From the Panay News (Jul 18, 2019): Slain rebel in Negros encounter identified
BACOLOD City – The slain member of the New People’s Army in a clash with government troops last week was finally identified.
He was 22-year-old Joseph Pacheco, according to Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office.
Joseph – resident of Barangay Buenavista in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental – was killed last Saturday, July 13 when some 15 armed NPA members clashed with Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion troops in the boundary of Upper Carol-an in Ayungon, Negros Oriental and Barangay Carol-an in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.
Police said Joseph’s 53-year-old mother, Julita, of Barangay Buenavista in Himamaylan appeared at the Ayungon Police Station to claim his body.
Troopers of 62IB recovered high-powered firearms, an anti-personnel mine, two bandoliers, and subversive documents during the clearing operations.
Lieutenant Colonel Egberto Dacoscos, 62IB commander, said the people are aware of the communist group’s extortion activities.
“We will put an end to rebels’ terroristic activities,” Dacoscos stressed.
https://www.panaynews.net/slain-rebel-in-negros-encounter-identified/
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Remains of NPA purge victim found after a year
From the Manila Bulletin (Jul 17, 2019): Remains of NPA purge victim found after a year
CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – After more than a year, the search is over for a female medical officer of the New People’s Army (NPA), who was killed in a massive purge in the Communist movement, and reportedly buried in an agricultural mountainous area in Bukidnon.
NPA (FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
CAMP BANCASI, Butuan City – After more than a year, the search is over for a female medical officer of the New People’s Army (NPA), who was killed in a massive purge in the Communist movement, and reportedly buried in an agricultural mountainous area in Bukidnon.
NPA (FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Authorities were led to the burial site by a former rebel, who had recently surrendered to government troops in Bukidnon.
Search and retrieval operation of the murdered female NPA medical officer was jointly conducted by the military and police in Sitio San Martin, Barangay Adtuyon, Pangantucan town, Bukidnon at around 12:30 Monday afternoon (July 16), said Maj. Frankjo C. Boral, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the First Special Forces Battalion, told The Manila Bulletin on Wednesday.
The skeletal remains and clothing of Merlyn H. Panta, alyas “Genevive”, alleged medical officer Guerilla front 68 (GF 68) of the CPP-NPA North central Mindanao Regional Committee was found and buried in a shallow grave in the vicinity of Sitio San Martin, Barangay Adtuyon of that same town.
She was allegedly stabbed to death by the sub-leader of the guerilla front last June 2018 for having been suspected of being government spy, Boral said.
“The cadaver was successfully recovered and was immediately brought to Pangantucan funeral homes for investigation and proper disposition,” Boral said.
Search and retrieval operation of the murdered female NPA medical officer was jointly conducted by the military and police in Sitio San Martin, Barangay Adtuyon, Pangantucan town, Bukidnon at around 12:30 Monday afternoon (July 16), said Maj. Frankjo C. Boral, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the First Special Forces Battalion, told The Manila Bulletin on Wednesday.
The skeletal remains and clothing of Merlyn H. Panta, alyas “Genevive”, alleged medical officer Guerilla front 68 (GF 68) of the CPP-NPA North central Mindanao Regional Committee was found and buried in a shallow grave in the vicinity of Sitio San Martin, Barangay Adtuyon of that same town.
She was allegedly stabbed to death by the sub-leader of the guerilla front last June 2018 for having been suspected of being government spy, Boral said.
“The cadaver was successfully recovered and was immediately brought to Pangantucan funeral homes for investigation and proper disposition,” Boral said.
2 soldiers slain in ambush in Cotabato town
From the Manila Bulletin (Jul 18, 2019): 2 soldiers slain in ambush in Cotabato town
Two government troopers were ambushed by at least five members of the New People’s Army (NPA) under Guerrilla Front 53 on Tuesday.
Reports from Arakan Police said the two soldiers were onboard a black XRM motorcycle and were heading towards Sitio Bukatol in Barangay Kinawayan, Arakan when they were ambushed.
Both died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds, reports added.
Police recovered from the crime scene several cartridges and bullets from M16 rifles.
Investigators said the victims were tasked to prepare the barangay in Arakan for a meeting with the residents and village officials in declaring the NPA rebels as persona non grata.
Two government troopers were ambushed by at least five members of the New People’s Army (NPA) under Guerrilla Front 53 on Tuesday.
Reports from Arakan Police said the two soldiers were onboard a black XRM motorcycle and were heading towards Sitio Bukatol in Barangay Kinawayan, Arakan when they were ambushed.
Both died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds, reports added.
Police recovered from the crime scene several cartridges and bullets from M16 rifles.
Investigators said the victims were tasked to prepare the barangay in Arakan for a meeting with the residents and village officials in declaring the NPA rebels as persona non grata.
2 soldiers killed in North Cotabato clash with NPA
From Rappler (Jul 18, 2019): 2 soldiers killed in North Cotabato clash with NPA
Police say the soldiers were conducting a community support program in Arakan town when they were attacked by communist rebels
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Two soldiers were killed in an ambush by suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in a village in Arakan town in North Cotabato.
Police Captain Jose Marie Molina, the Arakan chief of police, said the soldiers under the 19th Infantry Battalion were conducting a community support program in Sitio Lucatong in Barangay Kinawayan and were on their way home to their headquarters when fired at around 4 pm on Wednesday, July 17.
Molina said the remains of the slain soldiers, whom he did not identify, had yet to be retrieved. He added that the police and the military had already deployed forces in the area to do this.
The incident came a day after the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting led by North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco, where the province's communist insurgency problem was tackled.
During the PPOC meeting, Catamco pledged to focus on peace-related programs and effective delivery of services.
The governor said amid the NPA attacks in the past months, she would pursue a diplomatic approach in conflict resolution, adding that the "use of force must be the last option."
https://www.rappler.com/nation/235678-soldiers-killed-clash-new-peoples-army-north-cotabato-july-2019
Police say the soldiers were conducting a community support program in Arakan town when they were attacked by communist rebels
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Two soldiers were killed in an ambush by suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in a village in Arakan town in North Cotabato.
Police Captain Jose Marie Molina, the Arakan chief of police, said the soldiers under the 19th Infantry Battalion were conducting a community support program in Sitio Lucatong in Barangay Kinawayan and were on their way home to their headquarters when fired at around 4 pm on Wednesday, July 17.
Molina said the remains of the slain soldiers, whom he did not identify, had yet to be retrieved. He added that the police and the military had already deployed forces in the area to do this.
The incident came a day after the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting led by North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco, where the province's communist insurgency problem was tackled.
During the PPOC meeting, Catamco pledged to focus on peace-related programs and effective delivery of services.
The governor said amid the NPA attacks in the past months, she would pursue a diplomatic approach in conflict resolution, adding that the "use of force must be the last option."
https://www.rappler.com/nation/235678-soldiers-killed-clash-new-peoples-army-north-cotabato-july-2019
Duterte invokes PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty
From the Manila Bulletin (Jul 17, 2019): Duterte invokes PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty
President Duterte has called on the United States to invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines amid the tension with China in the West Philippine Sea.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (VALERIE ESCALERA / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Duterte made the statement days after the Philippines marked the third anniversary of the victorious Hague Ruling recognizing the Philippines’ claim over the disputed waters.
In an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Duterte said he would join the US if it sends the Seventh Fleet to China.
“I’m calling now America. I’m invoking the RP-US pact. I would like America to gather all their Seventh Fleet in front of China. I’m asking them now. I will join them,” Duterte said early Wednesday.
The Seventh Fleet is a military formation of the United States Navy headquartered at US Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Japan, with some units based in Japan and South Korea. It is part of the United States Pacific Fleet and has at least 60 ships, 300 aircraft, and 40,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel.
“I will ride on the boat where the admiral of the US is. I will drag along Carpio and the rest. When the Americans say, ‘We’re here now, ready,’ I will press them,” he added.
Duterte was referring to Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio who has been urging Duterte to make a stand against China in the West Philippine Sea.
“Maybe that would be the end of Palawan. Palawan may be devastated, maybe occupied or if there will be nuclear bombs it will dry up. So nothing will grow here, we can just wait, just like a big hole coming our way, to suck us to eternity,” he continued.
Earlier, Duterte doubted that the Philippines can easily invoke the MDT with the United States since it would still have to be decided by the US President.
“Well, America has the right to interfere. It becomes a bloody confrontation. If there is an invocation of the RP-US, it should be concurred by Congress of America,” he said.
“They will go to war, only [if] the President says so, and Congress will give its concurrence. Other than that, wala (it cannot be). Saka (And) that is not the proper—wala naman namatay eh (because no one died),” he added.
Suggestions about invoking the MDT with the United States surfaced following the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese vessel near the Recto Bank last month. The 22-man crew of the fishing boat was abandoned by the Chinese vessel and were rescued by a Vietnamese boat.
Senator Ping Lacson earlier said that the MDT can be used to justify US presence in the disputed waters to avert whatever possible armed hostilities that could take place. However, Malacañang said invoking it when the incident has not been settled yet would be imprudent and irresponsible.
The MDT between the Philippines and the US, signed in 1951, binds the two countries to aid each other in case of foreign aggression.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim earlier said that foreign government-sanctioned attacks initiated by militia or armed civilians in the South China Sea may trigger the MDT of the US and the Philippines.
President Duterte has called on the United States to invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines amid the tension with China in the West Philippine Sea.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (VALERIE ESCALERA / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Duterte made the statement days after the Philippines marked the third anniversary of the victorious Hague Ruling recognizing the Philippines’ claim over the disputed waters.
In an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Duterte said he would join the US if it sends the Seventh Fleet to China.
“I’m calling now America. I’m invoking the RP-US pact. I would like America to gather all their Seventh Fleet in front of China. I’m asking them now. I will join them,” Duterte said early Wednesday.
The Seventh Fleet is a military formation of the United States Navy headquartered at US Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Japan, with some units based in Japan and South Korea. It is part of the United States Pacific Fleet and has at least 60 ships, 300 aircraft, and 40,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel.
“I will ride on the boat where the admiral of the US is. I will drag along Carpio and the rest. When the Americans say, ‘We’re here now, ready,’ I will press them,” he added.
Duterte was referring to Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio who has been urging Duterte to make a stand against China in the West Philippine Sea.
“Maybe that would be the end of Palawan. Palawan may be devastated, maybe occupied or if there will be nuclear bombs it will dry up. So nothing will grow here, we can just wait, just like a big hole coming our way, to suck us to eternity,” he continued.
Earlier, Duterte doubted that the Philippines can easily invoke the MDT with the United States since it would still have to be decided by the US President.
“Well, America has the right to interfere. It becomes a bloody confrontation. If there is an invocation of the RP-US, it should be concurred by Congress of America,” he said.
“They will go to war, only [if] the President says so, and Congress will give its concurrence. Other than that, wala (it cannot be). Saka (And) that is not the proper—wala naman namatay eh (because no one died),” he added.
Suggestions about invoking the MDT with the United States surfaced following the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese vessel near the Recto Bank last month. The 22-man crew of the fishing boat was abandoned by the Chinese vessel and were rescued by a Vietnamese boat.
Senator Ping Lacson earlier said that the MDT can be used to justify US presence in the disputed waters to avert whatever possible armed hostilities that could take place. However, Malacañang said invoking it when the incident has not been settled yet would be imprudent and irresponsible.
The MDT between the Philippines and the US, signed in 1951, binds the two countries to aid each other in case of foreign aggression.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim earlier said that foreign government-sanctioned attacks initiated by militia or armed civilians in the South China Sea may trigger the MDT of the US and the Philippines.
Lorenzana: Air Force, Navy patrols set new record highs in 2018
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jul 17, 2019): Lorenzana: Air Force, Navy patrols set new record highs in 2018
The Philippine military has sharply increased its aerial and naval patrols in the past year to safeguard the country’s borders.
At the pre-State of the Nation Address forum in Davao City on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the military has carried out stepped up patrols to heighten domain awareness and boost its protection of the national territory.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines has logged a 190 percent increase in steaming time and 215 percent increase in flying hours to heighten our domain awareness,” he said.
For 2018, there were 90,799 hours of steaming time registered for sea patrols compared to 31,295 hours in 2017.
For aerial patrols, there were 7,707 hours of flying time recorded in 2018 from 2,440 hours in 2017.
“Ito po ay para paigtingin ang pagbabantay sa ating pambansang teritoryo,” Lorenzana said.
The Philippines has one of the longest coastlines in the world. It is also surrounded by the South China Sea on the north and west, Pacific Ocean in the east, and Celebes Sea in the south.
The Philippine military has sharply increased its aerial and naval patrols in the past year to safeguard the country’s borders.
At the pre-State of the Nation Address forum in Davao City on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the military has carried out stepped up patrols to heighten domain awareness and boost its protection of the national territory.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines has logged a 190 percent increase in steaming time and 215 percent increase in flying hours to heighten our domain awareness,” he said.
For 2018, there were 90,799 hours of steaming time registered for sea patrols compared to 31,295 hours in 2017.
For aerial patrols, there were 7,707 hours of flying time recorded in 2018 from 2,440 hours in 2017.
