From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 1): HIGH SPIRIT | PH Marine Commander On-board BRP Tarlac positive with Russia visit
ON BOARD BRP TARLAC, Vladivostok, Russia (DWDD) – The Ground Commander of the Philippine Marine Contingent on-board BRP Tarlac (LD601) has expressed Positivity on the Histotic Port visit of the Philippine Navy to Russia’s Pacific Fleet.
In an interview byu DWDD with LTC Antonio L Indab Jr, PN (M), he said that they expect to add a new dimension in their skills and knowledge with this interaction with Marines from the Russian Armed Forces.
LTC Indab expects “further engagement” with Russia after this historic port visit. Further looking forward to learning more about the organizational structure of the Russian Marines and how it was formed and their relationship with the Russian Navy.
“Hopefully we will know their organizational structure, paano sila binuo, saan sila under, at kung ano ang relationship nila with the Russian Navy, the Russian Armed Forces” saad pa niya. Binanggit pa ni Indab na walang puwang ang pagkakamali sa kanilang hanay dahil dala nila ang pangalan ng Philippine Marines. “…there’s no room for error because we are showcasing the Philippine Marines” said Indab. AES / LMC / Photo by Ssg SDablon PAF
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/01/high-spirit-ph-marine-commander-on-board-brp-tarlac-positive-with-russia-visit/
Sunday, September 30, 2018
DWDD: NTF 87 NAG Pilots exalted for being part of this historic event
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 1): NTF 87 NAG Pilots exalted for being part of this historic event
ON BOARD BRP TARLAC, Vladivostok, Russia (DWDD) – Pilots of the Naval Air Group under the Naval Task Force 87 has expressed exaltation for being part of this historic PN visit to Russia.
In an interview byu DWDD with LCDR Augustus Caesar B Bercades PN (GSC), Commander, Helicopter Detachment Afloat, the team is happy with their participation and see’s this as an opportunity to show other countries of the advancement the Philippine Navy has achived, from equipment to capability, in the performance of their mandate.
LCDR Bercades added that they are also excited to witness the capabilities and enjoy the culture of Russia. “It’s a great opportunity na makilala natin ang Russia as a country also to know more about their culture” saad niya.
Meanwhile, LCDR Bercades explained that the Philippine Navy’s participation in the International Fleet Review (IFR) to be held around Jeju Isalnd in South Korea is a major exposure on their part and is a manifestation of the PN’s goal of being “strong and credible by 2020”.
For LT Ariel Rallos PN, the pilot-in-command of the AW109, he considers the visit as a good opportunity, not just for the ships crew, but for all of those on-board LD 601.
He added that it is quite “historical” that the PN has sent a ship complimented with a helicopter. He believes that this visit would pave the way for further learning, not just on the aspect of “airplane system” but more over, to learn from the Russian Armed Forces itself. AES / LMC / Photo by Ssg SDablon PAF
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/01/ntf-87-nag-pilots-exalted-for-being-part-of-this-historic-event/
ON BOARD BRP TARLAC, Vladivostok, Russia (DWDD) – Pilots of the Naval Air Group under the Naval Task Force 87 has expressed exaltation for being part of this historic PN visit to Russia.
In an interview byu DWDD with LCDR Augustus Caesar B Bercades PN (GSC), Commander, Helicopter Detachment Afloat, the team is happy with their participation and see’s this as an opportunity to show other countries of the advancement the Philippine Navy has achived, from equipment to capability, in the performance of their mandate.
LCDR Bercades added that they are also excited to witness the capabilities and enjoy the culture of Russia. “It’s a great opportunity na makilala natin ang Russia as a country also to know more about their culture” saad niya.
Meanwhile, LCDR Bercades explained that the Philippine Navy’s participation in the International Fleet Review (IFR) to be held around Jeju Isalnd in South Korea is a major exposure on their part and is a manifestation of the PN’s goal of being “strong and credible by 2020”.
For LT Ariel Rallos PN, the pilot-in-command of the AW109, he considers the visit as a good opportunity, not just for the ships crew, but for all of those on-board LD 601.
He added that it is quite “historical” that the PN has sent a ship complimented with a helicopter. He believes that this visit would pave the way for further learning, not just on the aspect of “airplane system” but more over, to learn from the Russian Armed Forces itself. AES / LMC / Photo by Ssg SDablon PAF
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/01/ntf-87-nag-pilots-exalted-for-being-part-of-this-historic-event/
DWDD: MILESTONE | BGen Ignacio, First PAF Female General
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 1): MILESTONE | BGen Ignacio, First PAF Female General
CAMP GEN EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City (DWDD) – Colonel Emma Oximoso Ignacio, the Adjutant General, AFP has achieved another milestone in the history of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The Donning of Rank Ceremony for BGen Ignacio was held at Silid Balanginga at the General Headquarters in Camp Gen Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. During the ceremony, the Invocation was led by Commodore Tirso Dolina, AFP, Chief, Chaplain Service, AFP followed by the Reading of Orders by Colonel Ferdinand Torres (GSC) PAF, the Assistant Adjutant General.
BGen Ignacio joined the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Flying School as one of its first female aviation students, she said that her being a woman was constantly challenged during training and operations.
Working in a field largely dominated by men, she persevered and worked her way through training and education thus named as the First Female Pilot of the Philippine Air Force. Her skills allowed her to take on various roles such as the facilitation of transport of Haji pilgrims to KSA and securing the president and different heads of states and their first ladies. In 2004, she was instrumental in the conceptualization and conduct of the strategic planning course to craft the PAF’s medium-term plan.
Aside from being the first PAF female aviator, BGen Ignacio is a 2015 Metrobank Ten Outstanding Public Servant (TOPS) awardee where she was recognized and paid tribute for her outstanding examples of gallantry, dedication, professionalism and integrity among members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“I always believe that the military is a noble profession and I firmly stand by its nobleness. In my own way, I always do what is right and what is beneficial to the organization. In my sphere of influence, this is what I always tell and show my colleagues and subordinates,” said BGen Ignacio
The Donning of Rank and Message was led by Major General Elvin Velasco, Acting, The Deputy Chief of Staff , AFP. After the ceremony, BGen Ignacio was warmly received by officers, Enlisted Personnel, Civilian Employees, Family and Friends at the Office of the Adjutant General.
BGen Ignacio is a native and resident of Binukawan, Bagac, Bataan.
[Videos]
AES / Photos and Videos by Amihan Sabillo and Lovely Guillermo / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/01/milestone-bgen-ignacio-first-paf-female-general/
CAMP GEN EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City (DWDD) – Colonel Emma Oximoso Ignacio, the Adjutant General, AFP has achieved another milestone in the history of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The Donning of Rank Ceremony for BGen Ignacio was held at Silid Balanginga at the General Headquarters in Camp Gen Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. During the ceremony, the Invocation was led by Commodore Tirso Dolina, AFP, Chief, Chaplain Service, AFP followed by the Reading of Orders by Colonel Ferdinand Torres (GSC) PAF, the Assistant Adjutant General.
BGen Ignacio joined the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Flying School as one of its first female aviation students, she said that her being a woman was constantly challenged during training and operations.
Working in a field largely dominated by men, she persevered and worked her way through training and education thus named as the First Female Pilot of the Philippine Air Force. Her skills allowed her to take on various roles such as the facilitation of transport of Haji pilgrims to KSA and securing the president and different heads of states and their first ladies. In 2004, she was instrumental in the conceptualization and conduct of the strategic planning course to craft the PAF’s medium-term plan.
Aside from being the first PAF female aviator, BGen Ignacio is a 2015 Metrobank Ten Outstanding Public Servant (TOPS) awardee where she was recognized and paid tribute for her outstanding examples of gallantry, dedication, professionalism and integrity among members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“I always believe that the military is a noble profession and I firmly stand by its nobleness. In my own way, I always do what is right and what is beneficial to the organization. In my sphere of influence, this is what I always tell and show my colleagues and subordinates,” said BGen Ignacio
The Donning of Rank and Message was led by Major General Elvin Velasco, Acting, The Deputy Chief of Staff , AFP. After the ceremony, BGen Ignacio was warmly received by officers, Enlisted Personnel, Civilian Employees, Family and Friends at the Office of the Adjutant General.
BGen Ignacio is a native and resident of Binukawan, Bagac, Bataan.
[Videos]
AES / Photos and Videos by Amihan Sabillo and Lovely Guillermo / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/01/milestone-bgen-ignacio-first-paf-female-general/
DWDD: TF BALIKLOOB | Former NPAs receive E-CLIP benefits in Compostela Valley
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 1): TF BALIKLOOB | Former NPAs receive E-CLIP benefits in Compostela Valley
CAMP GEN MANUEL T YAN SR., Mawab, Compostela Valley Province (DWDD) – 84 Former Rebels (FRs) in Comval were awarded Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) benefits from the Task Force “Balik Loob” and the Provincial Government of Comval in a ceremony at the Provincial Capitol building, Brgy. Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province on September 27, 2018, at 9:00 am.
The activity was graced by Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, head of Task Force “Balik Loob” under the Department of National Defense; USec. Ronald Flores of OPAPP; USec. Luz Ilagan of DSWD, Dir. Alex Roldan of DILG XI; Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr.; Maj. Gen. Glenn Paje representing the AFP Chief of Staff; Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, Commander of 10ID; and Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy of Comval.
The FRs were processed by an E-CLIP Committee headed by the Provincial Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, and co-headed by Col. Gilbert Saret, the Commander of 1001st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army, with the Provincial Local Government Officer, Dir. Noel Duarte as head Secretariat.
It is also composed of representatives from the Local Social Welfare and Development Office, DILG Provincial/HUC Office, PNP, and the Civil Society Organization, a member of the Provincial/HUC Peace and Order Council.
The E-CLIP is an offshoot of the Administrative Order Number 10 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 10, 2018.
It aims to converge the Comprehensive Local Integration Program of DILG and programs of interventions of different government agencies to former rebels to prepare them to be integrated into the mainstream society.
Relatively, the Provincial Government of Compostela Valley had conducted a benchmarking of the Happy Home in Davao Oriental, the only facility in the whole country which houses and caters to former rebels undergoing rehabilitation and training in preparation of their reintegration to the mainstream society.
Aside from free skills training in Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Livelihood Program, other interventions under E-CLIP include PhilHealth enrolment, housing, legal assistance and other social intervention from DSWD and OPAPP.
Former rebels flash the peace sign with DILG Region XI Director Alex Roldan, Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, MPA, Task Force Balik-Loob Chairman Usec. Reynaldo B. Mapagu, Vice-Governor Manuel E. Zamora, DILG Provincial Director for Compostela Valley, Noel C. Duarte, MSPM, EASTMINCOM Commander LTGEN Benjamin Madrigal Jr AFP, 10ID Commander MGEN Noel S Clement AFP, Deputy Chief J7 MGEN Rene Glen Paje, PNP XI Deputy Regional Director PPSupt Eden T Ugale, DILG ComVal Provincial Director Noel C. Duarte MPSM, and other AFP officials during the turn-over ceremony of immediate and livelihood assistance under the E-CLIP
Task Force Balik-Loob Chairman Usec. Reynaldo B. Mapagu, along with Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, MPA and Vice-Governor Manuel E. Zamora, gives a check for immediate and livelihood assistance to a former rebel
Task Force Balik-Loob Chairman Usec. Reynaldo B. Mapagu, addresses the Former Rebels (FRs) during the turn-over ceremony of E-CLIP assistance EMC PIO / TFBALIKLOOB / MCAG
EMC PIO / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/01/84591/
CAMP GEN MANUEL T YAN SR., Mawab, Compostela Valley Province (DWDD) – 84 Former Rebels (FRs) in Comval were awarded Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) benefits from the Task Force “Balik Loob” and the Provincial Government of Comval in a ceremony at the Provincial Capitol building, Brgy. Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province on September 27, 2018, at 9:00 am.
The activity was graced by Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, head of Task Force “Balik Loob” under the Department of National Defense; USec. Ronald Flores of OPAPP; USec. Luz Ilagan of DSWD, Dir. Alex Roldan of DILG XI; Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr.; Maj. Gen. Glenn Paje representing the AFP Chief of Staff; Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, Commander of 10ID; and Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy of Comval.
The FRs were processed by an E-CLIP Committee headed by the Provincial Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, and co-headed by Col. Gilbert Saret, the Commander of 1001st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army, with the Provincial Local Government Officer, Dir. Noel Duarte as head Secretariat.
It is also composed of representatives from the Local Social Welfare and Development Office, DILG Provincial/HUC Office, PNP, and the Civil Society Organization, a member of the Provincial/HUC Peace and Order Council.
The E-CLIP is an offshoot of the Administrative Order Number 10 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 10, 2018.
It aims to converge the Comprehensive Local Integration Program of DILG and programs of interventions of different government agencies to former rebels to prepare them to be integrated into the mainstream society.
Relatively, the Provincial Government of Compostela Valley had conducted a benchmarking of the Happy Home in Davao Oriental, the only facility in the whole country which houses and caters to former rebels undergoing rehabilitation and training in preparation of their reintegration to the mainstream society.
Aside from free skills training in Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Livelihood Program, other interventions under E-CLIP include PhilHealth enrolment, housing, legal assistance and other social intervention from DSWD and OPAPP.
Former rebels flash the peace sign with DILG Region XI Director Alex Roldan, Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, MPA, Task Force Balik-Loob Chairman Usec. Reynaldo B. Mapagu, Vice-Governor Manuel E. Zamora, DILG Provincial Director for Compostela Valley, Noel C. Duarte, MSPM, EASTMINCOM Commander LTGEN Benjamin Madrigal Jr AFP, 10ID Commander MGEN Noel S Clement AFP, Deputy Chief J7 MGEN Rene Glen Paje, PNP XI Deputy Regional Director PPSupt Eden T Ugale, DILG ComVal Provincial Director Noel C. Duarte MPSM, and other AFP officials during the turn-over ceremony of immediate and livelihood assistance under the E-CLIP
Task Force Balik-Loob Chairman Usec. Reynaldo B. Mapagu, along with Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, MPA and Vice-Governor Manuel E. Zamora, gives a check for immediate and livelihood assistance to a former rebel
Task Force Balik-Loob Chairman Usec. Reynaldo B. Mapagu, addresses the Former Rebels (FRs) during the turn-over ceremony of E-CLIP assistance EMC PIO / TFBALIKLOOB / MCAG
EMC PIO / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/01/84591/
DWDD: MASS SURRENDER | 60 NPAs from Binalbagan surrender to 62IB
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 1): MASS SURRENDER | 60 NPAs from Binalbagan surrender to 62IB
BINALBAGAN, Negros Occidental (DWDD) – Sixty (60) members of the terrorist group New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the 62nd Infantry “Unifier” Battalion in Negros Occidental.
According to Lt. Col. Egbert Dacoscos, Commanding Officer, 62IB, the surrenderees came from two barangays from the town Binalbagan in Negros Occidental.
LTC Dacoscos added that the rebel returnees have already took their Oath of Allegiance, promising to totally end their terroristic activities under the CPP-NPA-NDF.
Some of the surrenderees surrender corresponding firearms enabling them to receive renumeration under the balik-baril program. 62IB / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/01/mass-surrender-60-npas-from-binalbagan-surrender-to-emc/
BINALBAGAN, Negros Occidental (DWDD) – Sixty (60) members of the terrorist group New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the 62nd Infantry “Unifier” Battalion in Negros Occidental.
According to Lt. Col. Egbert Dacoscos, Commanding Officer, 62IB, the surrenderees came from two barangays from the town Binalbagan in Negros Occidental.
LTC Dacoscos added that the rebel returnees have already took their Oath of Allegiance, promising to totally end their terroristic activities under the CPP-NPA-NDF.
Some of the surrenderees surrender corresponding firearms enabling them to receive renumeration under the balik-baril program. 62IB / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/01/mass-surrender-60-npas-from-binalbagan-surrender-to-emc/
DWDD: PORT CALL | BRP Tarlac in Vladisvostok, Russia
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 1): PORT CALL | BRP Tarlac in Vladisvostok, Russia
ON BOARD BRP TARLAC (DWDD) – On the tenth (10th) day of their historic voyage to Vladivostok, Russia, Philippine Navy ship BRP Tarlac (LD601) is now safely anchored at port and ready for its five (5) day port visit.
