Sunday, April 28, 2019
AFP-CRS: OPAPP on the brutal murder of two Higaonon former rebels
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 27, 2019): OPAPP on the brutal murder of two Higaonon former rebels
AFP-CRS: CPP-NPA exploits tragedy
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 27, 2019): CPP-NPA exploits tragedy
"We are mindful of the security considerations in this regard, owing to the fact that the terrorist NPA take advantage of the AFP personnel performing humanitarian missions. We cannot, in this respect but take appropriate steps to secure our personnel. We would not want a repeat in our past experiences of our personnel treacherously attacked by this callous and merciless terrorist CPP-NPA."
"We are mindful of the security considerations in this regard, owing to the fact that the terrorist NPA take advantage of the AFP personnel performing humanitarian missions. We cannot, in this respect but take appropriate steps to secure our personnel. We would not want a repeat in our past experiences of our personnel treacherously attacked by this callous and merciless terrorist CPP-NPA."
AFP-CRS: AFP vows justice for 2 murdered rebel returnees
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 27, 2019): AFP vows justice for 2 murdered rebel returnees
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AFP-CRS: Tribal Leader moves to declare Communist NPA Terrorists as Persona non Grata in Loreto AgSur
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 27, 2019): Tribal Leader moves to declare Communist NPA Terrorists as Persona non Grata in Loreto AgSur
LORETO, Agusan del Sur - The Municipal Peace and Order Council of this town renew their commitment to fight the communist NPA terrorists after a motion was approved declaring the members of the New Peoples Army and its allied organizations as persona non grata in the whole municipality on April 24, 2019.
A motion came from the Municipal Tribal Chieftain Datu Marcos Gonzales, seeking to prohibit the terrorists group from entering the municipality which is dominantly covered by the Manobo Ancestral Domains. "We as members and representatives of the Indigenous People and Community of Loreto are strongly expressing our opposition to the continuous abuse of our rights and numerous killings of IPs perpetrated by the NPAs against our tribe. We have our right to self-determination and we want them to stop encroaching inside our ancestral domains", he said.
The declaration came after numerous complaints of the tribal leaders from the barangays were reported to the council during the meeting wherein most tribal leaders are recently being threatened by the NPAs, aside from the recorded killings occurred from the previous years.
Loreto Municipal Mayor Ligaya Otaza underscored that the action of the council is just the renewal and continuation of the efforts of his late husband, former Mayor Dario Otaza, in his fight against the terrorists which he started during his stint that paved way for the total transformation of Loreto into a developing town.
Lieutenant Colonel Romeo C Jimenea, Commanding Officer of 26Ith Infantry Ever Onward Battalion, who seconded the motion also expressed his appreciation on the approval of the council. With this wise step of the MPOC, the barangays of Loreto will have an additional tool to strengthen their defense system legally against the NPAs and its allied organizations. What we are looking forward now is the immediate implementation of this action down to the barangay level after the resolution is finalized by the secretariat, according to him.
It can be remembered that the town of Loreto was once a NPA stronghold in the province of Agusan del Sur in 2013, after which it underwent an overall transformation when Dario Otaza, a Manobo and a former NPA commander, was elected into position as the Municipal Mayor, where he prioritized the peace and order of his town, resulting to the drastic change in the development of Loreto, making them become the first municipality in the Caraga region as venue of the National Peace Caravan in 2015.
According to Brigadier General Andres C Centino, Commander, 401st Brigade, "We have an increasing number of municipalities declaring these communist NPA terrorists as undesirables in our area. The municipality of Loreto is the fifth town to do such after the Local Government Units of Sibagat, San Francisco, Bunawan and Rosario passed their own resolutions. This is a clear manifestation that our local government officials are proactively and courageously doing their part in our whole-of-nation approach in addressing the threat of this terrorists".
“Through this collaborative efforts, we believe that we will successfully defeat all enemy fronts in the Brigades Area of Operation. With a total of 28 former rebels alone from Loreto and Veruela areas surrendered to us from January to date, we are expecting for more after this declaration, Centino said.
A motion came from the Municipal Tribal Chieftain Datu Marcos Gonzales, seeking to prohibit the terrorists group from entering the municipality which is dominantly covered by the Manobo Ancestral Domains. "We as members and representatives of the Indigenous People and Community of Loreto are strongly expressing our opposition to the continuous abuse of our rights and numerous killings of IPs perpetrated by the NPAs against our tribe. We have our right to self-determination and we want them to stop encroaching inside our ancestral domains", he said.
The declaration came after numerous complaints of the tribal leaders from the barangays were reported to the council during the meeting wherein most tribal leaders are recently being threatened by the NPAs, aside from the recorded killings occurred from the previous years.
Loreto Municipal Mayor Ligaya Otaza underscored that the action of the council is just the renewal and continuation of the efforts of his late husband, former Mayor Dario Otaza, in his fight against the terrorists which he started during his stint that paved way for the total transformation of Loreto into a developing town.
Lieutenant Colonel Romeo C Jimenea, Commanding Officer of 26Ith Infantry Ever Onward Battalion, who seconded the motion also expressed his appreciation on the approval of the council. With this wise step of the MPOC, the barangays of Loreto will have an additional tool to strengthen their defense system legally against the NPAs and its allied organizations. What we are looking forward now is the immediate implementation of this action down to the barangay level after the resolution is finalized by the secretariat, according to him.
It can be remembered that the town of Loreto was once a NPA stronghold in the province of Agusan del Sur in 2013, after which it underwent an overall transformation when Dario Otaza, a Manobo and a former NPA commander, was elected into position as the Municipal Mayor, where he prioritized the peace and order of his town, resulting to the drastic change in the development of Loreto, making them become the first municipality in the Caraga region as venue of the National Peace Caravan in 2015.
According to Brigadier General Andres C Centino, Commander, 401st Brigade, "We have an increasing number of municipalities declaring these communist NPA terrorists as undesirables in our area. The municipality of Loreto is the fifth town to do such after the Local Government Units of Sibagat, San Francisco, Bunawan and Rosario passed their own resolutions. This is a clear manifestation that our local government officials are proactively and courageously doing their part in our whole-of-nation approach in addressing the threat of this terrorists".
“Through this collaborative efforts, we believe that we will successfully defeat all enemy fronts in the Brigades Area of Operation. With a total of 28 former rebels alone from Loreto and Veruela areas surrendered to us from January to date, we are expecting for more after this declaration, Centino said.
AFP-CRS: Galvez: P1.2B needed as aid to MILF fighters
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 27, 2019): Galvez: P1.2B needed as aid to MILF fighters
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AFP-CRS: KARAPATAN has clear pattern of bailing out arrested CPP-NPA members
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 27, 2019): KARAPATAN has clear pattern of bailing out arrested CPP-NPA members
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AFP-CRS: Philippine Army hosted the 104th Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 27, 2019): Philippine Army hosted the 104th Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day
The Philippine Army hosted the 104th Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day in a wreath-laying ceremony held at the Libingan ng mga Bayani's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Thursday, April 25.
The Philippine Army hosted the 104th Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day in a wreath-laying ceremony held at the Libingan ng mga Bayani's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Thursday, April 25.
AFP-CRS: Help transform MILF fighters into agents of peace and development
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 27, 2019): Help transform MILF fighters into agents of peace and development
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AFP-CRS: Sri Lankan Patrol vessel in Manila for goodwill visit
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 27, 2019): Sri Lankan Patrol vessel in Manila for goodwill visit
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AFP-CRS: CPP-NPA-NDF organizations dared to seek justice for victims of NPA killings.
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 27, 2019): CPP-NPA-NDF organizations dared to seek justice for victims of NPA killings
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AFP-CRS: Bislig City declares the CPP-NPA and its Front Organizations and supporters “Persona Non-Grata”.
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 28, 2019): Bislig City declares the CPP-NPA and its Front Organizations and supporters “Persona Non-Grata”.
Bislig City is the latest city in Surigao del Sur to declare the communist- terrorist CPP-NPA and its Front Organizations and supporters “Persona Non-Grata”.
Bislig City is the latest city in Surigao del Sur to declare the communist- terrorist CPP-NPA and its Front Organizations and supporters “Persona Non-Grata”.
