#National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC)

[carlocarrasco]

NTF-ELCAC points to NDF as the top “terrorist groomer” in the Philippines

In its continuing fight against Leftist and terrorist forces, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) reminded the public that the National Democratic Front (NDF) is still the top “terror-groomer” in the country, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts…

[whatisonthemoon]

Red-Tagging the Gospel by Derek Duncan | published on Jun 10, 2021 Area Executive for East Asia and the Pacific

In my neighborhood, several small public kiosks have been erected in recent years with names like “Little Free Pantry” or “Blessing Boxes.” One near me is shaped like a miniature, red house. People place books, food, or personal hygiene items in these cabinets to share, and take items as needed. The need has clearly increased this past year.

Churches that install these kiosks are drawing on a long religious tradition of meeting the basic needs of their community. The ancient Hebrew practice of gleaning obliged farmers to leave a portion of their crops “for the poor and for the alien” (Leviticus 23:22). Many local churches support food pantries, Agape meal programs, and community gardens to address hunger and food insecurity in their community.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty and hunger have increased around the world. In the Philippines there has been a proliferation of free community pantries to help people make ends meet. Churches like the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) have supported community pantries and delivered food aid to isolated families during these difficult times.

The Government of the Philippines has been hostile to churches and community groups that serve the poor—even through food pantries. Authorities use a tactic called “red-tagging” to label activists and advocates for the poor as communists, in an attempt to justify legal action and violence against them. Ana Patricia Non started the Maginhawa Community Pantry in Quezon City, but had to suspend distribution after police showed up calling the organizers communists and taking names of donors and recipients. A spokesman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict said Non was acting “like Satan” and admitted doing background checks on pantry organizers. “Red-tagging is no joke, especially during these times,” Non told the news outlet Inquirer, noting the risk that came with the allegation.

An international review of human rights abuses in the Philippines, called InvestigatePH, concluded red-tagging is used to suppress dissent and intimidate critics of President Duterte’s harsh policies. In a report to the UN Human Rights Council, InvestigatePH details numerous cases that illustrate how red-tagging “provides cover, justification, and support to police and military operations to target and dismantle civil society organizations through intimidation, threats and harassing surveillance; raids and unjust arrests; enforced disappearances; and extrajudicial killings” (First Report, p. 36).

One notable case concerns the HARAN Center of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Davao City, which has been a sanctuary for Lumad indigenous tribes whose land has been forcefully taken for mining and agri-business interests. When the UCCP drew international attention to the plight of the Lumad, the government in March accused the center of financing terrorism and teaching “communist ideals.”

Other UCCP leaders have been red-tagged in an attempt to discredit the work of the UCCP with the poor. On Sunday, May 2, police arrested UCCP Pastor Daniel Balucio, an ecumenical disaster response coordinator in the Albay province. The senior pastor was charged was illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Claiming this is another case of planting evidence, legal defenders have demanded his release. In a Pastoral Statement on the Continuing Persecution and Harassment of Church Servants, UCCP leadership declared their commitment to “the mission imperative that the Church sides and journeys with the poor and the downtrodden, the way Lord Jesus Christ lived his lifetime and ministry.” Whether in little or big ways, the imperative for the Church to serve the poor is Gospel. No matter what color you tag it with.

Derek Duncan is the Area Executive for East Asia and the Pacific for Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ.

[milkboydotnet]

The International People’s Tribunal unanimously finds Philippine president Marcos Jr., former president Duterte, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, US president Biden and the US government guilty of all charges of war crimes and violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

For two days the tribunal heard moving testimonies from the witnesses, victims, and expert resource persons on the various violations of IHL by the US-backed Marcos Jr. and Duterte regimes in their US-directed ‘counterinsurgency’ in the Philippines. The overwhelming amount of compelling evidence presented by the Filipino people and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF) in their case, has left no doubt of the truthfulness of their assertion that the US-Marcos and US-Duterte regimes are guilty of various grave war crimes.

As Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle (FFPS) we applaud the Filipino people and their genuine representative, the NDF, on this great achievement in their pursuit of justice. This verdict is a testament to the strength of the toiling Filipino masses and their struggle for genuine social change. It plays an important role in exposing the violent US-puppet regimes of Marcos Jr and Duterte for their crimes against the Filipino people and bringing it to attention to the international community. Furthermore, it underscores the Filipino people’s right to self-determination and the justness of their struggle for national liberation.

We call on all solidarity allies and all those who support the Filipino people’s right to justice, to actively support and propagate the findings and verdict of the International People’s Tribunal!

CALL FOR A GLOBAL WEEK OF ACTION

In light of the International People’s Tribunal (IPT) of 2024 in which the Filipino people tried the US government and the US-backed Marcos and Duterte regimes to hold them accountable for their war crimes against them, Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle (FFPS) as one of the main convenors calls for urgently needed international support for the Filipino people and their cry for justice. Please join us in a Global Week of Action, 21-27 May 2024.

Global Week of Action: Condemn and end the war crimes of the US-backed Marcos and Duterte regimes! Support the Filipino people’s right to self-determination!

Background:

From former direct colony to neocolony, US stronghold over the Philippines as a strategic military outpost in Asia is crucial to the US government’s geopolitical agenda to maintain the entire Indo-Pacific region as the largest market for US surplus goods, a source of cheap raw materials, and source of cheap labor.

