Pahayagan ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas

Pinapatnubayan ng Marxismo-Leninismo-MaoismoANG

EDITORIAL

Vol XLVI I I No. 1

January 7, 2017

www.cpp.ph

The people's clamor for justpeace is unequivocal

The Communist Party of the Philippines congratulates the peacerallies successfully launched last December 26 in guerrilla frontsacross the country, including the national assembly held in

Davao City.A hundred thousand people

joined in the assemblies which coin-cided with celebrations of the 48thanniversary of the Party's reestab-lishment. These mobilizations mani-fest the revolutionary strength of aunited people, of their army andParty, and of the democraticpeople's government that coverstheir particular areas.

The people's declaration of sup-port for the National DemocraticFront of the Philippines (NDFP) isvery clear, as well as to its peacenegotiations with the reactionaryGovernment of the Republic of thePhilippines (GRP) under the Duterteregime.

Along with this support forpeace talks, the demonstratorsstrongly castigated the Duterte re-

gime for reneging on its peacevows, most especially the continu-ous detention of around 400 polit-ical prisoners.

The peasants and impoverishedsectors in the countryside whichcomprised the majority of delegatesto the assemblies also issuedequally very clear demands. Theydemand genuine land reform as thejust foundation for peace. Theyvehemently assailed the continuingand widespread landgrabbing in theform of expansion of plantationsand operations by large-scale min-ing companies.

The peasant masses likewisestrongly condemned the ongoingAFP operations being conducteddespite a prevailing unilateralceasefire declaration reciprocally

Massive peace

rallies launched

THE NATIONAL PEACE Assemblywas successfully held in BarangayLumiad, Paquibato District in DavaoCity last December 26, 2016 todemonstrate the people's unity fora just and lasting peace. The Com-munist Party of the Philippines'48th anniversary was also celeb-rated that same day. Massivegatherings in other regions ofMindanao were held simultaneouslywith the assembly in Davao.

Davao City. At the peak of theprogram, up to 20,000 joined thegathering, which was filled withcolorful and militant performancesand speeches. The whole-dayactivity commenced with a tacticalinspection of Southern MindanaoRegion's 1st Pulang Bagani Bat-talion presided by NDFP Consult-ant Porferio Tuna, Jr. The Redfighters were warmly greeted withapplause and chants as six pla-toons of the people's armymarched into the open field. Tunapraised the people's army as thetrue soldiers of the people—full ofdetermination, disciplined andstaunch defenders of the people.Ka Parago, who was martyred inPaquibato last 2015, was likewisegiven honors.

Afterwards, everyone pro-ceeded to the barangay gym wherethe program was held. One of theperformances highlighted the oc-casion's theme "People's War is forPeople's Peace". In a writtenstatement, NDF-SMR's Ka Rubi delMundo said that the only way toend the roots of armed conflict is to

. . . continuation on page 3

January 7 , 2017 ANG BAYAN2

defense of the people's welfare iswithin the framework and spirit ofthe ceasefire declared by the Party.On the other hand, the Party haspreviously announced that it isready to withdraw its ceasefire de-claration if the AFP will insist oncarrying out its repressive armedoperations.

With or without a ceasefire, therevolutionary movement remainsready to proceed with talking peace

with the Duterte re-gime as long as thelatter is open to dis-cuss key issues onsocio-economic andpolitical reformswhich are at theroot of the armedstruggle and civil

war.In this regard,

the revolutionaryforces keenly await the

outcome of the third seriesof talks this coming Janu-ary 18-24 which will beheld in Rome, Italy. Theprimary agenda here willbe socio-economic re-forms. Representatives

and consultants of the NDFP takealong with them the appeals airedby the various sectors who atten-ded the different assemblies.

The NDFP expects that the up-coming talks will not be smooth,considering that these will discussthe basic programs and policiesthat represent conflicting class in-terests. While the NDFP will ex-haustively push for the demands forgenuine land reform and nationalindustrialization, it is likewise will-ing to negotiate with the Duterteregime on a program that upholdsthe people's interest which may beundertaken collaboratively.

