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Reds declare Yuletide ceasefire

December 25, 2011 in insurgency, national

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY ― In its website, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) issued a ceasefire order to all command units of its armed wing, the New Peoples Army (NPA) that will take effect on 12:01 A.M. of December 24 until 11:59 P.M. of December 26, 2011.

According to the statement, the CPP said that during the indicated period, “all commands and units of the NPA and the people’s militia shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive operations against the armed units and personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police and paramilitary forces of the Government of the Philippines (GPH)”.

The CPP said however that while the unilateral ceasefire is in effect, NPA commands and unit and the people’s militia shall be in defensive mode at both the strategic and tactical levels. The statement added that they will remain vigilant against any encroachment on the territory of the people’s democratic government, surveillance and offensive by GPH armed commands and units. CPP added that active self-defense shall be done only in the face of clear and imminent danger.

“Despite the Philippine government’s earlier issuance of a ceasefire, units of the enemy armed forces and police force continue to carry out surveillance and population control operations in accordance with the GPH’s Oplan Bayanihan war of suppression. All revolutionary forces are thus enjoined to closely monitor all hostile actions or movements of the enemy armed forces, stated the CPP.

CPP added that the ceasefire order is issued with the tradition of the Filipinos in celebrating Christmas and New Year. The revolutionary organization also said that the declaration will also provide opportunity for the masses to join various activities to mark the CPP’s 43rd foundation anniversary on December 26.

“This ceasefire order is particularly significant for commands and units of the NPA operating in Mindanao and Visayas provinces stricken by the calamities of the past few days. This will provide NPA commands the opportunity to mobilize its forces in order to assist the masses suffering from the loss of lives and destruction of their homes and economic livelihood” added the statement.

Earlier, the CPP extended its condolences to the families of the victims of Tropical Storm “Sendong” that killed more than 500 and injured a large number of people and caused millions worth of damages.

According to CPP, officers and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police who have no serious liability other than their membership in their armed units shall not be subjected to arrest and punitive actions.

The organization also said that they may be allowed to enter their territory to make personal visits to relatives and friends. # nordis.net

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Statements: Key to genuine and lasting peace, roots of the armed conflict must be adressed

December 11, 2011 in Featured, insurgency, opinion, statements

www.nordis.net

By KA MAGNO UDYAW
SPOKESPERSON, LEONARDO PAKSI COMMAND NEW PEOPLE’S ARMY — MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

4 December 2011

The Leonardo Pacsi Command of the NPA-Mountain Province denounces the sham consultations and fabricated referendums being conducted by the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) in the various municipalities of the province. Reports coming from the participants in the last PPOC “dialogue” held in Aguid, Sagada last November 16 indicate that PNP personnel including escorts of Philippine National Police regional director Gen. Benjamin Magalong and personnel from various provincial and municipal line agencies who went along with Gov. Leonard Mayaen were allowed to cast their votes.

Indicative of the previous informal plebiscites held in five other municipalities earlier, the question written in the ballots furnished to the registered participants was not about the peace zone, but formed as “Do you want peace – Yes, No, Undecided.” This deceptive formulation coupled with delegate-stacking maneuvers clearly reveals the bullying tactics of the provincial government in calling for a province-wide peace zone. Who would not want peace, but on what basis and of what kind?

To be sure, the NPA also exercise peacekeeping tasks and implement revolutionary laws in guerilla zones. It is responsible for peace and order in the area of its responsibility in accordance with the existing quasi-government and government functions of the various organs of political governance.

While no clear definition and direction of the peace zone has been furnished by Governor Mayaen and other proponents, the public has been grossly misinformed and duped that under existing internal security plans of the reactionary government (another term for counter-insurgency plans), it mandates that other armed state components are intact and in-place while the army may be temporarily pulled out and assigned to a nearby area. These local forces may be the CAFGU-CAA and other paramilitary units like the CPLA together with the PNP forces. And at any opportune time, the mercenary army can always enter a declared peace zone by concocting any flimsy reason or for no reason at all.

Essentially, the AFP is never removed. The peace zone fits in their counter-insurgency operations and this is clearly shown in Oplan Bayanihan. Their real target is to disarm and deny the right of the oppressed masses to defend themselves against the onslaught of the coercive instruments of the reactionary state, through their true people’s army and likewise deny the national minorities including the people of the Cordilleras including Mountain Province the right to defend their ancestral lands and its resources.

Localized peace zones will never exist as long as the semi-colonial, semi-feudal socio-political setup exists. Governor Mayaen must be faulted for stating that peace talks should be relegated to the national level, international humanitarian laws left to multinational organizations while the peace zone is implemented at the provincial level. Truly, this provincial governor serves the interests of the oppressive ruling system and in particular, the counter­revolutionary aims of Oplan Bantay Laya to sabotage the people’s struggle in achieving genuine and lasting peace.

Furthermore, implementing international humanitarian laws are not the sole responsibility of foreign or multilateral organizations, but by the masses themselves who are directly involved in the peace process by monitoring adherence to the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) at the grassroots level.

Local government units are not neutral but are part and parcel of the ruling reactionary status quo. No governor has ever stopped the AFP from encroaching its territory in the past. In fact, Mr. Mayaen is an integral part of the local implementors of Oplan Bayanihan whose particular role is to peddle a bogus type of peace. The 1991 experience in Sagada itself, which Mayaen claims to be the success model of “peace zones”, refutes this thesis when, despite the supposed declaration in the municipality, three battalions of the 702nd Infantry Brigade (the 24th IB, 68th IB and 69th IB) were deployed first in the central and western section of the province and eventually in the entire MP. While at it, Mayaen served as Political Analyst of the 702nd IBde then. This traitor, together with retired General Jovito Palparan who headed the 24th IB then as a major at that time, established what Marcos failed during martial law in recruiting CAFGU forces that sustained a virtually militarized Sagada-Besao as an aftermath of the so-called “peace zone” declaration.

The revolutionary forces stand for genuine and lasting peace, and not the peace of the graves as the peace zone proponents clamor for. To succeed, peace talks must address the root causes of conflict. Who does not want progress and peace and order for the nation? If change could be achieved through peaceful means, so much the better. No one wants unnecessary bloodshed. But when the oppressive and plundering ruling classes with their military stooges, at the baton of their imperialist masters, themselves disturb the peace, grabbing ancestral lands and destroying natural resources in the process, then there is no recourse but to engage in armed struggle.

The big comprador bourgeoisie alongside with the big landlords and big bureaucrat capitalists will not give up their powers at all costs. Therefore, without the NPA, the people are disarmed and defenseless and have no hope of achieving just and lasting peace. Red fighters are the weapons of the people against oppression and exploitation, and in changing the unjust and decadent ruling system. All structures of oppression and exploitation must be shattered in order to establish a democratic, progressive, just and peaceful society. So, all armed components of this present anti-people state must be destroyed in order to win the revolutionary war. Based on this, all fascist troops in detachments and patrol bases are legitimate targets of the NPA, with abusive elements such as those with blood debts to the people first in the list for revolutionary punishment. But the NPA ensures that tactical offensives are launched without causing harm to the people it serves. It fully implements humanitarian laws of war, including CARHRIHL. The NPA treats captives humanely and gives medical attention to the wounded and hors d’combat. This is the principled and iron discipline of the NPA that the people cherishes.

