NDFP Condemns Illegal Arrest of JASIG Holder Ernesto Lorenzo and His Wife Joyce Latayan

31 July 2015
NDFP CONDEMNS ILLEGAL ARREST OF JASIG HOLDER ERNESTO LORENZO
AND HIS WIFE JOYCE LATAYAN
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) vigorously condemns the illegal arrest of JASIG holder, Ernesto Lorenzo last 20 July 2015 at the IT Center in Gilmore, Quezon City.  He was arrested by combined elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Gourp (CIDG), the Philippine National Police and the Anti-Transnational Crime Unit (ATCU).
Ernesto Lorenzo has been issued NDFP Document of Identification No. ND 978229 under the assumed name Lean Martinez. He has likewise been issued a Letter of Acknowledgment signed by then GRP Panel Chairperson Silvestre H. Bello III.
Despite his request, he was not shown any warrant of arrest. His request to call a lawyer was also denied. After interrogation at Camp Crame, he was turned over to the Anti-Organized Crime Unit – CIDG.
Seized from Ernesto Lorenzo were the following: his backpack, 2 cellphones, 1 android phone, 3 USB, 1 hard drive, a brand new Neo computer, P 35,000 in cash and an ATM card.
About the same time Ernesto Lorenzo was arrested (2 p.m.), his wife Joyce Latayan was arrested at their home at Pecson Ville, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. About 50 military men in civilian clothes raided the house, causing shock to the Lorenzos’ one year old daughter Julie Alicia.
The raiding team made a search on the second floor of the house, without the presence of Joyce Latayan. As is the standard operating procedure of the state security forces, they planted a handgun and a rifle grenade. This became their so-called evidence for filing trumped up charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against Ernesto Lorenzo and Joyce Latayan. Joyce Latayan was also brought to Camp Crame and detained at the Major Crimes Investigation Unit (MCIU) – CIDG.
Ernesto Lorenzo suffers from asthma, hepatitis B, gallstones and a slip disc. One week after their arrest, Ernesto Lorenzo and Joyce Latayan have not been seen by a doctor of choice.
The NDFP demands the immediate release of JASIG holder Ernesto Lorenzo and his wife Joyce Latayan. The trumped-up criminal charges against them must be dropped. All materials illegally confiscated from them must be returned to them. The government of Aquino must show respect for and comply with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and all other binding peace agreements solemnly contracted with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel

Response of the NDFP to the UN Secretary General’s Report (June 2015) on Children Rights Violations in the Philippines

26 July 2015
The United Nations Secretary General commits a grievous act against Filipino children in his latest report on Children Rights’ Violators. He covers up the numerous grave violations of the regime and its armed forces against the basic rights of children.
He has ignored the regular reports of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) through its Special Office for the Protection of Children, to the UNICEF. The reports provide detailed documentation of violations of children’s rights by the regime and its armed forces.
The latest report was presented this July 2015.
Some examples are herein stated; documentation is available at the Joint Monitoring Committee’s Joint Secretariat in Quezon City, Philippines.
In addition, KARAPATAN (Alliance for the Advancement of Human Rights) documented, from July 2010 until December 2013, 132,633 victims of children rights’ violations with the use of schools, medical, religious and other public places for military purposes by the regime’s armed forces. In addition, KARAPATAN also documented 18 cases of extrajudicial killings victimizing minors during the same period.
The UN Secretary General’s Report perfunctorily mentions that “the United Nations verified the military use of six schools and one hospital by the armed forces, mainly during operations against the BIFF.” It makes no mention of the regime’s Department of Education Memorandum No. 21 of December 13, 2013 which adopts in toto the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Letter Directive No. 25 of July 15, 2013. This AFP directive allows the military to conduct civil-military operations inside schools. This violates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the regime’s own Republic Act 7610. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon himself declared, “The use of schools for military purposes puts children at risk of attack and hampers children’s right to education.”
Using this Department of Education (DepEd) Memorandum and AFP Letter Directive, the military has been able to attack or misuse 20 DepEd Lumad (Indigenous Peoples) schools in Mindanao alone in 2013 and 2014. Up to now, there is the continuous attack and closing down of Lumad schools by the military. The cases of such attacks are cited in House Resolution No. 2138 filed by Representative Terry L. Ridon, Kabataan Party List, on 1 June 2015.
UN Secretary General’s Report is unfair and unjust in its references to the New People’s Army (NPA). The reference to an alleged NPA recruiter of two minors involves mere unproven allegation and is speculative. It jumps to a judgment even as the reported case is supposedly under investigation.
The reference to parents in rural areas sending their children to urban areas is purely malicious speculation and innuendo. It covers up the fact that extreme and widespread poverty drives children in both rural and urban areas to become street children in urban areas. It also covers up the fact that the Aquino regime’s Conditional Cash Transfer program, supposedly intended to help the poor and keep the children in school, is a milking cow for corrupt bureaucrats and military officers.
The UN Secretary General does not take into account the NDFP’s Declaration and Program of Action for the Rights, Protection and Welfare of Children, issued by the NDFP National Council on 24 April 2012. This NDFP policy document declares the NDFP’s willingness to cooperate with such international organs as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UNICEF, UNESCO, ILO World Health Organization, World Food Program and other UN agencies for the purpose of upholding the rights of children, protecting them and ensuring their welfare in an all-round way.
The UN Secretary General should also consider the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law of 1998 and the NDFP Declaration of Adherence to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and Protocol I of 5 July 1996 and the earlier NDFP Declaration on 15 August 1991 adhering to Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, Protocol II and International Humanitarian Law.
In view of the above-stated adherence to the Geneva Conventions and Protocols and the principles and consistent practice of the NDFP in adhering to IHL, we strongly object to the UN Secretary General’s listing the NPA in its Annex II List of Parties that recruit or use children … and as “persistent perpetrator”. We likewise object to being classified and lumped together with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
LUIS G. JALANDONI
MEMBER, NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES (NDFP)

Pahayag ng mga Bilanggong Pulitikal sa Camp Bagong Diwa kaugnay ng Nagdaang Limang Taon at Tatapusing Huling Taon ng Rehimen ni Benigno S. Aquino III

Pahayag ng mga Bilanggong Pulitikal sa Camp Bagong Diwa kaugnay ng Nagdaang Limang Taon at Tatapusing Huling Taon ng Rehimen ni Benigno S. Aquino III

Ilan lamang kami sa marami pang mga bilanggong pulitikal dito sa Camp Bagong Diwa, at maliit na bahagi lamang ng kabuuang mahigit 500 bilanggong pulitikal sa buong bansa.