“Ito po ay para paigtingin ang pagbabantay sa ating pambansang teritoryo,” Lorenzana said.
The Philippines has one of the longest coastlines in the world. It is also surrounded by the South China Sea on the north and west, Pacific Ocean in the east, and Celebes Sea in the south.
Lorenzana said the trilateral patrols with Malaysia and Indonesia in southern Philippines have also resulted to “significant reduction” of piracy and kidnapping incidents. From 17 cases in 2018, there were zero incidents as of April 2019.
“Ang napakatagal ng problema sa Mindanao na nagdudulot ng kahihiyan ay nalapatan ng angkop na solusyon,” he said.
But the reported kidnapping off Sabah last June, Lorenzana said, turned out to have links with Filipino suspects.
“They were unfortunately brought to Jolo. So last touch pa rin tayo,” he said.
Wednesday’s forum is the last leg of the 3-part fora highlighting the accomplishments of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration ahead of his Sona on Monday, July 22.
“Ang napakatagal ng problema sa Mindanao na nagdudulot ng kahihiyan ay nalapatan ng angkop na solusyon,” he said.
But the reported kidnapping off Sabah last June, Lorenzana said, turned out to have links with Filipino suspects.
“They were unfortunately brought to Jolo. So last touch pa rin tayo,” he said.
Wednesday’s forum is the last leg of the 3-part fora highlighting the accomplishments of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration ahead of his Sona on Monday, July 22.
NDF/Jalandoni: NDFP condemns Duterte for giving Israel’s IDF Nahal Brigade a role in his war against the people
Luis Jalandoni propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Jul 18, 2019): NDFP condemns Duterte for giving Israel’s IDF Nahal Brigade a role in his war against the people
NDFP Chief International Representative Luis Jalandoni
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) strongly condemns the Duterte regime’s having the notorious Israel Defense Forces (IDF) give a specialized training by the Nahal Brigade of the IDF to 175 elite troops of the Philipine Army. This is despicable collaboration with Israeli Zionism, longtime partner of US imperialism, in horrendous acts of aggression against the Palestinian and Arab peoples.
Col. Dan Goldfus, commander of the Nahal Brigade, led a 10-man training team for two weeks at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. The IDF team gave a two-week training on so-called “anti-terrorism”. The special units included the Special Forces, First Scout Rangers and Light Reaction regiments and troops from the 2nd, 5th, 7th and 9th Infantry Divisions of the Philippine Army.
Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Alberto Macairog honored Nahal Commander Col. Dan Goldfus with a plaque of appreciation.
The IDF’s Nahal Brigade, composed of 4 infantry battalions, has been involved in major wars launched by Israel against the Palestinian people, Lebanon, Syria. and others opposed to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine, the Golan Heights, and other areas.
The Nahal Brigade has been part of Israel’s wars over the last 60 years: the Suez War of 1956, The Six-Day War of 1967; the First Lebanon War, 1982-1985; the First Intifada, 8 December 1987 – 13 September 1993; the Second Lebanon War, 34 days in 2006; the Gaza War, 27 December 2008 for 3 weeks; the Gaza War, “Operation Cast Lead”, 27 December 2008 for three weeks; and Operation Protective Edge, July 2014. Numerous casualties among civilians and tremendous damage to homes, health centers, etc. resulted from the Israeli wars.
With such a horrible record of crimes against humanity, the IDF and its Nahal Brigade must be condemned. Especially, the Duterte regime, which is both nationally and internationally denounced for its widespread human rights violations, must also be condemned for taking in the IDF and its Nahal Brigade to play a role in its anti-people, anti-national policies and programs.
Luis G. Jalandoni
Chief International Representative
https://www.ndfp.org/ndfp-condemns-duterte-for-giving-israels-idf-nahal-brigade-a-role-in-his-war-against-the-people/
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) strongly condemns the Duterte regime’s having the notorious Israel Defense Forces (IDF) give a specialized training by the Nahal Brigade of the IDF to 175 elite troops of the Philipine Army. This is despicable collaboration with Israeli Zionism, longtime partner of US imperialism, in horrendous acts of aggression against the Palestinian and Arab peoples.
Col. Dan Goldfus, commander of the Nahal Brigade, led a 10-man training team for two weeks at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. The IDF team gave a two-week training on so-called “anti-terrorism”. The special units included the Special Forces, First Scout Rangers and Light Reaction regiments and troops from the 2nd, 5th, 7th and 9th Infantry Divisions of the Philippine Army.
Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Alberto Macairog honored Nahal Commander Col. Dan Goldfus with a plaque of appreciation.
The IDF’s Nahal Brigade, composed of 4 infantry battalions, has been involved in major wars launched by Israel against the Palestinian people, Lebanon, Syria. and others opposed to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine, the Golan Heights, and other areas.
The Nahal Brigade has been part of Israel’s wars over the last 60 years: the Suez War of 1956, The Six-Day War of 1967; the First Lebanon War, 1982-1985; the First Intifada, 8 December 1987 – 13 September 1993; the Second Lebanon War, 34 days in 2006; the Gaza War, 27 December 2008 for 3 weeks; the Gaza War, “Operation Cast Lead”, 27 December 2008 for three weeks; and Operation Protective Edge, July 2014. Numerous casualties among civilians and tremendous damage to homes, health centers, etc. resulted from the Israeli wars.
With such a horrible record of crimes against humanity, the IDF and its Nahal Brigade must be condemned. Especially, the Duterte regime, which is both nationally and internationally denounced for its widespread human rights violations, must also be condemned for taking in the IDF and its Nahal Brigade to play a role in its anti-people, anti-national policies and programs.
Luis G. Jalandoni
Chief International Representative
https://www.ndfp.org/ndfp-condemns-duterte-for-giving-israels-idf-nahal-brigade-a-role-in-his-war-against-the-people/
NDF/Sison: Comment on report that Cardinal Tagle has agreed to collaborate with the PNP against the revolutionary movement
Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Website (Jul 16, 2019): Comment on report that Cardinal Tagle has agreed to collaborate with the PNP against the revolutionary movement
By Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
July 16, 2019
Because it quotes extensively from PNP chief Albayalde, the news story below, especially its title, tends to make it appear that Cardinal Tagle has agreed to collaborate with the tyrannical Duterte regime in staging sham localized peace talks and in carrying out a campaign of psywar and military suppression against the revolutionary movement of the people.
Cardinal Tagle is clear enough with his reported statement: “Any call for peace talks must come from the broad sector of society and not just a unilateral declaration from either government or underground movement.” The unilateral declaration of government or Albayalde is not enough to make peace talks with the revolutionary movement.
From the news story itself, I do not read anything which quotes Tagle directly as “joining hands with the police for localized peace talks”. The title of the news story is misleading. It merely reflects the onesided presumption and talk of Albayalde that he has hoodwinked the cardinal into siding with the tyrannical Duterte government and becoming an endorser of the localized “peace talks” which are being staged by the military and police and which have been condemned by the leading political organs of the NDFP and CPP and commands of the NPA at every level, from the national to the local level.
I think that Cardinal Tagle is sufficiently informed that the sham localized “peace talks” are being staged by the military and police and have been condemned by the aforesaid leading political organs of the NDFP and CPP and commands of the NPA at every level, from the national to the local level. To address the roots of the armed conflict and lay the basis for a just and lasting peace, the peace negotiations must be carried out at the national level in accordance with the framework set by The Hague Joint Declaration.
The CPP, NPA, NDFP and other revolutionary forces as well as the broad range of patriotic forces of the Filipino people have exposed and condemned localized “peace talks” as a mere psywar and red-tagging device of the military and police under National Task Force-ELCAC in a futiltle attempt to divide and destroy the revolutionary movement.
The military and police minions of Duterte pretend not to know that the revolutionary movement of the people continues to preserve itself and grow in strength because the conditions for armed revolution have become more favorable because of the tyranny, treason. brutality, corruption and mendacity of the Duterte regime.
https://www.ndfp.org/comment-on-report-that-cardinal-tagle-has-agreed-to-collaborate-with-the-pnp-against-the-revolutionary-movement/
By Jose Maria Sison
NDFP Chief Political Consultant
July 16, 2019
Because it quotes extensively from PNP chief Albayalde, the news story below, especially its title, tends to make it appear that Cardinal Tagle has agreed to collaborate with the tyrannical Duterte regime in staging sham localized peace talks and in carrying out a campaign of psywar and military suppression against the revolutionary movement of the people.
Cardinal Tagle is clear enough with his reported statement: “Any call for peace talks must come from the broad sector of society and not just a unilateral declaration from either government or underground movement.” The unilateral declaration of government or Albayalde is not enough to make peace talks with the revolutionary movement.
From the news story itself, I do not read anything which quotes Tagle directly as “joining hands with the police for localized peace talks”. The title of the news story is misleading. It merely reflects the onesided presumption and talk of Albayalde that he has hoodwinked the cardinal into siding with the tyrannical Duterte government and becoming an endorser of the localized “peace talks” which are being staged by the military and police and which have been condemned by the leading political organs of the NDFP and CPP and commands of the NPA at every level, from the national to the local level.
I think that Cardinal Tagle is sufficiently informed that the sham localized “peace talks” are being staged by the military and police and have been condemned by the aforesaid leading political organs of the NDFP and CPP and commands of the NPA at every level, from the national to the local level. To address the roots of the armed conflict and lay the basis for a just and lasting peace, the peace negotiations must be carried out at the national level in accordance with the framework set by The Hague Joint Declaration.
The CPP, NPA, NDFP and other revolutionary forces as well as the broad range of patriotic forces of the Filipino people have exposed and condemned localized “peace talks” as a mere psywar and red-tagging device of the military and police under National Task Force-ELCAC in a futiltle attempt to divide and destroy the revolutionary movement.
The military and police minions of Duterte pretend not to know that the revolutionary movement of the people continues to preserve itself and grow in strength because the conditions for armed revolution have become more favorable because of the tyranny, treason. brutality, corruption and mendacity of the Duterte regime.
https://www.ndfp.org/comment-on-report-that-cardinal-tagle-has-agreed-to-collaborate-with-the-pnp-against-the-revolutionary-movement/
MILF: Muslim religious council formed in Gensan
Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Website (Jul 18, 2019): Muslim religious council formed in Gensan
A council of Ulama (Muslim religious scholars) was formed that will give opinion or Islamic point of view on issues or concerns coming from the members of the Muslim ummah in the localities on July 9, 2019 in General Santos City
This development happened during the “Forum on Traditional Justice System” organized by the City Mayor’s Office- Indigenous Cultural Communities Affairs Division, a unit that implements programs for the Muslim and Indigenous Peoples in the city.
During the plenary discussion in the said activity, Ustadz Mouchtar Alangan raised the issue of the absence of an entity comprised of Ulama that will give answer or response to some questions raised by any Muslim constituents.
“I guess it is high time for us, Ulama, to address this concern,” Alangan, president of the Madaris Federation of General Santos City pointed out.
Ustadz Abdulbayan Laguialam, head of Madaris Project in Sarangani Province, supported the idea of Alangan followed by similar move from other participants who were comprised mainly of Madaris teachers and members of the royal house of Sugoda Buayan.
The deliberation ended with an agreement to form their group initially called Muslim Religious Council whose membership were comprised of Ulama who graduated in foreign and local Islamic universities or colleges.
Sheikh Ibrahim Andang, Jr., Director of Educational Research Center, an institution focused on Dawah and other charitable activities was chosen as the interim chairperson. The forum participants initially identified twenty council core members.
They agreed to meet sooner to come up with the official name of the organization and criteria for membership.
http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1851/muslim_religious_council_formed_in_gensan
A council of Ulama (Muslim religious scholars) was formed that will give opinion or Islamic point of view on issues or concerns coming from the members of the Muslim ummah in the localities on July 9, 2019 in General Santos City
This development happened during the “Forum on Traditional Justice System” organized by the City Mayor’s Office- Indigenous Cultural Communities Affairs Division, a unit that implements programs for the Muslim and Indigenous Peoples in the city.
During the plenary discussion in the said activity, Ustadz Mouchtar Alangan raised the issue of the absence of an entity comprised of Ulama that will give answer or response to some questions raised by any Muslim constituents.
“I guess it is high time for us, Ulama, to address this concern,” Alangan, president of the Madaris Federation of General Santos City pointed out.
Ustadz Abdulbayan Laguialam, head of Madaris Project in Sarangani Province, supported the idea of Alangan followed by similar move from other participants who were comprised mainly of Madaris teachers and members of the royal house of Sugoda Buayan.
The deliberation ended with an agreement to form their group initially called Muslim Religious Council whose membership were comprised of Ulama who graduated in foreign and local Islamic universities or colleges.
Sheikh Ibrahim Andang, Jr., Director of Educational Research Center, an institution focused on Dawah and other charitable activities was chosen as the interim chairperson. The forum participants initially identified twenty council core members.
They agreed to meet sooner to come up with the official name of the organization and criteria for membership.
http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1851/muslim_religious_council_formed_in_gensan
MILF: Sugoda Buayan Tarbiyyah committee hosts Islamic symposium
Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Website (Jul 17, 2019): Sugoda Buayan Tarbiyyah committee hosts Islamic symposium
The Sugoda Buayan Tarbiyyah Committee hosted an Islamic symposium entitled The Role of Educators in Protecting Muslims from Injected Ideas aimed to keep the audiences being the followers of the members of the Ahlu Sunnah wal Jamaah.