What Mayaen passes off as a referendum of sorts is not only an exercise in futility but counter-revolutionary treachery. The people of the Mountain Province cannot be hoodwinked. Like the fraudulent and scandalous P5,000 per month incentive for 37 reported grebel returneesh, the peace zone proposal will be thrown into the dustbin of history.

Rebolusyon Kayet! # nordis.net

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AFP desecrates rebel casualties

November 6, 2011 in human rights, Ilocos, insurgency

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — In a wired press statement, the Agustin Begnalen Command of the New People’s Army in Abra Province (ABC-NPA-Abra) said that the soldiers belonging to the 503rd Brigade and the 41st Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) desecrated eight NPA guerillas after they were brutally killed in an encounter last October 10.

ABC spokesperson Diego Wadagan tagged the Tineg October clashes between the government forces and the NPA fighters as marked with inhumanity. “Instead of being awarded by Governor Bersamin a certificate of commendation, Lt. Jeson Capoquian should be held liable for violations of the International Humanitarian Laws and of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL).”

Wadagan stated that they waited for confirmation of initial reports and allegations of atrocities committed by the troops led by Col. Eliseo Posadas and Col. Noel Baluyan on the remains of the eight NPA fighters. He said, “Except for the remains of “Ka Rencel/Winnie”, the bodies of the 7 victims bore evidence of torture, overkill and mutilation”.

According to Wadagan, there are eight major observable wounds that crushed the skull severing the upper portion, lesions, wounds, abrasions and fractures of Edgardo “Ka Recti” Balbin. He added that according to one of the survivors, Balbin was still alive but incapable of fighting because of his wounds when soldiers peppered him with bullets. “Other injuries were caused by physical blows and not from gunshots”, the statement added.

The statement added that Reynaldo “Ka Kris” Masadao have four major wounds which include a gunshot wound in front of the left ear fired at close range as evidenced by gunpowder wounds around the major wound, a large wound at the right part of the neck nearly severing the head, and the crushing of the bones of the lower right leg into fragments, almost severing the lower leg. Wadagan stated that according to the survivors, Masadao was wounded and downed when soldiers ganged up on him and kicked him and hacked him then shot him at close range. Masadao before his gruesome fate managed to fire back killing Cpl. Lloyd G. Tega.

The NPA statement said that Miguel “Ka Oxy/Alon” Anggaboy had 2 head and abdominal wounds, the upper cap of his skull was blown out and his brains were scooped out. Anggaboy according to the survivors was still alive as he fell into the river in the area of encounter. “His remains were clad in short pants, but was in long pants during the firefight,”the statement read.

Wadagan said that Rodel “Ka Bunso” Corpus had 2 gunshot wounds in the head and long incisional wounds on the left flank of his body probably caused by bolo hacking. While “Ka Berlin” according to the statement had a major wound in the face. Wadagan also said that “Ka Omeng” bore 2 body wounds and a blackened area in the neck probably caused by a rope or a cloth.

Wadagan strongly criticized the government and minions of some media outfits for prematurely reporting that the bodies have already been identified and taken to the town center of Bangued, Abra when in the truth the corpses were left out in the open for the helpless townsfolk to transport the bodies. “It was only because of pressure from some humanitarian and people’s organizations that the Governor of Abra committed help”, stated Wadagan.

Wadagan said that these are clear violations of Article 3 of the International Humanitarian Law, which states: “Persons no longer taking active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and thus place hors decombat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause shall in all circumstances be treated humanely.

This law applies to both parties in an internal armed conflict, which is the case of the ongoing armed conflict between the AFP and the NPA.

“The eight comrades who were casualties in the Tineg October incident were already deemed hors de combat with their serious injuries, yet some were tortured and overkilled. Already dead, fascist troops still proceeded with their mutilation spree”, the statement read.

“Wadagan asked what kind of so-called victory that is marked with inhumanity?” hesaid and described it as pure slaughter.

“This incident further shows the fascist character of the AFP and the kind of training and indoctrination that they give their troops, which strips them of their dignity and humanity and transforms them into inhuman killing machines.

The Philippine Army Officer Candidate School (PAOCS), like the Philippine Military Academy, develops fascist killing machines; Lt. Jeson Capoqiuan is a member of PAOCC 29-06 “Matingala” Class.

All their talk of ‘human rights’ under the Oplan Bayanihan is mere rubbish, for they cannot hide their barbaric orientation. And it is a folly for Governor Bersamin to be blindly supporting “Bayanihan” in Abra and award a Lt. Jeson “The Barbarian” Capoquian a certificate of commendation”, said the statement.

Wadagan said that in contrast, the NPA treats enemies wounded or taken prisoner in combat humanely even at the point of treating their wounds when necessary. “Almost all of the forces of the enemy taken as prisoner-of-war by the NPA can attest to the fair and humane treatment given by the NPA to them,” he added.

“Despite our sorrow, we clench our fists and our teeth in our burning anger against the rotten system. We will continue to fight for the people. We will continue to wage this war until the whole reactionary and fascist ruling system tumbles down.

We will continue to fight for the revolution and for the memory of our fallen comrades. We will continue the revolution until a just and lasting peace is achieved and all forms of brutality and barbarism by the reactionary state has been wiped out”, Wadagan stressed. # nordis.net

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Statements: Red salute to the martyrs of Tineg

October 16, 2011 in Featured, insurgency, opinion, statements

www.nordis.net

By DIEGO WADAGAN
Spokesperson
Agustin Begnalen Command, New People’s Army-Abra

On October 10, 2011, the 503rd Brigade pounced on NPA guerrillas in Barangay Caganayan, Tineg, Abra. The soldiers were guided by treacherous elements and caught the guerrillas off-guard. It was a dark moment as 8 NPA guerillas died while fighting a more powerful enemy force.

The brave guerrillas who perished in the battle are Ka Rencel, Ka Oxy/Alon, Ka Arbis/Ogie, Ka Recti, Ka Kris, Ka Berlin, Ka Bunso/Ronald, and Ka Andoy. Their birth names or identities will be released and confirmed, pending identification of their families and by the masses.

While the AFP immediately airlifted their lone casualty and boasted of the massacre in the mass media, unscrupulous elements reported that the bodies of the NPA guerrillas were immediately transported to Bangued, the capital town of Abra. But the truth is that as of the moment, families of the slain guerrillas and humanitarian groups are still on their way to retrieve the bodies. Earlier efforts by the Municipal Government of Tineg and local townsfolk from Tineg and Lacub to retrieve and transport the bodies were futile, because nobody from the locality can help as most men hid for fear of military reprisal and atrocities; the people were terrorized by continuous bombings and indiscriminate machinegun fire. Caganayan is 4 hours ride and 4-5 hours hike from Bangued.

We condemn the overuse of firepower not only against the NPA but the terror effect of these acts on the masses. On humanitarian grounds, the AFP should have transported the bodies and stopped military operations in the area to allow safe and unhampered humanitarian missions access to the area.