Marami sa amin ay mga inosenteng sibilyang arbitraryo at walang pakundangang inaresto at patuloy na ikinukulong sa batayan ng gawa-gawa lamang na mga kaso, gamit pa ang kung anu-anong pangalan ng iba o ang kung anu-anong alyas, para lamang gahaman at walang-pakundangang makakabig ng daan-daang milyong pabuya ang mga kawatan at pasistang pwersa ng reaksyunaryong estado. Ang mas marami pa sa amin ay inaresto, patuloy na ikinukulong at hinihigpitan dahil sa mga pinagsisikapan naming maisulong na makabuluhang saligang pagbabago para sa kapakanan ng bayan, laluna ng mga naghihirap at aping mamamayan. Ang mga ito ang siyang dahilan sa aming pagiging mga bilanggong pulitikal. Ang mga ito, sa kabila ng palaging pagbubukang-bibig ng rehimen ni Benigno S. Aquino III na walang bilanggong pulitikal sa bansa.

Sa nagdaang limang taon na ng paghahari ng rehimeng BSA III, wala kaming nakita at wala kaming nakikitang anumang makabuluhang pagbabago sa nagpapatuloy na usapin sa pagpapalaya, pagkakamit ng hustisya at pagrespeto sa mga karapatang tao ng mga bilanggong politikal. Bagkus ay higit pa at patuloy na lumalaki ang bilang at sumasama ang kalagayan ng mga bilanggong pulitikal sa bansa. Patuloy kaming dumaranas ng di-makatarungang pagkukulong, napakabagal at halos-kawalang pag-usad ng hustisya, sobrang paghihigpit, napakaraming kalupitan, at sari-sari pang mga paglabag sa aming mga karapatang tao.

Kung tutuusin, bahagi lamang ang mga ito ng higit pang mga paglabag sa mga karapatang tao sa bansa, na naitala ng Karapatan at iniulat sa katatapos lamang na paglilitis ng International People’s Tribunal sa mga kasalanan sa bayan ng rehimeng BSA III mula simula ng paghahari nito noong Hulyo 2010 hanggang nitong Hunyo 30, 2015, at hinusgahang malulupit na karahasan at pagkakait ng mga pinakasaligang karapatang-tao sa mga pinakaapi at napagkakaitang sektor sa bansa: 262 kaso ng extrajudicial na pagpatay; 27 kaso ng sapilitang pagkawala, 125 kaso ng tortyur; 273 kaso ng iligal na pag-aresto na di pa humantong sa tuluyang pagkukulong, 723 kaso ng iligal na pag-aresto at tuluyang pagkukulong, 133,599 kaso ng mga marahas na pagbabanta, 29,684 kaso ng mga karahasan sa mga pampublikong pagtitipon, 60,155 marahas at pwersahang pagpapalikas sa mga lider at mga nagpoprotesta laban sa malakihang pagmimina, paninira sa kalikasan, at mga katulad, at marami pang iba.

Sa nagdaang limang taon na ng paghahari ng rehimeng BSA III, wala kaming nakita at patuloy na walang nakikitang anumang makabuluhang pagbabago para sa kapakanan ng mamamayan sa kamay ng mga maramot at malupit na reaksyunaryong naghahari. Mga kunwaring pagbabago lamang ang mga ginagawa nila sa anyo ng mga islogan (tulad n/g “Daang matuwid” at “Kung walang kurap, walang mahirap”) na, pawang hanggang bukang-bibig lamang.

Nang tuluyan nang nalantad, napatunayan ang mga pandarambong at panunuhol sa pamamagitan ng “pork barrel” sa anyo ng Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), at nahusgahan na itong labag sa batas at sa konstitusyon, sa pakana ng kasalukuyang rehimen ay binago na lamang ang pangalan at pamamaraan nito, at gumawa ng bagong bersyon nito sa anyo naman ng Development Acceleration Program (DAP). Ginamit ang pamamahagi ng tig-P50 milyong alokasyon ng DAP bilang pansuhol sa mayorya ng mga senador (at doble pa niyon, sa ilan) para bumoto pabor sa impeachment (sa kasong pandarambong) sa noo’y Chief Justice ng Supreme Court na si Renato Corona. Sa tulong nito’y hinusgahan ng mayorya ng Senado si Corona na maysala. Gayundin, nalantad at nahusgahan din ang DAP na labag sa batas at sa konstitusyon. Sumulpot naman ngayon ang Lump-Sum Budgetting at iba pang mga paraan ng pagmamaniobra para patuloy silang makapandambong.

Ang mga seryosong sinampahan ng mga kaso at ikinulong gawa ng pandarambong sa pamamagitan ng “pork barrel” ay tatatlong lider ng oposisyon at mga tinukoy na nakasabwat nila, samantalang ang mas maraming nanguna pa rito na nasa kapangyarihan ay nananatiling ligtas pa sa mga kaso, napagtatakpan at hindi nakukulong, kahit na mas nanguna pa sila, gamit ang mga pusisyon nila sa administrasyon, mas malalaki pa ang mga dinambong nila, at palalong pinaghihirap ang mamamayan bunsod na kanilang mga pandarambong.

Panay naman ang pangangalandakan ng rehimeng BSA III nitong mga huling nagdaang taon, sa ilusyon na ang Pilipinas pa nga ngayon ang pinakasulong sa paglaki ng ekonomya — sa anyo ng pagkakaroon ng pinakamataas na tantos ng pagsulong ng Gross National Product (GNP) — sa buong rehiyon ng Asia. At nitong mga nakaraang buwan ay humantong pa ito sa ibayong ilusyon na pumipinto pa ngang maging pinakamataas o isa sa pinakamataas raw sa buong mundo ang pagsulong ng GNP ng Pilipinas.

Ngunit, mistula lamang ang paglaki ng GNP ng Pilipinas nitong mga huling nagdaang taon. Hindi nito ipinakikita ang aktwal na nangyayari sa ekonomya ng Pilipinas, laluna ang aktwal na nangyayari sa hirap na kabuhayan ng nakararaming mamamayan sa Pilipinas. Sa katunayan, hindi nagbabago, bagkus ay lumalala pa, ang pagiging nahuhuli o ang pagbubuntot, sa aktwal, ng ekonomya ng Pilipinas kumpara sa iba pang bansa, kahit dito lamang sa Southeast Asia.