Upon arrival, both navies had a meeting of ship or the traditional engagement of two ships where BRP Tarlac was met by the Russian Warship 350 and convoyed at the designated anchorage area around 2:00 PM (Time in Russian).
Vladivostok, which literally means ruler of the east is the administrative center of Primorsky Krai, Russia, located around the Golden Horn Bay, not far from Russia’s borders with China and North Korea.
The city has a population of 606,589, Harbin in China is about 515 kilometres (320 mi) away, whilst Sapporo in Japan is about 775 kilometres (482 mi) east across the Sea of Japan.
Russian Pacific Fleet
Vladivostokm is the home port of the Russian Pacific Fleet and the largest Russian port on the Pacific Ocean.
Today, Naval task Force 87 will have a series of shore activities namely: a Russian Navy hosted reception; sports competition; reciprocal shipboard tours; a PN hosted reception; visit to a Russian Diesel submarine facilities; a visit to the 155th Marine Brigade Headquarters; and then rounded up by City Tours and capped off by a Farewell ceremony.
Meanwhile, after their port visit to Vladivostok, will have a brief visit to Jeju, South Korea. The visit would include: a Welcoming event; a Pass in Review; a sports day; the conduct of Open ship; a Fellowship with the Filipino Community; a Foreign Captain Luncheon; an IFR celebratory performance; a Worldwide Parade; a Combined voluntary service; a Farewell dinner and Friendship night; and the event will be capped by a Maritime Defense Industry Exhibit and the eventual from Jeju Island and then back to the Philippines. AES / LC / Photos by Ssg Sablon PAF
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/01/port-call-brp-tarlac-in-vladisvostok-russia/
ON BOARD BRP TARLAC (DWDD) – On the tenth (10th) day of their historic voyage to Vladivostok, Russia, Philippine Navy ship BRP Tarlac (LD601) is now safely anchored at port and ready for its five (5) day port visit.
Upon arrival, both navies had a meeting of ship or the traditional engagement of two ships where BRP Tarlac was met by the Russian Warship 350 and convoyed at the designated anchorage area around 2:00 PM (Time in Russian).
Vladivostok, which literally means ruler of the east is the administrative center of Primorsky Krai, Russia, located around the Golden Horn Bay, not far from Russia’s borders with China and North Korea.
The city has a population of 606,589, Harbin in China is about 515 kilometres (320 mi) away, whilst Sapporo in Japan is about 775 kilometres (482 mi) east across the Sea of Japan.
Russian Pacific Fleet
Vladivostokm is the home port of the Russian Pacific Fleet and the largest Russian port on the Pacific Ocean.
Today, Naval task Force 87 will have a series of shore activities namely: a Russian Navy hosted reception; sports competition; reciprocal shipboard tours; a PN hosted reception; visit to a Russian Diesel submarine facilities; a visit to the 155th Marine Brigade Headquarters; and then rounded up by City Tours and capped off by a Farewell ceremony.
Meanwhile, after their port visit to Vladivostok, will have a brief visit to Jeju, South Korea. The visit would include: a Welcoming event; a Pass in Review; a sports day; the conduct of Open ship; a Fellowship with the Filipino Community; a Foreign Captain Luncheon; an IFR celebratory performance; a Worldwide Parade; a Combined voluntary service; a Farewell dinner and Friendship night; and the event will be capped by a Maritime Defense Industry Exhibit and the eventual from Jeju Island and then back to the Philippines. AES / LC / Photos by Ssg Sablon PAF
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/01/port-call-brp-tarlac-in-vladisvostok-russia/
MNLF (Misuari)/Camp Jabal Nur: Photos: Camp Jabal Nur
Posted to the Facebook page of Moro National Liberation Front (Misuari) Camp Jabal Nur (Sep 16): Photos: Camp Jabal Nur
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186666651654733&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186666954988036&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186667184988013&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186667251654673&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186667354987996&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186666271654771&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186666381654760&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/jabal.nur.98871
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186666651654733&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186666954988036&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186667184988013&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186667251654673&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186667354987996&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186666271654771&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2186666381654760&set=pcb.2186667388321326&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/jabal.nur.98871
MNLF (Misuari)/Murshi Ibrahim: Photos: Visit to MNLF-BAF Border Command Based in Maguindanao
Posted to the Facebook page of Ustadz Murshi Ibrahim, secretary general of the Moro National Liberation Front (Misuari) (Sep 26): Photos: Visit to MNLF-BAF Border Command Based in Maguindanao
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=755337431483944&set=pcb.755337611483926&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=755337478150606&set=pcb.755337611483926&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=755337541483933&set=pcb.755337611483926&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/ustadzmurshi.ibrahim.3?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=755337431483944&set=pcb.755337611483926&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=755337478150606&set=pcb.755337611483926&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=755337541483933&set=pcb.755337611483926&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/ustadzmurshi.ibrahim.3?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf
CPP/NDF-Bicol: Red October Plot, Paghahanda Upang Isailalim ang Buong-bansa sa Batas Militar
NDF-Bicol propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 28): Red October Plot, Paghahanda Upang Isailalim ang Buong-bansa sa Batas Militar
Maria Roja Banua
Spokesperson NDF-Bicol
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
Maria Roja Banua
Spokesperson NDF-Bicol
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
September 28, 2018
Wala nang pagpapanggap pa – nasa bingit na ng pagbulusok ang rehimeng US-Duterte. Desperado na ang nag-uulol na diktador na gawin ang lahat upang walang sagkang maipagpatuloy ang neoliberal na atake sa mamamayan ayon sa atas ng kanyang imperyalistang amo. Sa pagtindi ng pandaigdigang krisis ng mga kapitalistang bansa, nagkukumahog ang US na maisalba ang sarili sa pamamagitan ng pagpapasa ng krisis sa mamamayan ng mga malakolonyal na bansang tulad ng Pilipinas. Alam ni Duterte at ng imperyalistang US na hindi nila ito maisasakatuparan habang nariyan ang paglaban ng sambayanang Pilipino at rebolusyonaryong kilusan. Kaya hindi nakapagtatakang hakbang-hakbang na ipatupad ng papet na rehimeng Duterte ang doktrina ng paninindak at terorismong ginagamit ng imperyalistang US upang mabusalan ang nagngangalit na mamamayan. Kinakailangan na niyang lumikha ng klima ng kaguluhan sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakalat na mayroong linulutong planong destabilisasyon kabilang ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan nang mabigyang katwiran ang pagsaklaw ng Batas Militar sa buong bansa hindi lamang sa Mindanao. Sa pagpapakalat ng balita tungkol sa pakanang destabilisasyon na tinagurian nilang Red October Plot, linalayon ni Duterte na mailusot ang ibayo pang panunupil sa mamamayang nangangahas tumuligsa sa kanyang pasismo at neoliberal na patakaran. Upang makapanatili sa poder, hinahabol niyang manyutralisa o makabig ang pampulitikang oposisyon ng paksyon ng naghaharing-uring tumutuligsa sa kanya. Gayundin, pinipilit niyang pigilan ang demoralisasyon sa hanay ng militar at kapulisan sa ginawa niyang paghuli kay Sen. Trillanes at pagbabanta sa iba pa nitong kasamahan sa Magdalo na naging lantad na oposisyon kay Duterte.
Ang totoo, natatakot ang panig ni Duterte sa sarili nilang multo sa gitna ng kanilang kainutilang harapin ang mga kahingian ng masa at tugunan ang kaliwa’t kanang krisis na bumabayo sa lipunan. Matapos niyang talikuran ang usapang pangkapayapaan kung kailan ang mga sosyoekonomikong repormang para sa kapakinabangan ng mamamayan ang pag-uusapan, sunud-sunod namang umarangkada ang mga pahirap na batas. Wala silang maibigay na solusyon sa mamamayan hinggil sa krisis sa bigas at sa pagtaas ng mga presyo ng bilihin dahil sa mapanggipit nilang Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) na siyang unang pakete ng Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP). Nagbabanta rin ang hagupit ng kasunod na panukalang Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-Quality Opportunities (TRABAHO) na hahambalos sa kabuhayan ng mamamayan kapag naisabatas. Wala na silang maipagyabang na pag-unlad ngayong subsob na sa kahirapan ang mamamayan habang ang kanilang inaatupag ay sinisingil ang panlilibak sa kapwa nila burukrata kapitalista na hindi nila makaisa. Sa Kabikulan, malaking kalokohang pumipila pa ang masang Bikolano sa NFA rice sa kabila ng sobrang produksyon ng bigas sa rehiyon sa pangunguna ng Camarines Sur. Kahapon, tumaas na rin ang minimum na pamasahe ng piso dahil sa patuloy na epekto ng TRAIN at sa bawat pagtaas ng mga imperyalistang kartel sa mga produktong petrolyo.
Hindi maipagkaila ni Duterte na umaani ng paglaban at pagtuligsa sa loob at labas ng bansa ang kanyang kontra-mamamayang gera. Nauubusan na ng idadahilan ang panig ni Duterte kung bakit patuloy na dumarami ang bilang ng pinapatay ng kapulisan at kasundaluhan gayong wala namang nahuhuling malalaking druglords at patuloy ang pagpasok ng droga sa bansa. Ito na ang huling paraan niya upang maisalba ang sarili at maipagpatuloy ang pagiging papet sa imperyalistang US- ang lumikha ng kaguluhan upang bigyang daan ang pagsaklaw ng Batas Militar sa buong bansa.
Ngunit hindi palilinlang ang mamamayan. Kasama ng masang Bikolnon ang NDF-Bikol sa pagkundena sa rehimeng US-Duterte at sa AFP sa kanilang paglustay sa milyun-milyong pondo ng bansa para lang makapanatili sa poder. Mas mainam pang ilaan na lamang ang pondo sa mga serbisyong pampublikong mapakikinabangan ng mamamayan. Ilan lamang ang pag-apula sa presyo ng bilihin, pagtataas ng sahod ng mga manggagawa, pagbibigay prayoridad sa agrikultura at pagtulong sa mga nasalanta ng kalamidad sa mga isyung dapat pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng gubyerno. Kung tunay ngang pagbabago at pag-unlad ng sambayanan ang nasa isip ni Duterte, hindi siya magsasayang ng panahon sa pagtugis at paglulubid ng mga kwento ng sabwatan laban sa lahat ng kanyang kritiko. Ang dapat pagkaabalahan ng rehimeng US-Duterte ay ang pagtugon sa kahirapan at kagutuman sa lipunan.
Walang katotohanan ang ipinapakalat ng AFP na mayroong sabwatan ang CPP-NPA-NDFP, Liberal Party, grupong Magdalo at iba pang kritiko ni Duterte. Lalo nang malayo sa reyalidad ang mga pahayag ng Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) at 9th IDPA na ang mga taktikal na opensibang ilinulunsad ng BHB sa Kabikulan at sa ibang bahagi ng bansa ay paghahanda para sa planong ito. Ang totoo, ang mga taktikal na opensiba ng BHB ay ambag nito sa pagbabalikwas ng sambayanan laban sa terorista at inutil na rehimeng US-Duterte at hindi dahil sa kung anupamang gawa-gawang sabwatan. Ang mga aksyong militar na ilinulunsad ng pulang hukbo laban sa mga lehitimong target nito ay paniningil sa patung-patong na krimen ni Duterte at ng kanyang mersenaryong hukbo sa rehiyon. Nito lamang Setyembre, walang awang pinaslang ng mga elemento ng 83rd IBPA at 22nd IBPA sina Herminio Aragdon, 69 taong gulang at Soledad Aragdon, 60 taong gulang sa Brgy. Malabog sa bayan ng Caramoan, Camarines Sur. Bahagi rin ba ng planong destabilisasyon ang dalawang matanda at walang labang sibilyang kanilang pinatay?
Habang nagsasayang ng pondo at oras ang reaksyunaryong gubyerno sa pagtugis sa mga kaagaw nito sa kapangyarihan, abala ang buong rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa patuloy na pagmumulat, pag-oorganisa at pagpapakilos ng mamamayan upang matugunan ang kanilang mga suliranin. Sa mga sonang gerilya, patuloy na nagpapakahusay ang masa at kasama sa pagpapagana ng mga kooperatiba, grupong tulungan sa mga taniman at mga proyektong sosyoekonomiko. Tuluy-tuloy ang paglulunsad ng pulang hukbo ng mga pagsasanay medikal at misyong medikal upang mapahusay ang kalagayang pangkalusugan ng masa. Habang nagkakandarapa ang militar sa pagpatay ng mga sibilyan, patuloy na pinapanday ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan ang kakayahan ng masang pamunuan ang kanilang sarili.
Hindi maitatanggi ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan na dapat nga lamang mangatog ang tuhod ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Nalalapit na ang kanyang pagbagsak. Ngunit hindi ito dahil sa sabwatan ng kanyang mga kritiko at kapwa burukrata kapitalista. Ibubunsod ito ng malawak na sambayanang nagngangalit sa kanyang kainutilan at pasismo. Nagkakamali siya kung inaakala niyang masisindak ang mga tao habang hinahanda niya ang entablado ng kanyang diktadurya. Hindi siya magtatagumpay sa paggamit na mailusot ang Batas Militar. Malinaw sa mamamayang ang dapat pag-usapan ngayon ay ang krisis na hinaharap nila sa araw-araw. Malinaw sa kanilang ito ang panahon upang singilin at panagutin ang teroristang rehimeng wala nang ibang ginawa kundi mang-upat at lumikha ng kaguluhan. Sasambulat ang galit ng mamamayan sa napakalapit nang hinaharap sa maagang bahagi pa lamang ng panunungkulan ni Duterte. Hindi na niya magagawang mapalawig ito sa ilalim ng kanyang diktadurya at pro-imperyalistang Pederalismo. Bumabaling lamang sa higit na kahibangan ang rehimen sa paggamit ng Batas Militar upang makapanatili sa poder at sa paghahanda para rito sa pamamagitan ng Red October Plot. Naninindigan at nagtitiwala ang NDF-Bikol sa kakayahan ng masang Bikolnon at buong sambayanan na harapin nang buong tatag ang todo-largang gera at walang humpay na krisis na dala ni Duterte. Sa pagkakaisa ng mamamayan, kasabay ang hukbong buong-pusong naglilingkod sa kanila, tunay ngang mapula ang kinabukasan.
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statement/red-october-plot-paghahanda-upang-isailalim-ang-buong-bansa-sa-batas-militar/
Ang totoo, natatakot ang panig ni Duterte sa sarili nilang multo sa gitna ng kanilang kainutilang harapin ang mga kahingian ng masa at tugunan ang kaliwa’t kanang krisis na bumabayo sa lipunan. Matapos niyang talikuran ang usapang pangkapayapaan kung kailan ang mga sosyoekonomikong repormang para sa kapakinabangan ng mamamayan ang pag-uusapan, sunud-sunod namang umarangkada ang mga pahirap na batas. Wala silang maibigay na solusyon sa mamamayan hinggil sa krisis sa bigas at sa pagtaas ng mga presyo ng bilihin dahil sa mapanggipit nilang Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) na siyang unang pakete ng Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP). Nagbabanta rin ang hagupit ng kasunod na panukalang Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-Quality Opportunities (TRABAHO) na hahambalos sa kabuhayan ng mamamayan kapag naisabatas. Wala na silang maipagyabang na pag-unlad ngayong subsob na sa kahirapan ang mamamayan habang ang kanilang inaatupag ay sinisingil ang panlilibak sa kapwa nila burukrata kapitalista na hindi nila makaisa. Sa Kabikulan, malaking kalokohang pumipila pa ang masang Bikolano sa NFA rice sa kabila ng sobrang produksyon ng bigas sa rehiyon sa pangunguna ng Camarines Sur. Kahapon, tumaas na rin ang minimum na pamasahe ng piso dahil sa patuloy na epekto ng TRAIN at sa bawat pagtaas ng mga imperyalistang kartel sa mga produktong petrolyo.
Hindi maipagkaila ni Duterte na umaani ng paglaban at pagtuligsa sa loob at labas ng bansa ang kanyang kontra-mamamayang gera. Nauubusan na ng idadahilan ang panig ni Duterte kung bakit patuloy na dumarami ang bilang ng pinapatay ng kapulisan at kasundaluhan gayong wala namang nahuhuling malalaking druglords at patuloy ang pagpasok ng droga sa bansa. Ito na ang huling paraan niya upang maisalba ang sarili at maipagpatuloy ang pagiging papet sa imperyalistang US- ang lumikha ng kaguluhan upang bigyang daan ang pagsaklaw ng Batas Militar sa buong bansa.
