On Philippine Foreign Policy (tags)
1) Needed: Firm but Deft Diplomacy, not War Games 2) Akbayan to Chinese government: Defuse standoff, pull vessels out of Scarborough shoal 3) Akbayan condemns North Korea’s planned rocket launch 4) Akbayan (Citizens Action Party) congratulates Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy
THE ECONOMIC-POLITICAL SITUATION OF THE CORDILLERAS (tags)
A YEAR after the US-Aquino2 regime took power, the miserable situation in the Ilocos-Cordillera region mirrors the dismal state of the nation. From the impoverished tobacco and palay farmers in the Ilocos provinces to the indigenous people plowing hybrid corn fields, vegetable gardens and rice terraces in the Cordillera, the empty promises of the Aquino regime are reflected in the continuing violations and betrayal of the people?s right to land, livelihood and resources. The real boss of the Aquino administration turns out to be not the Filipino people, but US Imperialism as it furiously expands its economic interests as well as large scale corporate mines and geothermal and hydroelectric power projects in Northern Luzon and rams down the nation?s throat its Oplan Bayanihan (OPB), the so-called internal peace and security plan. It is these that exacerbate and continue to heighten the national oppression that reached ethnocidal proportion being suffered by indigenous people of the Cordillera and the Filipino people in general. Indeed, Aquino?s Daang Matuwid turns out to be no different from the substandard Halsema Highway with its erosions and slides, close-open status and serving mainly foreign interests in extracting super profits from the region?s resources. Oplan Bayanihan: Furthering the National Oppression of the Indigenous People Despite it?s deceptive psy-war features, Oplan Bayanihan (OPB) is fast showing up it?s true vicious character compared to its failed predecessor, Oplan Bantay Laya 1 & 2 of the unheralded and despicable US-Arroyo regime. The 5th IDPA and the NOLCOM of the AFP have overzealously applied its age-old imperialist master?s tactics of ?divide and rule? by exploiting indigenous social, economic and political systems in its counter-insurgency operations. They target not only combatants but more so innocent civilians including minors and the elderly. Coining nice sounding contraption to hide the harshness and vileness of Oplan Bayanihan does not succeed in erasing the notoriety of the AFP as armed units of the ruling class. Changing its notorious ?Reengineered Special Operations Teams? to ?Peace and Development Operations Teams?does not do the desired trick. It succeeds though in sowing intrigues and beclouding clear provisions of peace pact pagta where armed units (AFP/PNP and/or NPA) are not covered. Operating troops continue to quarter in schools, day-care centers, barangay halls and clinics, private homes and other public and sacred places contrary to clear provisions of CARHRIHL and Protocols of the Geneva Conventions. In many cases, families are broken up as a result of soldiers? womanizing. Young female students are also vulnerable to abuses especially where detachments are near schools. In one case, the whole tribesmen of a young lass have to be mobilized to demand accountability of the soldier?s tribes mate when a married soldier impregnated a young first year college student. Also drunken soldiers always spark troubles with youngsters even at the flimsiest of reasons.
REMEMBER AND COMMEMORATE THE VICTORY AT THE BATTLE OF BESSANG PASS, 1945 (tags)
On June 14, 1945, one of the greatest battle of World War II ended in a victory for the Filipino and American soldiers in Bessang Pass, in the Cordilleras Northern Luzon, Philippines. Before the light of day, on June 14, 1945, units of the 121st Infantry launched the final assault of Bucual Ridge, In dramatic but costly rushes they obliterated the last enemy soldier on Bessang Pass. To the end with flourish, the greatest feat of Filipino arms in modern times, the Filipinos secured the hill held by the Japanese Imperial army. It was a payback for the defeat in Bataan, three years ago. Presidential Citation No higher honors can be bestowed on the heroes of the battle of Bessang Pass , who avenged the defeat of Bataan and Corregidor than the tribute of President Elpidio Quirino in 1952 to the United States Forces in Northern Luzon (USFIP-NL) during the 7th anniversary of the Battle of Bessang Pass: ?To win the liberation of Northen Luzon in which the USFIP-NL played a a major role, you accomplished no ordinary achievement. Your battle of bessang Pass in eastern ilocos Sur in n1945, for instance stands out prominently as one of the major decisive battles of the Philippine Liberation Campaign.?