While the revolutionary movement gives premium importance to cadres, members, officers and red fighters alike, the revolution cannot be stopped by the death of individuals. Instead, their shining example of arduous struggle, bravery in battle, and selfless sacrifice serves as inspiration to the masses and all revolutionaries. On the other hand, the AFP is feasting on the death of Ka Roger and the Tineg 8, while their former chiefs-of-staffs and commander-in-chiefs died of suicide or are very sick because of shame due to plunder and tyrannical rule.

The brave NPA guerrillas died fighting for the interests of the masses by advancing revolution so that genuine national peace and democracy can be achieved. On the other hand, 503rd Brigade soldiers are serving as security forces for large-scale mining companies hell-bent on grabbing the natural resources of Abra, particularly that of Tineg. We are fighting a just war and will surely win. The AFP is fighting a lost cause, and Oplan Bayanihan, like its predecessor Oplan Bantay Laya I & II, will surely fail.

Long live the shining memory of Tineg 8! # nordis.net

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Mom pleads to PNoy for POW’s safe release

October 2, 2011 in Featured, insurgency, national

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — After reading the readiness of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) to release the four Bureau of Jail and Management Penology (BJMP) personnel from the custody of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Mindanao, the mother of one of the captives appealed to President Benigno Aquino III to halt military operations in the area.

Ann Todyog, a native of Sagada and the mother of Jail Inspector Murphy B. Todyog through an open letter sent to media dated September 30 pleaded to Aquino as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for a Suspension of Military Operations (SOMO) and Suspension of Police Operations (SOPO) in the area to ensure the orderly and safe release of the prisoners of war (POWs).

She mentioned in the letter that the announcement of release by the NDFP will be useless if the military and police continue their operations in the area.

Last July 21, Inspector Todyog with Jail Warden Insp. Eric Llamasares, Special Jail Officer 2 Rogelio Begontes, and Jail Officer 1 Rolando Bajuyo Jr were taken for questioning by guerilla fighters of the NPA Herminio Alfonso Command after apprehending their vehicle in an NPA checkpoint along the highway in Sitio Maluos, Barangay Sinuda in Kitaotao town in Bukidnon.

The BJMP personnel were transferring eight inmates among them a certain Dennis Rodenas to the Davao Penal Colony whom the N PA said they have rescued. After the said “setting free” of Rodenas and the capturing of the four BJMP officers, the rest of the BJMP personnel and imates were allowed to go on.

In an emailed statement, the NDFP said that they are ready to release the four BJMP personnel on humanitarian reasons. NDFP stated that they will set the four POWs free in response to the repeated appeals of the four. The NDFP also said it is taking the decision as a confidence building measure to enhance the athmosphere for the Government of the Philippines-NDFP peace negotiations. As soon as they receive a copy of the SOMO and SOPO in writing, the NDFP said they shall issue the Order of Release for the four BJMP captives and the Cease and Desist Order to the NPA for determining the specific area and time period of the SOMO and SOPO.

On September 27, Todyog wrote a letter of appeal to the captors of h er son in Mindanao. “It had been sixty-six (66) days of anguish and emotional torture for us to this day. We are very worried of their condition and safety. For whatever reason you have taken them, we believe that you are humans who have the conscience and pity for the four public servants who are just doing their jobs in the name of public service.”

She also asked the NPA an oppurtunity to speak with h er son and hear his voice to prove that he is alive and doing fine.

In response, the NPA released video clips on September 29 of the four captives. Copies of the video clips which the NPA said were shot on September 24 were distributed to media via the internet.

Todyog also mentioned that her son and his fiance are planning to get married in the month of October. She pleaded that her son and his companions be released the soonest possible in time for the wedding.

Todyog appeals to President Aquino for his immediate and favorable action for the resolution of this problem as she has also repeatedly appealed to the NPA and NDFP for the release of her son and his companions. # nordis.net

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The people’s revolution and quest for peace

May 8, 2011 in Cordillera, Featured, insurgency, national

By KIMBERLIE OLMAYA NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — When you step on a cat’s tail it will screech and bite. When you step on an ant hill, the soldier ants would raid your foot. Any animal for that matter when threatened or pushed to a corner will fight back. In the same manner that when people are pushed to their limits they will revolt.

Ama Banag Sinumlag of the Butbut tribe in Kalinga expressed disappointment over the peace negotiations saying that the over two decade talks did not succeed. He attributed the failure of the talks to the non-implementation of the agreements between the two panels. He pointed out that in the Kalinga experience, the state security forces are the ones not recognizing and violating the provisions under the CARHRIHL.

The people’s right to revolution and take up arms against an abusive and destructive government is duly recognized in various international rights declarations that include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Universal Declaration of Rights of People also known as the Algiers Declaration.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution itself is a product of the Filipino people’s victorious uprising against the infamous Marcos dictatorship.

In a peace consultation held April 27 during the 27th Cordillera Day in Buneg, Lacub, Abra, Ednar Dayanghirang, a peace consultant and head of the reciprocal working committee (RWC) for the Comprehensive Agreement for Socio Economic Reforms (CASER) of the Government of the Philippines (GPh) said that for over four decades now, there is an ongoing armed conflict in the country.

This is the armed revolution being waged by Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and its armed wing the New Peoples Army (NPA) against the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) now called the GPh.

Rafael Baylosis of the RCW-CASER of the NDFP reiterated that the continuing economic crisis and widespread poverty and hunger among the basic sectors of society (the workers, peasants, urban poor and indigenous people) are the main reasons of the uprising and armed revolution of the revolutionary forces of the NDFP and the wider Filipino masses.

Dayanghirang agreed as he enumerated what the GPh deems to be the six rootcauses of the 42 year old armed conflict that include poverty, lack or absence of social services, injustice, unequal distribution of wealth, unemployment or underemployment and environment.

Windel Bolinget, chair of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA), stressed that in the history of the Cordillera people’s struggle against destructive government projects and human rights violations perpetrated by state security forces, many have taken up arms as a last resort.

“Awan ti agarmas nu saan nga induron ti kasasaad. Nu ti aso tupay a makugtaran ket kumagat, ti tao pay ngata,” (Nobody would take up arms if he is not forced by the situation. Even a dog if maltreated bites, how much more a human being) he pointed out.

Bolinget reiterated that in the fight against the large scale logging of the Cellophil Resources Corporation, mega Chico dam project and abusive security forces, many have taken up arms and joined the ranks of the NPA. He added that armed struggle was instrumental in foiling these anti- people programs pushed by government.

CPA is the largest alliance here, comprised of 220 indigenous peoples organizations from all over the Cordillera. It hosted the peace consultation as part of its Cordillera Day celebrations.

Baylosis even recognized the contribution of the Cordillerans to the waging armed struggle as he honored some of those who have given their lives. He mentioned Ama Lucian “Ka Charlie” Lumbaya, Wright “Ka Chadli” Molintas, Jennifer “Ka Maria” Carino, Agustin “Ka Merto” Begnalen, Leonardo “Ka Nardo” Pacsi, Ka Lejo Cawilan, Michael “Ka Tarius” Reyes, among others.

Quest for peace

The peace consultation is part of the peace negotiation process between the government and the NDFP that has been on and off for 25 years now. The negotiations resulted to the signing of one substantive agenda, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

It can be recalled that the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration suspended the peace talks for six years. The CPP-NDFP-NPA was also declared as a terrorist group under the Arroyo regime.

