https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2208462526141812&set=a.1410454952609244&type=3&theater
GENERAL PEACE ASSEMBLY. @Camp Jabal Nur #LongliveMNLF
https://www.facebook.com/jabal.nur.98871
Monday, October 22, 2018
MNLF-Misuari Camp Jabal Nur: Photo: General Peace Assembly MNLF-Misuari
Posted to the Facebook page of Camp Jabal Nur of the Moro National Liberation Front-Misuari (Oct 20): Photo: General Peace Assembly MNLF-Misuari Camp Jabal Nur
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2208462526141812&set=a.1410454952609244&type=3&theater
GENERAL PEACE ASSEMBLY. @Camp Jabal Nur #LongliveMNLF
https://www.facebook.com/jabal.nur.98871
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2208462526141812&set=a.1410454952609244&type=3&theater
GENERAL PEACE ASSEMBLY. @Camp Jabal Nur #LongliveMNLF
https://www.facebook.com/jabal.nur.98871
MNLF-Misuari Camp Jabal Nur: Photos: General Assembly for the New Image of the MNLF-BAF
Posted to the Facebook page of Camp Jabal Nur of the Moro National Liberation Front-Misuari (Oct 20): Photos: General Assembly for the New Image of the MNLF-BAF
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2206890696298995&set=pcb.2206897706298294&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2206890872965644&set=pcb.2206897706298294&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2206891122965619&set=pcb.2206897706298294&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2206896899631708&set=pcb.2206897706298294&type=3&theater
GENERAL PEACE ASSEMBLY FOR THE NEW IMAGE OF MNLF-BAF.. Oct. 20.2018. @CAMP JABAL NUR madamba LDS .#ALLAHUAKBAR3X #FORTHEBANGSAMORO
https://www.facebook.com/jabal.nur.98871
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2206890696298995&set=pcb.2206897706298294&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2206890872965644&set=pcb.2206897706298294&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2206891122965619&set=pcb.2206897706298294&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2206896899631708&set=pcb.2206897706298294&type=3&theater
GENERAL PEACE ASSEMBLY FOR THE NEW IMAGE OF MNLF-BAF.. Oct. 20.2018. @CAMP JABAL NUR madamba LDS .#ALLAHUAKBAR3X #FORTHEBANGSAMORO
https://www.facebook.com/jabal.nur.98871
MNLF-Misuari/Ustadz Ibrahim: Photos: MNLF-BAF at Camp Omar in Davao Oriental
Posted to the Facebook page of Ustadz Murshi Ibrahim, Secretary General of the Moro National Liberation Front-Misuari (Oct 12): Photos: MNLF-BAF at Camp Omar in Davao Oriental
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=764308643920156&set=pcb.764308810586806&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=764308730586814&set=pcb.764308810586806&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=764308780586809&set=pcb.764308810586806&type=3&theater
Look at the MNLF-BAF at Camp Omar in Davao Oriental. They are armed with MNLF doctrine on Peace Advocacy and Egalitarianism.
https://www.facebook.com/ustadzmurshi.ibrahim.3?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=764308643920156&set=pcb.764308810586806&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=764308730586814&set=pcb.764308810586806&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=764308780586809&set=pcb.764308810586806&type=3&theater
Look at the MNLF-BAF at Camp Omar in Davao Oriental. They are armed with MNLF doctrine on Peace Advocacy and Egalitarianism.
https://www.facebook.com/ustadzmurshi.ibrahim.3?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf
MNLF-Misuari/Ustadz Ibrahim: Photo: MNLF Special Forces under the command of Commander Sultan Nurkhan Muhammad Pandita
Posted to the Facebook page of Ustadz Murshi Ibrahim, Secretary General of the Moro National Liberation Front-Misuari (Oct 19): Photo: MNLF Special Forces under the command of Commander Sultan Nurkhan Muhammad Pandita
MNLF SPECIAL FORCES UNDER THE COMMAND OF CMDR. SULLTAN NURKHAN MUHAMMAD PANDITA, CAMP OMAR MUKHTAR, MATANOG, ISRC.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=768220176862336&set=a.177576749260018&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/ustadzmurshi.ibrahim.3?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf
MNLF SPECIAL FORCES UNDER THE COMMAND OF CMDR. SULLTAN NURKHAN MUHAMMAD PANDITA, CAMP OMAR MUKHTAR, MATANOG, ISRC.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=768220176862336&set=a.177576749260018&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/ustadzmurshi.ibrahim.3?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf
CPP: Condemn Sagay massacre
Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 23): Condemn Sagay massacre
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) condemns in the strongest terms possible the massacre of nine farm workers in Hacienda Nene, Purok Fire Tree, Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City in Negros Occidental last Saturday evening.
The Sagay massacre is indubitably the handiwork of the big landlords and warlords and perpetrated by their military- and police-backed private armies. According to witness accounts, the farm workers were resting in a makeshift tent when around 40 armed men arrived past 9pm at the area and sprayed gunfire at them. The shooting lasted for ten minutes. The perpetrators then poured gasoline and set the place on fire burning three of the corpses.
The massacre took place in a 75-hectare sugarcane field. The farmers, who belonged to the National Federation for Sugar Workers (NFSW), were asserting their right to cultivate the idle land for food. Earlier that morning, they had started to till the land to plant corn and mongo.
The brutal Sagay massacre shows the extent of ruthlessness to which the ruling classes of big landlords resort to in order to defend their interests in the face of a restive and assertive peasant masses. Big landlords, who contribute nothing to production, accumulate riches on the blood and sweat of the poor peasants and farm workers.
The Sagay massacre is the latest of the relentless fascist attacks against the peasant masses under the Duterte regime across the country. The brutal campaign of armed suppression is especially brutal in Negros where a number of peasant leaders and activists have been gunned down. There are at least 44 cases of political killings under the Duterte regime.
For having incited fascist impunity and state terrorism, the CPP holds the Duterte fascist regime ultimately responsible for the massacre. To deflect blame, Duterte’s officials are now scorning the farm workers for “illegal occupation” and defending the landlord for “defending his property.”
A few months ago, the Hacienda Nene farm workers were accused by the military as being supporters of the NPA. In its desperation to cover up the crime, Duterte’s police officials now accuse the NPA of having perpetrated the brutal massacre.
The Sagay massacre exemplifies why the masses of peasants and farm workers have taken up arms and continue to join the New People’s Army in large numbers. Their demand for land reform is at the center of the Party’s program. In the revolutionary areas across the country, mass campaigns are being carried out to fight the feudal oppression and exploitation of peasants.
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2018/10/22/condemn-sagay-massacre/
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) condemns in the strongest terms possible the massacre of nine farm workers in Hacienda Nene, Purok Fire Tree, Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City in Negros Occidental last Saturday evening.
The Sagay massacre is indubitably the handiwork of the big landlords and warlords and perpetrated by their military- and police-backed private armies. According to witness accounts, the farm workers were resting in a makeshift tent when around 40 armed men arrived past 9pm at the area and sprayed gunfire at them. The shooting lasted for ten minutes. The perpetrators then poured gasoline and set the place on fire burning three of the corpses.
The massacre took place in a 75-hectare sugarcane field. The farmers, who belonged to the National Federation for Sugar Workers (NFSW), were asserting their right to cultivate the idle land for food. Earlier that morning, they had started to till the land to plant corn and mongo.
The brutal Sagay massacre shows the extent of ruthlessness to which the ruling classes of big landlords resort to in order to defend their interests in the face of a restive and assertive peasant masses. Big landlords, who contribute nothing to production, accumulate riches on the blood and sweat of the poor peasants and farm workers.
The Sagay massacre is the latest of the relentless fascist attacks against the peasant masses under the Duterte regime across the country. The brutal campaign of armed suppression is especially brutal in Negros where a number of peasant leaders and activists have been gunned down. There are at least 44 cases of political killings under the Duterte regime.
For having incited fascist impunity and state terrorism, the CPP holds the Duterte fascist regime ultimately responsible for the massacre. To deflect blame, Duterte’s officials are now scorning the farm workers for “illegal occupation” and defending the landlord for “defending his property.”
A few months ago, the Hacienda Nene farm workers were accused by the military as being supporters of the NPA. In its desperation to cover up the crime, Duterte’s police officials now accuse the NPA of having perpetrated the brutal massacre.
The Sagay massacre exemplifies why the masses of peasants and farm workers have taken up arms and continue to join the New People’s Army in large numbers. Their demand for land reform is at the center of the Party’s program. In the revolutionary areas across the country, mass campaigns are being carried out to fight the feudal oppression and exploitation of peasants.
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2018/10/22/condemn-sagay-massacre/
CPP: Rejoinder to Malacañang’s outright lies regarding Sagay Massacre
Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 23): Rejoinder to Malacañang’s outright lies regarding Sagay Massacre
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) dismisses as outright lies the statements of Malacañang claiming that the NPA is behind the massacre of nine farm workers last Saturday in Hacienda Nene, in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
The CPP denounces Duterte and his officials for twisting facts and sowing disinformation to confuse the public and conceal the responsibility of the military- and police-backed private armies and paramilitary groups behind the Sagay massacre and the spate of killings against peasant leaders in Negros island.
Ultimately, it is Duterte himself who is culpable for having spread contempt for human rights and incited the AFP and PNP to commit widespread violence and mount attacks against the people under his Oplan Kapayapaan war of suppression.
The conjecture by police officials that the NPA committed the massacre to stir up the masses is garbage. Everyday, the peasant masses, especially in Negros, are roused to revolt by the the big landlords and the fascist regime who subject them to all forms of exploitation, oppression and armed violence.
The NPA is a largely peasant army that wages people’s war to advance their democratic demand for land reform. It will never put the peasant masses and people in harms way.
It exerts all effort to defend the lives of the peasants against the violent attacks of the rural despots and their armed goons.
It is the landlords of Negros and all over the country who zealously oppose land reform. They do not want to accede even a square inch of land to the peasants who are merely demanding the right to plant food crops in the small patches of land between or around the vast sugarcane haciendas.
The revolutionary authorities in Negros are now conducting its investigation into the Sagay massacre. A special people’s court can be convened soonest in order to try the criminals behind the massacre and heed the cry for justice of the peasants and farm workers.
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2018/10/23/rejoinder-to-malacanangs-outright-lies-regarding-sagay-massacre/
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) dismisses as outright lies the statements of Malacañang claiming that the NPA is behind the massacre of nine farm workers last Saturday in Hacienda Nene, in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
The CPP denounces Duterte and his officials for twisting facts and sowing disinformation to confuse the public and conceal the responsibility of the military- and police-backed private armies and paramilitary groups behind the Sagay massacre and the spate of killings against peasant leaders in Negros island.
Ultimately, it is Duterte himself who is culpable for having spread contempt for human rights and incited the AFP and PNP to commit widespread violence and mount attacks against the people under his Oplan Kapayapaan war of suppression.
The conjecture by police officials that the NPA committed the massacre to stir up the masses is garbage. Everyday, the peasant masses, especially in Negros, are roused to revolt by the the big landlords and the fascist regime who subject them to all forms of exploitation, oppression and armed violence.
The NPA is a largely peasant army that wages people’s war to advance their democratic demand for land reform. It will never put the peasant masses and people in harms way.
It exerts all effort to defend the lives of the peasants against the violent attacks of the rural despots and their armed goons.
It is the landlords of Negros and all over the country who zealously oppose land reform. They do not want to accede even a square inch of land to the peasants who are merely demanding the right to plant food crops in the small patches of land between or around the vast sugarcane haciendas.
The revolutionary authorities in Negros are now conducting its investigation into the Sagay massacre. A special people’s court can be convened soonest in order to try the criminals behind the massacre and heed the cry for justice of the peasants and farm workers.
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2018/10/23/rejoinder-to-malacanangs-outright-lies-regarding-sagay-massacre/
NDF/Sison: On the Right of Parties and Candidate to Campaign in Areas Administered by the People’s Democratic Government
Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Oct 22): On the Right of Parties and Candidate to Campaign in Areas Administered by the People’s Democratic Government
By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
As NDFP Chief Political Consultant, I know the following:
In the guerrilla fronts and other areas administered by the people’s democratic government of workers and peasants, political parties and candidates of all sorts have the right to campaign even in the elections conducted by the reactionary government of big compradors, landlords and corrupt bureaucrats.
Such a policy of the people’s government is upheld by the CPP, NPA and NDFP, the local organs of political power and the mass organizations. The Duterte regime and its military minions are lying when they say that the NPA uses the election campaign period to extort from political parties and candidates by demanding payments for the permit to campaign.
The parties and candidates do not pay for any permit to campaign. It is simply ministerial for the people’s government to allow them to campaign, provided they do not enter the territory of the people’s government with an armed force or sacks of money to buy votes.