AFP-CRS: Decommissioning MILF combatants for just and lasting peace
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 28, 2019): Decommissioning MILF combatants for just and lasting peace
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AFP-CRS: CPP-NPA terrorists murdered two former comrades
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 28, 2019): CPP-NPA terrorists murdered two former comrades
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AFP-CRS: CPP-NPA-NDF members, supporters yield to army units
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Command (AFP-CRS) Facebook page (Apr 28, 2019): 61 CPP-NPA-NDF members, supporters yield to army units
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Rebels disarm cop; hijack tricycles
From The Daily Guardian (Apr 29, 2019): Rebels disarm cop; hijack tricycles
SUSPECTED members of the New People’s Army disarmed a police officer manning a PNP desk at Alimodian, Iloilo.
Police Corporal John John Anaya, 37, was alone at the Highway Police Assistance Desk or HI-PADS at Barangay Bancal, just 2-3 kilometers away from the Alimodian Police Station and within the vicinity of the Aleosan District Hospital.
Anaya was with Barangay Kagawad Lemuel Almendral and barangay tanod chief Willy Brania when 15 armed rebels stormed the Hi-PAD at around 4:50 p.m. of April 27, 2019.
The suspects were on board two tricycles, which they earlier hijacked at Barangay Si-ol, Leon town from drivers Ernesto Cajilo and Javier Cadao.
The rebels immediately ran towards the police desk and, at gunpoint, took Anaya’s service firearm.
Anaya said around 6 armed men poked guns at him.
Almendral and Brania were not spared.
Anaya said he was left with no choice but to surrender.
The other rebels stood as lookouts and secured the area for their withdrawal.
The NPA rebels took Anaya’s service firearms – an M16 armalite rifle (serial number 162499) and a caliber .9mm Taurus pistol (serial number TCW 36503) – with two magazines for the pistol and five magazines for the rifle.
The rebels also took his mobile phone, bag containing his wallet with cash, a PNP-owned handheld radio, and the barangay-owned handheld radio.
The suspects fled after taking the cop’s rifles and belongings.
Corporal Gary Anzures allegedly accompanied Anaya before the incident happened.
But Anzures allegedly went out to attend to personal necessities when the attack occurred.
COWARDICE
Police Colonel Marlon Tayaba, Iloilo police chief, labeled the attack as a sign of desperation and cowardice on the part of the NPA.
“If they’re up to the challenge, they wouldn’t have attacked a single-manned police desk,” he said.
Asked what could be the motive behind the disarming, Tayaba said the rebels might have thought of retaliating after a series of blows from government forces.
“Maybe, they thought that they could malign us and put the PNP in a bad light. But they’re wrong, what they showed was how coward they are,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tayaba said he already ordered an investigation on Police Lieutenant Danilo Noca and other personnel of Alimodian PNP.
There should have been three personnel assigned at the Hi-PAD when the attack happened.
CHARGES
Tayaba said they would file charges against the NPAs for robbery and carnapping.
The rebels allegedly tied Cajilo and Cadao with a packaging tape after they commandeered the duo’s tricycle.
Based on the area of operation, the NPAs may have been led by Nahum Camariosa and Joven Cadaren.
But witnesses only identified Cadaren and a certain Albert Camot of Barangay Toog, Leon as 2 of the 15 attackers.
Police Corporal John John Anaya, 37, was alone at the Highway Police Assistance Desk or HI-PADS at Barangay Bancal, just 2-3 kilometers away from the Alimodian Police Station and within the vicinity of the Aleosan District Hospital.
Anaya was with Barangay Kagawad Lemuel Almendral and barangay tanod chief Willy Brania when 15 armed rebels stormed the Hi-PAD at around 4:50 p.m. of April 27, 2019.
The suspects were on board two tricycles, which they earlier hijacked at Barangay Si-ol, Leon town from drivers Ernesto Cajilo and Javier Cadao.
The rebels immediately ran towards the police desk and, at gunpoint, took Anaya’s service firearm.
Anaya said around 6 armed men poked guns at him.
Almendral and Brania were not spared.
Anaya said he was left with no choice but to surrender.
The other rebels stood as lookouts and secured the area for their withdrawal.
The NPA rebels took Anaya’s service firearms – an M16 armalite rifle (serial number 162499) and a caliber .9mm Taurus pistol (serial number TCW 36503) – with two magazines for the pistol and five magazines for the rifle.
The rebels also took his mobile phone, bag containing his wallet with cash, a PNP-owned handheld radio, and the barangay-owned handheld radio.
The suspects fled after taking the cop’s rifles and belongings.
Corporal Gary Anzures allegedly accompanied Anaya before the incident happened.
But Anzures allegedly went out to attend to personal necessities when the attack occurred.
COWARDICE
Police Colonel Marlon Tayaba, Iloilo police chief, labeled the attack as a sign of desperation and cowardice on the part of the NPA.
“If they’re up to the challenge, they wouldn’t have attacked a single-manned police desk,” he said.
Asked what could be the motive behind the disarming, Tayaba said the rebels might have thought of retaliating after a series of blows from government forces.
“Maybe, they thought that they could malign us and put the PNP in a bad light. But they’re wrong, what they showed was how coward they are,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tayaba said he already ordered an investigation on Police Lieutenant Danilo Noca and other personnel of Alimodian PNP.
There should have been three personnel assigned at the Hi-PAD when the attack happened.
CHARGES
Tayaba said they would file charges against the NPAs for robbery and carnapping.
The rebels allegedly tied Cajilo and Cadao with a packaging tape after they commandeered the duo’s tricycle.
Based on the area of operation, the NPAs may have been led by Nahum Camariosa and Joven Cadaren.
But witnesses only identified Cadaren and a certain Albert Camot of Barangay Toog, Leon as 2 of the 15 attackers.
BTA sets up committees for priority legislation
From the Business World (Apr 28, 2019): BTA sets up committees for priority legislation
The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) had its inauguration and first session last March 29. -- BW/TSBASMAN
THE BANGSAMORO Transition Authority (BTA) has created eight ad hoc committees that will prepare the documents for the administration of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) regional government.
THE BANGSAMORO Transition Authority (BTA) has created eight ad hoc committees that will prepare the documents for the administration of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) regional government.
“These ad hoc committees will draft the priority legislations for this year that will serve as blueprints in setting up the regional bureaucracy,” Amir S. Mawallil, member of the BARMM parliament and vice-chair of the ad hoc committee on internal revenue code, said after the BTA’s 4th session last week in Cotabato City.
The committees corresponding to priority legislations are: administrative code, internal revenue code, indigenous people’s affairs, civil service code, education, local government, creation of offices, and electoral code.
Under Article XVI, Section 4 of Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the BTA shall accomplish the enactment of these priority legislations.
Pending the enactment of these priority legislations, the ARMM Local Government Code as contained in Muslim Mindanao Act No. 25 will be in effect.
https://www.bworldonline.com/bta-sets-up-committees-for-priority-legislation/
https://www.bworldonline.com/bta-sets-up-committees-for-priority-legislation/
Nur bats for revolutionary govt in Bulacan summit
From the Manila Times (Apr 29, 2019): Nur bats for revolutionary govt in Bulacan summit
MORO National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari openly expressed his support for a revolutionary form of government during a Federalism for Peace State of Luzon Summit on Saturday at the Bulacan capitol compound in Malolos City.
He explained that a change in the form of government was imperative to address the problems the country is facing now.
The unitary form of government spawns political dynasties that lead to corruption, poverty and war, Misuari said.
His supporters in Luzon cheered and shouted “RevGov, RevGov” repeatedly to show their support for federalism.
The “Misuari-Duterte Tandem for Federalism for Peace” was launched in Malolos because of the city’s place in the country’s history.
Misuari said to have genuine peace, the country must get rid of political dynasties that tend to be the main source of corruption and enable politicians to engage in vote-buying during elections and amass wealth once elected.
MORO National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari openly expressed his support for a revolutionary form of government during a Federalism for Peace State of Luzon Summit on Saturday at the Bulacan capitol compound in Malolos City.
He explained that a change in the form of government was imperative to address the problems the country is facing now.
The unitary form of government spawns political dynasties that lead to corruption, poverty and war, Misuari said.
His supporters in Luzon cheered and shouted “RevGov, RevGov” repeatedly to show their support for federalism.
The “Misuari-Duterte Tandem for Federalism for Peace” was launched in Malolos because of the city’s place in the country’s history.
Misuari said to have genuine peace, the country must get rid of political dynasties that tend to be the main source of corruption and enable politicians to engage in vote-buying during elections and amass wealth once elected.