With increased US support under the Biden administration, the Duterte and now Marcos regimes have recycled and beefed up ‘anti-terrorist’ branding apparatuses such as the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and the Anti-Terror Act (ATA), to legally justify the repression of dissent of a growing social movement for legitimate pro-people demands.

Both regimes have implemented US-directed so-called “counterinsurgency” operations against civilians and non-combatants in the Philippines and their repression of Filipino activists and solidarity allies abroad viciously terrorize the people, in clear violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

The War Crimes Tribunal will examine violations of international humanitarian law both as to the means and methods of warfare and the objects and subjects of attack, including extrajudicial and summary killings of civilians and hors d’ combat, desecration of remains of combatants, massacre of civilians and other forms of collective punishment, torture, enforced disappearances, mass arrests, indiscriminate firing, indiscriminate aerial bombing of communities and use of white phosphorus bombs, hamletting, terrorist labelling and use of repressive terror laws, assassination of civilians, attacks on schools, fake or forced surrenders, attacks against  peace consultants and other forms of suppression.

To justify their war crimes, the US-Marcos and US-Duterte administrations have continuously tried to put up a vague and false framework of fighting against “terrorism”. In reality, the resistance of the Filipino people is a mass movement that steadfastly and comprehensively advances their democratic rights and their right to self-determination. When they take up arms, they do so to defend the right of the toiling people to their land and of all Filipino people to be free of national and social oppression and exploitation. As such the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the united front organization of the fighting Filipino masses, represents the Filipino people and their aspirations for national liberation and genuine social change.

The NDFP has demonstrated to the international community not only the necessity and justness of the people’s war in the Philippines, but that armed struggle is a legitimate exercise of the Filipino people’s inherent right to self-determination, as recognized through various international laws and intergovernmental declarations, and whose conduct is bound to the rules of war outlined in International Humanitarian Law.

The time is urgent for the international community to heighten its response to the loud cry of the Filipino people for justice and accountability and to expose the war crimes of the US-Marcos regime and its predecessor, the US-Duterte regime.

Let us express our unwavering support with the Filipino people’s right to self-determination and stand in international solidarity with their struggle for just and lasting peace in the Philippines.

Read more about the International People’s Tribunal 2024 on: https://peoplestribunal.net/

The particular objectives of the Global Week of Action are to:

Amplify and support the Filipino people’s cry for justice and the outcome (verdict of the tribunal and witness testimonies) of the International War Crimes Tribunal on the US-directed ‘Counterinsurgency’ in the Philippines, IPT 2024.

Expose and oppose US imperialism and its role in the “counterinsurgency” war on the Filipino people and to further expose and isolate the criminal and bloody US-Marcos and US-Duterte regimes from the international community.

Express our unwavering support for the Filipino people’s right to self-determination and for us to stand in solidarity with the Filipino people’s struggle for just and lasting peace in the Philippines.

Engage with key parliamentarians, policy-making bodies, and institutions to further isolate the US-backed Marcos and Duterte regime by promoting the findings of the IPT and advocating for the demands of the victims of the ongoing war crimes for justice.

How can you join?

Mobilize! Hold demonstrations and other actions on 21-27 May 2024 to amplify and support the Filipino people’s cry for justice. These can include militant demonstrations, creative media actions, direct actions and art initiatives, symbolic actions at key institutions such as by submitting the verdict to selected Philippine embassies/consulates, to the EU parliament, the ICC, the UN, national parliament/congress, etc., and any other ways to achieve above mentioned objectives.

Engage your local, traditional and new media for wide coverage, tag @peoplestribunal for all your social media propaganda and contact ipt2024media@gmail.com for further media coordination or liaisoning. Some of the witnesses may be available to attend such activities in Europe if planned in advance, kindly reach out to secretariat@peoplestribunal.net to coordinate your actions.

We urge organizations to come up with their own statements of support for the IPT and the findings/verdict of the tribunal. Other actions may include organizing info sessions to promulgate the verdict or social media campaigns (i.e., #PeoplesVerdict, #USGuilty, #DuterteGuilty #MarcosGuilty, etc.) to highlight the cases of IHL violations filed against the US-Marcos and US-Duterte regimes.

To support the Filipino people’s cry for justice we are also calling for lobbying efforts through dialogues with key personalities, such as parliamentarians, government officials, church leaders, and others with the objective of garnering broad support for the IPT, its verdict and for the Filipino people’s struggle. Let us stand in full solidarity with the Filipino people as they resist the onslaught of US imperialist violence and the war crimes committed by the US-backed Marcos and Duterte regimes!

Suggested slogans:

“Justice for the Filipino people!”

“Marcos and Duterte, war criminals!”

“US imperialist, #1 terrorist!”

“Stop the bombings in the Philippines!”

“Stop arms sales and military aid to the Philippines!”

“End US-Marcos state terrorism in the Philippines!”

“End US aggression in the Philippines!”

“We support the Filipino aspiration: National Liberation against US imperialism!”

“Wage militant actions against US imperialist war-mongering!”

“Just and lasting peace in the Philippines!”

“Support genuine democracy, support the NDFP!”

