https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2389047721113938/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/?fref=photo
Thursday, March 28, 2019
AFP-CRS: Effective Delivery of Services is an Effective Anti-Insurgency Tool
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS)Facebook page (Mar 27, 2019): Effective Delivery of Services is an Effective Anti-Insurgency Tool
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2389047721113938/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/?fref=photo
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2389047721113938/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/?fref=photo
AFP-CRS: Photo/slide - AFP Acquires 1.5B Engineering Equipment
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS)Facebook page (Mar 27, 2019): Photo/slide - AFP Acquires 1.5B Engineering Equipment
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2387529891265721/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/?fref=photo
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2387529891265721/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/?fref=photo
AFP-CRS: Photo/slide - Maute Leader Neutralized in Lanao del Norte
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS)Facebook page (Mar 27, 2019): Photo/slide - Maute Leader Neutralized in Lanao del Norte
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2387529254599118/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/?fref=photo
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2387529254599118/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/?fref=photo
10 NPA members surrender anew
From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 29, 2019): 10 NPA members surrender anew
Exhausted in the soldiers' relentless pursuit operations against the communist terrorists, 10 insurgents finally decided to return to the folds of the law on March 5.
The former rebels voluntarily surrendered to Ltc Oliver Baylon, commanding officer of the 1st Marine Battalion Landing Team-7 (MBLT-7) affirming the resentful system of the New People’s Army which merely propagates lies to the Teduray community in the town of Upi, Maguindanao.
The former rebels belonged to squad Primera led by Cesar Marcos Manguda, known as Commander Amina/Alas of the Cherry Mobile Platoon, GF73 operating in the municipalities of Lebak and Kalamansig all of Sultan Kudarat Province.
The surrenderees were presented to Brigadier General Eugenio Hernandez, commander of 1st Marine Brigade, North Upi Mayor Ramon Piang, and Mayor Reynalbert Insular of South Upi.
The former rebels also surrendered firearms which include two AK47 rifles, one M16 rifle, one hand grenade, and assorted ammunitions
“We are tired of hiding, experienced hunger and hardship, and dissatisfied of NPA ideology,” said Jerome, one of the surrenderees.
Former rebels are currently undergoing custodial debriefing, and if found to be eligible, they will be given assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Meanwhile, the local government units of North and South Upi provided initial financial assistance to the surrenderees and included them to the municipal payroll as casual employees with a monthly compensation amounting to P5,000 to support their families.
“Ang Inyong Marine Battalion Landing Team-7 ay kaagapay ng ating mga kapatid na minsa’y naligaw ng landas patungo sa kanilang pagbabalik loob at pagbabagong buhay,” said Ltc Baylon who also expressed gratefulness for the help of the officials of Barangay Rifao in the surrender of the former rebels. (DPAO-6ID)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1020319
Exhausted in the soldiers' relentless pursuit operations against the communist terrorists, 10 insurgents finally decided to return to the folds of the law on March 5.
The former rebels voluntarily surrendered to Ltc Oliver Baylon, commanding officer of the 1st Marine Battalion Landing Team-7 (MBLT-7) affirming the resentful system of the New People’s Army which merely propagates lies to the Teduray community in the town of Upi, Maguindanao.
The former rebels belonged to squad Primera led by Cesar Marcos Manguda, known as Commander Amina/Alas of the Cherry Mobile Platoon, GF73 operating in the municipalities of Lebak and Kalamansig all of Sultan Kudarat Province.
The surrenderees were presented to Brigadier General Eugenio Hernandez, commander of 1st Marine Brigade, North Upi Mayor Ramon Piang, and Mayor Reynalbert Insular of South Upi.
The former rebels also surrendered firearms which include two AK47 rifles, one M16 rifle, one hand grenade, and assorted ammunitions
“We are tired of hiding, experienced hunger and hardship, and dissatisfied of NPA ideology,” said Jerome, one of the surrenderees.
Former rebels are currently undergoing custodial debriefing, and if found to be eligible, they will be given assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Meanwhile, the local government units of North and South Upi provided initial financial assistance to the surrenderees and included them to the municipal payroll as casual employees with a monthly compensation amounting to P5,000 to support their families.
“Ang Inyong Marine Battalion Landing Team-7 ay kaagapay ng ating mga kapatid na minsa’y naligaw ng landas patungo sa kanilang pagbabalik loob at pagbabagong buhay,” said Ltc Baylon who also expressed gratefulness for the help of the officials of Barangay Rifao in the surrender of the former rebels. (DPAO-6ID)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1020319
DavOr provincial tribal council declares NPA ‘persona non grata’
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 29, 2019): DavOr provincial tribal council declares NPA ‘persona non grata’
Members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), are no longer welcome in the province of Davao Oriental after the provincial tribal council declared the communist organization "persona non grata".
The provincial tribal council of Davao Oriental has approved a resolution condemning the atrocities relentlessly committed by the CPP-NPA and the National Democratic Front (NDF). The resolution was passed by the tribal council during its special meeting in Boston, Davao Oriental on February 20.
The tribal council is composed of chieftains from 11 towns – Boston, Cateel, Baganga, Caraga, Manay, Tarragona, Governor Generoso, San Isidro, Banaybanay, Lupon, and Mati City. The resolution, approved by provincial tribal chieftain Eleuterio Manaytay, was formally submitted to the provincial government on March 28.
In the resolution, the tribal chieftains said that since its establishment, the CPP posed a threat to the security and development of the province and its municipalities.
The tribal council joined tribal groups in Davao City and the local government units that declared the communist organization persona non grata, such as the Obu-Manobo tribe in Davao City and the Provincial Peace and Order Council of Compostela Valley.
This was followed by another declaration from the Davao Oriental provincial government against the NPA because its presence is a threat to the province and its residents.
The Davao Occidental town of Jose Abad Santos has also declared the NPA persona non grata, citing the "continued acts of violence, terrorism, violent extremism, and other forms of lawlessness, oppression, and harassment of the communist insurgents to the people."
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065933
Members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), are no longer welcome in the province of Davao Oriental after the provincial tribal council declared the communist organization "persona non grata".
The provincial tribal council of Davao Oriental has approved a resolution condemning the atrocities relentlessly committed by the CPP-NPA and the National Democratic Front (NDF). The resolution was passed by the tribal council during its special meeting in Boston, Davao Oriental on February 20.
The tribal council is composed of chieftains from 11 towns – Boston, Cateel, Baganga, Caraga, Manay, Tarragona, Governor Generoso, San Isidro, Banaybanay, Lupon, and Mati City. The resolution, approved by provincial tribal chieftain Eleuterio Manaytay, was formally submitted to the provincial government on March 28.
In the resolution, the tribal chieftains said that since its establishment, the CPP posed a threat to the security and development of the province and its municipalities.
The tribal council joined tribal groups in Davao City and the local government units that declared the communist organization persona non grata, such as the Obu-Manobo tribe in Davao City and the Provincial Peace and Order Council of Compostela Valley.
This was followed by another declaration from the Davao Oriental provincial government against the NPA because its presence is a threat to the province and its residents.
The Davao Occidental town of Jose Abad Santos has also declared the NPA persona non grata, citing the "continued acts of violence, terrorism, violent extremism, and other forms of lawlessness, oppression, and harassment of the communist insurgents to the people."
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065933
EU, Belgium receive initial data vs. 'CPP front groups'
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 29, 2019): EU, Belgium receive initial data vs. 'CPP front groups'
EVIDENCE VS. LEFTISTS. Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief of staff for operations, presents to the media the bundle of evidence and books against leftist organizations that support the New People's Army (NPA), during a press conference in Pasay City on Thursday (March 28, 2019). Also in photo are National Security Council Deputy Director Vicente Agdamag (left), and Jake Lanes, executive director of the Mindanao Indigenous People's Council for Elders and Leaders. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)
MANILA -- The European Union and the Belgian Embassy in Manila on Thursday received initial documents and pieces of evidence against a number of groups allegedly fronting for the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA).
During a meeting at the Department of Foreign Affairs, EU Programme Manager on Governance Louis Dey and Belgian Ambassador Michel Goffin committed to review the documents submitted by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Goffin, Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines, said EU and Belgium consider it illegal to fund terrorism, whether directly or indirectly.
"They will make their own investigation, internal audit, kasi mahirap namang to cut the funds immediately because as far as they are concerned, legitimate naman 'yong non-government organizations (since it would be difficult to cut the funds immediately, because as far as they are concerned, the NGOs are legitimate)," said Admiral Vicente Agdamag, deputy director general of the National Security Council, in an interview after the submission.
The task force is collating more proof to confirm the allegation against dozens of groups linked to the communist rebels in the Philippines.
Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Armed Forces of the Philippines' deputy chief of staff for civil military operations, said the task force is expected to complete and submit all pieces of evidence in at least a month.
In a letter of National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon to the EU, the task force claimed that at least 60 percent of the funding often received by these alleged legal fronts are diverted to the CPP-NPA through a "triple or multiple funding scheme."
The scheme is said to be implemented by simultaneously submitting a single proposal to different countries.
"Countries or funding agencies who have given their seal of approval are unaware that they are funding a particular project, which had already been funded by other countries or funding agencies," the letter reads.
The single project then receives double funding, making it easy to liquidate the use of the solicited money when audited.
Jake Lanes, executive director of the Mindanao Indigenous People's Council for Elders and Leaders (MIPCEL), who admitted that he was part of the complex network that enabled the CPP-NPA back in the 1980s, confirmed the 60-40 funding scheme.
Parlade said international partners have continuously supported legitimate groups found to be linked to the communist rebels from early 2000 up to the present.
In its most recent grant, the EU already released a total of 621,000 Euros or the first tranche for one Filipino NGO linked to the CPP-NPA, Parlade said.
"The second tranche and third tranche, that's amounting to 1.3 million Euros, parating pa (are on their way). Some were advanced, but they are going to conduct audit and freeze once they review these (documents)," he said.
On the part of the Belgian NGOs, Parlade said about 15 million Euros had been allocated for a period of five years.
"We don't know yet if there had been an advance there but I think it was Belgium who froze the funding first when they were given notice by a Philippine delegation in Europe," he added.
In a letter addressed to Esperon, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. concurred with the task force's calls to immediately cease the flow of funds to local groups fronting for the CPP-NPA.
Locsin also affixed a portion of the Philippine statement that he delivered at the Ministerial Segment of the 62nd Session of the Commission on Narcotics and Drugs held in Vienna last March 14:
“Communists had a chance to be part of a real freedom struggle but they rejected as not in their style the peaceful Philippine people power revolution whose victory ignited the liberation of the Soviet bloc and spelled the doom of every Cold War fascist dictatorship in the Free World,” Locsin's speech read.
“In this endeavor, EU NGOs support a cause unquestionably lethal but totally unredeemed by any prospect of success. Their generous contributions promise at best the prospect of a small and ragged parade under a cracked marble arch to the strains of a broken Hallelujah. As always, the Philippines fights its battles alone; it needs no help; it fears no opposition from any quarter; but it wouldn’t mind a little.”
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065935
MANILA -- The European Union and the Belgian Embassy in Manila on Thursday received initial documents and pieces of evidence against a number of groups allegedly fronting for the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA).
During a meeting at the Department of Foreign Affairs, EU Programme Manager on Governance Louis Dey and Belgian Ambassador Michel Goffin committed to review the documents submitted by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Goffin, Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines, said EU and Belgium consider it illegal to fund terrorism, whether directly or indirectly.
"They will make their own investigation, internal audit, kasi mahirap namang to cut the funds immediately because as far as they are concerned, legitimate naman 'yong non-government organizations (since it would be difficult to cut the funds immediately, because as far as they are concerned, the NGOs are legitimate)," said Admiral Vicente Agdamag, deputy director general of the National Security Council, in an interview after the submission.
The task force is collating more proof to confirm the allegation against dozens of groups linked to the communist rebels in the Philippines.
Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Armed Forces of the Philippines' deputy chief of staff for civil military operations, said the task force is expected to complete and submit all pieces of evidence in at least a month.
In a letter of National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon to the EU, the task force claimed that at least 60 percent of the funding often received by these alleged legal fronts are diverted to the CPP-NPA through a "triple or multiple funding scheme."
The scheme is said to be implemented by simultaneously submitting a single proposal to different countries.
"Countries or funding agencies who have given their seal of approval are unaware that they are funding a particular project, which had already been funded by other countries or funding agencies," the letter reads.
The single project then receives double funding, making it easy to liquidate the use of the solicited money when audited.
Jake Lanes, executive director of the Mindanao Indigenous People's Council for Elders and Leaders (MIPCEL), who admitted that he was part of the complex network that enabled the CPP-NPA back in the 1980s, confirmed the 60-40 funding scheme.
Parlade said international partners have continuously supported legitimate groups found to be linked to the communist rebels from early 2000 up to the present.
In its most recent grant, the EU already released a total of 621,000 Euros or the first tranche for one Filipino NGO linked to the CPP-NPA, Parlade said.
"The second tranche and third tranche, that's amounting to 1.3 million Euros, parating pa (are on their way). Some were advanced, but they are going to conduct audit and freeze once they review these (documents)," he said.
On the part of the Belgian NGOs, Parlade said about 15 million Euros had been allocated for a period of five years.
"We don't know yet if there had been an advance there but I think it was Belgium who froze the funding first when they were given notice by a Philippine delegation in Europe," he added.
In a letter addressed to Esperon, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. concurred with the task force's calls to immediately cease the flow of funds to local groups fronting for the CPP-NPA.
Locsin also affixed a portion of the Philippine statement that he delivered at the Ministerial Segment of the 62nd Session of the Commission on Narcotics and Drugs held in Vienna last March 14:
“Communists had a chance to be part of a real freedom struggle but they rejected as not in their style the peaceful Philippine people power revolution whose victory ignited the liberation of the Soviet bloc and spelled the doom of every Cold War fascist dictatorship in the Free World,” Locsin's speech read.
“In this endeavor, EU NGOs support a cause unquestionably lethal but totally unredeemed by any prospect of success. Their generous contributions promise at best the prospect of a small and ragged parade under a cracked marble arch to the strains of a broken Hallelujah. As always, the Philippines fights its battles alone; it needs no help; it fears no opposition from any quarter; but it wouldn’t mind a little.”
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065935
PH formally requests EU to cease funding CPP-NPA ‘fronts’
Posted to the Philippine Canadian Inquirer (Mar 28): PH formally requests EU to cease funding CPP-NPA ‘fronts’
National Security Adviser and Vice Chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) Hermogenes Esperon formally wrote to the European Union (EU) to “immediately cease” its funding being funnelled to groups acting as legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.
In a letter to Gilles De Kerchove, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator dated March 26, Esperon said EU funds are being used to sustain terrorist activities of the longest existing communist terrorist organization in the world — the CPP-NPA — which is listed as a terrorist group by both the United States and the EU.
Esperon underscored that the funds are being used “to propagate terrorism” through international alliances and networks, and are utilized to finance terrorist front organizations to recruit, traffic, and exploit children to become child warriors.
He added that EU funds are also being used “to recruit and exploit vulnerable sectors such as indigenous people (IP), the systematic destruction of the latter’s culture and value system, and the murder of their leaders.”
Propagating terrorism
Esperon said the CPP-NPA has successfully established international alliances in different parts of the world through its front organizations purportedly to address social ills afflicting the society.
As admitted in the CPP’s publication entitled “Constitution and Program: Communist Party of the Philippines, 2016,” Esperon said the group has already created its networks while boasting a strategy that includes armed struggle and the use of progressive alliances.
“Their former communist members knew very well that the CPP-NPA is using front organizations, which are symbolically functioning in accordance with the same objectives and methods through violence,” he said.
Exploiting children
In the letter, Esperon listed three Belgian NGOs which have “indirectly and unwittingly partnered” with various NGOs in the Philippines that act as legal fronts of the CPP-NPA, namely the SOLIDAGRO, Viva Salud, and KIYO.
Among the listed Philippine NGOs were the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV); IBON Foundation; Karapatan; Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, Inc.; the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines; the Salugpungan Ta’tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center, Inc.; the Alliance of Health Workers; the Kilusang Mayo Uno; Gabriela; and ACT.
Esperon said the ALCADEV and Salugpungan are identified as CPP-NPA alternative learning centers and schools.
“It is appalling that these entities are used to radicalize children with the end view of turning them into child warriors and future leaders of the CPP-NPA communist-terrorist groups,” the letter reads.
