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

English Edition Vol.XLIV No. 4 February 21, 2013 www.philippinerevolution.net

Editorial Tasks in addressing the reactionary 2013 elections

t is the duty of the Party and the revolutionary of the Arroyo clique with the corruption of his rel- movement to expose the reactionary elections atives and cronies. His regime is relentlessly re- Ias a bogus democratic process that forms part pressive and brutal despite its "peace and devel- of the mechanisms that maintain the exploitative opment" rhetoric. and oppressive system. The people must oppose the continuing oil Reactionary elections in the are po- price hikes and the impending power and water litical carnivals held every three years. Their main rate increases. They must advance their mass features are politician-clowns who pose as pro- struggles to fight for genuine land reform, demand moters of the people's interests. They divert the wage hikes, resist demolitions, the privatization of people's attention from their gravest socio-eco- health services and the commercialization of edu- nomic problems and offer them false promises of cation and other public services. reform under the ruling system. They must hold the Aquino regime accountable We must thwart the US-Aquino regime's objec- for its servility to IMF-WB dictates, its implemen- tive of using the reactionary elections to consoli- tation of the policies of liberalization, privatiza- date its political rule. In the face of Aquino's rap- tion, deregulation and denationalization and for idly dwindling "popularity," he wishes to utilize the taking measures that favor foreign big capitalists coming elections to create the impression that he and banks and cede the national patrimony. still enjoys the people's broad support. Aquino in- We must take advantage of the period of reac- tends to use the elections as a platform to tionary elections to expand the united front in or- propagate the illusions of a "robust der to isolate the ruling Aquino clique. There economy," the "right- is currently no major reactionary opposi- eous path" and "good governance." The Filipino peo- In this issue... ple must show that the US-Aquino re- Military vents gime is no differ- ire on ent from previ- civilians ous regimes. 3 Aquino has NPA punishes merely re- Del Monte, placed the Dole corruption 7 CLOA distribution, a big deception 10 tion party. The two main rival and expand and strengthen the tions even if these are bogus parties, Team PNoy (a coalition united front for the purpose of and dominated by the power and of the Liberal Party, Nationalist isolating the ruling Aquino clique resources of the major reaction- People's Coalition and Naciona- and advance the programs of the ary parties. The participation of lista Party) and the United Na- revolutionary movement. progressive and patriotic par- tionalist Alliance (a coalition of Progressive and patriotic ties in the coming elections will PDP-Laban, Pwersa ng Masang forces are intensely involved in definitely be thoroughly op- Pilipino and Laban ng Demokra- the coming 2013 elections. For posed by agents of the US and tikong Pilipino) are in close col- more than a decade now, pro- the latter's men in the military lusion in implementing the pro- gressive parties have success- and bureaucracy. As before, grams of the US-Aquino regime. fully participated in reactionary they face intimidation, violence But underneath this collabo- elections despite the lack of re- and fraud. ration are deep-seated rivalries sources and the all-out fascist Working for the victory of for positions in government. attacks of the military and anti- progressive and patriotic forces These rivalries will become more communist groups. A significant in the upcoming elections has marked and intense during the number of representatives have particular significance in the elections because of the con- taken their seats in the reac- face of the brewing consensus tending factions' desire to place tionary Congress, advocating among the ruling classes to their closest allies in various the people's national and demo- amend the reactionary 1987 government posts. The coming cratic aspirations. They have constitution in order to cast May elections are likewise cru- been able to use their positions aside the national patrimony cial in the preparations being in Congress to resist and pre- and pave the way for the further made by the leading political vent the enactment of anti-dem- liberalization of foreign invest- camps for the presidential elec- ocratic and antipeople laws. It ments and trade. tions in 2016. is favorable to the people to The placement of patriotic As the May elections near, have representatives within the forces within the reactionary the rivalries will become more reactionary Congress who sup- government can also be of use in pronounced not only on the na- plement their mass struggles the all-out battle against the tional level, but even more so on outside of Congress. continuing entry of American the local level. This opens so The Party encourages pro- soldiers in the Philippines and many opportunities for the revo- gressive and patriotic forces to US military intervention. Posi- lutionary forces to touch base participate in reactionary elec- tions within Congress can also be used to push for the abroga- tion of the oil deregulation law ANG Contents and other policies that are oner- ous to the people. The patriotic and progres- Editoryal: Tasks in address Vol. XLIV No. 4 February 21, 2013 sive forces must also take ad- the reactionary elections 1 vantage of the election period to Ang Bayan is published in Pilipino, US intervention in the elections 3 Bisaya, Iloko, Hiligaynon, Waray and give equal attention to expand- English editions. Military vents ire on civilians 4 ing their ranks and launching It is available for downloading at Harassment of NDFP consultants 5 mass education to expose the the Philippine Revolution Web Central located at: Another Capion killed 5 rotten reactionary system. Militarization in Albay 6 Simultaneously, the Party www.philippinerevolution.org. 3 encirclement operations in Bicol 7 encourages the progressive and Ang Bayan welcomes contributions 25 soldiers killed in Bukidnon 7 patriotic forces to thoroughly in the form of articles and news. expose the bogusness of the re- Readers are likewise enjoined to send NPA punishes Del Monte, Dole 8 actionary elections and how be- in their comments and suggestions for Plunder by Dolefil and Stanfilco 9 the betterment of our publication. You reft it is of genuine democracy. CLOA distribution in Bondoc Peninsula 11 can reach us by email at: In the Philippines, genuine One Billion Rising 12 [email protected] democracy is enjoyed by the Fil- Semirara Mines closure demanded 12 ipino people only within the ter- ritories of the People's Demo- Ang Bayan is published fortnightly by the Central Committee cratic Government where or- of the Communist Party of the Philippines gans of political power are es-

