News
CPP opposes GRP's ceasefire demand
The Communist Party of the Philippines categorically opposed Malaca�ang's demand for the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) to declare a ceasefire before the formal resumption of peace negotiations.
In a statement, CPP spokesperson Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal said that the Arroyo regime's statements are in violation of The Hague Joint Declaration which established the four-point substantive agenda of the peace negotiations. The Hague Joint Declaration stipulates that a ceasefire and the disposition of armed forces can only be tabled after resolving the roots of the civil war in the Philippines, which comprise the content of the substantive agenda on socio-economic reforms and political and constitutional reforms.
Rosal likewise pointed out the regime's failure to fulfill its obligation under previous agreements to take positive measures to have the CPP, NPA and the NDFP chief political consultant removed from the US "terrorist listing." Thus, said Rosal, the Arroyo regime has failed to defend national sovereignty in the face of such an act of US intervention in the Philippines' internal affairs�also in violation of The Hague Joint Declaration's basic principles.
Bayan Muna leader killed in Lucena City
Military and paramilitary troops summarily killed yet another Bayan Muna leader. Ronnie Almaote, 38, was shot and repeatedly stabbed in his own home on February 6. Almaote was preparing dinner for his family when armed men entered his house in Purok Matahimik, Barangay Cotta, Lucena City. Almaote was the Bayan Muna coordinator for Lucena.
CPP demands expulsion of American spies in the country
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) demanded the expulsion of covert US intelligence operatives now inside the Philippines. The Party also assailed the Arroyo regime for allowing their presence. CPP spokesperson Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal said that the regime must immediately identify these troops and order them out of the Philippines.
No less than US ambassador Francis Ricciardone has disclosed the presence of at least 70 US Army soldiers in Mindanao now spying against supposed terrorists and training Philippine troops in intelligence work.
The operatives are currently able to pose as "military advisers" and enter the country at will using joint military exercises as pretext. The Arroyo regime announced in January that 28 joint military exercises are set to be conducted in the Philippines by the AFP and American troops in 2005�thus paving the way for the entry of more US spies into the country.
In related news, a US scheme to form secret teams of operatives that would gather real-time intelligence for Special Forces operations has been exposed. These so-called Strategic Support Teams (SST) under the US Defense Intelligence Agency will be unleashed in the Philippines, Indonesia, Somalia, Yemen and Georgia�countries that allegedly harbor terrorists.
People's organizations oppose Palparan's appointment to Eastern Visayas
Mass organizations like the Samahan han Gudti nga mga Parag-uma ha Sinirangan Bisayas (SAGUPA-SB) strongly opposed Brig. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr.'s appointment as chief of the Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division this February. Militarization and human rights abuses will surely intensify in Eastern Visayas, SAGUPA-SB said.
Palparan has earned notoriety as the "Butcher of Mindoro" because of rampant military violence against the people in the island when he was 204th Infantry Brigade chief. He was the brains behind numerous abductions and summary executions, such as the April 2003 murder of Southern Tagalog mass leaders Ka Eden Marcellana and Ka Eddie Gumanoy. Palparan's transfer to Rizal also led to intense military abuses against the people. Despite all this, he was appointed chief of the "peacekeeping contingent" in Iraq, and later served as chief of staff of the Philippine Army before being assigned to Eastern Visayas.
Agri workers set up union center
The Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) held its first national congress in Quezon City on January 20. UMA will serve as the national union center whose objective is to unite agricultural workers, expand and intensify their struggle for genuine land reform and national industrialization and advance national freedom and democracy.
UMA consists of workers' organizations in haciendas and plantations like the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura-Gitnang Luzon and the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW). Most of its affiliate organizations are based in Leyte, Bukidnon, Cebu and Panay.
In a statement, Prof. Jose Maria Sison, International League of Peoples' Struggle chair cited UMA's role in consistently campaigning "for land reform and national industrialization in all legal forms of struggle". He likewise reminded UMA to advance "the struggle for national freedom and democracy because we need national and democratic power to carry out the completion of land reform, national industrialization and other reforms that we all desire."
Teachers launch nationwide protest actions
Teachers led by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) held nationwide protest actions on January 28 to fight for a P3,000 across-the-board increase in monthly salaries and a bigger education budget.
In Manila, 2,500 teachers led by the Manila Public School Teachers' Association (MPSTA) held a torch parade towards Mendiola. They came from 74 schools in Taguig-Pateros, Muntinlupa, Pasay, Para�aque, Makati, Mandaluyong, Navotas, Valenzuela and the University of the Philippines and marched together with members of Anakbayan, the League of Filipino Students and even parents.
The Arroyo regime, they said, is the malefactor in the education sector's most serious crisis ever. While they are forced to make do with meager funds, the lion's share of the budget goes to debt service. Meanwhile, the gargantuan budget for the reactionary military and police is squandered on luxuries, vices and corruption.
Hundreds of teachers, students and government employees led by the Quezon City Public School Teachers' Association (QCPSTA) and COURAGE had earlier marched out of their schools and offices at noontime. They held a coordinated picket at the Quezon Memorial Circle. Towards nighttime, 300 teachers and youth and students held a vigil in a school at the Batasan Hills.
In Vigan, Ilocos Sur, 150 teachers, government employees and students of the University of Northern Philippines held a protest march. Mass actions were also launched in La Union, Baguio and Mountain Province.
Teachers from nine schools held a motorcade-rally in Tarlac City. Protests were likewise launched in the cities of Cabanatuan and Angeles and some towns of Bulacan.
In Bacolod City, 500 teachers, together with youth, urban poor and government employees marched in front of the capitol. A rally and candle-lighting ceremony were also held in Iloilo City.
In Davao City, teachers from 12 schools launched protest actions.
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