ANGPahayagan ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas

Pinapatnubayan ng Marxismo-Leninismo-Maoismo

Vol . LI No. 3

February 7, 2020

www.cpp.ph

EDITORIAL

Duterte's hollowstance against VFA

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte recently repeated his rants against the USgovernment. Last month, he announcd that he will push for theabrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). He said that

he will carry this out within a month if the US fails to reverse the can-cellation of his rabid henchman, now senator, Ronald "Bato" delaRosa's visa.

He said that he is not joking.Considering the context and hisprevious rants against the US, how-ever, it can be seen that Duterte isnot at all serious. His stance on thetermination of VFA is hollow. He isposturing not to advance the na-tional sovereignty of the Philip-pines, but his selfish political inter-ests.

This posturing is no differentfrom the bogus nationalism of Mar-cos who in the 1970s threatened toabrogate the Military Bases Agree-ment. The agreement, signed in1946, gave the US the privilege to

erect military bases in more than50,000 hectares of land in Clark,Subic and many other areas. Mar-cos' posturing, however, just endedup in a bargain for payment ofhigher land rent by the US and theprovision of more military aid tosupport his martial law.

Following this Marcosian ap-proach, Duterte is using the con-cept of national sovereignty as anembellishment to conceal his per-sonal interests. Firstly, in connec-tion with his stance to "align withChina and Russia," Duterte is using

"Hollow...," continued on page 2

5 soldiers

killed in NPA

armed action

FIVE SOLDIERS WERE killed inan armed action mounted by theNew People's Army (NPA)-Min-doro against 4th IB forces onJanuary 26, at Sitio Kianay,Barangay Naibuan, San Jose,Occidental Mindoro.

Ka Madaay Gasic, NPA-Mindoro spokesperson, saidthat the armed action is a re-sponse to intensifying focusedmilitary operations in the prov-ince. Military operations com-menced on Janury 11 in thetowns of Bulalacao, Magsaysayand San Jose.

The offensive is also a re-sponse to the Retooled Com-munity Support Program Oper-ations which is being used bythe AFP to deceive and terrorizethe people of Mindoro.

February 7 , 2020 ANG BAYAN2

Editorial: Duterte's stance against VFA ishollow 1Armed action of NPA-Mindoro 3Various forms of plunder in FSMR 3Honor and emulate FQS spirit 3Attacks vs. Angkas, habal-habal riders 5Traffic in the Philippines 5FMO in Southern-Tagalog 6Nissen Electronic workers' struggle 7JIPCO, Peace for capitalists 7State forces arrest 19 farmers 8Paramilitary attacks Lumad sanctuary 833rd year of Mendiola Massacre 8Justice for Randy Malayao 8Aerotropolis project 9Anomalous DICT funds 9

his anti-VFA antics to push the USto provide more and new weapons,helicopters, bombs, and othermatériel for the AFP's brutal warof suppression against the Filipinomasses, and for the bogus "war ondrugs." With this, he can win thesupport of pro-US AFP officials.Secondly, he is using this as a cardto improve his worth and hindersome US-based groups from pres-suring him along with his politicalrivals.

If Duterte really has even justa whiff of nationalism, he shouldhave since junked the VFA, orderedthe pull-out of American troopsand dismantled their military facil-ities in the Philippines. Duterteturns a blind eye to what the Ame-ricans are doing in Fort Magsay-say, Clark, Subic, Villamor AirBase, Mactan Air Base, LumbiaAirport, Camp Ranao, Camp Bau-tista, Carlito Cunanan Naval Sta-tion, Camp Navarro and otherplaces. These camps serve as cen-

ters for their intervention. Theseare where they spy, launch drones,and train Filipino soldiers for theirinterference in the country's in-ternal affairs under the guise of"counter-terrorism."

For the Filipino people who areaspiring for genuine freedom fromUS neocolonial domination, Duter-te's posturing against the VFA willonly result in nothing. Time willpass and this will only be forgottenlike his past declaration to end theBalikatan "war exercises" and ab-rogate the Enhanced Defense Co-operation Agreement (EDCA).

The actual result of his anti-VFA stance will depend on how hewill play this card. It may eitherresult in a mere "review," a newnegotiation or a new agreement; orthe US may also simply rewardDuterte (including his request forthe cancellation of Bato's visa).However, this may also backfire athim especially if the US does notimmediately compromise and if hisantics will go too far as this will

embolden some AFP officials, inconnivance with US forces and localoppositionists, to oust him frompower. What is certain is thatDuterte's stance neither changesnor will change the US' dominionover the country's politics.