2 ANG BAYAN February 21, 2013 tablished on the basis of their US intervention democratic organizations. In areas under the jurisdiction in Philippine elections of the People's Democratic Gov- ernment, a new political system imperialism constantly monitors, and intervenes in, elec- coexists with the old rotten sys- UStions in the Philippines. It is crucial to the US to use elec- tem of the ruling classes. In these tions as a means of stabilizing the ruling system and resolving con- areas, the revolutionary forces flicts among rival factions of the ruling class. may allow reactionary elections Since 1972, such conflicts have culminated in clashes outside of and campaigns by candidates. the electoral framework. All elections called by Marcos under mar- The people's government tial law were slammed as zarzuelas meant to justify fascist dicta- must use its armed strength and torial rule. Even after Marcos' downfall, reactionary elections political authority to oblige those failed to peacefully resolve political rivalries. participating in the reactionary In 1986 and 2001, rival factions out of power, including their elections to abide by the policies allied officers within the military and police rode on the wave of the on the conduct of campaigns in powerful democratic mass movement and uprising against the iso- order to ensure that the people's lated ruling regime. rights will not be trampled on The intensity of conflicts among rival factions of the ruling and the masses' interests will be class mirrors the depth of crisis of the ruling system. Bringing protected. As candidates ap- these rivalries outside of the electoral contest shakes the ruling proach revolutionary authorities political system and benefits the democratic mass movement. to seek permission, let us take Thus, since the beginning of the 2000s, the US has made thor- this opportunity to strengthen oughgoing efforts to build a consensus among the ruling classes for our unities with them on other elections. Part of the effort was pushing for "automated elections" policies and programs of the peo- to create the illusion of fraud-free polls. The US funded various ple's government. programs to restore the credibility of elections. Even as we address the reac- The US played a big role in Aquino's election in 2010. Days be- tionary elections, the Party fore the actual election, the US directly showed its partiality to- must continue holding fast to its wards Aquino by having him featured on Time magazine. This tasks in the people's war. We served as a signal to the other candidates to withdraw from the must expand and strengthen the fight. The day after the election, the US immediately declared that Party, the New People's Army the elections were "clean" and congratulated Aquino on his victo- and the revolutionary mass or- ry even if the Comelec had not yet released the official results. This ganizations. The NPA must con- move silenced anyone who had plans of complaining or questioning tinue to seize the initiative and the automated count despite much evidence of anomalies. ~ intensify the armed struggle. ~

Military vents ire on civilians NDF-Bicol spokesperson Gregorio "Ka Greg" Bañares said the soldiers vented their he AFP vented its ire on civilians after the failure of its military anger on Dela Puenta after a operations against the New People's Army (NPA). The latest failed siege on an NPA squad cases involved two extrajudicial killings in Albay on February T that day in Barangay Tobgon. 11 and 12. Four soldiers were seriously Dela Punta was taken from wounded in the gunbattle after In Albay. Fascist troops of his house at around 9 a.m. After being hit by a command-deto- the 2nd IB abducted and killed bringing him to the village nated explosive. The military farmer Dalmasio dela Puenta Jr. chief's house, he was killed by claimed that Dela Punta was an on the morning of February 12 in the military near the center of NPA casualty. Sitio Divisoria, Barangay Tob- Barangay Tobgon shortly after In Barangay Sukip, Piodu- gon, Oas town. Hours before 10 a.m. The 2nd IB was then in ran, a ten-man troop from the this, the military shot to death the company of troops from 2nd IB seized Octavo while he Romero Octavo, a 36-year old Force 5 of the PNP Regional was at a dance on February 11, farmer from Pioduran town. Public Safety Battalion. at around 1 a.m. The soldiers