These learning institutions were found to be filled with books published by IBON Foundation, which contents “clearly show that it is intended to radicalize students by urging them to be grievously critical to the government.”
“The IBON books attempt to inculcate in the minds of the students fabricated and unfounded claims that the government is remiss in its obligation to its citizenry,” he added.
Recruiting IPs
The official said the CPP-NPA also recruits people from the vulnerable sector such as peasants, fishermen, and IPs, among others.
“Through these front organizations, the CPP-NPA is able to solicit and exploit funds from countries in the EU and the EU itself to support legitimate projects that are made to appear as aiding the poor,” he noted.
Esperon bared that 60 percent of the funding received by the Filipino NGOs are diverted to the NPA through their “triple or multiple funding scheme.”
The scheme is said to be implemented by simultaneously submitting a single proposal to different countries.
“Countries or funding agencies who have given their seal of approval are unaware that they are funding a particular project, which had already been funded by other countries or funding agencies.
As a result, a single project receives double funding, Esperon said, hence the front organizations can easily clear and liquidate the use of the solicited money when audited.
To date, holdings on these schemes are based on reports but Esperon said pieces of evidence are being consolidated to be provided to EU as soon as completed.
DFA concurrence
In an official communication dated March 27, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. concurred with the calls to immediately stop the funds flowing to local groups fronting for the CPP-NPA.
Locsin affixed a portion of the Philippine statement that he delivered at the Ministerial Segment of the 62nd Session of the Commission on Narcotics and Drugs held in Vienna, Austria last March 14.
“Communists had a chance to be part of a real freedom struggle but they rejected as not in their style the peaceful Philippine people power revolution whose victory ignited the liberation of the Soviet bloc and spelled the doom of every Cold War fascist dictatorship in the Free World,” Locsin speech read.
“In this endeavor, EU NGOs support a cause unquestionably lethal but totally unredeemed by any prospect of success. Their generous contributions promise at best the prospect of a small and ragged parade under a cracked marble arch to the strains of a broken Hallelujah. As always, the Philippines fights its battles alone; it needs no help; it fears no opposition from any quarter; but it wouldn’t mind a little.”
Terrorism funding illegal
Michel Goffin, Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines, during Thursday’s turnover of documents, said EU and Belgium consider it illegal to fund terrorism, whether directly or indirectly.
Louis Dey, Programme Manager on Governance (Human Security & Justice), accepted a copy of the documents for the EU.
http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2019/03/28/ph-formally-requests-eu-to-cease-funding-cpp-npa-fronts/
National Security Adviser and Vice Chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) Hermogenes Esperon formally wrote to the European Union (EU) to “immediately cease” its funding being funnelled to groups acting as legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.
In a letter to Gilles De Kerchove, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator dated March 26, Esperon said EU funds are being used to sustain terrorist activities of the longest existing communist terrorist organization in the world — the CPP-NPA — which is listed as a terrorist group by both the United States and the EU.
Esperon underscored that the funds are being used “to propagate terrorism” through international alliances and networks, and are utilized to finance terrorist front organizations to recruit, traffic, and exploit children to become child warriors.
He added that EU funds are also being used “to recruit and exploit vulnerable sectors such as indigenous people (IP), the systematic destruction of the latter’s culture and value system, and the murder of their leaders.”
Propagating terrorism
Esperon said the CPP-NPA has successfully established international alliances in different parts of the world through its front organizations purportedly to address social ills afflicting the society.
As admitted in the CPP’s publication entitled “Constitution and Program: Communist Party of the Philippines, 2016,” Esperon said the group has already created its networks while boasting a strategy that includes armed struggle and the use of progressive alliances.
“Their former communist members knew very well that the CPP-NPA is using front organizations, which are symbolically functioning in accordance with the same objectives and methods through violence,” he said.
Exploiting children
In the letter, Esperon listed three Belgian NGOs which have “indirectly and unwittingly partnered” with various NGOs in the Philippines that act as legal fronts of the CPP-NPA, namely the SOLIDAGRO, Viva Salud, and KIYO.
Among the listed Philippine NGOs were the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV); IBON Foundation; Karapatan; Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, Inc.; the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines; the Salugpungan Ta’tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center, Inc.; the Alliance of Health Workers; the Kilusang Mayo Uno; Gabriela; and ACT.
Esperon said the ALCADEV and Salugpungan are identified as CPP-NPA alternative learning centers and schools.
“It is appalling that these entities are used to radicalize children with the end view of turning them into child warriors and future leaders of the CPP-NPA communist-terrorist groups,” the letter reads.
These learning institutions were found to be filled with books published by IBON Foundation, which contents “clearly show that it is intended to radicalize students by urging them to be grievously critical to the government.”
“The IBON books attempt to inculcate in the minds of the students fabricated and unfounded claims that the government is remiss in its obligation to its citizenry,” he added.
Recruiting IPs
The official said the CPP-NPA also recruits people from the vulnerable sector such as peasants, fishermen, and IPs, among others.
“Through these front organizations, the CPP-NPA is able to solicit and exploit funds from countries in the EU and the EU itself to support legitimate projects that are made to appear as aiding the poor,” he noted.
Esperon bared that 60 percent of the funding received by the Filipino NGOs are diverted to the NPA through their “triple or multiple funding scheme.”
The scheme is said to be implemented by simultaneously submitting a single proposal to different countries.
“Countries or funding agencies who have given their seal of approval are unaware that they are funding a particular project, which had already been funded by other countries or funding agencies.
As a result, a single project receives double funding, Esperon said, hence the front organizations can easily clear and liquidate the use of the solicited money when audited.
To date, holdings on these schemes are based on reports but Esperon said pieces of evidence are being consolidated to be provided to EU as soon as completed.
DFA concurrence
In an official communication dated March 27, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. concurred with the calls to immediately stop the funds flowing to local groups fronting for the CPP-NPA.
Locsin affixed a portion of the Philippine statement that he delivered at the Ministerial Segment of the 62nd Session of the Commission on Narcotics and Drugs held in Vienna, Austria last March 14.
“Communists had a chance to be part of a real freedom struggle but they rejected as not in their style the peaceful Philippine people power revolution whose victory ignited the liberation of the Soviet bloc and spelled the doom of every Cold War fascist dictatorship in the Free World,” Locsin speech read.
“In this endeavor, EU NGOs support a cause unquestionably lethal but totally unredeemed by any prospect of success. Their generous contributions promise at best the prospect of a small and ragged parade under a cracked marble arch to the strains of a broken Hallelujah. As always, the Philippines fights its battles alone; it needs no help; it fears no opposition from any quarter; but it wouldn’t mind a little.”
Terrorism funding illegal
Michel Goffin, Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines, during Thursday’s turnover of documents, said EU and Belgium consider it illegal to fund terrorism, whether directly or indirectly.
Louis Dey, Programme Manager on Governance (Human Security & Justice), accepted a copy of the documents for the EU.
http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2019/03/28/ph-formally-requests-eu-to-cease-funding-cpp-npa-fronts/
CPP Central Committee: Boldly intensify guerrilla warfare and wage all-out resistance against the US-Duterte fascist regime! Carry forward the people’s war to greater heights!
CPP-Central Committee propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 28, 2019): Boldly intensify guerrilla warfare and wage all-out resistance against the US-Duterte fascist regime! Carry forward the people’s war to greater heights!
[This is an abridged version of the statement of the CPP Central Committee. The complete version of this statement will be released in the coming days.]
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines, together with the Filipino people and all their revolutionary forces, extends most militant greetings to all the valiant Red commanders and fighters on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Let us celebrate the victories accumulated through five decades of waging people’s war, as well as those achieved in the past year of waging armed resistance against the ruthless attacks of the US-Duterte fascist regime.
Let us honor all the heroes and martyrs of the people’s war who gave their lives for the revolutionary cause. Let us recognize as well the contributions of all veterans who served the NPA and who now continue to serve the revolution in other forms. The achievements of the past 50 years could not have been accomplished without their sacrifices. Their names will forever be etched in the annals of the Filipino people’s epic resistance. Their examples inspire us to carry forward the difficult tasks ahead.
Let us also firmly salute the thousands of Red commanders and Red fighters of the NPA, both the old-timers and new recruits. They are driven by the desire to defend the people and advance their aspirations. They are ever determined to wage armed struggle. They are models of courage and selflessness.
The worsening crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system underscores the need for waging a national democratic revolution. This is made more starkly clear by the Duterte regime’s abuse of power, corruption, widespread violations of human rights, mass murder, war crimes, subservience to US imperialism, excessive foreign borrowing, onerous taxes and sellout of the country’s wealth and patrimony.
Duterte is the face of the rottenness of the entire ruling system. His anti-people, anti-national and anti-democratic policies are causing the people grave social and economic hardships. He has unleashed brutal wars accompanied by widespread abuses and fascist violence. In his lust for more power, he is set on establishing a fascist dictatorship in order to perpetuate dynastic rule and secure the entire system through barefaced force.
The broad masses of the Filipino people are suffering from worsening crisis conditions and have no other recourse but to wage revolutionary mass resistance and armed struggle to put an end to their grave situation. The crisis of the ruling system generates ever favorable circumstances for the accelerated growth of the revolutionary forces. Duterte’s tyranny and reign of terror is pushing more and more people to support and join the NPA.
THE CURRENT WORLD SITUATION is characterized by unresolved capitalist depression leading to ever worsening conditions of oppression and exploitation, as well as by growing inter-imperialist contradictions between the big powers. US imperialism insists on asserting unipolar power causing tensions and risking antagonism within the prevailing multipolar institutions.
Economic stagnation continues to engulf the US and Europe. The capitalist world is trembling over the prospect of a slowdown of the Chinese economy. Desperate to overcome economic stagnation, the US is shaking up existing trade and investment liberalization agreements.
Amid persistent conditions of stagnation, imperialist agencies themselves are raising fears of an impending economic storm. They have warned of the international financial system collapsing under the weight of global debt. Capitalist overproduction is resulting in heightening contradictions between big imperialist powers over trade and economic arrangements. Economic stagnation in the US is pushing it to assert ultranationalism and hegemonic power more vigorously, heightening contradictions with rival powers. Other imperialist powers are racing to increase their own military capacity.
Billions of workers and peasants across the world are suffering increasingly intolerable conditions. They are fighting back and are ever ready to respond to the call to wage revolutionary resistance under the banner of genuine communist parties. Across the world, people are waging resistance in different fronts against worsening social and economic measures under the neoliberal policy regime, as well as against imperialist intervention and military aggression.
THE FILIPINO PEOPLE continue to suffer from deteriorating socio-economic conditions marked by rising prices, measly incomes, widespread joblessness, rural displacement and lack of basic social services. The US-Duterte regime rampages on with its war of suppression and scheme to establish a fascist dictatorship.
The import-dependent and export-oriented Philippine economy remains in an acute state of crisis. The country’s trade deficit last year ended at a record high as a result of global economic stagnation and weak demand for Philippine semimanufacture exports. Joblessness is at historic highs under Duterte. To mask the severity of the jobs crisis, Duterte’s statisticians have simply stopped counting millions of jobless as unemployed. Duterte’s promise of job creation with his infrastructure program remains unfulfilled.
Prices of food and other basic commodities continue to rise while wages remain grossly low. Prices of fuel products have increased by at least seven times over the past few weeks.
The expected deluge of rice imports will cause grave negative impact on millions of local rice farmers, mostly tenants and farm workers, who are set to suffer loss of income. Infrastructure, tourism and energy projects, as well as the expansion of mining and plantation operations are causing widespread rural displacement. Up to 1.7 million jobs in the agricultural sector were lost last year. To placate rising rural restiveness, Duterte has mounted public stunts of fake land reform that misrepresent the handing out of land transfer certificates requiring peasants to pay regular amortization as “land distribution.”
Cases of human rights abuses continue to rise as the Duterte regime’s military and police forces go on a rampage in an intensification of its war of suppression. Extrajudicial killings of peasant leaders and activists are on the rise. The military persists in summarily accusing civilian residents of being members or supporters of the NPA and rounding them up as “surrenderees.” Children’s rights are wantonly violated by the military with recent reports of arbitrary detention of minors.
Duterte now heads what is virtually a civil-military junta in the form of the so-called National Task Force to “end local communist armed conflict.” Invoking the so-called “whole of nation approach” (a rehash of the previous “whole-of-government” policy) under the National Internal Security Program, various government agencies and local government officials are reduced to serving as adjuncts of the AFP in its counterinsurgency drive. The military and police use blanket Red-tagging and terrorist-labeling, surveillance and harassment to target activists, progressive organizations and party-list groups.
The ruling classes of big business oligarchs and bureaucrat capitalists are mired in deep factional struggles. Rival political and economic cliques are furiously competing for franchises and kickbacks and cuts in overpriced government infrastructure projects and contracts. Conflicts over pork barrel allocation indicate intense power play between Duterte and other cliques, including the Arroyos with whom he is in an electoral and political alliance.
These ruling class rivalries combine with the people’s discontent over deteriorating socio-economic conditions to cause a deep crisis in the ruling political system. This is made even worse by Duterte’s bent to monopolize power and perpetuate his family’s bureaucrat capitalist rule resulting in heightening antagonisms.
All indicators show Duterte wants to establish himself a fascist dictator either by railroading charter change in congress to establish a “federal” system of government under which he centralizes power and appoints allied warlords and political dynasties as regional and local leaders; or by outrightly declaring emergency rule and claiming autocratic powers.
He is using nationwide de facto martial law powers, as well as his fake drug war, to ensure the outcome of the midterm elections in May, or to scuttle it altogether. Duterte is setting up the scenario for widespread fraud. He is using threats of inclusion in his made-up “narcolist” against his rivals, as well as Red-tagging, threats and harassment against progressive, patriotic and democratic party-list organizations to prevent them from gaining more seats in parliament.
THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED STRUGGLE being waged by the New People’s Army continues to advance nationwide. In 2018, the NPA surmounted the enemy’s all-out offensives and focused military operations.
Last year, the NPA mounted several hundred tactical offensives across the country. The NPA was able to seize at least 107 high powered rifles from the enemy armed forces and police, private armies and security agencies serving big mining operations.
Since 2015, the AFP has declared its strategic aim of crushing the NPA in eastern Mindanao. At the outset of 2018, the AFP deployed as much as 75% of its combat troops in the island. This gave the revolutionary forces in Luzon and Visayas the opportunity to expand and step up their work. With the steady growth of the NPA in Luzon and Visayas regions, the AFP has been forced to reduce its troop deployment in Mindanao to 65% by the end of 2018 and further down to 60% recently. Most units of the NPA in Mindanao continued to steadily advance and expand its ranks.
The enemy suffered at least 600 casualties in 2018, with more than 380 killed in action, more than 40% higher than the previous year. Units of the AFP that suffered the most casualties were those deployed in focused military operations in north central and northeastern Mindanao provinces where NPA units were able to carry out active defense and frustrate the enemy’s offensives. The AFP would meet defeat after defeat with at least 185 enemy troops killed in action across eastern Mindanao.
In the face of the steady nationwide growth of the NPA, Duterte’s security officials have already toned down on their earlier braggadocio of defeating the NPA by middle of 2019. They have instead moved their “deadline” to the end of 2022.
While waging armed struggle, the NPA and the peasant masses continue to establish and strengthen mass organizations of peasants, women, children and cultural activists. Supported by the NPA, peasant mass organizations continue to carry out land reform struggles. Under the auspices of the organs of political power, literacy and numeracy programs for children and adults, mass clinics and health campaigns and other mass campaigns to address the well-being of the people are being carried out.
Amid deteriorating socio-economic conditions and the fascist rampage of the US-Duterte regime, the justness and necessity to wage revolutionary armed struggle is exceedingly clear to the Filipino people.
At the same time, the masses of workers and peasants and the broad range of democratic sectors are resolutely carrying forward legal struggles to defend and assert their democratic rights. Legal progressive and national democratic forces are tenaciously waging resistance amid martial law conditions in Mindanao and de facto nationwide martial law under which they face threats of arrest, detention, torture and murder by state forces.
The united front against Duterte’s tyranny continues to expand bringing together a broad range of forces to oppose Duterte’s scheme to establish an open fascist dictatorship and plans to manipulate the outcome of the elections through force or rigging the electronic counting and canvassing system.
