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

Vol. L No. 3 February 7, 2019 www.philippinerevolution.info

EDITORIAL NPA-NEMR mounts Justice for all victims 6 counter-attacks of the US-Duterte fascist THE NEW PEOPLE'S Army (NPA) in Northeast Mindanao frustrated the fascist troops of the Armed regime Forces of the (AFP) which have been on a 25-day rampage in Agusan del Sur and he revolutionary forces hold the US-Duterte fascist regime Surigao del Sur. The said operati- fully responsible for the brazen murder of NDFP peace on was the AFP's reaction to two consultant Randy Felix Malayao last January 30. Malayao's successful tactical offensives of Tmurder follows public pronouncements by Duterte himself just a the NPA in the last quarter of month ago endorsing mass killings and ordering his death squads to 2018. The relentless military carry out the liquidation of revolutionary forces and supporters of operations were accompanied by the Party and revolutionary movement. aerial bombing and strafing by the Malayao's murder signals the activists as well as all other oppo- Philippine Air Force. escalation of state terrorism and sition forces. According to Ka Maria Mala- armed suppression against activis- Frustrated over its continuing ya, spokesperson of the National ts who are at the forefront of the failure to defeat the revolutionary Democratic Front of the Philippi- broad united opposition against armed movement, the Duterte re- nes (NDFP)-Northeast Mindanao Duterte's tyranny. Malayao is the gime has vented its fascist ire Region, the NPA mounted six co- first high-profile national perso- against the legal democratic for- unter attacks against 4th ID tro- nality killed by state security for- ces employing assassination squ- ops operating in the communities ces after many years. The killing of ads and flouting laws and legal since the last week of December Malayao may well be the signal- processes to clamp down on mass 2018 up to mid-January. Three of fire for Duterte's death squads to organizations and progressive in- the these counterattacks were carry out similar barefaced acts of stitutions. State agents carry out most notable: murder against mass leaders and "Justice..," continued at page 2 "BHB-NEMR..," continued at page 3 "Justice..." from page 1 ons, surveillance, torture, arbi- the country and those massacred armed suppression against pea- trary arrests, slapping of trumped in Sagay, Lake Sebu and elsew- sants and workers, as well as te- up charges, prolonged detention, here! Justice for workers attacked achers, students, lawyers, journa- forcing people to "surrender," il- for asserting their right to orga- lists and other sectors, especially legalization and closure of com- nize and strike! Justice for the those actively asserting their de- munity schools and other gross hundreds of political prisoners! mocratic rights and interests, and abuses. Justice for the scores of children critical of Duterte's tyranny. Under Oplan Kapayapaan and arbitrarily detained in the guise of It is becoming apparent that the 2018 National Internal Security "state protection!" Justice for Duterte is intent on his declarati- Plan, the rights of several tens of teachers and others unjustly being on to carry out the "Suharto-sty- thousands of people are being put under state surveillance and le" of mass killing where at least trampled upon by Duterte's fascist intimidation! Justice for journa- one million accused of being mem- onslaught. This is on top of the tens lists and lawyers who are being bers and supporters of the Com- of thousands killed by state forces Red-tagged and threatened with munist Party of Indonesia were and state-sponsored death squads harm! Justice for the thousands summarily executed in 1965-66 in Duterte's so-called "drug war" to unjustly killed under Duterte's under the orders of then Gen. Su- control the illegal drug trade, as drug war! Justice for the hundreds harto who would later establish a well as the hundreds of thousands of thousands of victims of Duter- 30-year bloody military dictators- of Moro people whose rights are te's unjust destruction of Marawi hip. being trampled under Duterte's war City! Justice for all women victi- In his drive to establish him- to control the resources of the mized by Duterte's relentless and self a fascist dictator and perpe- Bangsamoro people. unrepentant misogyny! Justice for tuate the bureaucrat capitalist ru- As Duterte intensifies the the religious who are under cons- le of his family and clique, Duterte campaign of killings and all-out tant attack by Duterte's bigotry is increasingly obsessed with crus- suppression, the demand for jus- and instigation to violence! Justi- hing the national democratic for- tice resounds across the country ce for the Filipino people victimi- ces as one of the key elements to and across various democratic zed by Duterte's tyranny and ter- his tyrannical scheme. There is a sectors. The broad masses de- rorism! rising number of cases of extraju- mand: Justice for Malayao! Justice In the struggle for justice, the dicial killings, massacres, abducti- for peasants being killed across Filipino people must intensify their political mass struggles to widely ANG Contents expose, denounce and resist the Duterte regime's fascist attacks. Editorial: Justice for all the victims of the They must be bold, aggressive and always on the offensive in order to Vol. L No. 3 | February 7, 2019 fascist Duterte regime 1 make the regime answer for every NPA counterattacks in NEMR 1 Ang Bayan is published single act of military and police in Pilipino, Bisaya, Iloko, Malayao murder rouses condemnation 4 abuse of power. They must carry Hiligaynon, Waray and English. Ang Building PDG in Brgy. Sugar 4 out street actions in order to wi- Bayan welcomes contributions in the Duterte's attack against children 6 eld the collective power of the formof articles and news items. #ChildrennotCriminals 7 masses. At the same time, they Readers are encouraged State kills 4 peasants 8 must persist in legal struggles in to send feedback order to assert their rights under State attacks people's NMR 8 and recommendations international humanitarian law as Falling coconut industry 10 for improving our newspaper. . well as under the reactionary Prices continue to rise 11 constitution. Church, progressives unite 11 The clamor for justice unites instagram.com/progressiveviews Mendiola massacre commemorated 11 the Filipino people in the face of @prwc_info Sumifru campout defended 12 Duterte's reign of terror. It must Attacks against progressive partylists 12 be echoed in the factories, school fb.com/groups/prwcnewsroomv2 BOL ratified 12 campuses, offices, churches, com- munities and so on. It strengthens [email protected] Luxemburg centenary commemorated 13 and broadens their united front against Duterte's tyranny and Ang Bayan is published forthnightly by the Central Committee fascism. It emboldens them to re- of the Communist Party of the Philippines sist even in the face of murder,