ANG BAYAN February 21, 2013 3 wore ski masks and were armed with rifles. Some langas could not be taken out of his jail cell. He of them were aboard motorcycles. After bringing has not been surfaced to date. him out of the dance floor, Octavo was beaten up Meanwhile, military forces hamletted Saluma- and killed. yag and Kasilaan where more than a hundred The military quickly washed its hands of any Matigsalog Lumad reside. They were barred from responsibility for Octavo's death, but 2nd IB chief leaving their communities to tend to their farms Lt. Col. Andrew Costela insisted that he was an and look for food. This has worsened hunger NPA guerrilla. among the residents who were already suffering In Bukidnon. Four Lumad civilians were ille- from lack of food. gally arrested and six houses were burned down Lt. Froilan Viamos, 8th IB spokesperson, by 8th IB troops in Salumayag and Kasilaan sub- haughtily admitted that they were indeed pre- villages in Barangay Halapitan, San Fernando venting the residents from going to their farms. town on February 2 and 4. These acts of violence He added contemptuously that the residents have were perpetrated by the soldiers after NPA Red had to make do with the little assistance provided fighters thwarted the onslaught of military and by the San Fernando local government. paramilitary forces in the area. In Abra. Four peasants, all residents of Baran- The military illegally arrested Totot and Sayapo gay Kayapa, Lagangilang were arrested and de- Maganyo and another Lumad under Datu Mantuli- tained from January 30 to February 2 after a fire- san on February 2. After planting firearms on their fight between the 41st IB and a unit under the Pro- persons, 8th IB officials branded the victims as Red copio Tauro Front under the NPA-Abra, in Sitio fighters who had surrendered to the military. Manipit, Kayapa on the morning of January 30. Soldiers arbitrarily arrested Balangas Angla- At least two soldiers were brought to hospital ngit of Sitio Salumayag on February 4. Anglangit after the gunbattle. There were no casualties on was then stripping abaca with his two sons aged the NPA side, but radio news reports claimed that 12 and 16 years near the river in Sitio Kala-Kala. the NPA suffered four casualties. The military trained their guns at the two chil- The military captured Anacleto "Killito" Tu- dren, but they managed to run while the fascists gade, Ceferino "Boying" Poclani (a barangay were tying up their father. The children likewise councilor), Jemmy "Esmie" Bageng and Bonifacio witnessed the 8th IB troops torching six houses "Pasio" Bagang. They left the village as a group to by the riverside. look for honey. On February 7, Balangas' relatives and neigh- The four farmers were released after four days. bors went to the police station in San Fernando Before their release, they were warned by the mili- town to look for him, but the policemen said Ba- tary not to tell anyone about their ordeal. ~ Harassment of NDFP consultants, staff assailed

he continuation of the peace negotiations be- top computers and an old USB flash drive taken. Ttween the Government of the Philippines and Casambre was also robbed of some cash. the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Months before this, NDFP Legal Consultant At- (NDFP) is now in jeopardy after incidents of har- ty. Rachel Pastores' house was broken into in Sep- assment against the latter's consultants and tember 2012. Taken were her laptop computer and staff. USB flash drives. Pastores was then at the burial of On the night of February 9, Rose Tumbagahon, Atty. Romeo Capulong, NDFP Chief Legal Counsel. a member of the NDFP Nominated Section of the The NDFP considers these incidents as AFP in- Joint Secretariat (JS) was held up while she was telligence operations especially since most of the aboard a passenger jeep along Commonwealth Av- items taken were USB flash drives which are inex- enue, City. The assailants aimed a gun at pensive, but may contain information sought by her and seized her papers and bag containing her the military. keys to the JS office, her cellphone and USB flash As members of the NDFP Negotiating Panel, drives. Tumbagahon was clearly the target, be- both Pastores and Casambre are covered by the cause none of the other passengers was robbed. Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guaran- On the same night, NDFP consultant Rey Claro tees (JASIG). Tumbagahon, on the other hand, Casambre came home to find his residence ran- bears a Document of Identification as a member of sacked. His door lock had been broken and his lap- the NDFP-Nominated Section of the JS. ~