FEDERALISM SUMMIT Moro National Liberation Front founder Nur Misuari leads the federalism summit at the Bulacan Provincial Capitol Gym in Malolos where he expressed his support for a revolutionary form of government. PHOTO BY FREDERICK SILVERIO
He urged participants from all over Northern Luzon to help them end political dynasties and the unilateral form of government to establish a federal form of government that would create an equitable distribution of wealth for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with its federal states collecting its own taxes and spending these on their own people. It would also put an end to the national government dictating where their taxes would be spent.
The summit was a joint effort of the MNLF and the People’s Solidarity Federal Party of the Philippines, headed by Joel Obar.
Participants then signed a manifesto urging President Rodrigo Duterte to establish a federal system of government.
Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, during a campaign sortie of Hugpong ng Pagbabago candidates in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday, said she was opposed to federalism because wider political and fiscal autonomy granted to areas long held by political clans could spell trouble.
She added that Mindanao is filled with “kingdoms” of local politicians, local warlords and she did not think it is right that they be granted wider powers.
The President’s daughter, however, noted that the decision to shift to a federal form of government rests on Congress and the President.
He urged participants from all over Northern Luzon to help them end political dynasties and the unilateral form of government to establish a federal form of government that would create an equitable distribution of wealth for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with its federal states collecting its own taxes and spending these on their own people. It would also put an end to the national government dictating where their taxes would be spent.
The summit was a joint effort of the MNLF and the People’s Solidarity Federal Party of the Philippines, headed by Joel Obar.
Participants then signed a manifesto urging President Rodrigo Duterte to establish a federal system of government.
Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, during a campaign sortie of Hugpong ng Pagbabago candidates in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday, said she was opposed to federalism because wider political and fiscal autonomy granted to areas long held by political clans could spell trouble.
She added that Mindanao is filled with “kingdoms” of local politicians, local warlords and she did not think it is right that they be granted wider powers.
The President’s daughter, however, noted that the decision to shift to a federal form of government rests on Congress and the President.
Beijing’s maritime militia, the scourge of South China Sea
Posted to the Asia Times (Apr 27, 2019): Beijing’s maritime militia, the scourge of South China Sea (By Jonathan Manthorpe)
China uses hundreds of fishing trawlers, manned by military-trained sailors and modified for ramming and spying, to seize islands
Chinese fishing vessels set sail for the Spratly Islands. Photo: AFP
The shock troops of Beijing’s maritime empire-building are far more humble than the fleet of modern warships that paraded off Qingdao on Tuesday to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.
Even as President Xi Jinping was reviewing a sail-past of his new generation of guided missile destroyers and other modern warships, his equally potent small-boat navy was at work off the Philippines.
As I will describe, the fact that views of Xi’s navy were obscured by thick fog was more than symbolic and entirely appropriate.
For two years, scores and sometimes hundreds of Chinese fishing ships have been harassing, swarming and spying on Filipino construction crews upgrading infrastructure on the island of Thitu, known as Pagasa in the Philippines. This is the second largest naturally occurring island in the Spratly archipelago, and is home to about 100 Filipinos and a small military detachment.
The Thitu confrontation is part of a much larger, long-running dispute between Beijing and Manila over ownership of islands and islets in the Spratly group and other South China Sea features such as the Scarborough Shoal and Mischief Reef.
Even as President Xi Jinping was reviewing a sail-past of his new generation of guided missile destroyers and other modern warships, his equally potent small-boat navy was at work off the Philippines.
As I will describe, the fact that views of Xi’s navy were obscured by thick fog was more than symbolic and entirely appropriate.
For two years, scores and sometimes hundreds of Chinese fishing ships have been harassing, swarming and spying on Filipino construction crews upgrading infrastructure on the island of Thitu, known as Pagasa in the Philippines. This is the second largest naturally occurring island in the Spratly archipelago, and is home to about 100 Filipinos and a small military detachment.
The Thitu confrontation is part of a much larger, long-running dispute between Beijing and Manila over ownership of islands and islets in the Spratly group and other South China Sea features such as the Scarborough Shoal and Mischief Reef.
Duterte driven to distraction
But the swarming of the seas around Thitu Island by hundreds of Chinese fishing trawlers has driven Philippines President Roderigo Duterte to distraction.
He came to power in 2016 vowing to repair tense relations with Beijing. By-and-large, he has been deferential towards Beijing, but the action around Thitu led him earlier this month to warn Beijing to “lay off,” and to threaten to launch suicide attacks against the Chinese ships if it did not.
All the evidence is that the Chinese ships are elements of the People’s Liberation Army’s Maritime Militia, which studies by the United States Naval War College estimate to include well over 300 vessels and close to 4,000 personnel, though that is probably a major underestimation.
These units are made up of civilian fishermen who receive regular military training and pay while they are under the command of the navy. Their ships are usually not armed, though some are.
However, the ships have reinforced bows to enable them to ram other ships, and are equipped with high-powered water hoses, which are an effective weapon against the crews of other small ships. Most also have sophisticated communications equipment both for espionage operations, and so they can be easily marshaled and deployed while under military command.
But the swarming of the seas around Thitu Island by hundreds of Chinese fishing trawlers has driven Philippines President Roderigo Duterte to distraction.
He came to power in 2016 vowing to repair tense relations with Beijing. By-and-large, he has been deferential towards Beijing, but the action around Thitu led him earlier this month to warn Beijing to “lay off,” and to threaten to launch suicide attacks against the Chinese ships if it did not.
All the evidence is that the Chinese ships are elements of the People’s Liberation Army’s Maritime Militia, which studies by the United States Naval War College estimate to include well over 300 vessels and close to 4,000 personnel, though that is probably a major underestimation.
These units are made up of civilian fishermen who receive regular military training and pay while they are under the command of the navy. Their ships are usually not armed, though some are.
However, the ships have reinforced bows to enable them to ram other ships, and are equipped with high-powered water hoses, which are an effective weapon against the crews of other small ships. Most also have sophisticated communications equipment both for espionage operations, and so they can be easily marshaled and deployed while under military command.
Beijing’s irregular forces
The beauty of these militia units from Beijing’s point of view is the ambiguity of their status. Other coast guards, navies or fishery protection units find it impossible to know conclusively whether they are facing regular Chinese fishing vessels and crews, or Beijing’s irregular forces who have a clear military purpose in mind.
By comparison, it was much easier to identify the heavily-armed contingents of “Little Green Men” without national or regimental insignia that Russian President Vladimir Putin used in 2014 to seize the Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
Because of the difficulty in identifying Xi’s fishermen-soldiers the security forces of other South China Sea littoral states involved, such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, usually act with restraint. They try to avoid using force that might cause injuries or deaths, and thus international accusations of human rights abuses.
Beijing and its Maritime Militia have used this restraint by their opponents to their own advantage for 40 years and more. The militia has been key to Beijing’s strategy over territorial disputes in all of China’s surrounding seas and to evading serious confrontations when extending the territory under its control.
In 1974, the militia was at the forefront of the sea battle in which Beijing’s forces captured the last island held by Vietnam in the Paracel archipelago in the northern reaches of the South China Sea.
Trawlers built for ramming, spying
Since then, Sansha in the Paracel Islands has been developed as a base for the most militarised, professional and well-paid units in the Maritime Militia. According to Andrew Erickson, a professor at the US Naval War College’s China Maritime Studies Institute, the Sansha fishermen are also equipped with close to 100 purpose-built trawlers with reinforced hulls for ramming and sophisticated communications suites for spying.
The Sansha fishing fleet is used as a fast response unit to confront any activity Beijing considers an affront to its territorial claims.
In March 2009 the USS Impeccable, a US spy ship, was about 100 km south of China’s Hainan Island. It was trying to monitor traffic in and out of the submarine base at Sanya on the southern tip of the island.
Chinese warships and coast guard cutters approached the Impeccable and sent warnings for it to leave the area. When it did not, the ship was swarmed by Maritime Militia trawlers, which not only blocked its passage, but used grapple hooks to snag the Impeccable’s towed sonar array used to track submarines.
The Impeccable might have seen the Chinese warships or Coast Guard cutters as threatening enough to fire on them. The innocent-looking militia trawlers were able to get the job done without a shot being fired.
In May and June 2011 the militia trawlers were again in action, this time against research ships operating within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and looking for evidence of submarine oil and gas reserves. Maritime Militia ships cut the towed survey cables of both the Binh Minh and the Viking 2.
These incidents prompted most major oil companies to cancel exploration agreements with Vietnam.