In this light, it is but right thatwhile talking peace the Filipinopeople and their revolutionaryforces intensify their massstruggles and resolutely advancethe people's war.

Editorial: The people's clamor forjust peace is unequivocal 1

Massive peace rallies launched 1

Widespread peace rallies held 4

2016 NCMR's revolutionary victories 5

Revolutionary strides in NEMR 6

Level 3 medical training in Samar 7

AFP's ceasefire violations persist 7

Daily trainings inside NPA companies 8

Lapanday evicts MARBAI members 9

Vol XLVI I I No. 1 | January 7, 2017

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issued by the GRP and the CPP. Theygave accounts to the representat-ives of the Party, the NPA and theNDFP of the oppression, hardships,distress and fear that they undergowhenever armed AFP troops main-tain their presence in their com-munities and occupy civilian struc-tures.

The rallyists assailed the AFPfor exploiting the NPA ceasefire inorder to impose its power over vil-lages which are covered by guerrillazones and bases. Across the coun-try, up to 800 villages were occu-pied and controlled by armed unitsof the AFP since August. No lessthan half a million peasants wereaffected.

The foremost objective of theAFP's armed operations is to smashthe democratic political structuresbeing established by the revolution-ary masses assisted by the Partyand the people's army. Leaders andorganized masses in the villages arebeing hunted, targetted, terrorizedand hounded by operating AFPtroops.

The NPA likewise reported its

utmost efforts to abide by theParty's ceasefire declarationthrough undertaking evasive man-euvers in order to avoid engagingoperating armed AFP units. This isthe only reason why the ceasefirepersists.

However, the NPA and the Partyalso clearly hear the people's clamorfor action to be taken to defend andprotect the interest of the peasantmasses. Indeed, in the face of theDuterte regime'srefusal toend armedAFP opera-tions, armedclashes arebound toerupt as theNPA is duty-bound to defendthe welfare andinterest of thepeople in the faceof the AFP's ab-use and intimida-tion.

Nonetheless,the NPA's active

ANG BAYAN January 7 , 2017 3

implement land distribution for themillions of peasants in the country,to respect the ancestral domain ofindigenous people and Moro people,to end the exploitation of workers,and to attain justice for all victimsof human rights abuses and oppres-sion.

The National Peace Assembly'sprincipal guests included NDFPSenior Adviser Luis Jalandoni andconsultants Connie Ledesma,Concha Araneta, Porferio Tuna Jr.,Ariel Arbitrario and EduardoGenelsa. They welcomed questionsfrom the media and the audience ata press conference and open forum.Ka Luis Jalandoni's statement thatthe NPA will not surrender was fer-vently received. He said that theNPA is necessary to defendwhatever gains may be achievedfrom the talks, particularly on so-cio-economic reforms, and also inestablishing a genuine people'sgovernment. Also present wereDAR's Rafael Mariano, AnakpawisPartylist's Ariel Casilao, Liza Mazaof NAPC, Usec. Joel Maglunsod ofDOLE, Luz Ilagan of Gabriela andCarlos Zarate of Bayan Muna. GRPPeace Panel Chief Silvestre Bello IIIand DILG Sec. Mike Sueno likewisegraced the occasion. In his mes-sage, Moro Islamic Liberation FrontDeputy Chief of Staff Sonny Muñozsaid that capabilities and determin-ation should be strengthened toachieve benefits for the Filipinopeople.

NDFP Chief Political Consult-ant Jose Maria Sison sent a mes-sage wherein he condemned theDuterte government for renegingon its commitment to the peacenegotiations, particularly on de-claring amnesty for all politicalprisoners. Two videos by Sine Pro-letaryo discussing the peace talkswere shown on two large screens

in the gym.On December 23, the PNP Pa-

quibato conducted anti-drug opera-tions in the area where the NationalPeace Assembly was to be held.