2 February 7 , 2 01 9 ANG BAYAN "Justice.," from page 1 "BHB-NEMR..," from page 1 intimidation and threats. > On December 23, the NPA set (Ka Dindo), 44, was killed, while his At the same time, the broad off explosives against 26th IB son Ka Wingwing suffered grave masses must be roused and mo- troopers operating in Sumulon, Ba- injuries. bilized to transform their social rangay Padiay, Sibagat, Agusan del Both incidents belie military discontent into struggles to ad- Sur. On January 5, the 3rd Special claims that the revolutionary forces vance their economic rights and Forces Battalion (SFB) was haras- have waned in the said area, said the cause of social justice. They sed in the mountains of San Juan, Santiago. must persevere in their demand Bayugan in the same province. Meanwhile, in Negros island, for wage and salary increases, > On January 7, Red fighters two soldiers were killed in separate jobs, land for the tillers, housing also blasted operating troops of the NPA offensives. for the homeless, and so on. The 36th IB in the mountains of Manhu- Two troopers of the 94th IB people must be roused to deno- layan, Barangay Bolhoon, San Mi- were killed in sniping operations by unce the regime for its imposition guel, Surigao del Sur. NPA-Negros against soldiers stati- of onerous taxes and failure to These AFP operations demon- oned in their camp in Barangay control rising prices of food and strate the AFP officers and the Du- Trinidad, Guihulngan City, Negros other basic commodities. They terte government's disregard for Oriental last January 29 at 2 p.m. must expose the falsity of the re- the safety of their 15 troopers (two Residents celebrated the said of- gime's so-called "welfare pro- soldiers of the 3rd SFB and 13 CAA fensive against the 94th IB which grams," denounce the utter lack men) currently being held as priso- have been conducting "peace and of social services and condemn ners of war (POW) by the NPA, ac- development" operations in the the corruption and plunder of cording to Ka Maria. Their release said barangay. state resources by the few big is being delayed by the said opera- The 94th IB is responsible for bureaucrat capitalists and big tions. the killing and illegal arrest of pea- bourgeois compradors. The POWs were captured on sants last December 27, 2018, and In the face of the Duterte December 19 in an NPA raid on the for the illegal search of homes in at regime's increasingly relentless CAA detachment in Barangay New least six sitios in the said barangay. attacks, the broad mass organi- Tubigon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur. This caused fear among hundreds zations must fight wisely to elu- The NPA seized 23 firearms in that of residents, forcing them to flee de and frustrate the campaign raid, including an M60 light machi- their homes. of arrests and killings and be negun. A 15th IB soldier was killed ready to apply the necessary Meanwhile, in the while another was wounded tactics, including building a deep Southern Mindanao when they encountered an and wide underground network, Region, NPA-Mount NPA-Negros unit in Sitio counter-intelligence, unmasking Apo Subregional Pacama, Barangay Magballo, of secret state operatives in so- Operations Command Kabankalan City, Negros cial media and so on. Targets of spokesperson Isabel Occidental last January 18. liquidation can always go to the Santiago reported a Philip- In Quezon, the NPA- countryside where they can be pine National Police (PNP) Quezon incapacitated provided safe haven in the re- official and 11 others were the destructive equip- volutionary base areas or join wounded in an NPA demoliti- ment of the Pacific the New People's Army. on operation last January 28 Summit Construction Duterte's brutality against in Purok 4, Sitio Kabisig, Ba- Group, Inc. in Sitio Pan- the people must be exposed for rangay Poblacion, Magpet in darawan, Barangay Mara- serving both his pursuit of abso- North Cotabato. The casu- gondon, Real, Quezon last Janu- lute power and the aim of defen- alties were all troopers of the PNP ary 21. Among those equipment ding the interests of the big Provincial Mobile Company. Killed were three dump trucks, two bac- landlords and big bourgeois com- in this tactical offensive was PO3 khoes, a generator set, transit pradors. The people keenly un- Christopher Anadon. mixer and loader. derstand that their demand for On the previous day, an NPA The operations of this company justice is linked to the struggle to unit frustrated attacking forces of is destructive to the environment. put an end to the US-supported the 19th IB and the Bagani parami- Its construction of a hydroelectric Duterte regime and ultimately to litary group in Sitio Salingsing, Ba- plant has caused the displacement the revolutionary overthrow of rangay Amabel, Magpet. On the ot- and loss of income of hundreds of the ruling oppressive and her hand, Red fighter Ronnie Awe residents. exploitative system.

ANG BAYAN February 7 , 2 01 9 3 People’s democratic government "Sugar..," from page 4 established in Barangay Sugar

people’s conference was launched in Barangay Sugar, not a real name Aof a barangay in the Caraga region, to establish the barrio revolutionary committee (BRC) last December 2018. The BRC is the basic unit of the peop- le’s democratic government (PDG). Barangay Sugar consists of seven sitios and has a mixed population of 1,000 Lumads and non-Lumads.