There will be a final version of the verdict, including detailed accounts and summaries of the cases presented, made available in due time. You can read the full initial verdict here: https://peoplestribunal.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IPT-2024-INITIAL-Verdict-18-May.pdf

[pannaginip]

Baretang Bikolnon on Facebook: Couple Senior Citizen killed in fake encounter in Cawayan, Masbate

Human rights group and the family demand justice for the killed 2 senior citizens, a couple, in a fake encounter last February 5 in Purok 5, Brgy. Tuburan, Cawayan, Masbate.

According to the Philippine Army (PA), at 7:00 AM, its 2nd Infantry Battalion encountered ten members of the New People's Army (NPA) which reportedly lasted for eight minutes. Couple Pedro Regala, 78, and Florencia Regala, 67, were killed and tagged as NPA members.

The NPA-Masbate, Jose Rapsing Command, expressed that there was no encounter with the military and the victims are not members of their group.

"The Masbate Revolutionary Movement is determined to hold the military responsible and pay dearly for their heinous killing of the elderly couple," said Ka Luz del Mar, spokesperson of NPA Jose Rapsing Command, in their statement. "The weak and defenseless couple was picked up from their home, taken to a remote part of the creek, shot mercilessly, loaded with ammo pouches and brought out [that they were] killed in the encounter."

The Regala Family condemned the brutal killing of the victims and demanded for justice.

"It's hard to accept that you were treated by merciless people like this," granddaughter Eulaica Regala stated in her social media account.

"No one has the right to take life, only God can take back our life," said grandson Lidions Invento. "This kind of incident is not new. We wanted to reveal the truth but nothing will happen because there is no justice for people like us who are poor."

"Go to the place, you will see how much pain happened to the two if it is right for them to experience such brutal killing," Invento said.

KARAPATAN - Masbate extends its condolences and sympathies to the orphans of the victims and is determined to unite and help them achieve justice.

According to Karapatan - Masbate, the recent brutal killing in the province was another reason to abolish the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

"Contrary to the peace and development of the NTF-ELCAC, it only brought peace to the grave and profit for the few, KARAPATAN - Masbate stated.

KARAPATAN - Masbate also calls on Masbateños who are disgusted by the brutal killing of the Regala couple to join the protest on February 25 to hold President Bongbong Marcos Jr. accountable and its "fascist minions" in their crimes against the people.

"Let's act together for justice," the human rights group said.

2024 Feb. 8

[dennistorejaperez]

Duterte's Resignation Stirs Speculations

Manila, Philippines – The political landscape of the Philippines is abuzz with speculation following Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent resignation as the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Vice Chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac). Amidst various interpretations of her move, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin…

[pressplusdaily]

Duterte's Resignation Stirs Speculations

Manila, Philippines – The political landscape of the Philippines is abuzz with speculation following Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent resignation as the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Vice Chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac). Amidst various interpretations of her move, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin…

[ur-mag]

NTF-Elcac lauds Bongbong Marcos’ amnesty proclamations | In Trend Today

MANILA, Philippines — The anti-communist task force on Friday hailed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for “walking the talk.” The reaction comes, after the Commander in Chief granted amnesty to Maoist and Islamic rebels who are returning to the fold of the law. National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) said it NTF-Elcac lauds Bongbong Marcos’ amnesty…

[renesf]

Army Reservist Filipina Actress Red-Tagged by NTF-Elcac!

Video clip posted by Karla Estrada MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – It seems the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF–ELCAC) will stop at nothing when it comes to red-tagging suspected members and supporters of the rebel group Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CCP-NPA). The latest to be red-tagged was actress Karla…

[laagansabukid]

TUNGHAAN SA BUKID, SAGAD MAKESHIFT BUILDINGS

LANTAWA: Human nila matagamtam ang bag-ong building alang sa Classroom nga napatuman sa PANULAMA HU KATATAO TA MATAMPAY, Sitio Matampay, Victory, Lantapan, Bukidnon diin ang proyekto gikan sa National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) nga programa gikan sa Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), gipangindahay karon sa mga magtutudlo nga aduna pay laing…

[catdotjpeg]

We Filipino youth, community organizations, Indigenous Peoples advocates, educators, and allies condemn the brutal murder of the New Bataan 5 by the 10th Infantry Division (ID) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as a violation of International Humanitarian Law and basic human rights!

We demand justice for the New Bataan 5 and an independent, thorough investigation into their deaths! We demand an end to all attacks on the Lumad people and the Save Our Schools Network, including the lies the military and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) are peddling about Chad, Jurain, Elgyn, and their two unnamed drivers! We demand the US government pass the Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA) to ensure our tax dollars do not go toward funding military and police that commit such gruesome massacres.

We commit ourselves to taking action and mobilizing our communities to do the same during this national week of action and beyond. 

Justice for Chad! Justice for Jurain! Justice for Elgyn! Justice for the New Bataan 5!

Upon returning from community integrations in New Bataan, Davao de Oro, Mindanao, volunteer teachers from the Save Our Schools Network Chad Booc and Gelejurain Ngujo II, health worker Elgyn Balonga, and two others were massacred by state forces. They were last heard from on February 23, 2022 and their deaths were announced by the AFP’s 10th ID on February 24, 2022 in an alleged “firefight” with the New People’s Army. Locals reported no signs of a firefight occurring, which contradicts the AFP’s claim. This is a known misinformation tactic used by the military to cover up and justify targeted violence towards the Lumad, activists, and unarmed civilians.