They demand justice for all victims of widespread abuses of human rights. They seek legal redress. They continue to mount assemblies and demonstrations to exercise the people’s collective rights and manifest their opposition to Duterte’s reign of terror and call for the ouster of the fascist despot.
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE PARTY, the NPA is determined to bring forward the people’s war to the advanced phase of the strategic defensive and bring it closer to the threshold of the strategic stalemate. It must continue to carry out and develop extensive and intensive guerilla warfare based on an ever widening and deepening mass base.
In accordance with the Central Committee’s 5-year Program, the Party directs the New People’s Army to boldly intensify guerrilla warfare nationwide and wage all-out resistance against the US-Duterte fascist regime.
The NPA must continue to develop nationwide strength, spread and advance, and attain more effective cooperation and coordination in advancing guerrilla warfare across the country. We must strengthen the NPA several times over and raise its capability in annihilating enemy units. Let us build more and more units of people’s militias, self-defense units of mass organizations and raise their capability in waging mass guerrilla warfare. Let us build partisan units.
Let us conduct campaigns of recruitment. Let us mount campaigns to generate material and other forms of support. Let us step up recruitment of cadres from among the workers and intellectuals.
Let us strengthen the NPA through ideological building, strengthening the Party’s absolute leadership, systematic training to raise the combat capability of NPA units, raising the quality of its weaponry, raising the political consciousness of Red fighters, and their will to fight and offensive spirit, and strengthening their iron discipline and their inextricable link with the masses.
Let us continue to strengthen the NPA commands to develop planning, coordination and leadership of the work of the NPA. Let us systematically carry out the development, training and promotion of military cadres.
We must fully utilize the armed strength of the NPA and the deep and wide support of the people in order to deliver bigger and more frequent blows against the enemy. We must frustrate the enemy’s all-out war, gradual constriction, win-hold-win, triad campaigns and focused military operations.
Let us mount well-planned tactical offensives with the aim of annihilating enemy units and seizing its weapons. The NPA must target the worst fascist criminals, punish them for their abuses and smash their culture of impunity. We must also carry out partisan operations in order to punish the enemy in the cities and in their main lines of communication and transportation.
Let us completely overcome military conservatism and exert efforts to always take tactical initiative. Let us root out and repudiate the wrong ideas that bring about such weaknesses such as overestimating the enemy’s strength and underestimating the strength of the people and their army. We must strengthen our resolve to overcome the fear of sacrifices and aspiring for comforts.
We must strengthen the NPA’s vertical forces which serve as the leading force in mounting tactical offensives. Relative to horizontal forces, vertical forces are more concentrated and can move more quickly, by itself or with horizontal units, when necessary to hit at the isolated and vulnerable units of the enemy. In between battles, they must also help in waging mass campaigns and struggles, participate in production, conduct trainings, education and political work.
On the other hand, we must build our horizontal or front guerrilla forces to ensure widespread and intensive guerrilla warfare by developing guerrilla fronts in a comprehensive manner–in the military, political, economic, organizational and cultural fields.
Mass work in the guerrilla fronts is of armed propaganda type. It consists of carrying out military work, tactical offensives, combating enemy offensives and raising the military capability of the army and people by building their self-defense units and units of the people’s militias. It should also result in building local Party branches and groups, section committees, mass organizations and organs of political power. We must raise the capacity of local revolutionary forces to carry out their tasks on their own in order to unburden the local army units of details of administrative work and allow it to concentrate in various aspects of military work.
In every guerrilla front, there must be a principal unit to serve as anchor of all combat maneuvers and resistance. Local guerrilla forces serve as centers of gravity of people’s militias and village self-defense units.
THE PEOPLE’S ARMY must assiduously carry out the tasks set upon it by the Party. Party cadres leading the NPA, together with Red commanders and fighters must always be good at learning and drawing lessons as they carry out these tasks from one level to the higher, always mindful of the overall plan. Led by the Party, the NPA is ever determined to surmount and frustrate the enemy’s all-out offensives, fight the fascist rampage of the Duterte regime and punish it for all the brutal crimes it has committed against the people.
With its current nationwide strength and spread, the NPA is in a position to carry the people’s war forward to unprecedented levels in the coming years. Inspired by the victories of their people’s army, the Filipino people are ever determined to wage the national democratic revolution and attain victory in the foreseeable future.
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2019/03/28/boldly-intensify-guerrilla-warfare-and-wage-all-out-resistance-against-the-us-duterte-fascist-regime-carry-forward-the-peoples-war-to-greater-heights/
[This is an abridged version of the statement of the CPP Central Committee. The complete version of this statement will be released in the coming days.]
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines, together with the Filipino people and all their revolutionary forces, extends most militant greetings to all the valiant Red commanders and fighters on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Let us celebrate the victories accumulated through five decades of waging people’s war, as well as those achieved in the past year of waging armed resistance against the ruthless attacks of the US-Duterte fascist regime.
Let us honor all the heroes and martyrs of the people’s war who gave their lives for the revolutionary cause. Let us recognize as well the contributions of all veterans who served the NPA and who now continue to serve the revolution in other forms. The achievements of the past 50 years could not have been accomplished without their sacrifices. Their names will forever be etched in the annals of the Filipino people’s epic resistance. Their examples inspire us to carry forward the difficult tasks ahead.
Let us also firmly salute the thousands of Red commanders and Red fighters of the NPA, both the old-timers and new recruits. They are driven by the desire to defend the people and advance their aspirations. They are ever determined to wage armed struggle. They are models of courage and selflessness.
The worsening crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system underscores the need for waging a national democratic revolution. This is made more starkly clear by the Duterte regime’s abuse of power, corruption, widespread violations of human rights, mass murder, war crimes, subservience to US imperialism, excessive foreign borrowing, onerous taxes and sellout of the country’s wealth and patrimony.
Duterte is the face of the rottenness of the entire ruling system. His anti-people, anti-national and anti-democratic policies are causing the people grave social and economic hardships. He has unleashed brutal wars accompanied by widespread abuses and fascist violence. In his lust for more power, he is set on establishing a fascist dictatorship in order to perpetuate dynastic rule and secure the entire system through barefaced force.
The broad masses of the Filipino people are suffering from worsening crisis conditions and have no other recourse but to wage revolutionary mass resistance and armed struggle to put an end to their grave situation. The crisis of the ruling system generates ever favorable circumstances for the accelerated growth of the revolutionary forces. Duterte’s tyranny and reign of terror is pushing more and more people to support and join the NPA.
THE CURRENT WORLD SITUATION is characterized by unresolved capitalist depression leading to ever worsening conditions of oppression and exploitation, as well as by growing inter-imperialist contradictions between the big powers. US imperialism insists on asserting unipolar power causing tensions and risking antagonism within the prevailing multipolar institutions.
Economic stagnation continues to engulf the US and Europe. The capitalist world is trembling over the prospect of a slowdown of the Chinese economy. Desperate to overcome economic stagnation, the US is shaking up existing trade and investment liberalization agreements.
Amid persistent conditions of stagnation, imperialist agencies themselves are raising fears of an impending economic storm. They have warned of the international financial system collapsing under the weight of global debt. Capitalist overproduction is resulting in heightening contradictions between big imperialist powers over trade and economic arrangements. Economic stagnation in the US is pushing it to assert ultranationalism and hegemonic power more vigorously, heightening contradictions with rival powers. Other imperialist powers are racing to increase their own military capacity.
Billions of workers and peasants across the world are suffering increasingly intolerable conditions. They are fighting back and are ever ready to respond to the call to wage revolutionary resistance under the banner of genuine communist parties. Across the world, people are waging resistance in different fronts against worsening social and economic measures under the neoliberal policy regime, as well as against imperialist intervention and military aggression.
THE FILIPINO PEOPLE continue to suffer from deteriorating socio-economic conditions marked by rising prices, measly incomes, widespread joblessness, rural displacement and lack of basic social services. The US-Duterte regime rampages on with its war of suppression and scheme to establish a fascist dictatorship.
The import-dependent and export-oriented Philippine economy remains in an acute state of crisis. The country’s trade deficit last year ended at a record high as a result of global economic stagnation and weak demand for Philippine semimanufacture exports. Joblessness is at historic highs under Duterte. To mask the severity of the jobs crisis, Duterte’s statisticians have simply stopped counting millions of jobless as unemployed. Duterte’s promise of job creation with his infrastructure program remains unfulfilled.
Prices of food and other basic commodities continue to rise while wages remain grossly low. Prices of fuel products have increased by at least seven times over the past few weeks.
The expected deluge of rice imports will cause grave negative impact on millions of local rice farmers, mostly tenants and farm workers, who are set to suffer loss of income. Infrastructure, tourism and energy projects, as well as the expansion of mining and plantation operations are causing widespread rural displacement. Up to 1.7 million jobs in the agricultural sector were lost last year. To placate rising rural restiveness, Duterte has mounted public stunts of fake land reform that misrepresent the handing out of land transfer certificates requiring peasants to pay regular amortization as “land distribution.”
Cases of human rights abuses continue to rise as the Duterte regime’s military and police forces go on a rampage in an intensification of its war of suppression. Extrajudicial killings of peasant leaders and activists are on the rise. The military persists in summarily accusing civilian residents of being members or supporters of the NPA and rounding them up as “surrenderees.” Children’s rights are wantonly violated by the military with recent reports of arbitrary detention of minors.
Duterte now heads what is virtually a civil-military junta in the form of the so-called National Task Force to “end local communist armed conflict.” Invoking the so-called “whole of nation approach” (a rehash of the previous “whole-of-government” policy) under the National Internal Security Program, various government agencies and local government officials are reduced to serving as adjuncts of the AFP in its counterinsurgency drive. The military and police use blanket Red-tagging and terrorist-labeling, surveillance and harassment to target activists, progressive organizations and party-list groups.
The ruling classes of big business oligarchs and bureaucrat capitalists are mired in deep factional struggles. Rival political and economic cliques are furiously competing for franchises and kickbacks and cuts in overpriced government infrastructure projects and contracts. Conflicts over pork barrel allocation indicate intense power play between Duterte and other cliques, including the Arroyos with whom he is in an electoral and political alliance.
These ruling class rivalries combine with the people’s discontent over deteriorating socio-economic conditions to cause a deep crisis in the ruling political system. This is made even worse by Duterte’s bent to monopolize power and perpetuate his family’s bureaucrat capitalist rule resulting in heightening antagonisms.
All indicators show Duterte wants to establish himself a fascist dictator either by railroading charter change in congress to establish a “federal” system of government under which he centralizes power and appoints allied warlords and political dynasties as regional and local leaders; or by outrightly declaring emergency rule and claiming autocratic powers.
He is using nationwide de facto martial law powers, as well as his fake drug war, to ensure the outcome of the midterm elections in May, or to scuttle it altogether. Duterte is setting up the scenario for widespread fraud. He is using threats of inclusion in his made-up “narcolist” against his rivals, as well as Red-tagging, threats and harassment against progressive, patriotic and democratic party-list organizations to prevent them from gaining more seats in parliament.
THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED STRUGGLE being waged by the New People’s Army continues to advance nationwide. In 2018, the NPA surmounted the enemy’s all-out offensives and focused military operations.
Last year, the NPA mounted several hundred tactical offensives across the country. The NPA was able to seize at least 107 high powered rifles from the enemy armed forces and police, private armies and security agencies serving big mining operations.
Since 2015, the AFP has declared its strategic aim of crushing the NPA in eastern Mindanao. At the outset of 2018, the AFP deployed as much as 75% of its combat troops in the island. This gave the revolutionary forces in Luzon and Visayas the opportunity to expand and step up their work. With the steady growth of the NPA in Luzon and Visayas regions, the AFP has been forced to reduce its troop deployment in Mindanao to 65% by the end of 2018 and further down to 60% recently. Most units of the NPA in Mindanao continued to steadily advance and expand its ranks.
The enemy suffered at least 600 casualties in 2018, with more than 380 killed in action, more than 40% higher than the previous year. Units of the AFP that suffered the most casualties were those deployed in focused military operations in north central and northeastern Mindanao provinces where NPA units were able to carry out active defense and frustrate the enemy’s offensives. The AFP would meet defeat after defeat with at least 185 enemy troops killed in action across eastern Mindanao.
In the face of the steady nationwide growth of the NPA, Duterte’s security officials have already toned down on their earlier braggadocio of defeating the NPA by middle of 2019. They have instead moved their “deadline” to the end of 2022.
While waging armed struggle, the NPA and the peasant masses continue to establish and strengthen mass organizations of peasants, women, children and cultural activists. Supported by the NPA, peasant mass organizations continue to carry out land reform struggles. Under the auspices of the organs of political power, literacy and numeracy programs for children and adults, mass clinics and health campaigns and other mass campaigns to address the well-being of the people are being carried out.
Amid deteriorating socio-economic conditions and the fascist rampage of the US-Duterte regime, the justness and necessity to wage revolutionary armed struggle is exceedingly clear to the Filipino people.
At the same time, the masses of workers and peasants and the broad range of democratic sectors are resolutely carrying forward legal struggles to defend and assert their democratic rights. Legal progressive and national democratic forces are tenaciously waging resistance amid martial law conditions in Mindanao and de facto nationwide martial law under which they face threats of arrest, detention, torture and murder by state forces.
The united front against Duterte’s tyranny continues to expand bringing together a broad range of forces to oppose Duterte’s scheme to establish an open fascist dictatorship and plans to manipulate the outcome of the elections through force or rigging the electronic counting and canvassing system.
They demand justice for all victims of widespread abuses of human rights. They seek legal redress. They continue to mount assemblies and demonstrations to exercise the people’s collective rights and manifest their opposition to Duterte’s reign of terror and call for the ouster of the fascist despot.
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE PARTY, the NPA is determined to bring forward the people’s war to the advanced phase of the strategic defensive and bring it closer to the threshold of the strategic stalemate. It must continue to carry out and develop extensive and intensive guerilla warfare based on an ever widening and deepening mass base.
In accordance with the Central Committee’s 5-year Program, the Party directs the New People’s Army to boldly intensify guerrilla warfare nationwide and wage all-out resistance against the US-Duterte fascist regime.
The NPA must continue to develop nationwide strength, spread and advance, and attain more effective cooperation and coordination in advancing guerrilla warfare across the country. We must strengthen the NPA several times over and raise its capability in annihilating enemy units. Let us build more and more units of people’s militias, self-defense units of mass organizations and raise their capability in waging mass guerrilla warfare. Let us build partisan units.
Let us conduct campaigns of recruitment. Let us mount campaigns to generate material and other forms of support. Let us step up recruitment of cadres from among the workers and intellectuals.
Let us strengthen the NPA through ideological building, strengthening the Party’s absolute leadership, systematic training to raise the combat capability of NPA units, raising the quality of its weaponry, raising the political consciousness of Red fighters, and their will to fight and offensive spirit, and strengthening their iron discipline and their inextricable link with the masses.
Let us continue to strengthen the NPA commands to develop planning, coordination and leadership of the work of the NPA. Let us systematically carry out the development, training and promotion of military cadres.
We must fully utilize the armed strength of the NPA and the deep and wide support of the people in order to deliver bigger and more frequent blows against the enemy. We must frustrate the enemy’s all-out war, gradual constriction, win-hold-win, triad campaigns and focused military operations.
Let us mount well-planned tactical offensives with the aim of annihilating enemy units and seizing its weapons. The NPA must target the worst fascist criminals, punish them for their abuses and smash their culture of impunity. We must also carry out partisan operations in order to punish the enemy in the cities and in their main lines of communication and transportation.
Let us completely overcome military conservatism and exert efforts to always take tactical initiative. Let us root out and repudiate the wrong ideas that bring about such weaknesses such as overestimating the enemy’s strength and underestimating the strength of the people and their army. We must strengthen our resolve to overcome the fear of sacrifices and aspiring for comforts.
We must strengthen the NPA’s vertical forces which serve as the leading force in mounting tactical offensives. Relative to horizontal forces, vertical forces are more concentrated and can move more quickly, by itself or with horizontal units, when necessary to hit at the isolated and vulnerable units of the enemy. In between battles, they must also help in waging mass campaigns and struggles, participate in production, conduct trainings, education and political work.
On the other hand, we must build our horizontal or front guerrilla forces to ensure widespread and intensive guerrilla warfare by developing guerrilla fronts in a comprehensive manner–in the military, political, economic, organizational and cultural fields.
