NEWS AT A GLANCE

Balikatan 03-1 in provinces condemned

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) called the deployment of U.S. troops in territories of the New People’s Army (NPA) as acts of provocation.

Recently, Malacañang proposed that the Balikatan 03-1 war exercises be held in Mindoro Occidental, Quezon, Compostela Valley or North Cotabato. A strong presence of the NPA has been noted in all of these provinces.

CPP spokesperson Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal warned that “foreign military aggressors will be dealt with appropriately.”

Rosal also disclosed that in the first week of February, a U.S. army major was seen accompanying troops of the 203^rd, 901^st and 902^nd AFP brigades who launched widespread military operations in NPA areas in Sorsogon, Albay and Camarines Sur and that NPA field reports stated he was “scanning” NPA areas there to set up a pilot program for the application of an experimental U.S. counter-insurgency concept.

* * *

Plunder Watch lambasts Jinggoy’s release

The independent anti-corruption watchdog Plunder Watch condemned the granting of bail and release of former San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada.

Jinggoy, son of ousted President Joseph Estrada, has been charged with plunder, a supposedly non-bailable offense, said Plunder Watch.

Plunder Watch spokesperson Fr. Joe Dizon said that "this is a sad, terrible day for all those who stood up in People Power 2 in order to bring Jinggoy to jail and make him face charges of plunder. President Arroyo's compromising attitude became the keys to Jinggoy's freedom."

Bulatlat.com

We want to know what you think of this article.