Around 120 members of the lo- though they were busy with their cal Party branch and mass organi- farms,” Ka Tabli, one of the dele- zations attended the conference. gates, said. Mothers even came Several barangay officials and well- with their toddlers. Red fighters off individuals also attended. Party served as babysitters while the cadres from the guerilla front, Red conference was in session. fighters and invited observers were Before the conference started, also in attendance. To ensure the sitio representatives relayed their delegates’ security, the people’s mi- social investigations and class litia and the barrio defense units analyses. Discussions where neigh- who had their own lands but conducted round-the-clock patrols. bors determined their class status because they earn so little, they The area’s guerilla front committee were particularly lively. Most of often work for landlords. Are they served as the conference host. them are farmworkers. “There was small farmers or farm workers? So- “The delegates ensured their a bit of confusion,” a delegate ad- me don’t want to own up to being attendance to the conference even mitted, “since there were farmers from the middle classes.” "Sugar..," continued at page 5

NDFP consultant killing rouses widespread condemnation

THE REVOLUTIONARY movement, human rights and pro- After his release, he was gressive organizations and broad sectors of the people taken in by the NDFP as condemned the killing of Randy Felix Malayao, 49. Mala- consultant even as he conti- yao was a consultant to the peace negotiations of the Na- nued working with mass orga- tional Democratic Front of the Philippines. nizations. In particular, he He wast shot twice while asleep in a bus on pitstop in was a member of the Recipro- Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya last January 30, at 2:30 a.m. The cal Working Group on Political gunman fled in a motorcycle with his accomplice. Various and Constitutional Reforms. groups, including the Communist Party of the Philippines, Here, he exhibited acuity and deep understanding of the condemned the killing, believed to be have been a carried people’s conditions borne out of decades of revolutio- out directly by Dutere’s death squad. nary work among their ranks and enthusiasm for his The groups likewise condemned the AFP and PNP for work, as he did for all his other past responsibilities and circulating intrigues against Malayao and the revolutio- tasks. nary movement to cover up their crime. The fact is, Mala- The NDFP remembers Malayao as a “a multifaceted yao has long been threatened, alongside other revolutio- man who is revolutionary to the core—an exceptional nary personalities. He was listed in the proscription case student, excellent writer and journalist, scientist, pea- filed by the regime last February 2018, though his name sant and worker organizer, internationalist and peace was delisted when the case was amended this January 18. and justice warrrior.” Malayao has been an activist since he was a student To condemn the killing of Malayao and other victims at the University of the Philippines-Miag-ao, Iloilo. He of the regime, teachers, students and human rights or- served as vice president for the Visayas of the College ganizations gathered in front of Quezon Hall in UP Dili- Editors Guild of the Philippines before moving on to or- man. There were similar protests in the University of ganizing peasants in Cagayan Valley where his family Sto. Tomas and Far Eastern University, as well as pro- resided. He was arrested in 2008 under the Arroyo regi- tests by members of Courage and Kilusang Mayo Uno. me and imprisoned for four years over trumped up Progressive groups also launched protests in Panay, Ba- charges. guio and Laguna.

4 February 7 , 2 01 9 ANG BAYAN "Sugar..," from page 4 also managed to reclaim 10 hecta- chapters in establishing their own The conference was held amidst res of land after they were driven BRCs. Presently, most of the ba- intense AFP combat operations. In away by a despotic landlord. The rangays in its cluster have chap- fact, soldiers were on a rampage in revolutionary mass organizations ters where 70% of the residents are the next barrio when the conferen- supervised the land distribution. already organized, but some are ce started. Inspite of this, the con- Elections for the KRB leaders- still in the organizing committee ference pushed through and the hip, the local organ of political po- level. agenda was set. It started with wer, was conducted on the last day After the elections, the con- reports on the enemy movement of the conference. “The delegates ference concentrated on drafting and steps to ensure the safety of all immediately knew whom to vote ordinances and resolutions on is- the delegates, followed by presen- for,” Ka Tabli related. Among those sues and problems of their ba- tations and reports of mass organi- elected have been tempered by re- rangay. This includes an agreement zations, elections and planning. volutionary work. Most of them to put up a cooperative, strengt- During the formal meeting, the were poor peasants. During the hening the people’s militia, security conference reviewed important elections, democracy was exercised. and ordinances regarding drinking Party guides and documents like the “The results of the elections are alcohol, theft of carabaos and ot- Revolutionary Guide to Land Reform very acceptable as all of the no- her farm animals, and other anti- and studies on how to establish or- minees are able to lead the people’s social activities. gans of political power. Discussions government,” Ka James, a member The BRC also drafted a one- on this topic were also lively, espe- of the Pambansang Katipunan ng year plan and program to carry out cially on the topic of the people’s mga Magbubukid, said. their tasks even without the pre- court. An example was on how to The newly-elected committee sence of the people’s army. Among deal with thefts of carabaos and ot- studied and resolved past problems this is the task to complete the in- her farm animals like chicken, pigs on how mass organizations in the vestigation so that they can launch and others. There were also discus- area operated. “One of our weak- the campaign against the false sions on the AFP forcing civilians to nesses is that we only hold meetings ancestral land certification (Cer- surrender, E-CLIP and Red-tagging. when the people’s army is in our tificate of Ancestral Domain Title o To enliven the discussions, young area. Thus, we are not able to carry CADT) and the granting of mining delegates offered a cultural presen- out our tasks when they are not concessions to big companies this tation. here,” Ka Mel, newly-elected BRC year. These companies are set to One of the conference’s agenda president, chided. “We should be come into Barangay Sugar ang se- dealt with ways to advance the ag- able to resolve our own problems so ven neighboring barangays. These rarian revolution and uplifting the that the people’s army can perform barangays are rich in gold, copper residents’ standard of living. Even its other tasks.” and other minerals so its forested before the BRC was organized, Ba- Ka Lapi, a Makibaka chapter areas were deceptively covered by rangay Sugar has been successful in member, was also elected to the CADT to make mining the area ea- some of its campaigns. It had suc- BRC. Three out of her four children sier. cessfully raised farmworker wages are Red fighters. One of them was The BRC also set the schedules from P250 to P300/day. This was martyred recently which saddened for all committee meetings (eco- achieved through a dialogue with her but did not weaken her resolve. nomy, health, eduation, defense two rich peasants and two landlo- Her youngest, who is only 17-years and organization). Its general plan rds. old, is raring to join the people’s included trainings and discussions “The rich peasants immediately army. per committee. These will be con- complied while the landlords dis- Barangay Sugar is the first in its ducted during the members’ free missed the agreement so the farm- cluster to establish a BRC. Thus, days. workers decided to hold a second one of its tasks is to help other “The delegates’ joy that the round of campaign against them. their BRC had been established They complied only then,” Ka Ji- was plain to see,” Ka Tabli rela- na, one of the hosts, related. ted. “They felt democracy and During that time, a memo- their power as a people during the randum was drafted and signed conference.” by third parties to make the ag- For the Lumads, farm workers reement effective. Barangay of- and small famers who have long ficials, church people and been oppressed and exploited un- teachers of the barangay served der the present social system, the as witnesses. The farmworkers establishment of the BRC was one