Ngunit hindi palilinlang ang mamamayan. Kasama ng masang Bikolnon ang NDF-Bikol sa pagkundena sa rehimeng US-Duterte at sa AFP sa kanilang paglustay sa milyun-milyong pondo ng bansa para lang makapanatili sa poder. Mas mainam pang ilaan na lamang ang pondo sa mga serbisyong pampublikong mapakikinabangan ng mamamayan. Ilan lamang ang pag-apula sa presyo ng bilihin, pagtataas ng sahod ng mga manggagawa, pagbibigay prayoridad sa agrikultura at pagtulong sa mga nasalanta ng kalamidad sa mga isyung dapat pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng gubyerno. Kung tunay ngang pagbabago at pag-unlad ng sambayanan ang nasa isip ni Duterte, hindi siya magsasayang ng panahon sa pagtugis at paglulubid ng mga kwento ng sabwatan laban sa lahat ng kanyang kritiko. Ang dapat pagkaabalahan ng rehimeng US-Duterte ay ang pagtugon sa kahirapan at kagutuman sa lipunan.
Walang katotohanan ang ipinapakalat ng AFP na mayroong sabwatan ang CPP-NPA-NDFP, Liberal Party, grupong Magdalo at iba pang kritiko ni Duterte. Lalo nang malayo sa reyalidad ang mga pahayag ng Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) at 9th IDPA na ang mga taktikal na opensibang ilinulunsad ng BHB sa Kabikulan at sa ibang bahagi ng bansa ay paghahanda para sa planong ito. Ang totoo, ang mga taktikal na opensiba ng BHB ay ambag nito sa pagbabalikwas ng sambayanan laban sa terorista at inutil na rehimeng US-Duterte at hindi dahil sa kung anupamang gawa-gawang sabwatan. Ang mga aksyong militar na ilinulunsad ng pulang hukbo laban sa mga lehitimong target nito ay paniningil sa patung-patong na krimen ni Duterte at ng kanyang mersenaryong hukbo sa rehiyon. Nito lamang Setyembre, walang awang pinaslang ng mga elemento ng 83rd IBPA at 22nd IBPA sina Herminio Aragdon, 69 taong gulang at Soledad Aragdon, 60 taong gulang sa Brgy. Malabog sa bayan ng Caramoan, Camarines Sur. Bahagi rin ba ng planong destabilisasyon ang dalawang matanda at walang labang sibilyang kanilang pinatay?
Habang nagsasayang ng pondo at oras ang reaksyunaryong gubyerno sa pagtugis sa mga kaagaw nito sa kapangyarihan, abala ang buong rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa patuloy na pagmumulat, pag-oorganisa at pagpapakilos ng mamamayan upang matugunan ang kanilang mga suliranin. Sa mga sonang gerilya, patuloy na nagpapakahusay ang masa at kasama sa pagpapagana ng mga kooperatiba, grupong tulungan sa mga taniman at mga proyektong sosyoekonomiko. Tuluy-tuloy ang paglulunsad ng pulang hukbo ng mga pagsasanay medikal at misyong medikal upang mapahusay ang kalagayang pangkalusugan ng masa. Habang nagkakandarapa ang militar sa pagpatay ng mga sibilyan, patuloy na pinapanday ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan ang kakayahan ng masang pamunuan ang kanilang sarili.
Hindi maitatanggi ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan na dapat nga lamang mangatog ang tuhod ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Nalalapit na ang kanyang pagbagsak. Ngunit hindi ito dahil sa sabwatan ng kanyang mga kritiko at kapwa burukrata kapitalista. Ibubunsod ito ng malawak na sambayanang nagngangalit sa kanyang kainutilan at pasismo. Nagkakamali siya kung inaakala niyang masisindak ang mga tao habang hinahanda niya ang entablado ng kanyang diktadurya. Hindi siya magtatagumpay sa paggamit na mailusot ang Batas Militar. Malinaw sa mamamayang ang dapat pag-usapan ngayon ay ang krisis na hinaharap nila sa araw-araw. Malinaw sa kanilang ito ang panahon upang singilin at panagutin ang teroristang rehimeng wala nang ibang ginawa kundi mang-upat at lumikha ng kaguluhan. Sasambulat ang galit ng mamamayan sa napakalapit nang hinaharap sa maagang bahagi pa lamang ng panunungkulan ni Duterte. Hindi na niya magagawang mapalawig ito sa ilalim ng kanyang diktadurya at pro-imperyalistang Pederalismo. Bumabaling lamang sa higit na kahibangan ang rehimen sa paggamit ng Batas Militar upang makapanatili sa poder at sa paghahanda para rito sa pamamagitan ng Red October Plot. Naninindigan at nagtitiwala ang NDF-Bikol sa kakayahan ng masang Bikolnon at buong sambayanan na harapin nang buong tatag ang todo-largang gera at walang humpay na krisis na dala ni Duterte. Sa pagkakaisa ng mamamayan, kasabay ang hukbong buong-pusong naglilingkod sa kanila, tunay ngang mapula ang kinabukasan.
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statement/red-october-plot-paghahanda-upang-isailalim-ang-buong-bansa-sa-batas-militar/
CPP/NDF-Rizal: The truth behind the arrest of Chinese nationals and company in Teresa, Rizal
NDF-Rizal propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 28): The truth behind the arrest of Chinese nationals and company in Teresa, Rizal
Arman Guerrero
Spokesperson NDF-Rizal
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
The mercenary AFP and its officers namely Major Genereal Rhoderick Parayno of 2nd ID-PA, B/General Marcelo Burgos Jr. of 202nd Brigade-PA and Lt. Col. Melencio Ragudo of 80th IB-PA are again spewing web of lies to justify the arrest of Chinese nationals and their Filipino employees. Their is no iota of truth to their public pronouncement that the arrested individuals are involved in any destabilization plot against the Duterte Regime much lesss involved in the AFP concocted “Red October” ouster plot. The arrrested Chinese Nationals and company namely Ke Be I aka Lily Ong, Brandy Solinap, Victor Dela Cruz, Be-Lian Ke, Diosdado Bohol and Ke Quiao a.k.a Sam Jany, were legitimate employees of Coral Farms Inc. led by their General Manager, Miss Lily Ong, who is embroiled in a business war against her relative business partner. Mr. William Belo. Even the arresting NBI-Special Action Unit (NBI-SAU) officers led by Atty, Emeterio Dogallo confirmed that it is a bussness complaint that lead them to raid and arrest Ms Ong and company.
The attempt of the AFP top brass in Southern Tagalog to link innocent individuals to the revolutionary movement is an old gimmick to justify their concocted lies of non-existent “Red October” plot. It serves as a distraction to the real issues confronting the Duterte regime who is facing strong opposition from the Filipino people who are now fed up of extra-judicial killing, mass murders, human rights violations, worsening poverty becuase of soaring prices of rice and basic commodites. The call for Duterte’s removal is gaining ground that makes Duterte Regime tremble and scrambling for means to distract the attention of the people.
WHO IS KE BE I OR MS. LILY ONG
Based on our investigation and information coming from friends and concerned individuals from PNP-Rizal and local government officials of Rizal. Ke. Be I, better known as Ms. Lily Ong in the Province of Rizal is a Chinese Businesswoman presently serving as General Manager of Coral Farms Inc. based in Pantay Buhangin, Dalig, Teresa, Rizal. She is residing in the Philippines for a long time now who managed to turn Coral Farms from a small poultry farm into a now sprawling 800 hectares poultry, piggery and crocodile farms which is now one of the biggest agricultural farms in Rizal and Tarlac. She is a close relative, a cousin of Mr. William Belo, the majority owner of Coral Farms Inc. and the present owner of the more known company named WILCON DEPOT. Ms. Ong and Mr. Belo are business partners since they arrived fin the Philippines from Mainland China in 1970’s.
Miss Lily Ong was a victim of Kidnap for Ransom syndicate headed by the former 418th PNP-PMG Caommander Col. Tabujara. She was freed after her families, including Mr. Belo, paid P6 M pesos ransom. After she was freed by her kidnappers, Ms. Lily Ong continued her work as General Manager of Coral Farms. She employed the protection of PNP-Rizal personnel and men of then PNP-SAF commander Gen. Leocadio Santiago. She also bought handful of firearms being used by her police bodyguards and police escort. For a very long time, Ms. Ong was provided security escorts by members of Rizal PNP specifically from the 418th at 419th Mobile group and of PNP Teresa, Rizal. The police personnel were officialy deployed by their officers to act as personal bodyguards and police escort of Ms. Ong.
In the year 2005, Ms. Lily Ong was again victimized by police kidnappers. She was saved when the kidnappers were apprehended by the men PNP-SAF Gen. Santiago whom Ms.Ong Called while she was being kidnapped. From then on, more police personnel were deployed as police escorts of Ms. Lily Ong. The police personnel detailed as bodyguards of Ms Ong received monthly allowances and other benefits from Coral Farms. Since then, Ms Lily Ong became a milking cow of AFP-PNP. She is usually being asked to shoulder expenses and financial donations by AFP-PNP officers during parties and celebrations. Many individuals and goups can attest how close Ms. Ong is, to the officers and men of AFP-PNP detailed in Rizal province. The PNP Generals Leocadio Santiago, Joel Garcia, Col Tabujara and all officers of PNP Rizal can attest how close is Lily Ong to them. Anybody can ask residents of Teresa Rizal, even ordinary policemen in Rizal Province what is the relationship betwwenn Ms. Ong and PNP officers and local government officers and they would all say that Ms. Ong is very close to them and that they knew that Ms. Ong is a Chinese businesswoman being given protection by PNP-Rizal.
It was only after the business war of Ms. Ong and Mr.Belo came into open that the police escorts were pulled out. The business war started when the family of Mr. Belo wanted to ease out Ms. Ong from Coral Farms which Ms. Ong resisted. She did not expect that their difference will result to the NBI-AFP raid and her arrest and detention together with her close employees. It turns out that Mr. William Belo is more powerful and more influential to the AFP-PNP-NBI under the Duterte Regime.
Ms. Lily Ong is not connected to the NPA in Southern Tagalog nor her mansion is an NA safehouse. On the contrary, the PNP officers are the ones using Ms. Ong’s mansion as safehouse and rest and recreation areas and not the members of the NPA.
While it is true that some well meaning and concerned friends from the PNP Rizal and Local Government Officials have approached and urged us to initiate contact with the management of Coral Farm regarding issues affecting the company and its workers, the communication never progressed because Ms.Lily Ong was always surrounded by retinue of police escorts who were protecting her 24/7. It is very difficult to approach Ms Ong without an armed encounter with her heavily armed police escorts.
We are also sure that Ms. Ong is not involved in any “Red October” plot because there is no such plot. Red October is only a concoction of the fascist AFP under orders from Duterte and their US master. Red October is only a fantastic tale of a deranged Duterte Goverment. Ms. Liliy Ong and company are innocent. Charges against them are fabricated. They are not involved in any destabilization plot against the Duterte Government. Surely, the Duterte Goverment will have a lot of explaining to do to his Chinese Friend Pres. Xi Jingping on why Chinese nationals doing business in the Philippines are being arrested and detained on fabricated charges.
While Ms. Lily Ong and other Chinese nationals in her employ can be taken cared of by their Chinese Embassy, we are expressing concern about the safety of the Filipino employees of Coral Farms, namely Brandy Solinap,Victor Dela Cruz and Diosdado Bohol. They are just poor workers who were caught in the middle of bussines war between Ms. Lily Ong and Mr. William Belo. They must be released immediately and be returned to their families. We are also holding the owners and management of Coral Farms Inc responsible for the continuesd violation of the labor rights of their workers. At the same time, we are calling on the Filipino workers inside companies owned by Chinese Capitalists and other foreign capitalists to get organized and struggle for your legitimate and democratic rights. Join the revolution to change the capitalist system that oppresses the workers.
To the Filipino people, let us not be distracted by Duterte regime’s “Red October” plot. Let us persevere in our struggle to fight the fascist US-Duterte Regime until he is eventually ousted by Filipino People.
LONG LIVE THE NEW PEOPLE’S ARMY!
LONG LIVE THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES!
LONG LIVE THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES!
LONG LIVE THE FILIPINO PEOPLE!
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statement/the-truth-behind-the-arrest-of-chinese-nationals-and-company-in-teresa-rizal/
Arman Guerrero
Spokesperson NDF-Rizal
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
September 28, 2018
The mercenary AFP and its officers namely Major Genereal Rhoderick Parayno of 2nd ID-PA, B/General Marcelo Burgos Jr. of 202nd Brigade-PA and Lt. Col. Melencio Ragudo of 80th IB-PA are again spewing web of lies to justify the arrest of Chinese nationals and their Filipino employees. Their is no iota of truth to their public pronouncement that the arrested individuals are involved in any destabilization plot against the Duterte Regime much lesss involved in the AFP concocted “Red October” ouster plot. The arrrested Chinese Nationals and company namely Ke Be I aka Lily Ong, Brandy Solinap, Victor Dela Cruz, Be-Lian Ke, Diosdado Bohol and Ke Quiao a.k.a Sam Jany, were legitimate employees of Coral Farms Inc. led by their General Manager, Miss Lily Ong, who is embroiled in a business war against her relative business partner. Mr. William Belo. Even the arresting NBI-Special Action Unit (NBI-SAU) officers led by Atty, Emeterio Dogallo confirmed that it is a bussness complaint that lead them to raid and arrest Ms Ong and company.
The attempt of the AFP top brass in Southern Tagalog to link innocent individuals to the revolutionary movement is an old gimmick to justify their concocted lies of non-existent “Red October” plot. It serves as a distraction to the real issues confronting the Duterte regime who is facing strong opposition from the Filipino people who are now fed up of extra-judicial killing, mass murders, human rights violations, worsening poverty becuase of soaring prices of rice and basic commodites. The call for Duterte’s removal is gaining ground that makes Duterte Regime tremble and scrambling for means to distract the attention of the people.
WHO IS KE BE I OR MS. LILY ONG
Based on our investigation and information coming from friends and concerned individuals from PNP-Rizal and local government officials of Rizal. Ke. Be I, better known as Ms. Lily Ong in the Province of Rizal is a Chinese Businesswoman presently serving as General Manager of Coral Farms Inc. based in Pantay Buhangin, Dalig, Teresa, Rizal. She is residing in the Philippines for a long time now who managed to turn Coral Farms from a small poultry farm into a now sprawling 800 hectares poultry, piggery and crocodile farms which is now one of the biggest agricultural farms in Rizal and Tarlac. She is a close relative, a cousin of Mr. William Belo, the majority owner of Coral Farms Inc. and the present owner of the more known company named WILCON DEPOT. Ms. Ong and Mr. Belo are business partners since they arrived fin the Philippines from Mainland China in 1970’s.
Miss Lily Ong was a victim of Kidnap for Ransom syndicate headed by the former 418th PNP-PMG Caommander Col. Tabujara. She was freed after her families, including Mr. Belo, paid P6 M pesos ransom. After she was freed by her kidnappers, Ms. Lily Ong continued her work as General Manager of Coral Farms. She employed the protection of PNP-Rizal personnel and men of then PNP-SAF commander Gen. Leocadio Santiago. She also bought handful of firearms being used by her police bodyguards and police escort. For a very long time, Ms. Ong was provided security escorts by members of Rizal PNP specifically from the 418th at 419th Mobile group and of PNP Teresa, Rizal. The police personnel were officialy deployed by their officers to act as personal bodyguards and police escort of Ms. Ong.