The Filipino people have longbeen clamoring for the abrogation ofthe VFA, and other unequal militarytreaties between the US and thePhilippines. Among these are theMutual Defense Treaty and theEDCA which were signed in 1951 and2014, respectively.

All these agreements give the USmilitary the power and right to be inthe Philippines and violate itssovereignty. These agreements arean affront to the national integrityof Filipinos.

Under the VFA, in particular,American troops are allowed tofreely enter and exit the country.Contrary to the reactionary Philip-pine constitution, their vehiclescannot even be inspected for carry-ing nuclear weapons into the coun-try. American troops who commitcrimes are immediately given pro-tection by the US government and, ifnot for public clamor and protests,are absolved of their crimes.

These agreements, and the do-minion of foreign capitalists andbanks in the local economy, are thestarkest manifestations of neo-colonial oppression in the Philip-pines. Foreign control over theeconomy and military, and the con-nivance of some traitors with for-eign imperialists are the primaryfactors why the country remainsbackward, and why the Filipinopeople are impoverished while oli-garchs, landlords, and big corruptbureaucrats get richer and richereveryday.

The Filipino people must amplifytheir clamor for the abrogation ofthe VFA and all other unequal mili-tary treaties. All freedom-lovingpeople must hold the Duterte regimeaccountable for selling out Philippinesovereignty .

"Hollow...," from page 1

Vol LI No. 3 | February 7, 2020

ContentsANG

instagram.com/prwcnewsroom

@prwc_info

cppinformationbureau@gmail.com

Ang Bayan is publ ished fortnightly by the Central Committee

of the Communist Party of the Phi l ippines

Ang Ang Bayan is publ ished

in Pi l ipino, Bisaya, I loko,

Hi l igaynon, Waray and Engl ish.

Ang Bayan welcomes

contributions in the form

of articles and news items.

Readers are encouraged

to send feedback and

recommendations

for improving our newspaper.

ANG BAYAN February 7 , 2020 3

ment oppressive schemes such asthe leasehold and growership sys-tems to expand their plantations.Under the leasehold system, com-panies lease private or public lands,often at extremely low rates, andconvert these into plantations.Growership system is a productionarrangement wherein companieshire private individuals to plantspecific products. Capitalistsshoulder all production costs, butthe farmer is obligated to sell all hisproduce to the company at a pricedetermined by the capitalist.

In the case of Dole Philippines

Honor and emulate FQS spirit—JMS

On the 50th anniversary of the First Quarter Storm (FQS), various groupsorganizations commemorated i`ts contribution in the revolutionary

movement. Series of activities were spearheaded by the FQS movement sinceJanuary 26. Prof. Jose Maria Sison said that it is noble and urgent task tocelebrate the First Quarter Storm of 1970 and to honor and emulate thosewho participated in this revolutionary storm by carrying out mobilizations,forums and other gatherings.

Various forms of plunder in FSMR

The FQS gave birth to so manyyouth activists and so many youthgroups. It played a key role inarousing, organizing and mobilizingthe youth. They advanced the na-tional democratic revolution anddid mass work among the workers,peasants, indigenous people, youth,women and professionals. and otherpeople in order to wage all forms ofstruggle, especially people’s war,against the fascist puppet regime.They also strengthened the ranks ofthe Communist Party of the Philip-pines.

Sison recounted that member-ship of Party, New People's Armyand various mass organizationsrapidly grew as a result of the FQS.When martial law was declared onSeptember 21, 1972, a significantnumber of activists went under-ground and participated in the

struggle against the fascist regime.Apart from the discussions,

veteran and new activists con-verged in Mendiola on January 30to commemorate the 50th anniver-sary of the "Battle of Mendiola."The historical protest was partici-pated in by more than 10,000 stu-dents and youth to fight the fascistUS-Marcos dictatorship. In re-sponse to their rally, the Metrocomharassed the activist. This was fol-lowed by even bigger protests bythe youth and workers in Mala-cañang.

Young and elderly activistsparticipated in the activity. Forthem, the main reason why theymounted the protest is becausefascism continues unabated and iseven more intense under theDuterte regime. Prof. Judy Tagui-walo, an activist and FQS veteran,

The suppression campaign mounted by the Armed Forces of the Philip-pines (AFP) across the Far Southern Mindanao Region (FSMR) has been

continuing for more than three years now. It launches sustained military op-erations in the provinces of the region to facilitate the entry and defend theplunderous activities of multinational and local agribusiness and miningcompanies.

Under the guise of the so-calledCommunity Support Program, themilitary besieges peasant communi-ties and forests to expedite land-grabbing. It threatens and intimi-dates peasants, especially thosewho are poor, to suppress theirstruggles. Those who refuse to givetheir lands up are accused of beingterrorists and are harassed.