4 ANG BAYAN February 21, 2013 Another Capion killed in Davao del Sur

hree months after the 27th IB massacred anti- lawan, Davao del Sut were forced to flee on Febru- Tmining activist Juvy Capion and two of her ary 1 after Kitari was killed. children in Davao del Sur, her brother-in-law Kitari Minority groups and human rights advocates Capion was likewise killed by operating troops of strongly condemned Kitari's murder and the en- the 27th and 39th IB on January 29. suing harassment of B'laan communities. They Kitari is the younger brother of Daguil Capion, called for the immediate withdrawal from their Juvy's husband. Daguil and Kitari are both known communities of Task Force KITACOM (Kiblawan, to be leaders of "Red pangayaw," an armed move- Tampakan, Columbio, Malungon). The Task Force, ment launched by the B'laan tribe against the de- which is composed of the 27th and 39th IB as well structive and violent operations of Xstrata-Sagit- as CAFGU elements was formed to provide pro- tarius Mining Corporation on their ancestral land. tection to the foreign-owned Xstrata-Sagittarius Kitari was hit in the back when soldiers rained company. bullets on his house. He was brought to a hospital The elements of the 27th IB responsible for the in South Cotabato but he died from loss of blood. massacre of the Capion family last October have Some 150 residents of Barangay Kimlawis, Kib- not been charged to date. ~

Intense militarization in Albay

he widespread and intense militarization of Albay is one of the especially in the second district. main forms of Oplan Bayanihan (OPB) in Bicol. The military's The military reached its peak Tmain objective is to crush the revolutionary movement in the deployment in 2005, when province. The AFP boastfully claims that it is already at the consoli- 3,000 soldiers and CAFGU ele- dation stage in its effort to neutralize the revolutionary movement in ments were poured into the the area. Nonetheless, these claims are belied by sustained resist- province. In 2008, there were ance in the affected communities and the continuing operations of eight clusters of widespread the New People's Army not only in Albay, but in the entire region. SOT operations. The enemy concentration eased up a bit Since 2002, Albay has been Reengineered Special Opera- only in 2009, when soldiers de- one of the most militarized are- tions Teams (RSOT) have been ployed in Albay provided securi- as in the region. Operations of conducted in quick succession, ty to the Balikatan joint military exercises. After the Balikatan, RSOT operations resumed in the second district. From June 2011 up to the present, operations of Peace and Development Teams (PDT, the new name for the RSOT) have been concentrated in 11 barrios of Guinobatan. The op- erations have also spilled over to two other barrios plus two villages in Jovellar town. The AFP has likewise set up detach- ments outside five Guinobatan villages (Ongo, Cabaluaon, Bat- bat, Bololo and Sinungtan). Outside of the areas covered by the PDT, the AFP has been

ANG BAYAN February 21, 2013 5 implementing blockhouse warfare in a cluster of to hoodwink the people and wreak havoc on their barangays. Blockhouse tactics involve the con- unity. In one example, the military connived with struction of several and CAFGU the Department of Agrarian Reform in implement- detachments close to each other. These forces ing the bogus Comprehensive Agrarian Reform guard the Southern Luzon International Airport Program Extension with Reforms or CARPER. The being constructed, as well as other main eco- soldiers claimed to be distributing land through a tourism projects and subdivision lands. new survey and by giving out pieces of paper, even The 2nd IB has incurred a long list of human as they evicted farmers from the hacienda lands rights violations in the villages of Guinobatan they have long been tilling. The military was in fact where its PDT operations have been conducted. sabotaging the gains achieved by the farmers in Among the most heinous crimes of the 2nd IB is decades of antifeudal struggle. the murder of Ely Oguis, a councilor of Barangay Cabaluaon, Guinobatan who was beheaded and Continuing resistance whose ears were lopped off. The military had ear- The Albay peasants' unity is founded on their lier killed Dante Osma, a civilian from Barangay brilliant history of agrarian struggle. Since the Sinungtan, Guinobatan. In Ligao City, CAFGU el- 1980s, the peasants have collectively struggled ements shot to death civilian Sara Jane Yuson in for their right to till the vast estates. Amid the Barangay Oma-Oma on January 2. military's repressiveness and terrorism, the peas- ants have been exerting efforts to defend their Destroying the people's gains gains. They are aware that genuine land reform Psywar and terrorism are being systemati- cannot be achieved under CARPER, and definitely cally conducted in communities to deceive the not under OPB. people and instill fear among them. This in- In the face of intensified militarization, the volves, among others, branding peasants as people of Albay have launched a series of anti- NPA supporters to justify the military's wide- militarization struggles. spread violations of their rights. The NPA simultaneously perseveres to defend One of the most highlighted tactics of the PDTs the people and punish the AFP for its viciousness is the use of programs of the civilian bureaucracy towards the masses. ~