AFP Launches the biggest military offensive in the Philippines (tags)
"When they (the reactionaries) speak of peace, they wage war." The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) based in the United States expressed its utmost concern about the intention of the newly installed US-Aquino Regime as the AFP launched its biggest general offensive in Mindanao. The AJLPP learned that Jorge Madlos of the NDF-Mindanao said; " All the four divisions under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) based in Mindanao are currently conducting massive and widespread military operations against the revolutionary forces in all the five NPA regions in the whole island, particularly more intense in the Southern Mindanao Region."
Philippines: Comrade Torturer (tags)
The Communist Party of the Philippines killed hundreds of its own cadres in a wave of paranoia that swept the rebel movement in the 1980s.
JFAV /AWARE Marked the 65th Year victory at the Battle of Bessang Pass in Los Angeles (tags)
Scores of veterans and widows, advocates and guests marked the 65th year victory at the Battle of Bessang Pass, June 14, 1945 with a simple program, Monday, June 14, 2010. The rites was held at the Church of the Nazarene Hall Social Hall at 3401 W.3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90020 at around 9:00 AM. After the opening invocation given by Pastor Sonny River, the guests of honor , the Philippine Consul General Los Angeles, Mary Jo B. Aragon spoke about the significance of the Battle of Bessang Pass. The Consul General Aragon pointed out “ The Battle of Bessang Pass in June 14, 1945 is the only military victory of the Filipinos Arms against the Japanese imperial forces in World War II. The division size all Filipino forces was led by five American officers.”
JFAV /AWARE Marks the 65th year victory at the Battle of Bessang Pass in Los Angeles (tags)
Honor our Veterans,Celebrate their victories! The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equality (AWARE) will mark the 65th year commemoration of the victory at the Battle of Bessang Pass, June 14, 1945 with a commemorative program Arturo P. Garcia , JFAV national coordinator and Mrs. Lulu Astilla, AWARE president announced that the commemorative event will be held on Monday , June 14, 2010 at the Church of the Nazarene Hall at 3401 W.3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90020 at around 9:00 AM.
JFAV /AWARE Marks the 65th year victory at the Battle of Bessang Pass in Los Angeles (tags)
Calling on all surviving veterans of the Battle of Bessang Pass and widows or relatives of Filipino World War II veterans in Los Angeles. The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Association of Widows, Advocates and Relatives for Equality (AWARE) will mark the 65th year commemoration of the victory at the Battle of Bessang Pass, June 14, 1945 with a commemorative program Arturo P. Garcia , JFAV national coordinator and Mrs. Lulu Astilla, AWARE president announced that the commemorative event will be held on Monday , June 14, 2010 at the Church of the Nazarene Hall at 3401 W.3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90020 at around 9:00 AM.
JFAV salutes Commander Florencio C. Cadiente, age 89 (tags)
Another strong pillar of the Filipino veterans rights and equity movement has passed away. Commander Florencio C. Cadiente of the United Filipino American Veterans (UFAV), one of the pioneer Fil-Am veterans organizations in the United States based in Los Angeles, went back to his creator last March 28, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Manong (Brother) Flor, as he is fondly known to the community, was born on January 3, 1921 in Narvacan, Ilocos Norte in Northern Luzon, Philippines.
AFP-NPA Clashes: 28 AFP troops killed or wounded (tags)
EPCCNEWS learned today that more than 28 AFP troops were killed or wounded in several clashes in the Philippines last week. At least five Army soldiers were killed while 11 others were wounded in separate clashes with communist rebels in Malibcong and Tubo towns in Abra, in Northern Luzon on Sunday,January 31 reports reaching this camp on Monday said. Lieutenant Colonel Loreto Magundayao Jr., 5th Infantry Division spokesman and civil-military operations battalion commander, declined to identify the slain soldiers, saying Army officials were still getting in contact with their relatives, as of Monday.
