Thursday, May 3, 2018

DWDD: ATROCITIES | NOLCOM condemns continuous NPA Illegal Acts

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (May 3): ATROCITIES  |  NOLCOM condemns continuous NPA Illegal Acts

 

CAMP GEN SERVILLANO AQUINO, Tarlac City – With the spate of atrocities recently in the area, the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) condemns the unlawful acts committed by the Communist New People’s Army Terrorist Groups (CNTGs) operating in Northern Luzon.

The most notable incident was the killing of a Catholic priest in Cagayan province, Father Mark Anthony Yuaga Ventura. The 37 year old parish priest of San Isidro Labrador Mission Station was gunned-down by unidentified riding in tandem assailants inside the gymnasium of Brgy Pena Weste, Municipality of Gattaran at 8:00 in the morning of April 29, 2018 (Sunday).

Accordingly, he had just finished his mass and was talking to the people when he was shot in the head and other parts of his body causing his instantaneous death. The perpetrators immediately withdrew to the direction Baggao, a known NPA lair in the province.



In another occasion, a female minor NPA member, alias Ka Trese, surrendered to the military and police authorities in Bontoc, Mt. Province in the midnight of April 28, 2018. She fell victim for three (3) years to the terrorist group’s deception strategy, headed by Commander Joshua in the town of Paracelis, when recruited as a child warrior since 14 years old.

Ka Trese was immediately rushed by the troops to Bontoc General Hospital for treatment upon being seen exhausted and confused, and later collapsed. She later turned-over the  subversive documents, cellular phones and ammunitions. Ka Trese also revealed that she was a red fighter of the New People’s Army (NPA), but eventually opted to surrender after experiencing sexual and physical abuses from his comrades from the Leonardo Pacsi Command.

NOLCOM hardly condemns these unlawful and terroristic acts against humanity. These are manifestations of the terrorist group’s disregard to people’s right, as well as the exploitation and abuse of minors. Also, the NPA atrocities and illegal recruitment clearly shows the violation of Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect to Human Rights and International Law (CARHRIL). NOLCOM / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/05/03/atrocities-nolcom-condemns-continuous-npa-illegal-acts/

ATROCITIES | NOLCOM condemns continuous NPA Illegal Acts

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (May 3): ATROCITIES  |  NOLCOM condemns continuous NPA Illegal Acts

 

CAMP GEN SERVILLANO AQUINO, Tarlac City – With the spate of atrocities recently in the area, the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) condemns the unlawful acts committed by the Communist New People’s Army Terrorist Groups (CNTGs) operating in Northern Luzon.

The most notable incident was the killing of a Catholic priest in Cagayan province, Father Mark Anthony Yuaga Ventura. The 37 year old parish priest of San Isidro Labrador Mission Station was gunned-down by unidentified riding in tandem assailants inside the gymnasium of Brgy Pena Weste, Municipality of Gattaran at 8:00 in the morning of April 29, 2018 (Sunday).

Accordingly, he had just finished his mass and was talking to the people when he was shot in the head and other parts of his body causing his instantaneous death. The perpetrators immediately withdrew to the direction Baggao, a known NPA lair in the province.



In another occasion, a female minor NPA member, alias Ka Trese, surrendered to the military and police authorities in Bontoc, Mt. Province in the midnight of April 28, 2018. She fell victim for three (3) years to the terrorist group’s deception strategy, headed by Commander Joshua in the town of Paracelis, when recruited as a child warrior since 14 years old.

Ka Trese was immediately rushed by the troops to Bontoc General Hospital for treatment upon being seen exhausted and confused, and later collapsed. She later turned-over the  subversive documents, cellular phones and ammunitions. Ka Trese also revealed that she was a red fighter of the New People’s Army (NPA), but eventually opted to surrender after experiencing sexual and physical abuses from his comrades from the Leonardo Pacsi Command.

NOLCOM hardly condemns these unlawful and terroristic acts against humanity. These are manifestations of the terrorist group’s disregard to people’s right, as well as the exploitation and abuse of minors. Also, the NPA atrocities and illegal recruitment clearly shows the violation of Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect to Human Rights and International Law (CARHRIL). NOLCOM / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/05/03/atrocities-nolcom-condemns-continuous-npa-illegal-acts/

DWDD: FRUSTRATED | Minor female NPA figured in Laak encounter surrendered

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (May 4): FRUSTRATED  |  Minor female NPA figured in Laak encounter surrendered

NAVAL STATION FELIX APOLINARIO, Panacan, Davao City (DWDD) – A 16-year-old female NPA yielded to government troops after an encounter in Laak, Compostela Valley Province on April 30, 2018



Accordingly, the surrender came after a team implementing a Community Support Program while conducting Public Information and “pulong-pulong” in Barangay Sonlon, Assuncion, Davao Del Norte was approached by a concerned citizen informing them of the intention of an individual to surrender.

