JOINT ELEMENTS OF the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines illegally arrested Esterlita Suaybaguio, 60, in Cubao, Quezon City on August 23.

Suaybaguio is a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in its peace negotiations with the GRP. She was arrested based on a fabricated case of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, similar to charges against other NDFP consultants. She was also slapped with trumped up murder and frustrated murder charges.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) demanded Suaybaguio’s immediate release as she is protected by the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) which was signed by the government of the Philippines and the NDFP. Suaybaguio’s Document of Identification indicates that she is a consultant for Mindanao concerns.
Fidel Agcaoili, chief negotiator of the NDFP, condemned the arrest. He said this is yet another block to the possibility of resuming negotiations. The CPP and NDFP demanded that the trumped up charge against Suaybaguio and other detained NDFP consultants and staff be junked.

Meanwhile, attacks by Duterte’s armed forces and his landlord cohorts in the countryside continue unabated.

Since May 23, 2nd IB troopers have been occupying 23 barangays in the towns of Cawayan and San Fernando, Masbate. During the first week of September, the NPA-Masbate reported that the fascists have already entered four barangays in Uson. Human rights perpetrated by the 2nd are widespread in these villages. The said battalion is under the command of Lt. Col. Fabon.

In Bulacan, farmers at Sitio Compra, Barangay San Mateo in Norzagaray are subjected to continuous harassment by the Royal Mollucan Realty Holdings Inc. which is notorious for attempting to grab 75.5 hectares of farmlands that have been tilled by farmers since the 1960s. On September 2, its goons forcibly entered the residences of the members of the Samahang Magbubukid sa San Mateo. They also cut the power supply lines in the area, stole the residents’ goats and destroyed their crops.