Three years later, in May 2014, the shoe was on the other foot. When Beijing sent the Hai Yang Shi You 981 oil platform to disputed waters southwest of the Paracel Islands and within the exclusive economic zone off Vietnam’s east coast, Hanoi deployed its own maritime militia trawlers to try to disrupt the operation.
Beijing responded with its own militia trawlers, and there was a low-intensity sea battle with both sides ramming the other’s ships and using high-powered water hoses against the crews. At least six crew members were injured and one Vietnamese vessel was sunk after being rammed.
Thus the militia has been at the forefront of Beijing’s campaign over the last 30 years to seize control over the South China Sea.
The beauty of these militia units from Beijing’s point of view is the ambiguity of their status. Other coast guards, navies or fishery protection units find it impossible to know conclusively whether they are facing regular Chinese fishing vessels and crews, or Beijing’s irregular forces who have a clear military purpose in mind.
By comparison, it was much easier to identify the heavily-armed contingents of “Little Green Men” without national or regimental insignia that Russian President Vladimir Putin used in 2014 to seize the Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
Because of the difficulty in identifying Xi’s fishermen-soldiers the security forces of other South China Sea littoral states involved, such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, usually act with restraint. They try to avoid using force that might cause injuries or deaths, and thus international accusations of human rights abuses.
Beijing and its Maritime Militia have used this restraint by their opponents to their own advantage for 40 years and more. The militia has been key to Beijing’s strategy over territorial disputes in all of China’s surrounding seas and to evading serious confrontations when extending the territory under its control.
In 1974, the militia was at the forefront of the sea battle in which Beijing’s forces captured the last island held by Vietnam in the Paracel archipelago in the northern reaches of the South China Sea.
Trawlers built for ramming, spying
Since then, Sansha in the Paracel Islands has been developed as a base for the most militarised, professional and well-paid units in the Maritime Militia. According to Andrew Erickson, a professor at the US Naval War College’s China Maritime Studies Institute, the Sansha fishermen are also equipped with close to 100 purpose-built trawlers with reinforced hulls for ramming and sophisticated communications suites for spying.
The Sansha fishing fleet is used as a fast response unit to confront any activity Beijing considers an affront to its territorial claims.
In March 2009 the USS Impeccable, a US spy ship, was about 100 km south of China’s Hainan Island. It was trying to monitor traffic in and out of the submarine base at Sanya on the southern tip of the island.
Chinese warships and coast guard cutters approached the Impeccable and sent warnings for it to leave the area. When it did not, the ship was swarmed by Maritime Militia trawlers, which not only blocked its passage, but used grapple hooks to snag the Impeccable’s towed sonar array used to track submarines.
The Impeccable might have seen the Chinese warships or Coast Guard cutters as threatening enough to fire on them. The innocent-looking militia trawlers were able to get the job done without a shot being fired.
In May and June 2011 the militia trawlers were again in action, this time against research ships operating within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and looking for evidence of submarine oil and gas reserves. Maritime Militia ships cut the towed survey cables of both the Binh Minh and the Viking 2.
These incidents prompted most major oil companies to cancel exploration agreements with Vietnam.
Three years later, in May 2014, the shoe was on the other foot. When Beijing sent the Hai Yang Shi You 981 oil platform to disputed waters southwest of the Paracel Islands and within the exclusive economic zone off Vietnam’s east coast, Hanoi deployed its own maritime militia trawlers to try to disrupt the operation.
Beijing responded with its own militia trawlers, and there was a low-intensity sea battle with both sides ramming the other’s ships and using high-powered water hoses against the crews. At least six crew members were injured and one Vietnamese vessel was sunk after being rammed.
Thus the militia has been at the forefront of Beijing’s campaign over the last 30 years to seize control over the South China Sea.
Seven militarized islands
Maritime Militia ships led the charge when Beijing occupied Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands in 1994. The feature, also claimed by the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, has since been built into an island by Beijing’s forces, and is now one of seven militarized islands it has created in the South China Sea.
In 2012, militia fishing vessels again led the charge for Beijing’s occupation of the Scarborough Shoal, which had been clearly part of the Philippines’ territory since the early 18th century.
The seizing of this territory by Beijing led the Manila government to launch an action at the Permanent Court of Arbitration. In July 2016 the court ruled that there was “no legal basis for China to claim historic rights” over any areas of the South China Sea.
Beijing has dismissed the court ruling with contempt and has doubled down on taking possession of the South China Sea. Most of the construction of the seven islands equipped with airfields and military outposts has been done since the court judgment.
Ships of the Maritime Militia have also been used to trespass into territorial waters around the Japanese-owned Senkaku Islands, which Beijing claims and calls the Diaoyu Tai.
Maritime Militia ships led the charge when Beijing occupied Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands in 1994. The feature, also claimed by the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, has since been built into an island by Beijing’s forces, and is now one of seven militarized islands it has created in the South China Sea.
In 2012, militia fishing vessels again led the charge for Beijing’s occupation of the Scarborough Shoal, which had been clearly part of the Philippines’ territory since the early 18th century.
The seizing of this territory by Beijing led the Manila government to launch an action at the Permanent Court of Arbitration. In July 2016 the court ruled that there was “no legal basis for China to claim historic rights” over any areas of the South China Sea.
Beijing has dismissed the court ruling with contempt and has doubled down on taking possession of the South China Sea. Most of the construction of the seven islands equipped with airfields and military outposts has been done since the court judgment.
Ships of the Maritime Militia have also been used to trespass into territorial waters around the Japanese-owned Senkaku Islands, which Beijing claims and calls the Diaoyu Tai.
Senaku Islands incident
For decades the Japanese Coast Guard, on orders from Tokyo, monitored Chinese trawlers operating in territorial waters off the islands, but did not interfere. That changed in March 2010, when about 30 Chinese trawlers invaded Japanese territorial waters around the islands, and another 100-or-so Chinese fishing vessels lurked just outside the territorial zone.
The Japanese Coast Guard ordered the Chinese ships to leave, and all did except the Minjinyu 5179, which not only refused to budge, but then rammed the side of the Japanese ship.
The captain and crew were arrested, and the captain was put on trial and convicted. This led to a heated diplomatic exchange between Tokyo and Beijing, and a round of economic sanctions.
Since then there have been relatively few incursions around the islands by the Maritime Militia, but the number of overflights by Chinese military aircraft has grown dramatically.
Several commentators this week noted the apparent efforts by Beijing to avoid provocation in the 70th-anniversary celebrations. About 20 ships from other navies, including Japan, took part in the sail-past. And the holding of the event off Qingdao in the Yellow Sea rather than in the South China Sea was interpreted as an expression of goodwill.
But it is perhaps easy to be magnanimous when the trailblazers of imperial expansion are not the destroyers, aircraft carriers and submarines of the naval fleet, but the trained and highly-motivated crews of Beijing’s Maritime Militia trawlers.
For decades the Japanese Coast Guard, on orders from Tokyo, monitored Chinese trawlers operating in territorial waters off the islands, but did not interfere. That changed in March 2010, when about 30 Chinese trawlers invaded Japanese territorial waters around the islands, and another 100-or-so Chinese fishing vessels lurked just outside the territorial zone.
The Japanese Coast Guard ordered the Chinese ships to leave, and all did except the Minjinyu 5179, which not only refused to budge, but then rammed the side of the Japanese ship.
The captain and crew were arrested, and the captain was put on trial and convicted. This led to a heated diplomatic exchange between Tokyo and Beijing, and a round of economic sanctions.
Since then there have been relatively few incursions around the islands by the Maritime Militia, but the number of overflights by Chinese military aircraft has grown dramatically.
Several commentators this week noted the apparent efforts by Beijing to avoid provocation in the 70th-anniversary celebrations. About 20 ships from other navies, including Japan, took part in the sail-past. And the holding of the event off Qingdao in the Yellow Sea rather than in the South China Sea was interpreted as an expression of goodwill.
But it is perhaps easy to be magnanimous when the trailblazers of imperial expansion are not the destroyers, aircraft carriers and submarines of the naval fleet, but the trained and highly-motivated crews of Beijing’s Maritime Militia trawlers.
CPP: “Oust Duterte!” is a widespread clamor of the Filipino people
Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Apr 25, 2019): “Oust Duterte!” is a widespread clamor of the Filipino people
The demand to oust Duterte from power is not a “plot” by a small group of conspirators, as recently claimed by Malacañang. It is, rather, a strong clamor and widespread movement across the country uniting millions of people who have had enough of Duterte’s fascist, corrupt and treasonous regime.