Sometimes, political parties and candidates offer contributions or donations to the socioeconomic and health programs of the people’s government. It is purely voluntary for them to make such offers. The revolutionary movement rejects offers of sham help from malevolent forces who oppress and exploit the people.
https://www.ndfp.org/on-the-right-of-parties-and-candidate-to-campaign-in-areas-administered-by-the-peoples-democratic-government/
By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
As NDFP Chief Political Consultant, I know the following:
In the guerrilla fronts and other areas administered by the people’s democratic government of workers and peasants, political parties and candidates of all sorts have the right to campaign even in the elections conducted by the reactionary government of big compradors, landlords and corrupt bureaucrats.
Such a policy of the people’s government is upheld by the CPP, NPA and NDFP, the local organs of political power and the mass organizations. The Duterte regime and its military minions are lying when they say that the NPA uses the election campaign period to extort from political parties and candidates by demanding payments for the permit to campaign.
The parties and candidates do not pay for any permit to campaign. It is simply ministerial for the people’s government to allow them to campaign, provided they do not enter the territory of the people’s government with an armed force or sacks of money to buy votes.
Sometimes, political parties and candidates offer contributions or donations to the socioeconomic and health programs of the people’s government. It is purely voluntary for them to make such offers. The revolutionary movement rejects offers of sham help from malevolent forces who oppress and exploit the people.
https://www.ndfp.org/on-the-right-of-parties-and-candidate-to-campaign-in-areas-administered-by-the-peoples-democratic-government/
NDF/NDFP RWC-SER: NDFP RWC-SER: Sagay 9 massacre underscores evils of hacienda system and the need for genuine agrarian reform
NDFP RWC-SER propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Oct 22): NDFP RWC-SER: Sagay 9 massacre underscores evils of hacienda system and the need for genuine agrarian reform
Juliet de Lima
Chairperson NDFP RWC-SER
ndfp.caser@gmail.com
October 22, 2018
The NDFP Reciprocal Working Committee on Social and Economic Reforms (RWC-SER) strongly condemns the massacre of nine peasants, including two minors, in Sagay City, Negros Occidental on the night of October 20.
The victims, who were members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), were having supper after working on their land cultivation area in the 75-hectare Hacienda Nene in Barangay Bulanon as part of efforts to stave off hunger during the “tiempo muerto” or dead season in the sugar industry. The peasants plant food crops to feed their families in idle lands that are already covered by, but remain undistributed under the government’s land reform program.
This massacre bring to 197 the total number of peasants killed under the Duterte regime in connection with agrarian struggles.
The murder of the Sagay 9 underscores the evils of the hacienda system and the failure of the GRP to effect social justice through genuine agrarian reform.
As long as a handful of landlords monopolize land ownership and perpetuate their power through force, the Sagay 9 will not be the last victims of agrarian-related violence. Agrarian unrest will persist as the peasant masses continue to suffer from widespread poverty, high indebtedness, severe hunger and malnutrition.
President Rodrigo Duterte and the militarists in his cabinet have blood on their hands for terminating the peace negotiations that would have resulted in the adoption of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER)’s section on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ARRD).
The draft ARRD, which was scheduled for signing last November before Duterte abruptly cancelled the peace talks provides for the free distribution of big landholdings and landed estates including lands targeted by the government for distribution, haciendas that are under the control of private individuals or entities, disputed lands with local agrarian reform and peasant struggles and lands already occupied by farmers through various forms of land cultivation and collective farming activities.
The break-up of land monopolies and free land distribution are the just, necessary and urgent corrective measures to the centuries-old social injustices suffered by the peasantry.
https://www.ndfp.org/ndfp-rwc-ser-sagay-9-massacre-underscores-evils-of-hacienda-system-and-the-need-for-genuine-agrarian-reform/
Juliet de Lima
Chairperson NDFP RWC-SER
ndfp.caser@gmail.com
October 22, 2018
The NDFP Reciprocal Working Committee on Social and Economic Reforms (RWC-SER) strongly condemns the massacre of nine peasants, including two minors, in Sagay City, Negros Occidental on the night of October 20.
The victims, who were members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), were having supper after working on their land cultivation area in the 75-hectare Hacienda Nene in Barangay Bulanon as part of efforts to stave off hunger during the “tiempo muerto” or dead season in the sugar industry. The peasants plant food crops to feed their families in idle lands that are already covered by, but remain undistributed under the government’s land reform program.
This massacre bring to 197 the total number of peasants killed under the Duterte regime in connection with agrarian struggles.
The murder of the Sagay 9 underscores the evils of the hacienda system and the failure of the GRP to effect social justice through genuine agrarian reform.
As long as a handful of landlords monopolize land ownership and perpetuate their power through force, the Sagay 9 will not be the last victims of agrarian-related violence. Agrarian unrest will persist as the peasant masses continue to suffer from widespread poverty, high indebtedness, severe hunger and malnutrition.
President Rodrigo Duterte and the militarists in his cabinet have blood on their hands for terminating the peace negotiations that would have resulted in the adoption of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER)’s section on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ARRD).
The draft ARRD, which was scheduled for signing last November before Duterte abruptly cancelled the peace talks provides for the free distribution of big landholdings and landed estates including lands targeted by the government for distribution, haciendas that are under the control of private individuals or entities, disputed lands with local agrarian reform and peasant struggles and lands already occupied by farmers through various forms of land cultivation and collective farming activities.
The break-up of land monopolies and free land distribution are the just, necessary and urgent corrective measures to the centuries-old social injustices suffered by the peasantry.
https://www.ndfp.org/ndfp-rwc-ser-sagay-9-massacre-underscores-evils-of-hacienda-system-and-the-need-for-genuine-agrarian-reform/
NDF/Agcaoili: Walk the talk? Panelo needs a fact-check
Fidel V. Agcaoili propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Oct 23): Walk the talk? Panelo needs a fact-check
FIDEL V. AGCAOILI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
Press Statement
October 23, 2018
NDFP Negotiating Panel Chair Fidel Agcaoili answers questions from the press during the aborted 5th round of talks last May 2017 in Noordwijk. NDFP archive photo
Newly appointed presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo was conveniently suffering from amnesia when he challenged the NDFP’s Chief Political Consultant Prof. Jose Ma. Sison to “walk the talk” and support President Rodrigo Duterte’s “call for conciliation…and peace….”
I believe that a quick fact-check can help disabuse him of his befuddlement.
Since May 2017, President Duterte has terminated the peace negotiations with the NDFP three times and foiled every attempt to resume these through back channel talks. Last August 14, he appeared to have terminated the peace talks for the fourth time.
At any rate, during the third termination in November 2017, President Duterte issued Proclamation 360, ending the peace negotiations.
To date, he has not revoked this proclamation. During the last back channel talks from March to June 2018, committees under the NDFP and GRP negotiating panels worked out a number of unprecedented agreements on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development and National Industrialization and Economic Development, which constitute the bedrock sections of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER).
Also hammered out was an Amnesty Proclamation for all NDFP-listed political prisoners to be signed and certified by President Duterte as urgent to obtain the concurrence of Congress in order to effect their expeditious release.
And there was an agreement for a Coordinated Unilateral Ceasefire which would have taken effect upon signing by the Negotiating Panels. The CUC was conceptualized to evolve into a bilateral ceasefire.
Together, these three agreements would have constituted the Interim Peace Agreement to be signed at the scheduled resumption of formal talks in Oslo last June 28 to 30.
Never have the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations advanced to this level. But for his own vile reasons, President Duterte has chosen to terminate the talks right at the brink of all these breakthroughs.
Imagine the time wasted, the effort squandered. Imagine the lives that could have been saved on both sides of the armed conflict.
In his latest policy-setting speech during the State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Duterte made no mention of the peace talks. His latest speech in Davao City merely mentioned surrender talks, and enticements to individual NPA guerrillas who capitulate. Nowhere does he mention the meaningful reforms that should be in place to address the roots of the armed conflict.
Since then, the festering social problems that feed the fires of armed conflict have only worsened, as seen in the murder two days ago of nine sugar workers in Negros who were planting food crops on an idle piece of hacienda land so they could feed their hungry families.
As a testament to the utter failure of the GRP to effect social justice, the land remains undistributed 18 years after the sugar workers first petitioned the DAR for the estate to be placed under land reform coverage.
The urgency of implementing thoroughgoing reforms is undisputed. The NDFP has always been ready to negotiate with any GRP administration willing to forge the needed changes that could better the lives of the Filipino masses.
Atty. Panelo should break free from his stupor and instead ask his principal why he has kept on thwarting efforts to seek a negotiated solution to the country’s problems.
https://www.ndfp.org/walk-the-talk-panelo-needs-a-fact-check/
FIDEL V. AGCAOILI
Chairperson, NDFP Negotiating Panel
Press Statement
October 23, 2018
NDFP Negotiating Panel Chair Fidel Agcaoili answers questions from the press during the aborted 5th round of talks last May 2017 in Noordwijk. NDFP archive photo
Newly appointed presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo was conveniently suffering from amnesia when he challenged the NDFP’s Chief Political Consultant Prof. Jose Ma. Sison to “walk the talk” and support President Rodrigo Duterte’s “call for conciliation…and peace….”
I believe that a quick fact-check can help disabuse him of his befuddlement.
Since May 2017, President Duterte has terminated the peace negotiations with the NDFP three times and foiled every attempt to resume these through back channel talks. Last August 14, he appeared to have terminated the peace talks for the fourth time.
At any rate, during the third termination in November 2017, President Duterte issued Proclamation 360, ending the peace negotiations.
To date, he has not revoked this proclamation. During the last back channel talks from March to June 2018, committees under the NDFP and GRP negotiating panels worked out a number of unprecedented agreements on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development and National Industrialization and Economic Development, which constitute the bedrock sections of the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER).
Also hammered out was an Amnesty Proclamation for all NDFP-listed political prisoners to be signed and certified by President Duterte as urgent to obtain the concurrence of Congress in order to effect their expeditious release.
And there was an agreement for a Coordinated Unilateral Ceasefire which would have taken effect upon signing by the Negotiating Panels. The CUC was conceptualized to evolve into a bilateral ceasefire.
Together, these three agreements would have constituted the Interim Peace Agreement to be signed at the scheduled resumption of formal talks in Oslo last June 28 to 30.
Never have the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations advanced to this level. But for his own vile reasons, President Duterte has chosen to terminate the talks right at the brink of all these breakthroughs.
Imagine the time wasted, the effort squandered. Imagine the lives that could have been saved on both sides of the armed conflict.
In his latest policy-setting speech during the State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Duterte made no mention of the peace talks. His latest speech in Davao City merely mentioned surrender talks, and enticements to individual NPA guerrillas who capitulate. Nowhere does he mention the meaningful reforms that should be in place to address the roots of the armed conflict.
Since then, the festering social problems that feed the fires of armed conflict have only worsened, as seen in the murder two days ago of nine sugar workers in Negros who were planting food crops on an idle piece of hacienda land so they could feed their hungry families.
As a testament to the utter failure of the GRP to effect social justice, the land remains undistributed 18 years after the sugar workers first petitioned the DAR for the estate to be placed under land reform coverage.
The urgency of implementing thoroughgoing reforms is undisputed. The NDFP has always been ready to negotiate with any GRP administration willing to forge the needed changes that could better the lives of the Filipino masses.
Atty. Panelo should break free from his stupor and instead ask his principal why he has kept on thwarting efforts to seek a negotiated solution to the country’s problems.
https://www.ndfp.org/walk-the-talk-panelo-needs-a-fact-check/
NDF-National Council: Surrender talks are not peace talks
NDF-National Council propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Oct 23): Surrender talks are not peace talks
October 23, 2018
Judging from his latest statements, Rodrigo Duterte is as adamant as ever in refusing to conduct genuine peace negotiations.
Believing in his security cluster’s deluded projection of defeating the revolutionary movement by mid-2019, he is pouring billions of pesos into military operations that kill not only suspected NPA fighters but mainly unarmed political activists and suspected sympathizers of the revolutionary movement. Aside from this purely militarist approach, the Duterte regime has been aggressively pushing a program to inveigle revolutionaries and their supporters into surrendering.
This, and “localized peace talks” form the main content of the Duterte regime’s so-called other approaches to “peace.”
The Duterte regime has poured hundreds of millions of pesos into its Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) consisting of financial packages for surrenderers.
Duterte talks about providing financial assistance, housing and livelihood training to individual surrenderers. Nowhere in his or his militarist subalterns’ statements will you find anything that pertains to addressing the socio-economic roots of the armed conflict.
Instead, the Duterte regime has decided to invest heavily in programs like ECLIP that are nothing but big psywar gimmicks designed to achieve through propaganda what the militarists will never be able to achieve in reality–the demise of the revolutionary movement.