Landgrabbing byagribusiness companies

Agribusiness companies are ag-gressively expanding their planta-tions through various forms oflandgrabbing and schemes for theproduction of export products. Si-multaneously, mining companieshave flocked to the region.

Agribusiness companies imple- "FSMR...," continued on page 4

said that a clear manifestation ofthis is the Executive Order 70 whichwas designed to suppress the peo-ple's rights.

A program was also mounted atthe Bantayog ng mga Bayani inQuezon City on January 26. Pro-gram participants paid tribute to allstudents and activists from othersectors for who led the massmovement agains the Marcos dic-tatorship. They also honored thestruggle of the current generationfor genuine democracy and free-dom, and expressed their supportfor the resumption of peace nego-tiations between the NDFP andGRP. They also demanded the re-lease of all political prisoners.

Relatives of martyrs and heroesof martial law Rizalina Ilagan, Em-manuel Lacaba, Antonio Zumel, Ma.Lorena Barros and Edgar Jopsonare among those who participatedin the activity.

The FQS started on January26, 1970 and ended in March1970. It played a major role in theseries of mass protests which ledto the ouster of the dictator Mar-cos.

February 7 , 2020 ANG BAYAN4

Inc. (Dolefil), local subsidiary ofUS-based multinational Dole FoodCompany, the area of its operationshas already expanded to 70,000hectares just by implementing thesaid schemes. The company onlymaintains a 9,364-hectare baseplantation.

Since 2014, combat operationsby the Task Force Central under the6th ID have continued unabated inSultan Kudarat to pave the way forthe expansion of plantations. Duringthe first year of its suppression cam-paign, the area covered by bananaplantation operations of multina-tionals alone have expanded by morethan seven times (from 220 hectaresto 1,574). In the next three years,this grew further by 70% (to 2,677hectares). Among those that bene-fitted from this are Dolefil and Sum-ifru Philippines Corporation (localsubsidiary of Japan-based multina-tional Sumitomo Corp.).

Nestlé Philippines also expan-sively put agricultural lands underconcessions for the production ofcoffee for export. It also has a ma-jor control over coffee production inSultan Kudarat, which is the secondbiggest coffee-producing provincein the country. In addition, approx-imately 12,000 hectares of coffeeplantations are controled by theM&S Company and Silvicultural In-dustries Inc., companies owened bythe Consunji family.

Rubber and oil palm plantationshave also rapidly expanded in thepast decade. The total rubber plan-tation area in the region grew from31,235 hectares in 2009 to 63,500

in 2018. Approximately 91% of thisor 58,000 hectares can be found inNorth Cotabato.

On the other hand, the total oilpalm plantation area grew from14,609 hectares in 2010 to 20,500 in2018. Half of this or 10,105 hectarescan be found in Sultan Kudarat.

Barangay Ned, in Lake Sebu,South Cotabato, is one of the placesthat are most adversely affected bythe operations of these companies.The barangay and adjacent villagesare being targeted for the expan-sion of multinational plantations.The reactionary provincial govern-ment has even named the area asits agribusiness zone. Barangay Nedis the largest barangay in the coun-try in terms of area and covers41,200 hectares. It also serves asthe ancestral land of Lumad tribesT'boli, Tiruray, Ubo and Manobo.

Encroachment of mining companiesGold, copper and iron reserves

can be found in the region, specifi-cally in the provinces of NorthCotabato (Pigcawayan and Mag-pet), Sultan Kudarat (Kalamansig,Palimbang, Bagumbayan andColumbio), South Cotabato (Tam-pakan, Lake Sebu and T'boli) andSarangani Province (Maitum, Ki-amba, Maasim and Glan).

More than 30 multinational andlocal companies are already operat-ing or processing their applicationfor massive mining operations in thesaid areas. The operations of thesecompany cover up to 224,103hectares.

Ten of these companies havebeen granted contracts to operate

in 63,559 hectares of land in theRegion. Of these, only SagittariusMines Inc. was given a Financialand Technical Assistance Agree-ment by the reactionary govern-ment for its 28,539-hectre conces-sion in Tampakan. (Read relatedarticle in Ang Bayan, October 7,2019). Meanwhile, four of thesecompanies were granted a MineralProduction Sharing Agreement(MPSA) each for five concessionswhich cover a total area of 17,439hectares. The reactionary state alsoallowed four companies to conductexploration operations in 17,579hectares of land.

Apart from these, 27 othermining operation applications arecurrenty being processed and willcover 160,544 hectares of land.Four of these are applications forMPSA and will cover 10,323hectares, while the other 23 areapplications for exploration permitswhich will cover up to 150,221hectares.