In the year 2005, Ms. Lily Ong was again victimized by police kidnappers. She was saved when the kidnappers were apprehended by the men PNP-SAF Gen. Santiago whom Ms.Ong Called while she was being kidnapped. From then on, more police personnel were deployed as police escorts of Ms. Lily Ong. The police personnel detailed as bodyguards of Ms Ong received monthly allowances and other benefits from Coral Farms. Since then, Ms Lily Ong became a milking cow of AFP-PNP. She is usually being asked to shoulder expenses and financial donations by AFP-PNP officers during parties and celebrations. Many individuals and goups can attest how close Ms. Ong is, to the officers and men of AFP-PNP detailed in Rizal province. The PNP Generals Leocadio Santiago, Joel Garcia, Col Tabujara and all officers of PNP Rizal can attest how close is Lily Ong to them. Anybody can ask residents of Teresa Rizal, even ordinary policemen in Rizal Province what is the relationship betwwenn Ms. Ong and PNP officers and local government officers and they would all say that Ms. Ong is very close to them and that they knew that Ms. Ong is a Chinese businesswoman being given protection by PNP-Rizal.
It was only after the business war of Ms. Ong and Mr.Belo came into open that the police escorts were pulled out. The business war started when the family of Mr. Belo wanted to ease out Ms. Ong from Coral Farms which Ms. Ong resisted. She did not expect that their difference will result to the NBI-AFP raid and her arrest and detention together with her close employees. It turns out that Mr. William Belo is more powerful and more influential to the AFP-PNP-NBI under the Duterte Regime.
- ONG IS NOT CONNECTED TO NPA-ST NOR HER MANSION IS AN NPA SAFEHOUSE.
Ms. Lily Ong is not connected to the NPA in Southern Tagalog nor her mansion is an NA safehouse. On the contrary, the PNP officers are the ones using Ms. Ong’s mansion as safehouse and rest and recreation areas and not the members of the NPA.
While it is true that some well meaning and concerned friends from the PNP Rizal and Local Government Officials have approached and urged us to initiate contact with the management of Coral Farm regarding issues affecting the company and its workers, the communication never progressed because Ms.Lily Ong was always surrounded by retinue of police escorts who were protecting her 24/7. It is very difficult to approach Ms Ong without an armed encounter with her heavily armed police escorts.
We are also sure that Ms. Ong is not involved in any “Red October” plot because there is no such plot. Red October is only a concoction of the fascist AFP under orders from Duterte and their US master. Red October is only a fantastic tale of a deranged Duterte Goverment. Ms. Liliy Ong and company are innocent. Charges against them are fabricated. They are not involved in any destabilization plot against the Duterte Government. Surely, the Duterte Goverment will have a lot of explaining to do to his Chinese Friend Pres. Xi Jingping on why Chinese nationals doing business in the Philippines are being arrested and detained on fabricated charges.
While Ms. Lily Ong and other Chinese nationals in her employ can be taken cared of by their Chinese Embassy, we are expressing concern about the safety of the Filipino employees of Coral Farms, namely Brandy Solinap,Victor Dela Cruz and Diosdado Bohol. They are just poor workers who were caught in the middle of bussines war between Ms. Lily Ong and Mr. William Belo. They must be released immediately and be returned to their families. We are also holding the owners and management of Coral Farms Inc responsible for the continuesd violation of the labor rights of their workers. At the same time, we are calling on the Filipino workers inside companies owned by Chinese Capitalists and other foreign capitalists to get organized and struggle for your legitimate and democratic rights. Join the revolution to change the capitalist system that oppresses the workers.
To the Filipino people, let us not be distracted by Duterte regime’s “Red October” plot. Let us persevere in our struggle to fight the fascist US-Duterte Regime until he is eventually ousted by Filipino People.
LONG LIVE THE NEW PEOPLE’S ARMY!
LONG LIVE THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES!
LONG LIVE THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES!
LONG LIVE THE FILIPINO PEOPLE!
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/statement/the-truth-behind-the-arrest-of-chinese-nationals-and-company-in-teresa-rizal/
Duterte woos soldiers with promises of luxury watches
From Malaya Business Insight (Oct 1): Duterte woos soldiers with promises of luxury watches
PRESIDENT Duterte on Saturday night visited a military camp in Agusan del Sur, his third visit in a month amid talks that some soldiers are involved in alleged outer plots against him, and wooed them with promises of luxury watches if they display exceptional bravery in performing their duties.
Duterte donned ranks and awarded medals to some members of the 401st and 402nd Infantry Brigade during his visit to Camp Ditu Lapus Makapandong in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
He thanked and lauded the soldiers anew for their contributions in the success of the government’s war against illegal drugs and campaign against insurgency and announced that the 401st and the 402nd Infantry Brigades would receive P100,000 each which they can use to celebrate when they return to their camps.
“Each brigade we’d give you P100,000 so you can celebrate when you return to your camps,” adding Rolex watches will be given to soldiers who display valor.
Rolex watches are some of the most expensive, with prices ranging from $5,400 to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He also reiterated his vow to support and protect the soldiers should they face any charges in the performance of their duty.
“I assure you that you are not alone in this fight. As long as you perform your mandate in accordance with law, this administration will remain steadfast in supporting your organization and provide you with the necessary tools and resources that enable you to effectively fulfill – as defenders of the nation,” he said.
“If it is in the performance of your duty and you face charges, criminal and all, you need not worry. I will take the blame personally and I will protect you. And I would never, never allow you to go to jail. Performing a duty for a nation is a noble job. I will not allow a single soldier to stay in prison even for one day. That is my promise to you,” he added.
Duterte had already visited the soldiers in Agusan in June 2017.
He said he is set to visit Samar this week, but it’s not yet sure if the trip would include another camp visit. He visited Camp General Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City in Samar in August 2016.
He added that while he does not wear nor accept such luxury watches as a gift, he has no qualms in giving out such timepieces to the soldiers for their bravery.
Last September 18, Duterte visited the personnel of the 5th Infantry Division in Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela and, on September 20, attended the 12th Activation Anniversary of the Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) of the Philippine Army in Camp O’Donnell in Capas in Tarlac.
Last August, he visited troops detailed at Camp Teodulfo Bautista Headquarters in Jolo, Sulu and attended the 12th Eastern Mindanao Command Anniversary of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City.
Duterte had earlier said that some active members of the military are sympathetic and supportive of opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a staunch critic of Duterte.
Trillanes, a former Navy officer, had recently been ordered arrested by the court for his role in the Manila Peninsula siege in 2007. He posted bailed for his temporary liberty.
http://malaya.bayaninetwork.com/?q=business-news/news/duterte-woos-soldiers-promises-luxury-watches
PRESIDENT Duterte on Saturday night visited a military camp in Agusan del Sur, his third visit in a month amid talks that some soldiers are involved in alleged outer plots against him, and wooed them with promises of luxury watches if they display exceptional bravery in performing their duties.
Duterte donned ranks and awarded medals to some members of the 401st and 402nd Infantry Brigade during his visit to Camp Ditu Lapus Makapandong in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
He thanked and lauded the soldiers anew for their contributions in the success of the government’s war against illegal drugs and campaign against insurgency and announced that the 401st and the 402nd Infantry Brigades would receive P100,000 each which they can use to celebrate when they return to their camps.
“Each brigade we’d give you P100,000 so you can celebrate when you return to your camps,” adding Rolex watches will be given to soldiers who display valor.
Rolex watches are some of the most expensive, with prices ranging from $5,400 to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He also reiterated his vow to support and protect the soldiers should they face any charges in the performance of their duty.
“I assure you that you are not alone in this fight. As long as you perform your mandate in accordance with law, this administration will remain steadfast in supporting your organization and provide you with the necessary tools and resources that enable you to effectively fulfill – as defenders of the nation,” he said.
“If it is in the performance of your duty and you face charges, criminal and all, you need not worry. I will take the blame personally and I will protect you. And I would never, never allow you to go to jail. Performing a duty for a nation is a noble job. I will not allow a single soldier to stay in prison even for one day. That is my promise to you,” he added.
Duterte had already visited the soldiers in Agusan in June 2017.
He said he is set to visit Samar this week, but it’s not yet sure if the trip would include another camp visit. He visited Camp General Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City in Samar in August 2016.
He added that while he does not wear nor accept such luxury watches as a gift, he has no qualms in giving out such timepieces to the soldiers for their bravery.
Last September 18, Duterte visited the personnel of the 5th Infantry Division in Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela and, on September 20, attended the 12th Activation Anniversary of the Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) of the Philippine Army in Camp O’Donnell in Capas in Tarlac.
Last August, he visited troops detailed at Camp Teodulfo Bautista Headquarters in Jolo, Sulu and attended the 12th Eastern Mindanao Command Anniversary of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City.
Duterte had earlier said that some active members of the military are sympathetic and supportive of opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a staunch critic of Duterte.
Trillanes, a former Navy officer, had recently been ordered arrested by the court for his role in the Manila Peninsula siege in 2007. He posted bailed for his temporary liberty.
http://malaya.bayaninetwork.com/?q=business-news/news/duterte-woos-soldiers-promises-luxury-watches
‘Reds stepping up attacks vs military and police’
From Malaya Business Insight (Oct 1): ‘Reds stepping up attacks vs military and police’
COMMUNIST New People’s Army rebels are planning to step up attacks against military installations throughout the country this month as part of their Red October plot to oust President Duterte, according to the military.
In a phone interview yesterday, Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr, the assistant AFP deputy chief of staff for operations, said the military has alerted its units and troops against the planned rebel attacks.
Officials earlier said the communist-led Red October plot calls for “social unrest” and conduct of massive rallies, similar to the February 1986 People Power that ousted then President Ferdinand Marcos.
“Along with the social unrest, they are going to launch tactical offensives, coordinated attacks nationwide, targeting police stations and Army posts,” Parlade said.
Parlade said the military has evidence to prove the NPA got a memorandum from communist party leaders to launch the attacks in line with the Red October plot.
“It’s nationwide,” Parlade said. They are planning to execute it in a decentralized manner. That is in their memorandum, they have a memorandum for that (attacks).”
Parlade said the communists intend to escalate their attacks on AFP and PNP targets on Oct. 17.
“Their target is Oct. 17, that’s when they intend to reach the peak of their activity,” he said.
Asked what the military is doing in response to the plot, Parlade said: “Our units are already on alert and our troops are hunting them (NPA rebels). They are already near (AFP and PNP posts), we are monitoring them.
“They are already near so the AFP is on the offensive now. We are not going to wait for us to be on the defensive,” said Parlade.
Parlade said the Red October plot is still a go for the communists despite its exposure to the public and despite the political opposition and the church backing out of the plan.
Parlade said the communist movement is trying to create social unrest among workers and peasants under “Daluyong Mangagawa “ that he said one of the phases of Red October.
Parlade said Red October is bound to fail, noting the communists have so far failed to generate support.
“Many backed out, including the schools because they (communists) failed to convince (Manila) Archbishop (Luis Antonio) Tagle to join the original plan. They know the communists are behind this,” he said.
He said he is inclined to believe the assurance of the political opposition and of the Magdalo Group, led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, that they are not conniving with the communists to oust the President.
“They should not take part in the plot because it’s doomed to fail. This is the last hurrah of Joma (communist party founder Jose Maria Sison), that’s why they are insisting on it,” said Parlade.
“If they (opposition and Magdalo Group) will participate, it’s our economy that will suffer,” Parlade also said.
Parlade said top military officials are due to face House and Senate during budget hearings today and tomorrow, respectively.
“We are going to brief them of their (communist) plan....We are prepared,” he said, adding the military expects the lawmakers to inquire about the Red October plan during the budget hearings.
Asked if they are ready to identify those involved in the plot, other than those already mentioned, Parlade said they might if the House and Senate leaderships agree on executive sessions.
Aside from Sison, others being linked by the military to the plot were former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Rey Casambre.
http://malaya.bayaninetwork.com/?q=business-news/news/%E2%80%98reds-stepping-attacks-vs-military-and-police%E2%80%99
COMMUNIST New People’s Army rebels are planning to step up attacks against military installations throughout the country this month as part of their Red October plot to oust President Duterte, according to the military.
In a phone interview yesterday, Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr, the assistant AFP deputy chief of staff for operations, said the military has alerted its units and troops against the planned rebel attacks.
Officials earlier said the communist-led Red October plot calls for “social unrest” and conduct of massive rallies, similar to the February 1986 People Power that ousted then President Ferdinand Marcos.
“Along with the social unrest, they are going to launch tactical offensives, coordinated attacks nationwide, targeting police stations and Army posts,” Parlade said.
Parlade said the military has evidence to prove the NPA got a memorandum from communist party leaders to launch the attacks in line with the Red October plot.
“It’s nationwide,” Parlade said. They are planning to execute it in a decentralized manner. That is in their memorandum, they have a memorandum for that (attacks).”
Parlade said the communists intend to escalate their attacks on AFP and PNP targets on Oct. 17.
“Their target is Oct. 17, that’s when they intend to reach the peak of their activity,” he said.
Asked what the military is doing in response to the plot, Parlade said: “Our units are already on alert and our troops are hunting them (NPA rebels). They are already near (AFP and PNP posts), we are monitoring them.
“They are already near so the AFP is on the offensive now. We are not going to wait for us to be on the defensive,” said Parlade.
Parlade said the Red October plot is still a go for the communists despite its exposure to the public and despite the political opposition and the church backing out of the plan.
Parlade said the communist movement is trying to create social unrest among workers and peasants under “Daluyong Mangagawa “ that he said one of the phases of Red October.
Parlade said Red October is bound to fail, noting the communists have so far failed to generate support.
“Many backed out, including the schools because they (communists) failed to convince (Manila) Archbishop (Luis Antonio) Tagle to join the original plan. They know the communists are behind this,” he said.
He said he is inclined to believe the assurance of the political opposition and of the Magdalo Group, led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, that they are not conniving with the communists to oust the President.
“They should not take part in the plot because it’s doomed to fail. This is the last hurrah of Joma (communist party founder Jose Maria Sison), that’s why they are insisting on it,” said Parlade.
“If they (opposition and Magdalo Group) will participate, it’s our economy that will suffer,” Parlade also said.
Parlade said top military officials are due to face House and Senate during budget hearings today and tomorrow, respectively.
“We are going to brief them of their (communist) plan....We are prepared,” he said, adding the military expects the lawmakers to inquire about the Red October plan during the budget hearings.
Asked if they are ready to identify those involved in the plot, other than those already mentioned, Parlade said they might if the House and Senate leaderships agree on executive sessions.
Aside from Sison, others being linked by the military to the plot were former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Rey Casambre.
http://malaya.bayaninetwork.com/?q=business-news/news/%E2%80%98reds-stepping-attacks-vs-military-and-police%E2%80%99
Development more than talks, says OPAPP
From the Mindanao Times (Sep 30): Development more than talks, says OPAPP
With THE lifting of the peace talks with the Communist groups, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) said they are not reducing their actions to promote peace with the rebels.
“This peace (should) not just be for negotiations, security issues, but also on the other bigger part which is development,” said OPAPP Secretary Jesus Dureza during the culmination program of the National Peace Consciousness Month held at Rizal Park on Friday.
“We cannot sustain peace if we do not have development that will improve the lives of people. Conversely, we could not attain development, even if we extend help if there is no peace,” he added.
Currently, OPAPP centers on development through the Enhance Comprehensive Localized Integration Program (E-CLIP), which provides benefits for rebel returnees.
“I just heard from (Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, commander of Philippine Army’s Eastern Mindanao Command) just last week that there were 85 who availed of the E-Clip,” said Dureza.
According to Dureza, the government has exerted effort to address the needs of the communist group but they also need reciprocity from the other side on the favorable actions done by the current administration.
“The president has already given so much concession that started with peace negotiations, putting out of jail of more than 20 high level leaders, offered cabinet positions, and even ordered cease fire,” Dureza said.
“(We should) look at the triggers of conflict and act upon it. When one feels they are left behind by the government, they tend to bring about chaos,” the secretary said.
However, Dureza also added that peace talks may still be possible.
“We did not totally shut the door for negotiations. Peace talks will still happen depending on the situation and of course with the guidance of the President,” he said.
http://mindanaotimes.net/development-more-than-talks-says-opapp/
With THE lifting of the peace talks with the Communist groups, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) said they are not reducing their actions to promote peace with the rebels.
“This peace (should) not just be for negotiations, security issues, but also on the other bigger part which is development,” said OPAPP Secretary Jesus Dureza during the culmination program of the National Peace Consciousness Month held at Rizal Park on Friday.
“We cannot sustain peace if we do not have development that will improve the lives of people. Conversely, we could not attain development, even if we extend help if there is no peace,” he added.