Duterte’s generals are, of course, all for ECLIP because much of the financial package ends up in their pockets and not with the “surrenderers” who are often ex-NPA guerrillas who had long returned to civilian life, or ordinary civilians rounded up and coerced into joining bogus surrender ceremonies.
The cause of peace will be better served if Duterte revokes Proclamation 360, resumes peace talks with the NDFP and stops his security cluster from sabotaging honest to goodness efforts to arrive at a negotiated solution to the raging civil war.
https://www.ndfp.org/surrender-talks-are-not-peace-talks/
October 23, 2018
Judging from his latest statements, Rodrigo Duterte is as adamant as ever in refusing to conduct genuine peace negotiations.
Believing in his security cluster’s deluded projection of defeating the revolutionary movement by mid-2019, he is pouring billions of pesos into military operations that kill not only suspected NPA fighters but mainly unarmed political activists and suspected sympathizers of the revolutionary movement. Aside from this purely militarist approach, the Duterte regime has been aggressively pushing a program to inveigle revolutionaries and their supporters into surrendering.
This, and “localized peace talks” form the main content of the Duterte regime’s so-called other approaches to “peace.”
The Duterte regime has poured hundreds of millions of pesos into its Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) consisting of financial packages for surrenderers.
Duterte talks about providing financial assistance, housing and livelihood training to individual surrenderers. Nowhere in his or his militarist subalterns’ statements will you find anything that pertains to addressing the socio-economic roots of the armed conflict.
Instead, the Duterte regime has decided to invest heavily in programs like ECLIP that are nothing but big psywar gimmicks designed to achieve through propaganda what the militarists will never be able to achieve in reality–the demise of the revolutionary movement.
Duterte’s generals are, of course, all for ECLIP because much of the financial package ends up in their pockets and not with the “surrenderers” who are often ex-NPA guerrillas who had long returned to civilian life, or ordinary civilians rounded up and coerced into joining bogus surrender ceremonies.
The cause of peace will be better served if Duterte revokes Proclamation 360, resumes peace talks with the NDFP and stops his security cluster from sabotaging honest to goodness efforts to arrive at a negotiated solution to the raging civil war.
https://www.ndfp.org/surrender-talks-are-not-peace-talks/
NDF/Sison: Duterte regime, AFP & PNP are culpable for Sagay 9 massacre
Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Oct 23): Duterte regime, AFP & PNP are culpable for Sagay 9 massacre
Comment by Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
October 23, 2018
Latest report from the Department of Agrarian Reform, a civilian government agency, is to the effect that the so-called Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPA) is probably responsible for the massacre of the nine farmers in Hacienda Nene of Sagay, Negros Ocidental. This contradicts the earlier claims of Duterte and his military minions that the NPA is responsible for the massacre.
The so-called RPA has long been a paramilitary auxiliary of the AFP and PNP and is practically a private gang of the provincial governor and sugar landlords. However. The Duterte regime, the AFP and PNP cannot escape responsibility for the continuing existence and crimes of the RPA. The RPA always operates under the command and direction of the AFP and the PNP.
The culpability of the Duterte regime, AFP and PNP for the massacre of nine farmers is emphasized by their baseless blaming of the NPA as the perpetrator. By blaming the NPA, the real perpetrators are covered up and go scotfree after murdering the poor farmers, including two minors. This is in line with the Duterte policy of killing poor people with impunity.
The people know very well that the victimized farmers belong to the National Federation of Sugar Workers, which the AFP and PNP have long accused of being a ”front” organization of the CPP and NPA. But the Duterte regime. AFP and PNP know no bounds for outrightly lying and self-contradiction when they commit crimes against the poor with impunity.
https://www.ndfp.org/duterte-regime-afp-pnp-are-culpable-for-sagay-9-massacre/
Comment by Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
October 23, 2018
Latest report from the Department of Agrarian Reform, a civilian government agency, is to the effect that the so-called Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPA) is probably responsible for the massacre of the nine farmers in Hacienda Nene of Sagay, Negros Ocidental. This contradicts the earlier claims of Duterte and his military minions that the NPA is responsible for the massacre.
The so-called RPA has long been a paramilitary auxiliary of the AFP and PNP and is practically a private gang of the provincial governor and sugar landlords. However. The Duterte regime, the AFP and PNP cannot escape responsibility for the continuing existence and crimes of the RPA. The RPA always operates under the command and direction of the AFP and the PNP.
The culpability of the Duterte regime, AFP and PNP for the massacre of nine farmers is emphasized by their baseless blaming of the NPA as the perpetrator. By blaming the NPA, the real perpetrators are covered up and go scotfree after murdering the poor farmers, including two minors. This is in line with the Duterte policy of killing poor people with impunity.
The people know very well that the victimized farmers belong to the National Federation of Sugar Workers, which the AFP and PNP have long accused of being a ”front” organization of the CPP and NPA. But the Duterte regime. AFP and PNP know no bounds for outrightly lying and self-contradiction when they commit crimes against the poor with impunity.
https://www.ndfp.org/duterte-regime-afp-pnp-are-culpable-for-sagay-9-massacre/
NDF/Sison: On Duterte’s bait of housing, jobs and cash rewards
Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Website (Oct 23): On Duterte’s bait of housing, jobs and cash rewards
Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
October 23, 2018
Duterte and his political and military minions talk as if they had all the money in the world to buy or bribe every one of the thousands of NPA Red fighters, the tens of thousands in the people’s militia, the hundreds of thousands in self-defense units of the rural based mass organizations and even the millions of the revolutionary masses.
The US-Duterte regime is in fact bankrupt. It is afflicted by bureaucratic corruption from the level of the President down, excessive expenditures for the military and police, graft-laden infrastructure projects, budgetary and trade deficits and growing foreign and local public debt.
Thus Duterte and his economic managers have callously raised the regressive tax burden at the expense of the ordinary consumers and have caused the prices of basic goods and services to soar. As a result, the broad masses of the people detest the Duterte regime for their economic hardship and suffering.
The discretionary and intelligence funds as well as the funds intended for expanding the armed forces have become the milking cows of Duterte and the highest military officers for their private enrichment. Lower level military officers have their own lucrative rackets in making expensive intelligence projects and in killing supposed NPA suspects to collect cash rewards.
The Red fighters of the NPA are well disciplined and intelligent enough to recognize that the offers of housing, jobs and cash rewards are a bait for a few gullibles to be entrapped in the scheme of military officers who can condemn them any time as having pretended to surrender or having gone back to the NPA and kill them to collect the cash rewards for killing NPA fighters.
https://www.ndfp.org/on-dutertes-bait-of-housing-jobs-and-cash-rewards/
Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
October 23, 2018
Duterte and his political and military minions talk as if they had all the money in the world to buy or bribe every one of the thousands of NPA Red fighters, the tens of thousands in the people’s militia, the hundreds of thousands in self-defense units of the rural based mass organizations and even the millions of the revolutionary masses.
The US-Duterte regime is in fact bankrupt. It is afflicted by bureaucratic corruption from the level of the President down, excessive expenditures for the military and police, graft-laden infrastructure projects, budgetary and trade deficits and growing foreign and local public debt.
Thus Duterte and his economic managers have callously raised the regressive tax burden at the expense of the ordinary consumers and have caused the prices of basic goods and services to soar. As a result, the broad masses of the people detest the Duterte regime for their economic hardship and suffering.
The discretionary and intelligence funds as well as the funds intended for expanding the armed forces have become the milking cows of Duterte and the highest military officers for their private enrichment. Lower level military officers have their own lucrative rackets in making expensive intelligence projects and in killing supposed NPA suspects to collect cash rewards.
The Red fighters of the NPA are well disciplined and intelligent enough to recognize that the offers of housing, jobs and cash rewards are a bait for a few gullibles to be entrapped in the scheme of military officers who can condemn them any time as having pretended to surrender or having gone back to the NPA and kill them to collect the cash rewards for killing NPA fighters.
https://www.ndfp.org/on-dutertes-bait-of-housing-jobs-and-cash-rewards/
DWDD: BILATERAL COOPERATION | 37th Chairmen’s Conference of the Republic of the Philippines – Republic of Indonesia (RP-RI) Border Committee
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 23): BILATERAL COOPERATION | 37th Chairmen’s Conference of the Republic of the Philippines – Republic of Indonesia (RP-RI) Border Committee
SURABAYA, Indonesia (DWDD) – 37th Chairmen’s Conference of the Republic of the Philippines – Republic of Indonesia (RP-RI) Border Committee at Surabaya, Indonesia from 16 to 19 October 2018.
Hosted by the Indonesian Government through the Second Fleet Command, Tentara Nasional Indonesia at Pulsatkaprang, Headquarters Second Fleet Command, TNI, Surabaya City.
This activity reaffirmed the existing mutual understanding on border relations and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
MCAG / NPAO / Photo Credit: @Jc Valencia
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/23/bilateral-cooperation-37th-chairmens-conference-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines-republic-of-indonesia-rp-ri-border-committee/
SURABAYA, Indonesia (DWDD) – 37th Chairmen’s Conference of the Republic of the Philippines – Republic of Indonesia (RP-RI) Border Committee at Surabaya, Indonesia from 16 to 19 October 2018.
Hosted by the Indonesian Government through the Second Fleet Command, Tentara Nasional Indonesia at Pulsatkaprang, Headquarters Second Fleet Command, TNI, Surabaya City.
This activity reaffirmed the existing mutual understanding on border relations and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
MCAG / NPAO / Photo Credit: @Jc Valencia
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/23/bilateral-cooperation-37th-chairmens-conference-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines-republic-of-indonesia-rp-ri-border-committee/
DWDD: NEUTRALIZED | Daesh-Inspired Terrorist AKP Sub-Leader dies in firefight with Government Troops
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 23): NEUTRALIZED | Daesh-Inspired Terrorist AKP Sub-Leader dies in firefight with Government Troops
MALUNGON, Sarangani (DWDD) – An Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines (AKP) Sub-Leader, Basser Sahak, died in an encounter with government troops from 27th Infantry “Action” Battalion, yesterday morning, October 22, 2018 at Sitio Gansidan, Barangay Daliao, Maasim, Sarangani.
Sahak was responsible for series of atrocities and bombings. He was one of the suspects charged with Multiple Frustrated Murder in connection to the IED explosion transpired last September 16, 2018 at Purok Malipayon, Barangay Apopong, General Santos City that injured at least 8 individuals.
Accordingly, Sahak was in-charge of liquidation operation and money-making activities. He managed the AKP finances and had direct contact with Abu Toraife, the leader of ISIS-Inspired Dawla Islamiya Group that operates in Maguindanao, Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
Further, troops recovered an M16 rifle w/ defaced serial number; 8 live ammunitions of M203 rifle; 3 cellular phones; several live ammunition, 1 long magazine and 2 short magazines of M16 rifle; 4 improvised anti-personnel mines with components; food supplies and personal belongings. Furthermore, cadaver of Sahak was turned over to Daliao Barangay Captain Aladin Tambingag and Maasim Municipal Kagawad Jovi Apit for proper disposition.
“1002nd Infantry Brigade intends to defeat this ISIS-inspired group like AKP by isolating them in order to apply focused military operations and avoid collateral damage. We are collaborating with other government agencies and civil society organizations aimed to address socio-economic conditions contributing to the resiliency of terror groups.” Brigadier General Roberto T Ancan, Commander of 1002nd Infantry Brigade said.
Meanwhile, Major General Noel S Clement, Commander of 10th Infantry “Agila” Division, lauded troops’ accomplishment and said “with people’s participation in our campaign against terrorism, we can detect, locate and neutralize terrorists. In this way, any possible threat will always be dealt with accordingly.” 10DPAO / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/23/neutralized-daesh-inspired-terrorist-akp-sub-leader-dies-in-firefight-with-government-troops/
MALUNGON, Sarangani (DWDD) – An Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines (AKP) Sub-Leader, Basser Sahak, died in an encounter with government troops from 27th Infantry “Action” Battalion, yesterday morning, October 22, 2018 at Sitio Gansidan, Barangay Daliao, Maasim, Sarangani.
Sahak was responsible for series of atrocities and bombings. He was one of the suspects charged with Multiple Frustrated Murder in connection to the IED explosion transpired last September 16, 2018 at Purok Malipayon, Barangay Apopong, General Santos City that injured at least 8 individuals.
Accordingly, Sahak was in-charge of liquidation operation and money-making activities. He managed the AKP finances and had direct contact with Abu Toraife, the leader of ISIS-Inspired Dawla Islamiya Group that operates in Maguindanao, Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
Further, troops recovered an M16 rifle w/ defaced serial number; 8 live ammunitions of M203 rifle; 3 cellular phones; several live ammunition, 1 long magazine and 2 short magazines of M16 rifle; 4 improvised anti-personnel mines with components; food supplies and personal belongings. Furthermore, cadaver of Sahak was turned over to Daliao Barangay Captain Aladin Tambingag and Maasim Municipal Kagawad Jovi Apit for proper disposition.
