and regime were able to achieve sub- al ceasefire declarations in the first target mass leaders and activists in stantive and positive progress week of February, AFP attacks and the countryside and cities. There that would be wasted if talks were abuses have considerably wor- are cases of mass arrests. A num- terminated. sened. ber of activists in the aboveground Last February 17, Kapaya- There are outstanding cases of mass movement have been arrested paan, an organization promoting aerial bombings and artillery and accused of being leaders or of- peace based on justice, headed shelling. Entire communities are ficials of the NPA. Expect that cases the multi-sectoral protest action, subjected to violence, are com- of military abuses will grow worse Stand for Peace, in front of Bon- pelled or forced to evacuate and after the announcement that the ifacio Shrine in Manila. depicted as victims caught in the AFP will be used in the "war against In a joint statement released crossfire of the AFP and NPA when, drugs." by Kapayapaan, the termination in fact, they are the target of AFP When the all-out war was of peace talks will only worsen the suppression. The AFP targets launched by the AFP, its officials conflict as long the root causes of barangays where the village declared that "we will hit them . . . to be continued on 3 people's resistance against plunder hard." Indeed, the AFP has dealt strong blows; but mainly against trine of US imperialism. This is vig- all-out war against the people. If unarmed people. Entire communit- orously being pushed by Defense the AFP's all-out war continues, he ies suffer. Civilians being killed are Sec. , former mil- will ultimately be held responsible presented as NPA fighters to make itary attaché based in Washington by the people for all the abuses, vi- it appear they are winning their de- D.C. and presently one of the most olations of human rights and crimes clared war. trusted agents of US imperialism in by the AFP. The tactics of the all-out war the Duterte government. The Filipino people must vigor- are comparable to the tactics im- Pressed by Lorenzana and the ously oppose the AFP's all-out war plemented during the first and AFP, and by the defenders of neo- under the Duterte regime. This is a second Oplan Bantay Laya (2001- liberalism and other US agents, struggle to defend the rights under 2009) campaign of the Arroyo re- Duterte has taken back or toned the Comprehensive Agreement on gime. Key security officials then un- down his past anti-US declarations Respect for Human Rights and In- der Arroyo are now among the and friendly overtures to the re- ternational Humanitarian Law leading officials of Duterte. The volutionary movement. Under (CARHRIHL). This is also in defense former AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Her- Duterte's authority as chief of the of the victories achieved by the mogenes Esperon is now National reactionary state, the AFP has now masses in their struggle against Security Adviser. The current AFP unleashed an foreign plunder, especially chief Gen. Eduardo Año is one of mining and plantation opera- the officials behind tions, in defense of their an- the abduction of cestral land, and in the activist Jonas Bur- struggle for genuine land re- gos in 2006. form. The AFP's all- The struggle against the out war is a dirty AFP's all-out war seeks to war against the defend the livelihood, people. This goes schools, medical and other along the frame services which the masses have of the counter- collectively built through their insurgency doc- organizations. The AFP desper- ately seeks to destroy these in the ANG Contents zealous assertion of exclusive dominion. The anti-fascist struggles in Editoryal: Defend the people against the the cities and countryside must be Vol XLVIII No. 4 | February 21, 2017 AFP's all-out war 1 intensified. In the countryside,

Ang Bayan is published in #PeacetalksItuloy 1 Human Rights Committees must be Pilipino, Bisaya, Hiligaynon, set up closely linked with similar OBR for peace 3 Waray and English. organizations and institutions in other barangays, in the town cen- Ang Bayan welcomes The AFP's anti-peace all-out war 4 contributions in the form of ters as well as in the province and articles and news items. Readers AFP bombs communities 5 region. People in neighboring are encouraged to send feedback barangays must closely work to- NPA launches widespread military actions 6 and recommendations for gether to help defend each other against the marauding AFP in their improving our newspaper. Farmers' enemies punished 7 area. instagram.com/prwc.info Capiz farmers' campout attacked 7 Promptly expose "peace and

