Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Army urges Bukidnon town to form task group vs. NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2019): Army urges Bukidnon town to form task group vs. NPA



The joint Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) and Municipal Anti- Drug Abuse Council (Madac) meeting of Malitbog town, Bukidnon, on Tuesday, where the issues on communist insurgency was tackled. (Contributed photo)

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon --The Army's 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) has called on the neighboring Malitbog municipal government to form a task group to complement the national government's Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).

1Lt. Kenneth Cabbigat, 8IB's political officer, made the proposal during the joint Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) and Municipal Anti- Drug Abuse Council (Madac) meeting in Malitbog on Tuesday.

Cabbigat said the local counterpart to RTF-ELCAC would serve to validate and respond to issues gathered by the military during its Community Support Program (CSP) initiatives in villages that have strong presence of the New People's Army (NPA).

He said the task group would be composed of local agencies that will closely monitor and facilitate the delivery of basic services to the community.

1Lt. Lorjohn Hernandez, newly installed commander of the Alpha Company, updated the council on the security situation in the area of Malitbog and the role of CSP activities in addressing community issues that are being "exploited by communist rebels" in their recruitment drive.

In a separate statement on Tuesday, Lt. Col. Ronald Illana, 8IB commanding officer, also underscored the creation of a local task group against communist insurgency to harmonize the delivery of basic services to the barangays.

“We need to form this task group because the government has many programs, only that they can’t reach the farthest barangays. Through you, we can bring these programs directly to the people," Illana said.

“I appreciate the decisions of the local officials declaring the CNTs (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army Terrorists) and its organizations persona non grata in their community,” he added.

During the meeting, the two councils also adopted a resolution declaring the NPA persona non-grata in Malitbog.

The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080204

Maguindanao town exec seeks to stop NPA recruitment

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12, 2019): Maguindanao town exec seeks to stop NPA recruitment



Mayor Reynalbert Insular of South Upi town (inset) in Maguindanao province. (Photo courtesy of South Upi LGU)

Local officials in South Upi, Maguindanao, along with the military and local police, are closely monitoring the town's far-flung villages following reports of alleged recruitment activities by communist rebels in the area.

South Upi is an upland town that borders Sen. Ninoy Aquino and Lebak towns in Sultan Kudarat, where the
communist New Peoples’ Army (NPA) still operates.

Mayor Reynalbert Insular said residents in interior villages have reported the presence of armed men who are not from the village.


“Their faces are new to our residents; these people are not IPs,” Insular said, referring to the alleged recruiters.

South Upi is predominantly inhabited by Indigenous Peoples known as the Tedurays.

“I will not allow our IPs to get involved in communism. We are living peacefully here and we shun troubles,” Insular said in the vernacular.

Early this month, Insular said five Teduray IPs recruited by NPAs decided to surrender with their guns to the local government and the military.

Insular vowed to help the military and the police in convincing the locals to refrain from entertaining “new faces” in their villages.

Instead, they are encouraged to report to authorities the presence of armed men in their communities so appropriate actions from the government could be taken.

The mayor also said his office is engaging families locked in feuds to bring them to the negotiating table and settle misunderstanding peacefully.

The NPA, along with the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080262

Teenage Dawlah Islamiya member yields in Lanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12, 2019): Teenage Dawlah Islamiya member yields in Lanao


SURRENDER. A teenage member of the Dawlah Islamiya surrenders a rocket-propelled grenade launcher to the military authorities in Butig, Lanao del Sur on Wednesday (Sept. 11, 2019). (Photo courtesy of WesMinCom)

A teenage member of the Dawlah Islamiya, formerly known as the Maute group, has surrendered and turned over to authorities a high-powered weapon in Lanao del Sur, a top military official said Thursday.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief,
identified the Dawlah Islamiya surrenderer as Amer Ador Gandawali, a resident of Barangay Sandab, Butig, Lanao del Sur.

Sobejana said Gandawali surrendered around noon Wednesday at the advanced command post of the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Poblacion Bayabao, Butig town.

Sobejana said Gandawali handed over one Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) Heap and its launcher.


Gandawali's surrender was facilitated by the 49th Infantry Battalion’s Charlie Company, Butig town officials, and Maliksaif Masjeda, a representative of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Post (MILF-JCMP).

“We are delighted that more militants are now returning to the mainstream of society. It is but a greater achievement to end terrorism in a peaceful way than engaging in armed confrontations,” the Westmincom chief said.

Gandawali was a member of the group under former Dawlah Islamiya sub-leader Ali Amintao alias White Lawaan, who fought the government forces during a focused military operation in 2016.

