News
Illegal detention of activists in Baguio denounced
The NPA Chadli Molintas Command (CMC) denounced the illegal arrest and filing of trumped-up charges against two members of progressive organizations in Ilocos Sur. Elements of the MIG arrested Evelyn Bedaña and Josephine Perez in Baguio City on June 22, brought them to a safehouse and tortured them into admitting that they were members of the NPA and high-ranking officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Bedaña works for the Solidarity of Peasants Against Exploitation (STOP-Ex), which helps tobacco farmers in Ilocos. Perez is the regional coordinator of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)-Ilocos.
The CMC assailed the military for accusing the two women of involvement in the killing of the mayor of Tineg, Abra; the demolition of the Marcos bust in Tuba, Benguet (2002); the ambush of the mayor of Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur (2001); the killing of the traitor Conrado Balweg (1999) among many other charges.
Meanwhile, Marie Flor Ramos, who was accused of being an NPA member and involvement in the ambush of military troops on January 4 in Palian, Tupi, South Cotabato, was released on July 1.
The court ordered the case against Ramos dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence. She was arrested by unidentified persons in Quezon City on March 24 and was deprived for several weeks of her right to communicate with anyone, including her attorney and family.
NPA not involved in illegal drugs � CPP
In a statement on July 6, the CPP, through Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal refuted accusations by Gloria Arroyo that the NPA was involved in illegal drug operations and maintains marijuana plantations in guerrilla zones.
Arroyo's accusation came in the face of the NPA's victorious tactical offensives and amid the regime's anti-drug campaign that was all for show. According to Ka Roger, it is the AFP, PNP and high government officials who are really behind the illegal drug trade in the country. He said that they protected all of the country's more than 215 big drug syndicates.
According to Ka Roger, only small-time pushers, users and innocent victims are being arrested in the regime's nominal campaign.
On the other hand, he said, since the NPA's establishment, its campaign against illegal drugs has been persistent and effective, especially in the areas where it operates. According to Ka Roger, this is the result of the efforts of the CPP-NPA and the entire revolutionary movement to actively launch mass political and education campaigns against the use of illegal drugs.
In a statement by NDF-Mindanao spokesperson Jorge "Ka Oris" Madlos, he said that the NPA loathes illegal drugs and has never had anything to do with them. According to Ka Oris, the NPA has discovered marijuana plantations in a number of military detachments raided by the Red army in previous years.
NPA arrests Zambales governor
A 12-member NPA squad arrested Zambales Gov. Vicente Magsaysay as he holed up in his vacation house on May 25. Taken by surprise, the governor, his six bodyguards and the policemen who were with him were unable to resist.
According to Josepino Corpuz Command (JCC) spokesperson Ka Jose Agtalon, the NPA took Governor Magsaysay into custody to talk to him about various complaints by peasants and workers from Iba, Zambales. Among others, the peasants complained of being evicted from Barangay Barbara, Iba and the workers raised the non-payment of their wages, bonuses and benefits.
Magsaysay also forced them to work for 24 hours without overtime pay.
The JCC explained that Governor Magsaysay was a legitimate military target because of his crimes against the people and his maintenance of a private army and a large armory.
Nevertheless, the NPA released him to give him a chance to reform.
The NPA seized an M60 machine gun, two M14s, an M203, four pistols and ammunition of various caliber. Also seized were a radio transceiver, a base radio, seven cellphones and a camera.
US PACOM looking into positioning troops in Albay
Twenty-four American military forces under the US Pacific Command (US PACOM) visited Legazpi City from June 20-28, with one of the teams headed by Col. Clipton Tarenaka. They used the US PACOM's Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Program as their cover. The group's alleged mission is to carry out an in-depth assessment of the area's preparedness against volcanic eruptions, storms, floods, tsunami and other calamities.
In truth, the US PACOM visit's purpose was to investigate the area in relation to plans to position American troops for military training exercises and other activities under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). The US has avoided media disclosure of the visit to avoid controversy.
Bishop Antonio Fortich, 89
Bishop Emeritus Antonio Fortich passed away in Bacolod City on July 2 at the age of 89.
Bishop Fortich was known as the "bishop of the poor." He was well known as an advocate of peasants and farm workers' interests. He supported the struggle for genuine land reform. He also united with the people in opposing martial rule, particularly the intense militarization of Negros.
Because of his stand for the oppressed, Bishop Fortich became close to the revolutionary movement. He was once an adviser of the National Democratic Front (NDF).
Among those who paid tribute to him were Comrades Luis Jalandoni, Consuelo Ledesma, Frank Fernandez and Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal.
Demolition in Baclaran condemned
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-NCR led a rally in front of the MMDA office on July 7 to condemn the violent demolition of vendor stalls in Baclaran, Roxas Blvd. and Coastal Road. One vendor was killed when MMDA personnel opened fire during the demolition on July 6. The MMDA truncheoned the vendors, destroyed their stalls and poured gasoline on their wares.
Workers poised to strike at Cosmos
Workers at Cosmos Bottling Philippines are set to strike against efforts of company owner Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco to shortchange them. Negotiations for their CBA are currently deadlocked. Among others, the workers object to Cojuangco's scheme to revoke the seniority pay that they had long been receiving and the P10,000 signing bonus received by every worker. Cojuangco also sought to peg the wage increase to only P40 per day for the next three years even as the previous CBA had provided for an increase of P50 over two years.
Workers are also objecting to the company's contractualization policy. Ever since Cojuangco acquired Cosmos in 2001, the company has stopped hiring new regular employees and regulars have slowly been replaced with casuals.
To prevent a strike, Cojuangco has both threatened and cajoled the workers. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued an Assumption of Jurisdiction (AJ) order in the first week of June, declaring the strike illegal even before it has been launched.
South Korea and Germany rocked by strikes
Strikes by workers and employees are now rocking South Korea and Germany.
South Korea. Over 100,000 workers launched separate work stoppages. Twenty-two thousand workers belonging to the Korean Railway Workers' Union opposed their company's restructuring plan. Eight thousand workers of Chohung Bank opposed the planned privatization of the bank. Meanwhile, 80,000 workers in Hyundai Motors' 100 plants demanded the reduction of their work hours from 40 to 36 hours a week.
Germany. Workers at BMW and Volkswagen led by IG Metall Industrial, the largest auto industry union, have been on strike for almost a month. They demanded that the company reduce their work hours from 38 to 35 hours a week.
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