youtube.com/PhilippineRevolutionWebCentral development", "delivery of service" Drivers sustain protests 8 and other disguises used by the @prwc_info AFP to conceal their fangs of re- US warship dockings resume 8 pression. Quickly gather and mo- fb.com/PhilippineRevolutionWebCentral Anti-mining struggles intensify 9 bilize support from church people [email protected] and other organizations and per- Trump's anti-immigration policy halted 9 sonalities in the town centers. Mo- Ang Bayan is published fortnightly by the Central Committee bilize the youth to take pictures of the Communist Party of the Philippines and videos and quickly upload

2 February 2 1 , 2 01 7 ANG BAYAN "Defend. . . " from page 2 "Peacetalks. . . '" from page 1 these to social media sites. armed struggle remain unresolved. In the cities, a broad and Representatives of ACT Teachers Partylist, Antonio Tinio and France strong anti-fascist movement Castro joined the mobilization. In Davao City, a peace consultation was held that has widespread support in by progressive organizations last February 18 in Ateneo de Davao. schools, churches and cultural School administrators and professors from University of the Philippines, circles must be generated. The Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle University, Siliman University, University of urban mass movement must Makati and Philippine Normal University also expressed their support. Gov- firmly support the anti-fascist ernment officials like Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. Chiz Escudero and National struggles in the countryside. Youth Commissioner Aiza Seguerra also backed people's clamor for the re- Cases of repression in the cities sumption of talks. must be linked to cases of re- pression in the countryside. Ex- *#Resumepeacetalks pose fascist repression as aimed principally at suppressing the OBR for Peace people's anti-imperialist and anti- feudal struggles. Denounce the THOUSANDS OF WOMEN assembled at Liwasang Bonifacio last February 14 use of state violence both for for the annual One Billion Rising (OBR) to demand the resumption of the political repression and for the NDFP-GRP peace negotiations. war against drugs. Oppose the OBR is a broad campaign to and Usec. Marion Tan, undersec- use of the war against drugs as end systematic violence against retary of National Anti-Poverty pretext for political repression. women and children. Yearly, mil- Commission (NAPC) also particip- The clamor to continue GRP- lions of women simultaneously ated. NDFP peace negotiations must be dance in different parts of the Groups also held OBR events in strengthened in order to build on world. Here in the Philippines, the Rizal Park, Davao City, where more the achievements of the first theme for this year was "Women than 1,000 people from institutions three rounds. The Party is open rising for livelihood, land, justice and communities in the province to discuss a bilateral ceasefire and peace". attended. Councilor Leah Librado- agreement. The NDFP is expected Led by Gabriela and OBR Glob- Yap was also present during the to pursue the principled stand for al Director Monique Wilson, the program. the withdrawal of all AFP units rallyists condemned the Armed "In the midst of a seemingly occupying civilian communities, Forces of the Philippines' "all-out- horrifying all-out war and heavy especially those within the guer- war" in the countryside. military operations, like what we rilla zones. According to Joms Salvador, hear in Compostela Valley and Amid the all-out offensive Gabriela secretary general, the Davao Oriental provinces, women operations of the AFP, the NPA all-out war primarily victimizes and their children are the most must carry forward the war to people in the rural communities. vulnerable victims," said Librado. defend the people. They must While development workers and Luzviminda Ilagan, national strike the armed units of the AFP community leaders are assassin- chairperson of Gabriela, added that have committed abuses ated and arrested one after the that ending poverty, violence, against the people, especially in other, aerial bombardment and land, job security, right to ances- the barrios. Mobilize the people's hamletting of thousands of rural tral lands, are the compelling militias in defending the welfare residents are carried out in the reasons to pursue peace negoti- and rights of the people. Make countryside. ations. use of all weapons to punish the As part of the program, women Students from St. Scholastica's occupying troops of the AFP. from various sectors danced to the College, Polytechnic University of The NPA must be continuously OBR theme song. Actress-beauty the Philippines, San Jose High strengthened. Rapidly recruit, arm queen Maria Isabel Lopez, film dir- School, Misamis Oriental Institute and train new Red fighters. The ector Bibeth Orteza, comedienne of Science and Technology, Holy NPA must take hold of initiative in Mae Paner and Sr. Mary John Angel University, UP Visayas and launching military campaigns and Mananzan attended the event. UP Manila also took part in this tactical offensives across the na- Students from universities and col- year's event. tion to derail the enemy's all-out leges also expressed solidarity to OBR dances were also held in war, attain victories and advance the event. Department of Social Cebu, Aklan, Capiz, Pampanga, the people's war. Welfare secretary Judy Taguiwalo Hongkong and Macau.