Landgrabbing by multinationalsis also widespread in the region. Inthe Daguma mountain range in Sul-tan Kudarat, Korean multinationalGeneral Resources Co., Ltd. (GRCO)has shamelessly grabbed the miningarea of small-scale miners. Its sub-sidiary GRCO Isulan Mining Corpo-ration is currently operating in4,500 hectares of land in BarangayKinayaw, Bagumbayan.

Chinese companies EpochinaMining Corporation and Xin Lin In-ternational Mining Corporationhave also encroached the area. Theconcessions of the said companiescover up to 4,549 hectares of land.Xin Lin Mining is a local subsidiaryof the Shanghai Xin Lin Interna-tional Trading Company Ltd., one ofthe biggest Chinese steel exporters.

The application of Britishmultinational Alphaville MineralResources, Inc. for the explorationof gold, copper and silver in 16,133hectares of land in Tulunan, NorthCotabato and Columbio in SultanKudarat is also currently beingprocessed.

"FSMR...," from page 3

ANG BAYAN February 7 , 2020 5

riders were al-lowed to oper-ate temporarilyfor a pilotstudy. The pilotprogram and thepermits ofAngkas, JoyRideand Move It areset to expire nextmonth. This will resultin the massacre of not less than30,000 jobs in Metro Manila alone.

Attacks on habal-habal ridersLong before motorcycle taxis

thrived, habal-habal services werealready a popular mode of trans-portation especially among the toil-ing masses. Motorcycles-for-hire,colloquially called habal-habal or"skylab" are used as an alternativemode of public transport in thecountryside and even in townswhere transportation services arescarce. Habal-habal rides are prac-tical especially in far-flung areaswhere roads are usually narrow,steep and rough and cannot be ac-cessed by tricycles or four-wheeledvehicles.

There are two types of habal-habal. This first type is that whichhas a wooden plank attached to themain seat of the motorcycle. Thiscan accommodate up to five pas-sengers. The second type of habal-habal is that which has protruding"wings" or two wooden planks at-tached on each side of the motor-cycle. This can accommodate up to13 passengers.

Habal-habals are often used bypeasant residents in transportingtheir farm produce to markets.These may also used in carryingbaggages and even livestock.

Habal-habal riders may be con-sidered as part of the rural prole-tariat. Due to insufficient incomeand widespread landgrabbing and

Attacks on the livelihood ofAngkas and habal-habal riders

Due to the absence of an efficient public mass transport system acrossthe country, many commuters opt to avail of the services of motorcycle

taxi riders in urban centers and habal-habal riders in the countryside. In-stead of improving the rotting transport system, the Duterte regime is hellbent on attacking the livelihood of riders who only seek to earn a living andhelp ease the traffic woes of commuters. This only proves that the regime isanti-people and utterly contemptuous of the welfare of the majority.

Attacks on Angkas ridersCommuters are constantly

faced with mobility issues becauseof the rotting public transport sys-tem in the country. To avoid grid-lock, many in Metro Manila andMetro Cebu depend on the servicesof Angkas, a company that providesride hailing services using motorcy-cle taxis. Many commuters avail ofits services as motorcycles aremore compact in size and can easilymaneuver even in congested roads.This is a big deal for commuters asthey are able to save up time andmoney.

Angkas was only established inDecember 2016 but its operationsexpanded rapidly simultaneous withthe worsening of the traffic situa-tion. Due to lack of sufficient anddecent job opportunities, manywere enticed to work for the com-pany as full-time riders are able toearn up to P1,500 per day. In De-cember 2019, the company em-ployed up to 27,000 riders.

Instead of supporting the rid-ers, the regime, through its LandTransportation Franchising and

Regulatory Board (LTFRB), orderedAngkas on December 2019 to lay-off 17,000 of its riders. The LTFRBclaimed that this had to be imple-mented to be fair amid the entry ofnew players in the industry. Re-cently in January, two motorcyclecompanies, namely JoyRide andMove It were permitted to operatein Metro Manila. Under the guise ofensuring "fair competition," theLTFRB implemented a 10,000-ridercap for all motorcycle taxi compa-nies.

The LTFRB had no mechanismto ensure that all those laid-offwould be absorbed by the newcompanies. The mass lay-off inAngkas is not only an attack on thelivelihood of the riders and theirfamilies but also to the hundreds ofthousands of commuters who de-pend on their services.

This was not the regime's firstattack on Angkas riders. In No-vember 2017, the LTFRB canceledthe permit of Angkas to operate asits services purportedly violatetraffic regulations. The cancellationwas only lifted in May 2019 and

Traffic in the Philippines is second worst in the world

TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN Metro Manila ranked second in the world ac-cording to the Traffic Index 2019, a report issued last month by Germancompany TomTom. The report analyzed traffic congestion in 416 majorurban centers across the globe.

