This week the Philippine STAR is celebrating its 30th founding anniversary. I join its loyal readers in commending the editorial staff, the management, and the employees for the paper’s sustained growth and dedicated pursuance of its declared goal: that, through responsible reporting and opinion writing, truth shall prevail. Also I thank the Philippine STAR for…
Tags: New People’s Army (NPA)
His friends wished they had met his ‘astig’ father
Arnold “AJ” Jaramillo was the iconic “astig” father: he was a New People’s Army leader.
‘Lacub martyrs’: a source of light, love and pride to their families
The amazing lives of the “Lacub martyrs” give their loved ones the courage, hope and inspiration to seek justice.
NPA Blames Military for Botanist’s Death, Refutes Encounter Claim by Army

By RONALYN V. OLEA
The NPA said its guerrillas were not in the area where Leonard Co and two others were killed. It said it did not venture into the area because it was disadvantageous. “It is too heavily guarded by the 19th IB, the police, paramilitary and private security guards. Why would the NPA put itself at unnecessary risk when there are far better options for launching a tactical offensive?”
Video of Soldiers Torturing Captives Riles Filipinos on Facebook

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
After watching the video, which was widely circulated on Facebook, many expressed shock and outrage, denouncing the Armed Forces of the Philippines as human-rights violators, while others simply commented how difficult it is to look at the video and not cry with anger.
Luis V. Teodoro | Shortchanged
By LUIS V. TEODORO Vantage Point | BusinessWorld Posted by Bulatlat.com Since President Benigno Aquino III announced his government’s adoption of a supposedly new counterinsurgency (COIN) strategy, the Philippine military has been all over the media. Its spokespersons have issued, among others, statements that it respects human rights and would henceforth be involved in providing…
Court Junks Slay Raps vs Cebu Activists
A regional trial court in Cebu dismissed for “utter lack of probable cause” trumped-up charges filed by the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) and the Philippine Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion against 27 activists and four other individuals. BY KAREN PAPELLERO Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 29, August 26-September 1, 2007 CEBU…
Merging Executive Policy and Military Strategy
First of three parts In the long-drawn war against the Marxist guerrillas where force takes the lead, the country’s security forces have had a reproachable record in human rights threatening even legitimate political dissent, the peaceful advocacy of radical reform and, now, the use of the legislature to push for patriotic and progressive legislation. BY…
Cordillera Reds Vow to Punish Attackers of Claver Family
“How dare they ambush a helpless family, murder a woman of their own kin, and put in danger a child’s life?” the spokesperson of the Cordillera People’s Democratic Front said of last July 31’s attack on a doctor and his family. By Ace Alegre Bulatlat.com LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas vow…
NPA Grew Beyond ‘Critical Mass’ in 2005; Dramatic increase in tactical offensives
Rebel spokesman Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal claims the New People’s Army (NPA) now has an equivalent of 27 battalions or roughly around 13, 500 regular fighters. These exclude members of barrio militia units or what Rosal describes as “peasants by day, NPA fighters by night.” BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO Bulatlat.com A few weeks ago, Malacañang…
‘I’ve Packed My Things’
Political prisoner all set for freedom after 16 years inside prison Days before his liberty, long-term political prisoner Donato Continente lays out his plans outside prison: to volunteer for a rights watchdog, help his inmates in their search for freedom, lead a campaign against the death penalty, a new haircut and a trip to the…