They demand the ouster of Duterte from power at the soonest possible time.
The call for Duterte’s ouster resounds across the country from Mindanao where the peasants, Lumads, workers and broad sectors suffer from the brutalities of martial law; to Negros where police and military forces have perpetrated a vicious campaign of mass killings against organized peasants; to Samar where military units occupy communities; as well as to other provinces where attacks and abuses against the toiling masses are rampant. The clamor has spread even among Filipinos overseas where Duterte’s fascist notoriety has roused their indignation.
“Oust Duterte” reverberates across the Cordilleras and Sierra Madre mountains where the people are fiercely resisting destructive dam and other infrastructure projects.
As patriots, the Filipino people want Duterte ousted because they are outraged by his regime’s treasonous sellout to China of the country’s patrimony in the South China Sea, as well as in anomalous government contracts for burdensome loans and overpriced infrastructure projects, in exchange for fat kickbacks for Duterte and his cronies; as well as collusion with the US military which has been allowed to use the country as base for its Operation Pacific Eagle in exchange for military funding for his all-out war of suppression.
Millions of Filipinos want an end to Duterte and his fake drug war where tens of thousands have been killed in his crazed drive to assert drug overlordship and centrally control the drug trafficking in the country.
“Oust Duterte!” is the demand of millions who are enraged by the unexplained accumulation of the Dutertes declared wealth and what is believed to be much bigger hidden wealth accumulated through years of bureaucrat capitalist corruption and links with criminal and smuggling syndicates.
The clamor for Duterte’s ouster is strongest among the broad toiling masses who are suffering from deteriorating socio-economic conditions marked by widespread joblessness and contractualization, rural displacement as a result of land-use conversion and land grabbing, low wages, measly salaries, onerous taxes, rising prices of food and fuel, and of the overall cost of living.
The broad masses want to oust Duterte before he succeeds with his scheme to establish himself an outright fascist dictator and perpetuate his family’s dynastic rule.
The clamor for Duterte’s ouster is spreading even among the ruling elite who are under constant threat of political and economic disenfranchisement by Duterte’s Marcos-style authoritarianism. There is growing disenchantment among younger officers of the military and police who are scandalized by top-level corruption, by involvement in crime of Duterte’s favorite officers as well as by the brutal tactics of armed suppression.
The Filipino people must surmount Duterte’s fascist tyranny and boldly wage mass struggles. The revolutionary forces led by the Party, are on their side. Units of the New People’s Army, in particular, target the most fascist of Duterte’s military and police forces, in order to punish them for their gross abuses against the people.
The key to ousting Duterte is building the broadest possible united front of all forces opposed to his tyrannical, treasonous and corrupt regime.
They must aim to bring together the people in great numbers in mass demonstrations to drive Duterte out of Malacañang, have him arrested and make him answerable for all the crimes perpetrated by his regime.
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2019/04/25/oust-duterte-is-a-widespread-clamor-of-the-filipino-people/
They demand the ouster of Duterte from power at the soonest possible time.
The call for Duterte’s ouster resounds across the country from Mindanao where the peasants, Lumads, workers and broad sectors suffer from the brutalities of martial law; to Negros where police and military forces have perpetrated a vicious campaign of mass killings against organized peasants; to Samar where military units occupy communities; as well as to other provinces where attacks and abuses against the toiling masses are rampant. The clamor has spread even among Filipinos overseas where Duterte’s fascist notoriety has roused their indignation.
“Oust Duterte” reverberates across the Cordilleras and Sierra Madre mountains where the people are fiercely resisting destructive dam and other infrastructure projects.
As patriots, the Filipino people want Duterte ousted because they are outraged by his regime’s treasonous sellout to China of the country’s patrimony in the South China Sea, as well as in anomalous government contracts for burdensome loans and overpriced infrastructure projects, in exchange for fat kickbacks for Duterte and his cronies; as well as collusion with the US military which has been allowed to use the country as base for its Operation Pacific Eagle in exchange for military funding for his all-out war of suppression.
Millions of Filipinos want an end to Duterte and his fake drug war where tens of thousands have been killed in his crazed drive to assert drug overlordship and centrally control the drug trafficking in the country.
“Oust Duterte!” is the demand of millions who are enraged by the unexplained accumulation of the Dutertes declared wealth and what is believed to be much bigger hidden wealth accumulated through years of bureaucrat capitalist corruption and links with criminal and smuggling syndicates.
The clamor for Duterte’s ouster is strongest among the broad toiling masses who are suffering from deteriorating socio-economic conditions marked by widespread joblessness and contractualization, rural displacement as a result of land-use conversion and land grabbing, low wages, measly salaries, onerous taxes, rising prices of food and fuel, and of the overall cost of living.
The broad masses want to oust Duterte before he succeeds with his scheme to establish himself an outright fascist dictator and perpetuate his family’s dynastic rule.
The clamor for Duterte’s ouster is spreading even among the ruling elite who are under constant threat of political and economic disenfranchisement by Duterte’s Marcos-style authoritarianism. There is growing disenchantment among younger officers of the military and police who are scandalized by top-level corruption, by involvement in crime of Duterte’s favorite officers as well as by the brutal tactics of armed suppression.
The Filipino people must surmount Duterte’s fascist tyranny and boldly wage mass struggles. The revolutionary forces led by the Party, are on their side. Units of the New People’s Army, in particular, target the most fascist of Duterte’s military and police forces, in order to punish them for their gross abuses against the people.
The key to ousting Duterte is building the broadest possible united front of all forces opposed to his tyrannical, treasonous and corrupt regime.
They must aim to bring together the people in great numbers in mass demonstrations to drive Duterte out of Malacañang, have him arrested and make him answerable for all the crimes perpetrated by his regime.
https://www.philippinerevolution.info/2019/04/25/oust-duterte-is-a-widespread-clamor-of-the-filipino-people/
NDF/Sison: On the Treason of Duterte and Esperon
Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Apr 28, 2019): On the Treason of Duterte and Esperon
Jose Maria Sison
Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
April 28, 2019
China should be sued before the appropriate courts for the violation of sovereign rights of the Filipino people in the West Philippine Sea and demand its withdrawal and payment for the destruction of the marine environment and resources and rent for the duration of its occupation of Panatag Shoal and the artificial islands it has built and militarized.
Like his master Duterte, Esperon is a traitor and an idiot for asking China to protect the marine resources in the West Philippine Sea. He wants to legitimize China as the bantay salakay of the West Philippines Sea.
He is obfuscating the fact that China has violated the sovereign rights of the Filipino people over the West Philippine Sea, built and militarized artificial islands, taken over Panatag Shoal, usurped the marine and mineral resources and destroyed these in the West Philippines.
China should be sued before the appropriate courts for the violation of sovereign rights of the Filipino people in the West Philippine Sea and demand its withdrawal and payment for the destruction of the marine environment and resources and rent for the duration of its occupation of Panatag Shoal and the artificial islands it has built and militarized.
Like his master Duterte, Esperon is a traitor and an idiot for asking China to protect the marine resources in the West Philippine Sea. He wants to legitimize China as the bantay salakay of the West Philippines Sea.
He is obfuscating the fact that China has violated the sovereign rights of the Filipino people over the West Philippine Sea, built and militarized artificial islands, taken over Panatag Shoal, usurped the marine and mineral resources and destroyed these in the West Philippines.
Rebels disarm Alimodian policeman
From the Panay News (Apr 28, 2019): Rebels disarm Alimodian policeman
Fifteen New People’s Army (NPA) rebels disarmed a policeman in Barangay Bancal, Alimodian, Iloilo on Saturday.
They took Police Corporal John John Anaya’s government-issued M16 armalite rifle (serial number 162499) and 9mm Taurus pistol, bullets, two handheld radios, and a mobile phone.
Anaya, 37, was conducting “visibility patrol” with barangay kagawad Lemuel Almendral, barangay tanods Willy Brancia and Javier Cadao and tricycle driver Ernesto Cajilo when they were stopped by the rebels around 4:50 p.m.
After disarming Anaya, a member of the Alimodian police station, the rebels moved the cop and his companions to a nearby police outpost.
Before leaving Anaya and company unharmed, there rebels tied them up, said Police Colonel Marlon Tayaba, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
There were three other policemen assigned at the outpost but on Saturday, two were on leave and the other one went out to pee at the time the rebels brought Anaya and companions there.
Tayaba ordered an investigation.
“If our police officer was really alert, hindi s’ya madidisarmahan,” said Tayaba.