ANG BAYAN February 2 1 , 2 01 7 3 The AFP's anti-peace all-out war

fter GRP Pres. Rodrigo Duterte declared last February 8 his decision to worker at the time of his murder. Aterminate the NDFP-GRP peace talks, Defense Secretary Delfin Loren- The PNP declared that Ramos viol- zana took the lead in announcing the all-out war against the New People's ently resisted his arresters. Ac- Army (NPA). He said that the NPA poses a big threat to the Philippines' na- cording to his family, operatives tional security, and proceeded to incite the people to assist the AFP in its all- entered their house in Brgy. Maa out war. and planted a firearm for evidence The GRP likewise terminated Gabriela-Southern Tagalog in Sta. before killing Ramos. the JASIG which grants security to Cruz, Occidental Mindoro (February In Bobon, Northern Samar last NDFP consultants. Both the AFP 4); and Jacinto Faroden in La Trin- February 14, soldiers belonging to and PNP supported this by declaring idad, Benguet (February 8). the 43rd IB killed Bernadette Lutao, that they will hunt down and re-ar- With regards to the NDFP con- a mass leader in the said village. rest the consultants. sultants, the AFP and PNP openly Afterwards, Lutao was reported to With Lorenzana pushing the all- announced their hunt for Pedro the media as a Red fighter who was out war are National Security Ad- Codaste, Alfredo Mapano, and supposedly killed in a firefight. Ac- viser and AFP Concha Araneta-Bocala. The PNP- cording to residents, there was no Chief General Eduardo Año, both CIDG also disregarded the neces- encounter in the area and Lutao notorious fascist zealots and key sity for court orders, and stated was in the community when she was implementers of the past US-Arroyo that their agents anticipate that shot. regime's dirty war against those it consultants targeted for re-arrest Meanwhile, last February 4 in labeled as enemies of the state. will "violently resist." Brgy. Mangaod, Cabanglasan, Needless to say, the AFP's all- In Pantukan, Compostela Val- Bukidnon, the Alamara killed Datu out war backfired as the NPA ley, activist farmer Edweno Catog Lorendo Pocoan. The Alamara is an waged active defense and launched was killed after being shot at close AFP-supported notorious paramil- tactical offensives. On the other range near his home last February itary group. A day earlier, another hand, the AFP and PNP's attacks 16. Catog was an ardent supporter indigenous leader in Bukidnon, against activists and civilians in- of the organization MARBAI's Renato Anglao, was killed by state tensified. In a span of more or less struggle against Lapanday Foods forces. Anglao is an active member two weeks, no less than 20 activists Corporation's landgrabbing of of the Tribal Indigenous Oppressed and civilians were arrested, 12 were peasants' farmlands. Group Association (TINDOGA), an shot dead while 12 more cases of Also, the PNP-CIDG XI and organization fighting against land- frustrated killings were recorded, SWAT last February 6 killed Glenn grabbing of their ancestral domain. and up to 1,300 families of peasants Ramos, Tokhang-style. Ramos was a Only recently, Willerme Agorde, and indigenous peoples were dis- former coordinator 64 years old, was killed this Febru- placed from their communities. and was working as a construction ary 19 by gunmen believed to be Among the latest arrested by members of the paramilitary Bagani the reactionary state's forces was Force. Agorde was a leader of Ferdinand Castillo, Bayan- Mailuminado Farmers Association Metro Manila campaign of- Incorporated which is fighting ficer. He was arrested last to claim the land they have February 12 in Sta. Quit- tilled for decades. eria, Caloocan City and After incurring heavy was slapped with trumped- casualties from three co- up charges of double murder ordinated tactical of- and multiple attempted fensives by the NPA last murder. In the past few February 16 in Paquibato days, police and military op- and Calinan districts in eratives also arrested relief Davao City, soldiers killed two worker Rogina Quilop in Ba- civilians. Roel Satingasin and colod City (February 7); Sarah Ariel Gelbero were ordinary Abellon-Alikes together with commuters who were flagged Promencio Cortez and Mar- down by soldiers at a checkpoint. ciano Sagun in Itogon, Benguet They were presented to the public (February 9); Edison Villanueva of as Red fighters killed in an en-