Dahilan nito ang relatibong pagiging mas maunlad na — sa katunayan at sa matibay na batayan — ng mga ekonomya sa maraming bansa sa Southeast Asia, at sa mas marami pang bansa sa Asia. Ito’y dahil mas marami nang ibang bansa sa Asia, at maging sa Southeast Asia, ang seryosong nagsisikap at aktwal na nagagawa nang makapagtayo at makapag-abante ng kanilang mga industriya sa paggawa at ng kanilang agrikultura, habang naiwan na at nananatiling isa sa pinakaatrasado at pinakakapos ang mga industriya sa paggawa, pati na ang agrikultura, sa Pilipinas.

Sa halip, mas umaasa pa ang ekonomya sa Pilipinas pangunahin na sa mga serbisyo at komersyo.

Pinakamalaking bahagi pa ng mga serbisyo — sa partikular, ang business process outsourcing (BPO) — ay para sa mga higanteng kumpanya sa U.S., Europa, Australia, at iba pang ibayong mauunlad na bansa, at nagsisilbing ekstensyon lamang dito para makatipid sa pagpapasahod. At malaking bahagi rin ng mga komersyo ay pagbebenta rito ng mga produktong inaangkat mula sa ibang bansa. Ampaw lamang, sa katunayan, ang ipinagmamalaki ng rehimeng BSA III na diumano’y pagiging pinakamabilis ngayon, sa rehiyon ng Asia at maging sa buong mundo, ang paglago ng ekonomya ng Pilipinas, sa anyo ng paglaki ng GNP nito.

Pinalalabas ng rehimeng BSA III na apat na milyon na lamang sa ngayon ang walang trabaho sa Pilipinas. Ngunit, ayon sa isang independyenteng sarbey, umabot na ito sa 12.4 milyon (pati na ang kulang sa sapat na trabaho) noong 2014 at papataas pa ngayon.

Malaking problema pa na halos lahat na ng mga bagong nakapaghahanap ng trabaho at malaking kalakhan na rin ng mga may trabaho ay kontraktwal at pinapalitan ng iba pang kontraktwal, makaraan ang ilang buwan lamang. Nagsisilbi rin ang pagmamantine bilang kontraktwal ng malaking kalakhan ng mga pwersa sa paggawa sa Pilipinas, upang mapigilan ang kanilang pag-uunyon at epektibong pakikipaglaban para sa kanilang mga karapatan.

Umaabot na rin sa 6,000 araw-araw ang umaalis sa ating bansa para doon makapagtrabaho. Malaking kalakhan ngayon nitong mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) ay nagtatrabaho bilang mga domestic helper o kasambahay sa ibayong dagat.

Sa aktwal, ang pangunahing bumubuhay sa ekonomya ng Pilipinas, ilang taon na ang nagdaan hanggang sa kasalukuyan, ay ang mga padalang remittance ng mahigit 12 milyon nang OFW. Ang naipapasok sa bansa na kita ng mga ito ay inungusan na lamang kamakailan ng mga dumarami nang naitatayong BPO, pangunahin na mga call center, sa bansa.

Mas masahol pa sa kalagayan ng mga manggagawa, ang pinakamalaking sektor sa hanay ng mamamayan, ang mga magsasaka, ay hirap na hirap sa kabuhayan. Lalo ito’t ang nakararami sa kanila ay patuloy na umuupa o nakikitrabaho lamang sa mga lupang patuloy na inaari ng mga panginoong maylupa. Nagpatupad diumano ng reporma sa lupa ang umiiral na gubyerno, ngunit sa katunaya’y bigo ang malaking kalakhan ng mga ito, at sa aktwal ang nakararaming magsasaka ay nananatiling tenante sa lupa o manggagawang-bukid sa malalaking lupain ng mga panginoong maylupa.

Ayon mismo sa mga datos ng Department of Agrarian Reforms (DAR), mula sa 8.9 milyong ektaryang pribadong lupain, 2.6 milyong ektarya ang diumano’y nasaklaw na ng Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) ng umiiral na gubyerno. Sa gayon, may 6.3 milyong ektaryang nananatiling pribado at malaki pang bahagi nito ang kailangan pang masuri kung masasaklaw pa rin ng CARP, kabilang ang mga pag-aari ng malalaking korporasyon at mga naiba na ang gamit. Maging sa mga nasaklaw ng CARP, maraming mga kwestyon sa katapatan ng pagpapatupad, lalo’t maraming inilipat lamang sa iba’t ibang pangalan para maiiwas sa aktwal na reporma sa lupa.

Tampok sa mga ginawan ng iba’t ibang paraan sa pagsisikap na mabigo ang pagpapatupad ng CARP ay sa lupaing pag-aari ng angkan ni BSA III, ang Hacienda Luisita. Mula sa 6,453 ektarya nito, 4,099 ektarya lamang ang pinasaklaw sa CARP — makaraan ang mahaba at maraming gitgitan, pati na ang paggamit ng karahasan laban sa mga magsasakang naggigiit ng reporma sa lupa. Ginamit pa ng rehimeng BSA III ang DAP sa pagbayad ng P471.5 milyon sa angkan ni BSA III para sa nasaklaw na lupa. Kasabwat ang DAR, winasak ng rehimeng BSA III ang “bungkalan” (kolektibong pagsasaka) sa 300-ektaryang bahagi ng asyendang ibinenta sa isang bangko, at gumamit ng tambiolo para sa indibidwal na pamamahagi ng mga parsela, para mabago-bago ang pagtatao-tao sa mga parsela, para mapatigil ang kolektibong pagsasaka, gawing sahuran ang paggawa sa lupain, at sa gayon mapanatili ang kontrol ng angkan ni BSA III sa lupain, gayundin ang produksyon ng tubo para sa Central Azucarera de Tarlac ng angkan ni BSA III.

Sa mga mas interyor pang bahagi ng kanayunan, partikular na may katindihan ang tuluy-tuloy na kalupitang dinaranas ngayon ng mga pambansang minorya. Tampok dito ang kalupitang kasalukuyang inihahasik ng mga pwersang militar ng umiiral na estado laban sa mga Lumad sa Mindanao. Hindi tintantanan ang paglulunsad nitong malulupit na pwersang militar ang mga komunidad ng mga Lumad, tulad ng mga nasa interyor ng North Cotabato, kung saan naobligang kumalas na muna ang 700 na mga Lumad roon tungo sa mga evacuation center na itinayo ng United Church of Christ of the Philippines sa sentrong bayan. Pati mga eskwelahan ng mga batang Lumad ay pinaghahasikan ng karahasan nitong malulupit na pwersang militar, kaya’t hindi na makapasok sa mga paaralan nila ang mga batang Lumad. Napupwersang mag-aalisan na rin sa mga komunidad nila ang buo-buong mga tribong Lumad sa maraming interyor na bahagi ng kanayunan sa Mindanao.