The New Bataan 5 were teachers and health workers who spent their lives dedicated to serving the Lumad, providing services for the basic needs of the most marginalized in the Philippines. Lumad communities and their schools have been constant targets of death threats, displacement, militarization, and state sponsored massacres, while government policies like the Anti-Terror Law and the NTF-ELCAC continue to decry and attack the Lumads’ right to self determination, education, and defense of their ancestral lands. 

For over a decade, Filipino youth and allies in the US have mobilized to support the Lumad community. As advocates in the US, we recognize that $700+ million US tax dollars contribute to the militarization in Mindanao and among the Lumads through military aid. Our community’s money should not fund the killings and human rights violations of our people! 

In this time of heightened militarization and continued killings of Lumad people and human rights defenders, it is vital that we escalate our support for the Lumad struggle, continue educating on their worsening situation, and generate international pressure to demand an impartial investigation into the killings of the New Bataan 5. Continue to take action by joining an organization or encouraging your organization to take up the Save Our Schools campaign!

Join our #JusticeForNewBataan5 National Week of Action by signing onto our unity statement and participating in the following days. Use our toolkit to get involved! [...]

Justice for New Bataan 5! Independent and thorough investigation now! Pass the Philippine Human Rights Act! Stop Lumad Killings, Save Our Schools! Abolish the NTF-ELCAC, End State Fascism! Expose the violations of International Humanitarian Law and basic human rights! Resume Peace Talks, Address Roots of Armed Conflict!

-- “Justice For New Bataan 5! Unity Statement and National Week of Action” from Kabataan Alliance, Anakbayan USA, International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines, and others, 28 Feb 2022

[southeastasianists]

The major trend in central-local relations in the Philippines under the regime of President Rodrigo Duterte has been the capacity of the presidential palace to exert a very tight grip over local politicians—arguably the tightest since the martial-law dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos (1972-1986).

This trend has emerged even as Duterte has done strikingly little to advance the reforms that many local politicians have been keen to champion. He abandoned the federalism agenda which he had touted in the lead-up to his presidential campaign in 2016, and which had been eagerly supported by local government coalitions. In addition, the president backpedaled in delivering a financial windfall to local governments as promised in a landmark 2019 Supreme Court ruling on the primary national revenue sharing program. This decision, known as the Mandanas ruling, is the only major win for local politicians since Duterte came to power. Yet its implementation has been conveniently pushed out to the very end of his term in 2022.

If Duterte has failed to deliver, why do so many local politicians remain beholden to him?

Our report outlines the combination of old and new schemes employed by Duterte to ensure his effective grip on local structures throughout the archipelago. These strategies highlight the president’s predilection for authoritarian rule and successful consolidation of political power at the centre.

Since his election in 2016, Duterte has positioned himself as a powerful patriarchal boss who proves decisive and unapologetic in shielding and vindicating those loyal to him, including those allegedly involved in high-level scandals. The guarantee of political protection, along with the dispensing of material benefits, creates a potent incentive for local politicians to curry favour with the president and seek to be included within his broad political coalition. Equally powerful is Duterte’s propensity to demonise and attack those who have opposed him, including former allies who have fallen out of favour. And, contrary to the expectations of many seasoned political observers, Duterte’s charismatic hold seems to remain very potent well into the latter half of his administration.

One of Duterte’s mechanisms for exerting control over local politicians is the longstanding practice of dispensing large quantities of presidential pork to localities. These patronage resources, handed out with high levels of executive discretion, have been considerably enhanced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Aside from being a grandmaster in this well-established practice, Duterte has also employed four other key means of exerting control over local politicians. These techniques are largely unprecedented in scope and character.

Active intervention in local electoral politics, targeting those who dared oppose him. As a rule, Duterte’s enduring popularity meant that those running for gubernatorial or mayoral office in the May 2019 midterm elections frequently scrambled to obtain his political endorsement. This proved to be the most critical currency for winning, and most of his endorsed local candidates emerged victorious. There is, however, at least one major exception to this rule. In Cebu City, Mayor Tomas Osmeña had earned the ire of the president.  Given the strength of the mayor’s local electoral machine it was likely doubtful that Duterte’s personal endorsement of his local allies would be sufficient to topple Osmeña. There are well-documented reports of police harassment of Cebu City local candidates not aligned with the president, including checkpoints placed outside the mayor’s home and operations in the city’s upland areas seeking to undercut support for Osmena. According to insiders, this police intervention may have played a critical role in the electoral outcome, and—after three decades in which he was frequently the dominant figure in Cebu politics—Osmeña was ousted by Duterte’s ally. While Osmeña appears to have been the most prominent target of the palace in the 2019 mid-term election, it seems that targeted verbal attacks and public shaming tactics were not uncommon elsewhere. As explained by investigative journalist Miriam Grace Go, “the pattern…of local officials getting killed weeks or months after being cited in the drug list or cursed by the President in his speech” can have a strong influence on electoral dynamics. “If the President doesn’t like you, it’s like the death sentence to your candidacy.”