4 February 2 1 , 2 01 7 ANG BAYAN campout was fired upon by personnel of Hacienda Montecarba last February 11. (Read related news in page 7.) Also, up to 100 families of indigenous peoples were displaced by the 54th IB's intensified operations in Brgy. Namal, Asipulo, Ifugao and its neighboring areas. Village folk also reported that the soldiers forcibly entered the residence of Patrick Pugong and confiscated his gener- ator set. The soldiers accused Pugong as caretaker of the NPA's generator set. The evacuees are currently staying at the Namal Ele- mentary School and at other facilities in the sitios (sub- villages). A quarter of them are children. They are in dire counter. need of food, water and blankets because of the very cold In Agusan del Norte last February 11, two small- weather. An elderly man has already died from the cold. scale miners were killed when armed men who were with Similar incidents happened in the town of Maddela, the 29th IB and PNP-SAF joint operations opened fired Quirino province last February 13. Hundreds of villagers at their group in Sitio Sarog, Brgy. San Isidro, Santiago. from the communities evacuated due to operations Seven other miners were injured in the shooting. Ac- launched by the 86th IB in Brgy. San Martin. According cording to the NPA-NEMR, the 29th IB and its paramilit- to the group Danggayan-Cagayan Valley, the soldiers ary forces have for long been seizing the miners' tunnels have been instigating fear and terror among residents of in order to arrogate high-grade gold deposits. villages San Martin, Villa Gracia, and Villa Ylanan. Res- Meanwhile, in Pres. Roxas City in Capiz, a farmer idents were threatened that their communities will be was killed while five others were wounded when their bombarded and were forced to evacuate.

AFP bombs communities

GRAVE CRIMES AGAINST whole civilian communities were successively committed after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared its all-out war against the revolutionary forces. In Far South Mindanao, more in) identified the civilians as than 200 Lumad families, mostly Rene Mancal, Meon Salda, B'laan and Kaolo, were driven from Fausto Barro and Garson their communities following the Barro. AFP's aerial bombing of sitios Tan- The following day, the gis and Kindag in Barangay Datal 73rd IB again arrested Anggas in Alabel, Sarangani. Since men whom the 10th ID February 11, the AFP has already presented to the public as conducted six bombardments, NPA "new recruits." The six strafing the areas afterwards. Res- arrested were Simeon Salda, Jun idents were stopped by 73rd IB sol- Moda, Claude Palbe, Garzon Palbe, AFP conducted aerial bombing in diers from leaving the place. A food Rene Ompao and Sabelo Colano. Lupon, Davao Oriental on February blockade was imposed by the milit- In Southern Mindanao, around 14. ary and even relief workers from 1,000 families (more than 5,000 These bombings, which are in- the government were prohibited to individuals) have become victims of discriminate in their targets, have enter the area. forced evacuation as a result of AFP resulted in many reports of injuries The soldiers arrested four civil- shelling using 105mm Howitzers on among civilians and damages to the ians, tortured and coerced them in- February 11 in barangays Macopa, homes and livelihoods of peasant to serving as guides in the military's Kibagyo and Bullucan in Laak, Lumad communities. These have operations. The group Kahug- Compostela Valley. In Davao Ori- aggravated the communities' con- pongan sa Lumad sa Halayong ental, barangays in Manay were stant struggle with poverty and the Habagatang Mindanao (Kaluhham- also shelled on February 1, and the recent floods and heavy rains.