Held in General Sanstos City on July 7, the activity was supported by the Educational Research Center and the City Mayor’s Office – Indigenous Cultural Communities Affairs Division.
The resource persons discussed other sects who claim to be Muslims but have deviated from the teachings of Islam and how those caused chaos and destruction in the Muslim states.
Muslim religious scholars Sheikh Muammar Adam and Sheikh Abdullah Abtahi were the speakers.
The participants came from the provinces of Sarangani and South Cotabato and the City of General Santos.
They were urged to continue on learning about Islam. The participants were also warned to be wary from the sources of information considering that there are sects that uses the internet in indoctrinating their beliefs that veer away from....
http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1852/sugoda-buayan-tarbiyyah-committee-hosts-islamic-symposium
The Sugoda Buayan Tarbiyyah Committee hosted an Islamic symposium entitled The Role of Educators in Protecting Muslims from Injected Ideas aimed to keep the audiences being the followers of the members of the Ahlu Sunnah wal Jamaah.
Held in General Sanstos City on July 7, the activity was supported by the Educational Research Center and the City Mayor’s Office – Indigenous Cultural Communities Affairs Division.
The resource persons discussed other sects who claim to be Muslims but have deviated from the teachings of Islam and how those caused chaos and destruction in the Muslim states.
Muslim religious scholars Sheikh Muammar Adam and Sheikh Abdullah Abtahi were the speakers.
The participants came from the provinces of Sarangani and South Cotabato and the City of General Santos.
They were urged to continue on learning about Islam. The participants were also warned to be wary from the sources of information considering that there are sects that uses the internet in indoctrinating their beliefs that veer away from....
http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1852/sugoda-buayan-tarbiyyah-committee-hosts-islamic-symposium
MILF: Govt to waive restrictions for Moro combatants who will opt to become cops, soldiers
Posted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Website (Jul 17, 2019): Govt to waive restrictions for Moro combatants who will opt to become cops, soldiers
Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao –Here is an opportunity that an able-bodied Bangsamoro should never miss.
A report by Mindanews Monday, says that the government will waive the height, age and educational requirements for combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who want to become police or army troopers, top national and regional government officials confirmed over the weekend.
“MILF members will be given priority in the hiring process for security forces in the newly-created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)”, OPAPP Sec. Carlito Glavez, Jr. said.
In the same report, Galvez particularly cited the Police Regional Office-BARMM, 6th Infantry Division (ID) based in Maguindanao, 1st ID based in Zamboanga del Sur and 11th ID based in Sulu would give priority in the hiring process to qualified Moro combatants, including members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
“We will write the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) that qualified applicants coming from MILF and MNLF communities be given preference as part of community policing and the normalization process,” Galvez told MindaNews in a text message.
In terms of the waived educational attainment, undergraduate Moro combatants hired as state troopers should finish a degree within 15 years of service, Galvez said as quoted by Mindanews.
Galvez, BARMM interim Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año had discussed the matter of foregoing some requirements for Moro combatants to become members of government forces.
.Ebrahim told MIndanews in a text message in Filipino “It is not an integration (of Moro combatants into government ranks) but a normal process. Part of the (peace) agreement allows the waiving of some requirements to accommodate more qualified applicants,”
Ebrahim, popularly known as MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, said no quota was discussed since it will all depend on the individual MILF member whether or not he or she will join the police or the army.
The government and the MILF signed the final Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014 after four decades of conflict that left dead over 120,000 people, including civilians.
http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1850/govt-to-waive-restrictions-for-moro-combatants-who-will-opt-to-become-cops--soldiers
Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao –Here is an opportunity that an able-bodied Bangsamoro should never miss.
A report by Mindanews Monday, says that the government will waive the height, age and educational requirements for combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who want to become police or army troopers, top national and regional government officials confirmed over the weekend.
“MILF members will be given priority in the hiring process for security forces in the newly-created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)”, OPAPP Sec. Carlito Glavez, Jr. said.
In the same report, Galvez particularly cited the Police Regional Office-BARMM, 6th Infantry Division (ID) based in Maguindanao, 1st ID based in Zamboanga del Sur and 11th ID based in Sulu would give priority in the hiring process to qualified Moro combatants, including members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
“We will write the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) that qualified applicants coming from MILF and MNLF communities be given preference as part of community policing and the normalization process,” Galvez told MindaNews in a text message.
In terms of the waived educational attainment, undergraduate Moro combatants hired as state troopers should finish a degree within 15 years of service, Galvez said as quoted by Mindanews.
Galvez, BARMM interim Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año had discussed the matter of foregoing some requirements for Moro combatants to become members of government forces.
.Ebrahim told MIndanews in a text message in Filipino “It is not an integration (of Moro combatants into government ranks) but a normal process. Part of the (peace) agreement allows the waiving of some requirements to accommodate more qualified applicants,”
Ebrahim, popularly known as MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, said no quota was discussed since it will all depend on the individual MILF member whether or not he or she will join the police or the army.
The government and the MILF signed the final Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014 after four decades of conflict that left dead over 120,000 people, including civilians.
http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/1850/govt-to-waive-restrictions-for-moro-combatants-who-will-opt-to-become-cops--soldiers
AFP-CRS: CPP-NPA member neutralized in Negros clash
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jul 16, 2019): CPP-NPA member neutralized in Negros clash
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2581525755199466/?type=3&theater
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AFP-CRS: Weary NPA Surrenders Anew to Matatag Troopers
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jul 16, 2019): Weary NPA Surrenders Anew to Matatag Troopers
DEL PILAR, Cabadbaran City – Defeat seems inevitable for CPP-NPA units operating in Agusan del Norte as one of their members recently surrendered to 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion under 402nd Infantry (Stinger) Brigade and return to the folds of law last June 08, 2019.
A Militia ng Bayan (MB), member of Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda 21C, Guerilla Front Committee 21 (GFC21) identified as alias Alex, 32 years old and a resident of Sitio Patagon, Barangay Anticala, Butuan City voluntarily surrendered to Community Support Teams (CSTs) of Charlie Company, 29th Infantry Battalion under First Lieutenant Geoffrey A Escanlar.
Moreover, the said surrenderee brought with him one (1) M14 Rifle and subversive documents. The said person has claimed responsibility for numerous atrocities in the Agusan provinces over the past years.
Alias Alex said, “Gikapoy nako ug nahadlok para sa akong kinabuhi tungod sa opinsiba nga gipahigayon sa army ug police. Gigamit rami sa among kadagkuan sa kalihukan para sa ilang kaugalingong katuyuan.” (“I surrendered out of fatigue and fear for my life due to the intense operations being conducted by the military and police. I also realized that I am just being used by NPA commanders to pursue their own interests.”
LTC Isagani Criste, the Commanding Officer of 29th IB said that alias Alex made a timely and right decision. His decision is a big blow to the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in our area of operation that is dooming to survive. We will never stop pursuing them anywhere they go. It is good that they surrender while they still can, otherwise they might also end up injured or worse, dead in an encounter.
“With the help of the E-CLIP Committee, we will process alias Alex’s immediate enrollment to the program so that he can avail all the benefits. He will be thoroughly assisted and closely monitored to ensure his security and smooth return to normal life.” LTC Criste added.
#EndLocalCommunistArmedConflict
#AFPyouCanTrust
#4idAtongArmy
#MatatagTroopersInAction
#29ibAngBestfriendSaAgusanon
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DEL PILAR, Cabadbaran City – Defeat seems inevitable for CPP-NPA units operating in Agusan del Norte as one of their members recently surrendered to 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion under 402nd Infantry (Stinger) Brigade and return to the folds of law last June 08, 2019.
A Militia ng Bayan (MB), member of Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda 21C, Guerilla Front Committee 21 (GFC21) identified as alias Alex, 32 years old and a resident of Sitio Patagon, Barangay Anticala, Butuan City voluntarily surrendered to Community Support Teams (CSTs) of Charlie Company, 29th Infantry Battalion under First Lieutenant Geoffrey A Escanlar.
Moreover, the said surrenderee brought with him one (1) M14 Rifle and subversive documents. The said person has claimed responsibility for numerous atrocities in the Agusan provinces over the past years.
Alias Alex said, “Gikapoy nako ug nahadlok para sa akong kinabuhi tungod sa opinsiba nga gipahigayon sa army ug police. Gigamit rami sa among kadagkuan sa kalihukan para sa ilang kaugalingong katuyuan.” (“I surrendered out of fatigue and fear for my life due to the intense operations being conducted by the military and police. I also realized that I am just being used by NPA commanders to pursue their own interests.”
LTC Isagani Criste, the Commanding Officer of 29th IB said that alias Alex made a timely and right decision. His decision is a big blow to the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in our area of operation that is dooming to survive. We will never stop pursuing them anywhere they go. It is good that they surrender while they still can, otherwise they might also end up injured or worse, dead in an encounter.
“With the help of the E-CLIP Committee, we will process alias Alex’s immediate enrollment to the program so that he can avail all the benefits. He will be thoroughly assisted and closely monitored to ensure his security and smooth return to normal life.” LTC Criste added.
#EndLocalCommunistArmedConflict
#AFPyouCanTrust
#4idAtongArmy
#MatatagTroopersInAction
#29ibAngBestfriendSaAgusanon
https://www.facebook.com/29ibMatatag/photos/pcb.2448900281841394/2448899501841472/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/29ibMatatag/photos/pcb.2448900281841394/2448899565174799/?type=3&theater
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https://www.facebook.com/29ibMatatag/photos/pcb.2448900281841394/2448899641841458/?type=3&theater
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AFPCMOS: RCBC senior executive graces the SCMOOOC Class 17-19 opening
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Civil Military Operations School (AFPCMOS) Website (Jul 17, 2019): RCBC senior executive graces the SCMOOOC Class 17-19 opening
The AFP Civil-Military Operations School opens another class of the Strategic CMO Officers Online Course this year with Mr Redentor Carpio Bancod, Senior Executive Vice President, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, as Guest of Honor and Speaker.
In his message to the students, Mr Bancod shared that he once dreamt of becoming a military officer and that he has always looked up to the Philippine Security Forces. He added that leadership is always a challenge among officers, and on this note, talked about his take on leadership, motivation, and interpersonal relations. He stressed that it is important to understand the audience we are addressing in order for us to be able to influence them. And he related this to the planning and execution of Civil-Military Operations.
Students of this new batch of the Strategic CMO Officers Online Course Class 17-19 are composed of personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Civilian Employees from the Department of National Defense and from the United Nations.
The said course, conducted regularly by the AFP CMO School, CRSAFP, is designed to equip the current and prospective CMO planners together with other government agencies with adequate knowledge and skills that are very essential in promoting the organizations’ objectives in the highest strategic level.
Students of the Strategic CMO Officers Online Course Cl 17-19, with the GOHAS, Mr Redentor Carpio Bancod, Senior Executive Vice President, RCBC, and MGEN BIENVENIDO R DATUIN JR AFP, Commander CRSAFP.
https://www.afpcmos.com/rcbc-senior-executive-graces-the-scmoooc-class-17-19-opening/?fbclid=IwAR3ifQH8gXGZdJyro2sni4REDI-lg-KYQB3-URC7cHQfxBwWnA747JJPUjk
In his message to the students, Mr Bancod shared that he once dreamt of becoming a military officer and that he has always looked up to the Philippine Security Forces. He added that leadership is always a challenge among officers, and on this note, talked about his take on leadership, motivation, and interpersonal relations. He stressed that it is important to understand the audience we are addressing in order for us to be able to influence them. And he related this to the planning and execution of Civil-Military Operations.
Students of this new batch of the Strategic CMO Officers Online Course Class 17-19 are composed of personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Civilian Employees from the Department of National Defense and from the United Nations.
The said course, conducted regularly by the AFP CMO School, CRSAFP, is designed to equip the current and prospective CMO planners together with other government agencies with adequate knowledge and skills that are very essential in promoting the organizations’ objectives in the highest strategic level.
Students of the Strategic CMO Officers Online Course Cl 17-19, with the GOHAS, Mr Redentor Carpio Bancod, Senior Executive Vice President, RCBC, and MGEN BIENVENIDO R DATUIN JR AFP, Commander CRSAFP.
https://www.afpcmos.com/rcbc-senior-executive-graces-the-scmoooc-class-17-19-opening/?fbclid=IwAR3ifQH8gXGZdJyro2sni4REDI-lg-KYQB3-URC7cHQfxBwWnA747JJPUjk
AFP-CRS: Actor, PA reserve officer cites youth role in preventing and countering violent extremism
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jul 17, 2019): Actor, PA reserve officer cites youth role in preventing and countering violent extremism
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AFP-CRS: PA Jungle Fighter Division has a new commander
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jul 17, 2019): PA Jungle Fighter Division has a new commander
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AFP-CRS: PA sends troops to quake-hit Surigao del Sur
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jul 17, 2019): PA sends troops to quake-hit Surigao del Sur
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AFP-CRS: NCMF and WESTMINCOM: Partners for Peace
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jul 17, 2019): NCMF and WESTMINCOM: Partners for Peace
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AFP-CRS: RP Navy sends off contingent to Russian Day naval parade
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jul 17, 2019): RP Navy sends off contingent to Russian Day naval parade
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AFP-CRS: PH-US Forces commence anti-terror exercises
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Jul 17, 2019): PH-US Forces commence anti-terror exercises
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Kalinaw News: Thirty-three former rebels received financial aid
Posted to Kalinaw News (Jul 17, 2019): Thirty-three former rebels received financial aid
Tupi, South Cotabato — Thirty-three former rebels from the Province of South Cotabato received financial assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) during the Awarding Ceremony for Former Rebels at Sangguniang Panlalawigan Hall, Koronadal City on July 16 2019.