The Philippine Army condemned the rebels.
“They were getting desperate. We were able to seize many high-powered guns from them in a series of recent encounters,” said Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion.
https://www.panaynews.net/rebels-disarm-alimodian-policeman/
Fifteen New People’s Army (NPA) rebels disarmed a policeman in Barangay Bancal, Alimodian, Iloilo on Saturday.
They took Police Corporal John John Anaya’s government-issued M16 armalite rifle (serial number 162499) and 9mm Taurus pistol, bullets, two handheld radios, and a mobile phone.
Anaya, 37, was conducting “visibility patrol” with barangay kagawad Lemuel Almendral, barangay tanods Willy Brancia and Javier Cadao and tricycle driver Ernesto Cajilo when they were stopped by the rebels around 4:50 p.m.
After disarming Anaya, a member of the Alimodian police station, the rebels moved the cop and his companions to a nearby police outpost.
Before leaving Anaya and company unharmed, there rebels tied them up, said Police Colonel Marlon Tayaba, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
There were three other policemen assigned at the outpost but on Saturday, two were on leave and the other one went out to pee at the time the rebels brought Anaya and companions there.
Tayaba ordered an investigation.
“If our police officer was really alert, hindi s’ya madidisarmahan,” said Tayaba.
The Philippine Army condemned the rebels.
“They were getting desperate. We were able to seize many high-powered guns from them in a series of recent encounters,” said Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion.
https://www.panaynews.net/rebels-disarm-alimodian-policeman/
Troops secure violence-ridden NegOcc town
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 28, 2019): Troops secure violence-ridden NegOcc town
A total of 150 soldiers of the 62nd Infantry Battalion were deployed by the Philippine Army to Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on Saturday to secure the violence-hit town ahead of the May 13 elections. (Photo courtesy of 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army)
The Philippine Army deployed 150 soldiers to Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental over the weekend, a day after authorities recommended that the central Negros town be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of 3rd Infantry Brigade, told reporters Saturday that it is necessary to bring in such number of additional troops to ensure peace and order in the municipality going into the elections on May 13.
"We want show the people in Moises Padilla that the (security) forces there should be the government forces, and nothing else. Not the New People's Army (NPA), not the private armed groups," he added.
The troops, comprised of a company of soldiers from the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB), arrived in three armored vehicles, two 6x6 military trucks, and 10 light trucks.
Arevalo led the send-off of the troops in a ceremony held in front of the poblacion public market on Saturday morning.
Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, commanding officer of 62IB; Capt. Junji Liba, chief of Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station; and assistant election officer Rosana Lamec, witnessed the deployment of the soldiers.
Arevalo dismissed speculations of possible "militarization" in the violence-hit town considering the number of troops and resources deployed in the area.
He said both the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police are beefing up the presence of the government forces in Moises Padilla based on instructions from the Comelec.
"Our authority is coming from the Comelec. It is not my commander who approved the deployment. It's actually Atty. (Salud Milagros) Villanueva. As she is the head of the Comelec here (in Negros Occidental), we asked for her approval," Arevalo added.
The Comelec has placed Moises Padilla under Category Red, which means it is an "area of grave concern", with a history of election-related incidents in the last two elections and intense political rivalry, adding that there is the serious armed threat posed by the NPA and other lawless elements.
On Friday, the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC), composed of Comelec-Negros Occidental, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, and the Philippine Army's'303rd Brigade, as well as Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., recommended to the Comelec en banc to place Moises Padilla under the Comelec control.
Villanueva said violence by private armed groups and the presence of NPA were considered factors for the municipality to be placed under Comelec control.
On Thursday morning, two family members of Vice Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo, who is running for mayor, were killed by heavily armed men along Sitio Dresden in Barangay Inolingan on their way home from a house-to-house campaign.
The incident claimed the lives of her nephew, reelectionist Councilor Jose Antonio "Michael" Garcia; and her brother, former Association of Barangay Captains president Jose Marcelino "Mark" Garcia.
In Moises Padilla alone, Councilor Michael Garcia was the second town official killed during the campaign period.
Last March 31, Councilor Jolomar Hilario, who is also seeking reelection, was gunned down by members of the NPA at his residence, also in Barangay Inolingan.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1068387
The Philippine Army deployed 150 soldiers to Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental over the weekend, a day after authorities recommended that the central Negros town be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of 3rd Infantry Brigade, told reporters Saturday that it is necessary to bring in such number of additional troops to ensure peace and order in the municipality going into the elections on May 13.
"We want show the people in Moises Padilla that the (security) forces there should be the government forces, and nothing else. Not the New People's Army (NPA), not the private armed groups," he added.
The troops, comprised of a company of soldiers from the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB), arrived in three armored vehicles, two 6x6 military trucks, and 10 light trucks.
Arevalo led the send-off of the troops in a ceremony held in front of the poblacion public market on Saturday morning.
Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, commanding officer of 62IB; Capt. Junji Liba, chief of Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station; and assistant election officer Rosana Lamec, witnessed the deployment of the soldiers.
Arevalo dismissed speculations of possible "militarization" in the violence-hit town considering the number of troops and resources deployed in the area.
He said both the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police are beefing up the presence of the government forces in Moises Padilla based on instructions from the Comelec.
"Our authority is coming from the Comelec. It is not my commander who approved the deployment. It's actually Atty. (Salud Milagros) Villanueva. As she is the head of the Comelec here (in Negros Occidental), we asked for her approval," Arevalo added.
The Comelec has placed Moises Padilla under Category Red, which means it is an "area of grave concern", with a history of election-related incidents in the last two elections and intense political rivalry, adding that there is the serious armed threat posed by the NPA and other lawless elements.
On Friday, the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC), composed of Comelec-Negros Occidental, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, and the Philippine Army's'303rd Brigade, as well as Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., recommended to the Comelec en banc to place Moises Padilla under the Comelec control.
Villanueva said violence by private armed groups and the presence of NPA were considered factors for the municipality to be placed under Comelec control.
On Thursday morning, two family members of Vice Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo, who is running for mayor, were killed by heavily armed men along Sitio Dresden in Barangay Inolingan on their way home from a house-to-house campaign.
The incident claimed the lives of her nephew, reelectionist Councilor Jose Antonio "Michael" Garcia; and her brother, former Association of Barangay Captains president Jose Marcelino "Mark" Garcia.
In Moises Padilla alone, Councilor Michael Garcia was the second town official killed during the campaign period.
Last March 31, Councilor Jolomar Hilario, who is also seeking reelection, was gunned down by members of the NPA at his residence, also in Barangay Inolingan.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1068387
Rebels' attack on police officer in Iloilo 'desperate move': Army
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 28, 2019): Rebels' attack on police officer in Iloilo 'desperate move': Army
Photo shows the Alimodian Municipal Police Station Highway Police Assistance Desk (HIPAD) in Bancal Village, Iloilo town where a police officer was tied-up and disarmed by members of the New Peoples Army on Saturay (April 27, 2019). (Photo courtesy of DYSI 1323 Super Radyo Iloilo)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the attack of around 15 rebel members against the Highway Police Assistance Desk (HIPAD) of the Alimodian Municipal Police Station in Bancal village, Alimodian town, Iloilo on Saturday was a "desperate move" of the part of the New People’s Army (NPA).
In a phone interview Sunday, Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) of the Philippine army, said he considers such move of the NPA as desperate.
"They had taken advantage of the police personnel. They are desperate to show that they are powerful but the truth is they are cowards and traitors," Batara said.
The fact that the incident was undertaken by the rebels in a populated area manifests that the NPA uses the public as human shield.
"They do this in a populated area so that the responding troops cannot shoot in fear that civilians around will get hurt," he said.
Lt. Danilo Noca, Alimodian police chief, said the NPA members tied up and disarmed Cpl. Jhan Jhan Anaya, HIPAD police officer on duty at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
The rebels allegedly rented two tricycles, which they used as their vehicle, at Siol village, Leon town.
Noca said the rebels tied up the drivers of the rented tricycles but they freed them after a few minutes.
Upon arriving at the HIPAD, Anaya, who was at his post outside, was “helpless” as more or less six rebels, three from each side, pounced on him. The rebels eventually tied him with duct tape.
Noca said rebels carted away one M16 rifle and 9mm pistol from the police on duty.
"The rebels fled towards Siol, Leon, which we can say a mountainous area, after the incident," Noca said in a phone interview Sunday.
Two police personnel were supposed to be on duty during the time of the incident but Noca said one police officer was away for some important matter.
