Balikatan 03-1 in provinces, an act of provocation
March 7, 2003

The Communist Party of the Philippines today condemned Malaca�ang for proposing that the Balikatan 03-1 war exercises be held in Mindoro Occidental, Quezon, Compostela Valley or North Cotabato. A strong NPA presence has been noted in all of these provinces.

CPP spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal said that such proposals "were obviously made to satisfy the desire of the Pentagon and Malaca�ang for US troops to directly fight the NPA and MILF. That has been their ultimate objective all along."

"Matagal nang kating-kati si Bush at si Arroyo na isabak ang mga tropang Amerikano laban sa NPA at MILF," Rosal added, noting that the President herself earlier declared that she originally wanted to hold the Balikatan war exercises in Quezon even ahead of Sulu.

"She probably thinks that with US military support, her counterrevolutionary military campaign in Mindoro or any NPA territory will gain ground. She is absolutely wrong," Rosal declared.

Rosal said that the counter-insurgency campaign in Mindoro has failed miserably. He added that "despite Arroyo's direct orders and the brutal conduct of the AFP's war of terror, the NPA and revolutionary movement continue to gain ground in Mindoro and elsewhere because of the deep and widespread support of the people."

He also revealed that US military officials were in Mindoro in 2001 right before Macapagal-Arroyo declared it a "priority area" for her "counter-insurgency" operations.

"It is with US prodding that Arroyo has kept a keen interest in the AFP's counter-insurgency program in Mindoro, even rewarding Palparan for his butchery," Rosal said, referring to recently promoted Brig. Gen. Jovito Palparan who heads the 204th Brigade operating in the island.

"The deployment of US troops in Mindoro Occidental or some other place within or along the periphery of the territories of the revolutionary movement may be regarded as acts of provocation," Rosal added.

Rosal also disclosed that in the first week of February, a US army major was seen accompanying troops of the 203rd, 901st and 902nd AFP brigades who launched widespread military operations in NPA areas in Sorsogon, Albay and Camarines Sur and that NPA field reports stated he was "scanning" NPA areas there to set up a pilot program for the application of an experimental US "counter-insurgency" concept.

He also warned American troops "not to trespass into the territories of the People's Democratic Government. Otherwise, they shall be regarded as foreign military aggressors and shall be dealt with appropriately." ###

Reference:
Anne Buenaventura
Media Officer
Cellphone Number: +63910-240-3553

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Balikatan 03-1 in provinces, an act of provocation March 7, 2003

Balikatan 03-1 in provinces, an act of provocation
March 7, 2003