350 Attacks in ‘07, Mindanao Reds Claim

The National Democratic Front in Mindanao released a statement today, the 39th anniversary of the founding of the New People’s Army, claiming that the NPA in Mindanao launched 350 offensives against the government last year — a steady increase since 2005.

Below is their statement.

NDF-Mindanao, said Ka. Oris, greets the NPA on the momentous celebration of its 39th founding anniversary on March 29, 1969.

According to Ka. Oris, “We are jubilant because of the victories attained by the NPA led by the Communist Party of the Philippines. This demonstrates the defeat of OPLAN Bantay Laya II instigated by the US- Macapagal Arroyo regime and the mercenary AFP-PNP. This proves that the NPA’s march to victory is unstoppable.

He declared that the victories are the NPA’s contribution to the people’s campaign to oust the fascist, puppet and corrupt Macapagal- Arroyo regime towards the destruction of the exploitative and oppressive semi-colonial and semi-feudal system of society.

He summed up the developments:

1. “The NPA in Mindanao are rooted in more than 20 provinces, in close to 200 towns and cities and 2,000 barrios. In brief, there is 5% increase in number of barrios with NPA presence compared to the year 2005.”

2. “The guerrilla fronts, increased to 39 compared to the 35 in 2005- 2006. The NPA foiled the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command’s target to destroy 11 guerrilla fronts in the FSMR, SMR, NEMR and NCMR; and the AFP Western Mindanao Command’s target of destroying 3 guerrilla fronts in the Western Mindanao region.

3. “Tactical offensives in 2005 reached almost 200. This increased close to 300 in 2006. In 2007, this rose to more than 350. In the beginning months of January to March 2008, more than 20 tactical offensives were launched by just a few of the guerrilla fronts.”

“The major attacks in 2007 were the raids in Dapecol, Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte with more than 100 firearms seized; the raid in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur with 18 firearms seized and the raid in Lawan- lawan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte with 14 firearms seized. In 2006, raids were conducted in Bitoan, Tulunan, North Cotabato with 23 firearms seized; in Valencia, Bukidnon with 29 firearms seized and in Upper Bautista, Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental with 14 firearms seized.”

“In the many military actions in SMR, FSMR, NCMR and NEMR, the NPA captured several enemy regular and paramilitary troops, several were detained for more than a month. They were released based on humanitarian considerations.”

4. “More than 300 high calibre firearms were seized from the enemy and more or less battalion size enemy forces became casualties within the year 2007 alone.”

5. “NPA membership in Mindanao continue to increase from last year at 5%, now reaching thousands.”

6. “Hundreds of thousands of peasant masses benefited from actions launched to decrease land rent, usury, rents of rice mills and tools of production, decrease of prices of goods, increase of farm labor wage, increase in prices of farm produce among others. Aside from this, cooperatives were built and projects to improve farming were launched for the masses.”

7. “Thousands of peasants benefited from the social services like literacy, health, production; and cultural.”

8. “Expansion and consolidation of mass bases reaching millions throughout Mindanao.”

Ka. Oris belied the claim made by the US-GMA regime and the AFP-PNP that they will reduce to an insignificant force the NPA by the year 2010. He said that they are fooling themselves.

He further said: “The NPA and the revolution cannot be stopped. First, the societal system cannot solve the basic problems of the people. Second, the people want basic changes in government and society. Third, the ruling class are fighting amongst themselves. Fourth, the Party’s leadership of the revolution and the NPA who embraces the national-democratic line is correct and effective and will liberate the people from the decaying system of society.”

Ka. Oris further explained that the Arroyo government reeks and is hated by the people because of the massive corruption of public funds and kickbacks, massive human rights violations, oppression not only against the progressive groups but also against the mass media, church people and those in the legal opposition, and its utter puppetry to US imperialism.”

He added: “On the other hand, the many political forces that want to oust GMA are slowly uniting and helping each other. Protest actions calling for the ouster of the Arroyo regime is gaining momentum.”

Ka. Oris further condemned the economic development claimed by the GMA regime, and said that “It is a bogus development because majority of the Filipino people are still suffering from poverty. He added that the AFP-PNP that the Arroyo regime counts on is mired in factions. There is massive discontent among the many junior officers and rank and file because only higher officers benefit from resources and funds of the AFP and PNP, are partners in election cheating, are linked to massive human rights violations and promotions are not based on merits but on favouritism.”

Lastly he said that: “The tasks of the NPA in Mindanao are the following: 1. Seize the initiative and be flexible; 2. Launch bigger tactical offensives to contribute to the ouster of the US- Macapagal- Arroyo regime; 3. Expand and deepen mass bases; 4. Sustain the anti-feudal mass movement; and 5. Be daring and active in recruiting for the guerrilla units.” #

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