Currently, OPAPP centers on development through the Enhance Comprehensive Localized Integration Program (E-CLIP), which provides benefits for rebel returnees.
“I just heard from (Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, commander of Philippine Army’s Eastern Mindanao Command) just last week that there were 85 who availed of the E-Clip,” said Dureza.
According to Dureza, the government has exerted effort to address the needs of the communist group but they also need reciprocity from the other side on the favorable actions done by the current administration.
“The president has already given so much concession that started with peace negotiations, putting out of jail of more than 20 high level leaders, offered cabinet positions, and even ordered cease fire,” Dureza said.
“(We should) look at the triggers of conflict and act upon it. When one feels they are left behind by the government, they tend to bring about chaos,” the secretary said.
However, Dureza also added that peace talks may still be possible.
“We did not totally shut the door for negotiations. Peace talks will still happen depending on the situation and of course with the guidance of the President,” he said.
http://mindanaotimes.net/development-more-than-talks-says-opapp/
Duterte: “I will not allow a single soldier to stay in prison even for one day”
From MindaNews (Oct 1): Duterte: “I will not allow a single soldier to stay in prison even for one day”
Assuring the military of his support, President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday vowed anew that he will “not allow a single soldier to stay in prison even for one day.”
The President said he will take the blame personally if they face charges in performing their duties.
“As long as you perform your mandate in accordance with law, this administration will remain steadfast in supporting your organization and provide you with the necessary tools and resources that enable you to effectively fulfill — as defenders of the nation,” Duterte told the troops of the 401st Infantry Brigade in Camp Lipus Makapandong in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on Saturday.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte strikes his signature pose with troops of the 401st Infantry Brigade and officials during the President’s visit to Camp Datu Lipus Makapandong in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on September 29, 2018. Albert Alcain PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
He commended the troops for their efforts to crackdown on illegal drugs and for keeping law and order in Mindanao but expressed his remorse that many were injured or killed just to attain these accomplishments.
“These accomplishments, however, came at a price. In our bold — to be rid of society with evil forces, many have been wounded and lives have been lost. I share my grief with you,”
Duterte said there’s still much work to do to rid the country of persisting ills, even as government forces have done a lot since he won the presidency in 2016,
He said his administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign seized shabu worth over P11 million and had resulted in the “neutralization” of drug personalities to secure Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur provinces.
The country’s chief executive also cited the military for cooperating with different government agencies in implementing martial law in Mindanao that, he claimed, made the people safer and paved the way for collective advancement of communities.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in addressing the communist insurgencies in Mindanao, resulting in in recovery of hundreds of firearms and explosives, and the discovery of enemy encampments.
He said the military neutralized, apprehended and facilitated the surrenders of the regulars, Militia ng Bayan members, Sangay ng Partido Lokal members including more than 500 underground mass organization members.
“I, together with the Filipino people, are truly grateful for your gallantry of our wounded and fallen comrades and the courage of our troops to continue to make great sacrifices to defend our land, uphold peace and secure the freedom we now enjoy,” he said.
The President said he wants the children to inherit a country that is stable, harmonious, and progressive.
“I therefore ask each of you to continue doing your part so that we may soon realize our aspiration for a lasting peace and stability across the nation,” he said.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/10/duterte-i-will-not-allow-a-single-soldier-to-stay-in-prison-even-for-one-day/
Assuring the military of his support, President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday vowed anew that he will “not allow a single soldier to stay in prison even for one day.”
The President said he will take the blame personally if they face charges in performing their duties.
“As long as you perform your mandate in accordance with law, this administration will remain steadfast in supporting your organization and provide you with the necessary tools and resources that enable you to effectively fulfill — as defenders of the nation,” Duterte told the troops of the 401st Infantry Brigade in Camp Lipus Makapandong in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on Saturday.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte strikes his signature pose with troops of the 401st Infantry Brigade and officials during the President’s visit to Camp Datu Lipus Makapandong in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on September 29, 2018. Albert Alcain PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
He commended the troops for their efforts to crackdown on illegal drugs and for keeping law and order in Mindanao but expressed his remorse that many were injured or killed just to attain these accomplishments.
“These accomplishments, however, came at a price. In our bold — to be rid of society with evil forces, many have been wounded and lives have been lost. I share my grief with you,”
Duterte said there’s still much work to do to rid the country of persisting ills, even as government forces have done a lot since he won the presidency in 2016,
He said his administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign seized shabu worth over P11 million and had resulted in the “neutralization” of drug personalities to secure Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur provinces.
The country’s chief executive also cited the military for cooperating with different government agencies in implementing martial law in Mindanao that, he claimed, made the people safer and paved the way for collective advancement of communities.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in addressing the communist insurgencies in Mindanao, resulting in in recovery of hundreds of firearms and explosives, and the discovery of enemy encampments.
He said the military neutralized, apprehended and facilitated the surrenders of the regulars, Militia ng Bayan members, Sangay ng Partido Lokal members including more than 500 underground mass organization members.
“I, together with the Filipino people, are truly grateful for your gallantry of our wounded and fallen comrades and the courage of our troops to continue to make great sacrifices to defend our land, uphold peace and secure the freedom we now enjoy,” he said.
The President said he wants the children to inherit a country that is stable, harmonious, and progressive.
“I therefore ask each of you to continue doing your part so that we may soon realize our aspiration for a lasting peace and stability across the nation,” he said.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/10/duterte-i-will-not-allow-a-single-soldier-to-stay-in-prison-even-for-one-day/
DILG: Interagency task force vs Reds’ recruitment gaining ground
From the Philippine Star (Oct 1): DILG: Interagency task force vs Reds’ recruitment gaining ground
DILG officer-in-charge Secretary Eduardo Año said that nipping communist recruitment in the bud entails a whole-of-government approach in order to address the socio-politico-economic problems that threaten the stability of the country.
DILG officer-in-charge Secretary Eduardo Año said that nipping communist recruitment in the bud entails a whole-of-government approach in order to address the socio-politico-economic problems that threaten the stability of the country.
The proposal to establish an Interagency Task Force Against Communist Insurgency is gaining ground after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) expressed support for it, days after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) discovered the purported “Red October” plot of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front to oust President Duterte.
DILG officer-in-charge Secretary Eduardo Año said that nipping communist recruitment in the bud entails a whole-of-government approach in order to address the socio-politico-economic problems that threaten the stability of the country.
“The government is cognizant that effectively ending insurgency requires not only police and military response but also a triad of development, governance and security efforts,” he said.
Año concurs with AFP chief of staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. that civilian agencies and other stakeholders must be aware of and integrated in the whole-of-government strategy of quashing communist recruitment.
DILG officer-in-charge Secretary Eduardo Año said that nipping communist recruitment in the bud entails a whole-of-government approach in order to address the socio-politico-economic problems that threaten the stability of the country.
“The government is cognizant that effectively ending insurgency requires not only police and military response but also a triad of development, governance and security efforts,” he said.
Año concurs with AFP chief of staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. that civilian agencies and other stakeholders must be aware of and integrated in the whole-of-government strategy of quashing communist recruitment.
“Insurgency is rooted in poverty, inequality and grievances that could be addressed by respective mandates of various government institutions. We have all the mechanisms to face these issues but all government agencies have to perform our roles in a concerted manner,” Año said.
Communist insurgency is not primarily a military or police problem but a “governance problem,” according to the DILG chief, who is a former AFP chief of staff.
“In fact, we are winning the battle in the mountains. There are so many surrenderers now. It’s in the propaganda war and parliamentary battle that we are losing. The National Task Force will ensure that other government agencies help the (Department of National Defense) and the DILG in this effort,” he said.
Civilian government agencies must be aware of the real situation and fulfill their mandates, Año said, so as to prevent build-up of public grievances that communist terrorist rebels exploit to stir anti-government sentiments such as corruption, price hikes, and labor sector and indigenous peoples’ concerns.
“Communists are using as propaganda the inefficacies of the government to advance their aspiration of toppling democracy. Thus, all instrumentalities of the government have to recognize their role in addressing this urgent and long-standing problem,” he said.
As to the part of the DILG, he assured the public that the department is instilling good governance among local government units at the forefront of public service delivery.
He also said there is no need for a loyalty check among the ranks of the Philippine National Police (PNP) “whose allegiance is to the Constitution and to the people.”
“The DILG and the DND as well as the PNP and AFP, are one in preserving the stability of the state. Our police and soldiers are ruled by law and accountable to the sovereign people only,” he said.
Meanwhile, DILG Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said that the department is assisting in addressing communist insurgency through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, the government’s flagship program for its reintegration effort for former communist rebels.
Malaya denied the claim of NDF consultant Rey Casambre who claimed that the AFP’s proposed interagency task force will not succeed in its goal to counter insurgency in the country.
“Contrary to Casambre’s statement that basic social, economic and political reforms are not being done and will never work, hundreds of surrenders are evident in various regions in the country through the E-CLIP which is becoming more and more comprehensive and integrated,” Malaya said.
“We are pleased by the success of our E-CLIP program and we welcome all rebels who wish to return to mainstream society,” he added.
The Implementing Rules and Regulations of Administrative Order No. 10 series of 2018 that created Task Force Balik-Loob specifies additional benefits to former rebels, such as housing assistance or housing unit from the National Housing Authority.
They also get a monthly modified conditional cash transfer after being referred by a provincial social welfare and development officer to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for enrollment in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
Malaya said the standard E-CLIP benefits that have been given to hundreds of beneficiaries are P15,000 immediate assistance per former rebel for mobilization expenses while his or her enrollment in the program is being done; a P50,000 livelihood assistance and firearms remuneration.
Communist insurgency is not primarily a military or police problem but a “governance problem,” according to the DILG chief, who is a former AFP chief of staff.
“In fact, we are winning the battle in the mountains. There are so many surrenderers now. It’s in the propaganda war and parliamentary battle that we are losing. The National Task Force will ensure that other government agencies help the (Department of National Defense) and the DILG in this effort,” he said.
Civilian government agencies must be aware of the real situation and fulfill their mandates, Año said, so as to prevent build-up of public grievances that communist terrorist rebels exploit to stir anti-government sentiments such as corruption, price hikes, and labor sector and indigenous peoples’ concerns.
“Communists are using as propaganda the inefficacies of the government to advance their aspiration of toppling democracy. Thus, all instrumentalities of the government have to recognize their role in addressing this urgent and long-standing problem,” he said.
As to the part of the DILG, he assured the public that the department is instilling good governance among local government units at the forefront of public service delivery.
He also said there is no need for a loyalty check among the ranks of the Philippine National Police (PNP) “whose allegiance is to the Constitution and to the people.”
“The DILG and the DND as well as the PNP and AFP, are one in preserving the stability of the state. Our police and soldiers are ruled by law and accountable to the sovereign people only,” he said.
Meanwhile, DILG Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said that the department is assisting in addressing communist insurgency through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, the government’s flagship program for its reintegration effort for former communist rebels.
Malaya denied the claim of NDF consultant Rey Casambre who claimed that the AFP’s proposed interagency task force will not succeed in its goal to counter insurgency in the country.
“Contrary to Casambre’s statement that basic social, economic and political reforms are not being done and will never work, hundreds of surrenders are evident in various regions in the country through the E-CLIP which is becoming more and more comprehensive and integrated,” Malaya said.
“We are pleased by the success of our E-CLIP program and we welcome all rebels who wish to return to mainstream society,” he added.
The Implementing Rules and Regulations of Administrative Order No. 10 series of 2018 that created Task Force Balik-Loob specifies additional benefits to former rebels, such as housing assistance or housing unit from the National Housing Authority.
They also get a monthly modified conditional cash transfer after being referred by a provincial social welfare and development officer to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for enrollment in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
Malaya said the standard E-CLIP benefits that have been given to hundreds of beneficiaries are P15,000 immediate assistance per former rebel for mobilization expenses while his or her enrollment in the program is being done; a P50,000 livelihood assistance and firearms remuneration.
Duterte commends role of military in war vs drugs, terrorism
From Politiko (Sep 30): Duterte commends role of military in war vs drugs, terrorism
In his speech before members of the Philippine Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade in Camp Datu Lipus Makapandong, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed gratitude to the military force for protecting the nation from internal threats.
“I, together with the Filipino people, are truly grateful for your gallantry of our wounded and fallen comrades and the courage of our troops to continue to make great sacrifices to defend our land, uphold peace and secure the freedom we now enjoy,” said Duterte who flew to Agusan del Sur on Saturday.
He added that military’s “valiant and relentless efforts” have resulted in the neutralization, apprehension and the surrender of hundreds of New People’s Army and Militia ng Bayan members. “This led to the recovery of hundreds of firearms and explosives, and the discovery of enemy encampments.”
The President also cited the support of Armed Forces of the Philippines in the government’s war on drugs, which has led to the confiscation of P11million-worth of shabu and the neutralization of drug personalities from the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur.
In line with the implementation of martial law in Mindanao, Duterte said the armed forces have helped maximize public safety and security.
“To this day, your cooperation with concerned government agencies, especially in the implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao, has not only made our kababayans safer in these challenging times, but also paved the way for the collective advancement of our communities,” he said.
http://politics.com.ph/duterte-commends-role-of-military-in-war-vs-drugs-terrorism/
In his speech before members of the Philippine Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade in Camp Datu Lipus Makapandong, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed gratitude to the military force for protecting the nation from internal threats.
“I, together with the Filipino people, are truly grateful for your gallantry of our wounded and fallen comrades and the courage of our troops to continue to make great sacrifices to defend our land, uphold peace and secure the freedom we now enjoy,” said Duterte who flew to Agusan del Sur on Saturday.
He added that military’s “valiant and relentless efforts” have resulted in the neutralization, apprehension and the surrender of hundreds of New People’s Army and Militia ng Bayan members. “This led to the recovery of hundreds of firearms and explosives, and the discovery of enemy encampments.”
The President also cited the support of Armed Forces of the Philippines in the government’s war on drugs, which has led to the confiscation of P11million-worth of shabu and the neutralization of drug personalities from the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur.
In line with the implementation of martial law in Mindanao, Duterte said the armed forces have helped maximize public safety and security.
“To this day, your cooperation with concerned government agencies, especially in the implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao, has not only made our kababayans safer in these challenging times, but also paved the way for the collective advancement of our communities,” he said.
http://politics.com.ph/duterte-commends-role-of-military-in-war-vs-drugs-terrorism/
LOOK: Duterte inspects firearms recovered from NPA
From Politiko (Sep 30): LOOK: Duterte inspects firearms recovered from NPA
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday led the inspection of the firearms surrendered by militants at the Camp Datu Lipus Makapandong in Prosperidad town, Agusan del Sur.
A total of 131 recovered firearms were presented to Duterte during the camp visit.
In the province, the chief executive also visited a police officer who was wounded in an encounter with members of the New People’s Army.
He assured Police Officer 1 Retchell Golandria of full recovery under the government’s care.
Apart from financial aid, mobile phone, and a gun certificate, the Order of Lapu-Lapu with Kampilan Rank medal was also awarded to Golandria.
The medal is granted to public and private servants for their extraordinary acts of service in advancing the advocacy of the President.
http://politics.com.ph/duterte-promises-to-give-rolex-to-soldiers-sigurado-yan/
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday led the inspection of the firearms surrendered by militants at the Camp Datu Lipus Makapandong in Prosperidad town, Agusan del Sur.
A total of 131 recovered firearms were presented to Duterte during the camp visit.
In the province, the chief executive also visited a police officer who was wounded in an encounter with members of the New People’s Army.
He assured Police Officer 1 Retchell Golandria of full recovery under the government’s care.
Apart from financial aid, mobile phone, and a gun certificate, the Order of Lapu-Lapu with Kampilan Rank medal was also awarded to Golandria.
The medal is granted to public and private servants for their extraordinary acts of service in advancing the advocacy of the President.
http://politics.com.ph/duterte-promises-to-give-rolex-to-soldiers-sigurado-yan/
9,000 NPAs, supporters yield since January 2018
From the Sun Star-Davao: 9,000 NPAs, supporters yield since January 2018
WITH the relentless counter-insurgency effort of the security forces, the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) has tallied down a total of 9,148 New People’s Army (NPA) members and supporters who surrendered to the government since January this year.
Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom spokesperson, said that more rebels in their area of responsibility have decided to come down and sought for a reformed life.
Based on their data, since January 1, there were a total 659 NPA regulars who have returned to the folds of the law; 910 members of the Milisyang Bayan and 285 members of the Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad.
There were also a total of 7,294 members of the Underground Mass Organizations (Ugmpo) who withdrew their support from the NPA.
From January to Sept 23, 2018, 256 NPAs who are Indigenous Peoples surrendered and are now being processed to be enrolled in the Enhance Comprehensive Localized Integration Program (E-CLIP) designed for those formers rebels who surrendered to the government.
“Several leaders of former CPP/NPA influenced tribal communities like that of Datu Gibang Apoga who have gone back to the folds of the law and are now being welcomed by the government through the same program,” Balagtey said.
In fact, in September, three high-ranking NPAs were neutralized in Eastern Mindanao. The commander of the Pulang Bagani Command 3 identified as alias Ivy was killed in an encounter at Cabarisan, Sibulan, Toril, Davao City on September 16.
In a separate combat operation, the secretary of Guerilla Front 51 identified as Jecko was also killed in an encounter with the government troops at Flortam, Batasan, Makilala, North Cotabato on September 17 and on September 24, the secretary of Guerilla Front 73 was arrested in a Law Enforcement Operations in Surallah, South Cotabato.
“Relative to martial law in Mindanao, the rights base implementation in Mindanao have the support of Mindanawons as it contributed to the situation for the better and prevented the spillover of terrorism and led to the arrest of different terrorists and their leaders,” he added.
Meanwhile, the army is calling on the cooperation of the public to ensure the peace and order in the city against the lawless elements.
“The people of Eastern Mindanao deserve to have a peaceful regional environment conducive for development. The continuous armed struggle will only bring death, misery, hate, anger, and poverty. Let us all join hands and harmonize all our efforts to solve lingering issues and improve the living conditions of the people through the framework of good governance, inclusive growth, and development and enhanced human security,” Balagtey cited.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1766917
WITH the relentless counter-insurgency effort of the security forces, the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) has tallied down a total of 9,148 New People’s Army (NPA) members and supporters who surrendered to the government since January this year.
Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom spokesperson, said that more rebels in their area of responsibility have decided to come down and sought for a reformed life.
Based on their data, since January 1, there were a total 659 NPA regulars who have returned to the folds of the law; 910 members of the Milisyang Bayan and 285 members of the Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad.
There were also a total of 7,294 members of the Underground Mass Organizations (Ugmpo) who withdrew their support from the NPA.
From January to Sept 23, 2018, 256 NPAs who are Indigenous Peoples surrendered and are now being processed to be enrolled in the Enhance Comprehensive Localized Integration Program (E-CLIP) designed for those formers rebels who surrendered to the government.
“Several leaders of former CPP/NPA influenced tribal communities like that of Datu Gibang Apoga who have gone back to the folds of the law and are now being welcomed by the government through the same program,” Balagtey said.
In fact, in September, three high-ranking NPAs were neutralized in Eastern Mindanao. The commander of the Pulang Bagani Command 3 identified as alias Ivy was killed in an encounter at Cabarisan, Sibulan, Toril, Davao City on September 16.
In a separate combat operation, the secretary of Guerilla Front 51 identified as Jecko was also killed in an encounter with the government troops at Flortam, Batasan, Makilala, North Cotabato on September 17 and on September 24, the secretary of Guerilla Front 73 was arrested in a Law Enforcement Operations in Surallah, South Cotabato.
“Relative to martial law in Mindanao, the rights base implementation in Mindanao have the support of Mindanawons as it contributed to the situation for the better and prevented the spillover of terrorism and led to the arrest of different terrorists and their leaders,” he added.
Meanwhile, the army is calling on the cooperation of the public to ensure the peace and order in the city against the lawless elements.
“The people of Eastern Mindanao deserve to have a peaceful regional environment conducive for development. The continuous armed struggle will only bring death, misery, hate, anger, and poverty. Let us all join hands and harmonize all our efforts to solve lingering issues and improve the living conditions of the people through the framework of good governance, inclusive growth, and development and enhanced human security,” Balagtey cited.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1766917
CPP-NPA still pushing through with their plan to remove Duterte from power
From the Manila Bulletin (Sep 30): CPP-NPA still pushing through with their plan to remove Duterte from power
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Assistant Deputy Chief for Operations Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Sunday said despite then exposing a plot to unseat President Rodrigo Duterte from power, the communist side is still pushing through with their plan.
CPP-NPA Logo (MANILA BULLETIN)
In an interview, Parlade said that aside from Oplan Aklasan, the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), are also planning to conduct what he calls Daluyong Manggagawa where peasants and workers will take part in social unrest.
One example of social unrest is rioting or when a large group of people behave in a violent and uncontrolled way. Another example is a rebellion, which is similar to a riot, but is generally planned and more organized. Social unrest can also be expressed through peaceful protesting, also known as nonviolent resistance.
“Tuloy ‘yan meron pa silang Daluyong Mangagagawa (That will push through. They also will have what they call Daluyong Manggagawa),” Parlade said.
“Koda nila yan. Meron silang activity na tinatawag na Daluyong Mangagawa. Parang ano ito e, kasama diyan ‘yung, parang social unrest among itong mangangawa, mga peasants, meron silang ganun, ngayong October ‘yun. (That’s their koda. They have this activity what they call Daluyong Mangagawa. It’s like, part of it is social unrest among workers, peasants. they have that this October).”
“It will have various phases.,that’s part of Red October,” he added.
Parlade however said that despite their plans to unseat the president, chances of it to become successful is very slim considering that they cannot generate enough support from schools, the church, union members, etc.
He added that their plan will have two tracks. Aside from social unrest, the communist side is also planning to conduct tactical offensives or coordinated attacks in the whole
Philippjnes.
Parlade said the tactical offensive will start from October up to November of this year.
“The tactical offensives will be conducted on police stations and army posts. Their objective is to show that they are still a force to reckon with. Fortunately, their previous attacks like in Sorsogon, in Mindanao which are near highways and towns were a failure,” he said.
Parlade said government troops are on alert to thwart the planned attacks by the Reds.
Parlade earlier revealed that were able to recover documents that various anti-Duterte groups are plotting to unseat President Duterte from power.
Parlade said their main objective is to oust President Duterte using issues like extrajudicial killings, martial law, inflation, the increase in the prices of basic commodities, and tyranny of the media, including the opposition.
“The plan will always be there because Jose Maria Sison was the one orchestrating. So they weren’t successful this September 21 but there will still be a plan this coming October. They call that Red October., the international celebration ng communism, Marxism and then Indigenous People’s month. So they will maximize the exploitation of the IPs so they target the Lumads here in the Philippines,” he said.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/30/ccp-npa-still-pushing-through-with-their-plan-to-remove-duterte-from-power/
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Assistant Deputy Chief for Operations Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Sunday said despite then exposing a plot to unseat President Rodrigo Duterte from power, the communist side is still pushing through with their plan.
CPP-NPA Logo (MANILA BULLETIN)
In an interview, Parlade said that aside from Oplan Aklasan, the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), are also planning to conduct what he calls Daluyong Manggagawa where peasants and workers will take part in social unrest.
One example of social unrest is rioting or when a large group of people behave in a violent and uncontrolled way. Another example is a rebellion, which is similar to a riot, but is generally planned and more organized. Social unrest can also be expressed through peaceful protesting, also known as nonviolent resistance.
“Tuloy ‘yan meron pa silang Daluyong Mangagagawa (That will push through. They also will have what they call Daluyong Manggagawa),” Parlade said.
“Koda nila yan. Meron silang activity na tinatawag na Daluyong Mangagawa. Parang ano ito e, kasama diyan ‘yung, parang social unrest among itong mangangawa, mga peasants, meron silang ganun, ngayong October ‘yun. (That’s their koda. They have this activity what they call Daluyong Mangagawa. It’s like, part of it is social unrest among workers, peasants. they have that this October).”
“It will have various phases.,that’s part of Red October,” he added.
Parlade however said that despite their plans to unseat the president, chances of it to become successful is very slim considering that they cannot generate enough support from schools, the church, union members, etc.
He added that their plan will have two tracks. Aside from social unrest, the communist side is also planning to conduct tactical offensives or coordinated attacks in the whole
Philippjnes.
Parlade said the tactical offensive will start from October up to November of this year.
“The tactical offensives will be conducted on police stations and army posts. Their objective is to show that they are still a force to reckon with. Fortunately, their previous attacks like in Sorsogon, in Mindanao which are near highways and towns were a failure,” he said.
Parlade said government troops are on alert to thwart the planned attacks by the Reds.
Parlade earlier revealed that were able to recover documents that various anti-Duterte groups are plotting to unseat President Duterte from power.
Parlade said their main objective is to oust President Duterte using issues like extrajudicial killings, martial law, inflation, the increase in the prices of basic commodities, and tyranny of the media, including the opposition.
“The plan will always be there because Jose Maria Sison was the one orchestrating. So they weren’t successful this September 21 but there will still be a plan this coming October. They call that Red October., the international celebration ng communism, Marxism and then Indigenous People’s month. So they will maximize the exploitation of the IPs so they target the Lumads here in the Philippines,” he said.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/09/30/ccp-npa-still-pushing-through-with-their-plan-to-remove-duterte-from-power/
Saturday, September 29, 2018
After Marawi: Time For Broader ASEAN Approach? – Analysis
Posted to the Eurasia Review (Sep 27): After Marawi: Time For Broader ASEAN Approach? – Analysis (By By Joseph Franco/RSIS)
A building in Marawi is set ablaze by airstrikes carried out by the Philippine Air Force. Photo by Mark Jhomel, Wikipedia Commons.
Winning the War after the Battle for Marawi requires greater cooperation among ASEAN states. The continuing challenge posed by violent extremism must be met by a wider “community of practice”.
Nearly a year after the Battle for Marawi ended, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law over Mindanao has not fully addressed the threat posed by other Islamic State-linked groups. Manila continues to grapple with the challenges of countering violent extremism (CVE). A series of bombings in Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) underscore the gaps in kinetic military approaches.
ASEAN was quick to act when the fighting erupted in Marawi. Singapore was one of the first countries to send in humanitarian supplies to the beleaguered city. Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines put into place joint, trilateral border patrols to prevent the spread of armed conflict. Aside from dealing with the consequences of the Marawi siege, Southeast Asian countries cooperated closely in sharing knowledge to confront violent extremist groups. The ASEAN defence ministers have been discussing the establishment of the “Our Eyes” Initiative that seeks to institutionalise further pre-existing intelligence sharing mechanisms.
Winning the War After Battle
Winning the war after the battle is a familiar refrain for those looking at post-conflict scenarios from Mosul to Marawi. The ruins of what was once the commercial heart of Marawi stand testament to the long-term disruption posed by violent extremism. The razing of dozens of mosques and madrasahs in Marawi imperils the city’s status as the Philippines’ centre for Islamic learning.
Delayed reconstruction of the city would only lead to resentment and create the wellspring for terrorist narratives in the future. The military defeat of the Maute Group and its IS-linked allies in Marawi is only the first step in rebuilding the city.
Information operations by the Philippine military complemented its combat operations during the Battle for Marawi. Confronting terrorist ideologies online denied IS-linked groups full control of the informational space. Partnerships with major social media companies and other states led to the systematic takedown of harmful content.
Communities of Practice Against Other “Extremisms”
As communities of practice emerge around CVE initiatives, there is recognition among stakeholders in the security sector, civil society organisations (CSOs), and academia of the complex policy environment. Growing polarisation within states can lead to the emergence of other potential “extremisms” aside from the brand of violence associated with the so-called Islamic State and other resurgent groups such as Al Qaeda.
This is apparent in ASEAN, which has witnessed the continuation of sectarian violence. Violence has come from a broad range of actors from inchoate nationalist movements to secessionist groups.
Rather than a fixation with counter-narratives, there is an emerging consensus that CVE has more in common with non-securitised digital literacy and public education programmes. Southeast Asian youths remain vulnerable to recruitment by violent extremist groups. Developing critical thinking skills especially among the youth may lead to benefits beyond the CVE realm. Life skills that help inoculate against violent ideologies are also relevant in mitigating the effects of deliberate online falsehoods or information operations by hostile parties.
Unfortunately, there is an uneven distribution of government capacities to pursue holistic CVE among ASEAN member-states. One way to level the playing field is to share lessons learned and identify gaps, through events such as the upcoming counter-terrorism symposium to be held in Singapore in October 2018 organised by the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) and the government.
ASEAN’s Potential Contributions to CVE
ASEAN’s push to create a resilient and networked community of peoples could manifest with states acting as enablers for joint initiatives. ASEAN’s long record of accomplishment in fostering Track 1.5 and Track 2 initiatives would mean not having to reinvent the wheel in terms of harnessing the efforts of states and CSOs. CSOs have a better grasp of ‘ground truth’ while states have access to resources to build inclusive CVE programmes.
Beyond upstream efforts to inoculate vulnerable populations from violent extremism, ASEAN can help bring needed quality-of-life improvements in Mindanao. The recent signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) is expected to bring meaningful political and economic autonomy to Filipino Muslims. The BOL’s success rests on the ability of local elected officials to take the lead in bringing progress to their communities.
Given the uneven levels of local governance in Mindanao, ASEAN can help tip the scales by focusing on capacity-building programmes. Addressing the socioeconomic roots of conflict in Mindanao is of course a long-term project. However, its benefits go beyond dissipating the sources of rage that violent extremists tap into for their radicalisation activities.
Gaining valuable experience in promoting good governance could pay dividends even in non-security issues across Southeast Asia. Economic and political development forges stronger communal bonds. This could help stem the increasing appeal of populist politics and the intolerance it breeds within states.
Multilateral security mechanisms should just be the start of holistic CVE efforts. Across ASEAN, national-level best practices can be found, involving either or both states and non-state entities. The challenge lies in taking what works from one country and adapting it to suit local conditions in another country.
Adversaries like IS are continually evolving, seeking to exploit emerging technologies and building their own illicit networks. States and their partners, whether technology firms or CSOs, need to adapt quicker. The destruction wrought by IS-linked militants in Marawi is a cautionary example of what happens when drivers of conflict are not systematically addressed and security services become complacent.
[Joseph Franco is a Research Fellow with the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS), a constituent unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.]
https://www.eurasiareview.com/27092018-after-marawi-time-for-broader-asean-approach-analysis/
A building in Marawi is set ablaze by airstrikes carried out by the Philippine Air Force. Photo by Mark Jhomel, Wikipedia Commons.
Winning the War after the Battle for Marawi requires greater cooperation among ASEAN states. The continuing challenge posed by violent extremism must be met by a wider “community of practice”.
Nearly a year after the Battle for Marawi ended, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law over Mindanao has not fully addressed the threat posed by other Islamic State-linked groups. Manila continues to grapple with the challenges of countering violent extremism (CVE). A series of bombings in Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) underscore the gaps in kinetic military approaches.
ASEAN was quick to act when the fighting erupted in Marawi. Singapore was one of the first countries to send in humanitarian supplies to the beleaguered city. Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines put into place joint, trilateral border patrols to prevent the spread of armed conflict. Aside from dealing with the consequences of the Marawi siege, Southeast Asian countries cooperated closely in sharing knowledge to confront violent extremist groups. The ASEAN defence ministers have been discussing the establishment of the “Our Eyes” Initiative that seeks to institutionalise further pre-existing intelligence sharing mechanisms.
Winning the War After Battle
Winning the war after the battle is a familiar refrain for those looking at post-conflict scenarios from Mosul to Marawi. The ruins of what was once the commercial heart of Marawi stand testament to the long-term disruption posed by violent extremism. The razing of dozens of mosques and madrasahs in Marawi imperils the city’s status as the Philippines’ centre for Islamic learning.
Delayed reconstruction of the city would only lead to resentment and create the wellspring for terrorist narratives in the future. The military defeat of the Maute Group and its IS-linked allies in Marawi is only the first step in rebuilding the city.
Information operations by the Philippine military complemented its combat operations during the Battle for Marawi. Confronting terrorist ideologies online denied IS-linked groups full control of the informational space. Partnerships with major social media companies and other states led to the systematic takedown of harmful content.