The report indicates that the average congestion level in Metro Manilais at 71%. It revealed that motorists lost about 257 hours last year ingridlocks. Due to traffic congestion, a 30-minute trip on average becomes59 minutes in the morning and 68 in the evening.

Roads are most congested during rush hour (8-9 a.m.; and 6-7 p.m.).The average congestion level reaches 128% in the evening and 95% in themorning. It peaks at 143% during the evening rush on Fridays. "Attacks...," continued on page 6

February 7 , 2020 ANG BAYAN6

land-use conversion, many peasantsare compelled to look for additionalsource of income. Many farmersconsider habal-habal driving as analternative source of income.

Despite being a popular alter-native, the reactionary governmentstrictly prohibits habal-habal ser-vices as it purportedly violates traf-fic regulations. Most habal-habalsin provinces are not registered withthe LTFRB as the applicationprocess is expensive and very strin-gent. Because of this, habal-habalriders are often apprehended andtheir motorcycles confiscated. Theyare then fined with P5,000. Often,they are also victims of extortion bysoldiers and police operatives incheckpoints.

Riders are also burdened withrough roads in the countryside asthese wear down habal-habal partsquickly. In addition, they are also

faced with increasing prices of fueland other basic commodities. Theseproblems further cut their alreadymeager incomes.

Their plight compels them tounite and struggle. In the barangaylevel, riders organize associationsto fight for their right to livelihood.These associations set local trans-port regulations including thestandardization of farerates and ensuringthe safety of pas-sengers among ma-ny others. Theseassociations arealso mobilized du-ring disasters andemergencies in the barrio. Rid-ers see their travels to and fromvarious roads as part of their dailylivelihood and obligation to providetransportation services to their fel-low villagefolk.

Despite this, they still fall victim

to the armed state forces' fascistsuppression. This aims to silenceriders and suppress their strugglefor the right to livelihood. Among themost recent cases of suppressionagainst riders was that of Lito Itao,auditor of the Guihulngan City Ha-bal-habal United Operators andDrivers Association, who was killed

by 3rd ID elements in June 2019,in Negros Oriental. To justify the

killing, the fascistsmade it appear that

the victim was amember of the

New People'sArmy.

The suppression campaign ofthe reactionary state compel ha-bal-habal riders to directly con-tribute in advancing the people'sdemocratic revolution. Among othertasks, some riders regularly providelogistical and intelligence supportto Red fighters.

FMO in Southern Tagalog

Troopers of the butcher 4th IB killed civilians Mark Ederson Valencia De-los Santos and Jay-ar Mercado in Barangay Happy Valley, Socorro, Ori-

ental Mindoro on January 31. Mercado was a volunteer organizer of Bigkis atLakas ng mga Katutubo sa Southern Tagalog who was abducted by the mili-tary on January 26. The butchers buried Mercado's cadaver on February 1,without the knowledge of his relatives. After the crime, the military made itappear that both were members of the New People's Army.

The crime is part of the focused-military operation or FMO of theSouthern Luzon Command (Solcom)in several provinces in SouthernTagalog in January. The troopersransacked rural communities, put upcheckpoints, and violated the rightsof peasants and minorities residingin areas where they were operating.These operations are directed bythe newly-appointed Solcom com-mander Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade.A division-sized force was deployedin Quezon and Mindoro.

In Quezon, 201st IBde and PNP-Calabarzon elements ransackedbarangays Villa Espina, Pisipis andVergania in Lopez from January 10 to30. Simultaneously, a battalion-sized

force of the 85th IB and PNP milita-rized several barangays in Gumaca.The troopers put up checkpoints inGumaca and other towns of SouthQuezon.

Similarly, a battalion-sizedforce of the 1st IB, PNP and CAFGUwere deployed in the towns of Realand Sampaloc, Quezon; andKalayaan and Luisiana in Lagunasince the second week of January.

Meanwhile, interior barangays inRizal and San Jose, Occidental Min-doro; and Bulalacao, Mansalay, Vic-toria and Socorro in Oriental Min-doro are militarized by elements ofthe 203rd IBde and PNP-Mimaropasince January 8. Reports show thattwo companies are currently operat-

"Attacks...," from page 5

ing in each FMO area.Approximately 32 barrios in

South Palawan are covered by theFMO of the AFP Western Commandand the Provincial Task Force toEnd Local Communist Armed Con-flict. The 1st Police Mobile ForceCompany of PNP Palawan was de-ployed in the towns of Quezon,Rizal, Bataraza, Brooke's Point andSofronio Española.