Napatunayan din sa katatapos na paglilitis ng International People’s Tribunal na maraming mabibigat na kasalanan ang rehimeng BSA III sa malupit na pang-aapi sa mga pambansang minorya, tulad sa Talaingod at Balit, kung saan ang mga pasistang pwersang militar ay ginagamit ng malalaking operasyon sa minahan sa pang-aapi sa mga Lumad roon na tumututol sa malaking pagmimina. Inooperasyon at inookupa nitong mga pasistang pwersang militar maging ang mga paaralan nitong mga Lumad.

Dahil naman sa pagtayang malawak ang kahirapan sa bansa, isa ang Pilipinas sa mga pinakamalaki ang tinatanggap mula sa Millenium Development Goals, para sa umano’y ayuda sa mga naghihirap na pamilya, sa anyo ng Conditional Cash Transfer o CCT (binansagan naman dito sa bansa, na “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program”). Mula 6,000 pamilya lamang na saklaw ng CCT noong sinimulan ito noong 2007 hanggang umabot sa 800,000 katao noong 2009 (panahon pa ng rehimeng Gloria Arroyo II), ngayo’y mahigit nang 4.4 milyong pamilya (na kinabibilangan ng mga 20 milyong katao) ang saklaw nito. Sa papel, nilayong ilaan ito sa mga pinakamahihirap, panagot diumano sa ilan sa pinakakinakailangan nila (medikal tsekap para sa mga ina at sanggol, at batayan hanggang segundaryong antas ng edukasyon para sa mga batang dapat nakapag-eeskwela na). Ito, sa halip na pantulong sa kanilang produksyon at kabuhayan. (Kaya’t, kung tutuusin, mas nagsisilbi lang ang CCT sa pananatili ng mga mahihirap sa pagiging palaasa sa ganoong uri ng mga palimos, sa halip na sa pagpapalakas ng kanilang kakayahang makatayo-sa-sarlili at tunay na makapagpaunlad ng kanilang kabuhayan.)

Dahil ang kalakhan ng mga tumatanggap ng mga padalang CCT ay baon sa utang, ang pinagkakautangan nilang mga usurero na ang siya nang aktwal na direktang kumukuha ng mga padalang CCT, gamit ang mga nakasangla sa mga ito na mga CCT card ng mga pinadadalhan ng CCT.

Masahol pa, ayon naman sa ulat ng Asian Development Bank, mga sangkatlo ng pondo (mga P19 bilyon, mula sa kabuuang P62 bilyon) ng CCT sa Pilipinas, sa aktwal, ay hindi nailalaan sa pinakamahihirap sa bansa. Sa halip, napupunta iyon sa mas matataas ang antas ng kabuhayan.

Malaking bahagi rin ng pamamahagi ng CCT ay dumaraan sa mga bulok na tradisyunal na pulitikong naghahari sa mga lokalidad. Nagsisilbing balon para sa mga ito ang pondo ng CCT para sa pambili ng boto at iba pang paraan sa kanilang pagpapalakas ng pampulitikang impluwensya at kontrol sa kanilang mga pinaghahariang lokalidad.

Karaniwang nagsisilbi lamang, sa gayon, ang CCT sa pagsusuhay sa bulok na pulitika, pagkaatrasado ng ekonomya at sa patuloy na pagsasamantala ng mga gahaman sa mga nangangailangan.

Dahil sa kawalan ng tunay na naitutulong ng CCT sa aktwal na pagpapaunlad ng kabuhayan at katayuan sa buhay ng mga maralita at kulang na kulang ang kabuhayan, ang ginagawa na lamang ng tanggapang namamahala rito sa bansa — ang Department of Social Works and Development — ay ang pagsisilid ng mga palatandaan ng problema sa mga pagkakataong maaaring malantad at tumampok ito, tulad ng pagdadala ng mga maralitang bata sa isang malayong mamahaling resort para maitago sila nang dumalaw sa bansa si Pope Francis I noong Enero.

Dati nang problema ang pagpapatuloy ng imperyalistang U.S. ng pagbabase-militar nito sa bansa, sa pamamagitan ng matagal nang Mutual Defense Treaty at mas bagong Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) — kahit natapos na ang U.S. – Philippines Bases Agreement at isinara na noong 1992 ang mga base militar ng U.S. sa bansa.

Pinasasahol pa ngayon itong problema dulot ng bagong Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) at, labag sa batas at konstitusyon ng bansa, nilaktawan pa ang pangangilangan ng pagsang-ayon ng Senado para sa ganoong kasunduan. Balak ng imperyalistang U.S. na kasangkapanin ang EDCA sa tinatawag nitong “pivot to Asia” (pagpihit ng 70% ng sandatahang lakas nito para sa pagkontrol sa Asia-Pacific, pangunahin na sa South China Sea) at gamitin ang mga pwersa at baseng militar at, kung tutuusin, ang buong teritoryo ng Pilipinas, laban sa sinisikap ngayon ng China na pagsosolo ng kontrol sa South China Sea, labag sa interes at pag-aari ng Pilipinas at iba pang kalapit na bansa sa mga teritoryo ng mga ito sa baha-bahagi ng nasabing dagat.

Sa kasong isinampa sa International People’s Tribunal laban sa rehimeng BSA III, hinusgahang maysala ang rehimeng BSA III sa pagpapakatuta nito sa imperyalismong U.S., kabilang na ang paglabag sa kasarinlan at mga interes, bukod sa konstitusyon, ng bansang Pilipinas sa pakikipagkasundo sa U.S. sa pagbubuo ng VFA, EDCA at iba pang mga paraan, kabilang na ang mga iligal na paglahok ng mga pwersang militar ng U.S. sa mga operasyong intelidyens at pangkombat, bilang bahagi ng pagmamantine nito ng kapangyarihan sa bansa at sa rehiyon.

Marami sa mga nabanggit na isyu, sa katunayan, maraming pampulitika, sosyo-ekonomiko, at iba pang mabibigat na buhay-at-kamatayang isyu ng mamamayan, na, habang hindi pa nalulutas sa kapakanan ng mamamayan ay nagsisilbing sanhi ng nagpapatuloy na malalim at matagalang tunggalian sa pagitan ng mga pwersang makamamamayan sa isang banda at ng mga reaksyunaryong naghahari sa kabilang banda.