ANG BAYAN February 7 , 2 01 9 5 RATED X: The Duterte regime’s worsening attacks against children

If Duterte’s reign was a television show or movie, it would come with an X rating—evil and harmful to children.

he regime’s attacks against children have been Trelentless this past weeks and months. This January 30 alone, police and military forces arrested two innocents — a 1- and 2-year old—together with another minor, in a raid on the office of the Misamis Orientaly Farmers Association (MO- the fangs of the law, aside from in- FA). Alongside other members of the MOFA, the children were arrested and discriminate killings and direct at- separated from their parents and guardians. tacks, to damage children. This past weeks, Congress rail- The MOFA members were jailed children—have repeatedly evacuat- roaded the bill to lower the mini- while the children were sent to the ed and had their studies interrup- mum age of criminal responsibility Region 10’s Social Welfare and De- ted. In the cities, there have been (MACR) from the present 15 to 12 velopment Office. (Read related ar- 100 cases of drug war-related or years old. If passed, even a 12-year ticle on the crackdown in the Nort- “Tokhang” killings of minors. Aro- old can then be sentenced as a cri- hern Mindanao Region.) und 18,000 children have been or- minal and jailed. In other areas of Mindanao, phaned due to Tokhang killings of This comes directly from Du- shootings, militarization and bom- the parents since 2016. terte, who have declared that there bings against Lumad schools are are scores of child criminals. He or- prevalent. Because of this, studen- Sharpening the fangs of the law dered former president and now ts—many of whom are very young The regime is also sharpening House Speaker Gloria Arroyo to compel Congress to pass the bill, Baylosis freed even though Arroyo herself spon- sored, in 2006, the Republic Act No. RAFAEL BAYLOSIS (Ka Raffy), NDFP consultant, was ordered released 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and in January 15, almost a year after he was detained, after trumped-up Welfare Act, which set the MACR charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against him age at 15 years old. When Arroyo were dropped. He was freed, together with Roque Guillermo Jr., in Ja- was asked why she bulldozed the nuary 18. bill, her only reply was, “because According to Presiding Judge Editha Mina Aguba of the Regional the president wanted it. ”The Se- Trial Court-Branch 100-Quezon City, the case against Baylosis had in- nate is also hard-pressed to pass sufficient evidence. Baylosis and Guillermo were arrested by military the bill, even though hundreds of and police intelligence operatives in Quezon City last January 31, 2018. specialists and studies have asse- In related news, the Free Bob Reyes Movement picketed in front of rted that at 12 years old, children the Quezon City Hall of Justice while his case was being heard. Reyes, a can not fully discern the consequ- member of Sandigan ng Manggagawa in Quezon City, was illegaly arres- ences of their actions, and senten- ted by four armed men last June 2, 2018. He was held incommunicado cing them as criminals will invari- for 12 hours in the CIDG detention in Camp Crame. The group says that ably destroy their lives. During a Reyes’ arrest is similar to cases of other political prisoners jailed on Senate hearing, Arroyo’s foolishness planted evidence. They also condemned the continuous killings and fi- was furthered by Senate President ling of trumped-up charges against activists and NDFP personalities. VIcente Sotto III who said that the bill had something to do with the

6 February 7 , 2 01 9 ANG BAYAN war against drugs. He said that sin- the rescue of Lumad children who minimun of age. The document also ce they had no capacity to file cases were being harrassed by the AFP put into place mechanisms on how against heads of syndicates, they and its paramilitaries last year in the Party will monitor this regu- will just hold their child victims res- Talaingod, Davao del Norte. Ocam- lation. ponsible. po and others were slapped with The NDFP also issued the This measure is in line with the kidnapping charges after they res- Declaration and Program of Action regime’s other anti-poor and anti- cued the students and their teac- for the Rights, Protection and people schemes which targets the hers from their school to bring them Welfare of Children, wherein aside victims of criminal syndicates, yo- to a safer place. Ocampo et al were from the minimum age require- ung and old. It has no intention of jailed while the children were virtu- ment for NPA members, it also running after its leaders and other ally detained in the DSWD offices. stated that the revolutionary for- big personalities. This is not a surp- The agency required the parents ces will adhere to international rise as Duterte himself is the num- and guardians to present papers conventions such as the 1990 UN ber one protector of these syndica- before they can claim the students. Convention on the Rights of the tes. Child. The Party’s rules on children In the said document, the ND- Fascist indoctrination The Communist Party of the FP ordered its committees under Aside from lowering the MACR, Philippines (CPP) belied allegations the organs of political power to Congress likewise railroaded a bill from the military, Congress and ot- ensure child education and health, to impose compulsory training and her groups that it is using children especially those 15-years old and fascist indoctrination of minors un- in its war, one of the reasons why below. It also encouraged revolu- der the Reserve Officers Training the aforementioned bill was passed. tionary mass oganizations to es- Corps (ROTC) for grades 11 and 12. The Party, New People’s Army tablish children’s organizations as This is despite the junking of ROTC and National Democratic Front of a way in respecting their right to in the college level after the 2001 the Philippines (NDFP) have issued defend and advance their own killing of Mark Welson Chuan, a UST numerous documents and rules to rights and participate in social student, who exposed the corrupti- strictly observe the rights of the transformation according to their on within the program. child. In August 30, 1999, the Par- capacity. The NDFP also vowed to Imposing ROTC in high school ty’s Military Commission issued the respect the rights of the child in violates even reactionary laws. One document On the NPA’s Alleged accordance to the Geneva Conven- of which is the Republic Act 7610 Mass Recruitment of Child Gueril- tions and Protocol 1. which prohibits the use of schools las, which was followed by a docu- Only a regime desperate to re- and hospitals for military activities. ment from the Committee Central main in power will vent its anger This is also against international of the CPP on October 15, 1999 en- and use innocent children. All re- laws and treaties, including Rules titled Memorandum on the Mini- volutionary forces champion the 22-24 of the International Humani- mum Age Requirement for NPA rights and welfare of children, and tarian Law, which prohibit militari- Fighters. Under said document, will never put them in danger. zation of schools. NPA membership is strictly set on a Aside from imposing compulsory ROTC, the bill “Special Protection of #ChildrennotCriminals Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act,” which was passed by CHILD RIGHTS advocates protested in front of the Senate during its Congress last year, is now only hearing of the lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility awaiting Duterte’s signature. The last February 4. The proposal was earlier approved by the Congress. said bill is deceptive, as its sponsors Prior to this, Gabriela Partylist and Salinlahi Alliance for Child- claimed that it will stop rebel gro- ren's Concerns launched a series of protests against amendments to ups, including the revolutionary the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, which would allow children who forces, from using child soldiers. In are 12 years old to be arrested. truth, this will only serve as an ad- According to Rep. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela Partyist, the arrest ditional tool for the regime to file of children will not solve the widespread criminality in the country. cases of using child soldiers against Furthermore, the government should focus on other issues which the leaders of communities they are gravely affect the development of a child, such as child labor, mal- occupying. nutrition, education and others. A notable incident involved the Youth groups and faculty members from different schools and illegal arrest of Satur Ocampo and universities in and Cebu also joined the protest. his companions when they came to