“With our strong collaboration with other line agencies and stakeholders, we are confident that significant headway can be achieved in our quest for peace and stability in Mindanao,” Sobejana said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080254

PH, Canada armies eye stronger disaster response cooperation

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12, 2019): PH, Canada armies eye stronger disaster response cooperation



Philippine Army (PA) chief Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto and his Canadian counterpart have recognized the need for cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

This came about as Alberto met with Canadian Army chief Lt. Gen. Wayne Eyre at the 11th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday, said PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala in a statement Wednesday.

Also discussed during the two officials' meeting were current internal challenges and the issue on West Philippine Sea.


They also recalled Philippine-Canada roles during the Korean War and other foreign relations participation, such as in United Nations deployments.

The bilateral meeting aims to channel concerns on peace and security as well as to establish bond between commanders that will mutually benefit both armies, Zagala added.

“It is important for the Philippine Army to participate in bilateral meetings for it is an avenue to understand other countries’ interests and at the same time, for us to express our security concerns. These activities will lead us to strengthen our military cooperation and to mutually benefit with our ally nations,” he said.

Alberto also thanked Eyre for accommodating Filipino military students and reciprocated the gesture by offering PA training schools if ever the Canadian Army intends to send its students to the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080261

Terrorist Joma can never be political refugee

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12, 2019): Terrorist Joma can never be political refugee



Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leader Joma Sison. (File photo)

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año on Thursday said exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leader Joma Sison must be hallucinating when he claimed that he is absolutely protected in his self-imposed exile in the Netherlands.

“Ang isang kriminal ay hindi kailanman puwedeng ituring na political refugee. Ang isang mass murderer ay hindi puwedeng maging refugee. Buking ka na, Joma, kaya panagutan mo ang mga kasalanan mong pagpatay sa mga kapwa mo Pilipino (A criminal can never be considered a political refugee. A mass murderer can never be a refugee. Joma, you are exposed so you better answer for your crime of killing your fellow Filipinos),”
Año said.


The Manila Regional Trial Court has recently issued a warrant of arrest against Joma and 36 of his alleged co-conspirators in the Inopacan massacre, a deadly purge of CPP/NPA members accused by the party of various offenses. The remains of the victims were discovered in a mass grave in Inopacan, Leyte in 2006.

The DILG chief also called Sison a coward for hiding from the charges against him in a foreign country and living there like a king.

“Duwag ka (You are a coward), Joma. Now that you are in the last few years of your life, do something right for a change, own up to your sins against the Filipino people and face the charges against you and give justice to the victims of the Inopacan massacre, among many others,” he says.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), he said, is also closely coordinating with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for the issuance of a red notice for Sison's arrest, which serves as a valid request for provisional arrest.

“We have referred the warrant issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court to Interpol for publication of a red notice which is defined as a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action,” he says.

“Once the Interpol publishes a red notice, Joma Sison becomes a wanted man all over the world,” he adds.

Año said that while there is no bilateral extradition treaty between the Philippines and the Netherlands, it is possible to explore the possibility of transmitting this as a request to the Dutch government for mutual legal assistance (MLA) on criminal matters.

According to the DILG chief, although Sison has been granted refugee status in The Netherlands due to alleged political persecution in the Philippines, “the grounds for the grant of such refugee status to Joma Sison no longer exist and should therefore be revoked.”

He said the government will seek a special arrangement with the Dutch government for the extradition of Joma Sison on the grounds that his “refugee status” is no longer tenable because he participated in the commission of crimes and other criminal acts, as determined by the Regional Trial Court that renders him effectively ineligible.

The DILG Secretary also stressed that the communist leader continues to direct his terrorist forces in the country from his self-imposed exile in the Netherlands through public statements and issuances, such as directing the New People’s Army to kill and plunder in the countryside.

“This fact has been established when the United States, the European Union, and the Duterte administration declared the CPP/NPA as a terrorist organization,” he said.

In 1992, The Netherlands recognized Joma as a “political refugee” on the basis of his alleged persecution by the Marcos regime.

He says that the government is now actively working with the European Union to have Sison’s so-called refugee status in The Netherlands revoked as soon as possible. The Netherlands is part of the European Union.

“Wala nang rason pa para kanlungin pa ng Netherlands si Joma dahil ang Pilipinas at ang EU mismo kung saan kasapi ang Netherlands ay nagsasabing isang terrorist organization ang CPP na pinamumunuan ni Sison. Ang ibig sabihin si Sison ay isang terorista na hindi kailangan binibigyang proteksyon ng kahit sino mang gobyerno (There is no longer a reason why the Netherlands should provide protection to Joma because the Philippines and the EU, to which the Netherlands is a member, say that the CPP led by Joma is a terrorist organization which does not need protection from any government),” he stressed.