EPCC NEWS February 1, 2010 AFP-NPA Clashes: 27 AFP troops killed or wounded (tags)
EPCCNEWS learned today that more than 28 AFP troops were killed or wounded in several clashes in the Philippines last week. At least five Army soldiers were killed while 11 others were wounded in separate clashes with communist rebels in Malibcong and Tubo towns in Abra, in Northern Luzon on Sunday,January 31 reports reaching this camp on Monday said. Lieutenant Colonel Loreto Magundayao Jr., 5th Infantry Division spokesman and civil-military operations battalion commander, declined to identify the slain soldiers, saying Army officials were still getting in contact with their relatives, as of Monday.
PHILIPPINES; A CAPITALIST CALAMITY (tags)
Filipinos now see more clearly the calamitous state of the system.In the morning of Sept. 26, tropical storm Ondoy (international codename: Ketsana) pounded Metro Manila and the surrounding regions, dumping a month’s worth of rain in just six hours and causing the most massive flooding seen in the last 40 years. A week later, super typhoon Pepeng (Parma) hit Northern Luzon, inundating farmland and causing mudslides in the mountainous mining region of Benguet, including Baguio City, a U.S.-designed community.
CPDF BLAMED DISASTERS DUE EXTRACTIVE MINING AND LOGGING (tags)
- Pesante News learned through news sources today that the CPDF blamed the recent disastrous flooding and numerous landslides in Northern Luzon that inflicted heavy losses in lives and property highlight the often overlooked cost of developmental aggression. In more ways than one do the common people pay for huge projects that generate super-profits for foreign big business interests and their local lackeys.
STP/PEOPLES CORE EXTENDS FUND/RELIEF DRIVE FOR TWO MONTHS (tags)
STP/PEOPLE'S CORE announced today that it is extending the fund and relief goods drive for the victims of disasters in the Philippines from October to December 2009. This is because whole of Luzon areas had crop failure because of floods and coming storm. More than P 8 billion pesos has been damaged. Water has subsided still 25% of Metro Manila is under water. 16 towns and two cities of Laguna still under water and the Lake is overflowing. More than 2 million people were affected and 150,000 are still in the evacuation centers. Northern Luzon provinces of Cagayan and Isabela were severely hit. Two more thypoons expected to hit the country with weeks.
STP/PEOPLES CORE THANKS EVERYONE ON ITS SUCCESSFUL COLLECTION DAY, Oct. 3 (tags)
MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYONG LAHAT! Congratulations to STP/Oplan Metro Manila for the good job! More than 150 volunteers from People”s CORE ,Alliance(AJLPP), GABNET-LA, KmB, JFAV, Samahang Pilipino, CSULB and SIPA collected and packed more than 2 tons or 300 bags ( equivalent to 200 Balikbayan boxes ) for Ondoy victims last Saturday, Oct. 3 in Historic Filipinotown SIPA compound. The donations will be shipped to Manila by the TEAM Pacquaio Foundation through the Alas Cargo and People’s CORE with the REN International.
On the 66th Year of the Fall of Corregidor, May 6, 1942 (tags)
On May 6, 1942, after enduring one month of siege, air and artillery bombardment by the Japanese, the island fortress of Corregidor surrendered to the Japanese Imperial Army.. With the surrender of Corregidor, General Jonathan Wainright, USAFEE Chief was forced to formally surrendered the whole Philippines. With the fall of the Philippines, organized armed resistance by the USAFFE forces in the Philippines ceased to exist. The formal occupation of the Philippines by the Japanese Imperial forces for the next three years begun. But, the Filipino guerilla resistance became very much alive. Independent guerilla forces started in earnest. The guerilla forces in Northern Luzon led by General Guillermo Nakar in Isabela and the HUKBALAHAP in Central Luzon started even before the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942. For the next three years, Filipino guerillas led by able Filipino leaders or by American officers never let the Japanese have peace of mind in occupying the Philippines. They held the line and even liberated areas even before American forces landed in the Philippines.