7 February 7 , 2 01 9 ANG BAYAN State forces kill 4 farmers "Farmers..," from page 8

our farmers were killed by agents of the US-Duterte regime this past two At 9:00 a.m., while Fr. Sulayao was Fmonths, while its attacks and harassments against the church and other travelling from Iloilo to Bacolod, sectors critical to state fascism continue unabated. three uniformed policemen crow- dedly sat near him. Upon arriving In Surigao del Sur, two Lumad gunshot wounds in the head, was in Bacolod, seven soldiers in full- farmers were killed by 36th IB hogtied and bore signs of torture. battle gear sat next to him as he soldiers. This is part of the worse- Atay and his wife have long been was eating. When he arrived in San ning attacks against the people of accused as members of the NPA. Carlos City at 4:00 p.m., seven Northern Mindanao under martial In Camarines Sur, Rowena Ga- uniformed police watched him and law. (See details in related article vina was killed by soldiers of the took pictures. below.) combined forces of the 96th and The next day, two state agents In Zamboanga del Sur, ele- 97th Military Intelligence Com- spied on Fr. Cristopher Ablon, Fr. ments of the PNP-Region 9 Public pany, 5th Intelligence and Security Marciano Carabio, Fr. Jerome Lito Safety Battalion killed Sergio Atay, Unit, and 83rd IB when her house and Fr. Arnold Abuel at the IFI 35, member of the Magbabaul-Kilu- was raided in January 30, at 6:00 National Cathedral in Taft Avenue sang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas. Ac- a.m. in Barangay Tierra Nevada, in Manila. The two remained in cording to witnesses, Atay was tra- Tinambac. The soldiers later pre- their position the entire day. They velling at the border of Sapang sented Gavina as an NPA member. followed the tricycle which carried Dalaga, Misamis Occidental and Ri- Intimidation and harassment the priests aboard a motorcycle. zal, Zamboanga del Norte in Janu- of priests. Six priests of the Iglesia Harassment of activists. In ary 28 when he was stopped at a Filipina Independiente were haras- January 23, at 4:30 p.m., three checkpoint, arrested and interro- sed in successive days. state agents tailed Reylan Vergara gated by police. The next day, he Last January 30, around 17 from Barangay Tagbak to Jaro in was found dead in Barangay San soldiers and police intimidated and Iloilo City for almost half an hour. Roque, Rizal. He sustained five harassed Rev. Fr. Marco Sulayao. "Farmers..," continued at page 9

Worsening attacks against the people in NMR

and intimidation, 245 victims of indiscriminate firing, 727 he US-Duterte regime's attacks are worsening victims of bombings and 1,827 victims of forcible evacu- against the people of Mindanao, especially peasants T ation. and national minorities, under martial law. In Northern The number of cases of fake and forced surrenders in Mindanao, in particular, cases of extrajudicial killings, il- Bukidnon has also risen, particularly in San Fernando, legal arrests and detention, intimidation, harassment, Quezon, Pangantucan, Sumilao and Impasug-ong. The forced surrender and militarization of entire communiti- group documented the murder last September 15, 2018 es have risen. of Rex Hangadon, a Lumad peasant, fired upon by 23rd These aim to silence the people's struggles for land, IB troops while resting in his hut in Sitio Bulak, Lower ancestral land and the right to self-determination. These Olave, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. Meanwhile, his also seek to serve the interests of corporations which father, who was with him at that time, remains missing. own big plantations and plunder the At the outset of 2019, the environment. regime has conspicuously used Reports of human rights de- civilian institutions and agen- fenders show that from the time cies for military purposes under martial law in Mindanao was the "whole of nation approach" imposed up to December 2018, and the 12 Pillars of the NISP. there have been at least five The following are the most recent cases of frustrated murder, case of killings and intimidation: one case of disappearance, 10 Killings. Two Lumad peasants, victims of torture, 100 cases of Randel Gallego and Emel Tejero, illegal arrest and detention, 465 cases threats, harassments "NMR..," continued at page 9