“1002nd Infantry Brigade intends to defeat this ISIS-inspired group like AKP by isolating them in order to apply focused military operations and avoid collateral damage. We are collaborating with other government agencies and civil society organizations aimed to address socio-economic conditions contributing to the resiliency of terror groups.” Brigadier General Roberto T Ancan, Commander of 1002nd Infantry Brigade said.
Meanwhile, Major General Noel S Clement, Commander of 10th Infantry “Agila” Division, lauded troops’ accomplishment and said “with people’s participation in our campaign against terrorism, we can detect, locate and neutralize terrorists. In this way, any possible threat will always be dealt with accordingly.” 10DPAO / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/23/neutralized-daesh-inspired-terrorist-akp-sub-leader-dies-in-firefight-with-government-troops/
Reds surrender in Capiz, Sibugay
From the Philippine Star (Oct 23): Reds surrender in Capiz, Sibugay
At least 59 communist rebels surrendered in Capiz and 16 others in Zamboanga Sibugay in the past two days.
At least 52 members of the Militia ng Bayan under the Komiteng Rehiyon Panay- Eastern Front Committee and eight New People’s Army (NPA) rebels turned themselves in to the municipal government of Cuartero town in Capiz and the 61st Infantry Battalion (IB).
The rebels surrendered a Garand, a caliber .45 pistol, 10 shotguns, two caliber .38 pistols, a hand grenade and various types of ammunition.
Col. Benedict Arevalo, 301st Infantry Brigade commander, said it took them six months to convince the communists to surrender.
Reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo showed that 15 of the surrenderees in Zamboanga Sibugay are also members of the Militia ng Bayan.
The rebels turned over a caliber .45 pistol and two shotguns.
Mayor Jarvis Acosta of Siay town and Lt. Col. Jonathan Obena, 44th IB commander, facilitated the surrender.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines gave assurance that the government is committed to ensuring the safety of the returnees from their former comrades.
Read more at https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/10/23/1862271/reds-surrender-capiz-sibugay#5mg55Yig5f0GSZWf.99
At least 52 members of the Militia ng Bayan under the Komiteng Rehiyon Panay- Eastern Front Committee and eight New People’s Army (NPA) rebels turned themselves in to the municipal government of Cuartero town in Capiz and the 61st Infantry Battalion (IB).
The rebels surrendered a Garand, a caliber .45 pistol, 10 shotguns, two caliber .38 pistols, a hand grenade and various types of ammunition.
Col. Benedict Arevalo, 301st Infantry Brigade commander, said it took them six months to convince the communists to surrender.
Reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo showed that 15 of the surrenderees in Zamboanga Sibugay are also members of the Militia ng Bayan.
The rebels turned over a caliber .45 pistol and two shotguns.
Mayor Jarvis Acosta of Siay town and Lt. Col. Jonathan Obena, 44th IB commander, facilitated the surrender.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines gave assurance that the government is committed to ensuring the safety of the returnees from their former comrades.
Read more at https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/10/23/1862271/reds-surrender-capiz-sibugay#5mg55Yig5f0GSZWf.99
No NPA permit to campaign fees — Joma Sison
From the Philippine Star (Oct 23): No NPA permit to campaign fees — Joma Sison
In a statement posted on the website of the National Democratic Front (NDF), Sison said candidates and political parties are also free to campaign in communist-influenced areas.
Communist rebels do not extort money from candidates, according to Jose Ma. Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
In a statement posted on the website of the National Democratic Front (NDF), Sison said candidates and political parties are also free to campaign in communist-influenced areas.
”Parties and candidates do not pay for any permit to campaign. It is simply ministerial for the people’s government to allow them to campaign provided they do not enter... with an armed force or sacks of money to buy votes,” Sison said.
However, he admitted that some political parties and candidates offer “donations.”
“It is purely voluntary for them to make such offer. The revolutionary movement rejects offers of sham help from malevolent forces who oppress and exploit the people,” Sison said.
He said the CPP, New People’s Army (NPA) and NDF adhere to the policy of no permit to campaign.
“The Duterte regime and its military minions are lying when they say that the NPA uses the... campaign period to extort from political parties and candidates by demanding payments for the permit to campaign,” Sison said.
Alway open to talks
Sison said the NDF is ”always open” to resume peace negotiations with the government.
”We can negotiate... only with the party with which we are at war. It is up to (President) Duterte to decide whether he is interested in peace negotiations. He is the one who terminated the... negotiations,” he said.
If peace talks will not resume under the Duterte administration, Sison said the CPP-NPA-NDF would wait for the next administration.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/10/23/1862280/no-npa-permit-campaign-fees-joma-sison
In a statement posted on the website of the National Democratic Front (NDF), Sison said candidates and political parties are also free to campaign in communist-influenced areas.
Communist rebels do not extort money from candidates, according to Jose Ma. Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
In a statement posted on the website of the National Democratic Front (NDF), Sison said candidates and political parties are also free to campaign in communist-influenced areas.
”Parties and candidates do not pay for any permit to campaign. It is simply ministerial for the people’s government to allow them to campaign provided they do not enter... with an armed force or sacks of money to buy votes,” Sison said.
However, he admitted that some political parties and candidates offer “donations.”
“It is purely voluntary for them to make such offer. The revolutionary movement rejects offers of sham help from malevolent forces who oppress and exploit the people,” Sison said.
He said the CPP, New People’s Army (NPA) and NDF adhere to the policy of no permit to campaign.
“The Duterte regime and its military minions are lying when they say that the NPA uses the... campaign period to extort from political parties and candidates by demanding payments for the permit to campaign,” Sison said.
Alway open to talks
Sison said the NDF is ”always open” to resume peace negotiations with the government.
”We can negotiate... only with the party with which we are at war. It is up to (President) Duterte to decide whether he is interested in peace negotiations. He is the one who terminated the... negotiations,” he said.
If peace talks will not resume under the Duterte administration, Sison said the CPP-NPA-NDF would wait for the next administration.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/10/23/1862280/no-npa-permit-campaign-fees-joma-sison
Army gives 931 medical help
From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 22): Army gives 931 medical help
The medical mission of the Philippine Army, in tandem with a parents teacher association, at the Guilhungan Elementary School in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, benefitted 931 civilians Friday.
Capt. Ruel Llanes, 303rd Infantry Brigade spokesman, yesterday said that soldiers offered medical and dental services and equipment and cateredto the civilians by combining resources and skills to provide quality health care needs and medical benefits for the students and parents of Guiljungan Elementary School.
Llanes said skilled soldiers also offered their expertise in haircutting, massaging, cooking, and party organizing.
Mayor John Rey Tabujara thanked the participants as well as other government agencies who shared their time, effort and skills in making the medical and dental mission in Guiljungan successful.
Tabujara also thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other stakeholders for working together to serve the people, especially in the depressed areas, who are in need of medical and dental attention.
Col. Alberto Desoyo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, “it makes us even more excited because this is the only time that we can share the kind of love that we give to our own children”
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/October/22/topstory11.htm
The medical mission of the Philippine Army, in tandem with a parents teacher association, at the Guilhungan Elementary School in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, benefitted 931 civilians Friday.
Capt. Ruel Llanes, 303rd Infantry Brigade spokesman, yesterday said that soldiers offered medical and dental services and equipment and cateredto the civilians by combining resources and skills to provide quality health care needs and medical benefits for the students and parents of Guiljungan Elementary School.
Llanes said skilled soldiers also offered their expertise in haircutting, massaging, cooking, and party organizing.
Mayor John Rey Tabujara thanked the participants as well as other government agencies who shared their time, effort and skills in making the medical and dental mission in Guiljungan successful.
Tabujara also thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other stakeholders for working together to serve the people, especially in the depressed areas, who are in need of medical and dental attention.
Col. Alberto Desoyo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, “it makes us even more excited because this is the only time that we can share the kind of love that we give to our own children”
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/October/22/topstory11.htm
Police tag NPA rebels as suspects
From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 22): Police tag NPA rebels as suspects
The Police Regional Office 6 yesterday tagged the New People’s Army as suspects in the mass murder of nine civilians Saturday night in Brgy. Bulanon, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, regional police director of Western Visayas, alleged in a statement that Under Oplan Bungkalan and Okupasyons, is a plan of the Communist Party of the Philippines- NPA to occupy private and government properties using their mass base.
This is the alleged motive behind the mass murder of nine farmers, he claimed.
Bulalacao also ordered the use of maximum police resources to speed up the arrest of suspects involved in the mass killing of civilians.
He also assured the families of the victims that they will not cease their efforts until the perpetrators are placed behind bars.
But former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said the Duterte administration and the Armed Forces of the Philippines should be held responsible for the massacre of the nine sugarcane workers in a farm in Sagay City
Colmenares and John Milton Lozande, secretary general of both Unyon ng Mangggawa sa Agrikultura (UMA), blamed the attack on the current administration and the AFP.
“That is really absurd because the issue of land is a legitimate issue. This is an attempt of the Duterte government to quell any form of protest by criminalizing legitimate demands,” Colmenares said in a statement yesterday.
Colmenares “vehemently condemned” the attack and recalled a statement of Brig. Gen. Eliezer Losanes, then commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, that the land cultivation areas (LCAs) being maintained by agricultural sugar workers and farmers in Negros Island were, in fact, communal farms of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
Renato Reyes of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan yesterday called for a swift investigation into the massacre of the nine farmers.
We condemn this atrocity and demand justice, Reyes said.
Bulalacao, who condemned what he described as “evil and cowardly act“of the perpetrators, ordered all police commanders in Western Visayas to exert effort to pre-empt and prevent similar incidents from happening, and stressed the need to also coordinate with the AFP and other agencies to ensure that it will not happen again.
The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade yesterday condemned the attack against civilians in Sagay City.
While he condemned the attack against individuals in Brgy.Bulanon, Sagay City, Col. Alberto Desoyo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said they are also condemning the attacks on unarmed off-duty Civilian Active Auxiliaries, retired AFP personnel and barangay officials, as well as the burning of construction equipment.
“We condole with the families of the victims and we are looking forward to any ways of helping them to ease the grief,” Desoyo said.
“We do not condone their acts,” Desoyo said, apparently referring to the occupation of the property by the victims in Hacienda Nene, Brgy. Bulanon, Sagay City.
Having no land to own does not permit us to commit illegal acts of taking over the land of others, he said.
Desoyo urged everybody to be honorable, despite of all the hardship intheir lives.
“Honor is one of the few things that make us human,” he said, adding, “I discourage those who are sowing the belief that it is all right to take another’s property, another’s life”.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/October/22/topstory3.htm
The Police Regional Office 6 yesterday tagged the New People’s Army as suspects in the mass murder of nine civilians Saturday night in Brgy. Bulanon, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, regional police director of Western Visayas, alleged in a statement that Under Oplan Bungkalan and Okupasyons, is a plan of the Communist Party of the Philippines- NPA to occupy private and government properties using their mass base.
This is the alleged motive behind the mass murder of nine farmers, he claimed.
Bulalacao also ordered the use of maximum police resources to speed up the arrest of suspects involved in the mass killing of civilians.
He also assured the families of the victims that they will not cease their efforts until the perpetrators are placed behind bars.
But former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said the Duterte administration and the Armed Forces of the Philippines should be held responsible for the massacre of the nine sugarcane workers in a farm in Sagay City
Colmenares and John Milton Lozande, secretary general of both Unyon ng Mangggawa sa Agrikultura (UMA), blamed the attack on the current administration and the AFP.
“That is really absurd because the issue of land is a legitimate issue. This is an attempt of the Duterte government to quell any form of protest by criminalizing legitimate demands,” Colmenares said in a statement yesterday.
Colmenares “vehemently condemned” the attack and recalled a statement of Brig. Gen. Eliezer Losanes, then commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, that the land cultivation areas (LCAs) being maintained by agricultural sugar workers and farmers in Negros Island were, in fact, communal farms of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
Renato Reyes of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan yesterday called for a swift investigation into the massacre of the nine farmers.
We condemn this atrocity and demand justice, Reyes said.
Bulalacao, who condemned what he described as “evil and cowardly act“of the perpetrators, ordered all police commanders in Western Visayas to exert effort to pre-empt and prevent similar incidents from happening, and stressed the need to also coordinate with the AFP and other agencies to ensure that it will not happen again.
The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade yesterday condemned the attack against civilians in Sagay City.
While he condemned the attack against individuals in Brgy.Bulanon, Sagay City, Col. Alberto Desoyo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said they are also condemning the attacks on unarmed off-duty Civilian Active Auxiliaries, retired AFP personnel and barangay officials, as well as the burning of construction equipment.
“We condole with the families of the victims and we are looking forward to any ways of helping them to ease the grief,” Desoyo said.