Communities of Practice Against Other “Extremisms”
As communities of practice emerge around CVE initiatives, there is recognition among stakeholders in the security sector, civil society organisations (CSOs), and academia of the complex policy environment. Growing polarisation within states can lead to the emergence of other potential “extremisms” aside from the brand of violence associated with the so-called Islamic State and other resurgent groups such as Al Qaeda.
This is apparent in ASEAN, which has witnessed the continuation of sectarian violence. Violence has come from a broad range of actors from inchoate nationalist movements to secessionist groups.
Rather than a fixation with counter-narratives, there is an emerging consensus that CVE has more in common with non-securitised digital literacy and public education programmes. Southeast Asian youths remain vulnerable to recruitment by violent extremist groups. Developing critical thinking skills especially among the youth may lead to benefits beyond the CVE realm. Life skills that help inoculate against violent ideologies are also relevant in mitigating the effects of deliberate online falsehoods or information operations by hostile parties.
Unfortunately, there is an uneven distribution of government capacities to pursue holistic CVE among ASEAN member-states. One way to level the playing field is to share lessons learned and identify gaps, through events such as the upcoming counter-terrorism symposium to be held in Singapore in October 2018 organised by the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) and the government.
ASEAN’s Potential Contributions to CVE
ASEAN’s push to create a resilient and networked community of peoples could manifest with states acting as enablers for joint initiatives. ASEAN’s long record of accomplishment in fostering Track 1.5 and Track 2 initiatives would mean not having to reinvent the wheel in terms of harnessing the efforts of states and CSOs. CSOs have a better grasp of ‘ground truth’ while states have access to resources to build inclusive CVE programmes.
Beyond upstream efforts to inoculate vulnerable populations from violent extremism, ASEAN can help bring needed quality-of-life improvements in Mindanao. The recent signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) is expected to bring meaningful political and economic autonomy to Filipino Muslims. The BOL’s success rests on the ability of local elected officials to take the lead in bringing progress to their communities.
Given the uneven levels of local governance in Mindanao, ASEAN can help tip the scales by focusing on capacity-building programmes. Addressing the socioeconomic roots of conflict in Mindanao is of course a long-term project. However, its benefits go beyond dissipating the sources of rage that violent extremists tap into for their radicalisation activities.
Gaining valuable experience in promoting good governance could pay dividends even in non-security issues across Southeast Asia. Economic and political development forges stronger communal bonds. This could help stem the increasing appeal of populist politics and the intolerance it breeds within states.
Multilateral security mechanisms should just be the start of holistic CVE efforts. Across ASEAN, national-level best practices can be found, involving either or both states and non-state entities. The challenge lies in taking what works from one country and adapting it to suit local conditions in another country.
Adversaries like IS are continually evolving, seeking to exploit emerging technologies and building their own illicit networks. States and their partners, whether technology firms or CSOs, need to adapt quicker. The destruction wrought by IS-linked militants in Marawi is a cautionary example of what happens when drivers of conflict are not systematically addressed and security services become complacent.
[Joseph Franco is a Research Fellow with the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS), a constituent unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.]
https://www.eurasiareview.com/27092018-after-marawi-time-for-broader-asean-approach-analysis/
European company expresses optimism in filling AFP modernization requirements
From TechnoChops (Sep 28): European company expresses optimism in filling AFP modernization requirements
A company named Airbus Defence and Space, through its representative, has expressed optimism that it could fill the requirements of the Philippines’ Armed Forces modernization program. The statement was made by Airbus Defence and Space head of Southeast Asia Johan Pelissier.
Many of us Filipinos are not familiar with Airbus Defence and Space: what country does it originate from? A Google check reveals that the company is European-based, with its headquarters currently in Blagnac, France. Airbus began as a consortium (a group) of aircraft makers called Airbus Industrie. Later, in 2001, it became a joint-stock company.
It is surprising that the company’s spokesperson has expressed confidence that it has the portfolio to fill not only the air-transport requirements of the Philippines but also maritime security requirements. Arbus, after all, has established a reputation for being the second largest space company after Boeing. Our surprise comes from the fact that there has been fairly recent news identifying which countries we would rely on for modernization requirements.
It may be recalled that in August of this year, the Department of National Defense (DND), as represented by its spokesman Arsenio Andolong, has stated that it would only procure submarines and other equipment that is in line with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) modernization program. Horizon Two of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP) has a budget of P300 billion, from which the amount for purchasing the country’s first submarines can be sourced.
In that matter of submarine acquisition, Russia is the country that comes to mind considering that Russia has pledged to help the Philippine Navy in its modernization plans in terms of training and maintenance, particularly in a submarine project. A project with Russia involves the acquisition of the Philippines’ very first diesel-electric submarines, and a Submarine Group has even been formed to oversee it.
As for air-transport requirements: President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to procure air-transport and intelligence-gathering equipment only from Israel. The reason behind the said order is that Duterte believes that the Middle Eastern country would not use such equipment or aircraft to spy on the Philippine government’s activities.
Be that as it may, Duterte’s mind has changed before. We have to wonder where Pelissier is coming from with his unguarded optimism. Is a deal with the Philippine government already being made months before it will be reported? It may be that said optimism is based on his informed opinion that Airbus offers good value for money.
https://www.technochops.com/european-company-expresses-optimism-in-filling-afp-modernization-requirements/12622/
A company named Airbus Defence and Space, through its representative, has expressed optimism that it could fill the requirements of the Philippines’ Armed Forces modernization program. The statement was made by Airbus Defence and Space head of Southeast Asia Johan Pelissier.
Many of us Filipinos are not familiar with Airbus Defence and Space: what country does it originate from? A Google check reveals that the company is European-based, with its headquarters currently in Blagnac, France. Airbus began as a consortium (a group) of aircraft makers called Airbus Industrie. Later, in 2001, it became a joint-stock company.
It is surprising that the company’s spokesperson has expressed confidence that it has the portfolio to fill not only the air-transport requirements of the Philippines but also maritime security requirements. Arbus, after all, has established a reputation for being the second largest space company after Boeing. Our surprise comes from the fact that there has been fairly recent news identifying which countries we would rely on for modernization requirements.
It may be recalled that in August of this year, the Department of National Defense (DND), as represented by its spokesman Arsenio Andolong, has stated that it would only procure submarines and other equipment that is in line with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) modernization program. Horizon Two of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP) has a budget of P300 billion, from which the amount for purchasing the country’s first submarines can be sourced.
In that matter of submarine acquisition, Russia is the country that comes to mind considering that Russia has pledged to help the Philippine Navy in its modernization plans in terms of training and maintenance, particularly in a submarine project. A project with Russia involves the acquisition of the Philippines’ very first diesel-electric submarines, and a Submarine Group has even been formed to oversee it.
As for air-transport requirements: President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to procure air-transport and intelligence-gathering equipment only from Israel. The reason behind the said order is that Duterte believes that the Middle Eastern country would not use such equipment or aircraft to spy on the Philippine government’s activities.
Be that as it may, Duterte’s mind has changed before. We have to wonder where Pelissier is coming from with his unguarded optimism. Is a deal with the Philippine government already being made months before it will be reported? It may be that said optimism is based on his informed opinion that Airbus offers good value for money.
https://www.technochops.com/european-company-expresses-optimism-in-filling-afp-modernization-requirements/12622/
S&T Motiv, United Defense agree Philippine joint venture
From Jane's 360 (Sep 27): S&T Motiv, United Defense agree Philippine joint venture
South Korean company S&T Motiv has signed an agreement with Philippine firm United Defense Manufacturing Corporation (UDMC) to establish a joint venture (JV) to meet the firearms requirements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Officials from the two companies, which specialise in producing firearms and ammunition, said on 27 September that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) will initially be focused on facilitating collaboration but will eventually lead to investment from both sides to support the local production of S&T Motiv products in the Philippines.
Under the agreement S&T Motiv will transfer technologies and technical know-how to UDMC. Collaboration between the two companies will also be focused on joint research and development (R&D), marketing, and distribution, officials told Jane’s at the Asian Defence and Security (ADAS) 2018 exhibition in Manila.
[Subscription required to read full article]
https://www.janes.com/article/83411/s-t-motiv-united-defense-agree-philippine-joint-venture
South Korean company S&T Motiv has signed an agreement with Philippine firm United Defense Manufacturing Corporation (UDMC) to establish a joint venture (JV) to meet the firearms requirements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Officials from the two companies, which specialise in producing firearms and ammunition, said on 27 September that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) will initially be focused on facilitating collaboration but will eventually lead to investment from both sides to support the local production of S&T Motiv products in the Philippines.
Under the agreement S&T Motiv will transfer technologies and technical know-how to UDMC. Collaboration between the two companies will also be focused on joint research and development (R&D), marketing, and distribution, officials told Jane’s at the Asian Defence and Security (ADAS) 2018 exhibition in Manila.
[Subscription required to read full article]
https://www.janes.com/article/83411/s-t-motiv-united-defense-agree-philippine-joint-venture
2 more Red rebels slain in Philippine encounter
From the Gulf Today (Sep 29): 2 more Red rebels slain in Philippine encounter
Two more members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in their increasing clashes with government forces in Sorsogon province in the Bicol Region since the Duterte administration officially suspended peace talks with them.
Chief Inspector Maria Luisa Calubaquib, the spokesman of the Bicol regional police, reported the encounter occurred late on Thursday afternoon in a remote “barangay” (village) in the town of Bulan, Sorsogon.
Calubaquib said government forces were on security patrol when they clashed with 15 NPA members who abandoned their two dead comrades as well as two rifles when they fled from the scene.
The police and military have noted the Bulan clash was the latest in the increasing number of encounters between government forces and the insurgents since President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte officially suspended their peace talks early this year.
The NPA is the armed component of the Communist Party of the Philippines that has been waging a Maoist-style insurgency against the government for 50 years, considered the longest in Asia and the Pacific.
Duterte ordered the suspension due to the unabated Maoist attacks on business establishments as well as remote military police outposts while their representatives were talking peace with their government counterparts in Oslo, Norway which has been brokering the negotiations.
In particular, Duterte accused the Maoists of engaging in massive extortion activities preying on business establishments, especially mining and bus companies, under the guise of demanding payment of “revolutionary taxes.”
http://www.gulftoday.ae/portal/2039ed22-2c34-4e56-8e38-8c605c99625e.aspx
Two more members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in their increasing clashes with government forces in Sorsogon province in the Bicol Region since the Duterte administration officially suspended peace talks with them.
Chief Inspector Maria Luisa Calubaquib, the spokesman of the Bicol regional police, reported the encounter occurred late on Thursday afternoon in a remote “barangay” (village) in the town of Bulan, Sorsogon.
Calubaquib said government forces were on security patrol when they clashed with 15 NPA members who abandoned their two dead comrades as well as two rifles when they fled from the scene.
The police and military have noted the Bulan clash was the latest in the increasing number of encounters between government forces and the insurgents since President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte officially suspended their peace talks early this year.
The NPA is the armed component of the Communist Party of the Philippines that has been waging a Maoist-style insurgency against the government for 50 years, considered the longest in Asia and the Pacific.
Duterte ordered the suspension due to the unabated Maoist attacks on business establishments as well as remote military police outposts while their representatives were talking peace with their government counterparts in Oslo, Norway which has been brokering the negotiations.
In particular, Duterte accused the Maoists of engaging in massive extortion activities preying on business establishments, especially mining and bus companies, under the guise of demanding payment of “revolutionary taxes.”
http://www.gulftoday.ae/portal/2039ed22-2c34-4e56-8e38-8c605c99625e.aspx
Army meets 19 Himamaylan village chiefs
From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Sep 27): Army meets 19 Himamaylan village chiefs
THE 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army met with 19 village chiefs in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental Monday, September 24.
The meeting was presided by Barangay Captain Benjamin Jose Sian of III-Poblacion, president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) at the City Hall.
Lieutenant Colonel Egberto Dacoscos, commanding Officer of the 62nd IB, in a press release, said they informed them about the alleged propaganda of terrorist groups like the way they exploit issues to influence and create an organization that will go against the government.
They should not be deceived by the issues being propagated by the anti-people and anti-peace terrorist group. They should be reminded who are the real enemies and that the legitimate soldiers are always ready to bring peace and progress, he added.
Dacoscos shared to the village chiefs the incident that happened at Panciao, Manjuyod in Negros Oriental, showing the "merciless acts" done by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) by killing a barangay captain.
Dacoscos reminded them to give their full support to the government to avoid the recurrence of the same incident.
"We are of peace and not on threatening others. Your full support is highly needed in order to meet the objective of winning peace because we cannot succeed if only our organization puts endeavor for this. This is a collaborative effort," he said.
They were also given updates on the Community Support Programs (CSP) of the military in villages of Buenavista, Carabalan, and Mahalang.
A video on peace rally in the province was also presented to show that the NPA group already succeeded in organizing sympathizers.
A forum was also conducted after the talk.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1766389
THE 62nd Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army met with 19 village chiefs in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental Monday, September 24.
The meeting was presided by Barangay Captain Benjamin Jose Sian of III-Poblacion, president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) at the City Hall.
Lieutenant Colonel Egberto Dacoscos, commanding Officer of the 62nd IB, in a press release, said they informed them about the alleged propaganda of terrorist groups like the way they exploit issues to influence and create an organization that will go against the government.
They should not be deceived by the issues being propagated by the anti-people and anti-peace terrorist group. They should be reminded who are the real enemies and that the legitimate soldiers are always ready to bring peace and progress, he added.
Dacoscos shared to the village chiefs the incident that happened at Panciao, Manjuyod in Negros Oriental, showing the "merciless acts" done by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) by killing a barangay captain.
Dacoscos reminded them to give their full support to the government to avoid the recurrence of the same incident.
"We are of peace and not on threatening others. Your full support is highly needed in order to meet the objective of winning peace because we cannot succeed if only our organization puts endeavor for this. This is a collaborative effort," he said.
They were also given updates on the Community Support Programs (CSP) of the military in villages of Buenavista, Carabalan, and Mahalang.
A video on peace rally in the province was also presented to show that the NPA group already succeeded in organizing sympathizers.
A forum was also conducted after the talk.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1766389
Philippine Woman on ‘Terrorist’ List Wins Major UN Award
From BenarNews (Sep 28): Philippine Woman on ‘Terrorist’ List Wins Major UN Award
United Nations Champions of the Earth Award winner Joan Carling meets with an indigenous family in the Philippines. Screenshot courtesy the United Nations
A Filipina environmentalist and human rights campaigner tagged as a “terrorist” communist leader by the government is among this year’s recipients of a top UN environmental award, the world body said Thursday.
Joan Carling, an activist for the Indigenous Peoples Major Group for Sustainable Development, was named in February to a list of 600 alleged communist insurgents the government is asking a local court to classify as “terrorists.”
Carling received this year’s Champions of the Earth Award, described as the highest environmental award bestowed by the world body, for lifetime achievement. She joined Frenc
President Emmanuel Macron as well as Indian leader Narendra Modi in receiving the award, which was given during the UN’s 73rd UN General Assembly in New York.
Also on the list was Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the U.N. special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people, who, like Carling, has denied the accusation and claimed the terror tag has potentially placed their lives in danger. The U.N. has asked the government of President Rodrigo Duterte to remove both women from the list, a request it has so far rejected.
“I have dedicated my life to teaching about human rights. I have spent much of it campaigning for environmental protection and sustainable development. So, I was surprised to learn that I was labelled as a terrorist,” Carling said in a statement.
Since being named a “terrorist,” Carling said she has not been back to the Philippines fearing “for the safety of my family and friends.”
She said that while the red tagging has uprooted her, she is more motivated than ever. “I cannot give up the fight for my people.”
Kankanaey tribe
Carling traces her roots to the Kankanaey tribe in the northern Cordillera, a mineral rich northern Philippine region that sits on huge deposits of gold, copper and manganese.
The mountainous region, she said, is under threat from mining companies. She estimates that since 2000, more than half of the region was covered by mining permit applications.
Mining in the area has led to environmental disasters, including a typhoon-triggered landslide that hit the mining town of Itogon three weeks ago.