ANG BAYAN February 2 1 , 2 01 7 5 NPA launches widespread military actions

nits of the New People' Army (NPA) vigorously defended re- Uvolutionary bases and guerrilla zones from attacks by AFP, PNP and other military groups. This was in accordance to the NPA National Operations Command's directive to launch active defense while the unilat- eral ceasefire was in force, and tactical offensives after its termination takes effect. From February 1 to 10, at least tions Command in Brgy. New Visay- 15 active defense actions were as, Lupon, Davao Oriental around 8 launched by NPA units across the a.m. on February 14. Five soldiers country. (See Ang Bayan, February were confirmed killed and several 7). After the ceasefire termination, were wounded. A few hours later, at at least eight tactical offensives a checkpoint in Purok Upper Way- were reported in different parts of wayan, Brgy. Don Mariano Marcos the country, garnering twenty fire- in the same municipality, the NPA arms. Among these military actions arrested two members of para- were: military forces. Rene Doller, Southern Mindanao Region. A 34, and Carl Mark Nucos, company of Red fighters attacked a 24, both members of 1st Pla- 72nd IB detachment in Sitio toon, 4th CAAC under 72nd IB, Binaton, Barangay Malabog in Pa- were both divested of cal .45 pis- quibato District, Davao City, around tols, their official issue firearms and 5:30 a.m. on February 16. This of- are now in the custody of the NPA three fensive was in response to the res- as prisoners of war. KM450 idents' demands to punish the mer- Around 9 a.m., in Matupe, trucks of 67th IB cenary troops who serve as facili- Kitaotao, Bukidnon, shots by Red troops that were sent as reinforce- tators and protectors of the illegal fighters surprised the joint operat- ments to the previous encounter. drug trade in the district and en- ing troops of the 72nd CAFGU and Panay. On February 7, around 6 virons. They gave security to the Alamara. Earlier, as part of defense a.m., an NPA platoon under the Jose late Neptali Alfredo Pondoc, a no- against the enemy during the Percival Estocada Jr. Command torious drug trade operator whom ceasefire period, NPA units conduc- (JPEC) ambushed a 16-man 61st IB the NPA punished on January 23. ted active defense operations. On operating unit in Sitio Tina, Brgy. One 72nd IB soldier was killed in February 9, four operating troopers Acuna, Tapaz, Capiz. Two enemy the firefight and several were of the 60th IB were seriously troopers were confirmed killed and wounded. One Red fighter was mar- wounded when fired upon by a Pu- four were wounded, while the Red tyred. lang Bagani Company (PBC) team in fighters were able to withdraw Around 4 p.m., the NPA used the hinterlands of Sitio Patong, safely. The NPA seized one M4 rifle command-detonated explosives in Brgy. Langtud, Laak, Compostela with an M203 grenade launcher. Brgy. Lamanan in Calinan District to Valley. On February 4, around 11 a.m., ambush a five-truck convoy of the On February 6, Edwin Hijara, a JPEC unit fired at 61st IB troops 3rd IB. Three KM450 trucks were member of the 39th IB's CAFGU encamped in the barangay hall of demolished. At least seven soldiers was ambushed while conducting in- Brgy. Cabatangan, Lambunao, were killed and more than ten were telligence operations in Brgy. Balite, Iloilo. The NPA Red fighters were wounded. Magpet, North Cotabato. This was also able to withdraw safely. Half an hour later, two trucks of part of the 39th IB's combat opera- North Central Mindanao. An 3rd IB reinforcing troops were tions. A team of NPA front guerrilla NPA unit arrested PO2 Jerome An- again exploded in Brgy. Lacson, Cal- units fired at 71st IB operating thony Natividad at a checkpoint in inan District, wherein two AFP troops in Sitio San Roque, Brgy. Tikalaan, Talakag, Bukidnon on troops were killed and 17 New Cortez, New Corella, Davao del February 9, around 6 a.m. Confis- wounded. Norte, wherein one AFP trooper was cated from him were a Glock pistol, A platoon of operating troops of killed and seven were wounded. one carbine, and three shotguns. the 28th IB were surprised by an On February 9, a PBC team in This brings to six the total number ambush by Red fighters of the Com- Sitio Daw-an, Brgy. San Jose, of prisoners of war in NPA custody Val-Davao Gulf Subregional Opera- Caraga, Davao Oriental, exploded in various Mindanao regions.