Apart from the 1st PulangBagani Battalion, more than 500Red fighters and revolutionaryforces were involved in the prepar-ations for the activity, which star-ted last December 8. One platoon ofthe people's army, augmentedby another platoon of themilitia, constantly re-connoitered thearea to securethe whole activ-ity. Around 400barrio folk were or-ganized and positionedin one of the barrio'ssub-villages to ensure foodfor everyone. Meanwhile, up to 100Red fighters and youth activistsparticipated as dancers, choralemembers, designers and artists,and managers of the whole produc-tion.

In the evening, delegates flewlighted lanterns before a shining 7-foot hammer and sickle. After this,members of ARMAS (People'sArtists and Writers), NPA fightersand progressive cultural workersperformed until 11 o'clock.

Separate gatherings in South-ern Mindanao's other subregionswere also held.

Misamis Oriental. Up to20,000 also gathered in Brgy. Man-anum Bag-o, Medina to launch theregional peace rally. The assembly'sprincipal guest was Alfredo Mapano(Ka Paris), an NDFP peace panelconsultant from the region. Localofficials of the reactionary govern-ment also attended the rally, in-cluding the provincial governorYevgeny Emano and others. BishopFelixberto Calang of IFI Cagayan deOro, Bishop Rudy Juliada of the

Philippine Ecumenical Peace Plat-form and others from the religioussector also paid their visit. Themain bulk of the guests came fromthe areas of Bukidnon, Agusan delNorte, Misamis Oriental and Lanaodel Norte.

The celebration's highlight wasthe parade of five platoons of Redfighters, with one platoon of wo-men fighters marching in the cen-

ter. Around the venue, a10-foot colorful mural

was on display,alongside a

freedomwall and a

medicalbooth. Also, abooth was ar-

ranged for sharingrevolutionary songs,

videos and literature. In the after-noon, the visitors were treated toa simple meal. Assemblies werealso held in various parts of theregion. These include the peaceforum at Purok 12 Mainaga, Brgy.Iba, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon whichwas participated in by 4,000people.

North Eastern Mindanao. InNEMR, peace rallies were held inseven areas: San Luis, Agusan DelSur; Barangay Anomar, SurigaoCity; Bunawan, Agusan del Sur;Bacuag, Surigao del Norte; An-ticala, Butuan City; Cayale, Tago,Surigao del Sur and Marihatag,Surigao del Sur.

In Butuan City, more than7,000 supporters from nearbytowns gathered to join the activity.The Red fighters' call: Struggle toAchieve Just Peace.

An estimated 25,000 joined inthe celebrations and assemblies inthe whole region.

Assemblies were also held inNorth Cotabato, Misamis Occident-al and Zamboanga Sibugay.

Massive peace. . . from page 1

January 7 , 2017 ANG BAYAN4

The CPP's 48th anniversary celebrations and peace rallies at variouslevels were held in different parts of the country.

Samar. More than 3,000 peas-ants, women, youth and allies fromeight towns in Northern Samar at-tended the celebration. The Rod-ante Urtal Command and the Partysection committee covering thecluster of barrios made the eventpossible and ensured the needs ofthe attendees. Around one bat-talion of people's militia were mo-bilized to secure the area and co-ordinate with the nearby barrios.

Negros. Last December 22,NPA-Apolinario Gatmaitan Com-mand (AGC) held a peace forum in aguerrilla zone in Central Negros.Around 3,000 people joined the oc-casion.

According to Juanito Magbanua,one of the commanders of NPA-AGC, this was the largest event theyhave organized in years.

Frank Fernandez, spokespersonof NDF-Negros, arrived at theactivity.

Fernandez told the media thatthe military has declared him eitherdead or suffering from a serious ill-ness, but his attendance proves thathe is alive and still serves as thevoice of the revolutionary move-ment in Negros island.

"They think if Frank Fernandezdies, it will affect the revolution.But look around you, look at all the

young Red fighters who are hereand the revolutionary masses. Theyensure the revolution lives," he ad-ded.

Southern Tagalog. In a guer-rilla zone in Sierra Madre, Quezon,more than 2,000 people gathered toattend the peace assembly organ-ized by the NPA-Melito Glor Com-mand.