“We do not condone their acts,” Desoyo said, apparently referring to the occupation of the property by the victims in Hacienda Nene, Brgy. Bulanon, Sagay City.
Having no land to own does not permit us to commit illegal acts of taking over the land of others, he said.
Desoyo urged everybody to be honorable, despite of all the hardship intheir lives.
“Honor is one of the few things that make us human,” he said, adding, “I discourage those who are sowing the belief that it is all right to take another’s property, another’s life”.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2018/October/22/topstory3.htm
15 rebels surrender in ComVal since last week
From the Mindanao Times (Oct 22): 15 rebels surrender in ComVal since last week
Seven Communist rebels who surrendered to the 66th Infantry Battalion also brought their firearms, war materiel, and propaganda materials in New Bataan, Compostela Valley last week.
Capt. Jerry Lamosao, the spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said alias Bert was a member of the Yunit Pampropaganda Platun while alias Bryan was with the Sentro de Grabidad (SDG) group both of Guerrilla Front 25 of the Sub-Regional Committee, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.
He said both surrendered to Lt. Col. Palmer M. Parungao, 66th IB commander, Monday last week.
They surrendered one improvised explosive device (IED), improvised .22 caliber rifle, books, publications, notebooks, reference materials, placards, and other documents of intelligence value.
They also brought blasting paraphernalia, 12 clips for a M1 Garand rifle, WACOM V105 radio, and one 40mm magazine.
Alias Dats, a former Komiteng Rebolusyonaryo sa Munisipalidad chairman, facilitated the surrender of a political guide and organizer of Guerrilla Front 25. An “Alias Yummyboy” brought one Carbine rifle, magazines for .30 caliber round, and ammunition.
Towards the end of the week, Friday, three political leaders of the dismantled Compostela Municipal Revolutionary Committee surrendered to Maj. Ricky Dioneda bringing along one dual purpose IED, a blasting cap, one caliber .38 revolver, one Uzi 9mm pistol, one caliber .357 revolver, several ammunition and documents used in propaganda and demonstrations.
Dioneda led a team to capture a cache of Carbine rifles on a tip from a rebel returnee.
On Saturday morning, alias RM, a member of Guerrilla Front 15 who was tasked by the Communist rebel's higher organ to operate in Luzon from April 2015 as squad leader, brought his .45 caliber pistol loaded with a magazine of ammunition surrendered to Lt. Col. Palmer M. Parungao, commander of the 66th Infantry Battalion.
Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, commander of the 10th ID, lauded the 66th IB for the series of accomplishments.
“You have been so effective in dealing with the remnants of the fallen Guerrilla Front you have been confronting, the remaining tentacles of the communist terrorist group have kept coming down to the folds of the law, the enemy will soon perish," Clement said.
Meanwhile, eight members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the Balik-Loob Center of the 71st Infantry Battalion at the advance command post located in Sitio Upper Lahi, Barangay Magnaga, Pantukan, Compostela Valley last Friday.
1Lt. Jhocell Asis, the civil-military operations officer, identified them only as alias Rex, the squad leader of Sangay sa Yunit Propaganda (SYP) of Guerrilla Front 2 (DGF 2); alias Arjay, team leader, DGF 2; the Militia ng Bayan (MB) members alias Venus, supply officer, alias Basog, alias Pit, alias Dennis, alias Roel, and alias Leo, all said to be NPA couriers.
Asis said the surrender was facilitated by the local government units of Mabini and Pantukan with Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyrone Uy; Maj. Gen. Noel S. Clement, commander of the 10th Infantry Division; Col. Gilbert F. Saret, the commander of 1001st Brigade and Lt. Col. Esteveyn E. Ducusin, the battalion commander of the 71st IB.
During the interview, the rebel returnees claimed they could no longer stand the struggles of living on the run.
Lt. Col. Esteveyn Ducusin, the battalion commander, reiterated the call for the remaining NPA members to surrender and avail of the different programs of the government intended for former rebels (FRs).
“There are no more reason in staying as communist NPA terrorists,” Ducusin said, adding that the former rebels will be enrolled in Balik-Loob Centers.
“Let us take the opportunity to avail of the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) which doubled the firearm remuneration and other privileges for FRs,” he further said.
Col. Gilbert Saret, the commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, said the Balik-Loob Centers were created to accommodate and assist NPAs who want to go back to mainstream society. It was designed to have more avenues for surrender, particularly in the far-flung areas.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Noel S. Clement lauded troops’ accomplishment and said, “Their (NPAs) surrender means more lives saved from the ills of joining the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist organization,” he said.
Seven Communist rebels who surrendered to the 66th Infantry Battalion also brought their firearms, war materiel, and propaganda materials in New Bataan, Compostela Valley last week.
Capt. Jerry Lamosao, the spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said alias Bert was a member of the Yunit Pampropaganda Platun while alias Bryan was with the Sentro de Grabidad (SDG) group both of Guerrilla Front 25 of the Sub-Regional Committee, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.
He said both surrendered to Lt. Col. Palmer M. Parungao, 66th IB commander, Monday last week.
They surrendered one improvised explosive device (IED), improvised .22 caliber rifle, books, publications, notebooks, reference materials, placards, and other documents of intelligence value.
They also brought blasting paraphernalia, 12 clips for a M1 Garand rifle, WACOM V105 radio, and one 40mm magazine.
Alias Dats, a former Komiteng Rebolusyonaryo sa Munisipalidad chairman, facilitated the surrender of a political guide and organizer of Guerrilla Front 25. An “Alias Yummyboy” brought one Carbine rifle, magazines for .30 caliber round, and ammunition.
Towards the end of the week, Friday, three political leaders of the dismantled Compostela Municipal Revolutionary Committee surrendered to Maj. Ricky Dioneda bringing along one dual purpose IED, a blasting cap, one caliber .38 revolver, one Uzi 9mm pistol, one caliber .357 revolver, several ammunition and documents used in propaganda and demonstrations.
Dioneda led a team to capture a cache of Carbine rifles on a tip from a rebel returnee.
On Saturday morning, alias RM, a member of Guerrilla Front 15 who was tasked by the Communist rebel's higher organ to operate in Luzon from April 2015 as squad leader, brought his .45 caliber pistol loaded with a magazine of ammunition surrendered to Lt. Col. Palmer M. Parungao, commander of the 66th Infantry Battalion.
Maj. Gen. Noel Clement, commander of the 10th ID, lauded the 66th IB for the series of accomplishments.
“You have been so effective in dealing with the remnants of the fallen Guerrilla Front you have been confronting, the remaining tentacles of the communist terrorist group have kept coming down to the folds of the law, the enemy will soon perish," Clement said.
Meanwhile, eight members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the Balik-Loob Center of the 71st Infantry Battalion at the advance command post located in Sitio Upper Lahi, Barangay Magnaga, Pantukan, Compostela Valley last Friday.
1Lt. Jhocell Asis, the civil-military operations officer, identified them only as alias Rex, the squad leader of Sangay sa Yunit Propaganda (SYP) of Guerrilla Front 2 (DGF 2); alias Arjay, team leader, DGF 2; the Militia ng Bayan (MB) members alias Venus, supply officer, alias Basog, alias Pit, alias Dennis, alias Roel, and alias Leo, all said to be NPA couriers.
Asis said the surrender was facilitated by the local government units of Mabini and Pantukan with Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyrone Uy; Maj. Gen. Noel S. Clement, commander of the 10th Infantry Division; Col. Gilbert F. Saret, the commander of 1001st Brigade and Lt. Col. Esteveyn E. Ducusin, the battalion commander of the 71st IB.
During the interview, the rebel returnees claimed they could no longer stand the struggles of living on the run.
Lt. Col. Esteveyn Ducusin, the battalion commander, reiterated the call for the remaining NPA members to surrender and avail of the different programs of the government intended for former rebels (FRs).
“There are no more reason in staying as communist NPA terrorists,” Ducusin said, adding that the former rebels will be enrolled in Balik-Loob Centers.
“Let us take the opportunity to avail of the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) which doubled the firearm remuneration and other privileges for FRs,” he further said.
Col. Gilbert Saret, the commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, said the Balik-Loob Centers were created to accommodate and assist NPAs who want to go back to mainstream society. It was designed to have more avenues for surrender, particularly in the far-flung areas.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Noel S. Clement lauded troops’ accomplishment and said, “Their (NPAs) surrender means more lives saved from the ills of joining the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist organization,” he said.
Sara Duterte steps up drive vs leftist party-list groups
From Rappler (Oct 23): Sara Duterte steps up drive vs leftist party-list groups
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte believes party-list groups under the Makabayan bloc should not be in Congress
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Tuesday, October 23, stepped up her campaign against party-list groups under the leftist Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives, as she urged voters not to support them in the May 2019 elections.
Duterte issued the call following a roadblock of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) in Barangay Lasang in Bunawan district here on Monday which, she said, "was an example of how these groups intend to govern should they be given the power to lead our government and the country."
“They terrorize, engender lawlessness, create confusion, disrespect fellow human beings, put lives in danger, and disregard any authority altogether,” she said in a statement.
Duterte said voters should "be reminded of what happened yesterday and the previous incidents involving these militant groups" when they go to their polling precincts in May.
"Do not support the party-list groups under the Makabayan bloc – these are Bayan Muna, Alliance of Concerned Teachers or ACT Teachers, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan, and Migrante," she added.
The roadblock had stalled traffic in the Lasang section of the Davao City-Panabo City highway for several hours.
KMU said, however, that it was not at fault. It said at least 600 banana plantation workers and peasants from Compostela Valley were headed for the city when they were barred by Task Force Davao.
Paul John Dizon, chairman of KMU affiliate Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Suyapa Farm (Namasufa), said the workers and peasants were on 6 buses headed to Davao City for a dialogue with the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) but they were barred from entering for no apparent reason.
Namasufa had been protesting what it called the continued refusal Japanese banana firm Sumifru to forge negotiations for a collective barganing agreement with workers in its plantation in Compostela town in Compostela Valley.
About two weeks ago, Namasufa members clashed with pro-Sumifru workers in Compostela, which left at least 7 protesters injured. DOLE stepped in to resolve the labor problem on the 2,000-hectare banana plantation. (READ: AFP sends soldiers to 'prevent chaos' at Japanese-owned banana plantation)
Dizon said they staged the barricade after soldiers stopped them from entering the city but Duterte said the roadblock caused "extreme inconvenience" to the public. She lauded TF Davao, the police, and Lasang residents "for showing these groups the lunacy of their act."
“(That) was the reason why they get no support from the Dabawenyos. We all know now that these militant groups, who masquerade themselves as pro-people, only want to sow hostility and chaos, especially to those who reject them and the terrorist groups they support – the New People’s Army (NPA), the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP),” she said.
Duterte made her latest tirade against militant party-list groups two weeks after she called on Congress to expel members of the Makabayan bloc.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte believes party-list groups under the Makabayan bloc should not be in Congress
DAVAO CITY CHIEF. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio is campaigning against the election of militant party-list groups in the next Congress. Photo from the Facebook page of the City Government of Davao
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Tuesday, October 23, stepped up her campaign against party-list groups under the leftist Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives, as she urged voters not to support them in the May 2019 elections.
Duterte issued the call following a roadblock of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) in Barangay Lasang in Bunawan district here on Monday which, she said, "was an example of how these groups intend to govern should they be given the power to lead our government and the country."
“They terrorize, engender lawlessness, create confusion, disrespect fellow human beings, put lives in danger, and disregard any authority altogether,” she said in a statement.
Duterte said voters should "be reminded of what happened yesterday and the previous incidents involving these militant groups" when they go to their polling precincts in May.
"Do not support the party-list groups under the Makabayan bloc – these are Bayan Muna, Alliance of Concerned Teachers or ACT Teachers, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan, and Migrante," she added.
The roadblock had stalled traffic in the Lasang section of the Davao City-Panabo City highway for several hours.
KMU said, however, that it was not at fault. It said at least 600 banana plantation workers and peasants from Compostela Valley were headed for the city when they were barred by Task Force Davao.
Paul John Dizon, chairman of KMU affiliate Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Suyapa Farm (Namasufa), said the workers and peasants were on 6 buses headed to Davao City for a dialogue with the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) but they were barred from entering for no apparent reason.
Namasufa had been protesting what it called the continued refusal Japanese banana firm Sumifru to forge negotiations for a collective barganing agreement with workers in its plantation in Compostela town in Compostela Valley.
About two weeks ago, Namasufa members clashed with pro-Sumifru workers in Compostela, which left at least 7 protesters injured. DOLE stepped in to resolve the labor problem on the 2,000-hectare banana plantation. (READ: AFP sends soldiers to 'prevent chaos' at Japanese-owned banana plantation)
Dizon said they staged the barricade after soldiers stopped them from entering the city but Duterte said the roadblock caused "extreme inconvenience" to the public. She lauded TF Davao, the police, and Lasang residents "for showing these groups the lunacy of their act."