Mass work in the guerrilla fronts is of armed propaganda type. It consists of carrying out military work, tactical offensives, combating enemy offensives and raising the military capability of the army and people by building their self-defense units and units of the people’s militias. It should also result in building local Party branches and groups, section committees, mass organizations and organs of political power. We must raise the capacity of local revolutionary forces to carry out their tasks on their own in order to unburden the local army units of details of administrative work and allow it to concentrate in various aspects of military work.
In every guerrilla front, there must be a principal unit to serve as anchor of all combat maneuvers and resistance. Local guerrilla forces serve as centers of gravity of people’s militias and village self-defense units.
THE PEOPLE’S ARMY must assiduously carry out the tasks set upon it by the Party. Party cadres leading the NPA, together with Red commanders and fighters must always be good at learning and drawing lessons as they carry out these tasks from one level to the higher, always mindful of the overall plan. Led by the Party, the NPA is ever determined to surmount and frustrate the enemy’s all-out offensives, fight the fascist rampage of the Duterte regime and punish it for all the brutal crimes it has committed against the people.
With its current nationwide strength and spread, the NPA is in a position to carry the people’s war forward to unprecedented levels in the coming years. Inspired by the victories of their people’s army, the Filipino people are ever determined to wage the national democratic revolution and attain victory in the foreseeable future.
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2019/03/28/boldly-intensify-guerrilla-warfare-and-wage-all-out-resistance-against-the-us-duterte-fascist-regime-carry-forward-the-peoples-war-to-greater-heights/
NDF/NDF-Mindanao: The New People’s Army in Mindanao has unwaveringly served the people and gained victories for the People’s War
NDF-Mindanao propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Mar 28, 2019): The New People’s Army in Mindanao has unwaveringly served the people and gained victories for the People’s War
LONG LIVE THE 50TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES!
LONG LIVE THE FILIPINO PEOPLE!
https://www.ndfp.org/the-new-peoples-army-in-mindanao-has-unwaveringly-served-the-people-and-gained-victories-for-the-peoples-war/
Ka Joaquin Jacinto
Spokesperson
Spokesperson
National Democratic Front of the Philippines-Mindanao
Press Statement |
Press Statement |
9 March 2019
On the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA)
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Mindanao (NDFP-Mindanao), together with all revolutionary forces in the island, celebrates the New People’s Army’s (NPA’s) 50th founding anniversary with unbounded joy. It lauds the NPA for gaining victories through the years towards the aim of bringing the people’s democratic revolution to complete victory and paving the way for a socialist Philippines.
We salute all Red fighters and commanders and members of the People’s militia and barrio self-defense units who sacrificed their lives for the people’s democratic revolution. They displayed unwavering resolve to overcome difficulties, which must serve as an inspiration to and should be emulated by all revolutionaries.
The revolutionary masses, together with the NPA, have been hard at work in carrying out the programs of agrarian revolution through anti-feudal mass campaigns and united front work. Hundreds of thousands of poor peasants and Lumad have benefitted from the agrarian revolution’s minimum program, such as reduction of land rent, increase in the wages of farm workers, increase in the farm gate prices of agricultural products and reduction of usury.
The US-Duterte regime is desperate to overturn such gains of the people and crush the CPP, the NPA and the entire revolutionary movement by mid-2019 through the implementation of Oplan Kapayapaan and imposition of martial law in Mindanao. These fascist policies have sowed terror throughout Mindanao’s countryside through non-stop combat operations, characterized by aerial bombings, artillery shelling and the extensive use of drones for surveillance; as well as psy-war operations through the infiltration of the AFP’s so-called “community support program” and the installment of army and paramilitary detachments in most of Mindanao’s rural communities.
These have also caused untold suffering on the people in the form of extra-judicial killings, massacres and the massive displacement of peasant, Lumad and Moro communities, especially in Compostela Valley, Caraga, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Lanao provinces and North Cotabato. Illegal arrests and the filing of trumped up charges against mass leaders, activists, church people and other professionals, including the media, have also increased.
Further, the Duterte government’s insistence on “localized peace talks” demeans the people’s demands for genuine land reform, national industrialization and national sovereignty; and is merely a ploy for the revolutionary movement to capitulate.
The US-Duterte regime has deployed 35 AFP combat battalions in Moro areas in Mindanao to suppress the on-going struggle of the Bangsamoro. The massive combat operations, including aerial bombings and artillery shelling, have led to the mass murder and displacement of thousands of the Moro people.
The Duterte regime has also railroaded the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law with the intent to contain the Bangsamoro struggle for the right to self-determination within the framework and control of the reactionary government and focus the full force of the AFP and PNP against the revolutionary movement. However, the US-Duterte regime’s outright acts of fascism and the imposition of the bogus BOL has only further ignited their armed resistance. The NDFP and the entire revolutionary movement continues to promote and support the Bangsamoro’s fight for their genuine right to self-determination.
Clearly, Duterte is delusional if he thinks he can destroy the revolutionary movement. For as long as the root causes of the armed conflict are not resolved, the flame of the people’s war can never be extinguished and instead will continue to intensify and rage on towards total victory.
LONG LIVE THE 50TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEW PEOPLE’S ARMY!
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Mindanao (NDFP-Mindanao), together with all revolutionary forces in the island, celebrates the New People’s Army’s (NPA’s) 50th founding anniversary with unbounded joy. It lauds the NPA for gaining victories through the years towards the aim of bringing the people’s democratic revolution to complete victory and paving the way for a socialist Philippines.
We salute all Red fighters and commanders and members of the People’s militia and barrio self-defense units who sacrificed their lives for the people’s democratic revolution. They displayed unwavering resolve to overcome difficulties, which must serve as an inspiration to and should be emulated by all revolutionaries.
The revolutionary masses, together with the NPA, have been hard at work in carrying out the programs of agrarian revolution through anti-feudal mass campaigns and united front work. Hundreds of thousands of poor peasants and Lumad have benefitted from the agrarian revolution’s minimum program, such as reduction of land rent, increase in the wages of farm workers, increase in the farm gate prices of agricultural products and reduction of usury.
The US-Duterte regime is desperate to overturn such gains of the people and crush the CPP, the NPA and the entire revolutionary movement by mid-2019 through the implementation of Oplan Kapayapaan and imposition of martial law in Mindanao. These fascist policies have sowed terror throughout Mindanao’s countryside through non-stop combat operations, characterized by aerial bombings, artillery shelling and the extensive use of drones for surveillance; as well as psy-war operations through the infiltration of the AFP’s so-called “community support program” and the installment of army and paramilitary detachments in most of Mindanao’s rural communities.
These have also caused untold suffering on the people in the form of extra-judicial killings, massacres and the massive displacement of peasant, Lumad and Moro communities, especially in Compostela Valley, Caraga, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Lanao provinces and North Cotabato. Illegal arrests and the filing of trumped up charges against mass leaders, activists, church people and other professionals, including the media, have also increased.
Further, the Duterte government’s insistence on “localized peace talks” demeans the people’s demands for genuine land reform, national industrialization and national sovereignty; and is merely a ploy for the revolutionary movement to capitulate.
The US-Duterte regime has deployed 35 AFP combat battalions in Moro areas in Mindanao to suppress the on-going struggle of the Bangsamoro. The massive combat operations, including aerial bombings and artillery shelling, have led to the mass murder and displacement of thousands of the Moro people.
The Duterte regime has also railroaded the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law with the intent to contain the Bangsamoro struggle for the right to self-determination within the framework and control of the reactionary government and focus the full force of the AFP and PNP against the revolutionary movement. However, the US-Duterte regime’s outright acts of fascism and the imposition of the bogus BOL has only further ignited their armed resistance. The NDFP and the entire revolutionary movement continues to promote and support the Bangsamoro’s fight for their genuine right to self-determination.
Clearly, Duterte is delusional if he thinks he can destroy the revolutionary movement. For as long as the root causes of the armed conflict are not resolved, the flame of the people’s war can never be extinguished and instead will continue to intensify and rage on towards total victory.
LONG LIVE THE 50TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEW PEOPLE’S ARMY!
LONG LIVE THE 50TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES!
LONG LIVE THE FILIPINO PEOPLE!
Marinduque declared free of insurgency
From the Manila Times (Mar 28, 2019): Marinduque declared free of insurgency
CAMP EFIGENIO Navarro, Calapan City: Top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Gov. Romulo Bacorro declared Marinduque insurgency-free in a ceremony at the provincial capitol in Boac on Tuesday.
The declaration was announced after a Memorandum of Understanding on the Stable Internal Peace and Security of the Province of Marinduque was signed by the AFP, PNP and the provincial government, a milestone in Region 4 or Mimaropa.
Mimaropa is composed of the provinces of Mindoro Oriental, Mindoro Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.
According to Police Regional Office-Mimaropa Regional Director chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario, the declaration of Marinduque as insurgncy-free was initially recommended in July 2009 since no insurgent activity, violent or nonviolent, had been recorded in the province.
After a series of validations conducted by different intelligence units, the province was finally declared insurgency-free.
Marinduque is now the third province nationwide to be declared insurgency-free by the AFP and PNP next to Cavite, declared in 2017, and Romblon, declared in February 2019.
https://www.manilatimes.net/marinduque-declared-free-of-insurgency/531770/?fbclid=IwAR1QlxcHC0Pv8DedYh4BgNxSjHI0DYll618xlgMNii5VrlAGJq9GcOqsLGs
CAMP EFIGENIO Navarro, Calapan City: Top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Gov. Romulo Bacorro declared Marinduque insurgency-free in a ceremony at the provincial capitol in Boac on Tuesday.
The declaration was announced after a Memorandum of Understanding on the Stable Internal Peace and Security of the Province of Marinduque was signed by the AFP, PNP and the provincial government, a milestone in Region 4 or Mimaropa.
Mimaropa is composed of the provinces of Mindoro Oriental, Mindoro Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.
After a series of validations conducted by different intelligence units, the province was finally declared insurgency-free.
https://www.manilatimes.net/marinduque-declared-free-of-insurgency/531770/?fbclid=IwAR1QlxcHC0Pv8DedYh4BgNxSjHI0DYll618xlgMNii5VrlAGJq9GcOqsLGs
NPA rebels fire at Army detachment
From The Daily Guardian (Mar 29, 2019): NPA rebels fire at Army detachment
The Philippine Army laughed off the New People’s Army (NPA)’s futile attempt to counter government forces’ offensive operations.
At around 2 p.m. of March 28, 2019, reports indicated that more or less 18 NPA fighters fired at the 61st IB’s CAA (CAFGU Active Auxiliary) Detachment at the boundary of barangays Agcalaga and Garangan in Calinog, Iloilo.
“It’s not even an armed engagement,” said Lieutenant Colonel Sisenando Magbalot Jr., commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion.
The fully-armed persons believed to be members of the Iglabon Platoon of the NPA’s Central Front Committee – Komiteng Rehiyon Panay, allegedly positioned themselves 300 meters from the detachment.
The rebels immediately fled going to barangays Garangan and Masaroy in Calinog after the incident.
No casualty was reported on the government side.
“Sana sa susunod, lapitan naman nila. It only goes to show na wala talaga silang balak to engage with our soldiers,” Magbalot said.
He believes that the rebels mounted the attack so they will have something to celebrate during the 50th founding anniversary of the NPA today, March 29.
“But we, and they, know it’s an empty celebration. What happened was not even harassment. They just fired their guns at the detachment,” Magbalot said.
Last week, a series of encounters happened in Panay Island, particularly in the southern part of the province.
Major General Dinoh Dolina, Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division commander, said they took the clashes positively, since the government troops have been initiating the offensive operations against the rebels.
The 3rd ID had earlier vowed to pound on the rebels’ lairs in a bid to spoil their golden anniversary celebration.
The latest encounter happened between the 61st IB troops and suspected NPA combatants shortly after midnight of March 24, 2019 at Sitio Burak, Barangay Alimodias, Miagao.
It led to the killing of a certain Leonardo S. Seterra, a former barangay kagawad of Danawan, San Joaquin, Iloilo.
Prior to that, an encounter also occurred happened early morning of March 20 at Sitio Igburay, Barangay Indaluyon, Igbaras, Iloilo.
The first clash happened in Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras on March 17 and the other happened at Barangay Osorio 1, San Remegio, Antique on March 19.
Earlier, Magbalot has expressed alarm over the perceived “mass production” of IEDs of the NPAs that were left at the house of their militiamen.
Nine IEDs, weighing around nine kilos each, were seized following the March 17 encounter at Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras.
https://thedailyguardian.net/local-news/npa-rebels-fire-at-army-detachment/
The Philippine Army laughed off the New People’s Army (NPA)’s futile attempt to counter government forces’ offensive operations.
At around 2 p.m. of March 28, 2019, reports indicated that more or less 18 NPA fighters fired at the 61st IB’s CAA (CAFGU Active Auxiliary) Detachment at the boundary of barangays Agcalaga and Garangan in Calinog, Iloilo.
“It’s not even an armed engagement,” said Lieutenant Colonel Sisenando Magbalot Jr., commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion.
The fully-armed persons believed to be members of the Iglabon Platoon of the NPA’s Central Front Committee – Komiteng Rehiyon Panay, allegedly positioned themselves 300 meters from the detachment.
The rebels immediately fled going to barangays Garangan and Masaroy in Calinog after the incident.
No casualty was reported on the government side.
“Sana sa susunod, lapitan naman nila. It only goes to show na wala talaga silang balak to engage with our soldiers,” Magbalot said.
He believes that the rebels mounted the attack so they will have something to celebrate during the 50th founding anniversary of the NPA today, March 29.
“But we, and they, know it’s an empty celebration. What happened was not even harassment. They just fired their guns at the detachment,” Magbalot said.
Last week, a series of encounters happened in Panay Island, particularly in the southern part of the province.
Major General Dinoh Dolina, Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division commander, said they took the clashes positively, since the government troops have been initiating the offensive operations against the rebels.
The 3rd ID had earlier vowed to pound on the rebels’ lairs in a bid to spoil their golden anniversary celebration.
The latest encounter happened between the 61st IB troops and suspected NPA combatants shortly after midnight of March 24, 2019 at Sitio Burak, Barangay Alimodias, Miagao.
It led to the killing of a certain Leonardo S. Seterra, a former barangay kagawad of Danawan, San Joaquin, Iloilo.
Prior to that, an encounter also occurred happened early morning of March 20 at Sitio Igburay, Barangay Indaluyon, Igbaras, Iloilo.
The first clash happened in Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras on March 17 and the other happened at Barangay Osorio 1, San Remegio, Antique on March 19.
Earlier, Magbalot has expressed alarm over the perceived “mass production” of IEDs of the NPAs that were left at the house of their militiamen.
Nine IEDs, weighing around nine kilos each, were seized following the March 17 encounter at Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras.
https://thedailyguardian.net/local-news/npa-rebels-fire-at-army-detachment/
Balikatan 2019: AFP, U.S. Army begin construction project at Pagasa Elementary
Posted to the US Army Reserve Official Website (Mar 22, 2019): Balikatan 2019: AFP, U.S. Army begin construction project at Pagasa Elementary
ORANI, Bataan, Philippines — Philippine Airmen and U.S. Soldiers came together with local officials to begin a construction project at Pagasa Elementary School.
Airmen from the 355th Aviation Engineer Wing, Armed Forces of the Philippines and soldiers from the 561st Engineer Construction Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command and 405th Civil Affairs Battalion, 364th Civil Affairs Brigade, 351st Civil Affairs Command, take part in a catered lunch during the Engineering Civic Action Project 4 opening ceremony as part of Exercise Balikatan, March 12, 2019.
During the exercise planning process, military planners visited various locations in coordination with AFP and local officials to nominate sites. Numerous factors were taken into account, including logistics requirements, unit capabilities, and exercise requirements. Pagasa Elementary School was selected as one of the Balikatan construction projects following this selection process.
The military relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines is strong and based on mutual respect and cooperation.
Exercise Balikatan, in its 35th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-terrorism, and other combined military operations.
