feedback | subscribe | q&a | sitemap | links

Victorious NPA Offensives:
Active defense in Bulacan

Ang Bayan publishes the following statement by the New People's Army-Eastern Bulacan command regarding the encirclement of Red fighters in Eastern Bulacan by a joint AFP-PNP force on March 29, 2003. The statement belies claims by the PNP and AFP that they had killed 20 Red fighters in that clash. The NPA fought back, brilliantly employing guerrilla tactics to defeat a stronger enemy. It was a manifestation of the Red fighters' heroism and the masses' undeniable support for the NPA.

We belie statements by the police and military on the firefight that took place on March 29, 2003 in the town of Angat, Bulacan. The claims made by AFP Maj. Gen. Alberto Braganza of the 7th ID and PNP Supt. Felizardo Serapio are all lies and are a clear indication of their stupidity.

It was a 25-strong platoon that saw action that day. They were at Barangay Pulong Yantok to conduct a study meeting to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the New People's Army.

The NPA spotted the approach of a joint force of the PNP and the Philippine Army's 56th IB at around 5:30 in the morning. The Red fighters were at an advantageous position and were able to fire first at the attacking enemy. This early, several police and military forces had already been hit. On its part, the NPA had one wounded and one dead (Norbel "Ka Carmi" Ortega of Norzagaray, Bulacan).

After a series of maneuvers, the NPA platoon reached Barangay Siling Matanda, Pandi where it decided to await the enemy forces in ambush and inflict casualties on them. They positioned themselves atop a high hill and let the police and military forces come to within 10 meters of their position.

An enemy team was wiped out on the spot, with the rest scampering away. The NPA seized six M16 rifles and a .45 pistol in this phase of the battle.

The Red fighters were astonished at the unexpected immense stupidity of PNP and AFP officials who mercilessly ordered their men to charge even if they knew how hard it was to get near the Red fighters' position. Even the two armored personnel carriers they dispatched failed to climb up the hill and get near the NPA's position.

During the day-long exchange of fire, there were at least 20 fallen police and military elements sprawled in the area between the two sides. On the part of the NPA, another Red fighter, Arnel "Ka Gerald" San Juan, was martyred.

By nightfall, the Red fighters quietly left. They were joyously welcomed by the masses in a secure place and were offered cold water, bread and candies. The people rejoiced at the NPA's victory and the heroism of the two people's martyrs.

Gen. Braganza and Supt. Serapio's lies are part of the AFP and PNP's psywar tactics to cover up their successive battle losses and malign the revolutionary movement.

Also part of their psywar was the murder of Michael Santiago, a barangay tanod from San Roque, San Rafael, Bulacan who had no connection whatsoever to the revolutionary movement. After killing Santiago, the military dressed him in a worn-out NPA uniform and came up with the story of an encounter in Pasong Intsik, San Rafael.

But whatever lies the fascist military weaves, there is no denying the revolution's rapid advance to victory.

Twenty-two year old Ka Gerald hailed from a poor peasant family. He did not find it difficult to grasp and embrace the revolutionary cause, as his own family's experience was fraught with oppression and exploitation. They had no land of their own and tilled a parcel of public land. But a landlord seized the land and drove them away. Ka Gerald became politically conscious and joined the NPA amid the struggle of the peasant masses in the town of San Miguel for genuine land reform. He held a Garand rifle and was a sniper. Ka Gerald inflicted heavy losses on the enemy during the firefight.

Twenty-three year old Ka Carmi hailed from a politician family in the province of Palawan. He lived in Norzagaray town where he came into contact with the revolutionary movement and became politically conscious. Ka Carmi swiftly grasped the correctness of the revolutionary cause and the youth's role in social change. He lost no time in joining the Kabataang Makabayan and became an active organizer in their community. Ka Carmi immediately volunteered to join the people's army upon finding out that the NPA unit in their area needed reinforcements. He had been with the unit barely two months but already his abilities shone through.

21 April 2003
English Edition

	Editorial: Thwart the US' imposition of imperialist power worldwide
	Lessons from the 12-year imperialist suppression campaign against Iraq
	The imposition of a new "Pax Americana"
	Denationalization, privatization and plunder in the name of "reconstruction"
	A vultures' feast
	On its 30th founding anniversary NDF: The indestructible bastion of the Filipino people's struggle
	Correspondence Reports: NPA gains strength in Mindanao
	Victorious NPA Offensives: Active defense in Bulacan
	Victorious NPA Offensives: Armed struggle continues to advance
	News

Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and standpoint on current issues.

AB comes out fortnightly. It is published originally in Pilipino and translated into Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.

Acrobat PDF files of AB are available online for downloading and offline reading printing. If you wish to receive copies of AB via email, click here.

Victorious NPA Offensives: Active defense in Bulacan

Victorious NPA Offensives:
Active defense in Bulacan