6 February 2 1 , 2 01 7 ANG BAYAN Paid thugs attack Capiz farmers' campout

HACIENDA MONTECARBA thugs shot farmers on a campout in Barangay Culilang, Pres. Roxas City, Capiz on the afternoon of February 11. The farmers set up camp to assert their right to the land. Killed in the shooting was Orlando captain of Culilang. Despite threats Eslana while Melinda Arroyo Eslana and intimidation, the farmers went on was put in critical condition. Lida with their campout. Amo, Ana Bocala, Rita Bocala and Ad- , Bayan-Panay, Buylog el Vergara were wounded. Suspects in Capiznon, Kamaca and Pamanggas ex- Farmers' enemies the shooting were the hacienda ad- pressed their solidarity. DAR Secretary ministrator Ferdinand Bacanto, his Ka Paeng Mariano also directed the DAR punished brother Jun, and Leopoldo Lachica. A local office to exert all efforts to avoid a victim was able to capture the incid- repeat of the incident and to immedi- ent on video and posted it on Face- ately help the families of the victims. AMID LEFT AND right shoot- book. The municipal police force who Meanwhile, the NPA-Panay (Coro- ing of peasants by landlords' witnessed the incident did not lift a nacion Chiva Command) declared its armed groups, the revolu- finger. The next night, hacienda thugs strong condemnation of the violent dis- tionary forces continue to burned down the camp. persal and shooting. In a statement, Ka mete punishment on big cor- On February 5, some 68 peasant Julian Paisano expressed support for porations and landlords op- worker families set up camp in the farmers' struggle. He said that the pressing workers and peas- Hacienda Montecarba which was be- NPA is aware of the plight of hacienda ants. ing claimed by the Tan clan. The peasants because most members of the On February 6, Red fight- hacienda covers 300 hectares of land people's army were farmers who be- ers of the NPA-Mindoro (Lu- in the boundaries of Brgy. Dulangan in came victims of social injustice and took cio De Guzman Command or Pilar town and Culilang in Pres. Roxas. up arms to solve the land problem. "The LdGC) successfully disarmed Since 1997, 199 hectares of hacienda struggle for land...must be strongly the Sidekick Security Agency land has been awarded under the gov- connected to the people's revolutionary of landlord Annaliza Pojas- ernment's Comprehensive Agrarian armed struggle," he added. Lopez who is a landgrabber in Reform Program (CARP) to 132 bene- BHB-Panay advised the farmers to Occidental Mindoro. ficiaries but these never went to the use the incident as guide to under- The disarming was in re- farmers' hands. stand their class struggle and the im- sponse to the violent demoli- Since 2010, the hacienda adminis- portance of strengthening their ranks tion of a fishing community in trator started to eject the beneficiar- to fight against the oppressive and Brgy. Salvacion, Rizal, Occi- ies gradually. Bacanto is the barangay exploitative classes. dental Mindoro, according to Madaay Gasic, spokesperson Anti-mining struggles intensify of LdGC. Red fighters confiscated STRIDENT OBJECTION GREETED Department of Environment and Natural Re- three shotguns, ammunition sources (DENR) Sec. ' decision this month to put a stop to mining oper- and other military equipment ations of up to 40 companies. Among those cancelled were contracts of 23 com- from the guards in the said panies, with five companies suspended for six months. raid. Afterwards, a warning She also cancelled contracts of 75 projects underway because these are found letter was read to the guards in watersheds in different parts of the country. Lopez' stand that these operations who were indicted for mal- would be detrimental to the environment is firm. Her stand stems not only from treatment and grave threats her department and other agencies' intensive investigations but also from the to the lives of demolition vic- decades-long struggles of entire communities against forest denudation, river and tims. water pollution and destruction of productive lands due to mining. Meanwhile, an NPA unit In face of this, the Duterte regime dithers in its support for Lopez and there under the Chadli Molintas are even times when it seems to favor mining companies. It believes that the sus- Command razed to the pensions and cancellations should have gone through a "due process." ground two dump trucks of The regime even echoes the myths perpetuated by mining companies to excuse the environmentally de- their plunderous and destructive operations. They claim that many will structive Philex Mining Cor- lose their jobs and the government will lose revenues. However, statistics from poration in Ampucao Central, government