Human rights are violated andcommunities are terrorized duringFMOs. In Gumaca, Quezon, a jeep-ney was stopped at a checkpoint andwas illegally searched. An incident ofindiscriminate strafing perpetratedby soldiers was also recorded inRizal, Occidental Mindoro. ThreeTadyawan youth were harassed onJanuary 12 in Happy Valley, Socorro,Oriental Mindoro. Due to intensemilitary operations, residents haveevacuated from six sitios in threebarangays in Socorro, and four sitiosin three barangays in Victoria sinceJanuary 13.

ANG BAYAN February 7 , 2020 7

Nissen Electronics workers' struggle

Nissen Electronics Philippines is a Japanese company that produces auto-motive fuses. The companies supplies these to various car manufacturing

multinationals in the country including Toyota, Nissan, Ford and Isuzu. Thecompany is a local subsidiary of the multinational company Nippon Seisen Ca-ble, Ltd which reported a sales of 10 billion yen (P4.6 billion) in March 2018.

The operations of Nissen Elec-tronics Philippines in SouthernTagalog started in 2009 at the La-guna Technopark Incorporated, be-fore relocating at the Daiichi In-dustrial Park in Cavite, in 2016.After relocating, workers' wageswere pulled down as the minimumwage in Cavite (P351.50) is lowerthan that in Laguna (P378.50).

Workers are further exploited asthey are compelled to render over-time work, under the "six to sixscheme" wherein they are to work for12 hours a day. Holidays and days-offare unpaid, and employees are re-quired to shoulder the costs for theiruniforms and safety equipment.

In 2018, 468 of its 493 totalemployees are contractual. Majorityof the workers are female (412) andonly 56 are male. Nissen outsourcesits contractual employees from man-power agency Career Power Profes-sional Mgt. Services. The saidagency is owned by Edgardo Etac.Nissen makes it appear that it hasno direct obligation to the employ-ees, claiming that they are employedunder Etac's agency.

Assertion of rightsAspiring to address their

plight, the workersorganized Mangga-gawang Regular atKontraktwal sa NissenElectronics Phils.–Liga(Marekonep-Liga) in2018. This served as the van-guard of their struggle for regular-ization which sparked in July 2018,when employees filed a petition forinspection at the Department of La-bor and Employment (DOLE)-Cal-abarzon.

The letter contained the work-ers' complaints regarding the vio-lations and maltreatment commit-ted by the Nissen managementagainst them. Their complaints in-cluded the company's practice ofcontractualization; non-compliancewith the legislated minimum wage;and non-payment of overtime, 13thmonth, holiday and night differen-tial pay. The employees protestedin front of the office of DOLE inTrece Martires City on December11, 2018 to demand for immediateregularization.

In response, the Nissen man-agement fired 21 workers for par-ticipating in protests since January3, 2019.

Instead of being cowed, Nissenworkers became even more coura-geous. They posted their placardsand streamers on the walls of the

factory. They shouted out theirdemands in front of policeoperatives and soldiers in-side and outside the DaiichiIndustrial Park.

Nissen workers con-tinued to pressure DOLE

until it released an order for regu-larization on February 2019. Theorder declared the 502 contractualemployees of the company, includ-ing the 21 who were fired, must beregularized. The workers consid-ered this as a victory of their col-lective action amid harassment at-tempts mounted by capitalists.

New mass lay off, new struggleLabor rights violations have

continued unabated despite the is-suance of the toothless DOLE order,as the company appealed against it.On September 13, 2019 the com-pany laid-off 89 of its workers, ma-jority of whom have been working inthe company for years.

In response, workers mounted anew wave of protests in front of theDaiichi Industrial Park. They alsoregularly conduct mobilizations andprograms simultaneous with theentry and exit of workers to andfrom the enclave. They demand thereinstatement and regularization oftheir co-workers who were illegallyterminated by the company.

The struggle of Nissen employ-ees carries on. On the other hand,Nissen continues to employ variousforms of attacks to suppress theirstruggle. It may take workers along time to win their struggle, butone thing is certain: the end ofcapitalists' exploitation has begunas the workers have already beenroused.

J IPCO: Peace for capitalists

LABOR GROUPS CRITICIZED the Philippine National Police (PNP) after itlaunched the Joint Industrial Peace and Concern Offices (JIPCO) on January22 at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. The PNP claims that the pro-gram will purportedly protect various economic zones across Central Luzon.

The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights, however, said the programwill only legalize the widespread violation of human rights in enclaves. This willonly serve the aim of the reactionary state to suppress militant unions, underthe guise of a counterterrorism campaign, to ensure capitalists' profits.