JFAV Marks RP Independence Day/Battle of Bessang Pass: SGS Inducted in LA (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and People’s Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment (People’s CORE) and the Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) commemorates the 109th Philippine Independence Day and the 62nd Anniversary of the Battle of Bessang last June 12, 2007 at the Los Angeles City Hall. As a part of the commemorative events, Council Member Herb J. Wesson Jr. of the 10th Council District inducted the newly elected officers of the SGSI at the Mayor Tom Bradley Room or the City Tower at the 26th Floor, Los Angeles City Hall at 200 N. Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
JFAV Marks RP Independence Day/Battle of Bessang Pass: SGS Inducted in LA (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and People’s Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment (People’s CORE) and the Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) commemorates the 109th Philippine Independence Day and the 62nd Anniversary of the Battle of Bessang last June 12, 2007 at the Los Angeles City Hall. As a part of the commemorative events, Council Member Herb J. Wesson Jr. of the 10th Council District inducted the newly elected officers of the SGSI at the Mayor Tom Bradley Room or the City Tower at the 26th Floor, Los Angeles City Hall at 200 N. Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
JFAV Marks RP Independence Day/Battle of Bessang Pass with the Induction of the SGSI in LA (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)/ People’s Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment (People’s CORE ) and the Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) cordially invites the general public to commemorate the 109th Philippine Independence Day and the 62nd Anniversary of the Battle of Bessang Pass with the induction of the new set of officers of the Society of Guerillas and Scouts Inc. (SGSI) on June 12, 2007 at 12:00 PM the Los Angeles City Hall. The SGSI induction ceremonies will be held at the Mayor Tom Bradley Room or the City Tower at the 26th Floor, Los Angeles City Hall at 200 N. Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012 Council Member Herb J. Wesson Jr. of the 10th Council District will be the guest speaker and the induction officer of the SGSI officers and board of directors. Some of the incoming SGSI officers are Commander Jack Vergara, Deputy Commanders Nick Gadia Adriano Carino and General Secretary Arturo P. Garcia.
JFAV Marks June 12 RP Independence Day/Battle of Bessang Pass (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and People’s Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment ( People’s CORE ) and the Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) will commemorate the 109th Philippine Independence Day and the 62nd Anniversary of the Battle of Bessang Pass with the induction of the new set of officers of the Society of Guerillas and Scouts Inc. (SGSI) on June 12, 2007 at 12:00 PM the Los Angeles City Hall. The SGSI induction ceremonies will be held at the Mayor Tom Bradley Room or the City Tower at the 26th Floor, Los Angeles City Hall at 200 N. Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
JFAV Marks RP Independence Day/Battle of Bessang Pass with the Induction of the SGSI (tags)
The Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and People’s Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment (People’s CORE ) will commemorate the 109th Philippine Independence Day and the 62nd Anniversary of the Battle of Bessang Pass with the induction of the new set of officers of the Society of Guerillas and Scouts Inc. (SGSI) on June 12, 2007 at 12:00 PM the Los Angeles City Hall. The SGSI induction ceremonies will be held at the Mayor Tom Bradley Room or the City Tower at the 26th Floor, Los Angeles City Hall at 200 N. Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Frustrate the Ph 200-million plot to install Dy as governor of Isabela (tags)
The impending proclamation of new politics icon Grace Padaca winning by a slim yet clear margin, is now at a standstill as there is a plot to deliberately delay and rig the results of Isabela polls in favor of the challenger, former governor Benjamin Dy. A deluge of legal maneuvers have been launched to buy time and frustrate Padaca's proclamation. We have sources inside the COMELEC that indeed, a plot to install Dy as Isabela governor has been ordered by no less than Mrs. Gloria Arroyo herself. To ensure its implementation, Abalos had been paid P200 million. Abalos currently oversees Northern Luzon in this year's electoral exercise. GMA promised the Dys that the latter shall regain control of the Isabela Capitol by all means, in exchange for the latter's (dynasty's) loyalty.