(From left to right) The Honorable Efren Pascual Jr., municipal mayor of Orani, Bataan, Armed Forces of the Philippines Army Lt. Col. Francesca Dapiton, Office of the Chief Engineer, and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Tucker, Combined Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force commander, break ground during the Engineering Civic Action Project (ENCAP) 4 opening ceremony as part of Exercise Balikatan, March 12, 2019. U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brendon Cagney, ENCAP 4 officer in charge, looks on. During the exercise planning process, military planners visited various locations in coordination with AFP and local officials to nominate sites. Numerous factors were taken into account, including logistics requirements, unit capabilities, and exercise requirements. Pagasa Elementary School was selected as one of the Balikatan construction projects following this selection process. Exercise Balikatan, in its 35th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-terrorism, and other combined military operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas, 128th MPAD) (Photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas)
Airmen from the 355th Aviation Engineer Wing, Armed Forces of the Philippines and soldiers from the 561st Engineer Construction Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command and 405th Civil Affairs Battalion, 364th Civil Affairs Brigade, 351st Civil Affairs Command, take part in a catered lunch during the Engineering Civic Action Project 4 opening ceremony as part of Exercise Balikatan, March 12, 2019. The military relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines is strong and based on mutual respect and cooperation. Exercise Balikatan, in its 35th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-terrorism, and other combined military operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas) (Photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas)
A soldier with the 405th Civil Affairs Battalion, 364th Civil Affairs Brigade, 351st Civil Affairs Command signs in at the Engineering Civic Action Project 4 opening ceremony at Pagasa Elementary School in Orani, Bataan, as part of Exercise Balikatan, March 12, 2019. Exercise Balikatan, in its 35th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas) (Photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas)
The welcome sign for Engineering Civic Action Project 4 opening ceremony hangs at Pagasa Elementary School in Orani, Bataan, as part of Exercise Balikatan, March 12, 2019. Exercise Balikatan, in its 35th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas, 128th MPAD) (Photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas)
https://www.usar.army.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1793353/balikatan-2019-afp-us-army-begin-construction-project-at-pagasa-elementary/
ORANI, Bataan, Philippines — Philippine Airmen and U.S. Soldiers came together with local officials to begin a construction project at Pagasa Elementary School.
Airmen from the 355th Aviation Engineer Wing, Armed Forces of the Philippines and soldiers from the 561st Engineer Construction Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command and 405th Civil Affairs Battalion, 364th Civil Affairs Brigade, 351st Civil Affairs Command, take part in a catered lunch during the Engineering Civic Action Project 4 opening ceremony as part of Exercise Balikatan, March 12, 2019.
During the exercise planning process, military planners visited various locations in coordination with AFP and local officials to nominate sites. Numerous factors were taken into account, including logistics requirements, unit capabilities, and exercise requirements. Pagasa Elementary School was selected as one of the Balikatan construction projects following this selection process.
The military relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines is strong and based on mutual respect and cooperation.
Exercise Balikatan, in its 35th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-terrorism, and other combined military operations.
(From left to right) The Honorable Efren Pascual Jr., municipal mayor of Orani, Bataan, Armed Forces of the Philippines Army Lt. Col. Francesca Dapiton, Office of the Chief Engineer, and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Tucker, Combined Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force commander, break ground during the Engineering Civic Action Project (ENCAP) 4 opening ceremony as part of Exercise Balikatan, March 12, 2019. U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brendon Cagney, ENCAP 4 officer in charge, looks on. During the exercise planning process, military planners visited various locations in coordination with AFP and local officials to nominate sites. Numerous factors were taken into account, including logistics requirements, unit capabilities, and exercise requirements. Pagasa Elementary School was selected as one of the Balikatan construction projects following this selection process. Exercise Balikatan, in its 35th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-terrorism, and other combined military operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas, 128th MPAD) (Photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas)
Airmen from the 355th Aviation Engineer Wing, Armed Forces of the Philippines and soldiers from the 561st Engineer Construction Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command and 405th Civil Affairs Battalion, 364th Civil Affairs Brigade, 351st Civil Affairs Command, take part in a catered lunch during the Engineering Civic Action Project 4 opening ceremony as part of Exercise Balikatan, March 12, 2019. The military relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines is strong and based on mutual respect and cooperation. Exercise Balikatan, in its 35th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-terrorism, and other combined military operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas) (Photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas)
A soldier with the 405th Civil Affairs Battalion, 364th Civil Affairs Brigade, 351st Civil Affairs Command signs in at the Engineering Civic Action Project 4 opening ceremony at Pagasa Elementary School in Orani, Bataan, as part of Exercise Balikatan, March 12, 2019. Exercise Balikatan, in its 35th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas) (Photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas)
The welcome sign for Engineering Civic Action Project 4 opening ceremony hangs at Pagasa Elementary School in Orani, Bataan, as part of Exercise Balikatan, March 12, 2019. Exercise Balikatan, in its 35th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas, 128th MPAD) (Photo by Sgt. Scott Vargas)
https://www.usar.army.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1793353/balikatan-2019-afp-us-army-begin-construction-project-at-pagasa-elementary/
DVIDS: Sealift Ships: Key Assets in Supply Chain during Balikatan 2019
Posted to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) Website (Mar 26, 2019): Sealift Ships: Key Assets in Supply Chain during Balikatan 2019
Photo By Grady Fontana | 190315-N-IX266-002 OLONGAPO, Philippines—Chief mate Conor Sullivan, a commercial mariner with M/V Cape Hudson (T-AKR 5066), speaks to Soldiers and Marines during a safety brief prior to a discharge operation of Military Sealift Command’s time-chartered vessel M/V Cape Hudson in preparation for exercise Balikatan 2019, March 15. This year’s Balikatan focuses on maritime security and amphibious capabilities, as well as multinational interoperability through military exchanges. (Navy photo by Grady T. Fontana/Released)
OLONGAPO, Philippines— Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships completed discharge operations at Subic Bay, Olongapo, Philippines, March 24, and delivered equipment and personnel destined for various locations in the Philippines in support of exercise Balikatan 2019.
Balikatan 2019 is a military training exercise led by the Philippines between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military along with participants from the Australian Defence Force. It features military-to-military exchanges through various training events, including joint and combined interoperability events, humanitarian and civic assistance projects, and a staff exercise.
To enable the large-scale exercise, MSC vessels conducted two separate deliveries to the New Container Terminal at Subic Bay.
Time-chartered ship M/V Cape Hudson (T-AKR 5066) conducted its offload March 15-16, while maritime prepositioning ship USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304) discharged its equipment and personnel March 23-24.
“The Republic of the Philippines is a key U.S. ally that promotes peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Navy Capt. Robert R. Williams, commodore, MSC Far East in Singapore. “Through engagements such as Balikatan 2019, we continuously improve our effectiveness in transportation and distribution activities with partnering nations. This discharge operation is a great example of our ability to provide on-time logistics and strategic sealift in an exercise, but also demonstrates our capabilities during a crisis or contingency.”
The Cape Hudson is a member of the Maritime Security Program, a listing of American-flag ships that are assets the U.S. military can draw upon during contingencies.
As a commercial ship that is also part of the Ready Reserve Force fleet of vessels, the Cape Hudson has supported many other military charters including Operation Iraqi Freedom deployments in 2003 and 2004. However, military missions are not a regular occurrence for most of the commercial mariner crew.
“This mission is not the cyclic routine that we have become accustomed to in a commercial cycle,” said 2nd Mate David Roach, a commercial mariner on the Cape Hudson. “Here, you get to work with military personnel from the Army and Marine Corps. We conduct a lot of interesting voyage planning here as opposed to that in commercial shipping because you get to go to these exotic places.”
The time charter is part of a concurrent mobility operation for U.S. Army Pacific called Pacific Pathways 19-1, where the ship makes stops around the Pacific supporting follow-on missions.
Pacific Pathways is an innovation that links a series of U.S. Pacific Command-directed Security Cooperation exercises with allied and partner militaries to a single MSC chartered vessel on a single voyage plan that delivers equipment to support multiple exercises.
The Pililaau, a large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off platform, is part of Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron Three (MPSRON 3), which consists of a fleet of government-owned ships operated by MSC and based in the Guam-Saipan area of the Western Pacific Ocean.
MPSRON 3 maintains tactical control of 16 ships carrying afloat prepositioned U.S. military cargo for the Marine Corps, Army and Air Force delivering a strategic power-projection capability known as the Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF).
The squadron’s mission is to enable force from the sea by providing swift and effective transportation of vital equipment and supplies for designated operations.
“The Maritime Prepositioning Force is a key component to Marine Corps readiness in the Indo-Pacific and is a prime example of Navy and Marine Corps integration and teamwork,” said Navy Capt. Eric C. Lindfors, commodore, MPSRON 3. “As part of the MPF, the USNS Pililaau delivers a forward presence and rapid-crisis-response capability by pre-positioning equipment and supplies to various locations at sea. Its ability to deliver military equipment ashore from the sea enables deployment flexibility and supports the Philippines-U.S. alliance with expeditionary logistics in a crisis response, if called upon.”
At the conclusion of Balikatan 2019, both ships will return to the Philippine port and backload all equipment before conducting follow-on missions.
MSC operates approximately 120 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/315946/sealift-ships-key-assets-supply-chain-during-balikatan-2019
Photo By Grady Fontana | 190315-N-IX266-002 OLONGAPO, Philippines—Chief mate Conor Sullivan, a commercial mariner with M/V Cape Hudson (T-AKR 5066), speaks to Soldiers and Marines during a safety brief prior to a discharge operation of Military Sealift Command’s time-chartered vessel M/V Cape Hudson in preparation for exercise Balikatan 2019, March 15. This year’s Balikatan focuses on maritime security and amphibious capabilities, as well as multinational interoperability through military exchanges. (Navy photo by Grady T. Fontana/Released)
OLONGAPO, Philippines— Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships completed discharge operations at Subic Bay, Olongapo, Philippines, March 24, and delivered equipment and personnel destined for various locations in the Philippines in support of exercise Balikatan 2019.
Balikatan 2019 is a military training exercise led by the Philippines between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military along with participants from the Australian Defence Force. It features military-to-military exchanges through various training events, including joint and combined interoperability events, humanitarian and civic assistance projects, and a staff exercise.
To enable the large-scale exercise, MSC vessels conducted two separate deliveries to the New Container Terminal at Subic Bay.
Time-chartered ship M/V Cape Hudson (T-AKR 5066) conducted its offload March 15-16, while maritime prepositioning ship USNS Pililaau (T-AKR 304) discharged its equipment and personnel March 23-24.
“The Republic of the Philippines is a key U.S. ally that promotes peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Navy Capt. Robert R. Williams, commodore, MSC Far East in Singapore. “Through engagements such as Balikatan 2019, we continuously improve our effectiveness in transportation and distribution activities with partnering nations. This discharge operation is a great example of our ability to provide on-time logistics and strategic sealift in an exercise, but also demonstrates our capabilities during a crisis or contingency.”
The Cape Hudson is a member of the Maritime Security Program, a listing of American-flag ships that are assets the U.S. military can draw upon during contingencies.
As a commercial ship that is also part of the Ready Reserve Force fleet of vessels, the Cape Hudson has supported many other military charters including Operation Iraqi Freedom deployments in 2003 and 2004. However, military missions are not a regular occurrence for most of the commercial mariner crew.
“This mission is not the cyclic routine that we have become accustomed to in a commercial cycle,” said 2nd Mate David Roach, a commercial mariner on the Cape Hudson. “Here, you get to work with military personnel from the Army and Marine Corps. We conduct a lot of interesting voyage planning here as opposed to that in commercial shipping because you get to go to these exotic places.”
The time charter is part of a concurrent mobility operation for U.S. Army Pacific called Pacific Pathways 19-1, where the ship makes stops around the Pacific supporting follow-on missions.
Pacific Pathways is an innovation that links a series of U.S. Pacific Command-directed Security Cooperation exercises with allied and partner militaries to a single MSC chartered vessel on a single voyage plan that delivers equipment to support multiple exercises.
The Pililaau, a large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off platform, is part of Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron Three (MPSRON 3), which consists of a fleet of government-owned ships operated by MSC and based in the Guam-Saipan area of the Western Pacific Ocean.
MPSRON 3 maintains tactical control of 16 ships carrying afloat prepositioned U.S. military cargo for the Marine Corps, Army and Air Force delivering a strategic power-projection capability known as the Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF).
The squadron’s mission is to enable force from the sea by providing swift and effective transportation of vital equipment and supplies for designated operations.
“The Maritime Prepositioning Force is a key component to Marine Corps readiness in the Indo-Pacific and is a prime example of Navy and Marine Corps integration and teamwork,” said Navy Capt. Eric C. Lindfors, commodore, MPSRON 3. “As part of the MPF, the USNS Pililaau delivers a forward presence and rapid-crisis-response capability by pre-positioning equipment and supplies to various locations at sea. Its ability to deliver military equipment ashore from the sea enables deployment flexibility and supports the Philippines-U.S. alliance with expeditionary logistics in a crisis response, if called upon.”
At the conclusion of Balikatan 2019, both ships will return to the Philippine port and backload all equipment before conducting follow-on missions.
MSC operates approximately 120 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/315946/sealift-ships-key-assets-supply-chain-during-balikatan-2019
Ka Frank’s arrest a ‘historic event’ – Phil. Army official
From Panay News (Mar 28, 2019): Ka Frank’s arrest a ‘historic event’ – Phil. Army official
National Democratic Front consultant Frank Fernandez, a top New People’s Army leader in Negros Occidental, has been arrested in Laguna province on March 24, 2019. He was taken to an Army hospital after complaining of chest pains. In 2016 the military set a P7.8-million bounty for his arrest. PNP PHOTO
BACOLOD City – The apprehension of Ka Francisco “Frank” Fernandez – the National Democratic Front (NDF) spokesman in Negros Island – is a “historic event,” according to a Philippine Army official.
“Personally, I am very happy. I’ve been running after Frank Fernandez since I was a lieutenant. I’ve waited this long,” said Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, in a press briefing on Wednesday.
Government forces had been chasing the 71-year-old Fernandez for about three decades, said Arevalo, who was assigned as an Army intelligence and operations officer in Negros Island in the 1990s.
Arevalo said his men had tried to catch the elusive Fernandez several times but failed.
Fernandez was caught on March 24 in Liliw, Laguna on the strength of an arrest warrant the court issued in relation to murder charges he faces.
His 66-year-old partner Cleofe Lagtapon – who also have ties to the rebel movement – was arrested with him.
“This is historic, not only for Negros, also but for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). I believe Frank Fernandez is one of the last living true icons of the CPP-NPA-NDF. He is the ‘biggest fish’ caught in Negros Island,” Arevalo said.
https://www.panaynews.net/ka-franks-arrest-a-historic-event-phil-army-official/
National Democratic Front consultant Frank Fernandez, a top New People’s Army leader in Negros Occidental, has been arrested in Laguna province on March 24, 2019. He was taken to an Army hospital after complaining of chest pains. In 2016 the military set a P7.8-million bounty for his arrest. PNP PHOTO
BACOLOD City – The apprehension of Ka Francisco “Frank” Fernandez – the National Democratic Front (NDF) spokesman in Negros Island – is a “historic event,” according to a Philippine Army official.
“Personally, I am very happy. I’ve been running after Frank Fernandez since I was a lieutenant. I’ve waited this long,” said Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, in a press briefing on Wednesday.
Government forces had been chasing the 71-year-old Fernandez for about three decades, said Arevalo, who was assigned as an Army intelligence and operations officer in Negros Island in the 1990s.
Arevalo said his men had tried to catch the elusive Fernandez several times but failed.
Fernandez was caught on March 24 in Liliw, Laguna on the strength of an arrest warrant the court issued in relation to murder charges he faces.
His 66-year-old partner Cleofe Lagtapon – who also have ties to the rebel movement – was arrested with him.
“This is historic, not only for Negros, also but for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). I believe Frank Fernandez is one of the last living true icons of the CPP-NPA-NDF. He is the ‘biggest fish’ caught in Negros Island,” Arevalo said.
https://www.panaynews.net/ka-franks-arrest-a-historic-event-phil-army-official/
NPA 50th anniv today; Army ‘ready to engage’
From Panay News (Mar 29, 2019): NPA 50th anniv today; Army ‘ready to engage’
New People’s Army guerrillas, with their faces painted to mask their identities, read a local newspaper at their encampment in the Sierra Madre Mountains southeast of Manila, Nov. 23, 2016. AP
Today is the 50th anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Rebels usually celebrate this day by assaulting government troops and vital state installations.
“We are ready to engage (the rebels in a firefight),” declared Major General Dinoh Dolina, commanding general of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) based in Jamindan, Capiz.
Army soldiers are on full alert. They count on the help of communities.
“We are gaining the trust and confidence of communities. The series of recent encounters showed the rebels’ numbers are dwindling,” Dolina said.