Despite typhoon Nina lashingSouthern Tagalog last December 26,Red fighters pushed through withthe 48th anniversary celebration onDecember 28, two days after itsoriginal schedule. Along with thefestivity, Ernesto Lorenzo, NDFPconsultant for Southern Tagalog,led the assembly organized by theNPA unit.

Meanwhile, Cleo del Mundo ofMelito Glor Command facilitated theenlistment of the NPA's new re-cruits.

According to Diego Padilla,spokesperson of Melito Glor Com-mand, Red fighters also helped thebarrio folk in rebuilding their homesand recovering their crops damagedby the typhoon.

Panay. Guerrilla fronts in Panaysimultaneously held 48th an-niversary celebrations and peacefora. In the program prepared byNPA-Central Panay (Jose Percival

Estocada Command), Ka Mara,political instructor of Igabon pla-toon, encouraged the youth to jointhe NPA. This is the first time thatthe guerrilla front opened theiractivity to the public. More than500 arrived, including Tumandoksand members of revolutionary or-ganizations in the region. Anothercelebration was held in a guerrillazone of Eastern Front-Panay(Nonito Aguirre Command).

In line with the call to advancepeace negotiations between GRPand NDFP, BAYAN-Panay launched"operation dikit" and a candlelighting activity in front of JaroCathedral last December 26. Thegroup also condemned the ongoingmilitary operations in barrios andtown centers.

Bicol. Around 700 supportersand guests arrived at the assemblyorganized by NPA-Sorsogon (CelsoMinguez Command or CMC) in aguerrilla zone in the province. TheNPA-CMC expressed its firm ad-herence to the declaration andmandate of the Party on the cease-fire, even if it is difficult for the Redfighters to avoid continuous attacksof the reactionary forces that donot conform to their own ceasefire.

According to Ka Carlo of CMC,the NPA in the province is determ-ined to strengthen their ranks sothey may be able to contribute toother fronts in the entire region.

Widespread peace rallies held

ANG BAYAN January 7 , 2017 5

Party committees, the people'sarmy units, support organs, organsof political power and mass organ-izations.

Meanwhile in the political field,the number of full time Red fightersincreased by 16%, and newly-formed platoons increased by 13%.These are augmented by the equallyincreasing number of militia fighterswhich recorded an increase of 41%.Before the unilateral ceasefire lastAugust 21, the NPA-NCMR was ableto launch 109 tactical offensives.Corresponding to the increase ofplatoon formations, there was alsoa 7%-increase in the number of vil-lages favorable for the people'sarmy operations and maneuver.

During the ceasefire, whilekeeping on with various tasks, theregion was able to hold sevenbatches of the Basic Politico-Milit-ary Training which were attendedby full time commanders and fight-ers, and the militia.

Efforts of the urban revolution-ary mass movement have also beenconstantly supportive of the armedstruggle. It was able to expandamong workers, the urban poor andpetty bourgeois, while taking thelead in their sectoral and classstruggles. Enlistment of the youthto the people's army has been con-

This past year, revolutionary forces in North Central Mindanao Region(NCMR) achieved a string of revolutionary victories in all fields.

In the ideological field, morethan 1,040 members and candidatemembers completed the Basic PartyCourse in 56 batches. Also, 112cadres completed the IntermediateCourse in nine batches. As a resultof these Party courses, the CPPcommittee in the region upheld therelatively correct and sharp applic-ation of Marxism-Leninism-Maoismto the region's revolutionary prac-tice. In the region's 15-year sum-ming up, errors were sharply iden-tified and lessons were correctlydrawn.

Successive conferences and as-semblies on various fields of re-volutionary tasks were alsolaunched in order to solve problemsand difficulties in fulfilling tasks.These include addressing the bour-geois elections, military work, thelegal mass movement, masscampaigns and others. Ang Bayanissues, as well as regional Party andpeople's army newspapers, servedas supplemental readings. Trainingson Basic Platoon Officers Course arelikewise held regularly.