The present administration of Benigno Aquino III (PNoy) resumed the peace negotiations. The formal talks started last February. The GPh and the NDFP panels are now looking into the second substative agenda, the CASER.

Dayanghirang explained that the GPh does not consider the NDFP as an enemy but a partner in the quest for peace. “Kung ang iba itinuturing kami na magkatunggali, kami sa GPh itinuturing namin ang NDFP na kasama sa paghahanap ng kapayapaan,” he stressed.

There were also earlier pronouncements by GPh Peace Consultant Alex Padilla that the government no longer consider the CPP-NDFP a terrorist group.

However, Baylosis pointed out that the delisting of the CPP-NDFP-NPA from the terrorist groups was not part of the signed joint statement. He also lamented that 17 NDFP consultants continue to languish in jail with the over 350 political prisoners.

Baylosis stressed that the socio economic reforms are the meat of the peace negotiations as it will answer the most needed reforms in the economy and social structure and lay down the foundations of a just and lasting peace.

He further challenged the government to immediately implement economic and political reforms that could bring relief to the already beaten Filipino masses. He pointed out that granting of a legislated wage hike for the private and government workers and a moratorium on mining would give the people a reprieve.

The said peace consultation was a first of its kind. Dayanghirang explained that the newly formed panel, the GPh decided to conduct peace consultations to gather the sentiment of the majority for them to be able to draw a CASER draft. He said this was the first consultation.

While the Cordillerans welcomed the peace consultation, they are wary that the agreements signed by both parties would be useless as in the CARHRHIL which to their experience, it is not being implemented.

Jaime Dugao, a Kankanaey elder from the Mountain Province stressed that the peace talks is useless if the agreements are not equally respected by both parties. He cited as example the CARHRIHL, which he claimed is not being implemented.

In addition, Beverly Longid, president of Katribu Partylist and the NDFP resource person for indigenous peoples concerns pointed out that the encampment of state security forces under the houses of civilians is a violation to the CARHRIHL. She stressed that the encampment is a brazen disrespect and violation to the rights of indigenous people.

The Alpha Coy of the 41st IB of the Philippine Army was encamped under one of the houses in Buneg during the Cordillera Day celebrations. According to Buneg Barangay officials the army elements came a few days before the event.

Ama Bansilan Sawadan and elder of the Binongan Tribe in Abra shared that barangay officials even had a dialogue with the army asking them to leave but they said they were just obeying orders.

Ama Banag Sinumlag of the Butbut tribe in Kalinga expressed disappointment over the peace negotiations saying that the over two decade talks did not succeed. He attributed the failure of the talks to the non-implementation of the agreements between the two panels. He pointed out that in the Kalinga experience, the state security forces are the ones not recognizing and violating the provisions under the CARHRIHL.

Sinumlag also stressed that should the peace process fail again, and the rights violations continue the armed struggle will surely grow stronger. “I hope that the peace talks would succeed this time,” he reiterated in Iloco.

Both panels agreed that the root causes of the armed struggle are injustices and the inequitable distribution of the country’s wealth. They both believe that resolving these root causes would put an end to the armed struggle.

But as Sister Alicia M. Sobrevinas of the OSB in her introduction of the peace consultation put it, the quest for peace is not easy. She said the resumption of the peace talks is a good start.

Sobrevinas also said that peace is not just the silencing of the guns or the absence of war but lies in the just and equitable distribution of wealth. “In the concrete peace begins when the hungry is fed and when the thirst for justice is quenched,” she added.

She reiterated that even if the road to genuine peace is long sometimes coiled and narrow, dark and stormy, it is a road that must be traveled to bring hope to present and future generations. # nordis.net

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3 killed, 4 wounded in NPA Ifugao ambush

March 6, 2011 in Cordillera, Featured, insurgency

By KIMBERLIE OLMAYA NGABIT-QUITASOL with reports from PIA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Three government troopers were killed and four others were wounded after the Nona Del Rosario Command of the New Peoples Army (NPA)-Ifugao ambushed contingents of the 86th Infantry Battalion at around 10:30 AM on February 26 in Asipulo, Ifugao.

Ifugao Provincial Police Director, Police Senior Superintendent Laurence Mombael said the NPA attacked a platoon of soldiers who were conducting a combat and clearing operation. He, quoting witnesses, said the ambush was a swift five-minute fire fight.

Mombael disclosed that the bodies of Corporal Normandy Maravilla, Private Norie Cahena, and Private Wendell Clemente were airlifted and brought to a funeral parlor in Isabela province. He identified the injured as Private First Class John Paul Gorospe, Alfredo Liclican, Jonel Canabang, and Frank Liw-agan.

In an emailed press release, NPA-Ifugao Spokesperson Ka Wigan Moncontad said the ambush was his unit’s response to the Party’s call for the NPA to launch more tactical offensives against the Philippine Army.

Moncontad in the release asserted that the NPA guerillas adhered to the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) during the ambush. He said the government troopers entered their area of responsibility fully armed for battle in pursuit of NPA guerillas. He added that the soldiers have been frequenting the area for two months now.

The NPA has not reported any casualty in their press release.

On the other hand Col. Miguel Puyao, civil military operations officer of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division claimed that the troopers, led by 2nd Lieutenant Mark Anthony Bernardino, were on their way to a barrio to conduct a humanitarian mission when attacked. # nordis.net

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Prospect for peace for 2011

January 2, 2011 in Featured, insurgency, national

By ADELA DEYAEN WAYAS
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY – Beverly Longid, president of the Katribu Partylist, said they are positively looking forward to the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

“There’s something positive that we can look forward to,” Longid said.

However she raised some violations against the people’s collective rights that should be addressed.

It could be remembered, she said, that during the Arroyo administration extra-judicial killings was magnified and enforce disappearances increased.

She also added the arrest of the now well known 43 Morong health workers. As of press time only 38 out of the 43 were released after more than 10 months of illegal detention.

She said that the 8th Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees that stipulates four points should be fully implemented. These are the end of human rights violations, and the comprehensive respect for the Internaltional humanitarian law, social and economic reforms, political and contributional, and the hostilities and disposition of forces. She added cease fire between the two forces should be discussed on the forth agenda.

On the latest peace process meeting last December 1 to 2, the representatives from the GRP and NDFP met in an informal dialogue in Hongkong. It was at this dialogue where both parties agreed on a cease fire from December 16, 2010 to January 3, 2011.

All commands and units of the New Peoples Army (NPA) and the people’s militia as well as the government’s military, police and paramilitary forces are expected to follow the order that was made during the dialogue. This is the longest cease fire agreed on between the two parties.

On the website of the NDFP, it is stated that the “entire ceasefire order is issued on humanitarian grounds and as an act of goodwill to allow the commands, units and personnel of the contending armies of the GRP and the NDFP to observe the traditional holidays and enjoy the spirit of the yuletide season and the New Year.”

It was also in this Hongkong dialogue that the two panels agreed to hold information talks by the end of this month and the formal peace negotiation is scheduled by February in Norway.

Longid challenged the present dispensation under PNoy to accelerate the negotiations to attain just peace in the country.