New People’s Army guerrillas gather at an undisclosed camp somewhere in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao in 2011. (Dennis Jay Santos/BenarNews)
Carling spent most of her youth in the mountains and recalled having seen the displacement of about 100,000 members of a tribal community by a huge hydroelectric dam. She said that those who had opposed the dam were jailed, and a tribal leader was killed.
“What I learned from indigenous communities is this – when we destroy our landscape, we destroy ourselves. By defending our land, we also defend our future and the generations to come,” she said.
Carlin said she earned death threats by saying massive mining operations and dam construction to extract resources were not in the name of development.
“Mines leave massive toxic waste, and communities collapse. These projects cause mass displacement, worsen poverty and destroy the cultural heritage of our people,” she said.
Both Carling and Corpuz have been included in the “terrorist” list because of their alleged ties to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, which has been waging Asia’s longest running insurgency since 1969.
When Duterte, a self-described leftist, took power in 2016 he immediately invited the CPP-NPA to the peace negotiating table, hoping to end the insurgency that has left thousands dead. He had also named several known leftists to his cabinet.
He ended peace talks with the communists in November 2017, saying the guerrillas had reneged on their commitment to peace when members continued with attacks despite a agreeing to a ceasefire.
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/environmental-award-09272018115755.html
United Nations Champions of the Earth Award winner Joan Carling meets with an indigenous family in the Philippines. Screenshot courtesy the United Nations
A Filipina environmentalist and human rights campaigner tagged as a “terrorist” communist leader by the government is among this year’s recipients of a top UN environmental award, the world body said Thursday.
Joan Carling, an activist for the Indigenous Peoples Major Group for Sustainable Development, was named in February to a list of 600 alleged communist insurgents the government is asking a local court to classify as “terrorists.”
Carling received this year’s Champions of the Earth Award, described as the highest environmental award bestowed by the world body, for lifetime achievement. She joined Frenc
President Emmanuel Macron as well as Indian leader Narendra Modi in receiving the award, which was given during the UN’s 73rd UN General Assembly in New York.
Also on the list was Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the U.N. special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people, who, like Carling, has denied the accusation and claimed the terror tag has potentially placed their lives in danger. The U.N. has asked the government of President Rodrigo Duterte to remove both women from the list, a request it has so far rejected.
“I have dedicated my life to teaching about human rights. I have spent much of it campaigning for environmental protection and sustainable development. So, I was surprised to learn that I was labelled as a terrorist,” Carling said in a statement.
Since being named a “terrorist,” Carling said she has not been back to the Philippines fearing “for the safety of my family and friends.”
She said that while the red tagging has uprooted her, she is more motivated than ever. “I cannot give up the fight for my people.”
Kankanaey tribe
Carling traces her roots to the Kankanaey tribe in the northern Cordillera, a mineral rich northern Philippine region that sits on huge deposits of gold, copper and manganese.
The mountainous region, she said, is under threat from mining companies. She estimates that since 2000, more than half of the region was covered by mining permit applications.
Mining in the area has led to environmental disasters, including a typhoon-triggered landslide that hit the mining town of Itogon three weeks ago.
New People’s Army guerrillas gather at an undisclosed camp somewhere in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao in 2011. (Dennis Jay Santos/BenarNews)
Carling spent most of her youth in the mountains and recalled having seen the displacement of about 100,000 members of a tribal community by a huge hydroelectric dam. She said that those who had opposed the dam were jailed, and a tribal leader was killed.
“What I learned from indigenous communities is this – when we destroy our landscape, we destroy ourselves. By defending our land, we also defend our future and the generations to come,” she said.
Carlin said she earned death threats by saying massive mining operations and dam construction to extract resources were not in the name of development.
“Mines leave massive toxic waste, and communities collapse. These projects cause mass displacement, worsen poverty and destroy the cultural heritage of our people,” she said.
Both Carling and Corpuz have been included in the “terrorist” list because of their alleged ties to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, which has been waging Asia’s longest running insurgency since 1969.
When Duterte, a self-described leftist, took power in 2016 he immediately invited the CPP-NPA to the peace negotiating table, hoping to end the insurgency that has left thousands dead. He had also named several known leftists to his cabinet.
He ended peace talks with the communists in November 2017, saying the guerrillas had reneged on their commitment to peace when members continued with attacks despite a agreeing to a ceasefire.
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/environmental-award-09272018115755.html
AFP claims seized laptops, documents prove 'Red October' plot
From GMA News (Sep 28): AFP claims seized laptops, documents prove 'Red October' plot
The military said it has recovered laptop computers and other documents from 13 alleged members of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in connection with the Red October plot that supposedly seeks to unseat President Rodrigo Duterte.
According to a report by Chino Gaston on “24 Oras”, Brig.Gen. Antonio Parlade,Jr., Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, claimed that these pieces of evidence were nabbed in a counter-insurgency operation in Northern Mindanao last July.
Other items confiscated were bank passbook, telephone and identification cards.
“From there, doon na namin nabuo na hindi lang pala dito sa Manila ang kanilang plano. Buong Pilipinas ang kanilang plano,” Parlade said.
The CPP had earlier denounced the AFP's claims as lies.
"This so-called Red October plot is nothing but an AFP invention. Like the rest of the AFP’s fakery, it is a poorly concocted story," the CPP said, adding that the military came up with the story as early as July.
The communist group said that the real aim of the government forces is "to justify the implementation of increasingly severe measures in the name of defeating the plot to target legitimate protest actions which express the sentiments of a disgruntled people."
Housing occupation
Parlade also accused communists of seeking to close down big companies by staging picket and rallies to sabotage the President, as well as occupying government housing projects just like what urban poor group Kadamay did in Pandi, Bulacan.
He was referring to the 5,000 Kadamay members who occupied the erstwhile unoccupied government housing in Pandi, Bulacan which were allotted for policemen, soldiers and firemen way back March 2017.
President Duterte eventually awarded the housing project to Kadamay occupants last May.
Parlade, however, could not say if National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raid in Teresa Rizal which yielded unlicensed assault rifles and pistols is in connection with the Red October plot. This is despite of the statement of Brigadier Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade, that the raid in Rizal was a result of “months of intelligence operations” against communist rebels and that the results of the raid prove that the Red October plot “cannot be downplayed.”
NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin said that they are yet to find evidence linking the raid to Red October plot.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/669427/afp-claims-seized-laptops-documents-prove-red-october-plot/story/
The military said it has recovered laptop computers and other documents from 13 alleged members of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) in connection with the Red October plot that supposedly seeks to unseat President Rodrigo Duterte.
According to a report by Chino Gaston on “24 Oras”, Brig.Gen. Antonio Parlade,Jr., Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, claimed that these pieces of evidence were nabbed in a counter-insurgency operation in Northern Mindanao last July.
Other items confiscated were bank passbook, telephone and identification cards.
“From there, doon na namin nabuo na hindi lang pala dito sa Manila ang kanilang plano. Buong Pilipinas ang kanilang plano,” Parlade said.
The CPP had earlier denounced the AFP's claims as lies.
"This so-called Red October plot is nothing but an AFP invention. Like the rest of the AFP’s fakery, it is a poorly concocted story," the CPP said, adding that the military came up with the story as early as July.
The communist group said that the real aim of the government forces is "to justify the implementation of increasingly severe measures in the name of defeating the plot to target legitimate protest actions which express the sentiments of a disgruntled people."
Housing occupation
Parlade also accused communists of seeking to close down big companies by staging picket and rallies to sabotage the President, as well as occupying government housing projects just like what urban poor group Kadamay did in Pandi, Bulacan.
He was referring to the 5,000 Kadamay members who occupied the erstwhile unoccupied government housing in Pandi, Bulacan which were allotted for policemen, soldiers and firemen way back March 2017.
President Duterte eventually awarded the housing project to Kadamay occupants last May.
Parlade, however, could not say if National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raid in Teresa Rizal which yielded unlicensed assault rifles and pistols is in connection with the Red October plot. This is despite of the statement of Brigadier Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade, that the raid in Rizal was a result of “months of intelligence operations” against communist rebels and that the results of the raid prove that the Red October plot “cannot be downplayed.”
NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin said that they are yet to find evidence linking the raid to Red October plot.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/669427/afp-claims-seized-laptops-documents-prove-red-october-plot/story/
Violence Resurfaces in Philippines Despite Autonomy Deal With Muslims
From the Voice of America (Sep 28): Violence Resurfaces in Philippines Despite Autonomy Deal With Muslims
FILE - President Rodrigo Duterte, center, and leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, including Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, left, Mohagher Iqbal, right, and Ghadzali Jaafar, second from right, hold together the signed "Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao" during a presentation at Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines, Aug. 6, 2018
Deadly violence has resurfaced in parts of the long-restive southern Philippines despite an autonomy-sharing deal with local Muslim groups, and authorities are eyeing terrorism by political factions excluded from the deal.
In late August and early September, two explosions hit the southern Philippine province of Sultan Kudarat. One killed two people and injured 30, domestic media reports say. The other killed three. In mid-September, an “improvised explosive device” injured seven people when it went off in General Santos City. Troops discovered other rebels mobilizing Sept. 21 for what they feared was an eventual attack.
Mindanao, Philippines
Southern cities have gone on high alert
The attacks follow decades of violence on the island of Mindanao, where about 120,000 have died because of fighting by Muslim rebels who want more resource control in the majority Christian country.
In August, the government approved a landmark law that gives Muslims in one tract of Mindanao more control. But not all 20 rebel groups were included.
Rebels who feel slighted have picked up the fight again, analysts say. They say some are inspired by Islamic State, a Middle Eastern terrorist group that has tried for the past few years to expand in Southeast Asia.
“ISIS-motivated and other Islamic groups are changing their tactics to hitting soft targets in the big cities and there seems to be a pattern to this, and I think this will be a copycat of what’s happened in the Middle East,” said Eduardo Araral, associate professor at the National University of Singapore’s public policy school.
The relatively cheap explosives resemble those of Islamic State, he added.
FILE - Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members secure Camp Darapanan on the southern island of Mindanao, July 29, 2018. Nearly 100,000 members of the Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group gathered to discuss a landmark law granting them autonomy.
Autonomy law not for everyone
Military officials believe the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a rebel group that splintered off from the one involved in signing the autonomy law, probably plotted the attacks. The group, better known by its acronym BIFF, broke off from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in part because it disputed the front’s earlier peace deals with Philippine officials.
The heavily armed front will take the lead in managing a roughly 13,000-square-kilometer autonomous region created by the July law. It will share some resources with the Philippine government and receive state post-conflict relief funding every year for a decade.
Experts say autonomy will work best if the front governs together with other rebel groups on the island of 21 million people.
FILE - A man is seen using a mobile phone while passing a shuttered store front with "MAUTE-ISIS" graffiti, in Marawi city, southern Philippines, Oct. 20, 2017. Maute, an Islamic State affiliate, was among groups the U.S. added to its terror list Tuesday.
Remnants from a separate group of rebels who lost a battle last year for control of the Mindanao city Marawi may have carried out the recent attacks, too, said Herman Kraft, political science professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Metro Manila. Troops fought for more than five months against the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group for control of central Marawi. About 1,100 people died in the fighting.
Explosions may show the remnants are coming back together and need recruits, Kraft said. Rebels have retrenched after defeats throughout recent Mindanao’s history.
“Some of these activities are ways of showing they’re still alive, that the prospect of establishing a province is in the works, so it’s more of a signal to locals that they ought to join, they’re not joining a dying revolution, so to speak,” he said.
Communist insurgency
An armed communist insurgency known as the New People’s Army (NPA) could also be plotting attacks, some experts say. The 3,200-person group attacks targets in other parts of the Philippines and has special appeal in Mindanao because of widespread rural poverty.
“Lots of armchair war strategists over here are a little bit leaning more toward that some of (the violence) may be NPA driven,” said Rhona Canoy, president of an international school and part of a political family in the Mindanao city Cagayan de Oro.
The communist group is plotting to oust Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a military unit in Mindanao was quoted saying Thursday. Duterte wants the communists to hold localized peace talks, but the NPA sister group, the Communist Party of the Philippines, rejects the idea as a divide-and-rule strategy.
A landmine that hurt two soldiers in Davao in July may have been planted by the New People’s Army, domestic media say.
Troops and national police have doubled down on security checkpoints in some spots since the latest attacks, Canoy said. The government placed Mindanao under martial law in mid-2017 through the end of this year with the possibility of extending it into 2019.
FILE - President Rodrigo Duterte, center, and leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, including Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, left, Mohagher Iqbal, right, and Ghadzali Jaafar, second from right, hold together the signed "Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao" during a presentation at Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines, Aug. 6, 2018
Deadly violence has resurfaced in parts of the long-restive southern Philippines despite an autonomy-sharing deal with local Muslim groups, and authorities are eyeing terrorism by political factions excluded from the deal.
In late August and early September, two explosions hit the southern Philippine province of Sultan Kudarat. One killed two people and injured 30, domestic media reports say. The other killed three. In mid-September, an “improvised explosive device” injured seven people when it went off in General Santos City. Troops discovered other rebels mobilizing Sept. 21 for what they feared was an eventual attack.
Mindanao, Philippines
Southern cities have gone on high alert
The attacks follow decades of violence on the island of Mindanao, where about 120,000 have died because of fighting by Muslim rebels who want more resource control in the majority Christian country.
In August, the government approved a landmark law that gives Muslims in one tract of Mindanao more control. But not all 20 rebel groups were included.
Rebels who feel slighted have picked up the fight again, analysts say. They say some are inspired by Islamic State, a Middle Eastern terrorist group that has tried for the past few years to expand in Southeast Asia.
“ISIS-motivated and other Islamic groups are changing their tactics to hitting soft targets in the big cities and there seems to be a pattern to this, and I think this will be a copycat of what’s happened in the Middle East,” said Eduardo Araral, associate professor at the National University of Singapore’s public policy school.
The relatively cheap explosives resemble those of Islamic State, he added.
FILE - Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members secure Camp Darapanan on the southern island of Mindanao, July 29, 2018. Nearly 100,000 members of the Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group gathered to discuss a landmark law granting them autonomy.
Autonomy law not for everyone
Military officials believe the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a rebel group that splintered off from the one involved in signing the autonomy law, probably plotted the attacks. The group, better known by its acronym BIFF, broke off from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in part because it disputed the front’s earlier peace deals with Philippine officials.
The heavily armed front will take the lead in managing a roughly 13,000-square-kilometer autonomous region created by the July law. It will share some resources with the Philippine government and receive state post-conflict relief funding every year for a decade.
Experts say autonomy will work best if the front governs together with other rebel groups on the island of 21 million people.
FILE - A man is seen using a mobile phone while passing a shuttered store front with "MAUTE-ISIS" graffiti, in Marawi city, southern Philippines, Oct. 20, 2017. Maute, an Islamic State affiliate, was among groups the U.S. added to its terror list Tuesday.
Remnants from a separate group of rebels who lost a battle last year for control of the Mindanao city Marawi may have carried out the recent attacks, too, said Herman Kraft, political science professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Metro Manila. Troops fought for more than five months against the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group for control of central Marawi. About 1,100 people died in the fighting.
Explosions may show the remnants are coming back together and need recruits, Kraft said. Rebels have retrenched after defeats throughout recent Mindanao’s history.
“Some of these activities are ways of showing they’re still alive, that the prospect of establishing a province is in the works, so it’s more of a signal to locals that they ought to join, they’re not joining a dying revolution, so to speak,” he said.
Communist insurgency
An armed communist insurgency known as the New People’s Army (NPA) could also be plotting attacks, some experts say. The 3,200-person group attacks targets in other parts of the Philippines and has special appeal in Mindanao because of widespread rural poverty.
“Lots of armchair war strategists over here are a little bit leaning more toward that some of (the violence) may be NPA driven,” said Rhona Canoy, president of an international school and part of a political family in the Mindanao city Cagayan de Oro.
The communist group is plotting to oust Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a military unit in Mindanao was quoted saying Thursday. Duterte wants the communists to hold localized peace talks, but the NPA sister group, the Communist Party of the Philippines, rejects the idea as a divide-and-rule strategy.
A landmine that hurt two soldiers in Davao in July may have been planted by the New People’s Army, domestic media say.
Troops and national police have doubled down on security checkpoints in some spots since the latest attacks, Canoy said. The government placed Mindanao under martial law in mid-2017 through the end of this year with the possibility of extending it into 2019.