Año said initial talks with the EU deputy ambassador were positive, with the latter committing to help the Philippine government in this matter.

At the same time, the DILG and the PNP have teamed up with the Department of Justice, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Foreign Affairs to arrest all the others who were found to be responsible for the Inopacan massacre.

Aside from Sison, among those included in the warrant of arrest issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 are National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) senior adviser Luis Jalandoni, communist leaders Rodolfo Salas and Leo Velasco, and Sison’s wife, Juliet.

“Sumisikip na ang mundo mo, Joma. Malapit na ang araw ng pagtutuos para sa mga kasalanang ginawa mo sa ating bansa at sa mga biktima ng Inopacan massacre (Your world is getting smaller, Joma. The day of reckoning for you to pay for your sins to the country and to the victims of the Inopacan massacre is nearing),” Año said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080267

FAST FACTS: Terrorism in the Philippines

From Rappler (Sep 12, 2019): FAST FACTS: Terrorism in the Philippines

The world commemorates the 9/11 attacks that happened in the US 18 years ago. What has been the situation in the Philippines since then?



FATAL ATTACKS. Policemen and soldiers stand outside bomb-hit church in Jolo, Sulu on January 27, 2019. File photo by AFP

The recent Sunday blast in Indanan, Sulu, by an alleged suicide bomber came 3 days before the world commemorates the 9/11 attacks in the US on Wednesday, September 11.

Despite local and international efforts to address the threat, terrorism persists – and the Philippines remains to be very much a part of the global terror network.

Here are some facts about the growth of terrorism here.

Groups behind the attacks

Numerous terror groups have been known to operate primarily in Mindanao. These include:
  1. Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) – The homegrown ASG, which eventually got linked to al-Qaeda, mounted its first major attacks in 1991. In the early 2000s, it became notorious for high-profile bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings. It was founded in Basilan and has since expanded to other provinces in Western Mindanao such as Sulu and Zamboanga.
  2. Maute Group – Led by Abdullah Maute, eldest of the Maute family brothers, this group was responsible for several attacks in Lanao del Sur before the Marawi siege in 2017. It pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2015, according to the Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium.
  3. Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) – al-Qaeda's network in Southeast Asia. Analysts estimated its active membership to be between 2,000 to 3,000 in 2018. Some members of the mainstream Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were known to have had ties with JI.
  4. The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) – A breakaway of the MILF that's now at the helm of the newly formed Bangsamoro Region, the BIFF has pleged allegiance to ISIS and has been behind violent incidents in Central Mindanao.

Even before the 9/11 attacks, the Philippines was already witness to terror. Below is a list of some of the biggest terror attacks that have occurred in the country before the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte:

Event/Location                             Date                                Killed   Wounded

Rizal Day Bombings                   December 30, 2000             22           100~
General Santos City                     April 21, 2002                    13            60~
Zamboanga City                          October 2, 17, 21, 2002      23           100~
Davao International                     March 4, 2003                     22           143
  Airport     
Koronadal City                            May 10, 2003                     10~          42~
General Santos City                     December 12, 2004            14+          70~
SuperFerry 14 bombing               February 27-28, 2004         116                 –
Valentine's Day Bombings           February 14, 2005              8~           147~
  in Davao, Makati, GenSan                                   
Subsequent Mindanao                  July 4, 5, 7, 2009               13            91
  bombings
Basilan raid                                    February 27, 2010             0             26

                                                        Total                                241          779

Sources: GMA News, PhilStar (1, 2, 3), Human Rights Watch (1, 2), Philippine Senate, Al Jazeera

Extremist groups, mainly the ASG, MILF, and JI have claimed responsibility for these attacks.

Mindanao suffered – and continues to suffer – the most from terror.

From 2000 to 2012, the region witnessed 25 bombing and grenade attacks. Soccsksargen, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (now replaced by the larger Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM), and Zamboanga had the deadliest bombing attacks during this period. 

(READ: Mindanao bombs: over 300 killed in 12 yrs)

Even President Rodrigo Duterte's hometown has not been spared, as shown by the Davao night market bombing in 2016. Fourteen were killed and 60 were injured.


In Basilan last year, a foreigner blew himself up in Lamitan City, killing at least 10.

This year, on January 27, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo was bombed by an Indonesian couple. The blast killed at least 23 people and left more than 100 injured.