Batara, meanwhile, said it is possible that the NPA rebels can do the same at municipal police stations. He said government troops are always reminded to stay on guard because "NPAs are traitors who attack from the back."
Noca said they had added police personnel at the HIPAD and intensified their security at Alimodian Municipal Police Station.
He said the Philippine Army and the PNP, with the Regional Mobile Force Company and Iloilo Mobile Force Company, closely coordinate for hot pursuit operations against the NPA rebels believed to be members of the Southern Front of the Komiteng Rehiyong Panay.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1068386
In a phone interview Sunday, Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) of the Philippine army, said he considers such move of the NPA as desperate.
"They had taken advantage of the police personnel. They are desperate to show that they are powerful but the truth is they are cowards and traitors," Batara said.
The fact that the incident was undertaken by the rebels in a populated area manifests that the NPA uses the public as human shield.
"They do this in a populated area so that the responding troops cannot shoot in fear that civilians around will get hurt," he said.
Lt. Danilo Noca, Alimodian police chief, said the NPA members tied up and disarmed Cpl. Jhan Jhan Anaya, HIPAD police officer on duty at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
The rebels allegedly rented two tricycles, which they used as their vehicle, at Siol village, Leon town.
Noca said the rebels tied up the drivers of the rented tricycles but they freed them after a few minutes.
Upon arriving at the HIPAD, Anaya, who was at his post outside, was “helpless” as more or less six rebels, three from each side, pounced on him. The rebels eventually tied him with duct tape.
Noca said rebels carted away one M16 rifle and 9mm pistol from the police on duty.
"The rebels fled towards Siol, Leon, which we can say a mountainous area, after the incident," Noca said in a phone interview Sunday.
Two police personnel were supposed to be on duty during the time of the incident but Noca said one police officer was away for some important matter.
Batara, meanwhile, said it is possible that the NPA rebels can do the same at municipal police stations. He said government troops are always reminded to stay on guard because "NPAs are traitors who attack from the back."
Noca said they had added police personnel at the HIPAD and intensified their security at Alimodian Municipal Police Station.
He said the Philippine Army and the PNP, with the Regional Mobile Force Company and Iloilo Mobile Force Company, closely coordinate for hot pursuit operations against the NPA rebels believed to be members of the Southern Front of the Komiteng Rehiyong Panay.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1068386
PH needs more Pinoys to expose CPP-NPA deception: AFP
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 28, 2019): PH needs more Pinoys to expose CPP-NPA deception: AFP
Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations
The country needs more people like Angela O. Aguilar who will surface to expose truth about the so-called progressive groups with links to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) terrorist movement.
Major Gen. Antonio Parlade, of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), made this statement Sunday after learning of Aguilar's petition before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) calling for the cancellation of the registration of a number of partylist groups linked to the CPP-NPA.
"We need more Aguilars to tell their story. We need more former rebels like Father Balweg, whom the NPAs silenced, to expose the true colors of these Kamatayan Bloc and the politicians who are supporting them. We need more to speak about these crook politicians kowtowing with the Kamatayan (Makabayan) bloc and its armed NPAs that perpetuate their selfish agenda rather than national interest," Parlade said.
Named in the petition, docketed as SPP 19-006 before the Comelec on April 26, were the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (MAKABAYAN), Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Action (GABRIELA), with senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares as the lone individual respondent.
In her petition, Aguilar cited the Comelec's motu propio powers under the Republic Act 7941 or Party-List System Act’s Section 6, Paragraphs 2 and 5 as reference.
The Party-list System Act, which was passed in 1995, allows the Comelec to cancel the registration of any group, which among others, "advocates violence or unlawful means to seek its goal" and "violates or fails to comply with laws, rules or regulations relating to elections."
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
Parlade said Aguilar's petition is very timely and should serve as a wake-up call for Filipinos long tired of the insurgency being foisted upon them by the communist rebels.
"It's about time. Like I said, one of these days the people will wake up and slap them with anything they can get hold of, including filling of cases for all the crimes they have committed against humanity. We just don't realize it but this 50 years of communist protracted war has killed around 60,000 Filipinos. Some former cadres even place the estimate of those they have killed at 80,000," the NTF ELCAC official added.
Due to the violence being propagated by the rebels, Parlade said, there are untold numbers of widows and orphans left behind.
"How many widows and orphans have these left behind? And until now they are still killing hapless people and IPs (Indigenous Peoples)," he added.
He said he will not stop until the entire country and its people learn and realize the deception and exploitation imposed on society by these progressive groups linked with CPP-NPA.
"Again, we will not stop until the Filipino people have fully realized the deception and exploitation of our society by these Kamatayan Bloc, using the democratic process as a cover to attack our democratic system and supplant it with theirs," Parlade added.
Youth recruitment
He also warned parents to keep a tight watch on their children as the communist rebels are known to recruit teenage minors and use them as pawns in their illegal activities against the government.
"To all parents and teachers, please listen to the plight of young children aged 12-17, newly recruited by these Kamatayan Bloc to act as auxillary of the NPA's starting as lookouts, surveillance agents, logisticians, and eventually as Red fighters. Hear the story of (alias) 'Lisa', 15 years old of Oma-oma, Ligao, Albay who is now under the custody of DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) in Manila. She was invited by the Municipal Police Station (MPS) of Tabaco, Albay after the police noticed her abnormal behaviour and presence near the MPS. Apparently she was given the mission to conduct casing on the Police Station before a raid will be conducted by the NPAs," the NTF ElCAC official bared.
He said during her debriefing, "Lisa" told authorities that there are about 29 other young children lured with the promises of money, and are now training with the NPA members in Castilla, Sorsogon where she was released for the mission.
"She now prays that the government will be able to rescue the other children who have been going up the mountains for training with the NPAs. These are the kinds of activities the CPP-NPA and the NDF(National Democratic Front) that the Kamatayan Bloc is part of and have been doing for years. Now they use kids in order to circumvent the law with the protection of minors," Parlade said.
He also scored and condemned the communists for using inhumane tactics.
"When shall we stop this dual tactics of the Kamatayan (Makabayan) bloc? How many more IPs (indigenous people) will they kill in Butuan, Davao Oriental, DDN (Davao Del Norte) Bukidnon and Mindoro? How many more former rebels will they kill in Samar, Negros, Bicol and elsewhere? And when shall our broadsheets wake up to help spread the truth and balance news to expose these monsters?" Parlade said.
On Monday, the NTF ELCAC official said the public will learn another sad truth about the realities in the underground movement.
"Tomorrow (Monday) is another sad story about truth and realities in the underground movement. (It will be) tomorrow because (there will be an) ocular inspection by the House Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and IPs in Surigao del Sur on alternative learning achools," he added.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1068395
The country needs more people like Angela O. Aguilar who will surface to expose truth about the so-called progressive groups with links to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) terrorist movement.
Major Gen. Antonio Parlade, of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), made this statement Sunday after learning of Aguilar's petition before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) calling for the cancellation of the registration of a number of partylist groups linked to the CPP-NPA.
"We need more Aguilars to tell their story. We need more former rebels like Father Balweg, whom the NPAs silenced, to expose the true colors of these Kamatayan Bloc and the politicians who are supporting them. We need more to speak about these crook politicians kowtowing with the Kamatayan (Makabayan) bloc and its armed NPAs that perpetuate their selfish agenda rather than national interest," Parlade said.
Named in the petition, docketed as SPP 19-006 before the Comelec on April 26, were the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (MAKABAYAN), Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Action (GABRIELA), with senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares as the lone individual respondent.
In her petition, Aguilar cited the Comelec's motu propio powers under the Republic Act 7941 or Party-List System Act’s Section 6, Paragraphs 2 and 5 as reference.
The Party-list System Act, which was passed in 1995, allows the Comelec to cancel the registration of any group, which among others, "advocates violence or unlawful means to seek its goal" and "violates or fails to comply with laws, rules or regulations relating to elections."
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
Parlade said Aguilar's petition is very timely and should serve as a wake-up call for Filipinos long tired of the insurgency being foisted upon them by the communist rebels.
"It's about time. Like I said, one of these days the people will wake up and slap them with anything they can get hold of, including filling of cases for all the crimes they have committed against humanity. We just don't realize it but this 50 years of communist protracted war has killed around 60,000 Filipinos. Some former cadres even place the estimate of those they have killed at 80,000," the NTF ELCAC official added.