In the organizational field,Party membership increased by 31%most especially among the localParty branches. Cadres werepromptly promoted and appropri-ately assigned to various territorial

NCMR's revolutionary victories in 2016

tinuous.The mass base increased by

26%. This percentage comprises the53% increase in the organs of polit-ical power, and the increase in sec-toral branches by 36%.

Also, up to a total of 71 anti-feudal actions have been launched.This covers 264 villages in 26 townsand six cities in the provinces ofAgusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur,Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.These antifeudal actions were par-ticipated in by over 60,000 peas-ants and farmworkers, benefittingmore than 200,000 individuals. Theactions have been advanced to re-gional levels. Particularly in thestruggle against the drought, morethan 16,000 sacks of rice wereconfiscated by the people in theirdemands for rice subsidy from thereactionary government.

As a form of combatting themilitarization of Lumad and farm-ers' communities, organized evacu-ations were carried out and wereable to gather support overseas.Moreover, it is not only the Lumadswho have joined the revolution inthe region, but also the Moropeople who fight against land-grabbing of their ancestral domain,state fascism, and discrimination.

According to Ka Norsen Man-gubat, regional spokesperson forthe CPP, while comprehensive vic-tories have been achieved, thesefare small compared to the capab-ilities and potential of the revolu-tionary forces in NCMR. He saidthat the comrades' strength hasyet to be wielded fully. The Partyleadership in NCMR is fully confid-ent that if erroneous tendencies aredispelled and correct methods inarousing, organizing and mobilizingare grasped, these will bring aboutseveralfold advances in the comingyears.

January 7 , 2017 ANG BAYAN6

Revolutionary strides in NEMR

The year 2016 marked victories for Northeastern Mindanao as a result ofthe Communist Party of the Philippines' correct leadership of the re-

volutionary movement in the region. The comrades have seized the initiative,and the New People's Army, revolutionary forces and the people have effect-ively and valiantly fought the fierce attacks by the reactionary governmentand the AFP-PNP.

The region advanced in all as-pects, foremost of which is frus-trating the Oplan Bayanihan coun-terinsurgency campaign. Despitethe AFP's fierce attacks against thepeople in order to crush theirstruggle, not one NPA formationwas defeated even with the concen-tration of ten combat battalions ofthe reactionary armed forces.

Moreover, the CPP in NEMR saidthat amidst enemy assaults, theNPA was able to launch counter-at-tacks through widespread militaryactions including sniping and har-assment operations, sanctions, spe-cial operations, capturing of prison-ers, and basic tactical offensives.From January to August, the NPA inthe region was able to launch up to191 military actions, including foursurges of coordinated attacks, av-eraging no less than 20 military ac-tions in a day. In total, the enemysuffered no less than 105 killed and77 wounded, and some firearms ofdifferent types were confiscated.Also, five elements of the PNP werecaptured and treated according tothe NPA guidelines and rules of war.On the part of the people's army,nine fighters heroically offered theirlives in battles.

Oplan Bayanihan was likewiseresisted through organized evacu-ations of Lumads who stayed inTandag, Surigao del Sur for oneyear and exposed the AFP's attacks,particularly the 75th IB, againstLumad schools and communities.Likewise, the people in other partsof the region opposed the "peaceand development" operations

through collective confrontation ofAFP forces, filing of charges, as wellas through the utilization of massmedia.

Agrarian struggles have alsobeen intensified and heightened,culminating in the reduction of landrent from 50-50 towards 75-25sharing favoring the tenants. Othervictories were also sustained, such asthe elimination of usury, increase inwages for agricultural labor, reduc-tion of irrigation fees, and strength-ening cooperativization for directconsumption. In 2016 alone, up to4,000 families became new benefi-ciaries of agrarian revolution. Theseadd to the hundreds of thousandswho have benefitted in recent years.

Comrades in NEMR also reapedthe increase in the number of vil-lages within the scope of NPA oper-ations, as well as in the recoveredareas. NPA operations now coverlowlands, communities along high-ways and shorelines, and town cen-ters.

Enlistment in the people's armyhas been continuous and recruitsundergo training in politico-military,mass work and others. More youthfrom the cities and the intelligentsiaare directly participating in thearmed struggle in the countrysideand joining the NPA. The number ofpeople's militia members has alsoincreased.