“(That) was the reason why they get no support from the Dabawenyos. We all know now that these militant groups, who masquerade themselves as pro-people, only want to sow hostility and chaos, especially to those who reject them and the terrorist groups they support – the New People’s Army (NPA), the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP),” she said.
Duterte made her latest tirade against militant party-list groups two weeks after she called on Congress to expel members of the Makabayan bloc.
Alleged IS-aligned militant killed in Sarangani
From MindaNews (Oct 22): Alleged IS-aligned militant killed in Sarangani
An alleged key leader of an Islamic State-aligned group was killed in an encounter with state forces early Monday morning in nearby Sarangani province.
Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, Police Regional Office-12 director, said that Bassir Sahak was killed in an encounter with a joint police and military team in Sitio Lebe, Barangay Daliao, Maasim town.
Sahak was the leader of the Special Operations Group of the Islamic State-inspired Ansar Al-Khilafa Philippines (AKP), Rasco said in a statement.
Sahak was also involved in the September 16 explosion at Barangay Apopong here that wounded eight persons, the official added.
The suspect was charged with multiple frustrated murder in connection with the latest explosion to rock this city.
Supt Adrin Gonzales, PRO-12 spokesperson, said Sahak and his father, Kupang Sahak, fired at the operating team out to arrest them.
The elder Sahak managed to escape and has been the subject of a manhunt operation, Gonzales said.
Authorities recovered from the encounter site an M-16 rifle, ammunition and bomb making components, the official said.
Citing intelligence information, Gonzales said the slain suspect managed the finances of the AKP, including the procurement of firearms and ammunition.
The AKP is one of the groups in Mindanao that had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, the military said.
Sahak sourced funding from their contact in the Middle East, Gonzales said.
The slain Sahak also had direct contact with the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu and the Toraife faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao, the police official said.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/10/alleged-is-aligned-militant-killed-in-sarangani/
An alleged key leader of an Islamic State-aligned group was killed in an encounter with state forces early Monday morning in nearby Sarangani province.
Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, Police Regional Office-12 director, said that Bassir Sahak was killed in an encounter with a joint police and military team in Sitio Lebe, Barangay Daliao, Maasim town.
Sahak was the leader of the Special Operations Group of the Islamic State-inspired Ansar Al-Khilafa Philippines (AKP), Rasco said in a statement.
Sahak was also involved in the September 16 explosion at Barangay Apopong here that wounded eight persons, the official added.
The suspect was charged with multiple frustrated murder in connection with the latest explosion to rock this city.
Supt Adrin Gonzales, PRO-12 spokesperson, said Sahak and his father, Kupang Sahak, fired at the operating team out to arrest them.
The elder Sahak managed to escape and has been the subject of a manhunt operation, Gonzales said.
Authorities recovered from the encounter site an M-16 rifle, ammunition and bomb making components, the official said.
Citing intelligence information, Gonzales said the slain suspect managed the finances of the AKP, including the procurement of firearms and ammunition.
The AKP is one of the groups in Mindanao that had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, the military said.
Sahak sourced funding from their contact in the Middle East, Gonzales said.
The slain Sahak also had direct contact with the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu and the Toraife faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao, the police official said.
http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2018/10/alleged-is-aligned-militant-killed-in-sarangani/
Terror group 'leader' slain in Sarangani encounter
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 22): Terror group 'leader' slain in Sarangani encounter
A suspected leader of an Islamic State-inspired local terror group, tagged as among the suspects in the September 16 bomb attack here, was killed in an encounter with joint operatives on Monday in the outskirts of Maasim town, Sarangani Province.
Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, regional director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-12, identified the slain suspect as Basser Sahak, the alleged head of the special operations group of the Sarangani-based Ansar Al-Khilafa Philippines (AKP).
Rasco said Sahak was killed during a law enforcement operation around 5:45 a.m. at a portion of Sitio Lebe, Barangay Daliao in Maasim.
The police official said elements from the Sarangani police’s Provincial Mobile Force Company, Provincial Intelligence Branch-Tracker Team, and the Maasim launch the operation after monitoring the presence of the suspect in the area.
They were backed by personnel from the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, he said.
As the operating team was approaching the area, he said the suspect and his father Kupang opened fire at the authorities.
Rasco said a firefight ensued that led to the killing of Basser but Kupang, who was tagged as an AKP member, managed to escape.
Recovered at the scene was Basser's body, an M16 Armalite rifle, an ammunition bandolier with loaded magazines, a backpack, cellphone, several improvised explosives and components, he said.
Rasco said Basser was among the 19 alleged members of the AKP charged with multiple frustrated murder over the bomb blast in front of a lying-in clinic in Makar junction, Barangay Apopong here that left eight people wounded.
Citing intelligence reports, he said the slain suspect held "a key position and plays a vital role” in the AKP’s operations. As the supposed leader of its special operations group, he said Basser handled the liquidation operations and the AKP's “money-making” activities.
“He managed AKP’s finances and was in charge of the procurement of firearms and ammunition,” he said.
Rasco said the suspect had direct contact with Sulu-based groups allied with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS.
Basser was reportedly monitored to have established direct communication with terror leader Abu Toraife of the Dawlah Islamiya group operating in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat, he said.
“He also had direct contact with a group based in the Middle East that provides financial support to AKP,” he said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051737
A suspected leader of an Islamic State-inspired local terror group, tagged as among the suspects in the September 16 bomb attack here, was killed in an encounter with joint operatives on Monday in the outskirts of Maasim town, Sarangani Province.
Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, regional director of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-12, identified the slain suspect as Basser Sahak, the alleged head of the special operations group of the Sarangani-based Ansar Al-Khilafa Philippines (AKP).
Rasco said Sahak was killed during a law enforcement operation around 5:45 a.m. at a portion of Sitio Lebe, Barangay Daliao in Maasim.
The police official said elements from the Sarangani police’s Provincial Mobile Force Company, Provincial Intelligence Branch-Tracker Team, and the Maasim launch the operation after monitoring the presence of the suspect in the area.
They were backed by personnel from the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, he said.
As the operating team was approaching the area, he said the suspect and his father Kupang opened fire at the authorities.
Rasco said a firefight ensued that led to the killing of Basser but Kupang, who was tagged as an AKP member, managed to escape.
Recovered at the scene was Basser's body, an M16 Armalite rifle, an ammunition bandolier with loaded magazines, a backpack, cellphone, several improvised explosives and components, he said.
Rasco said Basser was among the 19 alleged members of the AKP charged with multiple frustrated murder over the bomb blast in front of a lying-in clinic in Makar junction, Barangay Apopong here that left eight people wounded.
Citing intelligence reports, he said the slain suspect held "a key position and plays a vital role” in the AKP’s operations. As the supposed leader of its special operations group, he said Basser handled the liquidation operations and the AKP's “money-making” activities.
“He managed AKP’s finances and was in charge of the procurement of firearms and ammunition,” he said.
Rasco said the suspect had direct contact with Sulu-based groups allied with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS.
Basser was reportedly monitored to have established direct communication with terror leader Abu Toraife of the Dawlah Islamiya group operating in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat, he said.
“He also had direct contact with a group based in the Middle East that provides financial support to AKP,” he said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051737
16 NPA rebels surrender in Zamboanga Sibugay
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 22): 16 NPA rebels surrender in Zamboanga Sibugay
Sixteen New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to military authorities in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay over the weekend.
Col. Bagnus Gaerlan, Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, said Monday the surrenderers, consisted of 15 Militia ng Bayan and one regular member. They surrendered Saturday in Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Gaerlan said the Militia ng Bayan is an NPA territorial force that operates in Siay town of the same province.
He said the surrenderers turned over a .45-caliber pistol and two shotguns with ammunition.
The surrender of the group was facilitated by Siay Mayor Jarvis Acosta and Lt. Col. Jonathan Obena, Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion commander, Gaerlan said.
In a ceremony, the former rebels pledged loyalty to the government by reciting an oath of allegiance.
“Their surrender will minimize the violent incident and atrocities in our area of responsibility and will weaken the NPA's mass base support,” Gaerlan said.
“We will facilitate and collaborate with other stakeholders for their enrollment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government,” he added.
Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, commended the efforts of 102nd Infantry Brigade, 44th Infantry Battalion and other stakeholders involved in and facilitated the successful surrender of the NPA rebels.
“We encourage other NPAs to return to the folds of law and take advantage of the government’s E-CLIP,” Murillo said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051708
Sixteen New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to military authorities in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay over the weekend.
Col. Bagnus Gaerlan, Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, said Monday the surrenderers, consisted of 15 Militia ng Bayan and one regular member. They surrendered Saturday in Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Gaerlan said the Militia ng Bayan is an NPA territorial force that operates in Siay town of the same province.
He said the surrenderers turned over a .45-caliber pistol and two shotguns with ammunition.
The surrender of the group was facilitated by Siay Mayor Jarvis Acosta and Lt. Col. Jonathan Obena, Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion commander, Gaerlan said.
In a ceremony, the former rebels pledged loyalty to the government by reciting an oath of allegiance.
“Their surrender will minimize the violent incident and atrocities in our area of responsibility and will weaken the NPA's mass base support,” Gaerlan said.
“We will facilitate and collaborate with other stakeholders for their enrollment to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government,” he added.
Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, commended the efforts of 102nd Infantry Brigade, 44th Infantry Battalion and other stakeholders involved in and facilitated the successful surrender of the NPA rebels.
“We encourage other NPAs to return to the folds of law and take advantage of the government’s E-CLIP,” Murillo said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051708
NPA rebel killed in North Cotabato clash
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 22): NPA rebel killed in North Cotabato clash
A guerrilla was killed while two female combatants were hurt when government forces and communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels clashed Sunday in Arakan, North Cotabato.
Lt. Col. Ehrlich Noel Paraso, Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, identified the slain guerrilla only as an Alvin. An M-14 rifle was recovered from him.
According to reports relayed to the military by villagers, the two injured female guerrillas were carried away by their fleeing comrades.
Paraso said 19th IB troopers were on foot patrol in the hinterlands of Barangay Lanao Kuran when they encountered about 15 NPA rebels at 5:45 a.m.
The encounter lasted for about 45 minutes until the rebels fled deep into the forest. No casualty was reported on the government side.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051718
A guerrilla was killed while two female combatants were hurt when government forces and communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels clashed Sunday in Arakan, North Cotabato.
Lt. Col. Ehrlich Noel Paraso, Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, identified the slain guerrilla only as an Alvin. An M-14 rifle was recovered from him.
According to reports relayed to the military by villagers, the two injured female guerrillas were carried away by their fleeing comrades.
Paraso said 19th IB troopers were on foot patrol in the hinterlands of Barangay Lanao Kuran when they encountered about 15 NPA rebels at 5:45 a.m.
The encounter lasted for about 45 minutes until the rebels fled deep into the forest. No casualty was reported on the government side.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051718
Hundreds benefit from Army-led medical mission in Maguindanao
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 22): Hundreds benefit from Army-led medical mission in Maguindanao
MEDICAL MISSION. A military doctor checks on a villager’s blood pressure during the Oct. 19-20, 2018 medical-dental mission conducted by the Army’s 6th Infantry Division inside Camp Siongco, the 6th ID’s headquarters, situated in barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. The activity benefitted a total of 427 patients. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – A total of 427 villagers benefitted from a two-day medical-dental mission conducted by the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) and partners inside this camp in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, over the weekend.
Major Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6ID, said the successful Oct. 19-20 health outreach program was realized together with the Maguindanao provincial medical team, and the Cotabato Regional Medical Center personnel as partners, among others.
“The 6ID only planned for a one-day medical activity but was somehow extended the next day due to the request of the people coming from Barangay Awang and other nearby villages,” Encinas said.
He said 353 and 74 patients benefitted from medical checkup and tooth extraction, respectively.
Military personnel, candidate soldiers, and members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical also voluntarily donated blood that reached a total of 256 bags (115, 200 cc) collected.
Encinas said the activity forms part of the 6ID’s commemoration this month of its 31st founding anniversary.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051716
MEDICAL MISSION. A military doctor checks on a villager’s blood pressure during the Oct. 19-20, 2018 medical-dental mission conducted by the Army’s 6th Infantry Division inside Camp Siongco, the 6th ID’s headquarters, situated in barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. The activity benefitted a total of 427 patients. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – A total of 427 villagers benefitted from a two-day medical-dental mission conducted by the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) and partners inside this camp in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, over the weekend.
Major Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6ID, said the successful Oct. 19-20 health outreach program was realized together with the Maguindanao provincial medical team, and the Cotabato Regional Medical Center personnel as partners, among others.
“The 6ID only planned for a one-day medical activity but was somehow extended the next day due to the request of the people coming from Barangay Awang and other nearby villages,” Encinas said.