Killings of mayors and other local politicians as part of his so-called “war on drugs.”  Duterte’s tight grip on local political structures is also advanced by his effective deployment of intimidation. The centerpiece of his presidency is known as the “war on drugs” campaign, which has involved the killing of thousands of people. More than two dozen local officials have been assassinated since 2016; one of the most recent—in December 2020—was the mayor of a town south of Manila who had been put on the president’s ‘narco-list’. The climate of fear under Duterte’s regime has reshaped power dynamics between the centre and localities, with far less room for manoeuvre at the subnational level. For nearly five years, local politicians have had to confront fearsome examples of what happens to those who fall out of favour with the presidential palace.

Withholding funds from barangays (villages and urban wards) in support of a reinvigorated anti-communist counterinsurgency campaign. Duterte’s political machinery is further bolstered by his huge influence over the country’s security forces, both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).  In what was viewed as “pork for the generals”, the 2021 budget allocated a staggering P16.44 billion (roughly USD342 million) for Duterte’s National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). Notably, the funds for this anti-insurgency task force were lodged under the P28.82 billion Local Government Support Fund allocated to barangay projects. The NTF-ELCAC, created by the president in 2018, now manages the funds, and those barangays deemed infiltrated are only able to access the fund once the NTF-ELCAC certifies that their jurisdictions are cleared of insurgency.  With the task force’s direct intervention in barangay affairs, this fund is seen as a tool not just to try to end the insurgency but also to control barangay leaders.

Issuances of ‘Show Cause Orders’ as part of a very substantial ramping up of national government supervision over its subnational units. Under the Duterte regime, particularly since retired Philippine Army General Eduardo Año took the helm of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 2018, one can observe the enhanced use of “Show Cause Orders” (SCOs) against local officials facing accusations or complaints of having acted improperly or illegally.  Within a given deadline, they must explain why no administrative cases should be filed against them. Failure to do so leads the Office of the Ombudsman to file an automatic administrative case against the local officials concerned; criminal charges may also be filed as appropriate by the National Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice. DILG’s use of SCO’s has intensified throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, as local governments have been called out on various violations of quarantine protocols and directives issued by the national government.

As our report surveys the numerous ways that President Duterte wields his power, it is clear that he has greatly entrenched his control over local structures and that many subnational politicians seem to acquiesce to their own subjugation. The president has proven to be highly adept not only in the standard game of dispensing patronage resources but also in offering political protection to those loyal to him—and in vilifying those who oppose him.

Attention now turns to the May 2022 elections, where Duterte will seek to promote the victory of his chosen successor, whomever that may be. Toward this goal, Duterte will want to ensure that his current grip over local politicians can be sustained and that they will support the candidate he chooses to back. As long as he maintains his high levels of popularity, assisted by threats of coercion (both implicit and explicit) against those who dare cross him, Duterte will continue to be able to reach into local bailiwicks throughout the archipelago to tamp down any significant threat of opposition—while also offering valuable support to those who have flocked to his camp. If Duterte succeeds in getting his anointed candidate elected, it is quite possible that many of his extremely effective strategies of presidential control over local politicians could endure into the next administration.

[writersthatinspireexcellence]

𝙍𝙚𝙙-𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜: 𝘼𝙣 𝙀𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙢

𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘖. 𝘉𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘻𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘛. 𝘊𝘳𝘶𝘻

On 3 July 2020, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the “Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020”, which replaces the Human Security Act of 2007. Under the law, persons who propose, incite, conspire, and participate in the planning, training, and facilitation is an offence under the act, as well as those who provide support to ‘terrorists’ as defined under the act, or recruit members of a ‘terrorist organization’, could face life imprisonment without parole. The law allows suspects to be detained without a judicial warrant of arrest for 14 days and can be extended by 10 more days, and placed under surveillance for 60 days, that can also be extended by up to 30 days, by the police or military.

This bill sparked many human rights advocates, as well as law experts to petition against the bill and why it should be junked for constitutional violations. 13 representatives were given a chance to challenge at least 23 sections of the bill in an oral argument according to a cover story by CNN Philippines (2021). The petitioners claim that the bill is vague to define what terrorism is and with phrases that are ambiguous that would enable malicious criminal prosecution of innocent rights-holders. They also challenged section 29 of the bill that allows warrantless arrest without charges of suspected terrorist for up to 24 days, emphasizing the dangers of leaving detained persons in the custody of arresting officers for extended periods of time. The petitioners would also argue on the sections on surveillance that it violates the people's rights to due process, privacy of communication, right against unreasonable searches and seizures, and especially their right to freedom of speech.

“The only way to break a protracted deadlock between the Philppine government and New People’s Army and end incidents of red-tagging through the peace process.”

But the thing is the military that is working within an organization namely the National Task Force that was said to end the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). However, it was said that these are just hidden fronts by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to tear down the open structures with a massive budget of P19 billion which openly shows the objective of the said organization.

The result is that the military are planting weapons and explosives in each case just to justify their arrest. A mother is in jail with her month old baby, elderly couple with health issues are shot to death just because they are resisting arrest. Seven union organizers and journalists are arrested. Resulting in the increasing cost of red-tagging.

According to human rights groups, government supporters and state authorities in the Philippines are increasingly using "red-tagging," a method in which individuals are labeled as communists or terrorists based on a lack of evidence.