8 February 7 , 2 01 9 ANG BAYAN "Farmers..," from page 8 "NMR..," from page 8

Vergara is Karapatan’s national were killed by 36th IB soldiers last harassment and forced surrenders. vice-president. A week earlier, a January 24 in Barangay Buhisan, The two failed to attend the mee- certain Lt. Ronaldo threated Pa- San Agustin, Surigao del Sur. Galle- ting and communication with their nay peasant leader Elmer Arlao. go and Tejero, together with four family and colleagues were cut off. Ronaldo told Arlao to stop orga- others, went to Sitio Dilinggion, Km The following day, they were nizing peasants or he would end 30 in the said barangay to harvest presented before the public as NPA up like a Tokhang victim. abaca. Walking home around 2 leaders and were slapped with Meanwhile, student leaders p.m., Gallego and Tejero with two trumped up charges based on Khim Russel Abalos of University others came across the soldiers at planted evidence. Student Council; Jose Mari Callu- Km 19. The soldiers immediately On January 30, around 6:30 eng, national president of the fired upon the group hitting Gallego p.m., the same units of the PNP and College Editors Guild of the Philip- and Tejero. Their two companions AFP attacked the office of the Mi- pines; Raoul Manuel, general sec- survived and reported to the com- samis Oriental Farmers' Association retary of the National Union of munity. (MOFA) in Barangay Looc, Villanu- Students of the Philippines and Ivy Meanwhile, the two other left in eva, Misamis Oriental. They arres- Joy Taroma, Student Regent of the abaca farm decided to go home ted Jerry Basahon, 48, chair of University of the Philippines rece- upon hearing the gunfire. They en- MOFA; Gerald Basahon, 43, MOFA ived threatening messages last countered the soldiers and were il- council members and staffers Ma- January. They were all accused of legaly arrested. They were brought rivic Coleta, 22, and Mylene Coleta, being “NPA recruiters.” back to the abaca farm, restrained 19. Forcible evacuation of com- and interrogated through the night. In addition, they also took two munities. Residents of entire They were set free only in the follo- babies and a minor and were placed communities were forced to leave wing morning. under DSWD custody. The two, who their homes and livelihoods due to After five days, the 401st Bri- were said to be children of NPA relentless AFP militarization and gade reported that Gallego and Te- fighters, were kept as virtual hos- bombings. jero were NPA members who died in tages. The objective was to compel In Samar, 34 families from an encounter. the children's parents to surface. Barangay Bay-ang, San Jorge are Soldiers of the 401st Brigade, This trampled on the rights of the now staying at the municipal he- including the 75th IB, the 36th IB children to be free and not be sub- alth clinic for fear of military and 16th SFB, are responsible for jected to any form of violence. The operations conducted by the 63rd the attacks against Manobo com- state is primary responsible to up- IB and indiscriminate aerial stra- munities in Lianga, Marihatag, San hold this right. fing since January 15. Agustin and Tago since December Before entering the office, the In Sulu, more than 300 resi- 2018. soldiers and police fired upon the dents of Barangay Latih in Patikul Illegal arrests. Six activists in place and aimed their guns even at were forced to leave due to con- Misamis Oriental were successively the children. They planted eviden- tinuous military airstrikes against arrested by soldiers and police last ces of guns and explosives and ac- their community. January 28 and 30. cused the four arrested as NPA Meanwhile, on February 4, On January 28, soldiers of the members. soldiers of the 94th IB, together 65th IB and operatives of the PNP- Militarization and bombing of with CAFGU member Renan Ma- Criminal Investigation and Detecti- Lumad communities. Last January lig-on, went on patrol in Barangay on Group abducted Datu Jomorito 21, the AFP carried out a series of Trinidad, Guihulngan City. They Goaynon, chair of the Kalumbay bombings near Decoy, Panukmoan, forced their way into the houses Regional Lumad Organization, and Manluy-a and Km. 15, communities of Bebong Alpeche and another Ireneo Udarbe, chair of the Kilu- in Barangay Diatagon. As a result, identified as "Amay.” sang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Nort- 55 families were forced to leave Urban poor demolition. hern Mindanao. their homes. On January 22, 64 fa- Despite having no court order, From their office in Barangay milies and 333 individuals from goons and police destroyed 31 Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, the Manluy-a, Panukmoan and Decoy houses in Riverside, Barangay two were travelling around 10 a.m. fled due to non-stop military ope- Looc, Mandaue City last January to meet with a member organizati- rations and bombings. They are 30, at 9:00 p.m. Two hundred re- on of Kalumbay and later hold a di- suffering from grave trauma and sidents lost their homes, as the alogue with the 65th IB represen- hunger as a result of food blockade local government did not offer to tatives regarding complaints of and bombings. relocate them.