For his part, 61st Infantry Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Sisenando Magbalot Jr. said offensive operations against the rebels were continuing.
His men launched hot pursuit operations against the NPA following four recent clashes – in Barangay Alimodias, Miag-ao, Iloilo on March 24; Sitio Igburay, Barangay Indaluyon, Igbaras, Iloilo on March 20; Barangay Osorio 1, San Remigio, Antique on March 19; and Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras, Iloilo on March 17.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba instructed all his municipal and city police chiefs to be ready and not leave their stations unmanned.
Policemen were also instructed to carry short and long firearms while on duty.
On June 18, 2017 rebels raided the police station of Maasin, Iloilo. The daring, broad daylight caper was swift. Within 15 minutes beginning around 10:30 a.m., the rebels shanghaied M16 rifles, Glock .9mm pistols, handheld radios and their base, laptops, mobile phones, and jewelry.
The rebels also used the police station’s patrol car to flee.
https://www.panaynews.net/npa-50th-anniv-today-army-ready-to-engage/
New People’s Army guerrillas, with their faces painted to mask their identities, read a local newspaper at their encampment in the Sierra Madre Mountains southeast of Manila, Nov. 23, 2016. AP
Today is the 50th anniversary of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Rebels usually celebrate this day by assaulting government troops and vital state installations.
“We are ready to engage (the rebels in a firefight),” declared Major General Dinoh Dolina, commanding general of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) based in Jamindan, Capiz.
Army soldiers are on full alert. They count on the help of communities.
“We are gaining the trust and confidence of communities. The series of recent encounters showed the rebels’ numbers are dwindling,” Dolina said.
For his part, 61st Infantry Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Sisenando Magbalot Jr. said offensive operations against the rebels were continuing.
His men launched hot pursuit operations against the NPA following four recent clashes – in Barangay Alimodias, Miag-ao, Iloilo on March 24; Sitio Igburay, Barangay Indaluyon, Igbaras, Iloilo on March 20; Barangay Osorio 1, San Remigio, Antique on March 19; and Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras, Iloilo on March 17.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba instructed all his municipal and city police chiefs to be ready and not leave their stations unmanned.
Policemen were also instructed to carry short and long firearms while on duty.
On June 18, 2017 rebels raided the police station of Maasin, Iloilo. The daring, broad daylight caper was swift. Within 15 minutes beginning around 10:30 a.m., the rebels shanghaied M16 rifles, Glock .9mm pistols, handheld radios and their base, laptops, mobile phones, and jewelry.
The rebels also used the police station’s patrol car to flee.
https://www.panaynews.net/npa-50th-anniv-today-army-ready-to-engage/
Amazon gives up
From the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 28, 2019): Amazon gives up
A self-confessed member of the New People’s Army gave up the armed struggle and surrendered two firearms and a rifle grenade to the 62nd Infantry Battalion on March 24, Army 1Lt. Maria Allein Veluz reported yesterday.
Identified only as a certain Ka Vic, Veluz said the former NPA amazon surrendered an M1 carbine rifle with two magazines, a 12-gauge shotgun and a rifle grenade.
Ka Vic told the Philippine Army that she was recruited by a certain Remonde Lapisan, alias Dindo, and Lourdes Quirante from Kabataang Makabayan as a party branch member.
Veluz said Ka Vic also served as a former medical officer of Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL) in clustered sitios of Bryg. Buenavista, Himamaylan City.
She added that Ka Vic is joining 10 other former rebels who will soon avail of the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Ka Vic is also expected to receive cash assistance, the amount of which is equivalent to the firearms and explosives she had surrendered, Veluz also said.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/March/28/topstory8.htm
A self-confessed member of the New People’s Army gave up the armed struggle and surrendered two firearms and a rifle grenade to the 62nd Infantry Battalion on March 24, Army 1Lt. Maria Allein Veluz reported yesterday.
Identified only as a certain Ka Vic, Veluz said the former NPA amazon surrendered an M1 carbine rifle with two magazines, a 12-gauge shotgun and a rifle grenade.
Ka Vic told the Philippine Army that she was recruited by a certain Remonde Lapisan, alias Dindo, and Lourdes Quirante from Kabataang Makabayan as a party branch member.
Veluz said Ka Vic also served as a former medical officer of Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL) in clustered sitios of Bryg. Buenavista, Himamaylan City.
She added that Ka Vic is joining 10 other former rebels who will soon avail of the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Ka Vic is also expected to receive cash assistance, the amount of which is equivalent to the firearms and explosives she had surrendered, Veluz also said.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/March/28/topstory8.htm
Civilians to get P11M bounty; mayor’s help acknowledged
From the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 28, 2019): Civilians to get P11M bounty; mayor’s help acknowledged
Civilians who provided information that led to the arrest of Negros top communist leaders Frank Fernandez and his deputy, Cleofe Lagtapon, in Laguna on March 24, may soon be richer by more than P11 million.
Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said yesterday that only civilian informants may get the reward, as military personnel involved in the arrest of Fernandez and his two companions in Laguna on Sunday, are not entitled to it.
There is a reward of more than P8 million for the capture of Fernandez, who is the secretary of Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, and P3.2 million for his wife and deputy, Lagtapon, as reported by the police, Arevalo added.
“Personally, I do not really care about the reward, because for me, I was just very happy that finally he (Fernandez) was captured,” he said, stressing that the reward which is to be determined soon, will go to the informant, who was able to cause the arrest of the wanted person.
But Arevalo commended the government troops for “a job well done. We don’t really need the monetary compensation,” he stressed, and only for his troops to be proud of what they had done.
He added that the arrest of Fernandez is historical for Negros and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for catching one of the last true living icons of the CPP-NPA-NDF.
Arevalo also acknowledged the help of Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña, who provided vital information that led to the arrest of Fernandez, who had eluded captivity for more than three decades.
Peña, who presented a video of a conversation with the captured former Negros priest to the media during a press conference yesterday, requested Fernandez to help stop the killings in Negros.
Arevalo added that the arrest of Fernandez may also be an opportunity to prolong his life, considering his health condition, as he can no longer be running and is stressed from fleeing from government troopers
“We want to assure his family that he is being very well taken care of,” adding that Fernandez and Lagtapon were brought to the Asian Hospital in Alabang for a check up, as his blood pressure had risen.
Aside from murder and attempted murder charges being faced by Fernandez, police also filed on Monday charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives against him, Lagtapon, and Gee-Ann Perez.
Arevalo confirmed that Fernandez and Lagtapon are under hospital arrest, for humanitarian reasons, in an undisclosed place in Luzon although he was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of civilians, soldiers, policemen assigned in Negros, for several decades, being the leader of the CPP-NPA in Negros.
But he said he cannot stop families of the victims of Fernandez if they will press charges against him.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said that he expects peace in Negros, following the arrest of Fernandez.
“It’s about time that we stop these killings”, he added.
Arevalo said that there are still about 300 armed NPA members and their “militias” operating in Negros Island.
“If they are sincere, they should help the government to make progress possible,” Marañon said, noting that the CPP-NPA and the government are one in their desire to improve the lives of the poor.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/March/28/topstory4.htm
Civilians who provided information that led to the arrest of Negros top communist leaders Frank Fernandez and his deputy, Cleofe Lagtapon, in Laguna on March 24, may soon be richer by more than P11 million.
Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said yesterday that only civilian informants may get the reward, as military personnel involved in the arrest of Fernandez and his two companions in Laguna on Sunday, are not entitled to it.
There is a reward of more than P8 million for the capture of Fernandez, who is the secretary of Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros/Cebu/Bohol/Siquijor, and P3.2 million for his wife and deputy, Lagtapon, as reported by the police, Arevalo added.
“Personally, I do not really care about the reward, because for me, I was just very happy that finally he (Fernandez) was captured,” he said, stressing that the reward which is to be determined soon, will go to the informant, who was able to cause the arrest of the wanted person.
But Arevalo commended the government troops for “a job well done. We don’t really need the monetary compensation,” he stressed, and only for his troops to be proud of what they had done.
He added that the arrest of Fernandez is historical for Negros and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for catching one of the last true living icons of the CPP-NPA-NDF.
Arevalo also acknowledged the help of Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña, who provided vital information that led to the arrest of Fernandez, who had eluded captivity for more than three decades.
Peña, who presented a video of a conversation with the captured former Negros priest to the media during a press conference yesterday, requested Fernandez to help stop the killings in Negros.
Arevalo added that the arrest of Fernandez may also be an opportunity to prolong his life, considering his health condition, as he can no longer be running and is stressed from fleeing from government troopers
“We want to assure his family that he is being very well taken care of,” adding that Fernandez and Lagtapon were brought to the Asian Hospital in Alabang for a check up, as his blood pressure had risen.
Aside from murder and attempted murder charges being faced by Fernandez, police also filed on Monday charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives against him, Lagtapon, and Gee-Ann Perez.
Arevalo confirmed that Fernandez and Lagtapon are under hospital arrest, for humanitarian reasons, in an undisclosed place in Luzon although he was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of civilians, soldiers, policemen assigned in Negros, for several decades, being the leader of the CPP-NPA in Negros.
But he said he cannot stop families of the victims of Fernandez if they will press charges against him.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said that he expects peace in Negros, following the arrest of Fernandez.
“It’s about time that we stop these killings”, he added.
Arevalo said that there are still about 300 armed NPA members and their “militias” operating in Negros Island.
“If they are sincere, they should help the government to make progress possible,” Marañon said, noting that the CPP-NPA and the government are one in their desire to improve the lives of the poor.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2019/March/28/topstory4.htm
EASTMINCOM: LGUs crucial in success of localized peace talks
From the Mindanao Times (Mar 28, 2019): EASTMINCOM: LGUs crucial in success of localized peace talks
Local government units have a big role to play in the planned localized peace talks as President Duterte already canceled the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA-NDF).Col. Ezra Balagtey, the spokesperson of Eastern Mindanao Command, told reporters Wednesday in the AFP-PNP press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, “This is just one of the ways in achieving peace in the country and whatever the thrust of President Rodrigo Duterte, we will support.”
“In as far as localized peace talks, we have seen the importance of the role of the local government units because they are the champions in the implementation of peace initiatives in their respective localities,” Balagtey said.
Earlier, President Duterte has permanently terminated the government’s peace talks with the communist group.
With the peace talks over, the President has also directed the military to step up the offensives against the communist rebels in the hopes that insurgency could be finished within his term.
“I am officially announcing the permanent termination of our talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines,” Duterte said during the 122nd-anniversary celebration of the Philippine Army in Taguig City on Thursday, March 21.
http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/03/28/eastmincom-lgus-crucial-in-success-of-localized-peace-talks/
Local government units have a big role to play in the planned localized peace talks as President Duterte already canceled the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA-NDF).Col. Ezra Balagtey, the spokesperson of Eastern Mindanao Command, told reporters Wednesday in the AFP-PNP press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, “This is just one of the ways in achieving peace in the country and whatever the thrust of President Rodrigo Duterte, we will support.”
“In as far as localized peace talks, we have seen the importance of the role of the local government units because they are the champions in the implementation of peace initiatives in their respective localities,” Balagtey said.
Earlier, President Duterte has permanently terminated the government’s peace talks with the communist group.
With the peace talks over, the President has also directed the military to step up the offensives against the communist rebels in the hopes that insurgency could be finished within his term.
“I am officially announcing the permanent termination of our talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines,” Duterte said during the 122nd-anniversary celebration of the Philippine Army in Taguig City on Thursday, March 21.
http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/03/28/eastmincom-lgus-crucial-in-success-of-localized-peace-talks/
2 high-ranking leaders yield in Baguio District
From the Mindanao Times (Mar 28, 2019): 2 high-ranking leaders yield in Baguio District
A commanding and vice commanding officer of the Pulang Bagani Command 2 surrendered to the 3rd Infantry Battalion on March 23 in Barangay Lumondao, Baguio District. Meanwhile, the two were presented yesterday to Mayor Sara Duterte at the sidelines of the turnover ceremony of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade based in Purok 9, Barangay Mahayag, Bunawan District.
Duterte told the surrenderees that the government is open to addressing their concerns and willing to help them.
Lt. Col. Oscar Partuza, the 3rd IB commander, yesterday said that alias Bong, 31, the commanding officer, and alias Igong, 33 the vice commanding officer, surrendered after an encounter in Sitio Kiandong, Barangay Tambobong, Baguio District last March 22.
Recovered from them were two M16A1 rifles, one Armscore .45 caliber pistol, Glock 17 with PNP markings, and a grenade.
The battalion commander said that when they combed the encounter site on March 23, they recovered an M4 carbine, six M16A1 rifles.
In an interview yesterday, alias Bong claimed that he could no longer live with the hunger and hardships in the movement.
“For eight years inside the movement, I found out that we were just being deceived and used, ” he said. “It is already tiring running and hiding from the soldiers.”
In a separate interview, alias Igong said he was enticed by the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) of the government. The E-Clip is an assistance program that helps make the transition easier for rebel returnees.
http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/03/29/2-high-ranking-leaders-yield-in-baguio-district/
A commanding and vice commanding officer of the Pulang Bagani Command 2 surrendered to the 3rd Infantry Battalion on March 23 in Barangay Lumondao, Baguio District. Meanwhile, the two were presented yesterday to Mayor Sara Duterte at the sidelines of the turnover ceremony of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade based in Purok 9, Barangay Mahayag, Bunawan District.
Duterte told the surrenderees that the government is open to addressing their concerns and willing to help them.
Lt. Col. Oscar Partuza, the 3rd IB commander, yesterday said that alias Bong, 31, the commanding officer, and alias Igong, 33 the vice commanding officer, surrendered after an encounter in Sitio Kiandong, Barangay Tambobong, Baguio District last March 22.
Recovered from them were two M16A1 rifles, one Armscore .45 caliber pistol, Glock 17 with PNP markings, and a grenade.
The battalion commander said that when they combed the encounter site on March 23, they recovered an M4 carbine, six M16A1 rifles.
In an interview yesterday, alias Bong claimed that he could no longer live with the hunger and hardships in the movement.
“For eight years inside the movement, I found out that we were just being deceived and used, ” he said. “It is already tiring running and hiding from the soldiers.”
In a separate interview, alias Igong said he was enticed by the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) of the government. The E-Clip is an assistance program that helps make the transition easier for rebel returnees.
http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/03/29/2-high-ranking-leaders-yield-in-baguio-district/
Mempin is named new 1003rd IB commander
From the Mindanao Times (Mar 28, 2019): Mempin is named new 1003rd IB commander
Former Task Force Davao chief Col. Nolasco Mempin formally assumed yesterday as the new commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade based in Purok 9, Barangay Mahayag, Bunawan district.Mempin replaced Brig. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr. who will now assume as deputy commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command.
Torres was already almost two years in his post since he assumed last May 2017.
In her speech yesterday, Mayor Sara Duterte, commended Torres for his outstanding performance, describing him as “brilliant commander.”
Duterte was the guest of honor and speaker in yesterday’s turnover ceremony.
Meanwhile, the new Task force Davao Commander will be Col. Consolito Yecla, the secretary of the Joint Staff of the Armed forces of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo.
Also present yesterday were Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., the commander of Eastern Mindanao Command; Maj. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., the commander of 10th Infantry Division; 701st Infantry Brigade commander Col. Manuel Sequitin; and 1001st Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Gilbert Saret.
http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/03/29/mempin-is-named-new-1003rd-ib-commander/
Former Task Force Davao chief Col. Nolasco Mempin formally assumed yesterday as the new commander of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade based in Purok 9, Barangay Mahayag, Bunawan district.Mempin replaced Brig. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr. who will now assume as deputy commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command.
Torres was already almost two years in his post since he assumed last May 2017.
In her speech yesterday, Mayor Sara Duterte, commended Torres for his outstanding performance, describing him as “brilliant commander.”
Duterte was the guest of honor and speaker in yesterday’s turnover ceremony.
Meanwhile, the new Task force Davao Commander will be Col. Consolito Yecla, the secretary of the Joint Staff of the Armed forces of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo.
Also present yesterday were Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., the commander of Eastern Mindanao Command; Maj. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., the commander of 10th Infantry Division; 701st Infantry Brigade commander Col. Manuel Sequitin; and 1001st Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Gilbert Saret.
http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/03/29/mempin-is-named-new-1003rd-ib-commander/
Tagalog News: Mahigit 60 miyembro ng CPP-NPA boluntaryong sumuko sa Surigao del Sur
From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 28, 2019): Tagalog News: Mahigit 60 miyembro ng CPP-NPA boluntaryong sumuko sa Surigao del Sur
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN - Sumuko ang 64 na mga miyembro ng Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) at mga tagasuporta nito mula sa Sitio Ibuan, Barangay Mampi, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur sa 36th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army.