agencies will attest that mining does not contribute significantly to Itogon, Benguet on February the local economy. From 2012 to 2016, it contributed only 0.65% to the GDP. 9. A .45 cal pistol was confis- Likewise, employment in the sector is also minimal (0.6% of the total employment.) cated from the Philex guard. ANG BAYAN February 2 1 , 2 01 7 7 Drivers sustain protests US warship dockings resume THE JEEPNEY OPERATORS' and drivers' struggles continue to grow against the plan to phase jeepneys out from the streets. Led by PISTON and No to TWO US WARSHIPS have Jeepney Phase-out Coalition, a national strike is slated for this month. This is already docked in the country a continuation of the protests at the start of 2017. this year, proving that nothing Among actions in the past is the routes in Quezon City, Marikina, has changed in US-Philippines January 16 coordinated protest that Manila, Pasay and Taguig. military relations. On January assembled more than 2,200 persons The government had been plan- 23, warship USS John S. McCain aboard 200 vehicles in a rally- ning the Jeepney Phase-out since docked in Subic Bay, Zambales. caravan in Metro Manila. November 2015 and the DOTr Draft Last February 15, USS Louisville A march-caravan of 37 jeepneys Department Order was released on also docked in the bay. Both and 100 people in Cauayan City, August 17, 2016. Proposed bills in ships are part of the US 7th Isabela and noise barrage at the two houses of Congress also intro- Fleet assigned to the Asia-Pa- passenger terminals in Santiago City duced Route Rationalization, or cific region. Both conducted and Claveria, Cagayan were identifying roads that will be off- "community activities" in launched at the same time. In La- limits to jeepneys and other passen- nearby towns to justify their guna, 50 people aboard 12 jeepneys ger vehicles, whereby jeepney fran- entry to the country. and two motorcycles rode to the LT- chises on these streets will be can- Meanwhile, US encroach- FRB office. The picket-rally in Iloilo celled or their routes transferred. ment in Philippine waters con- City was joined by 80 people despite The DOTr's Draft Department Order tinued unhampered under the the bad weather. In City, a set requirements that ordinary guise of "freedom of naviga- caravan was held with 200 vehicles, jeepney operators cannot afford, tion." The latest of these is the while drivers and operators in Gen- such as P7 million capitalization and entry of its Carrier Strike Group eral Santos City held a 30-jeepney a 10-unit minimum on every fran- 1, led by the aircraft carrier USS rally-caravan to the local LTFRB of- chise. Carl Vinson, which started its fice. On January 17, 60 operators In opposition to this scheme, patrol last February 18. and drivers joined a picket-rally in PISTON demanded that instead of Prior to this, Department of Cebu City. On January 21, more than "modernization," the roadworthi- National Defense Sec. Delfin 500 drivers and operators assembled ness of jeeppneys should be ensured Lorenzana announced that in a rally in Metro by rehabilitating old units, which the Duterte has agreed to the US Baguio. government must address by construction of barracks, ware- Drivers providing facilities such as houses and airports in three and oper- automotive repair shops, locations as provided by the ators in a lower costs of Enhanced Defense Cooperation federation spare parts and Agreement (EDCA). This is in in Metro others. contradiction to the president's Manila According previous stand against EDCA stopped to PISTON, and presence of US military plying their putting the troops in the country. routes on transport system Earlier, Duterte exposed February 6. in public hands that the US is stockpiling arms This was and not in the and matériel, including tanks, in joined in control of private the country. This was after the solidarity by corporations is US senate allotted up to $7.5 PISTON and No to the measure that billion to strengthen its forces in Jeepney Phase-out Coalition with a will indisputably address the Asia. Included in the funding rally-caravan at the Department of people's needs and resolve the are allotments for repair and Transportation's (DOTr) head office, traffic problem. The government construction of bases in Pam- participated in by 200 people. Some must fund mass transportation sys- panga, Cagayan de Oro and areas with PISTON organizations tems such as trains and others to Palawan, locations which the US joined the transportation stoppage, offer affordable, if not free trans- have long occupied and where such as CAMANAVA and some portation to all. the US stockpiled war matériel.