In the field of ideology and or-ganization, there was also an in-crease in Party membership in theranks of the local branches and Redfighters. Nonetheless, this ratio isstill minimal relative to the breadth

of the mass base. Despite the in-crease and frequency of trainingsfor cadres on different lines ofwork, the number is likewise smallcompared to the widening revolu-tionary tasks in the region, an ex-ample of which is the increase innew section- and municipal-levellocal Party committees.

Meanwhile, the Nona Del Ros-ario Command (NPA-Ifugao) reaf-firmed the continuing leadership ofthe CPP and the advance of thepeople's democratic revolution inthe province. According to KaWigan Moncontad, threats of im-perialist plunder are worsening,with the collusion of local bour-geois-compradors and the AFP astheir instrument.

In order to resolve the con-tinuing oppression suffered by thepeople of Ifugao, the revolutionaryforces face up to the challenge ofthoroughgoing increase and broad-ening of areas covered by NPA unitsand the people's militia along withthe strengthening of revolutionarybases.

For its part, the RevolutionaryCouncil of Trade Unions, an alliedorganization of the NDFP, ex-pressed solidarity with the CPP's48th anniversary. The RCTU saidthat in the cities, an increasingnumber of workers are joining theParty and are embracing the pro-letarian class leadership of the re-volution. Likewise, revolutionarytrade unions are continuously beingestablished as well as branches ofunderground revolutionary organ-izations of the semi-proletariatwhich serve as the core of revolu-tionary struggles in the cities.Workers are also continuously sur-ging towards the countryside totake on tasks with the New People'sArmy.

ANG BAYAN January 7 , 2017 7

ENCAMPED ELEMENTS of the Special Forces Battalionfired at an NPA unit in White Kulaman, Kitaotao, Bukid-non last December 22 at 6 p.m. This was reported byPorferio Tuna, NDFP negotiating panel consultant, dur-ing the anniversary celebration of the CPP in Davao City.This is an outright violation of their own unilateralceasefire declaration.

Meanwhile, on December 23, 2016, 20 elements of30th IB positioned themselves at Little Baguio, Payapag,Bacwag, Surigao del Norte, where Red fighters werepreparing for the upcoming 48th year celebration of theParty. As a result, 100 families evacuated to Payapagmultipurpose hall last December 24.

In Western Uma, Kalinga, residents filed a petitiondemanding the elements of the 50th IB to leave theircommunity but the AFP ignored their demand and in-stead, continued and intensified their attacks.

AFP troops also intimidate, threaten and harass

anyone brave enough to expose their violations, resid-ents said.

"Every time we ask them to leave our community,they reply that they will only leave if the Duterte gov-ernment tells them to do so," they added.

In related news, the Kilusang Mayo Uno stronglycondemned the harassment of AFP elements againstAntonio Begornia, secretary general of Alliance of Na-tionalist and Genuine Labor Organizations (ANGLO-KMU). Last December 31, 2016, a number of men forcedBegornia to accept a grocery package and an envelopewith P2,000 as a gift for his family.

The same men had already visited his home lastDecember 22 and started intimidating the labor leaderto cooperate with the government's counterinsurgencycampaign.

According to the KMU, this AFP modus operandiagainst the people has become widespread nationwide.

Level 3 medical training launched in Samar

An advanced medical training was successfully held in a guerrilla front inSamar from November 28 until December 11 last year. Twenty four

medics from different units of the New People's Army in Eastern Visayasparticipated in the training. The Level 3 medical training is part of the re-volutionary movement's ongoing development of medical machinery. Thetraining focused on two subjects: Advanced Training Life Support (ATLS) andMental Health Training, both of which are basic and improving treatment forRed fighters.

The training for life-saving in-tends to improve the combat med-ics' readiness and capability in sav-ing the wounded in action. Differentworkshops and dry-runs were doneunder ATLS. "The training helpedme a lot, it has boosted my confid-ence as a medic in attending to pa-tients," said Ka Tataw, one of thetraining's participants.