He said 353 and 74 patients benefitted from medical checkup and tooth extraction, respectively.
Military personnel, candidate soldiers, and members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical also voluntarily donated blood that reached a total of 256 bags (115, 200 cc) collected.
Encinas said the activity forms part of the 6ID’s commemoration this month of its 31st founding anniversary.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051716
NPA 'messenger' surrenders in Surigao Sur
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 22): NPA 'messenger' surrenders in Surigao Sur
A member of the New People’s Army (NPA), who worked as a "messenger" for the communist rebel group, has surrendered in Surigao del Sur, a military official said.
Lieutenant Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, commander of the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB), identified the surrenderer as 21-year-old Jolimar “Reno” Abas, who hails from Barangay Bitaugan, in San Miguel town.
Abas also surrendered a shotgun to the 36IB last October 20, Trinidad said Monday.
Trinidad said Abas claimed to be a member of the “Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda-Interior (SYP-I), SRC 2130 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).”
Based on interviews conducted by the military on Abas, the surrenderer claimed to have laid low from insurgent activities in recent months but remained a messenger for the rebel group to the different barangays in the town.
Trinidad said Abas' surrender was facilitated by another former rebel, who convinced him to avail of the government’s integration program--the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Trinidad said the rebel forces in Surigao del Sur continue to weaken "and losing its mass support in the communities," especially with the loss of members who are considered “lifeblood” of the communist insurgency.
“The growing sentiment of the surrenderers and the shift of support is due to the miserable life they experience being inside the organization (NPA) and the realization of neglecting their family just because of a failed cause without direction,” the military official said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051783
A member of the New People’s Army (NPA), who worked as a "messenger" for the communist rebel group, has surrendered in Surigao del Sur, a military official said.
Lieutenant Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, commander of the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion (36IB), identified the surrenderer as 21-year-old Jolimar “Reno” Abas, who hails from Barangay Bitaugan, in San Miguel town.
Abas also surrendered a shotgun to the 36IB last October 20, Trinidad said Monday.
Trinidad said Abas claimed to be a member of the “Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda-Interior (SYP-I), SRC 2130 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).”
Based on interviews conducted by the military on Abas, the surrenderer claimed to have laid low from insurgent activities in recent months but remained a messenger for the rebel group to the different barangays in the town.
Trinidad said Abas' surrender was facilitated by another former rebel, who convinced him to avail of the government’s integration program--the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Trinidad said the rebel forces in Surigao del Sur continue to weaken "and losing its mass support in the communities," especially with the loss of members who are considered “lifeblood” of the communist insurgency.
“The growing sentiment of the surrenderers and the shift of support is due to the miserable life they experience being inside the organization (NPA) and the realization of neglecting their family just because of a failed cause without direction,” the military official said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051783
PH Navy now making progress in maritime security
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 23): PH Navy now making progress in maritime security
The Philippine Navy (PN) is now making a headway in the maritime security arena.
This was disclosed by Navy flag-officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, during the welcoming ceremonies for strategic sealift vessel BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and the 300-man contingent aboard at Pier 13, Manila South Harbor, Monday afternoon.
“(Monday's) arrival ceremony is but one of the many attestations that we are indeed making headways in our thrust to be globally recognized as a game-player in the maritime security arena," Empedrad said.
BRP Tarlac and the military personnel aboard it made history in the PN for their successful Oct. 1 to 6 port visit to Vladivostok, Russia and Jeju Island, South Korea last Oct. 12 to 16.
Also present during the arrival ceremony were Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev, House Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu and other PN senior leaders.
"The successful overseas mission is a manifestation that the Navy is steadily improving and modernizing. This is another big leap in enhancing the organization’s core competency to further improve its readiness to engage in multilateral maritime activities and contribute to preserving regional maritime security," PN spokesperson Commander Jonathan Zata said in a statement.
During their visit to Russia, the ship and the contingent aboard her participated in several activities, which enhanced their relationship with their Russian counterparts.
Aside from this, the PN personnel also got a chance to tour the Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine "Komsomolskna-Amure 877" and the Russian Marine Firing Range.
Also, Russian Marines conducted a capability demonstration and had their Philippine Marine Corps counterparts ran obstacle courses and pistol firing exercises.
Meanwhile, the visit on Jeju Island, South Korea strengthened ties of the PN with its others counterparts, through the conduct of different confidence-building activities in line with the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) 2018 hosted by Republic of Korea Navy, he said.
The International Fleet Review held at that time marked the 70th anniversary of the ROK Armed Forces.
Empedrad was present in the WPNS 2018 and said that the country will be hosting the same event in 2020.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051834
The Philippine Navy (PN) is now making a headway in the maritime security arena.
This was disclosed by Navy flag-officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, during the welcoming ceremonies for strategic sealift vessel BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and the 300-man contingent aboard at Pier 13, Manila South Harbor, Monday afternoon.
“(Monday's) arrival ceremony is but one of the many attestations that we are indeed making headways in our thrust to be globally recognized as a game-player in the maritime security arena," Empedrad said.
BRP Tarlac and the military personnel aboard it made history in the PN for their successful Oct. 1 to 6 port visit to Vladivostok, Russia and Jeju Island, South Korea last Oct. 12 to 16.
Also present during the arrival ceremony were Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev, House Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu and other PN senior leaders.
"The successful overseas mission is a manifestation that the Navy is steadily improving and modernizing. This is another big leap in enhancing the organization’s core competency to further improve its readiness to engage in multilateral maritime activities and contribute to preserving regional maritime security," PN spokesperson Commander Jonathan Zata said in a statement.
During their visit to Russia, the ship and the contingent aboard her participated in several activities, which enhanced their relationship with their Russian counterparts.
Aside from this, the PN personnel also got a chance to tour the Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine "Komsomolskna-Amure 877" and the Russian Marine Firing Range.
Also, Russian Marines conducted a capability demonstration and had their Philippine Marine Corps counterparts ran obstacle courses and pistol firing exercises.
Meanwhile, the visit on Jeju Island, South Korea strengthened ties of the PN with its others counterparts, through the conduct of different confidence-building activities in line with the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) 2018 hosted by Republic of Korea Navy, he said.
The International Fleet Review held at that time marked the 70th anniversary of the ROK Armed Forces.
Empedrad was present in the WPNS 2018 and said that the country will be hosting the same event in 2020.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051834
Army's Mechanized Infantry Division activates brand-new unit
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 22): Army's Mechanized Infantry Division activates brand-new unit
The Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) on Monday formally activated its 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (Provisional).
Major Gen. Gilbert Gapay served as presiding officer and keynote speaker during the event held at Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.
Gapay urged officers and enlisted personnel of the new unit to enhance their individual competencies, level-up capabilities, and adhere to the highest degree of professionalism.
MID spokesperson, Maj. Emman Adriano, said the activation of the 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion is in line with Gapay's vision of becoming more capable, more responsive and relevant armor force.
The 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion is commanded by Lt. Col. Ferdinand L. Dela Cruz.
Also, the unit's activation is part of the goal of Army chief, Major Gen. Macairog Alberto, of turning the PA into a more agile, highly maneuverable, and more effective force.
Based with the past experiences in campaigns in Marawi, Zamboanga and other operations against various threat groups, it is but fitting to have a rapid deployment force from the MID that could provide superior firepower, speed, shock action, and armor-protected maneuver unit which can operate in all types of environment.
He said the unit is MID’s immediate contribution to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the execution of ground operations against security threats to accelerate resolution of armed conflicts.
The unit, Adriano said, is also capable preparing non-traditional military role such as support to law enforcement and disaster response operations nationwide.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051769
The Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) on Monday formally activated its 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (Provisional).
Major Gen. Gilbert Gapay served as presiding officer and keynote speaker during the event held at Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.
Gapay urged officers and enlisted personnel of the new unit to enhance their individual competencies, level-up capabilities, and adhere to the highest degree of professionalism.
MID spokesperson, Maj. Emman Adriano, said the activation of the 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion is in line with Gapay's vision of becoming more capable, more responsive and relevant armor force.
The 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion is commanded by Lt. Col. Ferdinand L. Dela Cruz.
Also, the unit's activation is part of the goal of Army chief, Major Gen. Macairog Alberto, of turning the PA into a more agile, highly maneuverable, and more effective force.
Based with the past experiences in campaigns in Marawi, Zamboanga and other operations against various threat groups, it is but fitting to have a rapid deployment force from the MID that could provide superior firepower, speed, shock action, and armor-protected maneuver unit which can operate in all types of environment.
He said the unit is MID’s immediate contribution to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the execution of ground operations against security threats to accelerate resolution of armed conflicts.
The unit, Adriano said, is also capable preparing non-traditional military role such as support to law enforcement and disaster response operations nationwide.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051769
Philippines steps up anti-communist campaign
From the Times of Oman (Oct 21): Philippines steps up anti-communist campaign
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday alerted all field units to conduct counter-actions against members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) following recent attacks against police officers in various provinces.
Police maneuver forces in Negros Island, the fourth largest in the Philippines, in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, launched a manhunt for a group of some 40 armed men who set on fire a bulldozer and a back hoe Barangay Bolisong, Manjuyod, Negros Oriental on the evening of Oct. 18.
Local officials of Negros Oriental denounced this latest communist atrocity saying it is an obstacle to development because it stalled the ongoing roadworks project of a vital farm-to-market road in the province.
“Those behind this crime are resisting entry of development in the countryside that would have ushered government presence and availability of goods and services that will benefit people in the barrios,” PNP chief, Director General Albayalde said in a statement.
In a separate incident, three policemen were killed while three others were wounded in an ambush by suspected NPA rebels in Barangay Napolidan, on Oct. 18. Two days earlier, suspected communist rebels also ambushed a group of policemen in Aurora which resulted in the death of one officer.
“We condemn these latest acts of lawless terror by the local communist movement against symbols of government authority. We mourn their loss, but assure the ends of justice will be served,” Albayalde said.
“This is not only an attack on the police, but an assault on a national agency that protects consumer welfare,” he added.
(From Philippines News Agency)
https://timesofoman.com/article/294710/World/Asia/Philippines-steps-up-anti-communist-campaign
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday alerted all field units to conduct counter-actions against members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) following recent attacks against police officers in various provinces.
Police maneuver forces in Negros Island, the fourth largest in the Philippines, in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, launched a manhunt for a group of some 40 armed men who set on fire a bulldozer and a back hoe Barangay Bolisong, Manjuyod, Negros Oriental on the evening of Oct. 18.
Local officials of Negros Oriental denounced this latest communist atrocity saying it is an obstacle to development because it stalled the ongoing roadworks project of a vital farm-to-market road in the province.
“Those behind this crime are resisting entry of development in the countryside that would have ushered government presence and availability of goods and services that will benefit people in the barrios,” PNP chief, Director General Albayalde said in a statement.
In a separate incident, three policemen were killed while three others were wounded in an ambush by suspected NPA rebels in Barangay Napolidan, on Oct. 18. Two days earlier, suspected communist rebels also ambushed a group of policemen in Aurora which resulted in the death of one officer.
“We condemn these latest acts of lawless terror by the local communist movement against symbols of government authority. We mourn their loss, but assure the ends of justice will be served,” Albayalde said.
“This is not only an attack on the police, but an assault on a national agency that protects consumer welfare,” he added.
(From Philippines News Agency)
https://timesofoman.com/article/294710/World/Asia/Philippines-steps-up-anti-communist-campaign
AFP joins Duterte in calling Reds to lay down arms, reunite with society
From GMA News (Oct 21): AFP joins Duterte in calling Reds to lay down arms, reunite with society
The Armed forces of the Philippines echos President Rodrigo Duterte's call for the communist rebels of lay down their arms and avail of the government's offer of peaceful, productive, and joyful life within the embrace of the community.
In a statement on Sunday, AFP spokesman Brigadier General Edgard Arevaro said that many communist rebels have already surrendered and have been reunited with their families and with the community, noting that communist ideologue is already obsolete and discredited.
"Their so-called people’s revolution is already passé as more and more Filipinos—including the ones in their losing army of communists—have already realized the inutility of their pretended ideology that has now turned into terrorism of the people and the exploitation of their own," Arevalo said.
Also, Arevalo claimed that hundreds have already surrendered and those who are still in the mountains have already sent surrender feelers, realizing that while they stake their lives in the front lines, their leadership in Europe and in the cities luxuriate in the money the combatants earned through extortion.
According to Arevalo, "The government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) is in full swing to ensure that former rebels (FRs) will have a wholistic package of benefits that they can avail of such as, but not limited to, health, education, livelihood assistance, and legal assistance."