“The on-again, off-again peace talks begun under the administration of the late president Cory Aquino in 1986, and hopes are pinned that real progress could be made this time around, under Pnoy, towards the eventual resolution of this long-running armed conflict.” # nordis.net

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3 soldiers killed in Abra ambush

November 11, 2010 in Cordillera, Featured, insurgency

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Three troopers of the 41st Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were killed and five wounded in an ambush carried out by New People’s Army-Abra guerillas on October 30 along the Abra-Kalinga Road at Barangay Bonglo-Lengas, Baay-Licuan, Abra.

According to reports released to the media, NPA fighters of the Agustin Begnalen Command (ABC-NPA-Abra) engaged the soldiers aboard a vehicle in a firefight at around 5:00 AM. The ambush was a few minutes away from the 503rd Brigade Headquarters at Barbarit, and the Bacooc Patrol Base in Lagangilang, the Bituen Patrol Base and the Advance Command Post (ACP) of the 41st IB in Bakiro, Baay-Licuan.

The NPA took with them two M16 rifles, one M60 machinegun, some documents and logistics.

In a press release issued by the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-Cordillera) in Camp Bado Dangwa, Benguet, said army troopers belonging to the 41st IB led by a certain Corporal Gonzales on board a KM450 truck had just pulled out from a route security check at Grid Coordinate (GC) – 707502 when they were fired at by an undetermined number of NPA guerillas.

The release identified the soldiers killed as PFC Philip C Balongay, PFC Onofre T Doca and PFC Joel S Suria, their remains were brought to the Baquiran Funeral Homes, in Bangued Abra. The wounded personnel were identified as CPL William Gonzales, PFC Ronald E Siazon and PFC Eulogio I. Mangano, PFC Joey M Balmes, PVT Celso P Kelang. They were brought to the Bangued Provincial Hospital for treatment.

PRO-Cordillera added that around 6:30 AM, reinforcement troops led by Captain Tayaban and 1st LT Capoquian on board of KM450 truck and a V150 armoured vehicle on their way to the encounter site were also fired on by another group of NPA revolutionaries along Barangay Bunglo, Licuan Baay, Abra.

The ABC-NPA statement said, “With the intensification of Internal Security Operations since 2008, the 41st IB has been conducting special operation campaigns in the towns of Lacub, Malibcong, Baay-Licuan, and Sallapadan; it is also involved in joint operations with the 50th IB in Boliney and Tubo.

Tinggian communities have been terrorized with indiscriminate bombings, machinegun straffing, illegal arrests and detention, torture, and murder.

Day Care centers, barangay halls, and homes were used as barracks by 41st IB soldiers in their special operations. Witchhunting is common, civilian mobility and travel were restricted, and agricultural production and small scale mining were hampered.

Womanizing, drunkeness, brawls, and other forms of decadent and public disturbance abound where soldiers of the 41st IB operated,” ABC stated.

The statement added that the 41st IB was also punished for serving as security escorts and mouthpiece for big mining companies. The Province of Abra will be prioritized in counter-insurgency operations because of mining interests in the province as announced by then Secretary of Defense Gilbert Teodoro in 2008.

After this announcement, ABC said the 41st IB immediately deployed troopers to areas where there are approved mining permits and pending mining applications. Municipalities of Tineg, Lacub, Baay-Licuan, Sallapadan, Daguioman, Malibcong, Tubo and Bucloc are covered by the said approved mining permits and pending mining applicatons. The ABC said it is no wonder these places are heavily militarized.

To date, there are around 36 mining applications in Abra filed at the office of the Mines and Geosciences Board, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (MGB-DENR). Mining companies like Rio Dorado, Olympus-Pacific, Sulfotara, Magdaleno/Miguel M.Peña, Abra Mining Industrial Company and the Cordillera Exploration Company Inc. (CEXI) have been issued mining permits by the MGB-DENR under questionable processes of getting the Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) from the communities affected.

The statement said that the latest tactical offensive of the NPA-Abra shows the heightened fighting will a manifestation of the resolve of the revolutionary movement fighting alongside the Abra people against plunderers and land grabbers of their ancestral and agricultural land, large-scale destroyers of the environment and as well as human rights violators.

“Afterall, the ambush near the 503rd Brigade HQ, the ACP of the 41st IB, and 2 Patrol Bases, would not have succeeded if the people are not supportive of the NPA. As history has shown, the people of Abra will unite, in the tradition of the anti-CRC (Cellophil Resources Company) struggle, against common enemies. And the true people’s army, the NPA, will be one with them in this historic fight!” ended the statement. # nordis.net

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CPDF berates AFP for outrageous lies

October 18, 2010 in Cordillera, insurgency

By ALMA B. SINUMLAG
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Cordillera Peoples Democratic Front (CPDF) in their press statement dated October 10 berated the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the latter’s baseless and unfounded accusations against the revolutionary movement.

Simon Naogsan, spokesperson of the CPDF cited the claims of Capt. Adonis Banes, spokesperson of the 501st Brigade that the soldiers who were alive and wounded after the Samoki ambush last July 9 were finished off by gunshots fired at point blank. This, Naogsan cliams, is an example of the military’s recycled outrageous lies because there were no soldiers found alive and wounded by the NPA assault team after the short burst of fire in the ambush.He also belied Banes claim that the clothings and belongings of the casualties were stripped off.

“It is a strict policy of the NPA (New Peoples Army) not to inflict harm on captured enemy personnel and those who are no longer capable of fighting back, in accordance with its own Rules of Discipline and International Humanitarian Law and rules of war,” Naogsan iterated. Had there been any survivors, he said, they would have been provided first aid and moved to a safe spot where they can be immediately seen by AFP or Philippine National Police (PNP) reinforcements. He also said that their assault team only captured weapons and military equipment.

“The tactical offensive was over in a few minutes and there was limited time for them to gather weapons, how much more to strip the clothings of the casualties,” he reiterated. According to him, there were commuters who were watching from a distance and saw how quickly the NPA attacked and withdrew.

On the other hand, Naogsan said it was the operating units of the 5th Infantry Division (ID) that finished off point blank and desecrated the corpses of the captured and wounded NPA fighters namely, Magno “Ka Braga” Ayabo and Sammy Rey “Ka Cholo” Cayago in 2004 and 2008.

Moreover, Naogsan stated that some innocent civilians murdered by operating AFP troops were used for target practice. He cited the case of Elmer Valdez, a resident of Conconig East, Sta Lucia, Ilocos Sur who was killed by elements of the AFP last September 10. He also criticized the denial of Banes that AFP troops have occupied school buildings, day-care centers, dap-ay, and civilian houses.

“This only shows how AFP civilian relations officers are trained to lie with impunity,” he stated. According to him, as of the moment, the AFP troops are occupying the barangay halls of Ankileng and Balugan in Sagada, Mt Province. Moreover, from June 29 to July 5, the AFP troops occupied the the school buildings of Bagnin Elementary School and Gudang Primary School in Bauko, Mt Province, Naogsan said.

Naogsan also said that earlier, school buildings of Alab, Bontoc; Data, Sabangan; and several barangays of Sagada namely, Aguid, Tanulong and Antadao were used as AFP temporary detachments. Also the daycare centers of Belwang and Pidlisan of Sagada; Tamboan, Besao; and Talampac, Lacub were used as barracks at one time or another.

