AFP High Fallutin Blusters, Empty Threats

By AJLPP Political Secretariat

Mixed Signals

Manila---The US-Arroyo Regime in its first command conference January this year with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), claimed that that it dismantled 13 guerrilla fronts of the revolutionary movement in 2007 and are set to dismantle 30 more this year.

This is contrary to open admission made by the head of the AFP's military operations, Maj. Gen. Joji Leo Fojas, that only three guerrilla fronts have been dismantled, as of October last year.

He openly expressed doubt that the AFP could defeat the CPP-NPA by 2010. AFP General Hermogenes Esperon's claims of success against the NPA have been put to question even within the military, the

AJLPP reported last year.General Fojas Report leaked to the Agence French Press (AFP) said. The AJLPP cited reports leaked to the media that the AFP has admitted in an internal assessment that Oplan Bantay Laya I implemented in 2001-2006 was a failure and that Oplan Bantay Laya II has fallen short of its targets in 2007.

The AFP is asking Congress to appropriate P 3.5 B for its counter-insurgency campaign to destroy the NPA by 2010. For this end the AFP will be building 6 army battalions ( 600 soldier per batallion)and 20 paramilitary CAFGU companies.

Even the newly appointed Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano has admitted that the AFP might not achieve victory over the NPA by 2010 due to its other military campaigns, especially in Mindanao.

Heavy Reliance on US-Military Aid

he AFP and the US-Arroyo Regime is relying on increased US military aid of about $ 300 million dollars worth of military equipment and increased US technical aid in form of US spy equipments, military advisers and other US military aid.

The AFP is set to acquire $ 29 million dollar worth of 6 night attacks helicopters from Boeing Corporation. Bu the deal came under questions due to rigged bidding and reported graft and corruption in the department of national defense.

The US military is active in the “War against Terror” against the so called Al-Queda forces like the on going division size military operations in Mindanao particularly in Sulu and Basilan islands.

The AFP and the US advisers are active against the Abu Sayaff, Jamaayat-Islamiya and the MNLF in these islands where the division size operations t still is going on since the past year.

The US Senate recently filed a resolution tying US military iad to the human rights situation in the Philippines. The US Foreign Affairs Committee admonished the US-Arroyo regime for the more than 800 political killings from 2001-2006.

But more than lip service, the increase in the US military aid for 2007 cancelled out the good intentions of the resolution making moot and academic.

“Not A Single Guerilla Front Dismantled”

The AJLPP reported press releases from the internet saying that: "AFP Chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon has been feeding media with claims of supposed victories against the New People's Army (NPA) in order to shore up his bid for the extension of his term as AFP Chief of Staff," said CPP spokesperson Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal.

Rosal was reacting to a self-serving statement by Esperon declaring that "If I will be given another chance, in the form of extension, then I will be honored to become again a part of the time in these times that we need a call to urgency, especially so that we have achieved a momentum against the CPP and the NPA.

" Rosal also cited the "Not a single guerrilla front has been dismantled," Rosal clarified. "Several division-sized campaign of suppression launched by the AFP last year have invariably failed in defeating the revolutionary armed forces.

He challenged the AFP chief to identify the areas where supposed NPA guerrilla fronts have been wiped out so that the people can independently judge his claims.

The AFP Northern Luzon Command General Rodrigo Maclang also claimed in his report that they have destroyed 3 guerilla fronts in the Cordillera, Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley.

"By employing the most brutal methods in suppressing the peasant masses, the AFP has only succeeded in further inciting the people to join and support the revolutionary armed struggle," added Rosal.

"They have further isolated the AFP from the people making it more difficult for the government military forces to succeed in their campaign against the NPA."

Citing the recent statement issued by the CPP Central Committee, Rosal said there are around 120-130 guerrilla fronts across the country. "In each of these guerrilla fronts, NPA Red fighters are deeply rooted among the peasant masses who are actively resisting the brutal military campaigns of the AFP and advancing their antifeudal struggles with the support of the NPA."

"As the NPA continues to step up its tactical offensives this year, Gloria Arroyo and her AFP's baseless blusters will blow right before their faces," said Rosal.

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