NPA thwarts 3 encirclement operations in Bicol

ed fighters in Bicol have overcome three Barangay Exciban on February 10. Two soldiers Rmilitary attacks, killing three soldiers and were killed and several were wounded. wounding at least four others. There were no In Ligao City, Albay, a team of Red fighters casualties on the side of the Red fighters, said under the Santos Binamera Command beat to National Democratic Front-Bicol spokesperson the draw a squad under the 2nd IB that was out Gregorio "Ka Greg" Bañares. to encircle them in Sitio Cogon, Barangay Tapaz In Oas town, Albay, an NPA squad thwarted on February 8. A soldier was killed in this fire- an attempt by a platoon of the butcher 2nd IB fight. and Force 5 of the Regional Public Safety Bat- Meanwhile, an NPA squad ambushed a squad talion to encircle it in Sitio Divisoria, Barangay under the 42nd IB in Sitio Colacog, Barangay Tubgon on February 12. The military troops Cabadisan, Ragay, Camarines Sur on January were paralyzed after being hit by a command- 29, killing a CAFGU element and wounding two detonated explosive. Four AFP soldiers were soldiers. wounded. In Masbate, a soldier was killed in a sniping In Labo town, Camarines Norte, a 25-man operation by the NPA Jose Rapsing Command platoon of the 49th IB tried to encircle a pla- against troops of the 9th IB and PNP Regional toon under the NPA Armando Catapia Command Public Safety Battalion in Barangay Cantorna, that was temporarily encamped at Sitio Palale, Monreal in Ticao island on January 26. ~

6 ANG BAYAN February 21, 2013 25 8th IB troops killed in Bukidnon

wenty-five soldiers were killed and several others wounded, the NPA. The firefight, which including two junior officers after five successive gunbattles takes place at around 10 a.m., Tbetween Red fighters of the New People's Army (NPA) and the results in the death of six sol- Philippine Army 8th IB in Barangay Halapitan, San Fernando, Bukid- diers. A Red fighter is killed. non from January 19 to February 2. After the gunbattle, the military unleashes ten rounds of artil- A Red fighter valiantly sacri- termined number are wounded. lery fire. ficed his life and another guer- February 1. An NPA squad To cover up the series of rilla was wounded in these fire- figures in a skirmish with a pla- losses by the reactionary fights, according to a statement toon of soldiers in Sitio Saluma- troops, the AFP spins lies about from the NPA South Central yag. Three soldiers are killed multiple NPA deaths, including Bukidnon-Sub-Regional Com- and several others wounded. those of "Commanders Alab, mand (SCB-SRC). The NPA squad, on the other Jigger and Raya." Following is an account of hand, is able to make a safe re- The claims are denied by the these gunbattles. These fire- treat. SCB-SRC. In a statement, the fights prove the Red fighters' In a separate incident, a SCB-SRC declares that "This se- superior knowledge of the local platoon under the 8th IB is ries of tactical offensives are terrain. practically wiped out after the but the opening salvo this year January 19. An NPA recon- NPA detonates a CDX in Sitio for the further intensification of naissance team encounters pa- Salumayag. Eight dead soldiers people's war." ~ trolling troops of the 8th IB at are seen being loaded on a around 9 a.m. in Sitio Kasilaan. dumptruck and ten are wound- A soldier is killed and two others ed. wounded, while a people's guer- In retaliation, the military rilla is wounded. bombards the area 11 times January 22. An NPA unit us- with artillery fire. The 8th es a command-detonated explo- IB also sends in rein- sive (CDX) against a 24-man forcements. platoon under the 8th IB along February 2. the border of Sitio Salumayag Twenty-five soldiers and Sitio Kasilaan in the same newly brought in as barangay. Seven soldiers are reinforcements are killed on the spot while an unde- met with gunfire by NPA metes punishment on Del Monte and Dole