Ensuring mental health is integ-ral to the Red fighters' medicalcare. The whole-day discussion on

the subject of mental health guidedthe cadres in determining the needsfor the comrades' healthy mentalcondition. It is important to stressthat despite the comrades' firmideological, political and organiza-tional consciousness, no one can es-cape undergoing tension or stress.

"Indeed, some comrades arevulnerable to mental stress, whereinduring periods of unpleasant exper-iences, or when burdened by prob-lems, changes in their behavior and

attitude towards other comradesbecome manifest. But it must not bemisconstrued that they have losttheir standpoint," said Ka Botsoy, apsychiatrist invited for the training.For her part, Ka Delia, a cadre whoparticipated in the discussions, saidthat "The leaders' comprehensiveattention to the mental aspect isnecessary to fully know the com-rades, understand their problemsand help in resolving these."

After the training, the gradu-ates conducted medical services forthe masses and fellow comrades. Ashort program was also held in re-cognition of the newly-trainedmedics. They are fully-determinedto complete all efforts in order toadvance and firmly grasp the tasksand contribute to intensify thearmed struggle.

AFP's ceasefire violations persist

January 7 , 2017 ANG BAYAN8

vice squad leaders will report to theplatoon leader. Subsequently, theplatoon's unit command will sum upthe circumstances of each squad inorder to be reported to the com-pany leadership.

The company's Political Sectionwill then have its consultation—each platoon's PI together with thePolitical Officer of the company.During this consultation, the Polit-ical Section will take the lead on thecompany's political workthroughout the day. Likewise, theplatoon leaders and the secondplatoon leaders will report to thecompany commander.

The chain of consultations willconclude at the company unit com-mand. The commander, vice com-manders and the political officers ofthe company will assemble to re-view the outcome of the previousday's tasks, take stock of the gen-eral politico-military condition ofthe company, and set tasks for thecurrent day. From the leadership,the company's agreed direction willrevolve back to the teams.

Comrades agree that the de-velopment of a revolutionary armycannot be achieved only throughformal trainings and classes, butalso through the daily activities set

In forging the NPA as an invin-cible army, an important aspect isthe absolute leadership of the Com-munist Party of the Philippines.Within the NPA companies, thisleadership is exercised through thePolitical Section which sets thepolitical line and discipline withinthe people's army.

In Northeastern Mindanao, KaEman commands a regular NPAcompany which serves as the mainfighting unit of one of its subre-gions. Over a long period, the Polit-ical Section has developed a systemof administration in order to raisethe company's politico-military con-sciousness and capability.

A regular day in the companysets off with each of the squad'spasa-bangon (relay-rousing) beforedawn. But more than being a merereveille by the squad leaders, theypass on a message assigned by thePolitical Section to fellow fighters.One example, said Ka Eman, is thepolitical message: "An army withouttraining will suffer the enemy'sbeating." Ka Eman adds thatpassing on of messages are always

started off with the phrase "mes-sage relay" so as to avoid misinter-pretations, especially when militarymessages are transmitted, an ex-ample of which is "Be on the alert atSector Two!"

This message relay is timed bythe squad's political guide in orderto assess the rate of transmission,and the correct comprehension ofthe message by each element of thesquad. Thus, the comrades aretrained on the quick comprehensionof a command.

After this, a brief consultationon three points is held by each fireteam: How is the physical conditionof the comrade? Was sentry task,as well as other tasks for the previ-ous night, complied with? Are thereany requests or suggestions?

This consultation among theteams lasts for 15 minutes, and isimmediately followed by the squadconsultation. Afterwards, the dualleadership at the platoon level sim-ultaneously hold their consultation -the political guides will report to thepolitical instructor (PI), while thesquad leaders together with the

Daily trainings inside NPA companies

The advance of the people's war in some regions has steadily broughtabout the formation of company-sized guerrilla fronts. In others, inde-

pendent New People's Army companies have emerged.