This was done in the presence of E-CLIP Commette members headed by Honorable Reynaldo Tamayo Jr, Governor of South Cotabato, Provincial Social Worker and Development Office (PSWDO) headed by Mrs. Hayde M. Agustin, RSW, MPA, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Atty. Michelle Anne Viejo, Officer-in-charge Provincial Director, among others.
Through E-CLIP, the former rebels received financial assistance ranging from P15,000 to P500,000 depending on the benefits they are entitled to claim.
E-CLIP provides firearms numeration and livelihood assistance to former rebels who before pledge allegiance with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), and National Democratic Front (NDF), as well as their family members, who have surrendered to the government to abandon armed struggle and go back in the mainstream society.
As we remembered last September 2018, eight former rebels of South Cotabato turn over themselves with firearms in this unit also received their E-CLIP financial assistance.
With this, “The provincial government of South Cotabato urges for more rebels to surrender to avail E-CLIP. I would like you to convey to other rebels that there is no point to fight with the government for the government already provides basic needs like free education and free hospitalization”. Honorable Tamayo said.
“The E-CLIP offers the former rebels to start a new life. This was a lifetime opportunity to improve the quality of their lives. The 27IB widely open it’s door to those who reaching out to surrender.” Lt.Col. Jones P. Otida, Commander of 27IB said.
Tupi, South Cotabato — Thirty-three former rebels from the Province of South Cotabato received financial assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) during the Awarding Ceremony for Former Rebels at Sangguniang Panlalawigan Hall, Koronadal City on July 16 2019.
This was done in the presence of E-CLIP Commette members headed by Honorable Reynaldo Tamayo Jr, Governor of South Cotabato, Provincial Social Worker and Development Office (PSWDO) headed by Mrs. Hayde M. Agustin, RSW, MPA, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Atty. Michelle Anne Viejo, Officer-in-charge Provincial Director, among others.
Through E-CLIP, the former rebels received financial assistance ranging from P15,000 to P500,000 depending on the benefits they are entitled to claim.
E-CLIP provides firearms numeration and livelihood assistance to former rebels who before pledge allegiance with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), and National Democratic Front (NDF), as well as their family members, who have surrendered to the government to abandon armed struggle and go back in the mainstream society.
As we remembered last September 2018, eight former rebels of South Cotabato turn over themselves with firearms in this unit also received their E-CLIP financial assistance.
With this, “The provincial government of South Cotabato urges for more rebels to surrender to avail E-CLIP. I would like you to convey to other rebels that there is no point to fight with the government for the government already provides basic needs like free education and free hospitalization”. Honorable Tamayo said.
“The E-CLIP offers the former rebels to start a new life. This was a lifetime opportunity to improve the quality of their lives. The 27IB widely open it’s door to those who reaching out to surrender.” Lt.Col. Jones P. Otida, Commander of 27IB said.
27th Infantry Battalion 10th Infantry Division Philippine Army
1LT Efren James C Halawig (INF) PA
0948-737-8176
0997-691-2064
1LT Efren James C Halawig (INF) PA
0948-737-8176
0997-691-2064
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]
Kalinaw News: 90 NPA Fighters; 555 Local CPP and NDF Members Reject Communism in Northern Mindanao
Posted to Kalinaw News (Jul 17, 2019): 90 NPA Fighters; 555 Local CPP and NDF Members Reject Communism in Northern Mindanao
MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, July 15 2019 – Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade (403Bde) recorded a total of 90 regular members of New People’s Army (NPA) armed terrorists, 146 Milisyang Bayan (also known MB as local NPA unit in villages), 33 members of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) party branch or Sanga sa Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL), and 376 members of “hingpit na organisadong masa” (HOM), the underground organization of the NDF.
These were the results of the collective efforts of the five army battalions under 403Bde that are doing community service in 58 barangays in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon, as well as the hinterlands of Cagayan de Oro City.
Reasons ranging from failed promises, internal corruption, sexual opportunism, deception and lies, isolation and loneliness, hunger, fatigue, and anxiety brought these regular NPA fighters into surrender.
One NPA political cadre revealed that family dynasty proliferate in the NPA unit. “Halos tanang yunit sa hukbo, mag-asawa ang nagdumala. Ang bayi ang kalihim, ang laki ang CO ug puli kalihim. Kontrolado nila ang pondo ug supply. Ang gisaad sa amo mao ang supamil (suporta sa pamilya) nga wala mi kabalo asa gakaadto. Pero ang anak sa mga magasawang lider, hayahay ug kinabuhi. Si Ka Miray dunay negosyo nga tamnanan sa kape. Apan kami gantos sa labnaw nga kape. Ang tinapa, 6-in-1. Unom ka tawo magtunga sa usa ka lata” revealed by one of the surrenderor.
Among the latest surrenders is a young NPA couple. “15 pako pagrecruit sa akoa nga musampa sa NPA (I was 15 when I was recruited to join NPA)” said Kenny (not her real name). Her partner Koko was also 17 when recruited almost five years ago.
The brgy immersion of army’s community support teams (CST) under 403Bde enlightened the local residents who were radicalized and lured into into supporting the terrorist organization by CPP-NPA political cadres, said Cpt Ryan Layug, 403Bde CSP Officer. “Our soldiers penetrate remote areas and stay in geographically-isolated communities to bring good news, help LGUs deliver services, and initiate dialogue to hear their reasons for supporting and joining the CPP-NDF-NPA. Common responses we got was that they were agitated by twisted stories against the government that were told by NPA propagandists and ‘organisador’. During community dialogues, LGU and national agency representatives clarify issues with the communities and they realize all the fake news from NPA propagandists”, Layug added.
403Bde Commander BGen Edgardo De Leon said that the the AFP has long been embarked in pursuing a community-oriented efforts to address the communist insurgency. “We have long proven this approach to be effective, but we need the involvement of civilian agencies and the private sector for this effort to truly succeed.
The resources of the AFP is not sufficient in resource-intensive community immersions and services. We could only offer so much. The AFP is grateful that President Duterte, who personally saw how effective the Army’s CSP in Davao City while still as Mayor, issued EO70 that institutionalized the community-oriented approach in ending the local communist armed conflict. By involving the entire government bureaucracy and mobilizing the entire nation against the CPP-NDF-NPA, we are confident that communist insurgency will be finally eliminated before the President’s term ends.”
Fulltime NPA members and part-time armed militias who surrendered are now being processed by provincial and city DILG offices for enrollment into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). The Provincial Governors and the City Mayor who Chair the ECLIP Committees are closely working with the DILG andother regional line agencies to expedite the release of benefits to “victims” of CPP- NDF-NPA’s lies and deception. They were exploited by the communist terrorists and their families suffered most, thus they need government assistance for their quick recovery.
4th Infantry Division Commander, MGen Franco Nemesio Gacal, the proponent of “Peaceful War” against communist insurgency highlighted the effectiveness of CSP immersions as it addresses the roots of insurgency. He said: “CSP opens the path to the entry of developmental programs, projects and activities in once conflict affected barangays. Communities that withdrew support from CPP-NDF-NPA are now cleared and ready for inter-agency socio-economic intervention through the Convergence Areas for Peace and Development (CAPDEV) Program. I congratulate every unit of 403Bde, every government agencies and every stakeholders that have poured their heart to save our brothers and sisters from the manipulation of terrorist NPAs. We are very optimistic because the entire nation and the entire bureaucracy is joining hands to end local armed conflict.”
“It is very clear that many lives are being saved through our Peaceful War, let us continue doing it to save more souls” Gacal added.
ECLIP is President Duterte’s program for regular NPA and MB that will return to the folds of the law. It include educational, skills training, housing, and livelihood assistance. Firearms renumeration will also be given for every firearms surrendered depending on caliber and made.
Soldiers on CSP also gather developmental issues in conflict affected barangays and propose necessary recommendation for funding of other government agencies such as livelihood programs, farm to market roads, schools, water system, skills training and etc.
MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, July 15 2019 – Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade (403Bde) recorded a total of 90 regular members of New People’s Army (NPA) armed terrorists, 146 Milisyang Bayan (also known MB as local NPA unit in villages), 33 members of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) party branch or Sanga sa Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL), and 376 members of “hingpit na organisadong masa” (HOM), the underground organization of the NDF.
These were the results of the collective efforts of the five army battalions under 403Bde that are doing community service in 58 barangays in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon, as well as the hinterlands of Cagayan de Oro City.
Reasons ranging from failed promises, internal corruption, sexual opportunism, deception and lies, isolation and loneliness, hunger, fatigue, and anxiety brought these regular NPA fighters into surrender.
One NPA political cadre revealed that family dynasty proliferate in the NPA unit. “Halos tanang yunit sa hukbo, mag-asawa ang nagdumala. Ang bayi ang kalihim, ang laki ang CO ug puli kalihim. Kontrolado nila ang pondo ug supply. Ang gisaad sa amo mao ang supamil (suporta sa pamilya) nga wala mi kabalo asa gakaadto. Pero ang anak sa mga magasawang lider, hayahay ug kinabuhi. Si Ka Miray dunay negosyo nga tamnanan sa kape. Apan kami gantos sa labnaw nga kape. Ang tinapa, 6-in-1. Unom ka tawo magtunga sa usa ka lata” revealed by one of the surrenderor.
Among the latest surrenders is a young NPA couple. “15 pako pagrecruit sa akoa nga musampa sa NPA (I was 15 when I was recruited to join NPA)” said Kenny (not her real name). Her partner Koko was also 17 when recruited almost five years ago.
The brgy immersion of army’s community support teams (CST) under 403Bde enlightened the local residents who were radicalized and lured into into supporting the terrorist organization by CPP-NPA political cadres, said Cpt Ryan Layug, 403Bde CSP Officer. “Our soldiers penetrate remote areas and stay in geographically-isolated communities to bring good news, help LGUs deliver services, and initiate dialogue to hear their reasons for supporting and joining the CPP-NDF-NPA. Common responses we got was that they were agitated by twisted stories against the government that were told by NPA propagandists and ‘organisador’. During community dialogues, LGU and national agency representatives clarify issues with the communities and they realize all the fake news from NPA propagandists”, Layug added.
403Bde Commander BGen Edgardo De Leon said that the the AFP has long been embarked in pursuing a community-oriented efforts to address the communist insurgency. “We have long proven this approach to be effective, but we need the involvement of civilian agencies and the private sector for this effort to truly succeed.
The resources of the AFP is not sufficient in resource-intensive community immersions and services. We could only offer so much. The AFP is grateful that President Duterte, who personally saw how effective the Army’s CSP in Davao City while still as Mayor, issued EO70 that institutionalized the community-oriented approach in ending the local communist armed conflict. By involving the entire government bureaucracy and mobilizing the entire nation against the CPP-NDF-NPA, we are confident that communist insurgency will be finally eliminated before the President’s term ends.”
Fulltime NPA members and part-time armed militias who surrendered are now being processed by provincial and city DILG offices for enrollment into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). The Provincial Governors and the City Mayor who Chair the ECLIP Committees are closely working with the DILG andother regional line agencies to expedite the release of benefits to “victims” of CPP- NDF-NPA’s lies and deception. They were exploited by the communist terrorists and their families suffered most, thus they need government assistance for their quick recovery.
4th Infantry Division Commander, MGen Franco Nemesio Gacal, the proponent of “Peaceful War” against communist insurgency highlighted the effectiveness of CSP immersions as it addresses the roots of insurgency. He said: “CSP opens the path to the entry of developmental programs, projects and activities in once conflict affected barangays. Communities that withdrew support from CPP-NDF-NPA are now cleared and ready for inter-agency socio-economic intervention through the Convergence Areas for Peace and Development (CAPDEV) Program. I congratulate every unit of 403Bde, every government agencies and every stakeholders that have poured their heart to save our brothers and sisters from the manipulation of terrorist NPAs. We are very optimistic because the entire nation and the entire bureaucracy is joining hands to end local armed conflict.”
“It is very clear that many lives are being saved through our Peaceful War, let us continue doing it to save more souls” Gacal added.
ECLIP is President Duterte’s program for regular NPA and MB that will return to the folds of the law. It include educational, skills training, housing, and livelihood assistance. Firearms renumeration will also be given for every firearms surrendered depending on caliber and made.
Soldiers on CSP also gather developmental issues in conflict affected barangays and propose necessary recommendation for funding of other government agencies such as livelihood programs, farm to market roads, schools, water system, skills training and etc.