Patuloy na ginigiit ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) na dapat saklawin ng usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan nito at ng Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP/GPH) ang mga nabanggit na saligang problema at ang inihahapag ng NDF na mga kumprehensibong panukala tungo sa sistematiko at makabuuang paglulutas sa mga ito.

Ngunit matagal nang naantala at nababara — sa nakaraan, hanggang sa kasalukuyang paghahari ng rehimeng BSA III — ang usapang pangkapayapaan.

Patuloy na nilalabag ng umiiral na gubyerno sa bansa ang dating nakamit nang mga kasunduan sa usapang pangkapayapaan. May dati nang umiiral na mga kasunduan sa proseso ng mga usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng NDF at GRP/GPH, kabilang ang kasunduan para sa pagrespeto sa mga karapatang-tao at pandaigdigang makataong batas, at para sa proteksyon ng mga konsultant pangkapayapaan ng NDF — na hindi dapat isinusurbeylans, inaaresto, pinahihirapan, ikinukulong, sinasampahan ng mga gawa-gawang kaso, at idinaraan sa iba’t iba pang mga karahasan ng estado. Ngunit, patuloy pa ring binabalewala at nilalabag ng umiiral na rehimen ang nasabing mga kasunduan, kung kaya’t tuluy-tuloy ang pagdami ng mga bilanggong pulitikal, pati na mga protektadong konsultant pangkapayapaan ng NDF. Mayroong nang mahigit 18 konsultant at istap sa usapang pangkapayapaan ng NDF na kasalukuyang nakakulong (lima sa mga ito, dito sa Camp Bagong Diwa). Maging ang mga di nakakulong ay patuloy na patraydor na ipinaiilalim sa surbeylans, sinasampahan ng mga gawa-gawang kasong kriminal at idinaraan sa ibat iba’t marurumi at pasistang aksyon at iba pang mga paglabag sa kanilang mga karapatan at sa mga kasunduan sa usapang pangkapayapaan.

Maging ang relatibong mas abante nang inabot kamakailan ng usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at ng GRP/GPH ay nagkaroon na ng mga problema at naantala na, dulot na mga problemang bunsod ng kawalan o masyadong pagkahuli ng pakikipagkoordina ng rehimeng BSA III sa MILF kaugnay ng Oplan Exodus ng Special Armed Forces ng Philippine National Police (SAF-PNP), sa lubos na pagpapaubaya ng Malakanyang sa pagpapatupad nito ng isang sa wala sa pwesto, sa nalantad na sikreto sanang panghihimasok ng mga pwersang intelidyens at pangmilitar ng U.S. sa operasyong iyon at sa marami pang operasyong militar sa Mindanao-Sulu at iba’t iba pang lugar sa bansa, sa mga angal ng iba pang mga signipikanteng pwersa (pangunahin na ang Moro National Liberation Front) at mamamayan (kabilang ang mga Lumad at iba pang di-Moro), sa marami nang pinalabnaw sa mga napagkasunduan at sa naglitawang maraming iba pang mga usapin at balakid sa pagsasabatas ng mga napagkasunduan sa usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng MILF at GRP/GPH.

Tulad ng nabanggit na, marami na ring naipon nang mga problema sa pagpapatuloy at pag-usad ng usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan naman ng NDF at GRP/GPH.

Sa harap ng mga ito, inaasahan pa rin naming may mapagtatagumpayan sa pakikipag-usapang pangkapayapaan ng MILF sa GRP/GPH, at matutuloy na rin ang labis nang naantalang usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan naman ng NDF at GRP/GPH.

Mabilis nang nauubos ang panahon, lalo’t sa loob ng isang taon ay may panibago na namang rehimen sa umiiral na estado, habang patuloy ang mga saligan at mabibigat na suliraning dumadagan sa mamamayan at nilalabanan ng mga naghahangad ng mga kumprehensibong pagbabagong panlipunan tungo sa totohanan at matagalang kabutihan sa buhay at hinaharap ng naghihirap at aping mamamayan.

Patuloy kaming nakikipaglaban para sa aming mga karapatan at patuloy pa ring nagsisikap gawin — maging sa harap ng maraming pagtatraydor, pangigipit, paninikil at pagbabanta ng mga pwersa ng reaksyunaryong estado sa amin, sa kasalukuyang napakakitid at hirap na kalagayan kasalukuyang kinalalagyan namin — ang aming mga bahagi sa laban ng mamamayan at pag-ambag pa rin sa mga pakikibaka at sa usapang pangkapayapaan.

Hanggat may nananatiling pag-asa, sa hangaring makamit pa rin nang mas maaga ang ipinaglalabang mga komprehensibong pagbabagong panlipunan, umaasa pa rin kami sa pagtutuloy ng seryoso, sustantibo at kumprehensibong pag-uusap tungo sa kapayapaan, kaharap man ng NDF ang papatapos nang rehimeng BSA III, o kung hindi man ay kaharap ang papalit na bagong rehimen.

Mga konsultant pangkapayapaan ng NDF

Alan Jazmines

Tirso Alcantara

Emeterio Antalan

Leopoldo Caloza

Loida Magpatoc

at iba pang mga bilanggong pulitikal na kasalukuyang nakakulong sa Camp Bagong Diwa

(26 Hulyo 2015)