In her revelation, the surrenderor identified only as Kara (name withheld) that she is part of the group and was involved in series of encounters in Sitio Lower Dalimdim, Brgy. Naga, Laak, Compostela Valley, along Sitio Rizal, Camadi District, and Sonlon, Asuncion, all of Davao del Norte in the afternoon of April 29, 2018.

The revelation of the minor resulted in the recovery of her AK 47 rifle which she accordingly hid near the first encounter site in Laak, Compostela Valley.

At present, the 60th Infantry Battalion is closely coordinating with the Municipal Social Welfare Office of Assuncion and the Philippine National Police in the area for the custody and proper intervention to the surrendered minor, in accordance to the protocol and standards of handling children in armed conflict.

It can be recalled that the series of encounters resulted to the death of one soldier identified as Private First Class Armand Sunga Campos, while four AK47, one Grenade Launcher, one M653, one M14 and four M16 rifles were recovered. Further, one unexploded Improvised Explosive Device (IED) belonging to the NPA terrorist was recovered by the government troops. EASTMINCOM / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/05/04/frustrated-minor-female-npa-figured-in-laak-encounter-surrendered/

Navy takes delivery of the ‘punch’ it needs

From Malaya Business Insight (May 3): Navy takes delivery of the ‘punch’ it needs

AN Israeli weapons manufacturer has delivered the Philippine Navy’s first missile system, which is now being fitted on three Multi-Purpose Attack Craft.

A senior Navy officer said the Spike-ER short-range surface-to-surface missiles, delivered by Rafael Advance Defense System, makes the Navy more credible in patrolling the country’s vast maritime territory.


“It was delivered about two weeks ago and the installation is ongoing,” said the official, who could not immediately say when the fitting actually started or when it will be completed.

Department of National Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong later confirmed the delivery of the missile system to the Navy. He said the missile system was delivered on the “third week of April.”

“The missile systems for the Philippine Navy’s MPACs have arrived in the country and are now undergoing Integration Phase under the guidance of the proponent, Rafael of Israel,” said Andolong.

“The missile-equipped MPACs will greatly enhance the Navy’s capability to secure our littoral areas against terrorism and in support of maritime law enforcement operations,” Andolong added.

Andolong and the Navy official could not immediately say the acquisition cost. The project was pursued by the defense and military established under the ongoing modernization program of the Armed Forces.

“We’ll have a punch already. Whether your target is a small or big ship, we’ll have a punch already...It makes the Navy more credible, it makes the Armed Forces credible. It means that we are more credible now in patrolling our AOR (area of responsibility),” the source said.

The Navy is at the forefront of guarding the country’s territorial waters, including the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea which is being disputed by Philippines, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan.

On whether the new capability will serve as a warning to countries that will encroach on Philippine waters, the source said: “It will be a deterrent because this time, we have a credible armament that can strike a punch whether the target is a small or large ship.”

The source said more Navy assets will be equipped with missile system. “This is just the initial three MPACs that will have missile-firing capability but the Philippine Navy will have more ships that will have missile-firing capability in the near future.”

The Navy currently has nine MPACs. The three MPACs that are currently being fitted with the missile system were constructed and delivered in May last year by the Subic-based Propmech Corporation.

“There will be more Navy assets that will have missile-firing capability. These (MPACs) are the first assets that will have missile-firing capability but there will be more Navy ships that will be installed with missile-firing equipment in the near future,” he added.

In its website, Rafael ADS said its Spike-ER is a “is a Multi-purpose Missile system for operation in ranges up to 8 km.” It said Spike-ER weighs 34 kg and can be mounted light and heavier attack helicopters.

“Spike-R Missile includes an advanced tracker and can be fired in F and F (fire and forget mode) providing the rotary wing platform to ‘shoot and scoot’ or engage multiple targets over a very short time,” it said.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/navy-takes-delivery-%E2%80%98punch%E2%80%99-it-needs

NPA surrenders in Malita municipality

From the Manila Times (May 3): NPA surrenders in Malita municipality

AN ALLEGED member of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in Davao Occidental turned over his firearm after surrendering to the 73rd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Little Baguio, Malita, Davao Occidental on May 1.Capt. McGary Dida, the civil-military operations officer of 1002nd Infantry Brigade, identified him as Juanito alias Payat, 35, resident of Barangay Little Baguio, Malita, Davao Occidental. He brought along his M1 Carbine rifle.

“I left the armed group because of fear of being caught in the firefight during the encounter, I am tired of hiding from the government troops,” Oday said.