403rd Infantry "Peacemaker" Brigade 4 Infantry Division Philippine Army
Cpt Marcelito Quijano
CMO Officer, 403Bde, 41D, PA
Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
09564177497
Cpt Marcelito Quijano
CMO Officer, 403Bde, 41D, PA
Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
09564177497
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]
Kalinaw News: Army special forces discovers PNP uniforms from NPA cache in Bukidnon
Posted to Kalinaw News (Jul 17, 2019): Army special forces discovers PNP uniforms from NPA cache in Bukidnon
MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon – July 17 – The PNP uniforms was discovered by the troops of 1st SF Company, 1st Special Forces Battalion in the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) cache at Sitio San Martin, Brgy Adtuyon, Pangantucan, this province, yesterday at around 1:30 in the afternoon.
After the revelation about cache of the recent surrenderee alias Bandido – Supply Officer of Squad 2, Platoon “TOTO”, Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Company 3, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 4, Northern Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), the troops immediately planned and initiated its action. After an hour of thorough search, SF troops was able to locate the cache with police uniforms composed of 11 headgears and 21 pairs of PNP battle dress uniforms buried by the CNTs.
The uniforms were brought to the SF Company Headquarters and immediately informed the PNP personnel in Pangantucan for investigation and proper disposition.
Alias Bandido revealed that said police uniforms were used during the attack of Davao Security & Investigation Agency (DASIA), Inc. in Purok 17, Hindangon, Barangay Poblacion, Valencia City at around 6 p.m. last May 5, 2017. The FR also added that CNTs also used said PNP uniforms in conducting intimidati on and other violent incidents in the province of Bukidnon.
“The uniform will also be use by CNTs for their planned attack to multi-national companies who are not giving support to its revolutionary demand. “Kana mga uniporme sa pulis ug usahay sa sundalo gigamit namo na kaniadtong mga taktikal nga opensiba og gamito pa tana sa wala nadayong pag atake, ginuhat namo ni para dali lang mailad ang katawhan abi nila pulis o sundalo ang naghimo ug pang abusar, kana man ang tuyo sa NPA dauton ang imahe sa gobyerno para makuha namo ang suporta sa mga masa labi na sa mga IPs na kasagaran ang among makumbensir sa kalihukan gabahin sa armadong pakigbisog, nga wala may pulos nilabay na ang singkwenta katuig nga puros lang pagpangawat sa dagkong kumpanya ug katawhan, pagpatay sa mga inosenteng sibilyan ug bungkagon ang matag pamilya sa tibuok na nasud.” Alias Bandido added.
Under Republic Act 493, “it prohibits civilians from wearing, using, manufacturing, and selling military uniforms, insignia, medals, and badges prescribed only for soldiers and policemen.
EO 297 orders the “immediate closure of the establishment, plant or office where the uniforms and other items are illegally manufactured, stored, sold or distributed” and Sec 4 of RA 10168 states that the violators if proven guilty shall suffer the penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period to reclusion perpetua and a fine of not less than 500,000.00 nor more than 1,000,000.00 for financing terrorism.
1st Special Forces Battalion Commander Lt Colonel Sergio Macarandan Jr said, “We encourage everyone especially business entities not to sell any military and police uniforms to the civilians and they must stop supporting CNTs. This is against the law and anybody who will be found liable will be imprison and will pay a certain amount for violating the existing laws.
403rd Brigade Commander Brigadier, General Edgardo de Leon said, “This is the old treacherous scheme of the CNTs. They must be held accountable of all their atrocities in the province, this CNTs are just deceiving the masses and force their extortion demands. Justice must be served to all the victims of NPA killings and attrocities”.
With the influx of surrenders, revelations from the FRs and more concerned civilian witnesses testifying against NPA leaders and members it is highly expected that CNTs in the province will crumble and will eventually losses its grip to its members and the masses”. De Leon added.
1st Special Forces Battalion Philippine Army
MAJ FRANKJO C BORAL (INF) PA
E-mail Address: operations.1sfbn@yahoo.com
Contact Nr: (0917) 116 – 2408
MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon – July 17 – The PNP uniforms was discovered by the troops of 1st SF Company, 1st Special Forces Battalion in the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) cache at Sitio San Martin, Brgy Adtuyon, Pangantucan, this province, yesterday at around 1:30 in the afternoon.
After the revelation about cache of the recent surrenderee alias Bandido – Supply Officer of Squad 2, Platoon “TOTO”, Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) Company 3, Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 4, Northern Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), the troops immediately planned and initiated its action. After an hour of thorough search, SF troops was able to locate the cache with police uniforms composed of 11 headgears and 21 pairs of PNP battle dress uniforms buried by the CNTs.
The uniforms were brought to the SF Company Headquarters and immediately informed the PNP personnel in Pangantucan for investigation and proper disposition.
Alias Bandido revealed that said police uniforms were used during the attack of Davao Security & Investigation Agency (DASIA), Inc. in Purok 17, Hindangon, Barangay Poblacion, Valencia City at around 6 p.m. last May 5, 2017. The FR also added that CNTs also used said PNP uniforms in conducting intimidati on and other violent incidents in the province of Bukidnon.
“The uniform will also be use by CNTs for their planned attack to multi-national companies who are not giving support to its revolutionary demand. “Kana mga uniporme sa pulis ug usahay sa sundalo gigamit namo na kaniadtong mga taktikal nga opensiba og gamito pa tana sa wala nadayong pag atake, ginuhat namo ni para dali lang mailad ang katawhan abi nila pulis o sundalo ang naghimo ug pang abusar, kana man ang tuyo sa NPA dauton ang imahe sa gobyerno para makuha namo ang suporta sa mga masa labi na sa mga IPs na kasagaran ang among makumbensir sa kalihukan gabahin sa armadong pakigbisog, nga wala may pulos nilabay na ang singkwenta katuig nga puros lang pagpangawat sa dagkong kumpanya ug katawhan, pagpatay sa mga inosenteng sibilyan ug bungkagon ang matag pamilya sa tibuok na nasud.” Alias Bandido added.
Under Republic Act 493, “it prohibits civilians from wearing, using, manufacturing, and selling military uniforms, insignia, medals, and badges prescribed only for soldiers and policemen.
EO 297 orders the “immediate closure of the establishment, plant or office where the uniforms and other items are illegally manufactured, stored, sold or distributed” and Sec 4 of RA 10168 states that the violators if proven guilty shall suffer the penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period to reclusion perpetua and a fine of not less than 500,000.00 nor more than 1,000,000.00 for financing terrorism.
1st Special Forces Battalion Commander Lt Colonel Sergio Macarandan Jr said, “We encourage everyone especially business entities not to sell any military and police uniforms to the civilians and they must stop supporting CNTs. This is against the law and anybody who will be found liable will be imprison and will pay a certain amount for violating the existing laws.
403rd Brigade Commander Brigadier, General Edgardo de Leon said, “This is the old treacherous scheme of the CNTs. They must be held accountable of all their atrocities in the province, this CNTs are just deceiving the masses and force their extortion demands. Justice must be served to all the victims of NPA killings and attrocities”.
With the influx of surrenders, revelations from the FRs and more concerned civilian witnesses testifying against NPA leaders and members it is highly expected that CNTs in the province will crumble and will eventually losses its grip to its members and the masses”. De Leon added.
1st Special Forces Battalion Philippine Army
MAJ FRANKJO C BORAL (INF) PA
E-mail Address: operations.1sfbn@yahoo.com
Contact Nr: (0917) 116 – 2408
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]
Kalinaw News: Workers’ Union in Agusan Sur Disaffiliates from Kilusang Mayo Uno
Posted to Kalinaw News (Jul 17, 2019): Workers’ Union in Agusan Sur Disaffiliates from Kilusang Mayo Uno
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – Filipinas Palm Oil Plantation, Inc. Workers’ Union (FPPIWU) with 224 regular members decided to formally disassociate themselves as members of the National Federation of Labor Unions-Kilusang Mayo Uno (NAFLU-KMU) through a resolution agreed by its officers and members during their General Assembly on June 28, 2019 at Barangay Bayugan 2, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, July 16.
Pursuant to their General Assembly Resolution No. 1, Series of 2019, the FPPIWU decided to separate from NAFLU-KMU in order to pursue a more independent stance to some issues confronting their organization to achieve organizational objectives under the principle of self – determination consistent with internationally-accepted principles and domestic laws.
According to one FPPIWU Officer, they appreciated the assistance extended by KMU to their members for the past years in uplifting the workers’ welfare, facilitating salary increase and improving their working conditions in the FPPI. “KMU really supported us in voicing out our concerns to the management, but there were many instances where the results were far more unbeneficial to our workers, such as the conduct of hunger strikes, rallies and barricades against the management.”
“Being one of the leaders of the FPPIWU in the previous years, I was thankful that we had the KMU to fight for our rights as workers, but eventually, I personally witnessed how corrupt they were, when we, as members, must pay one hundred pesos as our monthly dues. But when I needed assistance for my hospitalization after an accident, the KMU never extended any assistance, not even a single centavo,” according to Romer, recalling his experience with the KMU.
The FPPIWU-NAFLU-KMU was registered back in January 2007 with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga Regional Office as the only authorized bargaining agent of Filipinas Palm Oil Plantations Inc. (FPPI), where Romer and other workers became members, totaling to as many as 192 last month.
“With our current effort to end the local communist armed conflict in Caraga, we give more emphasis in addressing not only the Terrorist New People’s Army but also its support systems such as the KMU which Joma Sison personally tagged as one of their legal fronts. That is why aside from intensified conduct of security operations in the mountains, we also conduct community support operations to address these NPA-allied organizations,” according to Lieutenant Colonel Jaime Datuin, Commanding Officer of 75th Infantry Marauder Battalion.
On the other hand, FPPIWU separation started when they learned the connection of KMU to the terrorist CPP-NPA during the intensive information campaign conducted by the 75th Infantry Battalion and 41st Civil Military Operations Company in Rosario, Agusan del Sur, which encouraged their President, Mr. Elmer Jamero, to reorganize his members and form a new workers’ union with the assistance of the FPPI management.
Mr. Gil delos Santos, General Manager of FPPI, also expressed his appreciation to this development and promised to support the newly organized workers’ union, the Filipinas Palm Oil Plantation Inc. Independent Workers Union (FPPIIWU), and provide a humane condition with just compensation to all the workers of the FPPI.
In turn, Mr. Jay Lagapa, the FPPIIWU President, promised to uphold the company rules and regulations and never embark on violent means to express their concerns. “We will serve as an instrument to maintain the peace and development in FPPI,” he said.
According to Colonel Allan Hambala, Commander of 401st Infantry Brigade, this effort must be replicated to other affected businesses and private companies in the province to effectively stop this particular tactic of the terrorist CPP-NPA, which capitalizes mainly on the issues of the labor force. “This is one concrete evidence that the KMU, like any other CPP-NPA legal organizations, is losing its support from the labor force and other sectoral organizations. They can no longer deceive the Filipino people with their worthless cause,” Col Hambala added.
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace by the Philippine Army. It provides information on the activities of Army Units nationwide in the performance of their duty of Serving the People and Securing the Land. This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur – Filipinas Palm Oil Plantation, Inc. Workers’ Union (FPPIWU) with 224 regular members decided to formally disassociate themselves as members of the National Federation of Labor Unions-Kilusang Mayo Uno (NAFLU-KMU) through a resolution agreed by its officers and members during their General Assembly on June 28, 2019 at Barangay Bayugan 2, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, July 16.
Pursuant to their General Assembly Resolution No. 1, Series of 2019, the FPPIWU decided to separate from NAFLU-KMU in order to pursue a more independent stance to some issues confronting their organization to achieve organizational objectives under the principle of self – determination consistent with internationally-accepted principles and domestic laws.
According to one FPPIWU Officer, they appreciated the assistance extended by KMU to their members for the past years in uplifting the workers’ welfare, facilitating salary increase and improving their working conditions in the FPPI. “KMU really supported us in voicing out our concerns to the management, but there were many instances where the results were far more unbeneficial to our workers, such as the conduct of hunger strikes, rallies and barricades against the management.”
“Being one of the leaders of the FPPIWU in the previous years, I was thankful that we had the KMU to fight for our rights as workers, but eventually, I personally witnessed how corrupt they were, when we, as members, must pay one hundred pesos as our monthly dues. But when I needed assistance for my hospitalization after an accident, the KMU never extended any assistance, not even a single centavo,” according to Romer, recalling his experience with the KMU.
The FPPIWU-NAFLU-KMU was registered back in January 2007 with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga Regional Office as the only authorized bargaining agent of Filipinas Palm Oil Plantations Inc. (FPPI), where Romer and other workers became members, totaling to as many as 192 last month.
“With our current effort to end the local communist armed conflict in Caraga, we give more emphasis in addressing not only the Terrorist New People’s Army but also its support systems such as the KMU which Joma Sison personally tagged as one of their legal fronts. That is why aside from intensified conduct of security operations in the mountains, we also conduct community support operations to address these NPA-allied organizations,” according to Lieutenant Colonel Jaime Datuin, Commanding Officer of 75th Infantry Marauder Battalion.