NDFP Negotiating Panel Endorses Safe and Orderly Release of POW Lupiba

Press Statement
22 July 2015
NDFP Negotiating Panel Endorses Safe and Orderly Release of POW Lupiba
The National Democratic Front of the Philippine (NDFP) Negotiating Panel strongly endorses the recommendations of the NDFP North Central Mindanao Region for starting the negotiations for the safe and orderly release of Prisoner of War (POW) Pfc. Adonis Jess M. Lupiba, Serial Number 863573, of the 58th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, Armed Forces of the Philippines. He was captured by the New People’s Army in a legitimate military operation of the NPA on July 11, 2015 in Alagatan, Gingoog City.
We commend the NDFP North Central Mindanao Region’s  endorsing of the declaration of the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Command that it is prepared to forego normal processes of investigation and the revolutionary judicial process as a gesture of goodwill and to show the revolutionary movement’s sincerity in seeking the resumption of peace talks with the Aquino government.
We likewise commend the NDFP North Central Mindanao Region’s assurance that POW Lupiba is being accorded humane treatment as a POW in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and Protocols, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and other laws and rules of the people’s democratic government.
The NDFP Negotiating Panel issues this strong endorsement also in response to the appeal of the wife and parents of the aforesaid POW and the call of the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) signed by Co-Chairperson, Most Rev. Antonio Ledesma, S.J. and the Right Rev. Felixberto Calang, IFI, Core Group Member.
We strongly urge the leadership of both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to issue the required Suspension of Offensive Military and Police Operations (SOMO/SOPO), which will be accompanied by a corresponding NPA ceasefire for the same period and area, in order to ensure the safe and orderly release of POW Lupiba.
We believe this goodwill gesture of the NDFP North Central Mindanao Region and NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Command will improve the atmosphere for the resumption of formal peace negotiations which ought to address the root causes of the 46-year-old armed conflict.
The issuance of the SOMO is a test for the new AFP Head, Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri who just declared that he supports the resumption of peace negotiations between the Aquino government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. The new PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez  ought to issue the SOPO.
 LUIS G. JALANDONI

Generals Año and Baladad Must Answer for Their War Crimes

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) condemns in the strongest terms possible the war crimes committed by Generals Año and Baladad in the extrajudicial killings of hors d’combat, NPA Commander Leoncio Pitao (Kumander Parago) and Medic Vanessa “Kyle”Limpag on June 28, 2015 in Purok 9, Barangay Panalom, Paquibato District, Davao City.
Commader Parago was wounded and had ran out of bullets, when troops under Generals Año and Baladad, summarily executed him in flagrant violation of the International Humanitarian Law strictly prohibiting such action against a combatant who is already hors d’ combat. The troops led by Lt. Col.  Rodney Intal of the 69th Infantry Battalion riddled him with bullets and shot him in the head. Autopsy results are proof of this war crime by Generals Año, Baladad and their troops.
NPA Medic, Vanessa “Ka Kyle”Limpag, who was caring for the sick Commander Parago, was unarmed. She raised her arms and shouted “I am a medic! Do not finish off Commander Parago! He is sick!” She was razed to the ground. She died instantly. Killing an unarmed medic, a civilian according to the Geneva Conventions and Protocols, is a war crime. It is killing a hors d’ combat.
The blatant violations of International Humanitarian Law are likewise flagrant violations of the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) signed by GRP and NDFP Negotiating Panels on March 16, 1998 and approved by their respective Principals later in 1998.
Generals Año and Baladad, Lt. Col. Intal and other officers and soldiers involved in aforesaid flagrant violations of International Humanitarian Law and the CARHRIHL must be held accountable for their war crimes!
Justice for the families of Commander Parago and Medic Vanessa Limpag!
Luis G. Jalandoni

Deles Is Engaged in Malicious Kind of Preconditioning

Press Statement
14 July 2015
Compliance with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG, 1995) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL, 1998) and other peace agreements is not a precondition. It is a solemn obligation arising from agreements forged meticulously by both Parties, the GRP and the NDFP.
Noncompliance means the Government of the Philippines (GPH) does not know how to honor agreements.
It is Secretary Deles who is engaged in extremely malicious kind of preconditioning. She is setting such a foolish precondition to formal peace talks as getting rid of  existing agreements like the  Hague Joint Declaration, the JASIG and CARHRIHL  By such preconditioning,  Secretary Deles obstructs the efforts to achieve an agreement on social and economic reforms and a possible truce and cooperation before the end of the current Aquino administration.
The positive actions of people like Speaker Belmonte, former President Fidel V. Ramos under whose adminstration ten agreements including the The Hague Joint Declaration (1992), the JASIG and the CARHRIHL, and former GRP Negotiating Panel Chair Silvestre H. Bello III are appreciated by the NDFP.  Bello had declared, “The GPH must respect the peace agreements. For who would trust a government that does not honor and comply with agreements and contracts it has entered into.”
The NDFP likewise appreciates the call of the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform and other peace advocates to honor all agreements, address the roots of the armed conflict, and resume peace talks.
LUIS G. JALANDONI
Chairperson, Negotiating Panel
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

A Red Salute to Kumander Parago

Roy Erecre
NDFP Consultant for Visayas
July 10, 2015
The revolutionary forces in the Visayas unite with the Filipino people especially the oppressed masses, the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army and the organs of political power all over the country in honouring the memory of Leoncio “Kumander Parago” Pitao. We not only mourn his death but, most importantly, commemorate his countless significant contributions to the national democratic revolution.
Ka Parago and medic-comrade Vanessa “Ka Kyle” Limpag were inhumanely murdered while hors de combat by a raiding team composed of the 6th Scout Ranger Company, 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion under the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment led by General Ano last June 28, 2015 in Barangay Panalum, Paquibato district, Davao City.
Kumander Parago was an exemplary revolutionary in serving the people and leading the first Pulang Bagani Battalion of the Red Army in Southern Mindanao. In his 37 years in the revolution, he was resolute in his revolutionary principles and he grasped firmly the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism (MLM).
Ka Parago wa a model Communist for the sacrifices and struggles he overcame with the interest of the masses at heart. Though his family was constantly under threat to the point of his daughter, Rebelyn, being raped and murdered by military agents, the interest of the majority of the Filipino people prevailed and he continued in his revolutionary work. Despite his illnesses, he refused to depart from the masses he loves to seek medical attention. With his last breath, he bellowed, “Long live the revolution, long live the oppressed masses!”
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) boasts of its triumph in Commander Parago’s murder and predicts the downfall of the revolutionary movement in Mindanao. Rather, the AFP will be dumbfounded with the resounding march of the new Paragos not only in Mindanao but the entire Philippines. While it is true that the death of every comrade is a loss to the revolution, we will transform our grief into a force of victory.
The national democratic revolution will continue until victory is achieved with the inspiration of Commander Parago and other revolutionary heroes and martyrs, who, apart from offering his life to the people, left us with his great legacy and example.
A red salute to Comrade Parago and all revolutionary martyrs!
Follow the communist spirit and legacy of Commander Parago in advancing the New Democratic Revolution to greater heights!
Long live the revolution, long live the oppressed masses!

