Statement on a Successful Offensive

Allan Juanito
Spokesperson
Julito Tiro Command
New People's Army - North Central Mindanao
August 11, 2004

THE tactical offensive launched by the New People's Army under the Julito Tiro Command-North Central Mindanao last August 5, at Sityo Manawang, Guinabsan, Buenavista was one of the measures to further protect the land of the farmers in the area on the impending grab threat through the PNP led by Gen. Alberto Olario. About 1,200 hectares of the area in Barangay Guinabsan will be placed under the Community Integrated Forest Management Agreement. The said area targetted for the plantation of commercial trees clearly violates the right of farmers to till their lands.

Earlier, Gen. Olario threatened to cleanse the area of the presence of the NPA by deploying Scout Rangers to allow the entry of the project. But the NPA is always ready to protect the interest of the peasants. Thus, with the support of the masses, it foiled and will continue to frustrate Olario's impending selfish plan.

For once, we hail and encourage the residents under the democratic government of the people to strongly oppose the evil design of the AFP. It is only just that we oppose their deception to use money and promises for civilians to become members of the reactionary AFP and become guides in military operations, serving as intelligence agents in order to locate NPA areas, and be victims of counterrevolutionary intrigues in order to create division within your ranks and destroy your unity and invariably destroy your united strength. Amidst attacks by the enemy, let us hold on to the victories we gained from our organized revolutionary actions. If our unity shatters, no one would stand to gain but the egotistical promotions of the officers of the AFP like Col. Rosete, Lt. Col. Guru, and Lt. Col. Macanas. The plan of Gen. Olario to take away the land you tilled will also succeed.

Let us not emulate the fates of Salomeo de la Pena, Pabling Mag-asin and But-ol alyas Aba, who were wounded and nearly killed because they acted as guides of the AFP. To run after small change as bribe and aim to enter the military will not solve poverty. This is mainly to divide us, the poor people, in order to delay our victory while the ruling elite and oppressors will continue to enjoy from this rotten system that they've ruled. The solution to the problem of impoverishness in the countryside is still the continued struggle to implement genuine land reform. Thus, the civil war in the Philippines is continuously growing in strength because more Filipinos have accepted the revolutionary solution.

The bankrupt US-Arroyo regime cannot stop the revolutionary aspirations to achieve genuine societal change by increasing the number of military soldiers and CAFGU while it is currently facing a severe financial crisis and the surging resistance of the people brought about by intolerable hardships that the people bear.

On the other hand, the AFP's tactics in using civilians as guides, the use of torture, bombings and strafings within civilian areas using their helicopters are concrete cases of their disrespect on the Comprehensive Agreement for the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), Protocols of the Geneva Convention and violations of the AFP Rules of Engagement regarding the handling of civilians during operations.

Related to this, we urge the junior officials and regular enlisted personnel of the AFP, especially those under the 401st Infantry Brigade, to reflect on whom should they rightfully serve. Is service mean following the orders of their officials who are mainly serving their personal interests and the ruling system even if it is anti-people? According to an open statement by Ka Roger to the AFP:

"You are the ones ordered to bomb the ricefields and communities of farmers, search their houses illegally, indiscriminately fire at them, burn their houses, torture those who are suspected as rebels among other human rights violations against innocent civilians. Daily, the list of innocent civilians victimized by your abuses on human rights, continue to mount. Your uniforms have been sullied by the blood of the people-workers and farmers who also came from the same womb that you came from while the stars of your generals remain unsullied as they receive promotions as reward for those who were killed because they were suspected as NPA guerillas or supporters. You are turned into a monster of the people while your superiors pretend that they have not erred.

There's nary a single concern from the high officials of the AFP given to you, junior officers and the low-ranking soldiers. You are used as pawns in the war versus the NPA and the MILF even if you are in a disadvantaged position thus many soldiers like you have died.

Deaths continue to mount because of the useless deployment in encounters where defeat is definite. To conceal this, your officials distort the real events. No exact recognition and assistance were given to your comrades who died in these hostilities.

The biggest traitor of the people are the ones who ordered you to point your gun against the people who is fighting for democracy and sovereignty for the nation."

In the end, we wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and relatives of the officials and troops of the 41st and 42nd DRC, who died in the encounter last August 5, 2004. We are victims of the divide and rule tactic of the current regime; that we fight each other while you defend the businesses and interests of foreign capitalists and rich compardors like Cojuangco, Tan, Lopez, Ayala, Marcos, Floreindo, Enrile, and many others.

It is now time to rise up. Rise against corruption! Rise against the canine subservience of Arroyo to the US! Stand for the liberation of the nation from the clutches of foreign domination! Stand for the people!

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