Fight Back News Service is circulating the following Oct. 19 statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) denounces the dastardly shooting of teachers Zhydee and Ramil Cabañelez last October 16.

According to reports, four armed men barged into the Dalit Elementary School in Sitio Dalit, Barangay Lumbayao in Valencia City, Bukidnon and started shooting at the Cabañelez couple. The shooting was carried out in plain view of young students. Zhydee sustained several gunshot wounds and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Ramil was unscathed.

The shooting is clearly the handiwork of military agents, specifically those linked to the AFP's 4th Infantry Division. These military agents and death squads have targeted activists in Northern Mindanao. In the province of Bukidnon, at least 16 activists, mostly peasant leaders, have been murdered this year alone.

The Valencia shooting is part of the nationwide campaign of suppression and violence against the democratic people's organizations active in fighting for people's rights and welfare.

The Cabañelez couple are members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) which recently has been actively campaigning for salary increases.

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