Ito ay sa harap ng puspusang kampanya ng pamahalaan kontra terorismo at pagtulong sa surrenderers.
Ayon kay Thelma Salazar, kagawad ng Barangay Mampi at isa sa mga surenderees, dati na siyang tagasuporta ng teroristang NPA sa kanilang lugar at nagsilbing kalihim ng makakaliwang grupo.
Paliwanag ni Salazar na wala siyang intensyon na lumaban sa gobyerno at pumatay ng mga inosenteng tao. Dahil sa kalayuan ng kanilang barangay at kakulangan ng sapat at tamang impormasyon ay madali silang nakumbinse ng NPA na sumanib sa kanilang grupo.
Laking pasasalamat din niya sa inisyatibo ng pamahalaan na silay masagip mula sa masasamang gawain ng NPA at mabigyan sila ng panibagong buhay.
May panawagan din sya sa iba pa nilang kasamahan na nasa bundok kasama ang NPA kabilang na ang kanyang anak na si Ivy at asawa nitong si Paquito Delicona. “Nananawagan ako na sana magkasama na tayong pamilya. Sana umuwi na kayo at magbalik loob sa gobyerno. Sana makonsensya kayo dahil kung nag-seserbisyo kayo sa taong bayan, mas lalong kailangan kayo ng inyong mga anak,” sabi niya.
Kasabay ng kanilang pagsuko ay nagkaisa rin sila kasama ng mga residente sa pagdeklara ng persona non-grata sa CPP-NPA-NDF sa kanilang lugar, sa tulong na rin ng barangay officials at tribal leaders sa pagbuo ng resolusyon ukol dito.
Napag-alaman na sa nakalipas na taon, may mga engkwentro na rin ang naitala sa pagitan ng militar at teroristang grupong NPA sa lugar.
Ang Barangay Mampi ay kauna-unahan din sa bayan ng Lanuza, Surigao del Sur na buo ang loob sa pagdeklara ng persona non-grata sa CPP-NPA-NDF.
Ipinahayag naman ni Lieutenant Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, commanding officer ng 36IB, Philippine Army na suportado nila ang inisyatibong ito ng Barangay Mampi.
Ito daw ay isang indikasyon na humihina na ang pwersa ng NPA at wala na silang kontrol sa mga residente na namulat na sa katotohanang walang maidudulot na maganda sa kanilang buhay ang pagsanib sa NPA.
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1020253
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN - Sumuko ang 64 na mga miyembro ng Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) at mga tagasuporta nito mula sa Sitio Ibuan, Barangay Mampi, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur sa 36th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army.
Ito ay sa harap ng puspusang kampanya ng pamahalaan kontra terorismo at pagtulong sa surrenderers.
Ayon kay Thelma Salazar, kagawad ng Barangay Mampi at isa sa mga surenderees, dati na siyang tagasuporta ng teroristang NPA sa kanilang lugar at nagsilbing kalihim ng makakaliwang grupo.
Paliwanag ni Salazar na wala siyang intensyon na lumaban sa gobyerno at pumatay ng mga inosenteng tao. Dahil sa kalayuan ng kanilang barangay at kakulangan ng sapat at tamang impormasyon ay madali silang nakumbinse ng NPA na sumanib sa kanilang grupo.
Laking pasasalamat din niya sa inisyatibo ng pamahalaan na silay masagip mula sa masasamang gawain ng NPA at mabigyan sila ng panibagong buhay.
May panawagan din sya sa iba pa nilang kasamahan na nasa bundok kasama ang NPA kabilang na ang kanyang anak na si Ivy at asawa nitong si Paquito Delicona. “Nananawagan ako na sana magkasama na tayong pamilya. Sana umuwi na kayo at magbalik loob sa gobyerno. Sana makonsensya kayo dahil kung nag-seserbisyo kayo sa taong bayan, mas lalong kailangan kayo ng inyong mga anak,” sabi niya.
Kasabay ng kanilang pagsuko ay nagkaisa rin sila kasama ng mga residente sa pagdeklara ng persona non-grata sa CPP-NPA-NDF sa kanilang lugar, sa tulong na rin ng barangay officials at tribal leaders sa pagbuo ng resolusyon ukol dito.
Napag-alaman na sa nakalipas na taon, may mga engkwentro na rin ang naitala sa pagitan ng militar at teroristang grupong NPA sa lugar.
Ang Barangay Mampi ay kauna-unahan din sa bayan ng Lanuza, Surigao del Sur na buo ang loob sa pagdeklara ng persona non-grata sa CPP-NPA-NDF.
Ipinahayag naman ni Lieutenant Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, commanding officer ng 36IB, Philippine Army na suportado nila ang inisyatibong ito ng Barangay Mampi.
Ito daw ay isang indikasyon na humihina na ang pwersa ng NPA at wala na silang kontrol sa mga residente na namulat na sa katotohanang walang maidudulot na maganda sa kanilang buhay ang pagsanib sa NPA.
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1020253
Northern Samar defeat, a failed anniversary for NPA: Army
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28, 2019): Northern Samar defeat, a failed anniversary for NPA: Army
SEIZED NPA GUNS. Firearms recovered by policemen from New People's Army (NPA) attackers of Victoria, Northern Samar police station early Thursday (March 28, 2019). Three NPA rebels were killed in their attempt to overrun the police station. (Contributed Photo)
There is no reason for the New People’s Army to celebrate their 50th anniversary on Friday after the Philippine National Police (PNP) repulsed rebels in Victoria, Northern Samar early Thursday.
In a statement, the Philippine Army said that instead of celebrating, the NPAs in Northern Samar will be mourning after policemen killed three rebels, captured a fighter, and seized high-powered firearms.
“The failed attack of the PNP Station in Victoria would also mean failed NPA anniversary celebration in Northern Samar. The army will continue providing support to the Northern Samar provincial police office on the possible apprehension of perpetrators,” said Brig. Gen. Ramil Bitong, commander of the Army 803rd Infantry Brigade based in Northern Samar.
The successful defense of the police station was the result of a comprehensive contingency planning jointly conducted army and police in Northern to pre-empt such attacks by the NPA.
Government forces came up with a contingency plan after rebels attacked the Lapinig, Northern Samar police station on August 10, 2018.
PNP Regional Director Police Brig. Gen. Dionardo Carlos directed PNP mobile forces to intensify their pursuit operation against NPA rebels, saying they have to be “accountable before the law for their criminal act”.
“I am directing all PNP personnel to always be extra vigilant and alert in their tour of duty within their jurisdiction to pre-empt similar attacks,” said Carlos who congratulated policemen for repulsing the NPA.
In a social media post, the NPA admitted that they are behind the attack and asked its fighters to intensify tactical offensives against government forces in time for the 50th anniversary.
The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union. It will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Friday.
Three members of the NPA were killed when they attempted to overrun a police station in Victoria, Northern Samar early Thursday.
The 50 armed rebels, mostly women clad in military fatigue uniforms with yellow headbands, failed to seize the police station when they launched an attack around 3:44 a.m. after getting off from two trucks.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065897
SEIZED NPA GUNS. Firearms recovered by policemen from New People's Army (NPA) attackers of Victoria, Northern Samar police station early Thursday (March 28, 2019). Three NPA rebels were killed in their attempt to overrun the police station. (Contributed Photo)
There is no reason for the New People’s Army to celebrate their 50th anniversary on Friday after the Philippine National Police (PNP) repulsed rebels in Victoria, Northern Samar early Thursday.
In a statement, the Philippine Army said that instead of celebrating, the NPAs in Northern Samar will be mourning after policemen killed three rebels, captured a fighter, and seized high-powered firearms.
“The failed attack of the PNP Station in Victoria would also mean failed NPA anniversary celebration in Northern Samar. The army will continue providing support to the Northern Samar provincial police office on the possible apprehension of perpetrators,” said Brig. Gen. Ramil Bitong, commander of the Army 803rd Infantry Brigade based in Northern Samar.
The successful defense of the police station was the result of a comprehensive contingency planning jointly conducted army and police in Northern to pre-empt such attacks by the NPA.
Government forces came up with a contingency plan after rebels attacked the Lapinig, Northern Samar police station on August 10, 2018.
PNP Regional Director Police Brig. Gen. Dionardo Carlos directed PNP mobile forces to intensify their pursuit operation against NPA rebels, saying they have to be “accountable before the law for their criminal act”.
“I am directing all PNP personnel to always be extra vigilant and alert in their tour of duty within their jurisdiction to pre-empt similar attacks,” said Carlos who congratulated policemen for repulsing the NPA.
In a social media post, the NPA admitted that they are behind the attack and asked its fighters to intensify tactical offensives against government forces in time for the 50th anniversary.
The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union. It will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Friday.
Three members of the NPA were killed when they attempted to overrun a police station in Victoria, Northern Samar early Thursday.
The 50 armed rebels, mostly women clad in military fatigue uniforms with yellow headbands, failed to seize the police station when they launched an attack around 3:44 a.m. after getting off from two trucks.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065897
PNP condemns NPA for attacking civilians in N. Samar
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28, 2019): PNP condemns NPA for attacking civilians in N. Samar
STRIKE AGAINST CIVILIANS. The police station in Victoria, Northern Samar after the failed attempt of NPA to overrun the police unit early Thursday (March 28, 2019). The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported five civilians were wounded when a group of armed rebels fired at them in Libertad village in Victoria, Northern Samar around 4 a.m. on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of PNP)
The New People’s Army (NPA) has not spared civilians in their failed attempt to overrun the police station of Victoria, Northern Samar early Thursday.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that at least five civilians, including a minor and a septuagenarian, were wounded when a group of armed rebels fired at them around 4 a.m.
Col. Ma. Bella Rentuaya, PNP Eastern Visayas regional spokesperson, said the victims were on board a black Toyota Vios from San Jose town heading to San Isidro, Northern Samar when flagged down and fired upon by an undetermined number of armed men upon reaching Libertad village in Victoria, Northern Samar.
The rebels with long firearms are believed to be the blocking force of the NPA who launched an attack at the Victoria police station around 3:44 a.m.
Wounded on different parts of their bodies were Samuel Ilustre, 52; Wilta Tejero Sr., 74; Wilta Tejero Jr., 44; Shai Sanchez, 17; and Mariquel Sanchez Tejero, 53. They are all residents of Barangay North, San Jose town.
The group armed men asked them to stop, but sensing danger, Ilustre, the driver of Toyota Vios, took a U-turn to escape from perpetrators, however, the NPA fired at them.
A concerned citizen brought them to Allen District Hospital for treatment and were referred to Northern Samar Provincial Hospital for further medication. Rentuaya condemned the attack of civilians saying it was a treacherous act.
The PNP found out about civilian victims when policemen in the capital town of Catarman, Northern Samar checked hospitals to monitor patients with gunshot wounds in relation to the attack of Victoria police station.
Three members of the New People’s Army (NPA) (were killed) during the attack on the police station.
The 50 armed rebels, mostly women clad in military fatigue uniforms with yellow headbands, failed to seize the police station manned by 15 policemen when they launched an attack at about 3:44 a.m., the Eastern Visayas Police Regional Office reported.
The rebels were on board two trucks when they arrived the town center around 3:40 a.m.
A young NPA member was also arrested by the police after the firefight while they recovered two firearms.
The NPA unit, which has jurisdiction in the area, is under section committee 2, sub-regional committee emporium of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, headed by Ranie Cabides, according to the police.
Victoria, a fifth-class town in Northern Samar, is about 238 km. north of Tacloban, the regional capital.
The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065882
The New People’s Army (NPA) has not spared civilians in their failed attempt to overrun the police station of Victoria, Northern Samar early Thursday.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that at least five civilians, including a minor and a septuagenarian, were wounded when a group of armed rebels fired at them around 4 a.m.
Col. Ma. Bella Rentuaya, PNP Eastern Visayas regional spokesperson, said the victims were on board a black Toyota Vios from San Jose town heading to San Isidro, Northern Samar when flagged down and fired upon by an undetermined number of armed men upon reaching Libertad village in Victoria, Northern Samar.
The rebels with long firearms are believed to be the blocking force of the NPA who launched an attack at the Victoria police station around 3:44 a.m.
Wounded on different parts of their bodies were Samuel Ilustre, 52; Wilta Tejero Sr., 74; Wilta Tejero Jr., 44; Shai Sanchez, 17; and Mariquel Sanchez Tejero, 53. They are all residents of Barangay North, San Jose town.
The group armed men asked them to stop, but sensing danger, Ilustre, the driver of Toyota Vios, took a U-turn to escape from perpetrators, however, the NPA fired at them.
A concerned citizen brought them to Allen District Hospital for treatment and were referred to Northern Samar Provincial Hospital for further medication. Rentuaya condemned the attack of civilians saying it was a treacherous act.
The PNP found out about civilian victims when policemen in the capital town of Catarman, Northern Samar checked hospitals to monitor patients with gunshot wounds in relation to the attack of Victoria police station.
Three members of the New People’s Army (NPA) (were killed) during the attack on the police station.
The 50 armed rebels, mostly women clad in military fatigue uniforms with yellow headbands, failed to seize the police station manned by 15 policemen when they launched an attack at about 3:44 a.m., the Eastern Visayas Police Regional Office reported.
The rebels were on board two trucks when they arrived the town center around 3:40 a.m.
A young NPA member was also arrested by the police after the firefight while they recovered two firearms.
The NPA unit, which has jurisdiction in the area, is under section committee 2, sub-regional committee emporium of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, headed by Ranie Cabides, according to the police.
Victoria, a fifth-class town in Northern Samar, is about 238 km. north of Tacloban, the regional capital.
The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065882
All set for Duterte visit to Cotabato for BARMM launch
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28, 2019): All set for Duterte visit to Cotabato for BARMM launch
All is set for the visit here of President Rodrigo Duterte to lead the launching of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and inaugural session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) on Friday, officials said.
The historic event will take place at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex inside the BARMM compound in this city Friday afternoon.
At a news conference, Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, Bangsamoro government interim chief minister, said members of the BTA will take oath before the Qur'an as vow for moral governance in the region.
"We started the jihad with an oath before the Qur'an and we will also take an oath before the Qur'an as we start our governance," he said.
Ebrahim is expected to submit to the BTA the transition plan that will cover the proposed organizational plan of the regional bureaucracy.
The BTA, by a majority vote of all its members, may approve or otherwise act on the proposed transition plan within 10 days upon submission by the chief minister.
The BTA is composed of 41 members nominated by the MILF and 39 nominees of the national government.
It still lacks four appointees to date and the President is expected to announce them.
Ebrahim said among the BTA agenda will be the adoption of its rules and election of the “wali” (head), speaker, deputy speaker and other presiding officers of the parliament.
Among the assembly priorities are the passage of the Bangsamoro Administrative Code, Revenue Code, Electoral Code, Local Government Code, and Education Code.
Thousands of supporters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are expected to gather at the venue to observe the inauguration ceremony.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065904
All is set for the visit here of President Rodrigo Duterte to lead the launching of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and inaugural session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) on Friday, officials said.
The historic event will take place at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex inside the BARMM compound in this city Friday afternoon.
At a news conference, Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, Bangsamoro government interim chief minister, said members of the BTA will take oath before the Qur'an as vow for moral governance in the region.
"We started the jihad with an oath before the Qur'an and we will also take an oath before the Qur'an as we start our governance," he said.
Ebrahim is expected to submit to the BTA the transition plan that will cover the proposed organizational plan of the regional bureaucracy.
The BTA, by a majority vote of all its members, may approve or otherwise act on the proposed transition plan within 10 days upon submission by the chief minister.
The BTA is composed of 41 members nominated by the MILF and 39 nominees of the national government.
It still lacks four appointees to date and the President is expected to announce them.
Ebrahim said among the BTA agenda will be the adoption of its rules and election of the “wali” (head), speaker, deputy speaker and other presiding officers of the parliament.
Among the assembly priorities are the passage of the Bangsamoro Administrative Code, Revenue Code, Electoral Code, Local Government Code, and Education Code.
