NPA defends indigenous T’boli villages against AFP bombings

The Far South Mindanao Regional Operational Command of the New People’s Army condemned on 11 January the non-stop aerial bombings and artillery shelling by various units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on the villages and ancestral lands of the indigenous T’boli in South Cotabato province, in southern Philippines.

Read more: NPA defends indigenous T’boli villages against AFP bombings

NPA issues guidelines on campaigning for 2022 elections

The New People’s Army announced on 7 January a set of guidelines for politicians who wish to campaign for votes in the upcoming May 2022 national elections, in order to “ensure the safety and well-being of the masses.”

Read more: NPA issues guidelines on campaigning for 2022 elections

CPP mobilizes rehabilitation efforts in the wake of Odette destruction

The Communist Party of the Philippines made a call on 18 December to “all revolutionary and patriotic forces to organize and mobilize” the Filipino people to carry out relief and rehabilitation efforts in the wake of the widespread destruction wrought by super typhoon Odette. The CPP urged those not affected by the destruction, including overseas Filipinos and the international community, “to extend all possible resources to the millions who lost their homes and livelihood.”

Read more: CPP mobilizes rehabilitation efforts in the wake of Odette destruction

Thousands celebrate CPP 53rd anniversary despite enemy offensives

Thousands of revolutionaries and activists in the Philippines and around the world celebrated the 53rd anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on 26 December, despite the intensive and brutal offensives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The celebrations took the form of open and clandestine assemblies, face-to-face and online meetings.

Read more: Thousands celebrate CPP 53rd anniversary despite enemy offensives

PEPP: Vote for Peace!

The Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform, the largest formation of Christian church leaders in the Philippines, issued a call on 16 December to vote for peace in the May 2022 national elections. In a Pastoral Statement, PEPP Co-chairpersons Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro City and Bishop Rt. Revd. Rex Resurreccion B. Reyes, Jr. of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines called on the Filipino electorate “to deeply discern from among the candidates” and choose those who have a clear track record of truly working for the peace negotiations “as a viable way to address the situation of unpeace in the country.”

Read more: PEPP: Vote for Peace!

Judge drops murder charges vs. NDFP peace consultants, calls for peace talks resumption

Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina dismissed on 16 December the 14-year old multiple murder charges against five National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace negotiations consultants Benito Tiamzon, Wilma Austria, Adelberto Silva, Vicente Ladlad and Satur Ocampo, farmer activists Norberto Murillo, Dario Tomada, Oscar Belleza and seven others. They were accused of being members of the New People’s Army and of committing mass murders in Leyte island, in central Philippines.

Read more: Judge drops murder charges vs. NDFP peace consultants, calls for peace talks resumption

CPP, religious leaders condemn bomings in Miag-ao, Iloilo

In the early morning of 1 December, the FA-50 planes of the Armed Forces of the Philippines dropped at least four bombs on the village of Alimodias in Miag-ao. The bombing ravaged the area, with craters up to 4.5meters deep and 6meters wide. The aerial bombing was then followed by relentless artillery shelling from the AFP’s howitzers.

Read more: CPP, religious leaders condemn bomings in Miag-ao, Iloilo