Last week, a series of encounters transpired in Malapatan, Sarangani province that resulted to the apprehension of three NPAs and the recovery of two high-powered firearms (one M16 and one Carbine) and one low-powered firearm.

“With our intensive security operations and continuous collaborations with our local government units and other stakeholders, we can align our efforts in attaining a peaceful and conflict-resilient communities within our area of operation,” Lt Col. Marion Angcao, 73rd IB commander, said.

The former rebel will be presented to the LGU of Davao Occidental for immediate assistance and enrollment into the Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

“The brigade is always open for the NPAs who are willing to surrender and enjoy the peaceful life. The government has a program that will provide livelihood assistance to help them start a living,” Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan, 1002nd Infantry Brigade commander, said.

http://mindanaotimes.net/npa-surrenders-in-malita-municipality/

Sulu kidnappers demand P5M for release of abducted policewomen

From Rappler (May 2): Sulu kidnappers demand P5M for release of abducted policewomen

PNP chief Albayalde says government will not yield to the demand as they see kidnapping as a 'terror activity'

KIDNAPPED. Police Officer 2 Benierose Alvares and Police Officer 1 Dinah Gumahad are kidnapped in Sulu. Sourced photo

KIDNAPPED. Police Officer 2 Benierose Alvares and Police Officer 1 Dinah Gumahad are kidnapped in Sulu. Sourced photo

Kidnappers are demanding P5 million from the Philippine government for them to release two policewomen they abducted in Sulu on Monday, April 30.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said on Wednesday, May 2, that local officials have begun negotiating with the kidnapping group two days after the abduction took place.


"May mga negotiators tayo. We asked help from the local chief executives doon at ang hinihingi initially na ransom is P5 million (We have negotiators. We have asked help from local chief executives there and the initial ransom is P5 million)," Albayalde said in a chance interview

On Monday, April 30, Police Officer 2 (PO2) Benierose Alvarez, PO1 Dinah Gumahad, civilians Jakosalem Ahamad Blas, and Faizal Ahidji were captured in Patikul, Sulu, by what police and military have described in their reports as "lawless elements."

The police are currently looking into the ties of the still unnamed group with the terrorists Abu Sayyaf Group.

The army's Joint Task Force Sulu attempted to rescue the victims on Tuesday, May 1, but the encounter ended with the abductors escaping. The good news, Albayalde said, is "there is proof of life" as of Wednesday morning.

The PNP chief said it was unlikely they would yield to the demand of the captors.

"That's a terror activity so we do not give in to these kinds of demands," he said.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/201635-sulu-policewomen-kidnapping-2018-ransom

Police capture Sayyaf fighter, seized explosives in Zamboanga

From the Mindanao Examiner (May 2): Police capture Sayyaf fighter, seized explosives in Zamboanga

Police have captured an Abu Sayyaf militant and seized improvised explosives from his hideout in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials said Wednesday.

Officials said Sahibul Sailani, who also goes by the name of Abdurasad Ben Jabarani Adjail, was involved in at least 8 criminal cases, mostly kidnappings in Basilan province that transpired in June 2001.

Policemen recovered the Abu Sayyaf explosives when they searched Sailani’s house in Culianan village late Tuesday afternoon, according to Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, a regional police spokeswoman.


The 55-year old militant is currently under interrogation by the police to determine if his group is planning a terror attack in Zamboanga which was previously bombed by the Abu Sayyaf whose leaders pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

It was not immediately known how long Sailani had been in Zamboanga, just several nautical miles south of Basilan, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region and a stronghold of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf group. Or if he is also involved in the April 29 abductions of 2 police officers - PO2 Benierose Alvarez and PO1 Dinah Gumahad – and two civilians - Jakosalem Blas and Faisal Ahidji Hajiri – in Sulu’s Patikul town.

The victims were travelling on a motorcycle taxi when gunmen flagged down the vehicle in Liang village and seized them, Galvez said.

Alvarez is assigned with Engineering Service Division under the Regional Logistics Division of the local police force while Gumahad is assigned at the Midsalip municipal police station in Zamboanga del Sur province and was undergoing a 45-day Criminal Investigation Course. “The two police officers were on vacation in the province and had just finished visiting one of the famous beaches in Sulu, the Quezon beach, when the abduction occurred,” Galvez said.

“The Police Regional Office 9 is closely coordinating with the combined forces of Joint Task Force Sulu and Sulu police, the operating units’ tasks to conduct pursuit operation against the armed suspects to safely recover the victims,” she added.

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2018/05/police-capture-sayyaf-fighter-seized.html

Cop, 3 others killed in Nueva Ecija ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (May 2): Cop, 3 others killed in Nueva Ecija ambush

GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija -- A policeman and three civilians were killed in an ambush staged by more than 10 heavily armed men along the provincial road in Barangay Tampac 1 here at about 6:46 p.m. on Tuesday.