It’s like they are making use of these people with the red-tagging method as a replacement to their unsolved or uncaptured members of NPA's, which is a huge problem in our country. It’s like an escape to say that there's progress regarding the problem.

And this red-tagging should be eliminated to stop the involvement of people. Being victims of crime and injustice treatment. In fact, according to an article by Rappler (2020), last October 21, 2020 it was stated that Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. who happened to be the commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Southern Luzon Command and spokesperson of the government-created (NTF-ELCAC) warned Filipino celebrity Liza Soberano in a Facebook post that she would “suffer the same fate” as Josephine Anne Lapira, who was killed in a clash in 2017 between government forces and alleged members of the communist New People’s Army.

“Liza Soberano, there's still a chance to abdicate that group. If you don't, you will suffer the same fate as Josephine Anne Lapira” says Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr.

And this is all because the actress is supporting women rights organizations including the political party Gabriella. Parlade even said publicly that former and current Congressional representatives of progressive party-list groups, including Gabriela, are under surveillance for being “card-bearing members of the Communist Party of the Philippines” (CPP), adding that the anti-terror law is now “in effect”.

This kind of incitement and threat by Parlade shows how people of power can be quick to red-tag anyone who is affiliated with political groups even if the actress was only giving a talk about women empowerment at a seminar by Gabriela, a political party. This blatant action of red-tagging should be stopped as it endangers lives of innocent people who are only voicing out their concern against a certain problem that they encounter. If Liza, a known actress here in our country, is being red-tagged by the spokesperson of NTF-ELCAC, we can only imagine how many innocent activists are also being red-tagged just by joining rallies that voices out their concerns.

Furthermore, red-tagging has been going on for decades and intensified since the Duterte Administration. After the government and the CPP failed to reach an agreement in 2017, The NTF-ELCAC was established as a result of Duterte's following Executive Order (EO) 70, which calls for a "whole-of-nation approach in combating the Local Communist Terrorist Groups."

However, in the eyes of the observers or the people together with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights along with human rights organizations this led to renewed campaigns against red-tagging, the threats and harassment against human rights defenders, political activists, lawyers, and trade unionists. Expressing concerns to immediately end this kind of approach because of the increasing number of human rights violations caused by the government's dangerously broad counter-insurgency strategy.

Government authorities should cease from ‘red-tagging’ legitimate organizations, or branding them as “communist fronts” which, according to these organizations, have led to increased harassment and attacks by unknown individuals against them. Peaceful activists should not be targeted based on their political views. The authorities must also carry out a prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigation into the killings, and bring to justice those suspected to be responsible for the killings. They must take proactive steps to ensure, protect, and promote the human rights of defenders and activists in the country, and guarantee the right to an effective remedy and access to justice to victims and their families.

Accusations without a clear and strong basis are wrong and unjust. Activism is not terrorism. One does not need to be a communist to criticize and hold officials in the government accountable for their acts. One does not need to be a communist to assert the rights, and uphold the dignity, of the people. If the reckless red-tagging against activists, and private institutions continues, it becomes a threat to the rights of the people and even to our democracy. Red-tagging must not be used by our leaders against critics of the government. Public officials should instead face and accept criticism from the public. This is how they can address the real issues of our society.

[whatisonthemoon]

On CIA’s Intense Religious Efforts to Combat the “Christian Left” in the Philippines

Excerpted from "A Commentary on the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church" by Christians for National Liberation (in the Philippines)

More on the cultural field, the CIA and its conduits have used and continue to employ the Christian religion to disrupt and distort the progressive aspect of Christianity and the victory of the Filipino people against Spanish colonialism that made use of Catholicism in order to subjugate the Philippines for more than 300 years. It can even be construed that the CIA backed up financially the Iglesia ni Kristo (INK), founded by Felix Y. Manalo in 1914, which attracted a significant membership and started to build big I.N.K. churches after World War II. The CIA could have done this covertly in order to make the I.N.K. the Filipino opposite church of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), founded on August 3, 1902 by Filipino Katipunan revolutionary priest Gregorio Labayan Aglipay with Union Obrera Democratica (UOD) labor leader Isabelo de los Reyes, Sr., popularly known as Don Belong. In fact, the US imperialists were very much displeased when they came to know that Obispo Maximo or Supreme Bishop Aglipay secretly gave support when the Socialist and Communist Parties of the Philippines merged in 1938 and when he expressed interest and enthusiasm in the universal theory of Marxism-Leninism after he read Marxist classics in Spanish sent by his friend, James S. Allen of the Communist Party US, as the bishop said in 1939: 

The first one I read has already confirmed me in my convictions about communism and that the salvation of mankind lies only in its hands. I have always declared that we must concentrate all our efforts in making this a better world, without wasting anything in vain delusions about what lies beyond this life. And it gives me a thrill discovering that Lenin, Marx, Stalin and all the friends of the Proletariat are one with me in this.