When it was launched, the Police Regional Office 3 blatantly said thatthe program primarily aims to prevent militant unions from organizing fac-tory workers in enclaves.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno said that the JIPCO is a direct affront to therights of laborers to unionize. Peace will never never be achieved especiallyif state security forces such as those from the PNP implement policies thatkill thousands of people.

ANG BAYAN February 7 , 2020 8

State forces arrest 19 farmers

In Northern Samar, 15 farmers from Barangay Osmeña, Palapag were ar-rested by the military. On January 22, elements of the 20th IB arrested Con-

stancio Capate Martinico, Renaldo Longcop, Gonzalo Magayes, Jomar Orua, Del-phin Meraya Jr. and JR Laoreno. The six were brought to their military camp andwere interrogated. On the next day, nine farmers were arrested by 803rd IBdetroopers and were brought to their camp in Catarman where they were interro-gated and coerced to surrender. Their relatives were barred from visiting them.

Also, on January 23, four peasantleaders were arrested in Bukidnon af-ter holding a dialogue with Rep.Manuel Zubiri. The victims were iden-tified as Jun Guinanao, Kasama-Bukidnon chairperson, June Makuteof Buffalo-Tamaraw-Limus (BTL),Danilo Menente and Albert Tanallion.The four went to Zubiri to demand astop to peasant killings and filing oftrumped up charges against activists,and for production subsidy. After thedialogue, they were held and arrestedby 88th IB elements and werebrought to their camp in Maramag.The four were accused of harboring amember of the New People's Army(NPA) at their farm in BTL, Maramag.

On February 5, Engr. JenneferAguhob was arrested by the militaryand was detained at the OroquietaCity Police Station. She was slappedwith a trumped up murder charge.Aguhob is a member of Karapatanand the Union of People's Lawyers

in Mindanao. Aguhob was alsothreatened and harassed by themilitary in 2017 and 2018.

In Laguna, the cadavers ofpeasants Emerito Pinza and RomyCandor were exhumed on February5. They were abducted by RegionalMobile Force Battalion 4A elementson January 19. The butchers made itappear that the two were killed in anencounter. To conceal their crime,the victims were buried under fabri-cated names at the Calamba Munic-ipal Cemetery. The two were mem-bers of the Pinagkaisang Ugnayan ngmga Magsasaka sa Laguna.

In Bohol, suspected stateagents gunned down Pelagio Com-poc at his farm in Barangay Dago-hoy, Bilar on January 22. He was amember of Humabol-Kilusang Mag-bubukid ng Pilipinas and a villagewatchman. Earlier, he was harassedand accused that his brother is anNPA commander.

Justice for Randy Malayao

IN COMMEMORATION OF RandyFelix Malayao's first death an-nivesary last January 30, ac-tivists and his relatives protestedin front of Camp Melchor delaCruz of the 5th ID in Gamu, Isa-bela to demand justice. Malayaowas a consultant of the NationalDemocratic Front of the Philippi-nes.

Military and police forces vi-olently dispersed the protesters.To distract the program, theyparked a truck and an ambulancebeside the protesters and honkedat them.

Before the program, thegroup offered mass at the graveof Malayao in San Pablo, Isabela.

Malayao was killed in a buson pitstop at Aritao, NuevaVizcaya on January 30, 2019.

Paramilitary attacks

Lumad sanctuary

FEW DAYS AFTER the RegionalPeace and Order Council 11 or-dered the closure of the UCCPHaran Center in Davao City, thecompound was attacked by para-military forces on January 25.Using bolos, members of the Ala-mara, a paramilitary group di-rected by the butcher military,destroyed the walls and fences ofHaran which serves as sanctuaryto 500 Lumad evacuees. The saidevacuees were forced to leavetheir ancestral lands due to in-tense militarization.

Around 50 paramilitary troop-ers attacked at Haran. Accordingto reports, the Alamara memberscoerced evacuees to return to theircommunities in Kapalong and Ta-laingod, Davao del Norte.

The policed arrived at Haranbut refused to arrest the Alamaramembers. Instead, they barred themedia from entering the compound.

Lumad leaders stood firmthat they will stay in the sanctu-ary until they are ensured ofsafety in the communities.

On the 33rd year of Mendiola Massacre:

Duterte Legacy, hunger and death

PROGRESSIVE GROUPS AND RELATIVES of Mendiola Massacre victimsconverged in Mendiola, Manila on January 22 to commemorate the 33rdanniversary of the massacre. They said that the Duterte regime has failed togive justice to the 13 farmers killed on January 22, 1987.