he New People's Army Mt. Kitanglad Command of the North of various caliber, aside from Central Mindanao Region meted punishment on the Del Monte several computers. Some of the Tand Dole-Stanfilco companies through coordinated and simul- seized firearms came from ele- taneous raids at around 6 p.m. of February 19. ments of the PNP in Manolo For- The NPA attacked the motor pool and administration building at tich town who were blocked by Del Monte Philippines' Camp Phillips in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon and Red fighters while they were on the Del Monte satellite camp in Villavista, Sumilao, Bukidnon; and the way to Camp Phillips. A se- was able to seize weapons from armed guards of Dole-Stanfilco's La curity guard was killed and two Fortuna Plantation in La Fortuna, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. According others were wounded when they to initial reports from the NPA field operations command, nine big resisted. The guards were all pieces of machinery, two warehouses and an office at the satellite under the Kadre Security Agen- camp in Villavista were destroyed. The NPA confiscated 19 firearms cy, which is owned by Pastor Al-

ANG BAYAN February 21, 2013 7 cover, one of Gen. Jovito Palparan's minions. cultivate slopes along the plantations' peripheries. The simultaneous and coordinated military op- There have been documented cases of gastro-in- eration constitutes direct action by the revolution- testinal epidemics among these families due to ary movement to punish these big agribusiness their consumption of food crops planted at the companies that have been exploiting and oppress- plantation's periphery that have been contaminat- ing the workers, peasants and Lumad and destroy- ed by chemicals used by Del Monte. ing the environment. After the series of strong ty- In 2010, Del Monte was 82nd among the Philip- phoons that devastated so many victims, the cul- pines' top 1,000 corporations, with an income of pability of agribusiness, mining and logging compa- `16.67 billion. While the Campos family which nies and their environmentally destructive opera- owns the company rakes in billions upon billions of tions have repeatedly come to the fore. pesos, the company's workers remain poor because The flash floods at the Cagayan River brought of low wages and lack of benefits. They are always on by typhoon Sendong in December 2011 that in danger of being terminated whenever they air claimed thousands of lives and caused billions of their grievances, and are forced to suffer the com- pesos worth of damage to property clearly show pany guards' suppression of their rights. the extent of the current destruction of the envi- Dole, on the other hand, began investing in ronment in the region. The formerly lush forests of Bukidnon in the past decade. It now operates a the Kitanglad and Kalatungan mountain ranges 16,698.7-hectare plantation, 2,034 hectares of where the headwaters of the Cagayan River origi- which are planted to pineapple and 16,644 hec- nate are gradually being denuded. At the foot of tares of which are planted to banana. In 2010, it these mountains are found the pineapple and ba- was 39th on the list of the Philippines' top 1,000 nana plantations of the imperialist Dole and Del corporations, with an income of `26.97 billion. It Monte companies. During heavy downpours, tons exploits and oppresses its workers who receive of soil contaminated with toxic chemicals are measly wages and like Del Monte's workers, labor washed towards the Cagayan River. under conditions that are hazardous to their The environmental destruction wrought by health and are treated unjustly by management. pineapple plantations is comparable to that caused They now have added fears of suddenly losing their by mining, since the natural terrain is levelled us- jobs after Dole's purchase last year by the Itucho ing heavy machinery to prepare the land for plant- Corporation. ing. For every hectare planted to pineapple, 100 The NPA renewed its demand for these compa- tons of soil is eroded annually. nies to put a stop to their environmentally destruc- In the past decade, these agribusiness compa- tive operations, landgrabbing and their exploita- nies have been competing with each other in seizing tive and oppressive practices. They must immedi- agricultural land, which is the main source of liveli- ately stop the expansion of their plantations. The hood of the vast majority of the population. Del NPA likewise warned contractors to seriously think Monte, Dole and Sumifru have been the most ag- first of the security of their businesses before they gressive in seizing peasants' lands planted to food close deals with multinational agribusinesses like crops, replacing the latter with fruit crops for ex- Del Monte and Dole. ~ port. Del Monte has been operating in the region for close to a century. Up to the 1990s, it had 45,617 hectares planted to pineapple. The figure excludes other areas that are undeclared or nominally Manolo owned by other landlords and contract growers. It Fortich continues to purchase or lease land not only in Impasug-ong Bukidnon, but in the towns of eastern Misamis Ori- Sumilao ental, where it has so far accumulated 57,172 hec- tares. These vasts tracts of land that have been converted to plantations used to be tilled by peasants and Lumad who were evicted from their homes and deprived of their livelihood. They are powerless in the face of the company's armed guards, and more so in legal court battles. Stripped of their land, they have been forced to

