User:CMacraer/sandbox


 * Alex Boncayao Brigade

I.     Background


 * When the martial law regime that was currently in place failed to realize its initial promise and had lost its legitimacy to its citizens as a result of the assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino, the group’s activity sparked even further. The Brigade became even more active during the late 1980s after the fall of Marcos and his replacement as president by Corazon Aquino.  The Brigade’s activity spiked between 1992 and 1996, reached an all-time high in 1994. After peace talks in the late 1990s and early 2000s however, their activity decreased. Activity remained low until 2007, where the Brigade’s actions once again began to rise and fall.


 * In a 1993 interview, De la Cruz stated that the organization had 100 members. He went on to explain that the group was striving to improve their knowledge of remote controlled explosives. He also mentioned that other than Leon's Red Scorpion's, the military had not been able to capture a single Brigade member. Alfredo de Leon had broken away from the Brigade in 1991, and 14 Red Scorpion members were killed not long after in 2002.

II. Activities


 * The majority of their acts are armed assault and assassinations. Their remaining acts are bombings, explosions and facility/ infrastructure assault. During these acts, the Alex Boncayao Brigade’s weapons of choice during much of the actions committed was that of the use of firearms and explosives.
 * In 2000, the group proudly claimed responsibility for attacks against the Department of Energy in Manila and Shell Oil offices in the central Philippines. They claimed to have done this to protest the rising oil prices that were currently arising.
 * Most of the group’s funds came from the “extortion and intimidation” of wealthy citizens and successful business owners. The group called these funds “revolutionary taxes” or “protection payments”.

i.     Peace Talks


 * The Revolutionary Proletarian Army changed to Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade after merging with the Alex Boncayao Brigade.
 * In December of 1999,  the formal negotiations started between the Republic of the Philippines and the Rebolusyarnong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas - Revolutionary Proletarian Army - Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP/ RPA/ ABB).
 * On December 6, 2000, a peace agreement was signed by the Republic of the Philippines and RPMP/RPA/ABB with the foundation of shared desire for a peaceful settlement of the armed conflict. Due to the Brigade’s negotiations with the government, the New People’s Army has targeted their former partner. In 2002, a “Clarificatory Document” was signed and agreed upon in response to the issues raised on the substance within the 2000 agreement.

III. In Popular Culture


 * One source states that the film focuses on the Alex Boncayao Brigade as an “urban assassination squad” that executes “perceived enemies of the people”. Another take on the film is that the plot focuses on “rebels” that leave their mountain haven and enter the city to liberate and bring justice to the oppressed.


 * COMMENTS**

This article mentions that the group activity spiked in the late 1980's, and although you discuss activities in the next section, if you added that "group activities by the terror group spiked..." it would make it more clear upon the onset that the group in discussion is a terrorist organization. I think it's important to also place the setting of these attacks early on, as I was confused on where the group was located during these activities. I assume it's a South American group, but I'm not sure. When you bring up "opposition leader Benigno Aquino" I think you could delve further into what exactly this means - he's the opposition leader, so what did his opposition beliefs entail? The "initial promise" broken by the martial law regime is also not further explained, which may leave some people confused. Otherwise, I think the background section is good! Just a bit more explanation regarding the groups motivation. Moreover, as the group is called the Alex Boncayao Brigade, who he is should be explained.

I thought the activities section was really good and thorough! If anything, clarifying what the brigade means when it says its a "group for justice" could help.

In peace talks, why did the brigade merge? You mention that peace talks began between the organization and RPMP. Why? If possible, what specifically triggered the peace talks in 1999? What were the issues raised in the 2000 agreement that had to be clarified?

In popular culture you could say "A film was made in (whatever year) that offered two summaries regarding the Alex Boncayao Brigade as an..." as starting by saying "The film..." led me to be confused as to whether the article was actually about a film the entire time or an actual group.

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