Red Salute to Ka Parago Who Loved the Masses and the Revolution

July 2, 2015
“Long live the revolution! Long live the masses!” Dying words of NPA Commander Ka Parago, as enemy soldiers riddled him with bullets.
Ka Leoncio Pitao, Kumander Parago, joined the New People’s Army in 1978 after his father was killed by government troops in Loreto, Agusan del Sur.
He lived with the masses, loved them and sowed the seeds of the revolution in their hearts. He became known and honored as the protector of the poor and oppressed. The massses in the Southern Mindanao region fondly called him “Tatay, or Ka Ago”.
He became a legendary guerrilla fighter and commander, leading numerous daring tactical offensives against enemy forces of the reactionary Philippine regime supported by US imperialism.
Among his guerrilla unit’s outstanding achievements was the daring raid of the Davao Penal Colony in April 2007. Confiscated were five M16s, 45 Carbines, 46 Shotguns and seven .38 Caliber pistols. The tactical offensive was completed in 20 minutes, without firing a shot. The guards were surprised and disarmed. None of them was hurt.
In February 1999 he led in the capture of Army General Victor Obillo and Captain Alex Montealto. Commander Parago worked with the NDFP Negotiating Panel to cause their release to the International Committee of the Red Cross and government officials, Senator Loren Legarda, Secretary of Justice and GRP Panel Member Silvestre H. Bello III in April 1999 NDFP Chief Legal Counsel Romeo T. Capulong and NDFP Political Consultant Sotero Llamas were present for the highly publicized release.
General Obillo, upon his release, praised Commander Parago for according him and Capt. Montealto humane treatment during their captivity. At one time, Obillo said, he was given an alcoholic drink because he was chilling in the cold mountains, although NPA fighters were not allowed to have alcoholic drinks. Obillo further expressed admiration for Parago’s mastery of the terrain.
Parago was captured in November 1999. Ka Coni Ledesma, NDFP Negotiating Panel Member and I were privileged to visit him in prison in Camp Aguinaldo. Together with lawyer Edre Olalia, a press conference was held in the prison. During the press conference and conversations with us, he expressed his profound desire to go back to his beloved masses in Mindanao. He was released in recognizance in September 2001 to Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church, Tomas A. Millamena. His release was a confidence and goodwill measure to foster the resumption of peace negotiations between the GRP and the NDFP. These negotiations were about to be held in Oslo with the Royal Norwegian Government as the official Third Party Facilitator.
After his release he reunited with his beloved masses in Mindanao and reassumed his outstanding role in their revolutionary struggle. In the face of the escalating military attacks of the enemy against the people, Commander Parago led daring and successful NPA operations. The enemy’s hatred and fear of him intensified.
In 2009, government agents abducted, raped and murdered his daughter, Rebelyn. This did not stop him from continuing to fight the enemy. Despite his rage against the enemy’s vile act of rape and murder of his daughter, he adhered to the policy of the revolutionary movement to accord humane treatment to captives of the NPA and arrange their safe and orderly release as Prisoners of War, if they were not liable for serious criminal offenses against the people. But some of those enemy agents identified in the murder and rape of his daughter were subjected to revolutionary justice.
For some time it has been known to the comrades and the masses that Ka Parago has been ill with diabetes, hyperthyrodism, hepatitis and hypertension, and he could hardly walk. He was offered a leave to get rest and medical treatment, but he refused. He decided to stay and live with the masses.
He was undergoing medical treatment by medic Ka Kyle or Vanessa Limpag, when the enemy riddled Commander Parago with bullets. Ka Kyle was able to raise her hands and shout that she was a medic, but she too was razed to the ground. She died instantly.
In stark contrast to the humane treatment accorded by Commander Parago to General Obillo, Capt. Montealto and other Prisoners of War, the troops under General Ano summarily killed Commander Parago and his medic, Vanessa Limpag. Gerneral Ano and his troops are subject to investigation for violating international humanitarian law, CARHRIHL and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) for killing Commander Parago and Vanessa Limpag as hors de combat, among others. The units under General Ano, notorious for involvement in the enforced disappearance of Jonas Burgos, must also be investigated for extrajudicial killings of indigenous peoples’ leaders, the closing of Lumad schools, and encampment by soldiers of schools and other public places.
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines joins the masses in Mindanao and throughout the country, the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army and the organs of political power in mourning the death of the great revolutionary, the outstanding NPA commander, and people’s martyr and hero, Kasamang Leoncio Pitao, Kumander Parago. We turn our grief into revolutionary courage.
The revolutionary spirit and legacy of Kumander Parago lives on in the thousands of revolutionary fighters he has trained and the revolutionary masses in whose hearts he sowed the seeds of revolution. “Tatay to the masses he loved and served, his undying fighting spirit will be a beacon of inspiration for the Philippine revolution and the masses!
Mabuhay ang rebolusyonaryong diwa ni Kasamang Leoncio Pitao, Kumander Parago!
Mabuhay ang masa at ang Rebolusyong Pilipino!
Mabuhay ang CPP, NPA at NDFP!
Mabuhay ang Sambayanang Pilipino!
LUIS G. JALANDONI
Member
NDFP National Executive Committee

Tribute to Comrade Leoncio Pitao (Commander Parago)