8 ANG BAYAN February 21, 2013 Plunder by Dolefil zations were banned and re- placed with yellow unions under and Stanfilco the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) which the he avarice of foreign agribusiness companies has worsened the company was able to use to poverty and vulnerability of millions of poor peasants, workers maintain the workers' docility in Tand Lumad in Mindanao to calamities like typhoon Pablo. One of the face of the very low wages these foreign companies is Dole Philippines, Inc. (Dolefil). they were receiving. When Marcos was over- Dolefil, the local subsidiary termination of regular workers. thrown, the yellow unions were of Dole Foods Company, Inc., Dolefil began the practice of la- replaced by genuine ones under began on a 500-hectare pineap- bor flexibilization as early as the Kilusang Mayo Uno. ple plantation in Polomolok, 1986. From a regular workforce In February 2011, the man- South Cotabato in 1963. It now of 8,000, it now has only 5,000. agement was able to manipulate has 35,433 hectares of planta- By 2001, the majority of its the union certification election tions directly under its manage- workers (14,200 or 79%) were and replace the Asosasyon sa ment (21,433 hectares planted contractual. Mamumuo sa Dolefil alang sa to pineapple and 14,000 hec- Dolefil was able to slowly re- Kalingkawasan ug Demokrasya tares planted to banana). Dole duce the number of its regular sa Nasud (Amado Kadena-NA- Foods is a corporation owned by workers by invoking various FLU-KMU) with the Labor-Em- one of the biggest pineapple pretexts. It implemented the ployees Association of Dolefil, plantation, canning and packag- Voluntary Separation Program Polomolok Hourlies, a union un- ing complexes. to retire other regular workers. der its control. This was the cul- Dolefil and its sister company In 2002, Dole-Stanfilco began mination of years of maneuvers, Stanfilco currently have planta- buying banana from subcon- relentless harassment and sup- tions in the provinces of South tractors and local growers in or- pression perpetrated by Dolefil Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sa- der to close down its own plants to weaken the militant union. rangani, Davao del Norte, Bukid- and sell them to new manage- Militarization was also intensi- non and Compostela Valley and ment. Stanfilco has been prom- fied in the area. in General Santos City. Dolefil ising the soon to be terminated In spite of all this, the Dolefil produces more pineapple than all workers that they would be paid workers have been supporting of Dole's subsidiaries in the US, and has been goading them to their genuine and militant union Costa Rica, Ecuador and Hondu- set up cooperatives and re-ap- and have been exposing Dole's ras combined. Its products in- ply with the company as con- antiworker and fascist character clude canned pineapple, fruit jui- tractuals. Through this scheme, in forums within and outside the ces, fresh fruit, cutflowers, ba- Stanfilco has been able to avoid country. They continue to resist nana and asparagus that are ex- paying the necessary benefits. the grave violations of their union ported to several countries. It is also an attempt to bust the rights, their right to job security unions of militant workers. and other economic rights. They Conditions of laborers and farm remain steadfast despite the fas- workers Unionism and struggle cist suppression perpetrated by Dolefil has been able to con- Dole's workers have been their company in connivance with tinuously expand its plantations launching protest actions since the reactionary state. ~ through the help of successive the late 1960s against the com- reactionary regimes. Under Co- pany's attempts to razon Aquino's regime, it used sabotage their un- CARP to maintain the status quo ions. But since most in its plantations through the of the workers' ac- corporatization scheme. tions were sponta- Dolefil used this scheme to neous and unor- maintain in its possession and ganized, they were control of lands planted to pine- not sustained. Un- apple. In addition, management der martial law, used this scheme to implement militant unions the systematic and widespread and mass organi-