Due to the violence being propagated by the rebels, Parlade said, there are untold numbers of widows and orphans left behind.
"How many widows and orphans have these left behind? And until now they are still killing hapless people and IPs (Indigenous Peoples)," he added.
He said he will not stop until the entire country and its people learn and realize the deception and exploitation imposed on society by these progressive groups linked with CPP-NPA.
"Again, we will not stop until the Filipino people have fully realized the deception and exploitation of our society by these Kamatayan Bloc, using the democratic process as a cover to attack our democratic system and supplant it with theirs," Parlade added.
Youth recruitment
He also warned parents to keep a tight watch on their children as the communist rebels are known to recruit teenage minors and use them as pawns in their illegal activities against the government.
"To all parents and teachers, please listen to the plight of young children aged 12-17, newly recruited by these Kamatayan Bloc to act as auxillary of the NPA's starting as lookouts, surveillance agents, logisticians, and eventually as Red fighters. Hear the story of (alias) 'Lisa', 15 years old of Oma-oma, Ligao, Albay who is now under the custody of DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) in Manila. She was invited by the Municipal Police Station (MPS) of Tabaco, Albay after the police noticed her abnormal behaviour and presence near the MPS. Apparently she was given the mission to conduct casing on the Police Station before a raid will be conducted by the NPAs," the NTF ElCAC official bared.
He said during her debriefing, "Lisa" told authorities that there are about 29 other young children lured with the promises of money, and are now training with the NPA members in Castilla, Sorsogon where she was released for the mission.
"She now prays that the government will be able to rescue the other children who have been going up the mountains for training with the NPAs. These are the kinds of activities the CPP-NPA and the NDF(National Democratic Front) that the Kamatayan Bloc is part of and have been doing for years. Now they use kids in order to circumvent the law with the protection of minors," Parlade said.
He also scored and condemned the communists for using inhumane tactics.
"When shall we stop this dual tactics of the Kamatayan (Makabayan) bloc? How many more IPs (indigenous people) will they kill in Butuan, Davao Oriental, DDN (Davao Del Norte) Bukidnon and Mindoro? How many more former rebels will they kill in Samar, Negros, Bicol and elsewhere? And when shall our broadsheets wake up to help spread the truth and balance news to expose these monsters?" Parlade said.
On Monday, the NTF ELCAC official said the public will learn another sad truth about the realities in the underground movement.
"Tomorrow (Monday) is another sad story about truth and realities in the underground movement. (It will be) tomorrow because (there will be an) ocular inspection by the House Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and IPs in Surigao del Sur on alternative learning achools," he added.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1068395
Netizens back bid to cancel Comelec reg’n of Bayan Muna, others
From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 28, 2019): Netizens back bid to cancel Comelec reg’n of Bayan Muna, others
Netizens expressed support to the petition before the Commisison on Elections (Comelec) to cancel the registration of party-list groups identified with the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA).
In the comments section of Philippine News Agency's (PNA) Facebook account, a number of netizens said now is the time for the Comelec to take action against party-list groups creating more and unnecessary issues instead of helping the government better address the nation's problems.
Netizen Ysay Baroro commented that NPA-linked party-list groups "have no right to hold a position in the government because all they bring are troubles".
Meanwhile, Antonio del Castillo Jr., in his comment, said Comelec must have done the registration cancellation of such party-list groups a long time ago.
"Madaming dahilan 'yan kung bakit hindi maaksyunan noon ng Comelec. Takot sila sa pagbabanta o nakikinabang sila o may kaibigan sila sa mga partylist na 'yan. Dapat nga hindi na ulit pinapatakbo yung mga panay rally, gaya ng Gabriela, Anakbayan, (There are many reasons why the Comelec is unable to act on the issue. They're scared of threats, or they benefit from it, or they have friends from those partylists. Those who perform rallies shouldn't be allowed to run again like the Gabriela, Anakbayan,) etc.," he added.
Rebecca Labadnoy said NPA-related party-list groups help bring down the country's growth.
"Panahon na para di na sila makagulo sa gobyerno, paano uunlad ang bansa kung palagi na lang rally nang rally na wala namang naitutulong sa katahimikan ng bansa (It's now time that the don't interfere with the government, rallying doesn't help in achieving nationwide peace and development), she said.
On the other hand, Max Lebrando commented that there are more government agencies which help citizens in need.
"I think partylist is a waste of people’s tax and most of these partylists in position moslty are against the government. Paano tayo uunlad kung lahat ng projects eh may nasasabi kayo. Puro pa kayo rally, hindi ba pwede gawan ng (How are we going to progress if you criticize every [government] project. All you do is to stage rallies, can't you make a) solution rather than just make noise and mess on the streets? And you're a nuisance to traffic flow)," he added.
On Friday, Angela Aguilar, secretary general of Kababaihang Maralita, a non-government organization, filed a petition before the Comelec against Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (MAKABAYAN), Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Action (GABRIELA), with senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares as the lone individual respondent.
Aguilar, in her petition docekted as SPP 19-006, said that she has personal knowledge that MAKABAYAN party-list groups and Colmenares are connected with the NPA, being a former CPP “kadre" and ACT member.
She cited the Comelec's motu propio powers under the Republic Act 7941 or Party-List System Act’s Section 6, Paragraphs 2 and 5 as reference.
The Party-list System Act, which was passed in 1995, allows the Comelec to cancel the registration of any group, which among others, "advocates violence or unlawful means to seek its goal" and "violates or fails to comply with laws, rules or regulations relating to elections."
She also noted that the campaign materials of senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares and his cohorts were "placed outside of authorized common poster areas in public places, or in private properties, without the consent of the owner."
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1068396
Netizens expressed support to the petition before the Commisison on Elections (Comelec) to cancel the registration of party-list groups identified with the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA).
In the comments section of Philippine News Agency's (PNA) Facebook account, a number of netizens said now is the time for the Comelec to take action against party-list groups creating more and unnecessary issues instead of helping the government better address the nation's problems.
Netizen Ysay Baroro commented that NPA-linked party-list groups "have no right to hold a position in the government because all they bring are troubles".
Meanwhile, Antonio del Castillo Jr., in his comment, said Comelec must have done the registration cancellation of such party-list groups a long time ago.
"Madaming dahilan 'yan kung bakit hindi maaksyunan noon ng Comelec. Takot sila sa pagbabanta o nakikinabang sila o may kaibigan sila sa mga partylist na 'yan. Dapat nga hindi na ulit pinapatakbo yung mga panay rally, gaya ng Gabriela, Anakbayan, (There are many reasons why the Comelec is unable to act on the issue. They're scared of threats, or they benefit from it, or they have friends from those partylists. Those who perform rallies shouldn't be allowed to run again like the Gabriela, Anakbayan,) etc.," he added.
Rebecca Labadnoy said NPA-related party-list groups help bring down the country's growth.
"Panahon na para di na sila makagulo sa gobyerno, paano uunlad ang bansa kung palagi na lang rally nang rally na wala namang naitutulong sa katahimikan ng bansa (It's now time that the don't interfere with the government, rallying doesn't help in achieving nationwide peace and development), she said.
On the other hand, Max Lebrando commented that there are more government agencies which help citizens in need.
"I think partylist is a waste of people’s tax and most of these partylists in position moslty are against the government. Paano tayo uunlad kung lahat ng projects eh may nasasabi kayo. Puro pa kayo rally, hindi ba pwede gawan ng (How are we going to progress if you criticize every [government] project. All you do is to stage rallies, can't you make a) solution rather than just make noise and mess on the streets? And you're a nuisance to traffic flow)," he added.
On Friday, Angela Aguilar, secretary general of Kababaihang Maralita, a non-government organization, filed a petition before the Comelec against Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (MAKABAYAN), Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Action (GABRIELA), with senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares as the lone individual respondent.
Aguilar, in her petition docekted as SPP 19-006, said that she has personal knowledge that MAKABAYAN party-list groups and Colmenares are connected with the NPA, being a former CPP “kadre" and ACT member.
She cited the Comelec's motu propio powers under the Republic Act 7941 or Party-List System Act’s Section 6, Paragraphs 2 and 5 as reference.
The Party-list System Act, which was passed in 1995, allows the Comelec to cancel the registration of any group, which among others, "advocates violence or unlawful means to seek its goal" and "violates or fails to comply with laws, rules or regulations relating to elections."
She also noted that the campaign materials of senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares and his cohorts were "placed outside of authorized common poster areas in public places, or in private properties, without the consent of the owner."
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1068396