"This is the best time to surrender and avail of these benefits now being enjoyed by hundreds of FRs," Arevalo added.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/671919/afp-joins-duterte-in-calling-reds-to-lay-down-arms-reunite-with-society/story/
The Armed forces of the Philippines echos President Rodrigo Duterte's call for the communist rebels of lay down their arms and avail of the government's offer of peaceful, productive, and joyful life within the embrace of the community.
In a statement on Sunday, AFP spokesman Brigadier General Edgard Arevaro said that many communist rebels have already surrendered and have been reunited with their families and with the community, noting that communist ideologue is already obsolete and discredited.
"Their so-called people’s revolution is already passé as more and more Filipinos—including the ones in their losing army of communists—have already realized the inutility of their pretended ideology that has now turned into terrorism of the people and the exploitation of their own," Arevalo said.
Also, Arevalo claimed that hundreds have already surrendered and those who are still in the mountains have already sent surrender feelers, realizing that while they stake their lives in the front lines, their leadership in Europe and in the cities luxuriate in the money the combatants earned through extortion.
According to Arevalo, "The government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) is in full swing to ensure that former rebels (FRs) will have a wholistic package of benefits that they can avail of such as, but not limited to, health, education, livelihood assistance, and legal assistance."
"This is the best time to surrender and avail of these benefits now being enjoyed by hundreds of FRs," Arevalo added.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/671919/afp-joins-duterte-in-calling-reds-to-lay-down-arms-reunite-with-society/story/
DWDD: WEAKENING FORCE | Another Three Maute ISIS Remnants Surrenders in Lanao del Sur
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 22): WEAKENING FORCE | Another Three Maute ISIS Remnants Surrenders in Lanao del Sur
CAMP SANG-AN, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur (DWDD) – Another three Maute ISIS remnants surrendered to Joint Task Force Ranao in Masiu, Lanao del Sur on October 18, 2018.
The three yielded to Lt. Col Edgar Villanueva, 49th Infantry “Good Samaritan” Battalion Commander, thru the efforts of Hon. AlontoGubar, ABC President, Brgy Chairman HamilGubar of Sawir, Masiu and MaliksaifMasjida, Afgani Deputy Base Commander NDBC BIAF-MILF/JCMP member.
They also surrendered one RPG, one caliber 45 pistol, magazines and ammunitions.
Custodial debriefing still on-going as of this posting.
“They were recruited during the Marawi Siege, however they were not able to insert in the main battle area due to the relentless security efforts and checkpoints around the lake”, said Lt. Col Villanueva.
“One of them was involved in Pagayawan clash last June 2018”, he added.
Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, Joint Task Force Zampelan commander, commended the troops, local officials and the peace-inclined BIAF-MILF member that facilitated the surrender of Maute ISIS remnants.
“We will continuously collaborate with different stakeholders and concerned citizens to encourage other Maute ISIS remnants to surrender and go back to mainstream society,” Maj. Gen. Murillo added. 1DPAO / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/22/weakening-force-another-three-maute-isis-remnants-surrenders-in-lanao-del-sur/
CAMP SANG-AN, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur (DWDD) – Another three Maute ISIS remnants surrendered to Joint Task Force Ranao in Masiu, Lanao del Sur on October 18, 2018.
The three yielded to Lt. Col Edgar Villanueva, 49th Infantry “Good Samaritan” Battalion Commander, thru the efforts of Hon. AlontoGubar, ABC President, Brgy Chairman HamilGubar of Sawir, Masiu and MaliksaifMasjida, Afgani Deputy Base Commander NDBC BIAF-MILF/JCMP member.
They also surrendered one RPG, one caliber 45 pistol, magazines and ammunitions.
Custodial debriefing still on-going as of this posting.
“They were recruited during the Marawi Siege, however they were not able to insert in the main battle area due to the relentless security efforts and checkpoints around the lake”, said Lt. Col Villanueva.
“One of them was involved in Pagayawan clash last June 2018”, he added.
Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, Joint Task Force Zampelan commander, commended the troops, local officials and the peace-inclined BIAF-MILF member that facilitated the surrender of Maute ISIS remnants.
“We will continuously collaborate with different stakeholders and concerned citizens to encourage other Maute ISIS remnants to surrender and go back to mainstream society,” Maj. Gen. Murillo added. 1DPAO / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/22/weakening-force-another-three-maute-isis-remnants-surrenders-in-lanao-del-sur/
DWDD: COMMUNIST ATROCITIY | 8ID Refutes Propaganda by CPP-NPA Terrorists
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 22): COMMUNIST ATROCITIY | 8ID Refutes Propaganda by CPP-NPA Terrorists
CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN, Catbalogan City (DWDD) – The CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) in Eastern Visayas belonging to the Efren Martires Command and Arnulfo Ortiz Command are misleading the public again with their misinformation regarding the murder of the former Mayor of San Jose de Buan Ananias S. Rebato.
Ex-Mayor Rebato, together with his bodyguard Mr. Severino Tesoro,was attending a vesper party at Brgy. Babaclayon, San Jose De Buan, Samar when shots were fired leading to the instantaneous death of his bodyguard and one of the assailants. The former mayor was wounded but later succumbed to his injuries last October 13, 2018.
The CNTs have owned up to the killing of Ex-Mayor Rebato in a press statement that is tainted with lies and propaganda against the military. They are deceitfully covering up their atrocity by saying that they had only punished the former mayor who they claimed was an intelligence officer belonging to the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP). The communist terrorists are also falsely calling out the illegal arrest of one of the suspects by the military.
To set the records straight, Ex-Mayor Rebato was not a member nor an officer of the Armed Forces of Philippines. Likewise, the arrest of the suspect identified as Arnel Babatio, 18 years old and a resident of Brgy. San Nicolas, San Jose De Buan, was made by the joint elements of San Jose De Buan Municipal Police Station and the personnel of 2nd Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (SPMFC) thru a hot pursuit operation. Said suspect is in custody of the Samar Police Provincial Office awaiting trial for murder. The non-factual assertions of the CNTs are nothing but mere lies that they have created in order to disguise the crime they had committed against a citizen.
The 8ID strongly condemns the brutal killing of ex-Mayor Rebato and his bodyguard perpetrated by the CNTs and extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, relatives, friends, and loved ones of the victims.
“The Filipino people no longer believe in the lies of the CPP-NPA Terrorists. The killing of former Mayor Rebato is another proof that the only ideology they believe in is that of violence and terrorism,” Maj. Gen. Raul M. Farnacio, Commander, 8ID said. 8DPAO / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/22/communist-atrocitiy-8id-refutes-propaganda-by-cpp-npa-terrorists/
CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN, Catbalogan City (DWDD) – The CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) in Eastern Visayas belonging to the Efren Martires Command and Arnulfo Ortiz Command are misleading the public again with their misinformation regarding the murder of the former Mayor of San Jose de Buan Ananias S. Rebato.
Ex-Mayor Rebato, together with his bodyguard Mr. Severino Tesoro,was attending a vesper party at Brgy. Babaclayon, San Jose De Buan, Samar when shots were fired leading to the instantaneous death of his bodyguard and one of the assailants. The former mayor was wounded but later succumbed to his injuries last October 13, 2018.
The CNTs have owned up to the killing of Ex-Mayor Rebato in a press statement that is tainted with lies and propaganda against the military. They are deceitfully covering up their atrocity by saying that they had only punished the former mayor who they claimed was an intelligence officer belonging to the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP). The communist terrorists are also falsely calling out the illegal arrest of one of the suspects by the military.
To set the records straight, Ex-Mayor Rebato was not a member nor an officer of the Armed Forces of Philippines. Likewise, the arrest of the suspect identified as Arnel Babatio, 18 years old and a resident of Brgy. San Nicolas, San Jose De Buan, was made by the joint elements of San Jose De Buan Municipal Police Station and the personnel of 2nd Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (SPMFC) thru a hot pursuit operation. Said suspect is in custody of the Samar Police Provincial Office awaiting trial for murder. The non-factual assertions of the CNTs are nothing but mere lies that they have created in order to disguise the crime they had committed against a citizen.
The 8ID strongly condemns the brutal killing of ex-Mayor Rebato and his bodyguard perpetrated by the CNTs and extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, relatives, friends, and loved ones of the victims.
“The Filipino people no longer believe in the lies of the CPP-NPA Terrorists. The killing of former Mayor Rebato is another proof that the only ideology they believe in is that of violence and terrorism,” Maj. Gen. Raul M. Farnacio, Commander, 8ID said. 8DPAO / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/22/communist-atrocitiy-8id-refutes-propaganda-by-cpp-npa-terrorists/
DWDD: ABANDONED | NPA Terrorist Dead in Bukidnon Clash
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 22): ABANDONED | NPA Terrorist Dead in Bukidnon Clash
BAUNGON, Bukidnon (DWDD) – A Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army terrorist (CNT) died in an encounter with 65th Infantry “Stalwart” Battalion (65IB) at Brgy Lacolac, Baungon, Bukidnon last October 21, 2018.
An information was received from a concerned citizen that there are CNTs’ presence in the vicinity of Brgy Lacolac that prompted 65IB to launch its operations.
Government troops were in Purok1 of the abovementioned barangay when they encountered CNT’s Guerilla Front Committee 68 (GF68) of North Central Mindanao Regional Command.
Firefight lasted for 40 minutes after which the enemy scampered in different directions.
Further, troops recovered one dead body of CNT and his M16 rifle in the encounter site.
The cadaver was already turned-over to PNP Baungon for proper disposition and identification.
“It is very unfortunate that we lost another Filipino life today when an NPA terrorist died during an encounter with the troops of 65th Infantry Battalion. This could not have happened if the leaders of said terrorist organization did not deceive and offer lies to our poor farmers and Lumads, which forced them to take up arms against the government.” Brigadier General Eric Vinoya said.
The government offers the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) to those remaining CNTs who want to abandon the armed struggle.
“The 4 th Infantry Division is willing to help NPA terrorists who wish to surrender. We will assist them in processing for ECLIP. I am sure many of them wanted to go home to their families and love ones; many of them are tired of their life in the armed movement; and many of them want to experience a life away from chaos, hunger and fear of losing their lives in an encounter with our troops. I call on the remaining NPA terrorists not to waste your time in the failed armed revolution, these are the times that should be spent happily with your families and love ones.” Major General Ronald Villanueva, Commander of Army’s 4th Infantry Division said. 4DPAO / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/22/abandoned-npa-terrorist-dead-in-bukidnon-clash/
BAUNGON, Bukidnon (DWDD) – A Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army terrorist (CNT) died in an encounter with 65th Infantry “Stalwart” Battalion (65IB) at Brgy Lacolac, Baungon, Bukidnon last October 21, 2018.
An information was received from a concerned citizen that there are CNTs’ presence in the vicinity of Brgy Lacolac that prompted 65IB to launch its operations.
Government troops were in Purok1 of the abovementioned barangay when they encountered CNT’s Guerilla Front Committee 68 (GF68) of North Central Mindanao Regional Command.
Firefight lasted for 40 minutes after which the enemy scampered in different directions.
Further, troops recovered one dead body of CNT and his M16 rifle in the encounter site.
The cadaver was already turned-over to PNP Baungon for proper disposition and identification.
“It is very unfortunate that we lost another Filipino life today when an NPA terrorist died during an encounter with the troops of 65th Infantry Battalion. This could not have happened if the leaders of said terrorist organization did not deceive and offer lies to our poor farmers and Lumads, which forced them to take up arms against the government.” Brigadier General Eric Vinoya said.
The government offers the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) to those remaining CNTs who want to abandon the armed struggle.
“The 4 th Infantry Division is willing to help NPA terrorists who wish to surrender. We will assist them in processing for ECLIP. I am sure many of them wanted to go home to their families and love ones; many of them are tired of their life in the armed movement; and many of them want to experience a life away from chaos, hunger and fear of losing their lives in an encounter with our troops. I call on the remaining NPA terrorists not to waste your time in the failed armed revolution, these are the times that should be spent happily with your families and love ones.” Major General Ronald Villanueva, Commander of Army’s 4th Infantry Division said. 4DPAO / MCAG
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/22/abandoned-npa-terrorist-dead-in-bukidnon-clash/
DWDD: BACK HOME | Arrival Ceremony for BRP Tarlac after Goodwill Visit to Vladivostok, Russia and Jeju Island, Republic of Korea
From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Oct 22): BACK HOME | Arrival Ceremony for BRP Tarlac after Goodwill Visit to Vladivostok, Russia and Jeju Island, Republic of Korea
PIER 13, Manila South Harbor (DWDD)
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/22/back-home-arrival-ceremony-for-brp-tarlac-after-goodwill-visit-to-vladivostok-russia-and-jeju-island-republic-of-korea-2/
PIER 13, Manila South Harbor (DWDD)
http://dwdd.com.ph/2018/10/22/back-home-arrival-ceremony-for-brp-tarlac-after-goodwill-visit-to-vladivostok-russia-and-jeju-island-republic-of-korea-2/