The revolutionary movement advances in Leyte*
Mt. Amandewin Command
NPA-Leyte
March 28, 2011
In celebration of the 42nd anniversary of the New People's Army on March 29, the Mt. Amandewin Command of the NPA in Leyte today said the revolution is gaining ground on the island and furthermore called for resistance to the Aquino regime's new Oplan Bayanihan. "The Mt. Amandewin Command has successfully carried out several tactical offensives in Leyte since 2010," said MAC spokesperson Ka Dodong Malaya. "Despite imposing a news blackout on the NPA offensives, the 8th Infantry Division was recently forced to acknowledge the growing strength of the NPA by redeploying the 802nd Infantry Brigade headquarters to Leyte from Bohol. This also meant reinforcing the 19th IB with the equivalent of two battalions, with the 78th IB and the 4th Special Forces Company-2nd SF Battalion."
Furthermore, Malaya condemned the Aquino government's Oplan Bayanihan as backed by US imperialism and a serious hindrance to the peace process. "How can the Aquino government claim to be for peace when it is preparing for all-out war, with a "counter-insurgency" campaign lifted from the US Counter-insurgency Guide, and with the AFP chief of staff recently gloating over receiving new military equipment from the US? If Aquino and the AFP claim to be for peace, it is the unjust peace of exploitation and oppression under the ruling system. If the NPA is intensifying guerrilla warfare, it is in fighting for a just and lasting peace based on national liberation and democracy. The peace talks may fail if the Aquino government does not have the political will to address the root causes of the armed conflict. Thus the NPA is one with the people, who must struggle for peace by insisting on their rights and basic demands against the fascist die-hards."
Malaya said the NPA was confident of fighting the fascist troops, but expressed concern over continuing human rights atrocities by the Aquino government. "The NPA is highly disciplined and motivated and is furthermore on the side of the people who are resisting mining, landgrabbing and other basic socio-economic problems. With the people's support, the NPA is thus capable of launching more guerrilla offensives in Leyte and is striving to raise the level of warfare towards strategic stalemate in the next few years. On the other hand, the AFP is suffering batllefield losses as well as beleaguered with scandals such as massive corruption, human rights violations even within its own ranks, and the mercenary dependence on US military aid and "counter-insurgency" guidance. The losing course of the AFP is showing not only through its mounting casualties, but also through the public outcry over human rights atrocities by the military, such as the massacre of Leonard Co and his companions as well as so many other peasant victims in Leyte."
The MAC spokesperson also related that casualty reports confirmed heavy losses among the fascist troops and minimal losses on the NPA's side. "In the NPA's military offensives from March 2010 to March 2011, the AFP sustained at least 40 elements killed in action and 12 wounded in action, while the NPA suffered one casualty killed in action. The NPA was also able to confiscate several long and short firearms, ammunition, other military equipment, and documents of high intelligence value. Among the latest tactical offensives was also the first by the Mt. Amandewin Command against the newly deployed 78th IB on March 8, 2011 in Brgy. Antipolo, Albuera. Confirmed killed in action in the NPA ambush was Pvt. Jonie Briones, while another soldier was wounded in action. The 802nd IBde commander, Col. John Bonafos, covered up his first defeat by lying to the media that the incident was an encounter initiated by them based on a tip from a military informer."
Malaya said the other NPA offensives are as follows:
> March 12, 2010 ambush on one column of the 19th IB in Brgy. San Vicente, Burauen. The NPA mbushed the last of three enemy columns that were withdrawing exhausted from a long operation. Five enemy soldiers were killed and two wounded, while a Red fighter was also martyred. The NPA confiscated one M203, one M16, and other war equipment.
> March 15, 2010 special operation against intelligence agent retired SPO4 Polangcos in Brgy. Antipolo, Albuera. Polangcos, former Albuera police chief, was shot dead by NPA counter-intelligence for being an intelligence agent and handler of the 19th IB in Carigara-Albuera and other places. He was also involved in extrajudicial killings, illegal drugs, and illegal logging. Taken from him and from his house in a separate operation were appointment and mission orders from the 19th IB, a .45 pistol, an M1 carbine, a .22 rifle, ammunition and documents of high intelligence value.
> June 16, 2010 ambush on 19th IB troops in Brgy. Antipolo, Albuera. Based on information from the peasant masses, the MAC was able to ambush a 19th IB platoon; 11 soldiers were killed in action.
> July 7, 2010 encounter in the Brgy. Tinaguban, Carigara. The 19th IB launched a massive operation with three columns from Kananga, Ormoc, and Carigara. An NPA scouting team then had an encounter with the enemy troops, resulting in four soldiers killed and two wounded. The entire NPA unit was able to retreat unscathed despite being encircled by enemy troops, who continued their operation for more than a week and also bombarded the area with howitzers.
> July 9, 2010 special operation against S/Sgt. Vergelio Ramal in Brgy. Caridad, Baybay, Leyte. The NPA punished Ramal, an intelligence official and head of the 19th IB Reengineered Special Operations Team in Carigara, Baybay, Albuera and Burauen. He was responsible for psywar operations and human rights violations under Oplan Bantay Laya in the said areas. Also confiscated from him were a .45 pistol and documents of high intelligence value.
> Oct. 1, 2010 raid on 19th IB troops in the area between Brgy. Salvacion and Brgy. Tinag-an, Albuera, Leyte. An NPA platoon monitored the operation of a column of the 19th IB and raided the enemy unit at 5:30 a.m. Seven soldiers were killed and two more wounded.
> Dec. 14, 2010 ambush on 19th IB troops between Brgy. Tigbao and Brgy. Candigahob, Carigara. The 19th IB launched a month-long operation from Nov. 13-Dec. 14 using more than 200 troops in the Carigara-Kananga-Ormoc mountain complex. This same operation led to the massacre of Leonard Co and his companions on Nov. 15. On Dec. 14, the 19th IB began withdrawing its troops, and the NPA ambushed at 9:30 p.m. the last of three 6x6 trucks that was carrying around 60 exhausted soldiers. At least 10 soldiers were killed and five wounded. #least 10 soldiers were killed and five wounded. #
* Url:http://theprwcblogs.blogspot.com/2011/03/revolutionary-movement-advances-in.html