These according to him are clear violations in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) signed by the Philippine government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).He said the agreement expressly prohibits billeting any armed groups in populated centers or any public buildings as it endangers the safety of the civilians. “It is the military that is clearly violating the CARHRIHL,” reiterated.

The partial listing of human rights violations of AFP’s operation in Eastern Mt Province from mid August to September according to Naogsan include the illegal arrest and detention of Henrich Wandag Bucalan and the destruction of ready for harvest crops in Sitio Tappo, Banawel, Natonin.Also in Mainit, Bontoc, the troops slept underneath stilted houses forcing homeowners to sleep at their neighbors’ homes for fear of their lives. Moreover, he said the troops were found intentionally setting fire to several mountain slopes and ridges in Mt Province.

Naogsan stressed that areas targeted for continuous military deployment are the same areas applied for by large scale mining companies. He added that this issue is not only observed in Mt. Province but in the entire Cordillera as a whole.

“Military deployment and operations are undertaken to protect mining explorations and large scale extractive activities. It was true during the Martial law years and it remains true now,” he said. This is evident in the statement of BGen. Jose Mabanta, Jr., that AFP chief of staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo David Jr instructed their field commanders to look for the possibility of such arrangement with international mining companies which according to him was denied by Banes.

These military operations, Naogsan said, do not only violate human rights but also violate the rights of national minorities over their ancestral domain. This, according to him, worsens the historical national oppression in the Cordillera.

Meanwhile, Naogsan said that AFP’s Convergence Approach which the 5th ID trumpets as the solution for counter insurgency is nothing more than a copycat of the US Counter- insurgency Guide that includes coercing the local government bureaucracy, tribal leaders, church leaders, and various community formations to support military operations. “We repeat that this methodology, by whatever name it is called, has failed in the past and will continue to fail because it does not have the people’s interest at heart,” he stressed.

Moreover, Naogsan is dismayed that the current administration has refused to resume the stalled peacetalks between the GRP and the NDFP. However, he said,”the CPDF and other revolutionary movement will strive for just and lasting peace based on national liberation and democracy”. # nordis.net

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Ecumenical groups call for peace talks

October 4, 2010 in Featured, insurgency, national, politics

By ML MARIGZA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Philippine Ecumenical Platform for Peace (PEPP) called for the continuation of peace talks between the government (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in a conference held here September 27.

PEPP is a faith based network that monitors and assists the GRP-NDFP Peace process. The PEPP is composed primarily of bishops, clergy and lay leaders of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEP).

In their conference, PEPP said they welcome the public announcements of both the GRP and NDFP to pursue and resume the peace talks. PEPP recognizes that the road to a just and lasting peace is complex.

“The grinding poverty and pervading suffering of the Filipino people are glaring realities impossible to ignore. The tragic loss of human life resulting from unresolved conflicts is an indictment on those who govern and weld civil authority. These hinder the attainment of genuine democracy.”, their statement said.

PEPP recognizes the long arduous work done by both parties to establish mutually agreed principles or framework upon which the peace negotiations are built.

They commended the spirit and intent of the substantive agenda of the peace talks which are the comprehensive agreements on a) the respect for human rights and international humanitarian law; b) social and economic reforms; c) political and constitutional reforms; and d) the disposition of forces.

The network acknowledged that a breakthrough was reached with the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and the creation of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC). They are calling on both parties to fully implement the CARHRIHL by convening the Joint Monitoring Committee to convene at the soonest time to address the issue of human rights violations.

PEPP challenged both parties to take up the second agenda of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms to address one of the roots of the current conflict in the country: social and economic injustice.

They declared that the gap between the small affluent group and the greater mass of people who are poor is a recipe for social unrest. It is a malady, they said, that has crushed the patience and resilience of the ordinary people and breed militant resistance and social aggression.

Social and economic injustice, they further said, continues to divide the people and hinder the attainment of quality life for all. Social and economic policies for development remained insensitive to the need for genuine sectoral participation, especially those sectors directly affected by those so-called “development” programs and projects.

PEPP avers that just and lasting peace requires the creation and implementation of economic policies that seek the equitable distribution of the country’s wealth and the development of the natural resources primarily for the food of all its citizens.

The ecumenical group maintains that of utmost importance are age old issues of land reform, national industrialization and protection of national patrimony. Thus, the compelling need for the GRP and NDFP to resume the peace talks.

They vowed to leave no stones unturned in the promotion of the peace process. PEPP vowed to persist in peace education and peace building.

PEPP said they will continue to highlight the human misery that will continue in a situation of chronic social conflict. They will continue to encourage both parties to sustain the principled peace process and remind them of their responsibility to put an end to further loss of life as a result of the conflict.

They promised to continue to remind all of the necessity to implement and put into practice mutually agreed practices for a just and lasting peace to flourish.

The PEPP peace conference was also in celebration of Peace Week last September 19-27. A similar conference was held in Davao City last September 26.

For the Northern Luzon Celebration, those who attended were Bishop Edgar Mangusib, Bishop Oscar Magallanes, Bishop Rodolfo Juan of the United Methodist Church, Fr. Andres Cosalan of the Baguio Cathedral, Imam Abdullah for the Muslim community, Councilor Poppo Cosalan.

Sr. Susan Granada shared the history of the PEPP and the purpose of the Peace Celebration. The conference was held at the Baguio City Multi-purpose Hall. # nordis.net

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Army berated over death of civilian

October 4, 2010 in Ilocos, insurgency

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — In a statement in Ilocano sent to media, the Alfredo Cesar Command (ACC) of the New People’s Army in Ilocos Sur condemned the extrajudicial killing of a civilian in East Conconig, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur days after an encounter between the troopers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the NPA-Ilocos Sur.

The ACC accused the AFP soldiers of killing Elmer Valdez of Conconig East who was just going to get bamboo. According to the statement, Valdez was made into a shooting target which resulted to the total deformation of his face.

“Malisyoso pay nga iparparipirip dagiti tagapagsarita ti AFP a ni Elmer ket kameng ti NPA uray ammo da nga awan a pulos ti mamati kadakuada ta ammo ti umili a ni Elmer ket maysa a sibilyan (the spokespersons of the AFP maliciously say that Elmer is an NPA member even if they know that no one believes them as the people know that Elmer is a civilian),” stated the ACC.

The ACC claimed that two soldiers were killed and three were wounded in an encounter on September 10, 2010 somewhere between barangays Sapang and Conconig East.

In the statement, the NPA-Ilocos added that a Huey helicopter serving as air support for the foot soldiers crashed as a result of the encounter.

The ACC said, prior to the encounter, the AFP launched a giant military operation with the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, 500 troopers under the command of Major General Rommel Gomez , including the 86th IB PA, 50th IB PA, Scout Rangers, 77th IB PA and members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit(CAFGU).

“Gapu iti panakapaay ken panakaupay ti kabusor iti dayta a labanan, nagpupudotan ken pinagpapasan da dagiti sibilyan kadagiti barbaryo a sinaklaw ti operasyon da (Because of their disappointment and defeat, they turned their ire to the civilians in the barrios covered by their operation),” said the statement. The ACC also revealed that houses were forcibly searched by AFP troopers posing as NPA fighters. The ACC said that a civilian was also forced to hold an M14 rifle while they took pictures of him.