The openness of Filipino Christians to struggle for national liberation, as shown by the Filipino Catholic clergy who joined the revolution against Spanish colonialism, and even to Marxism as manifested by Bishop Aglipay in his statement mentioned above, had led US imperialism to continue commissioning the CIA to persist in utilizing the Christian religion to hide the exploitation and oppression of US imperialism in the Philippines. For instance, the CIA initiated the entry of Christian “socialism,” which became the ideological foundation of the Christian Social Movement (CSM) headed by Manglapus and Manahan among pro-US imperialist politicians to counter Filipino nationalist politicians, led by the late Senator Claro M. Recto. Senator C. M. Recto was a staunch anti-US imperialist critic and was believed to have been a victim of the CIA, as he died mysteriously of heart attack, though he had no known heart ailment, in Rome, Italy after an appointment with two Caucasians in business suits in 1958. During the 1960s to the 1970s, the CIA established the Campus Crusaders for Christ (CCC) in various universities and colleges throughout the Philippines; the New Tribes Mission (NTM) stations and the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) centers were formed by the CIA in the mountainous areas of the national minorities throughout the Philippines. And since the 1980s up to the present period, all sorts of CIA-backed charismatic congregations, the Dating Daan of Eli Soriano, the Sonship Kingdom of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy (a megalomaniac and self-appointed Son of God in Davao and a friend of tyrant Duterte; has expropriated Lumad lands; owns Son Shine Radio with 16 transmitters stationed strategically throughout the country, fully supports tyrant Duterte’s Build, Build, Build projects; and actively participates in the surrender campaign of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC), “praise the Lord” groups, “Christ to the Orient” and “free believers” have proliferated. And usually, the use of the Bible and Christianity for the CIA-backed evangelists is to attack the mainline Christian Churches that adhere to human rights in Philippine society.

Currently in this 3rd millennium of Christianity, the newest “church,” that may have been introduced by the CIA in the Philippines, is the “Christ the Way of Salvation: Divine Covenant International Church.” It projects itself as a global church and claims to have many congregations of worshipers in the US, Spain, the Philippines, and other countries. Based on the findings of the CNL research team, this newest “international Church” has worshipping centers in various places in the Philippines such as in Manabo and Pilar, Abra; Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte; Rosales, Pangasinan; Romblon; and other areas of the country. This “International church” sees itself as very different from the mainline Christian Churches (RC, UCCP, IFI, UMC, ECP, LCP), though almost all its members come from the mainline Christian Churches.

Some may question the veracity if the “Christ the Way of Salvation: Divine Covenant International Church” is, indeed, a CIA-created and -inspired one. For one thing, the CIA makes use of various international fronts and conduits to conceal its mission to maintain US imperialist global hegemony. But one may conclude that it may have been established by the CIA: first, when such a Christian church is “international” in scope and is very well-funded; second, though biblically based, a so-called “International Church” limits itself to only a few New Testament passages and does not mention the prophets of the Old Testament and the various denunciations by Jesus Christ addressed to the rich and powerful; third, it does not recognize as “apostolic” the traditions of the mainline Christian Churches (particularly the Roman Catholic and Orthodox in other countries); fourth, it considers itself as very different from the mainline Christian churches and does not worry itself about ecumenical concerns; fifth, it does not bother itself as regards the global problems of wars, poverty and inequalities among peoples and nations; and, sixth, it merely stresses spiritual conversion and salvation of individual persons. One example of this is defined and found in The Way of Salvation. It states: 

There are differences within Christian churches that have created various denominations… These denominations have differences regarding their beliefs in God and salvation… [But] the church that preaches the true gospel today is the true one that continues the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles… There are three integral phases in the complete Christian conversion and salvation…: (1) Confess Jesus As Lord; (2) Receive the Life of Christ… by accepting the three sacraments: baptism, footwashing [CNL], and Holy Communion; [and] (3) Live by the Spirit.

Some Church leaders and CNL cadres in Northern Luzon, Philippines even suspect that CIA elements may also be using the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol in order to spy on the activities of the progressive Church people. The basis of this is the fact that the CNL research team found out in 2019 that some ordained priests and ministers in Northern Luzon were issued Interpol badges at ₱500 per badge. One priest was, in fact, given an Interpol badge, ranking him as a brigadier general! Those given Interpol badges were told to submit regularly their findings on people involved in various criminalities, including those engaged in the communist insurgency. Such suspicion by some Church leaders and CNL cadres may have been based on the fact that even the United Nations’ Security Council is under the direct control of US imperialism and other imperialist powers. Therefore, it is easy to assume the great possibility that the CIA forces currently at work in the Philippines are already using the Interpol in order to spy on the CNL, even though the Interpol clearly states in its international policy that it “is strictly non-political and is forbidden to undertake any activities of a religious, racial, or military nature; and only government-approved police bodies may hold Interpol membership.”

It must, therefore, be very clear to all Christians—the ordained, the religious, the laity—that US imperialism and the CIA provocateurs go on using the Christian religion and the anti-communist propaganda to thwart the participation of Christians—the ordained, the religious and the laity— in the Philippine NDR which has a socialist perspective. And although it would be expounded on in the CNL’s 8th topic, CNL’s Concluding Remarks: God’s Kingdom as the Reign of Truth, Justice, Peace, Love, Equality and Liberation, all CNL members further pray that all Filipino Christians relegate the Church’s more than two-century old partiality to capitalism, be open to dialogue with Marxists, and be inspired by Pope Francis who said in his November 11, 2016 interview at the Vatican City: “It’s the communists who think like Christians.”