On the other hand, FPPIWU separation started when they learned the connection of KMU to the terrorist CPP-NPA during the intensive information campaign conducted by the 75th Infantry Battalion and 41st Civil Military Operations Company in Rosario, Agusan del Sur, which encouraged their President, Mr. Elmer Jamero, to reorganize his members and form a new workers’ union with the assistance of the FPPI management.
Mr. Gil delos Santos, General Manager of FPPI, also expressed his appreciation to this development and promised to support the newly organized workers’ union, the Filipinas Palm Oil Plantation Inc. Independent Workers Union (FPPIIWU), and provide a humane condition with just compensation to all the workers of the FPPI.
In turn, Mr. Jay Lagapa, the FPPIIWU President, promised to uphold the company rules and regulations and never embark on violent means to express their concerns. “We will serve as an instrument to maintain the peace and development in FPPI,” he said.
According to Colonel Allan Hambala, Commander of 401st Infantry Brigade, this effort must be replicated to other affected businesses and private companies in the province to effectively stop this particular tactic of the terrorist CPP-NPA, which capitalizes mainly on the issues of the labor force. “This is one concrete evidence that the KMU, like any other CPP-NPA legal organizations, is losing its support from the labor force and other sectoral organizations. They can no longer deceive the Filipino people with their worthless cause,” Col Hambala added.
75th Infantry Battalion 4th Infantry Division Philippine Army
Cpt Edwin Leo Francisco
CMO Officer, 75IB, 4ID, PA
Bislig City, Surgao del Sur
09778474763
Cpt Edwin Leo Francisco
CMO Officer, 75IB, 4ID, PA
Bislig City, Surgao del Sur
09778474763
WESTMINCOM: 9 Sayyafs yield to troops in Sulu
Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Jul 17, 2019): 9 Sayyafs yield to troops in Sulu
Amid the intensified operations launched by the government forces, nine Abu Sayyaf Group members yielded to the troops of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion in Sulu at 9:30 am yesterday, July 15, 2019.
Sharizmal Jumlani Tahil, a.k.a Shariz; Fhadzrimar Say-in Tahil; Julhamid Tirol, a.k.a Maid; Haime Ahaban Sali, a.k.a Haime; Haber Maang Ejong, a.k.a Kubal-kubal; Shedimar Jawali Askali, a.k.a Siddik; Lakkiyan Isirael Safari, a.k.a Lakkiyan; Gapor Laja; and Gajir Laja turned over 7 high-powered and 2 low-powered firearms, including 2 M16 rifles, 5 M1 Garand rifles, and 2 Caliber .45 pistols.
Subject surrenderors and turned over firearms were then presented to Brigadier General Corleto Vinluan, commander of the 11th Infantry Division, and Brigadier General Antonio Nafarrete, commander of the 1101st Brigade, at the 11ID headquarters in Barangay Busbus, Jolo.
Seven of the 9 surrenderors operated under different sub-leaders while Gapor Laja and Gajir Laja were members of the Ajang-ajang group.
“I would like to attribute this success to the loving people of Sulu who continuously support us in our campaign against the Abu Sayyaf,” said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, WestMinCom Commander.
Said surrenderors are currently undergoing custodial debriefing at Headquarters, 2SFBn in Sitio Bayug, Barangay Samak, Talipao, Sulu.
“We anticipate that in the coming days, the remaining bandits will opt to lay down their arms and choose to live a peaceful life,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana added.
Amid the intensified operations launched by the government forces, nine Abu Sayyaf Group members yielded to the troops of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion in Sulu at 9:30 am yesterday, July 15, 2019.
Sharizmal Jumlani Tahil, a.k.a Shariz; Fhadzrimar Say-in Tahil; Julhamid Tirol, a.k.a Maid; Haime Ahaban Sali, a.k.a Haime; Haber Maang Ejong, a.k.a Kubal-kubal; Shedimar Jawali Askali, a.k.a Siddik; Lakkiyan Isirael Safari, a.k.a Lakkiyan; Gapor Laja; and Gajir Laja turned over 7 high-powered and 2 low-powered firearms, including 2 M16 rifles, 5 M1 Garand rifles, and 2 Caliber .45 pistols.
Subject surrenderors and turned over firearms were then presented to Brigadier General Corleto Vinluan, commander of the 11th Infantry Division, and Brigadier General Antonio Nafarrete, commander of the 1101st Brigade, at the 11ID headquarters in Barangay Busbus, Jolo.
Seven of the 9 surrenderors operated under different sub-leaders while Gapor Laja and Gajir Laja were members of the Ajang-ajang group.
“I would like to attribute this success to the loving people of Sulu who continuously support us in our campaign against the Abu Sayyaf,” said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, WestMinCom Commander.
Said surrenderors are currently undergoing custodial debriefing at Headquarters, 2SFBn in Sitio Bayug, Barangay Samak, Talipao, Sulu.
“We anticipate that in the coming days, the remaining bandits will opt to lay down their arms and choose to live a peaceful life,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana added.
WESTMINCOM: Sayyaf slain after eluding arrest in Basilan
Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Jul 17, 2019): Sayyaf slain after eluding arrest in Basilan
Government troops neutralized a high-ranking Abu Sayyaf member after eluding arrest in Lantawan, Basilan on July 15.
“Arod Wahing pulled his gun and grenade when security forces raided his safe house,” said Brigadier General Fernando Reyeg, Joint Task Force Basilan Commander. “Soldiers immediately reacted and neutralized Wahing before he inflicted damage.”
Troops recovered from sub-leader Wahing an M1 Garand rifle, a Caliber .45 pistol, an MK2 fragmentary grenade, magazines, and rounds of ammunition.
Combined forces of 4th Special Forces Battalion and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company served the arrest warrant for multiple criminal cases on Wahing in Barangay Parian Baunoh at 3:25am on Monday.
A native of Bud Bunga in Talipao, Sulu, Wahing is tagged in the kidnappings of Ewold Horn in 2012 and the German couple in 2014.
“He is a trusted follower of Abu Sayyaf top leader Radullan Sahiron in Sulu,” added Brig. Gen. Reyeg. “He, however, fled to Basilan to escape the series of armed engagements with military forces in Sulu.”
Troops brought Wahing’s remains and the recovered items to the 4SFBn headquarters for disposition.
“The military beefs up its focused and support operations in the operational area, aimed at running down terrorist groups and ending decades-long reign of discord and instability. Anticipate this campaign will be bolstered and convergence will be established in the hope that we may totally defeat the Abu Sayyaf, and let peace and development reign in Mindanao,” said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Western Mindanao Command.
Government troops neutralized a high-ranking Abu Sayyaf member after eluding arrest in Lantawan, Basilan on July 15.
“Arod Wahing pulled his gun and grenade when security forces raided his safe house,” said Brigadier General Fernando Reyeg, Joint Task Force Basilan Commander. “Soldiers immediately reacted and neutralized Wahing before he inflicted damage.”
Troops recovered from sub-leader Wahing an M1 Garand rifle, a Caliber .45 pistol, an MK2 fragmentary grenade, magazines, and rounds of ammunition.
Combined forces of 4th Special Forces Battalion and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company served the arrest warrant for multiple criminal cases on Wahing in Barangay Parian Baunoh at 3:25am on Monday.
A native of Bud Bunga in Talipao, Sulu, Wahing is tagged in the kidnappings of Ewold Horn in 2012 and the German couple in 2014.
“He is a trusted follower of Abu Sayyaf top leader Radullan Sahiron in Sulu,” added Brig. Gen. Reyeg. “He, however, fled to Basilan to escape the series of armed engagements with military forces in Sulu.”
Troops brought Wahing’s remains and the recovered items to the 4SFBn headquarters for disposition.
“The military beefs up its focused and support operations in the operational area, aimed at running down terrorist groups and ending decades-long reign of discord and instability. Anticipate this campaign will be bolstered and convergence will be established in the hope that we may totally defeat the Abu Sayyaf, and let peace and development reign in Mindanao,” said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Western Mindanao Command.
Ex-general Ligot compelled to present evidence in P55-M forfeiture case
From Rappler (Jul 17, 2019): Ex-general Ligot compelled to present evidence in P55-M forfeiture case
Retired Lieutenant General Jacinto Ligot may have won a tax case over the military 'pabaon' scandal but he has no choice but to proceed to presentation of evidence in a related forfeiture case
FORFEITURE CASE. Retired Lieutenant General Jacinto Ligot fails to get an outright dismissal of his P55M forfeiture case pending before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan. Photo by Darren Langit/Rappler
Retired Lieutenant General Jacinto Ligot may have won a tax case over the military 'pabaon' scandal but he has no choice but to proceed to presentation of evidence in a related forfeiture case
The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has compelled retired Lieutenant General Jacinto Ligot to present evidence in a P55-million forfeiture case related to the pabaon (send-off money) corruption scandal in the military.
The Sandiganbayan 2nd Division denied Ligot's demurrer to evidence – a pleading filed by the defense to seek an outright dismissal of the case without having to present evidence from their side.
In a resolution promulgated July 8 but released to the media on Wednesday, July 17, Associate Justices Michael Frederick Musngi, Oscar Herrera, and Lorifel Lacap Pahimna said there is "prima facie sufficient evidence for forfeiture."
"Since most of the respondents' asseverations are already matters of defense which are best addressed in a full-blown trial, the presentation of respondents' evidence is in order," said the resolution.
The Office of the Ombudsman has been working to forfeit in favor of the government P55.596 million in "unlawfully acquired bank deposits and investment accounts" of Ligot, his wife, and other co-accused.
Forfeiture case
Ligot, a former comptroller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), was involved in one of the biggest corruption scandals in Philippine military history where he and other officials were accused of amassing unexplained wealth, including receiving send-off money.
The first to be exposed in 2004 was his successor, retired Major General Carlos Garcia, who also once faced plunder charges until he entered into a plea bargain deal with the government under then-Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
The Sandiganbayan 2nd Division denied Ligot's demurrer to evidence – a pleading filed by the defense to seek an outright dismissal of the case without having to present evidence from their side.
In a resolution promulgated July 8 but released to the media on Wednesday, July 17, Associate Justices Michael Frederick Musngi, Oscar Herrera, and Lorifel Lacap Pahimna said there is "prima facie sufficient evidence for forfeiture."
"Since most of the respondents' asseverations are already matters of defense which are best addressed in a full-blown trial, the presentation of respondents' evidence is in order," said the resolution.
The Office of the Ombudsman has been working to forfeit in favor of the government P55.596 million in "unlawfully acquired bank deposits and investment accounts" of Ligot, his wife, and other co-accused.
Forfeiture case
Ligot, a former comptroller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), was involved in one of the biggest corruption scandals in Philippine military history where he and other officials were accused of amassing unexplained wealth, including receiving send-off money.
The first to be exposed in 2004 was his successor, retired Major General Carlos Garcia, who also once faced plunder charges until he entered into a plea bargain deal with the government under then-Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
(READ: General Garcia: How the big fish got away)
Ligot tried to invoke the bank secrecy law in arguing that his foreign deposit records were accessed without his consent. The Philippine bank secrecy law got Ligot acquitted in a related P428-million tax case in the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA).
But the Sandiganbayan said that while Section 2 of Republic Act No. 1405, enacted in 1955, declares bank records confidential except in certain conditions, Section 8 of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act amended that when it said bank deposits "shall be taken into consideration" in the investigation into unexplained wealth.
The anti-graft law was enacted in 1960. The later law typically prevails over earlier laws.
In the CTA decision that acquitted Ligot, tax court justices strictly applied Section 2 of R.A 1405 which waives confidentiality of bank records "in cases of impeachment, or upon order of a competent court in cases of bribery or dereliction of duty of public officials, or in cases where the money deposited or invested is the subject matter of the litigation."
The CTA said the Ligot tax case did not fall under any of the exemptions.
The Sandiganbayan, however, applied the last exemption and said: "Bank representatives are allowed to testify on the subject bank accounts because the accounts allegedly contain the unlawfully required money of respondent Jacinto during his service, the same constitute the subject matter of the present litigation."
The anti-graft court also said that the bank investigation "is an exercise of the power of the Anti-Money Laundering Council under the law."
In April 2019, the Sandiganbayan convicted Ligot of 6 counts of perjury over misdeclarations in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs).
https://www.rappler.com/nation/235636-jacinto-ligot-compelled-present-evidence-forfeiture-case
Ligot tried to invoke the bank secrecy law in arguing that his foreign deposit records were accessed without his consent. The Philippine bank secrecy law got Ligot acquitted in a related P428-million tax case in the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA).
But the Sandiganbayan said that while Section 2 of Republic Act No. 1405, enacted in 1955, declares bank records confidential except in certain conditions, Section 8 of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act amended that when it said bank deposits "shall be taken into consideration" in the investigation into unexplained wealth.
The anti-graft law was enacted in 1960. The later law typically prevails over earlier laws.
In the CTA decision that acquitted Ligot, tax court justices strictly applied Section 2 of R.A 1405 which waives confidentiality of bank records "in cases of impeachment, or upon order of a competent court in cases of bribery or dereliction of duty of public officials, or in cases where the money deposited or invested is the subject matter of the litigation."