According to the statement, the military operations are still going on as troops continue to be deployed in the barrios and nearby forest areas of Sta. Lucia. The ACC have received reports of missing persons, missing domestic animals and AFP troopers posing as NPA guerillas.

The ACC said that deployment of troops in the barrios and nearby forests has created fear and confusion among the people and a great disruption to their daily livelihood.

“Agpanpanawagan ti Alfredo Ceasar Command kadagiti umili a labanan ti kinadamsak dagiti military babaen ti pannakilaok ti armado a dangadang tapno rippuogen ti agar-ari a dasig a mangus-usar kadagiti berdugo a militar,” the statement ended. # nordis.net

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Reds say 5th ID out to sabotage peace talks

September 28, 2010 in Cordillera, Featured, insurgency

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Cordillera People’s Democratic Front (CPDF) lambasts the claim of the 501st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that the deployment of troops in the Cordillera Region is for peacekeeping purposes.

CPDF spokesperson Simon Naogsan the signatory, in a statement sent to media said the CPDF takes exception to the press statement of 501st brigade spokesperson Capt. Adonis Banez that the AFP troops now on a rampage in the Cordillera are deployed for peacekeeping purposes.

“The more the captain talks, the less sense he makes! What he peddles as localized peace talks is actually summary surrender procedures of the revolutionary forces. Capt. Banez does not comprehend what he is saying,” the statement said.

Naogsan pointed out whether the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), created by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) for its counter-insurgency (COIN) campaign, can be the proper forum for peace talks?

He said that there are no “stalled localized peace talks” as there are no localized peace negotiations ever held. He stressed that the peace talks that only took place were between the GRP and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) at the national level.

According to Naogsan, “Banez while parroting the value of peace talks is repeatedly calling for the revolutionary forces to lay down their arms even without resolving the root causes of the armed conflict.”

He said that the purpose of the peace talks is to thresh out the social issues that drove the Filipino people and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA-NDFP) to wage an armed revolution for over four decades.

“So any call for surrender is really comical and an insult to the intelligence of the revolutionary forces and the people. Does Capt. Banez realize why he makes no sense at all? His name-calling won’t do him any good and only shows how good he is at parroting the lines of his superiors,” Naogsan declared.

The CPDF spokesperson also questioned what Banez claims is the soldiers’ role in the region and that is keeping the peace. Naogsan said that military deployment in the communities of Cordillera turned villages into garrisons as they encamped themselves inside or under the houses, barangay halls, public school buildings and even dap-ays (community elders and leaders meeting area).

He said the military do this to protect themselves from imagined attacks from the NPA. Naogsan also cited that residents have even written or sent text messages to local newspapers complaining that operating troops encamped inside the barrios even dared to court married women.

“The military is being illogical when it insists that localized peace talks can solve current social problems. Can Capt. Banez or even 5th ID commander MGen. Rommel Gomez solve the basic problems of land reform and national industrialization, or the features of the national oppression of the people of the Cordillera?” Naogsan counters.

The military’s insistence on localized peace talks are meant to sabotage the previous achievements of national peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP, such as the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), the Hague Joint Declaration, and the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG),” the statement noted.

Countering the accusation of Capt. Banez that the NPA ambushed their armed peace keeping forces that came from a dental mission on July 9, 2010 somewhere in Bontoc, Mt. Province, Naogsan said the troops actually came from a barrio where they were forcing local officials to take part in the counter-insurgency campaign.

He said they were on their way to a conference with top military officers on how to force more local executives to become part of the COIN.

Naogsan noted that Capt. Banez said the NPA violated international humanitarian law, and he countered, “but it is the military that has repeatedly violated human rights.

Capt. Banez accused the NPA of recruiting minors, and to prove this absurd allegation, the military has produced alleged rebel returnees who are way beyond 18 years of age, if ever they were recruited at all, he added.

“The falsehoods peddled by Capt. Banez are not worth the paper they were printed on. They are part and parcel of an information campaign to demonize the revolutionary forces, and one of the requisites for launching more military operations in the Mountain Province and the rest of the Cordillera.

“There are now more troops in the Mountain Province from the newly organized 86 IB, 54 IB, 50 IB, 77 IB, 52nd DRC, Special Forces, and the Scout Rangers. Why is Capt. Banez calling for peace talks when his superiors are pouring more troops into the Mountain Province and the rest of Cordillera?” questioned Naogsan.

“Greater militarization will result in a greater number of abuses committed by the military. It is clear that the peace talks the military offers is just meant to camouflage their offensive operations and cover up the dismal failure of Oplan Bantay Laya 2,” Naogsan stated further.

Naogsan said the Cordillera people and the CPDF will vigilantly face the divide and rule tactics of the GRP and the AFP. According to Naogsan, the 5th ID is encouraging more Igorot youth to join the AFP and is also reviving the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) which Naogsan said is a bandit group in Eastern Mt. Province.

“The lies and deceptive tactics of the 5th ID have failed in the past and will surely fail again. These deserve to be thrown into the dustbin of history,” ended Naogsan. # nordis.net

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Statements: Militarization is inimical to ancestral land rights of the Cordillera people

September 28, 2010 in insurgency, opinion, statements

www.nordis.net

By SIMON “KA FILIW” NAOGSAN
SPOKESPERSON
CORDILLERA PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC FRONT

September 18, 2010

5th Infantry Division Commander Major Gen. Rommel Gomez, is distorting the issues of ancestral domain and heritage and is debasing these for counter-insurgency operations and psywar.

Maj. Gen. Gomez’ call for fresh local Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recruits, and the denial of food, shelter, and protection to the NPA, all cleverly packaged with the issue of protecting the people’s rights to ancestral lands, disguises the military’s role in intensifying the national oppression of the indigenous people in the Cordillera.

Portraying the military as the people’s partner in achieving peace and development is a vile psywar ploy. It is the massive militarization of the Cordillera that causes destruction of ancestral lands and resources and interferes with and violates indigenous rights to use, protect and develop ancestral lands.

The military mindset that arbitrarily classifies anyone within their areas of operations as either friend or foe, shows the AFP’s lack of sensitivity to local culture. The merciless killing of civilians during military operations and the imposition of virtual martial law that restricts farmers from tending to their crops, hunting, or cutting firewood clearly attest to this fact. Since the Marcos dictatorship, military troops have been sent to the Cordillera for “peacekeeping and development” missions that have turned out to be nothing more than protecting big extractive industries such as dams, mines, and geothermal projects that threatened to or actually displaced thousands of Cordillerans. And now comes Maj. Gen. Gomez, who has the audacity to say that his troops are here to protect ancestral lands and children?

Is this why he has deployed his troops to “protect” the mining application sites of the Cordillera Exploration Company (CEXI)/Anglo-American Group PLC in the tri-boundary of Sagada, Bauko and Tadian?