ANG BAYAN February 7 , 2 01 9 9 The coconut industry’s continuous decline

he coconut industry is important to the country’s agricultural sector. At Duterte regime’s TRAIN law. Tpresent, almost 26% of all farmlands are planted with coconut trees, and Because of this, coconut farmers provide livelihood to around four million coconut farmers. almost earn next to nothing. Their yearly income fell from P20,000 to The country’s coconut industry, a whole coconut fell from P8-12/kilo P7,200. however, is in a slump. According to to P2-4/kilo. According to coconut Government agencies turn a reports, the income of 60% of co- farmers, they earn only P4-P7/day, deaf ear to coconut farmer's plight. conut farmers and farm workers are a far cry from their P500-P700 daily They offer inconsequential subsidi- below the poverty line. cost of living. es, if at all. They do not have facili- The Philippine Coconut Autho- ties or infrastructure to improve The state of coconut farmers rity (PCA) has no clear explanation farming methods. Due to aggressive land conver- on why copra and coconut prices are sion, thousands of farmers have falling. The PCA and other agencies Struggle for coco levy funds been displaced from their lands and cites as an excuse the intensifying A coco levy was collected from lost their livelihood. international competition of oil small coconut farmers during the DAR records show that majority producers, such as the cheaper and Marcos years. Up to the present, of land-use conversion cases are in more abundant supply of palm oil. they have not benefited from this top coconut-producing regions: They also said there is a copra fund, which have reached P150 bil- Central Luzon, Misamis Oriental oversupply. lion. and Southern Luzon. Thousands of Coconut oil prices, like gasoline Previous regimes have used va- hectares of coconut farmlands will prices, are controlled by big US and rious methods to stop the distribut- be converted to tourism spots, in- European corporations. These cor- ion of the funds to the farmers and frastructures under the “Build, Bu- porations buy most of the Philippi- legitimate beneficiaries. From then ild, Build” program, sports com- nes’ coconut products, enabling until now, farmers have continually plexes, real estate and others. them to set prices. called for the distribution of the co- Also, millions of coconut trees An added burden is the resikada co levy funds. were destroyed by the typhoon Yo- system where so-called moisture This January, hundreds of co- landa and by the Cocolisap pest content is arbitrarily set and de- conut farmers marched to the PCA which hit the Visayas and some ducted by big buyers and oil mill to demand a dialogue and hold a parts of Luzon. In Leyte alone, the owners from their buying price. protest. They demanded that the typhoon destroyed almost 33 milli- Meanwhile, farm workers earn fund be given back and used to im- on coconut trees. only P200-3000 for every one thou- prove their livelihood. They have Worse, the coconut industry is sand coconuts harvested, husked, repeatedly written petitions to con- controlled by big landlords and bu- transported and for doing other ag- demn the unwarranted deductions sinesses—from the land to different ricultural work. They are also victi- to the value of copra prices, raise coconut products. mized by widespread contractuali- coconut prices and immediate aid to In Bicol, the landlord, often al- zation. A Department of Labor and coconut farmers severely affected so the commercial miller, rakes in Employment report indicate that all by the industry's decline. up to 58% of the earnimgs. For in- of the 1,500 employees of the Peter stance, for every 1,116 kilos of Paul Philip- copra (approximately 18 sacks) bo- pines, a co- ught at P17/kilo, the landlord gets conut-pro- P10,977. Meanwhile, the coconut cessing plant farmer only gets 17.8% or P3,375 worked as while nine farmworkers split up the contractuals remaining 18.4% or P3,500. Thus, and received the coconut farmer earns only insufficient P75/day for a 45-day harvest cycle. wages. Meanwhile, farmworkers earn only Coconut P388 or P15.50/day within the sa- farmers also me cycle . carry the Copra prices have continually burden of declined last year. From P40/kilo, it high prices fell to P13. In Sorsogon, the price of under the

10 February 7 , 2 01 9 ANG BAYAN Church, progressive groups unite against Peasants commemorate 32nd year of Mendiola tyranny Massacre

VARIOUS SECTORS and groups unite against fascism and tyranny last FARMERS FROM Bulacan, Tarlac, January. The religious sectors, workers from Sumifru, Lumad students, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, women and farmers participated in the event. , Laguna and Ba- tangas gathered in front of Ma- Church groups and human They called for peace based on lacañang last January 22 to call rights advocates came together to justice. They also enjoined the for justice for the victims of the call for justice, truth, and peace people to stand in solidarity with January 27 Mendiola Massacre. in a prayer rally held in Malate, their struggle since their fight is Thirty two years have passed but Manila last January 25 which for all those who are oppressed. not one has been charged of the they called "One Faith, One Nati- Bishop Roderick Pabillo, for- bloody crime. Thirteen farmers on, One Voice." The activity was mer senator Sen. Rene Saguisag, were killed while hundreds were spearheaded by Catholic Bishops' Bro. Armin Luistro and Sr. Mary wounded after police and soldiers Conference of the Philippines and John Mananzan joined the pro- strafed the 20,000 farmers who National Council of Churches in tests. demand genuine land reform du- the Philippines. Sr. Mananzan said, the ring the incident. The groups slammed the in- Duterte regime targets the chur- The KMP also lambasted the sult and discrimination of the ch workers through various go- increasing number of cases of Duterte regime against the chur- vernment agencies and armed killings among farmers and fis- ch and its call to rob or kill bis- elements to suppress resistance. hermen under the Duterte admi- hops. They also condemned the Bro. Armin Luistro highligh- nistration. According to the gro- injustice and impunity that are ted that at this time "long pra- up, more than 170 farmers have widespread in the country. yers and patience are not eno- fell victim to political killings. Workers from Sumifru and ugh. This protest is for all those In Bicol, more than 1,500 Lumads who are displaced from who are oppressed, those who farmers and supporters joined as their community due to intense are falsely accused and exploi- they commemorate the brutal militarization joined the rally. ted." massacre. Around 700 were gathered in capitol in Le- Food prices still on the rise gazpi City, while 800 joined the protest in Sorsogon City. On the FOOD PRICES continue to rise des- According to Ibon, it is the po- same day, held its pite the US-Duterte regime’s brag orest who suffer the most amid rise regional congress in Naga City that inflation rate fell to 4.4% at in food prices. Patterns of family where about 500 members par- the start of the year from last ye- expenditures of Filipino families ticipated. ar’s average of 5.4%. The decline show that the poorest families In Negros, Bagong Alyan- did not mean that prices of goods spend 60% of their income to buy sang -Negros and and services have fallen. It only food. Thus, when inflation rises, National Federation of Sugar meant that prices and fees rose slo- hunger becomes more prevalent. Farm Workers led the march wer. Ibon likewise mocked the Du- from Capitol Lagoon Park to Fo- Statistics from the reactionary terte regime’s economic managers’ untain of Justice in Bacolod City state itself prove that commodity projection that inflation will fall to last January 21. Rallyists de- prices remain high. For instance, 2% to 4% this year. “Impossible,” manded justice for the nine vic- compared to last year, rice prices Ibon stated, especially since the tims of Sagay massacre last year are still higher by P3. Also, sugar is second series of excise taxes on and the brutal murder of farmer still more expensive by P10 and petroleum products is set to take leader, Alexander Ceballos. Si- garlic by P20, while other vegetab- effect this year. This, coupled with milar protests were held in Cebu, les run from P10-P40. In various high crude prices in international Davao, Misamis Oriental and Metro Manila markets, prices of markets mean whatever slowdown Bukidnon. pork, beef, chicken and cadfish re- in inflation will be eaten by higher main unchanged in January, compa- transportation costs. Duterte’s of- red to prices in October when infla- ficials admitted that they did not tion hit 6.7%, the highest in 10 include the said new taxes to their years. calculations.