The CTA said the Ligot tax case did not fall under any of the exemptions.
The Sandiganbayan, however, applied the last exemption and said: "Bank representatives are allowed to testify on the subject bank accounts because the accounts allegedly contain the unlawfully required money of respondent Jacinto during his service, the same constitute the subject matter of the present litigation."
The anti-graft court also said that the bank investigation "is an exercise of the power of the Anti-Money Laundering Council under the law."
In April 2019, the Sandiganbayan convicted Ligot of 6 counts of perjury over misdeclarations in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs).
https://www.rappler.com/nation/235636-jacinto-ligot-compelled-present-evidence-forfeiture-case
Trusted follower of Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf leader killed in Basilan
From Politiko Mindanao (Jul 17, 2019): Trusted follower of Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf leader killed in Basilan
An alleged trusted follower of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron was killed when he allegedly tried to elude arrest by the government troops, an official said.
Brigadier General Fernando Reyeg, Joint Task Force Basilan commander, said that Arod Wahing pulled his gun and grenade when security forces raided his safe house in Lantawan, Basilan Monday, July 15.
“Soldiers immediately reacted and neutralize Wahing before he (could) inflict damage (to the troopers),” he said.
Recovered from the suspect were an M1 Garand rifle, a Caliber .45 pistol, an MK2 fragmentary grenade, magazines, and rounds of ammunition.
Combined forces of 4th Special Forces Battalion and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company served the arrest warrant for multiple criminal cases against Wahing in Barangay Parian Baunoh.
Wahing, a native of Bud Bunga, Talipao, Sulu, was allegedly involved in the kidnappings of Ewold Horn in 2012 and the German couple in 2014.
While he was a trusted follower of Sahiron, a Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf leader, he fled to Basilan to escape the series of armed engagements with military forces in Sulu, Reyeg said.
https://mindanao.politics.com.ph/trusted-follower-of-sulu-based-abu-sayyaf-leader-killed-in-basilan/
An alleged trusted follower of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron was killed when he allegedly tried to elude arrest by the government troops, an official said.
Brigadier General Fernando Reyeg, Joint Task Force Basilan commander, said that Arod Wahing pulled his gun and grenade when security forces raided his safe house in Lantawan, Basilan Monday, July 15.
“Soldiers immediately reacted and neutralize Wahing before he (could) inflict damage (to the troopers),” he said.
Recovered from the suspect were an M1 Garand rifle, a Caliber .45 pistol, an MK2 fragmentary grenade, magazines, and rounds of ammunition.
Combined forces of 4th Special Forces Battalion and 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company served the arrest warrant for multiple criminal cases against Wahing in Barangay Parian Baunoh.
Wahing, a native of Bud Bunga, Talipao, Sulu, was allegedly involved in the kidnappings of Ewold Horn in 2012 and the German couple in 2014.
While he was a trusted follower of Sahiron, a Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf leader, he fled to Basilan to escape the series of armed engagements with military forces in Sulu, Reyeg said.
https://mindanao.politics.com.ph/trusted-follower-of-sulu-based-abu-sayyaf-leader-killed-in-basilan/
President Duterte turns over 34 houses to former rebels
From the Mindanao Times (Jul 18, 2019): President Duterte turns over 34 houses to former rebels
President Rodrigo Duterte turned over housing units to 34 former rebels in Barangay Cuamboagan, Tagum City.
The project, dubbed Freedom Residences, was formerly earmarked for military and police personnel. But due to the need to allocate housing units for the former rebels under Administrative Order No. 10 dated April 3, 2018, NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr recommended for the reallocation of the housing units.
In his speech, Duterte told former rebels to work hard for their lives and return back to school to invest for the future.
The President reiterated that the problem of insurgency often stems from the inability of the government to provide basic services for the people, especially in far-flung areas. That’s a trend his administration is trying to reverse.
“I am glad to welcome these former rebels as they commence their reintegration to the society,” he said.
The AFP-PNP housing boards waived their rights to the project in favor of the former rebels.
According to the implementing rules and regulations, the NHA management is committed to provide housing assistance worth P450,000 to each surrenderee.
Former rebels with existing housing units may also avail of the assistance but it only be limited to repairs, rehabilitation or improvement worth P100,000 under the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
In Freedom Residences, 60 housing units were classified as ready for occupancy.
Based on the record of Task Force Balik Loob, there are already more than 10,000 NPAs who returned to the folds of the law.
The President assured of the government’s commitment to take concrete measures in addressing their needs, including financial assistance, firearms remuneration, and housing units.
Duterte also promised to build schools to provide better education for the former rebels’ children.
President Rodrigo Duterte turned over housing units to 34 former rebels in Barangay Cuamboagan, Tagum City.
The project, dubbed Freedom Residences, was formerly earmarked for military and police personnel. But due to the need to allocate housing units for the former rebels under Administrative Order No. 10 dated April 3, 2018, NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr recommended for the reallocation of the housing units.
In his speech, Duterte told former rebels to work hard for their lives and return back to school to invest for the future.
The President reiterated that the problem of insurgency often stems from the inability of the government to provide basic services for the people, especially in far-flung areas. That’s a trend his administration is trying to reverse.
“I am glad to welcome these former rebels as they commence their reintegration to the society,” he said.
The AFP-PNP housing boards waived their rights to the project in favor of the former rebels.
According to the implementing rules and regulations, the NHA management is committed to provide housing assistance worth P450,000 to each surrenderee.
Former rebels with existing housing units may also avail of the assistance but it only be limited to repairs, rehabilitation or improvement worth P100,000 under the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
In Freedom Residences, 60 housing units were classified as ready for occupancy.
Based on the record of Task Force Balik Loob, there are already more than 10,000 NPAs who returned to the folds of the law.
The President assured of the government’s commitment to take concrete measures in addressing their needs, including financial assistance, firearms remuneration, and housing units.
Duterte also promised to build schools to provide better education for the former rebels’ children.
NorthCot town declares NPA ‘persona non grata’
From the Mindanao Times (Jul 18, 2019): NorthCot town declares NPA ‘persona non grata’
The municipality of President Roxas was added in the list of municipalities that declared the CPP-NDF-NPA as persona non grata.
Capt. Jerry Lamosao, the 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief, said the 72nd Infantry Battalion conducted peace-building seminar on July 12-14, 2019 in Barangay Labuo, President Roxas, North Cotabato participated by more than 200 NPA supporters and sympathizers.
During the closing program, barangays New Cebu, Kamarahan, Tuael, La Esperanza, Sagcungan, and Mabuhay, thru their respective punong barangays, declared the CPP-NPA-NDF persona non grata.
Also, around 700 residents from the 25 barangays of President Roxas, barangay functionaries, and peace and development volunteers also denounced the NPA.
After which, Mayor Jonathan Mahimpit affirmed the declaration of persona non grata. He also led the oathtaking of more than 200 participants who completed the 3-day peace-building seminar where they pledged allegiance to the government.
“Never support these terrorists again. Your government is on your side. They have just polluted your mind in order to achieve their personal desires. You have your LGU, your PNP, and your Philippine Army. We are all on your side. What belongs to you will be given to you,” Mahimpit said.
The 72nd Infantry Battalion will continue to support these kinds of LGU initiated activities to strengthen the collaboration with the local government and other stakeholders in its Area of Operation.
Col. Gabriel C Viray III, the commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade, said peace-building seminars are a great way to reach out of the community and counter the communist propaganda.
“To see the local government empowering its people to cooperate with the government’s effort of peace and order was already a great manifestation that we are not far from reaching our desired peace and development,” he said.
The municipality of President Roxas was added in the list of municipalities that declared the CPP-NDF-NPA as persona non grata.
Capt. Jerry Lamosao, the 10th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office chief, said the 72nd Infantry Battalion conducted peace-building seminar on July 12-14, 2019 in Barangay Labuo, President Roxas, North Cotabato participated by more than 200 NPA supporters and sympathizers.
During the closing program, barangays New Cebu, Kamarahan, Tuael, La Esperanza, Sagcungan, and Mabuhay, thru their respective punong barangays, declared the CPP-NPA-NDF persona non grata.
Also, around 700 residents from the 25 barangays of President Roxas, barangay functionaries, and peace and development volunteers also denounced the NPA.
After which, Mayor Jonathan Mahimpit affirmed the declaration of persona non grata. He also led the oathtaking of more than 200 participants who completed the 3-day peace-building seminar where they pledged allegiance to the government.
“Never support these terrorists again. Your government is on your side. They have just polluted your mind in order to achieve their personal desires. You have your LGU, your PNP, and your Philippine Army. We are all on your side. What belongs to you will be given to you,” Mahimpit said.
The 72nd Infantry Battalion will continue to support these kinds of LGU initiated activities to strengthen the collaboration with the local government and other stakeholders in its Area of Operation.
Col. Gabriel C Viray III, the commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade, said peace-building seminars are a great way to reach out of the community and counter the communist propaganda.
“To see the local government empowering its people to cooperate with the government’s effort of peace and order was already a great manifestation that we are not far from reaching our desired peace and development,” he said.
Alleged NPA commander served with arrest warrant
From the Mindanao Times (Jul 17, 2019): Alleged NPA commander served with arrest warrant
A Commanding officer of Guerilla Front 2, Southern Mindanao Regional Command was arrested on Friday morning for his pending crime of murder.
Maj. Jason Baria, the spokesperson of Police Regional Office XI, said the warrant was served against Ronnie Dumasig Camapaner, 51, a resident of Purok Lauan, Barangay Poblacion Kingking, Pantukan, Davao de Oro, in Lopez residence Talisay 56, Barangay East, Tagum City.
The arrest warrant was issued by Judge Hilarion Clapis Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 3 in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro. There was no bail recommended for the case.
Recovered from his possession were one shotgun with serial number 17-PH0023 and 40 rounds of ammunition. Police are still checking whether he had license to hold the gun.
He is now detained in the Tagum City Police Station.
According to Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales, the regional police director, said they will continue to hunt down fugitives of the law.
“That is one of the activities under Oplan Dabaw Kalinaw that is strictly implemented regionwide,” Morales said. “With that, your security forces need the help of everyone, may it be the local chief executive, local government agencies, media, and especially the populace of Davao Region in order to stop terrorism brought by the NPA.”
A Commanding officer of Guerilla Front 2, Southern Mindanao Regional Command was arrested on Friday morning for his pending crime of murder.
Maj. Jason Baria, the spokesperson of Police Regional Office XI, said the warrant was served against Ronnie Dumasig Camapaner, 51, a resident of Purok Lauan, Barangay Poblacion Kingking, Pantukan, Davao de Oro, in Lopez residence Talisay 56, Barangay East, Tagum City.
The arrest warrant was issued by Judge Hilarion Clapis Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 3 in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro. There was no bail recommended for the case.
Recovered from his possession were one shotgun with serial number 17-PH0023 and 40 rounds of ammunition. Police are still checking whether he had license to hold the gun.
He is now detained in the Tagum City Police Station.
According to Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales, the regional police director, said they will continue to hunt down fugitives of the law.
“That is one of the activities under Oplan Dabaw Kalinaw that is strictly implemented regionwide,” Morales said. “With that, your security forces need the help of everyone, may it be the local chief executive, local government agencies, media, and especially the populace of Davao Region in order to stop terrorism brought by the NPA.”
Troops seize NPA hideout in Agusan Norte
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 17, 2019): Troops seize NPA hideout in Agusan Norte
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte, July 17 -- Troops of the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB) seized a CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) hideout after an encounter in Brgy Guinabsan, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte on July 12, 2019 at around 1:20 p.m.
The NPA hideout that can accommodate more or less 40 CNTs was seized by the 23IB troopers after an encounter against more or less 30 CNTs believed to be members of Sandatahang Yunit Pamproganda (SYP) SIKOP of Guerrilla 4A of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) at the hinterlands of Brgy. Guinabsan of same municipality.
The encounter lasted for about 20 minutes and the enemy scampered towards different directions leaving behind traces of bloodstains, war material, medicines, terrorists' documents and personal belongings.
During an interview with the residents, they confessed that they were extorted with money and food by the CNTs and threatened to be killed once they will report to the authorities.
Lt Col Francisco L Molina Jr, Commanding Officer of 23IB lauded the courage of the residents of Buenavista that despite the threat, they were able to provide information on the presence of the CNTs.
“The CPP-NPA Terrorists brought hardships and misery to the people. They destroy families, hamper peace, and prevent development. However, your 23IB will never get tired in fulfilling its mandate to protect the people and secure the land," Lt Col Molina said.
The NPA hideout that can accommodate more or less 40 CNTs was seized by the 23IB troopers after an encounter against more or less 30 CNTs believed to be members of Sandatahang Yunit Pamproganda (SYP) SIKOP of Guerrilla 4A of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) at the hinterlands of Brgy. Guinabsan of same municipality.
The encounter lasted for about 20 minutes and the enemy scampered towards different directions leaving behind traces of bloodstains, war material, medicines, terrorists' documents and personal belongings.
During an interview with the residents, they confessed that they were extorted with money and food by the CNTs and threatened to be killed once they will report to the authorities.