8 February 2 1 , 2 01 7 ANG BAYAN Trump's anti-immigration policy temporarily halted

A JUDGE ISSUED a temporary order against Pres. Donald Trump's executive nomic policies perpetuated by past order banning the travel of citizens from seven countries to the US within 90 US administrations, the ILPS said. days and suspending processing refugees for 120 days. On February 16, hundreds launched "A Day Without Immig- On February 3, a Washington and 30, hundreds of Americans rants" where businesses closed court declared the January 28 order launched protests in almost 30 cit- shop, students walked out and unconstitutional and issued a na- ies, including New York, Boston, poured into the streets to show tional emergency order against it. Washington D.C., Detroit and Los Trump the importance of foreign- Citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Angeles. born US residents. An estimated Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen Among those who protested in 12% of the US population is foreign- are affected by the ban, including airports and cities where immig- born, and more than 40 million of green card holders. Processing of rants were detained are member them are naturalized US citizens. Syrian refugees would be suspended organizations of the International Protests were also held in Dallas indefinitely. Prior to the emergency League of People's Struggles and Los Angeles in February 18. order, courts in New York, Boston, (ILPS)-US. Outside the US, protests against Alexandria, Virginia and Seattle— The countries included in the Trump's order were also wide- cities with large international air- ban are countries which the US has spread. On February 12, thousands ports—have invalidated the order. bombed, militarized, destroyed or protested in Mexico City to criticize This is to protect the rights of af- subjected to various forms of im- Trump's portrayal of Mexicans as fected travellers who have already perialist aggression to control their criminals and rapists. On February landed in their areas. oil reserves and natural resources 17, hundreds of Mexicans lined up The anti-immigrant order imme- to further US international domina- on the border to form a human wall diately garnered widespread and tion. The global refugee crisis and to protest the planned construction fierce opposition. Spontaneous large-scale migration of the unem- of a border wall between two coun- protests erupted in airports on the ployed from these countries are tries. In London, hundreds pro- day the order was announced. On rooted in imperialist aggression, tested on January 30 against the the following days, on January 29 destabilization and neoliberal eco- ban, and again on February 4.

ANG BAYAN February 2 1 , 2 01 7 9