ANG BAYAN February 21, 2013 9 CLOA distribution in Bondoc eight military battalions have been deployed to the Bondoc Peninsula is a big deception Peninsula to wreak havoc on the peasants' livelihood. The farm- ers have been forced to evacu- ate because of the brutality of he Aquino government's distribution of Certificates of Land these military operations. Ownership Award (CLOA) to 952 farmers in Bondoc Peninsula The CLOA cancelled and re- Tin January is a big deception. It was staged merely to showcase voked by the government cover- the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms ing hundreds of thousands of (CARPER) which has long been pushed by the counterrevolutionary hectares in Hacienda Looc in Akbayan party. The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Nasugbu, Batangas and Hacien- Commission on Human Rights distributed the CLOA covering 489 hec- da Araneta in Tungkong Mang- tares in the towns of San Narciso, Buenavista and San Andres in Que- ga, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan zon province. are proof that the government is not serious in distributing these The CLOA is a certificate sang Lakas ng Magbubukid sa vast tracts of land to the farm- that grants peasants the right Quezon (PIGLAS) has con- ers. In Nueva Ecija, the DAR has to till land that they have long demned the bogus program. The been foreclosing all lands cov- been farming. It is not a title CLOA distribution is likewise ered by CARPER under various and can be revoked by the reac- election-related since a number pretexts. According to the tionary government whenever it of relatives of Agriculture Sec- Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Git- pleases. Under the US-Aquino retary Proceso Alcala are run- nang Luson (AMGL), productive regime's bogus land reform pro- ning for governor, congressman ricefields are being expropriat- gram, beneficiaries are required and mayor in Quezon province. ed for the construction of the to pay `235,000 per hectare for They need a zarzuela like this to Central Luzon Expressway 30 years. In many cases, the corner the farmers' votes. (CLEx). The construction of CLOA has been used to legalize Akbayan has been mobilizing CLEx Phase 1 from Tarlac City to the reconcentration of land the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Cabanatuan City will result in ownership in the hands of land- Bondoc Peninsula (KMBP), a bo- the eviction of farmers from the lords because many farmers are gus peasant organization it put towns of Zaragosa, Aliaga and unable to pay the amortization. up, to hoodwink the farmers. Quezon, Nueva Ecija. Once they default on their pay- The KMBP has been recruiting In 2004, the DAR also can- ments, their CLOA are cancelled its members from the CAFGU celled more than 2,000 Emanci- and confiscated. and joining military operations pation Patents (EP) covering The Katipunan ng Samahang to harass farmers opposed to 380,000 hectares. In 2007, up Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalu- CARPER. Since to 5,049 EP and 103,092 CLOA gan (KASAMA-TK) and its mem- last year, covering 204,579 hectares were ber-organization the Pinagkai- more than cancelled. ~

10 ANG BAYAN February 21, 2013 Women launch "One Billion Rising"

housands of women and their advocates against women are documented daily. Most of Tdanced in the streets on February 14 in soli- these cases involve rape, human trafficking, darity with "One Billion Rising," a campaign calling beatings and discrimination. GABRIELA added for a stop to violence against women and children. that women are also victims of worsening unem- Women's groups in schools, factories, commu- ployment, hunger, demolition and militarization nities and even famous actresses like Monique Wil- in the country. son and Angel Aquino joined the activity. "One Billion Rising" also stated that beyond the Wilson said that the Philippines, along with issues involving women, US violations of the coun- Australia and New Zealand were among the first try's sovereignty, continuing poverty and injustice countries to participate in the One Billion Rising and rising prices of commodities and services must Global Campaign. The Philippines did so before also be resisted. ~ other countries and enjoyed the sup- port of local governments, business- men, non-government organizations and many sectors. "One Billion Rising" was also coordinatedly launched in other areas of the country and other parts of the globe. For its part, GA- BRIELA, Gabriela Women's Party and the New Voice Company launched a flash mob dance on February 8 in Manila and along Tomas Morato Avenue, on February 14. This was followed by 19 other cit- ies and towns like Baguio, Naga, Legazpi, Iloilo, Kalibo, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Cebu and Davao. Men and children likewise joined in these activities. GABRIELA said one in three women falls vic- tim to violence every minute worldwide. In the Philippines, more than 30 cases of violence

sis in Luzon. Only a small per- Environmental groups demand closure centage of coal is supplied by Semirara since most of the of Antique mine country's coal supply is import- ed. Luzon also has an oversup- he Kalikasan-People's Network for the Environment (PNE) de- ply of power. Tmanded the closure of the Semirara Mining Corporation (SMC) on SMC is the country's biggest the island barangay of Semirara in Caluya town, Antique where 13 coal mining company. It began miners were buried in a landslide on February 13. Only five bodies its operations in the 1970s and have so far been recovered. currently covers 5,000 hectares. About 90% of its coal is used Kalikasan-PNE said that tion must be held accountable in the production of cement and SMC's permit to operate must for the deaths of its miners and in the generation of electricity. be cancelled because its open- the destruction of the island's It also mines silica and lime- pit coal mining operations are environment since the late stone in the western part of the among the most hazardous and 1980s. island. It is currently managed pollution-causing practices. The Kalikasan-PNE likewise be- by DMCI Holdings, Inc. which is environmentalist group also said lied SMC's claims that its clo- owned by a former crony of the that Semirara Mining Corpora- sure would lead to a power cri- late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

ANG BAYAN February 21, 2013 11