Lt Col Francisco L Molina Jr, Commanding Officer of 23IB lauded the courage of the residents of Buenavista that despite the threat, they were able to provide information on the presence of the CNTs.
“The CPP-NPA Terrorists brought hardships and misery to the people. They destroy families, hamper peace, and prevent development. However, your 23IB will never get tired in fulfilling its mandate to protect the people and secure the land," Lt Col Molina said.
On his part, Col. Maurito Licudine, 402nd Brigade Commander said, “the success of our security operations in Guinabsan came from the reports of weary residents about the CNT presence who according to them have caused them fear for the longest time. With the people themselves wanting to drive away the CNTs, we will be even more relentless in pursuing these terrorists until they cease from their terroristic activities.”
“The bloodstains seen at the encounter site indicates that the CNT members suffered severe wounds during the encounter. This scenario either being wounded and killed or captured will come to the remaining CNTs unless they surrender," added Col Licudine. (1Lt Roel T Maglalang, CMO Officer, 23IB, 4ID, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
“The bloodstains seen at the encounter site indicates that the CNT members suffered severe wounds during the encounter. This scenario either being wounded and killed or captured will come to the remaining CNTs unless they surrender," added Col Licudine. (1Lt Roel T Maglalang, CMO Officer, 23IB, 4ID, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
DepEd says Salugpungan schools not yet closed but...
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 17, 2019): DepEd says Salugpungan schools not yet closed but...
DAVAO CITY (PIA) - The Department of Education in Davao region (DepEd-11) clarified reports that it has closed 55 Salugpungan schools, saying the order issued by the department only suspended the release of permits to the operator of the schools.
“We have not yet closed the schools because we are starting to get the truth about this matter,” Jenielito Atillo, DepEd-11 spokesperson, said.
Atillo was referring to the statement of non-government organization (NGO) Save Our Schools which claimed that DepEd had issued a closure order against Salugpungan.
“We are making sure that democracy will grind through due process, so there is no truth to that confirmation from the group Save Our Schools Network that we have closed their schools,” Atillo said.
He said the department was looking at the allegations of National Security Adviser Sec. Hermogenes Esperon and the affidavit of Melvin Mansalood Loyod, a former volunteer teacher of Salugpungan.
The three allegations of Esperon were: that the curriculum was not in conformity to the standards of DepEd; that Salugpungan uses children in rallies; and that Salugpungan teaches ideologies that advocate against the government.
Loyod’s affidavit corroborates Esperon’s allegations, which Atillo said the department was examining without running afoul of due process.
DepEd has issued a show cause order to Salugpungan Ta’tanu Igkanugon Community-owned and operated schools. The schools, spread across Davao region particularly in the remote lumad (indigenous) areas, have about 1,100 learners (based on 2018-2019 records).
Atillo said they were not a stamping pad of the military, judging by the show cause order which provides the venue for Salugpungan to controvert the allegations of Esperon.
Atillo added that as early as 2015 they had urged those with allegations against Salugpungan to provide DepEd with concrete evidences that can stand in court.
He said no one stepped forward until Esperon submitted his reports with documented evidences and affidavits.
“That was the time when it reached the hands of the Department of Education and we answered through Secretary (Leonor) Briones who ordered DepEd Region 11 to suspend the provision of the permits and recognition certificates to Salugpungan Ta’Tanu Igkanugon,” Atillo said.
He said the release of decision on the applications of Salugpungan will be held in abeyance pending the finding of DepEd.
“This is still a suspension, we have not declared a closure,” Atillo said. (PIA-11)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1024597
DAVAO CITY (PIA) - The Department of Education in Davao region (DepEd-11) clarified reports that it has closed 55 Salugpungan schools, saying the order issued by the department only suspended the release of permits to the operator of the schools.
“We have not yet closed the schools because we are starting to get the truth about this matter,” Jenielito Atillo, DepEd-11 spokesperson, said.
Atillo was referring to the statement of non-government organization (NGO) Save Our Schools which claimed that DepEd had issued a closure order against Salugpungan.
“We are making sure that democracy will grind through due process, so there is no truth to that confirmation from the group Save Our Schools Network that we have closed their schools,” Atillo said.
He said the department was looking at the allegations of National Security Adviser Sec. Hermogenes Esperon and the affidavit of Melvin Mansalood Loyod, a former volunteer teacher of Salugpungan.
The three allegations of Esperon were: that the curriculum was not in conformity to the standards of DepEd; that Salugpungan uses children in rallies; and that Salugpungan teaches ideologies that advocate against the government.
Loyod’s affidavit corroborates Esperon’s allegations, which Atillo said the department was examining without running afoul of due process.
DepEd has issued a show cause order to Salugpungan Ta’tanu Igkanugon Community-owned and operated schools. The schools, spread across Davao region particularly in the remote lumad (indigenous) areas, have about 1,100 learners (based on 2018-2019 records).
Atillo said they were not a stamping pad of the military, judging by the show cause order which provides the venue for Salugpungan to controvert the allegations of Esperon.
Atillo added that as early as 2015 they had urged those with allegations against Salugpungan to provide DepEd with concrete evidences that can stand in court.
He said no one stepped forward until Esperon submitted his reports with documented evidences and affidavits.
“That was the time when it reached the hands of the Department of Education and we answered through Secretary (Leonor) Briones who ordered DepEd Region 11 to suspend the provision of the permits and recognition certificates to Salugpungan Ta’Tanu Igkanugon,” Atillo said.
He said the release of decision on the applications of Salugpungan will be held in abeyance pending the finding of DepEd.
“This is still a suspension, we have not declared a closure,” Atillo said. (PIA-11)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1024597
Government services finally reach former NPA stronghold
From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 17, 2019): Government services finally reach former NPA stronghold
NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley (PIA) - A new day has come for the people in Purok 4, Barangay Rizal in Monkayo town, Compostela Valley as the villagers finally felt that the government did not abandon them.
At the height of communist insurgency, Rizal served as a base of the New People’s Army. They had their own mayor of the Komiting Rebolusyonaryo sa Munisipalidad (KRM) and they had their own rules. Out of fear, absolutely no government worker had attempted to enter and engage the village.
According to the Army, the periphery of the village used to be the encounter site of the NPA and government forces. The area was also the gravesite of two unidentified bodies believed to be liquidated by the communists.
This came to an end when, due to pressure and uncertainty in the underground movement, one by one the villagers surrendered to the Army last year, including their own mayor.
From then on, former KRM mayor Raul Camporedondo noted that numerous government projects and services were delivered to their community.
Asked to enumerate those projects, Camporedondo said that first thing that was addressed was the roads. Prior to their surrender, there was no road to the village, he said.
According to Lt. Col. Oscar Balignasay, commander of the 25th Infantry Battalion, they helped the former rebels organize themselves into Pag-asa Multi-Purpose Cooperative. The cooperative was able to get fund worth P1.5 million under the National Greening Program for planting and maintenance of a 38-hectare falcata plantation.
Those were just the start of the positive developments in the area.
Then, on rainy July 12, the Oplan Pagbabago – Tunol Serbisyo brought more than 20 government agencies with services that the villagers had requested.
It included medical and dental services conducted by the Provincial Health Office and the Army, registration of birth from the local government unit and Philippine Statistics Authority, and processing of applications for a driver’s license from the Land Transportation Office.
For livelihood, the Provincial Agriculture Office and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources distributed fruit bearing trees, while the Department of Agriculture turned over a rice harvester. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also gave tilapia fingerlings.
The Rizal Tagbawi Sustainable Livelihood Project Pamana Association received from the Department of Social Welfare and Development a check worth P300,000 for its general merchandise store.
The children were also provided with school supplies from the Department of Education and slippers from the Compostela Valley Provincial Police Office.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Army brought barbers who offered free haircut services.
The crowd were also delighted with the healthy snacks from the Department of Science and Technology.
Other offices like the Department of Agrarian Reform, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Philippine Coconut Authority, Public Attorney’s Office and Department of Labor and Employment delivered consultation and orientation services.
On the part of the municipal government, Mayor Ramil Gentugaya promised to give a power generator set and a vehicle for emergency response.
Gentugaya said the generator set may not totally answer the need of the villagers but this may help for the meantime until the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative can find a feasible way to energize the area.
The government agencies were reinforced by Sumifru and Red Cross, which offered their services to the villagers.
Camporendo was overwhelmed by the government services that his village received that day that he could only blurted out, "Salamat sa pag-anhi dinhi ug sa paghatag kanamo ug maayong panginabuhian." (Thank you for coming here and for giving us livelihood.)
Josephine Frasco, provincial social welfare and development officer and action officer of Oplan Pagbabago, disclosed that the Tunol Serbisyo will not be the last time that their group will visit the village.
“Dili lang ni one-shot deal. Ipadayon lang gihapon namo ni hangtod sa ma-empowered ang mga barangays o ang Purok 4 sa Barangay Rizal,” she said. (This is not a one-shot deal. We will continue this until the barangays or the Purok 4 of Barangay Rizal are empowered.)
Frasco revealed that Rizal is just one of the 52 barangays that will be visited by the Oplan Pagbabago until next year.
The Oplan Pagbabago is a program launched by the provincial government to complement the Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integrated Program of the national government. It aims to address the needs of the communities in geographically isolated, depressed, and conflict affected areas.
With Eexecutive Order 70 of President Rodrigo Duterte, the program will be intensified as it will be transformed into an Oplan Pagbabago Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. (PIA-11)
NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley (PIA) - A new day has come for the people in Purok 4, Barangay Rizal in Monkayo town, Compostela Valley as the villagers finally felt that the government did not abandon them.
At the height of communist insurgency, Rizal served as a base of the New People’s Army. They had their own mayor of the Komiting Rebolusyonaryo sa Munisipalidad (KRM) and they had their own rules. Out of fear, absolutely no government worker had attempted to enter and engage the village.
According to the Army, the periphery of the village used to be the encounter site of the NPA and government forces. The area was also the gravesite of two unidentified bodies believed to be liquidated by the communists.
This came to an end when, due to pressure and uncertainty in the underground movement, one by one the villagers surrendered to the Army last year, including their own mayor.
From then on, former KRM mayor Raul Camporedondo noted that numerous government projects and services were delivered to their community.
Asked to enumerate those projects, Camporedondo said that first thing that was addressed was the roads. Prior to their surrender, there was no road to the village, he said.
According to Lt. Col. Oscar Balignasay, commander of the 25th Infantry Battalion, they helped the former rebels organize themselves into Pag-asa Multi-Purpose Cooperative. The cooperative was able to get fund worth P1.5 million under the National Greening Program for planting and maintenance of a 38-hectare falcata plantation.
Those were just the start of the positive developments in the area.
Then, on rainy July 12, the Oplan Pagbabago – Tunol Serbisyo brought more than 20 government agencies with services that the villagers had requested.
It included medical and dental services conducted by the Provincial Health Office and the Army, registration of birth from the local government unit and Philippine Statistics Authority, and processing of applications for a driver’s license from the Land Transportation Office.
For livelihood, the Provincial Agriculture Office and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources distributed fruit bearing trees, while the Department of Agriculture turned over a rice harvester. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also gave tilapia fingerlings.
The Rizal Tagbawi Sustainable Livelihood Project Pamana Association received from the Department of Social Welfare and Development a check worth P300,000 for its general merchandise store.
The children were also provided with school supplies from the Department of Education and slippers from the Compostela Valley Provincial Police Office.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Army brought barbers who offered free haircut services.
The crowd were also delighted with the healthy snacks from the Department of Science and Technology.
Other offices like the Department of Agrarian Reform, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Philippine Coconut Authority, Public Attorney’s Office and Department of Labor and Employment delivered consultation and orientation services.
On the part of the municipal government, Mayor Ramil Gentugaya promised to give a power generator set and a vehicle for emergency response.
Gentugaya said the generator set may not totally answer the need of the villagers but this may help for the meantime until the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative can find a feasible way to energize the area.
The government agencies were reinforced by Sumifru and Red Cross, which offered their services to the villagers.
Camporendo was overwhelmed by the government services that his village received that day that he could only blurted out, "Salamat sa pag-anhi dinhi ug sa paghatag kanamo ug maayong panginabuhian." (Thank you for coming here and for giving us livelihood.)
Josephine Frasco, provincial social welfare and development officer and action officer of Oplan Pagbabago, disclosed that the Tunol Serbisyo will not be the last time that their group will visit the village.
“Dili lang ni one-shot deal. Ipadayon lang gihapon namo ni hangtod sa ma-empowered ang mga barangays o ang Purok 4 sa Barangay Rizal,” she said. (This is not a one-shot deal. We will continue this until the barangays or the Purok 4 of Barangay Rizal are empowered.)
Frasco revealed that Rizal is just one of the 52 barangays that will be visited by the Oplan Pagbabago until next year.
The Oplan Pagbabago is a program launched by the provincial government to complement the Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integrated Program of the national government. It aims to address the needs of the communities in geographically isolated, depressed, and conflict affected areas.
With Eexecutive Order 70 of President Rodrigo Duterte, the program will be intensified as it will be transformed into an Oplan Pagbabago Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. (PIA-11)