The attack by the alleged members of a robbery-hold-up gang also wounded two other policemen and two civilians.


Chief Insp. Jacqueline Gahid, information head of the Nueva Ecija Police, identified the fatalities as PO1 Ruben Badongen, Erick Fardo, and relatives Ronaldo and Alfonso Sambrano.

Wounded were PO3 Christopher Delfin, PO1 Mick Serrano, Raymundo Delfin, and Orlando Balmater.

“The three died on the spot while Badongen expired while undegoing medical treatment in a local hospital at around 10:44 p.m.,” Gahid said.

The victims were allegedly conducting surveillance for a possible operation against the group of Jay-Ar del Rosario, a robbery-hold-up and gun-for-hire criminal group operating in Nueva Ecija and nearby provinces, when their presence was noticed.

Investigation showed the victims were on board a Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia van with no plate number when more than 10 heavily armed men on board a motorcycle, black Honda CRV and white SUV without plate numbers, overtook and fired upon the victims’ vehicle.

“The criminal group tailed them and overtook their vehicle and simultaneously fired and an exchange firefight ensued,” Gahid said.

Noticeably, though, some fighting cocks were found inside the victims' vehicle.

The policemen were all detailed at the regional police's intelligence group.

Forensic investigators recovered several pieces of spent shells from various types of guns.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1033873

MILF gets P7-M mobile operating clinic from Turkey gov’t

From  the Philippine News Agency (May 2): MILF gets P7-M mobile operating clinic from Turkey gov’t






The government of Turkey has provided the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) with a PHP7-million mobile operating clinic in support to the government’s peace initiative in southern Philippines.



“Today marks another important milestone in delivering peace dividends to our people as we transition from conflict situation into just, honorable and lasting peace and sustainable development in the Bangsamoro,” MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim said in a statement delivered by MILF Central Committee secretary Muhammad Ameen.

The turnover program was held Tuesday in Camp Darapanan, the MILF’s main base, situated in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. Yasim Baktir, the Philippine Country Director for the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), handed over the key of the mobile clinic to Ameen, who in turn handed it over to the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA).

Murad, in the same statement, quoted a 2014 Bangsamoro Development Plan that showed less than half (46.7 percent) of the Bangsamoro households have access to healthcare facilities. Murad lauded TIKA and expressed gratitude for the donation on behalf of the Bangsamoro people.

Dr. Sherjan Kalim, the BDA focal person on health and improvement program, said the mobile operating clinic will help implement the Comprehensive Bangsamoro Health Development Program.

Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan, BDA chairman, said the mobile clinic was everyone’s dream during the early days of the BDA as most of them are medical practitioners who pooled their resources to help improve medical services in Muslim communities.

Dipatuan said the mobile operating clinic is the first of its kind in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that covers the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, and the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur and Basilan.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1033877

Sayyaf man, pal arrested; bomb-making components seized

From  the Philippine News Agency (May 2): Sayyaf man, pal arrested; bomb-making components seized



Soldiers inspect a passenger bus at the boundary of Zamboanga City and Zamboanga Sibugay to thwart entry of lawless elements to the city of Zamboanga, where a "No ID, No Entry" policy has been in effect since the imposition of Martial Law last year here in Mindanao. (File Photo: Teofilo P. Garcia Jr.)
Police arrested two people, including an alleged Abu Sayyaf bandit, and seized bomb-making components along the highway in this city’s eastern coast, police officials said Wednesday.

Chief Insp. Hazel Fernandez, Police Station 4 chief, identified the alleged Abu Sayyaf bandit as Abdurasad Adjail, 55, who carries the aliases of Sahibul, Sailani and Salip Utoh.

Fernandez said Adjail’s companion was identified as Evelyn Fernandez, 60, a resident of Barangay Sta. Maria, this city.



Police said Fernandez was released after they failed to establish her connection with Adjail.

Fernandez said Adjail and Fernandez were arrested aboard a passenger van in a checkpoint around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Culianan, this city.

Their arrest came after the police received report that they boarded a passenger van in the town of Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay en route to this city.

Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director, said the arresting team recovered bomb-making components from the suspects.

Police said there is a high possibility the suspects have knowledge in bomb-making based on the materials recovered from them.

Fernandez said Adjail has standing warrant of arrest for seven-count kidnapping and serious illegal detention issued by a court in Isabela City, Basilan.

Adjail is allegedly involved in the June 11, 2001 kidnapping of 15 workers from the Golden Harvest Plantation in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan province. Abu Sayyaf bandits beheaded five of the hostages while the remaining 10 have either escaped or rescued by pursuing military forces.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1033902