By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Founding Chairman, Communist Party of the Philippines
Chief Political Consultant, National Democratic Front of the Philippines
June 29, 2015
I join the Filipino people, the people’s revolutionary government, the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the revolutionary mass organizations and other revolutionary forces in mourning the death of Comrade Leoncio Pitao (Commander Parago) and in celebrating his achievements from the time he joined the NPA in 1978 until his martyrdom yesterday on June 28, 2015.
It is fitting and proper that all of us accord him with the Red salute and the highest respect and honor for serving the Filipino people and the international proletariat. He is a great patriot, outstanding communist fighter and revolutionary commander. He has made significant contributions and the supreme sacrifice in the Filipino people’s democratic revolution for national and social liberation against foreign monopoly capitalism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism.
Comrade Leoncio Pitao (Ka Parago) was devoted to the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism and applied it successfully together with other comrades and the people in Southern Mindanao Region. He excelled as a cadre of the Communist Party of the Philippines and as a commander of the New People’s Army. He adhered to the Second Great Rectification Movement and carried forward the building of the Party, the people’s army and the united front.
In advancing the people’s war, he integrated revolutionary struggle with land reform and building the organs of political power and mass organization. He applied the line of extensive and intensive guerrilla warfare on the basis of a widening and deepening mass base. He developed the closest of relations with the working people, the indigenous people and allies.
He had a mastery of the strategy and tactics of guerrilla warfare, flexibly employing concentration, dispersal and shifting, depending on the need in a fluid war of movement. He became known nationally and internationally for the revolutionary victories as commander of the First Pulang Bagani Company in the Southern Mindanao Region.
As a result of correct political line and his effective tactical command, this heroic and glorious company has grown into the First Pulang Bagani Battalion. According to the Southern Mindanao Regional Command, Ka Parago planned and commanded the countless disarming operations in the 1980s and 1990s, the capture of General Obillo and Capt. Montealto in 1999, the raid on the Davao Penal Colony and other many tactical offensives.
Ka Parago was captured in November 1999 and was put in solitary confinement in the ISAFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo. He was offered by the enemy a huge amount of money as bribe for him to leave and denounce the revolutionary movement. But he outrightly refused the offer and upheld his loyalty and commitment to the Filipino people and the revolution.
The lawyers of the Public Interest Law Center and the Department of Justice pleaded to the court for his release as a goodwill measure of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) in the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. It was during this time that the Chairperson of the NDFP Negotiating Panel Luis Jalandoni and panel member Coni Ledesma were able to visit him and hold a press conference with him. Ka Parago was released from prison in 2001.
After his release, Ka Parago decided to rejoin the comrades in the countryside. And he continued to render outstanding service to the revolutionary cause of the Filipino people, especially in the battlefield. The enemy hated him so much that military agents abducted, tortured, raped and murdered his 22-year old daughter Rebelyn, a school teacher, and dumped her in a ditch in Panabo City in 2009. This barbarity became the subject of outrage among the people and human rights organizations in the Philippines and abroad.
Despite the abduction, torture, rape and murder of his daughter, he continued as a principled revolutionary to respect the policy of the CPP and NPA for according lenient treatment to prisoners of war as well as the International Humanitarian Law regarding respect for the human rights of the said prisoners. Exercising political wisdom, he went so far as issuing a statement to assure the families of enemy officers and men that there would be no retaliation on them. As a matter of justice under the people’s government, he sought out for punishment only those identified as the abductors and killers of his daughter.
So successful were the tactical offensives commanded by Ka Parago that prisoners were often captured. He and the Red fighters under his command used the necessary amount of force to achieve victory. But they were lenient and kind to the enemy officers and men who surrendered or survived the battle. The bodies of the dead were respected. The wounded were treated by NPA medical officers. The prisoners received the same food as the NPA fighters. They were released as soon as possible, as long as they were not liable for any serious criminal offense.
For an extended period already, Ka Parago had been ill with diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hepatitis and hypertension. He was under medical treatment at the time of his death. The comrades had advised him to take a leave for medical treatment outside his area of command but he insisted on staying close to the people. Investigation by the revolutionary authorities has established that on June 28, 2015 at 2:30 p.m., an enemy team raided Purok 9 of barangay Pañalum in the Paquibato district of Davao City, where Ka Parago was undergoing medical care, and that there was no encounter between units of the NPA and the enemy.
The enemy immediately raked Ka Parago with automatic fire upon sight of him. His unarmed medical aide Ka Kyle or Vanessa Limpag had the chance to raise her hands and shout that she was a medic. But she was mowed down by the enemy raiding team. The enemy has withdrawn the photo and video it previously published, showing the murdered Ka Parago in his homewear and barefooted, with two obviously planted Armalite rifles for photo takingclose to his and Ka Vanessa’s bodies .
The enemy in its propaganda is gloating over their brutal killing of Ka Parago and his medical aide. It is boasting that the revolutionary movement is “declining”. It is oblivious of the fact that before Ka Parago died he was able to educate and train so many revolutionary successors in 37 years of revolutionary struggle. In recent years, months and days, the reactionary armed forces and unwelcome foreign monopoly enterprises have been receiving lethal blows from the NPA in the Southern Mindanao region.
Ka Parago continues to live and fight for national liberation and democracy through his successors in the CPP, NPA and the mass movement. After his heroic martyrdom, his successors are inspired and are ever more determined to fight for a new and better world.
The reactionary armed forces have concentrated more than 50 per cent of their strength in Eastern Mindanao in the vain hope of defeating the NPA here since sometime ago. But within this area, the NPA has enough room for maneuver. The forces of the NPA are also taking advantage of the reduced strength of the reactionary armed forces in other parts of Mindanao and in the Visayas and Luzon in order to wage tactical offensives. These are not being reportedly fully by the bourgeois mass media.
There is no way for the imperialists and the local reactionaries to stop the growth of the CPP, NPA, the mass organizations and organs of political powers, because the crisis of the world capitalist system and the domestic ruling system of big compradors and landlords is ever worsening and the broad masses of the people detest the intolerable conditions of oppression and exploitation and are desirous of revolutionary change in the face of the ever worsening conditions of exploitation and oppression.
Long live the memory of Comrade Leoncio Pitao!
Advance the revolutionary cause which he fought and died for!
Long live the revolutionary struggle in Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon!
Carry forward the Philippine revolution!
Long live the Filipino people!

Press Statement of NDFP Consultant Adelberto Silva

I am a consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF) in its peace negotiations with the Philippine government. I helped prepare the labor and economic agenda in the 1987 peace negotiation and in the current peace talks between the Philippine government and the NDF. I am committed to the struggle for a just and lasting peace and to paving a path by which our country can get its people out of the quagmire of crisis, poverty, mendicancy and corruption that we currently find ourselves in.
Contrary to the claims of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, I have a Jasig (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees) documentation of identification, with the assumed named “Percival Rojo” and number ND 978229. I have been a trade union organizer since the martial law period.
My wife Rosanna Cabusao and companion, Isidro de Lima, were arrested on June 1, 2015, in Molino, Bacoor, Cavite, by some 30 members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police. Cabusao is a researcher/consultant of the Crispin B. Beltran Resource Center and a founding member of Gabriela.
The Philippine government and the AFP have criminalized the work that I do as a peace consultant. In fact, they have arrested and detained peace consultants like myself based on trumped-up criminal charges and planted evidence. They have consistently disregarded and violated the Jasig between the Philippine government and the NDF.
There are 17 NDF peace consultants among the 528 political prisoners in the country today.
I surmise that I am made to appear as the new secretary general of the Communist Party of the Philippines so that the AFP and and PNP could collect a higher monetary reward or bounty for my arrest and for psywar operations. I categorically deny any involvement in the trumped-up multiple charges against me. All accusations hurled against me, my wife Rosanna Cabusao and my companion Isidro de Lima, are false, malicious and baseless.
ADELBERTO SILVA
NDFP peace consultant,
DI number ND 978229
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region