ANG BAYAN February 7 , 2 01 9 11 Sumifru workers Duterte attacks progressive partylist groups defend campout in Manila THE COMMISSION ON Elections (Comelec) successively disqualified last January SUMIFRU WORKERS under the candidacy of democratic and progressive partylist groups while favoring the Nagkahiusang Mamumuo groups headed by political dynasties, including ’s family. sa Suyapa Farms (NAMA- These include the Manggagawa groups called for the disqualificati- SUFA) successfully defended Partylist, Aksyon Health Workers and on of fake groups run by Duterte. their campout in Liwasang People’s Surge Partylist, which are These include the AA-Kasosyo and Bonifacio, Manila last Feb- all members of the Makabayan coali- Duterte Youth. The AA-Kasosyo is ruary 4. Their protest camp, tion. The said groups protested in headed by Mocha Uson while the now at its second month, front of the Comelec offices to criti- Duterte Youth is run by Ronald began last November 27 to cize the decision last January 23. Cardema, head of the National Yo- demand DOLE and Sumifru At the same time, attacks again- uth Commission. to recognize their union and st known progressive groups under Meanwhile, the group Kontra regularize their workers. the Makabayan bloc continue. The Daya identified fake partylist groups Their strike was launched Court of Appeals recently junked the which the Comelec allowed to run last October 1, 2018. ACT Teachers Party’s appeal to stop inspite of clear indications that Manila City local gover- the Philippine National Police (PNP) these do not represent any margi- nment threatened to demo- surveillance and harassment activi- nalized group and are, in fact, con- lish the campout to pave ties against their members. This was nected to officials of the current way for the supposed reno- in relation to an order to identify government and political dynasties. vation of DPWH but failed to and investigate its teacher-members This includes current officials present papers to prove the which the PNP considers as “enemi- and Duterte’s close allies like the plan. Threats of dispersal es of the state.” Marcoses, Alvarezes, Arroyos, Vil- persist. On the other hand, progressive lars and Piñols. Before this, workers held a protest to end martial law in Mindanao last Janu- ary 29 in front of the Sup- BOL approved in plebiscite reme Court. Their protest THE (BOL) was approved in a plebiscite last January was held in time for the co- 21 in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Pursuant to BOL, the urt's hearing on martial law Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will be created to extension. They were joined replace the ARMM. Cotabato City will be included in the BARMM, as well as some by students from different municipalities of North Cotabato, with Lanao del Norte voting against the pro- universities in Metro Manila. vince's inclusion. Despite rains, members The BOL was ratified by the reactionary congress following the negotiations of Samahan ng Maliliit na between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Re- Mangingisda sa San Miguel public of the Philippines (GRP). After the BOL's approval, the Bangsamoro Transi- Bay held protest last Janu- tion Authority will be created, composed of Duterte appointees and will function as ary 20 in front of the muni- the government in BARMM. Meanwhile, after declaring the end of the war, the cipal hall of Tinambac, Ca- MILF will disarm in stages. marines Sur. They opposed However, according to Suara Bangsamoro, the creation of BARMM "will not the planned demolition of automatically mean that lasting peace will be attained in the Bangsamoro areas" their biyakos (a structure and that "the Moro people must continue demanding their right to self-determi- made of bamboo and net for nation." fishing) by the local govern- Meanwhile, the AFP continues to intensify its offensives in different parts of ment in Look River. Accor- Lanao and Maguindanao against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which ding to Leo Velarde, chair- did not support the BOL. These offensives are aimed at controlling the resources of person of SMM-SMB, the Liguasan Marsh. Tinambac mayor disregar- ded their petition last De- cember 2018 which led to the loss of the livelihood of about 60% of fishermen in the said town.

12 February 7 , 2 01 9 ANG BAYAN Groups mark Luxemburg and Liebknecht’s death centenary

A WEEK-LONG commemoration of the death centenary aged revolutionaries in Germany to learn the correct les- of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht was held in Ge- sons from history to mobilize the toiling masses for reform rmany last January 12-19. Luxemburg and Liebnecht and revolution to organize the revolutionary movement, were founders of the Communist Party of Germany in seize political power and establish a socialist republic. 1918 and leaders of the November 1918 uprisings which He called for them to “unite under the flag of called for the end of the German empire during World Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, and struggle for unity to War 1. They were arrested by the Frekorps rightist mili- contribute their utmost to the building of the revolutio- tias in January 15, 1919, subjected to extreme torture nary vanguard party of the proletariat and the resolute and eventually killed. and militant mass movement for democracy and socia- The commemoration in Germany was launched by lism.” He also called on the groups to “exert all efforts various groups, including the Marxist-Leninist Party of to arouse, organize and mobilize the youth, the proleta- Germany, Juggenwiderstand and Rot Front (Red Front). riat and all other people in Germany to fight fascism, win In Jose Maria Sison’s message on January 22, he encour- the battle for democracy and advance to socialism.”

ANG BAYAN February 7 , 2 01 9 13