Thousands of supporters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are expected to gather at the venue to observe the inauguration ceremony.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065904
Troops unearth Abu Sayyaf arms cache in Sulu
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28, 2019): Troops unearth Abu Sayyaf arms cache in Sulu
Soldiers pursuing Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits have discovered an arms cache in the hinterlands of Sulu province, military officials said Thursday.
Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) commander, said the arms cache was discovered on Tuesday while the troops were on security operation in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu.
Pabayo said the arms cache consisted of a 60-mm mortar, two M-16 Armalite rifles, anti-personnel mines components, bandolier with ammunition, a tactical map, a hand-held radio transceiver, a night vision monocular and flag of the Islamic State and Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Pabayo said the focused military operations continue to track down the ASG bandits in the forested area of Sulu.
He said the JTFS troops have clashed with 10 ASG bandits around 5:35 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Latih, Patikul town while the other troops scoured the other parts of the municipality.
He said the troops pounded with artillery the ASG bandits, who fled following the firefight that lasted for about 30 minutes.
“Military offensives are relentlessly being launched against Abu Sayyaf bandits in known strategic strongholds of the enemies in Sulu. We remain resolute in crumbling terrorist groups to address security threats and to pave the way for stability in Mindanao,” said Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief.
“Rest assured that we will fulfill our mandate of securing our area of responsibility by ending insurgency to pave the way for development here,” dela Vega added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065892
Soldiers pursuing Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits have discovered an arms cache in the hinterlands of Sulu province, military officials said Thursday.
Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) commander, said the arms cache was discovered on Tuesday while the troops were on security operation in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu.
Pabayo said the arms cache consisted of a 60-mm mortar, two M-16 Armalite rifles, anti-personnel mines components, bandolier with ammunition, a tactical map, a hand-held radio transceiver, a night vision monocular and flag of the Islamic State and Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Pabayo said the focused military operations continue to track down the ASG bandits in the forested area of Sulu.
He said the JTFS troops have clashed with 10 ASG bandits around 5:35 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Latih, Patikul town while the other troops scoured the other parts of the municipality.
He said the troops pounded with artillery the ASG bandits, who fled following the firefight that lasted for about 30 minutes.
“Military offensives are relentlessly being launched against Abu Sayyaf bandits in known strategic strongholds of the enemies in Sulu. We remain resolute in crumbling terrorist groups to address security threats and to pave the way for stability in Mindanao,” said Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief.
“Rest assured that we will fulfill our mandate of securing our area of responsibility by ending insurgency to pave the way for development here,” dela Vega added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065892
AFP steps up security efforts as NPA marks 50th founding day
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28, 2019): AFP steps up security efforts as NPA marks 50th founding day
CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City --The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Northern Luzon Command (AFP-Nolcom) is enhancing its internal security operations in anticipation of possible attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA) in line with its 50th founding anniversary on March 29.
Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, AFP-Nolcom commander, said the series of burning incidents perpetrated by NPA members in Cagayan the past days are suspected to be linked to the approaching anniversary of the communist terrorist group.
He said that military troopers in the area of Cagayan have coordinated with the Philippine National Police for joint operations to further investigate and thwart the inhumane acts of the NPA.
“Time and again, communist NPA terrorists showed their terroristic intents against the community and the Filipino people, thus we are strengthening our military capabilities and coordination with other concerned agencies and stakeholders to mitigate and stop these atrocious attacks,” said Salamat in a statement.
Likewise, he said that units under Nolcom, the 5th Infantry Division (5ID), the 7th Infantry Division (7ID), Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon (TOWNOL), and Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) are on standby and ready to act on any situation or as the need arises.
Salamat also asked the public to be more vigilant on the suspicious movement or activities of rebels in the communities.
“Please do not be afraid to coordinate with the soldiers and our police counterpart if these suspicious activities are observed inside your communities as a preventive measure against these acts of atrocities,” he added.
He further said that the AFP-Nolcom will continue to work closely with the populace and other agencies and stakeholders of Northern and Central Luzon to sustain peace and security.
“We will continue to pressure the communist terrorist group to give up its arms and return to the mainstream society, so the country could move forward for more progress and development of the communities, particularly in geographically isolated and displaced areas,” Salamat said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065879
CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City --The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Northern Luzon Command (AFP-Nolcom) is enhancing its internal security operations in anticipation of possible attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA) in line with its 50th founding anniversary on March 29.
Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, AFP-Nolcom commander, said the series of burning incidents perpetrated by NPA members in Cagayan the past days are suspected to be linked to the approaching anniversary of the communist terrorist group.
He said that military troopers in the area of Cagayan have coordinated with the Philippine National Police for joint operations to further investigate and thwart the inhumane acts of the NPA.
“Time and again, communist NPA terrorists showed their terroristic intents against the community and the Filipino people, thus we are strengthening our military capabilities and coordination with other concerned agencies and stakeholders to mitigate and stop these atrocious attacks,” said Salamat in a statement.
Likewise, he said that units under Nolcom, the 5th Infantry Division (5ID), the 7th Infantry Division (7ID), Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon (TOWNOL), and Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) are on standby and ready to act on any situation or as the need arises.
Salamat also asked the public to be more vigilant on the suspicious movement or activities of rebels in the communities.
“Please do not be afraid to coordinate with the soldiers and our police counterpart if these suspicious activities are observed inside your communities as a preventive measure against these acts of atrocities,” he added.
He further said that the AFP-Nolcom will continue to work closely with the populace and other agencies and stakeholders of Northern and Central Luzon to sustain peace and security.
“We will continue to pressure the communist terrorist group to give up its arms and return to the mainstream society, so the country could move forward for more progress and development of the communities, particularly in geographically isolated and displaced areas,” Salamat said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065879
Presence of rebels monitored in 9 Iloilo towns
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28, 2019): Presence of rebels monitored in 9 Iloilo towns
ELECTION CHECKPOINT. Officers of Commission on Elections in Iloilo and the Miagao police conduct a poll checkpoint operation in Barangay Igtuba, Miagao, Iloilo. Miagao is one of the nine towns in the province placed under ‘category orange’ because of the recent armed encounters between the Army and the rebels. An area is placed under category orange when there are monitored presence and existence of rebel groups, said Iloilo Police Provincial Office Col. Marlon Tayaba on Thursday (March 28, 2019). (Photo courtesy of Miagao PNP)
Nine municipalities in Iloilo province were placed under category orange due to monitored rebel presence, the Provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) has said.
With the start of the local campaign period on Friday, Atty. Roberto Salazar, Comelec Iloilo supervisor, said Team Baklas will start tearing down campaign posters attached outside common poster areas and do not conform with the size prescribed by Comelec.
Salazar, however, said that the Team Baklas will skip the municipalities of Igbaras, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Tubungan, Lambunao, Leon, Bingawan, Alimodian, and San Rafael, areas placed under category orange.
“There were encounters between the Army and the rebels in these areas and we were advised by the higher office to skip these municipalities,” Salazar said in a phone interview on Thursday.
Salazar explained that during Operation Baklas, the Philippine National Police will accompany the Team Baklas for security.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Police Provincial Office director Col. Marlon Tayaba said the police force is on red alert for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army’s (CPP-NPA) 50th anniversary.
He added the security forces expect the rebels to mark the celebration with atrocities.
“We have augmented our police stations with number of personnel to enhance the defensive… and do the necessary police operations,” he said in a separate telephone interview.
Three of the recent armed encounters occurred in two towns that were placed under orange category, an area is placed under category orange when there are monitored presence and existence of rebel groups.
One transpired in Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras, Iloilo on March 17; Sitio Igburay, Barangay Lacay Doldol, Igbaras, Iloilo on March 20; and the latest encounter on Sitio Burak, Barangay Alimodias, Miagao, Iloilo on Sunday.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday also asked tourists to stay away from the hinterlands in the towns of Miagao, Igbaras, and San Joaquin while the military’s operations against New People’s Army rebels are ongoing.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065915
ELECTION CHECKPOINT. Officers of Commission on Elections in Iloilo and the Miagao police conduct a poll checkpoint operation in Barangay Igtuba, Miagao, Iloilo. Miagao is one of the nine towns in the province placed under ‘category orange’ because of the recent armed encounters between the Army and the rebels. An area is placed under category orange when there are monitored presence and existence of rebel groups, said Iloilo Police Provincial Office Col. Marlon Tayaba on Thursday (March 28, 2019). (Photo courtesy of Miagao PNP)
Nine municipalities in Iloilo province were placed under category orange due to monitored rebel presence, the Provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) has said.
With the start of the local campaign period on Friday, Atty. Roberto Salazar, Comelec Iloilo supervisor, said Team Baklas will start tearing down campaign posters attached outside common poster areas and do not conform with the size prescribed by Comelec.
Salazar, however, said that the Team Baklas will skip the municipalities of Igbaras, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Tubungan, Lambunao, Leon, Bingawan, Alimodian, and San Rafael, areas placed under category orange.
“There were encounters between the Army and the rebels in these areas and we were advised by the higher office to skip these municipalities,” Salazar said in a phone interview on Thursday.
Salazar explained that during Operation Baklas, the Philippine National Police will accompany the Team Baklas for security.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Police Provincial Office director Col. Marlon Tayaba said the police force is on red alert for the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army’s (CPP-NPA) 50th anniversary.
He added the security forces expect the rebels to mark the celebration with atrocities.
“We have augmented our police stations with number of personnel to enhance the defensive… and do the necessary police operations,” he said in a separate telephone interview.
Three of the recent armed encounters occurred in two towns that were placed under orange category, an area is placed under category orange when there are monitored presence and existence of rebel groups.
One transpired in Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras, Iloilo on March 17; Sitio Igburay, Barangay Lacay Doldol, Igbaras, Iloilo on March 20; and the latest encounter on Sitio Burak, Barangay Alimodias, Miagao, Iloilo on Sunday.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday also asked tourists to stay away from the hinterlands in the towns of Miagao, Igbaras, and San Joaquin while the military’s operations against New People’s Army rebels are ongoing.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065915
Army presents 2 NPA commanders to Mayor Sara
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28, 2019): Army presents 2 NPA commanders to Mayor Sara
Two ranking members of the New People's Army's (NPA) Pulang Bagani Command 2 who recently surrendered were presented to Mayor Sara Duterte on Thursday.
Lt. Col. Oscar Partuza, the 3rd Infantry Battalion commander, identified the surrenderers as Nelson Tangaro, alias Bong, 31, PBC 2 commander; and Bernie Papaya, alias Igong, 33, PBC 2 vice commander, who both surrendered on March 23, a day after an encounter in Sitio Kiandong, Barangay Tambobong, Baguio District.
Partuza said the two were presented to the mayor on the sidelines of the turnover of leadership of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade based in Purok 9, Barangay Mahayag, Bunawan District.
Partuza said the two also turned over two M16 rifles, a .45-caliber pistol, a Glock 17 pistol with PNP markings, and a hand grenade.
Government troops also recovered from the encounter area several firearms, including an M4 carbine rifle, and seven M16 rifles.
In an interview, Tangaro said the hardships and hunger inside the communist movement are the main reasons they returned to the government fold.
"For eight years inside the movement I found out that we are just being deceived and used," he said, adding that he is tired of running and hiding from government troops.
On the other hand, Papaya said he was enticed by the government's program for the rebel returnees, particularly the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Partuza said the two men will be processed for enrollment in the E-CLIP, on top of the assistance from Mayor Sara.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065913
Two ranking members of the New People's Army's (NPA) Pulang Bagani Command 2 who recently surrendered were presented to Mayor Sara Duterte on Thursday.
Lt. Col. Oscar Partuza, the 3rd Infantry Battalion commander, identified the surrenderers as Nelson Tangaro, alias Bong, 31, PBC 2 commander; and Bernie Papaya, alias Igong, 33, PBC 2 vice commander, who both surrendered on March 23, a day after an encounter in Sitio Kiandong, Barangay Tambobong, Baguio District.
Partuza said the two were presented to the mayor on the sidelines of the turnover of leadership of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade based in Purok 9, Barangay Mahayag, Bunawan District.
Partuza said the two also turned over two M16 rifles, a .45-caliber pistol, a Glock 17 pistol with PNP markings, and a hand grenade.
Government troops also recovered from the encounter area several firearms, including an M4 carbine rifle, and seven M16 rifles.
In an interview, Tangaro said the hardships and hunger inside the communist movement are the main reasons they returned to the government fold.
"For eight years inside the movement I found out that we are just being deceived and used," he said, adding that he is tired of running and hiding from government troops.
On the other hand, Papaya said he was enticed by the government's program for the rebel returnees, particularly the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Partuza said the two men will be processed for enrollment in the E-CLIP, on top of the assistance from Mayor Sara.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065913
New engineering equipment to be used in high-impact projects: AFP
From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 28, 2019): New engineering equipment to be used in high-impact projects: AFP
(PNA photo by Priam F. Nepomuceno)
The newly-turned over engineering equipment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be utilized for the construction of high-impact projects like farm-to-market roads and repairs of damaged infrastructures during calamities.
"The engineering equipment is what we term as 'instruments of peace'. This will translate to more, and immediate services to the Filipinos through delivery of high-impact projects like farm-to-market roads and repairs during calamities which our country is prone to," AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato said in a message to the Philippine News Agency, when asked how the military plans to use this engineering equipment.
Some of the 248 units of engineering equipment with a total contract price of PHP1.56 billion include telescopic cranes, tracked dozers, road graders, scoop loaders, backhoe loaders, road rollers, transit mixers, dump trucks, and water lorries.
"This is a promise made more precise because it is responsive since the equipment will be pre-deployed to all our engineer units who are in the front-lines with our soldiers who are also serving as a bridge of government services," Detoyato added.
The supply and delivery of the engineering equipment is under Horizon 2 of the AFP Modernization Program, which was completed on Feb. 12, 2019.
The first batch, consisting of 114 units of equipment, was delivered to Camp Pintoy, Iligan City while the second batch of 134 units was delivered to Camp Aguinaldo, in Quezon City; Villamor Air Base, Pasay City and Bonifacio Naval Station, Taguig City.
Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Cardozo Luna, who was the guest-of-honor and speaker, represented Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. The event was also attended by AFP chief-of-staff, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. and the military's deputy chief-of-staff for logistics, Maj. Gen. Pio Q. Diñoso III.
"On behalf of the Secretary of National Defense, I am pleased to welcome you all to the symbolic turn-over ceremony of the 248 units of AFP engineering equipment acquired from Polytechnologies of the People's Republic of China intended for the rehabilitation of Marawi City and nearby affected areas," he added.
Luna said the various engineering equipment shall be used for humanitarian aid/disaster relief operations and other development programs of the national government.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065860
(PNA photo by Priam F. Nepomuceno)
The newly-turned over engineering equipment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be utilized for the construction of high-impact projects like farm-to-market roads and repairs of damaged infrastructures during calamities.
"The engineering equipment is what we term as 'instruments of peace'. This will translate to more, and immediate services to the Filipinos through delivery of high-impact projects like farm-to-market roads and repairs during calamities which our country is prone to," AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato said in a message to the Philippine News Agency, when asked how the military plans to use this engineering equipment.
Some of the 248 units of engineering equipment with a total contract price of PHP1.56 billion include telescopic cranes, tracked dozers, road graders, scoop loaders, backhoe loaders, road rollers, transit mixers, dump trucks, and water lorries.
"This is a promise made more precise because it is responsive since the equipment will be pre-deployed to all our engineer units who are in the front-lines with our soldiers who are also serving as a bridge of government services," Detoyato added.
The supply and delivery of the engineering equipment is under Horizon 2 of the AFP Modernization Program, which was completed on Feb. 12, 2019.
The first batch, consisting of 114 units of equipment, was delivered to Camp Pintoy, Iligan City while the second batch of 134 units was delivered to Camp Aguinaldo, in Quezon City; Villamor Air Base, Pasay City and Bonifacio Naval Station, Taguig City.
Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Cardozo Luna, who was the guest-of-honor and speaker, represented Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. The event was also attended by AFP chief-of-staff, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. and the military's deputy chief-of-staff for logistics, Maj. Gen. Pio Q. Diñoso III.
"On behalf of the Secretary of National Defense, I am pleased to welcome you all to the symbolic turn-over ceremony of the 248 units of AFP engineering equipment acquired from Polytechnologies of the People's Republic of China intended for the rehabilitation of Marawi City and nearby affected areas," he added.
Luna said the various engineering equipment shall be used for humanitarian aid/disaster relief operations and other development programs of the national government.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1065860