Maj. Gen. Gomez calls the Cordillera people to watch over their children, but he is blind to the fact that Igorot children are displaced and put at risk when AFP troopers use day care centers and school buildings as barracks and villages as their garrisons. The general keeps wailing foul and repeats the lie that the seven soldiers ambushed last July 9 in Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province were on their way to a medical mission. Far from it, the soldiers were on a mission to force local executives to sign an agreement to join in the counter-insurgency effort.

The malicious insistence of the 5th ID for a localized peace talks instead of the resumption of the stalled peace talks at the national level is a futile implementation of the divide-and-rule tactic and clearly shows their insincerity and vileness. The 5th ID espouses the Convergence Approach, a program that carries all the features of the US Counter-Insurgency Guide. The struggle for the genuine defense of land, life and resources is the struggle against militarization and the aggression of foreign and local big extractive industries. It is time that Igorot military officers realize that the Igorot masses and the revolutionary forces will resolutely stand together and will be undaunted by force or lies. Fetad! Rebolusyon kayet! # nordis.net

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Letters: CPDF hypocrisy for peace

September 13, 2010 in Cordillera, insurgency, letters, opinion

By CPT. ADONIS B. BANEZ (CAV) PA
501st BRIGADE INFORMATION OFFICER
501st INFANTRY (VALIANT) BRIGADE, 5th INF (STAR) DIV, PA, TABUK, KALINGA
www.nordis.net

(This press statement was sent by email here printed as is except the letterhead. — Ed)

Bontoc, Mt Province – The soldiers deployed as peacekeeping forces in Cordillera particularly in Mt Province were specifically tasked to help and support the local government in the resumption of peace initiatives and development undertakings. With the implementation of “Convergence Approach”, your soldiers as public servant and peacekeepers are only here in the province to assist the residents in community organizing in order to identify, assist, and empower them in resolving their issues and concerns that need government attention while we converge and collaborate with concerned agencies.

The statement of Mr Simon Naogsan that they also desires for lasting peace is a mere hypocrisy and insincerity as evidenced by ambush of our peacekeeping forces last July 9, 2010 who were then tasked to facilitate a medical/dental mission and to secure the resident-beneficiaries in Sadanga and Bontoc, both of Mt Province.

The ambush was a very inhumanely and desperate act by the local terrorists/NPA which in essence does not conform to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law which Mr Naogsan raised to be observed and respected but he himself is a violator. The said merciless and barbaric act perpetrated by the NPA was strongly condemned by the residents, Municipal Council of Bontoc, Association of Barangay Captains of Bontoc and even the religious groups denouncing the NPA atrocities and earnestly supporting the LGU and AFP for the initiation of local peace talks negotiation.

With the pessimistic statement of Mr Simon Naogsan to the proposal of the government leaders of his home province, tribal leaders/elders, religious groups and the residents goal for the resolution of lasting peace, only attest his insincerity in solving the problem. It further confirm that the Cordillera People Democratic Fronts’ objective is only to supplant the present form of government, overthrowing it and no intention for peace resolution.

Truly, communist insurgency is already institutionalized and it could be an alternative ideology left for the people to choose but advancing it through the use of arms in any form should not be an option nor be given consideration. They are free to do what they want, air their grievances and exercise their rights in accordance with the existing laws, policies and guidelines but not through arm struggle which will definitely result to more violence and hostile actions where innocent civilians become always the victims.

Further, Mr Naogsan only speaks his uncommitment and cowardice when he told that resumption of peace talks could only be made at national level. He should realized that all problems has always a solution as in the sayings which states, “if there’s a will, there’s always a way”, but it seems Mr Naogsan do not know that.

Indeed, the implementation of the “Convergence Approach” which involves total participation of all local stakeholders to collectively work for peace settlements that geared towards peace agreement and resolution is very suitable to further pursue the stalled local peace negotiations between the government and the communist groups to finally end the hostilities in the region. This was also then the desire of government leaders, church leaders, tribal leaders and the residents, which the current conditions for the insurgency problem, is very timely and appropriate for peace settlements.

Once again, we are reiterating that your soldiers are longing the most desired elusive peace to be given to the residents as we are approaching the season of love. We are supporting the LGU with all the stakeholders calling the CPP/NPA/NDF for the cessation of hostilities and finally end their continuous exploitation of minors and oppression of the residents through deception and intimidation. Lay down your arms, let us work for the peace resolutions of Mt Province by starting within ourselves for the benefit of the residents especially the young ones as the hope of the next generation. # nordis.net

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Resumption of peace talks welcomed

July 26, 2009 in insurgency, national

By ARTHUR L. ALLAD-IW
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY – The resumption of the stalled peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) is welcomed by peace advocates here as a giant leap to achieving just and lasting peace.

Rev. Rex Reyes said it is about time both parties sat down and resumed the peace talks. Read the rest of this entry →

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Govt’s anti-insurgency war a failure

July 26, 2009 in Cordillera, insurgency

By ALDWIN G. QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Chadli Molintas Command (CMC) of the New Peoples Army (NPA) of the Ilocos-Cordillera Region described the anti-insurgency campaign of the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’sadministration as dirty and unwinnable war.

In an e-mailed statement sent to Nordis, CMC spokesperson Martin Montana stated that the Oplan Bantay Laya 2 (OBL 2) of the Arroyo administration is a wicked design to quell the widespread dissent against her unpopular political and economic programs and help her to stay longer in power.

Montana said that the OBL 2 involves dirty political tactics, heavy militarization of urban and countryside areas, harassments, abductions, torture and killings of political activists and relatives of NPA fighters and many other reprehensible acts. Read the rest of this entry →

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5 soldiers hurt from NPA encounters

April 19, 2009 in Cordillera, general, insurgency

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — At least five troopers of the 5th ID of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were wounded by members of the Leonardo Pacsi Command (LPC), New Peoples Army-Mountain Province (NPA-MP) on March 30 to April 1 at Mt. Bato and Mt. Degway, Mainit, Bontoc.

According to an e-mailed report from NPA-MP Spokesperson Ka Magno Udyao, the LPC monitored heavy AFP troop movements. Udyao stated that combat soldiers in at least eight trucks and a Humvee from 5ID headquarters in Isabela arrived at the Philippine Army patrol base in Guinaang, Bontoc. Read the rest of this entry →

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Dutch gov’t drops murder case vs. Joma

April 5, 2009 in general, insurgency, international

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Dutch government of Netherlands dismissed the murder case filed against the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) political consultant and Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Ma. Sison for the separate killings of Romulo Kintanar in 2003 and Arturo Tabara in 2004.

Kintanar and Tabara were once leaders of the CPP that broke away from the party because of ideological differences in the mid 80s. They both went as active military agents against the CPP-NDFP and the New Peoples Army (NPA) since then. Both had been charged with counter-revolutionary and criminal offenses by the CPP-NDFP-NPA and ordered by it’s revolutionary people’s courts to be arrested and face trial. Read the rest of this entry →

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NPA celebrates its 4oth anniversary

April 5, 2009 in general, insurgency, national

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) greeted the commanders and guerilla fighters of its armed-wing, the New Peoples Army (NPA), on its 40th anniversary last March 29.

In a statement posted on its website Philippinerevolution.net entitled “Win Greater Victories in the People’s War”, the CPP congratulated its party cadres and NPA fighters and the broad masses of Filipino people for their accumulated victories. Read the rest of this entry →

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