[milkboydotnet]

The openness of Filipino Christians to struggle for national liberation, as shown by the Filipino Catholic clergy who joined the revolution against Spanish colonialism, and even to Marxism . . . had led US imperialism to continue commissioning the CIA to persist in utilizing the Christian religion to hide the exploitation and oppression of US imperialism in the Philippines. For instance, the CIA initiated the entry of Christian “socialism,” which became the ideological foundation of the Christian Social Movement (CSM) headed by Manglapus and Manahan among pro-US imperialist politicians to counter Filipino nationalist politicians, led by the late Senator Claro M. Recto. Senator C. M. Recto was a staunch anti-US imperialist critic and was believed to have been a victim of the CIA, as he died mysteriously of heart attack, though he had no known heart ailment, in Rome, Italy after an appointment with two Caucasians in business suits in 1958. During the 1960s to the 1970s, the CIA established the Campus Crusaders for Christ (CCC) in various universities and colleges throughout the Philippines; the New Tribes Mission (NTM) stations and the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) centers were formed by the CIA in the mountainous areas of the national minorities throughout the Philippines. And since the 1980s up to the present period, all sorts of CIA-backed charismatic congregations, the Dating Daan of Eli Soriano, the Sonship Kingdom of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy (a megalomaniac and self-appointed Son of God in Davao and a friend of tyrant Duterte; has expropriated Lumad lands; owns Son Shine Radio with 16 transmitters stationed strategically throughout the country, fully supports tyrant Duterte’s Build, Build, Build projects; and actively participates in the surrender campaign of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC), “praise the Lord” groups, “Christ to the Orient” and “free believers” have proliferated. And usually, the use of the Bible and Christianity for the CIA-backed evangelists is to attack the mainline Christian Churches that adhere to human rights in Philippine society.

A Commentary on the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church – Christians for National Liberation

[pannaginip]

Philstar: 1,500-strong private school league joins NTF-ELCAC as private partner

The Coordinating Council for Private Educational Association (COCOPEA) joined the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

[NTF-ELCAC Executive Director of the NTF-ELCAC Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr.] said that COCOPEA represented 1,500 private schools from across the country. He said that it would broaden their base of information awareness and “terror grooming” of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF).

Asked about possible concerns of red-tagging, Office of the Solicitor General Atty. James Clifford Santos said that red-tagging was not real.

“The statement of the court on red-tagging is a mere obiter dictum that is not binding on succeeding cases,” he said.

2024 Nov. 8

[phgq]

NTF-ELCAC grants P20-M dev’t fund for 215 villages in Region 11

#PHnews: NTF-ELCAC grants P20-M dev’t fund for 215 villages in Region 11

DAVAO CITY – A total of 215 barangays in the Region 11 (Davao) will be given PHP20 million worth of funds for the Barangay Development Program (BDP) under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

 In a press conference here on Saturday, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said of the 215 identified barangays, 82 are from this city, 65 in Davao de Oro, 32 in Davao Oriental, 23 in Davao del Norte, eight in Davao del Sur, and five in Davao Occidental.

 Under the NTF-ELCAC, BDP is the flagship program of the Duterte administration for poverty alleviation and development in the context of addressing the root causes of insurgency, he said.

 “We will fine-tune the rules of implementation and our target rollout date is on March 15 or even earlier than that,” he added.

 The identified barangays have previously been cleared of the threat and influence of the communist terrorist group (CTG) from 2016-2019 through security operations and are ready for a package of development projects contained in the BPD.

 “The concept of this program was approved in January last year as it was presented to the President and the members of his Cabinet. The fact that no less than the President himself chairs the NTF-ELCAC underscores the importance of this undertaking,” he said.

 Esperon further said the program was intended to curb the recruitment of the New People’s Army (NPA) through holistic development projects that bridge the gap between the needs of the communities and accessibility.

 “It intends to eradicate the root causes of insurgency, poverty, disease, lack of education and opportunities, and finally, social injustice. Allow me to reassure the public that the barangay recipients of the programs under the BDP were consulted and vetted through our stringent measures,” Esperon added.

 The barangay recipients will spend the PHP20 million fund through the following programs and activities: farm to market roads by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Public Works and Highways -- PHP12 million; school buildings by the Department of Education -- PHP3 million; water and sanitation systems by Department of the Interior and Local Government --PHP2 million; and reforestation and national greening program of Department of Environment and Natural Resources and for health stations by the Department of Health -- PHP1.5 million each.

 “It shall be implemented by the regional offices in coordination with the local chief executives. It will demonstrate a collaborative effort between various stakeholders both the national and local level,” he added.

 Meanwhile, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said the budget will be downloaded to the barangays as soon as his office receives the complete documents with the requirements.

 “President Duterte ordered me to fast-track the release of the fund so that the barangays can start implementing the projects,” he said.

 Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang said they will adhere to the guidelines of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on the utilization of the fund.

 “There will be barangay consultations as to what are their priority projects based on the guidelines given by DBM for the utilization of PHP20 million. We will make sure to prioritize what the community needs because we are focusing to address the insurgency problems,” Dayanghirang added. (PNA)

  ***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "NTF-ELCAC grants P20-M dev’t fund for 215 villages in Region 11." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1128387 (accessed January 25, 2021 at 12:58AM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "NTF-ELCAC grants P20-M dev’t fund for 215 villages in Region 11." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1128387 (archived).