PHILIPPINES: ON ELECTION DAY , GMA CHEATING MACHINE OPERATES (tags)
The US-Arroyo regime cheating and repressive machinery for the May 14 national elections is all systems go. To counter the evil machinations of the US-Arroyo regime, the Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP) reiterates it call for the Filipino people to be vigilant and fight with all their might against legalized vote buying, wholesale cheating and brazen violence in this May 14 elections. At the rate it is acting, the US-Arroyo regime is sure to surpass the much hated Marcos regime its brazenness and fascist terrorist acts. AJLPP also expresses its deepest concern over the escalating violence and the propaganda in “rationalizing” its cheating activities “ in the elections. More than 100 armed incidents have been reported since the election season started late February 2007 in the Philippines. The AJLPP compiled the latest updates from the Philippines:
PHILIPPINES: ON ELECTION DAY , GMA CHEATING MACHINE REVS UP (tags)
The US-Arroyo regime cheating and repressive machinery for the May 14 national elections is revved up and is now on full operations.. The AJLPP reiterates it call for the Filipino people to be vigilant and fight with all their might against legalized vote buying, wholesale cheating and brazen violence in this coming May 14 elections. At the rate It Is acting, the US-Arroyo regime Is sure to surpass the much hated Marcos regime its brazenness and fascist terrorist acts. AJLPP also expresses its deepest concern over the escalating violence and the propaganda in “rationalizing” its cheating activities “ in the coming elections. More than 100 armed incidents have been reported since the election season started late February 2007 in the Philippines.
PHILIPPINES: AS ELECTION DAY COMES , GMA CHEATING MACHINE REVS UP (tags)
As the US-Arroyo regime revved up Its cheating and repressive machinery for the May 14 national elections, the AJLPP reiterates it call for the Filipino people to be vigilant and fight with all their might against legalized vote buying, wholesale cheating and brazen violence in this coming May 14 elections.
CELEBRATE GREAT CINCO DE MAYO WITH GREAT ANTI IMPERIALIST PRIDE (tags)
The Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace (AJLPP)-USA greets the Mexican people with the highest militance and anti-imperialist salute of international solidarity on their great holiday Cinco De Mayo. SALUD!!! That is why we in the Filipino American community is takes pride with this anti-imperialist event with our brother Mexicans victory over the colonial army of France while America was embroiled in their own civil war. As Ho Chi Minh said “ There is nothing more precious than Independence.” That is the great historical anti-imperialist lesson of Cinco De Mayo
Firms lose P43 million in damage from NPA attacks (tags)
PROPERTY destroyed by the New People’s Army (NPA) amounted to P43 million in the first quarter of the year. According to a study conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), NPA rebels inflicted the damage on business firms that refused to pay the underground movement the so-called revolutionary tax.
The US-Arroyo Regime is a Shameless Fascist Puppet of US Imperialism (tags)
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had shed off her last pretensions on respecting human rights by naming her AFP Chief of staff and the most notorious military officials into her area commands. By exposing her nature as a fascist puppet, GMA now decidedly put on the military uniform of dictator Ferdinand Marcos and is ready to wage her all out war against all opposition, armed or unarmed
Radio station in Cagayan torched (tags)
Pesante-USA vehemently condemn the latest fascist attack against progressive party list organization BAYAN MUNA in Cagayan Valley, Northern Luzon. The latest is the burning of the radio station in Baggao, Cagayan.Eight armed men set a community radio station identified with the left-wing Bayan Muna party list in Baggao, Cagayan on fire Sunday morning, reports from the provincial police said.