The 13 farmers were among thousands who protested in Mendiola to callon former President Cory Aquino to implement genuine agrarian reform.

According to Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, several regimes havepassed but the plight of the Filipino majority remains unaddressed. Theyadded that the “Duterte Legacy” that the regime is bragging about is nothingbut a big lie. Thirty-three years have passed but farmers remain landless.There is still no justice and genuine peace.

In a statement, the Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura said thatpeasant killings has intensified under the Duterte regime, which recorded atotal of 244 victims. Farmers also suffer from hunger due to the RiceLiberalization Law. According to the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa GitnangLuzon-Nueva Ecija, farmers suffer from low palay prices and are left withalmost no income due to the said law.

February 7 , 2020 ANG BAYAN9

Aerotropolis project, a bane to fishermen and the people

Amid intensifying rivalries among capitalists, Ramon Ang believes that theNew Manila International Airport will benefit him. The project, which is

commonly known as the Aerotopolis, is being developed by San Miguel HoldingsCorporation (SMC) in a 2,500-hectare coastal area of Barangay Taliptip, Bu-lakan, Bulacan. Fishermen and residents of the area, however, see the projectas a mere game of big businesses, where their livelihood, habitat and environ-mental preservation are at stake.

Approximately 700 families willlose their homes and livelihood withentry of the massive project in thearea. In addition, intensifying landspeculation and plans for land-useconversion in adjacent towns mayresult in the eviction of thousands offamilies.

According to the Advocates ofScience and Technology for the Peo-ple (AGHAM), approximately 24hectares of fishing reservation areaswill be wiped out due to massivereclamation. Since April 2018, about600 mangroves in Barangay Taliptiphave been cleared by suspected SMCpersonnel to pave way for theproject. Majority of those cut werepiapis, a resilient type of mangrovethat serves as a natural habitat offishes and barrier against massivewaves.

Privatization of publicfishing reservations

Due to the absence of genuineagrarian reform, those who rely onfishing reservations are exploitedand evicted from reservation areas.The reactionary state also providesno subsidy to fishermen especiallyafter calamities. This is why propri-etors are unable to enhance theirfish production and salt farms.Among those that will be wiped outby the Aerotopolis are fishing reser-vations and salt farms which wereacquired by the SMC after beingdevastated by successive calamities.This has massacred the jobs of work-ers in the fishing sector, salt-pro-ducers and smallscale fishermen,and has simultaneously evicted themfrom the idle fishing reservation.

This is being implemented along withthe militarization in the area to sup-presses the resistance of the resi-dents.

The Aerotropolis project is beingimplemented in accordance with thedesign of Manila Bay CoastalStrategies, one of the major pro-grams of the Greater Capital Regionunder the Duterte regime's Build,Build, Build program. Duterte hascontrolled the reclamation acrossthe country to pave way for theprojects of his favored big capital-ists. In Manila Bay, the massivereclamation is killing the livelihood offishermen and others who rely on itsresources.

Under the public-private-part-nership (PPP) scheme, San MiguelHoldings Corp. will fund the con-struction of the P735-billionAerotropolis project. After the con-struction, its operations will betransferred to the reactionary gov-ernment, and the latter will be obli-gated to pay for the constructionexpenses at a highly usurious rate.Similar to other PPP projects, theAerotropolis guarantees that RamonAng will rake in billions of profits.One of the components of the projectis the construction of an expresswayto link the airport and the North Lu-zon Expressway. This will passthrough and wipe out farmlands inMarilao, Bulacan. Another compo-nent of the project is the Manila In-tegrated Flood Control and CoastalDefense Expressway Project of theSan Miguel Holdings Corporation andthe San Jose Builders. The programcovers the entire Manila Bay fromNavotas to Bataan.

Anomalous DICT

intelligence funds

THE ANOMALOUS USE of con-fidential funds in 2019 by theDepartment of Information andCommunications Technology(DICT) was exposed on Janu-ary 31. The office spent P300million in conducting surveil-lance which violates the rightto freedom of expression, andpossibly using the personaldata of Filipinos for intelligencepurposes.

This was exposed by DICTUndersecretary Eliseo Rio, Jr.upon his resignation. He ex-plained that surveillance oper-ations are beyond the mandateof the DICT. He also accusedthe department of failing toimmediately release opera-tional funds.

Progressive groups re-sponded by filing a resolutionin the Congress and Senate lastFebruary 5 to conduct an in-vestigation on the utilization ofintelligence funds.

Amid worsening fascist at-tacks and widespread Red-tagging against progressivesand activists, the surveillanceoperations conducted by theoffice pose a huge threat tofreedom of expression. Thedepartment's confidential fundshas reached P800 million thisyear.