ANG BAYAN January 7 , 2017 9

by the Party for such purpose. KaEman said himself, "The BasicPolitico-Military Course, the BasicParty Course, may be forgottenwhen not followed through every-day."

This is why the Political Sec-tion combines politico-militarytasks for each day. Time is appor-tioned, said Ka Eman. For ex-ample, military exercises are donein the mornings, while discussionson the message relay and otherpolitical discussions are held in theafternoons. Only recently, thecompany discussed the definitionof guerrilla warfare, as well as theenemy's modern equipment. Polit-ical discussions are held by thesquads simultaneously but separ-ately so as to avoid putting thepeople's army in a defensive posi-tion. Ka Eman also cited an ex-ample one time when the companyconducted a pre-dawn dry-run ondefense.

Aside from these, Red fightersare also trained to face the publicand conduct propaganda. Duringthe discussions, the squad's politic-al guide identifies who among theRed fighters will give the openingspeech, the padasig or inspirationaltalk, and the closing remarks. Dur-ing cultural activities which happenevery Sunday, an emcee is pickedfrom the ranks of the Red fighters,aside from the assigned speakers.

Because of these activities, KaEman said that even those Redfighters who have attained only ele-mentary level education are beingdeveloped to overcome timidity andshyness.

The army is forged by thesedaily activities. For this reason, KaEman said that "The comrades areready to battle." The company isprepared to respond to programsfor intensifying tactical offensives.To a certain degree, NCMR's victor-ies in the revolution for the pastfew years are brought about bysuch methods of leadership insidethe people's army.

The Political Section and thecommanders monitor the daily pro-gress of each Red fighter, adds KaEman. For this reason, even whenthe company is dispersed into pla-toons, the system of message re-lays, consultations, discussions andstudies, as well as the chain of com-mand, continue to be observed.

Such system of developing thesubregion's fighting company polit-ically and militarily is considered bythe comrades as one of the bestachieved in the field of the army'sinternal consolidation. According toKa Eman, this is already beingshared among the region's guerrillafronts through yearly military con-ferences.

Weekly planning

In adjacent North CentralMindanao Region, the daily sched-ule of NPA companies takes a vari-ation. For instance, consultationswithin fire teams, squads and pla-toons are given enough time in theafternoons, while the company unitcommand's consultation takes placein the mornings. Nonetheless, thesystem of daily political activities ismaintained as a continuous trainingfor the army.

While the unit command holdsits meeting, the squads also havetheir political discussions. In addi-tion to the message relay, slogansfrom Mao Zedong's Red Book arerecited, or passages prepared bythe Political Section.

Each day of the whole week isalso assigned to definite activit-ies, if no adjustments are made bythe higher organ. A day each is setfor political discussions, for med-ical tasks, for literacy sessions,assessments of Party Groups,news sharing and cultural per-formances, and for study of milit-ary theories.

With the development of a sys-tem of administration inside thepeople's army, the comrades areconfident that sooner or later, suchsystem of administration will be-come second nature to the NPA,until the companies of the guerrillafronts and regions develop along-side each other.

Lapanday evicts MARBAI members

DESPITE THE CEASE and desist order issued by theDepartment of Agrarian Reform, 300 guards ofLapanday Food Corporations, Inc. attacked and har-assed members of Madaum Agrarian Reform Benefi-ciaries Inc. (MARBAI) who have set up camp in their145-hectare farm area inside the Hijo plantation inBarangay Madaum, Tagum City last December 31,2016.

According to Mely Yu, president of MARBAI, theywere forced to leave their camp and proceed to theplantation gate, as LFC guards were armed with long,high powered guns. They bound the hands of around

100 members and pushed them out of the compound.Yu added that they pleaded to get their things, but

were prevented from doing so. Similar to the previousshooting incidents, police officers refused to act.

On December 16, DAR issued a cease and desistorder which recognized MARBAI as the rightful ownerof the contested San Isidro farm area. These lands arewithin the plantation controlled by Lapanday FoodsCorporation.

The order also prohibits Lapanday guards fromforcibly evicting members of MARBAI and disturbingtheir peaceful occupation of the said property.