On June 28, the police and military confirmed the “first suicide bombing by a Filipino” in Sulu.

Marawi siege impact

It is the 2017 Marawi siege however that has had long-term consequences. The instability that followed prompted Duterte to implement martial law in Mindanao.

The battle of Marawi is the Philippine military’s longest and bloodiest in recent history, running for 5 months. The Maute Group even trained children to fight.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 353,921 families were displaced at the height of the siege.

Many of the 2,261 deaths in the BARMM in 2017 were due to the siege. (READ: Martial law led to 2018 drop in violence in Muslim Mindanao – study)

With a slow rise from ground zero, Marawi City is still on the road to recovery more than two years after the siege. By February 2019, financial aid for the city’s rehabilitation reached nearly P42 billion, according to BusinessWorld.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, over 64,000 families have been able to return to their homes. Thousands, however, remain displaced.

Laws and prevention

The US government has pledged to “cooperate more” with the Philippines to curb terrorism and violent extremism.

The Human Security Act, signed in 2007, outlines the state’s responsibility to protect the country from acts of terrorism.

Five years later, then-president Benigno S. Aquino III signed Republic Act 10168 into law, or “The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act.”

But a bill is now pending in Congress to amend the Human Security Act and give state forces stronger powers to arrest and detain suspected terrorists.

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/239816-things-to-know-about-terrorism-philippines

Opinion: Countering terrorism and violent extremism

Opinion piece in the Manila Times (Sep 12, 2019): Countering terrorism and violent extremism (By MERLIZA M. MAKINANO)

TERRORISM is a complex issue. While there is no single driver, studies point to conflict as the main driver. Other contributing factors include social alienation, lack of economic opportunities, lack of good governance, and human rights issues. Terrorism literature also points to a variety of tactics to instill fear in a population and create a sense of insecurity in a target population, such as kidnappings, assassinations, sabotage and hijacking. Bombing remains the preferred tactic to inflict violence on non-combatants, as bombs are relatively easier to procure and achieves the maximum impact of sowing fear in the community. That the terrorists operate in small splinter groups adds to the complexity and challenge of addressing terrorism.

PH emerging terrorism hot spot

As a terrorist organization, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) first gained notoriety in 1995, with the siege of Ipil, Zamboanga, that killed 11 civilians and razed the town center. More than two decades later, it remains a threat to the country’s national security; even more so when it declared allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, later simply IS) in 2014. With IS’ defeat in the Middle East, the next battleground is believed to be Southeast Asia. The Marawi siege in 2017 and intermittent bombing incidents in Mindanao earlier this year, reinforced IS’ reach in the country.

According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Philippines ranks 10th in the 2018 Global Terrorism Index (GTI). It is the only Southeast Asian country in its top 10, together with Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria, Pakistan, Somalia, India, Yemen and Egypt. As an emerging hot spot of terrorism, the Philippines also ranks 8th among countries with highest increase in deaths due to terrorist incidents.

Community-oriented approach

The United Nations Security Council has recognized the link between violent extremism and terrorism, and has underscored the need for collective efforts to prevent “radicalization, recruitment and mobilization of individuals into terrorist groups and becoming foreign terrorist fighters.” Some scholars posit that counter-terrorism measures and initiatives that take into account community policing to supplement intelligence-led policing, is crucial in preventing terrorism and countering violent extremism. Thus, the need for strengthened engagement with local communities.

According to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), community-oriented approach involves: 1) trust-based partnerships between communities and authorities; 2) community participation and support in formulating, implementing, and evaluation various strategies, measures, and policies; and 3) measures are undertaken to pursue community security rather than state security.

Traditional approaches to counter-terrorism focus on strengthening the critical security and technical infrastructure. However, there is a growing recognition among experts that the resilience of a community against adversities counteracts “the appeal of violent extremism and terrorism.” Thus, to achieve “community security,” there is the need to strengthen community involvement in the government’s efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism.

Some scholars further argue that counter-terrorism measures are more effective when based on human rights, pursued through locally driven cooperative relationships, and designed to fit local contexts, including ethnic, cultural, and religious considerations. In this regard, building confidence and maintaining trust with the community is a crucial component.

Engaging communities

Engaging communities may pose a challenge for communities with fraught history of mistrust. Thus, conducting dialogues with communities and civil society is necessary. It increases public awareness and understanding of the complexity and menace of terrorism and violent extremism. When counter-terrorism strategies are jointly developed, it helps reset strained relations, or deepen partnerships with the community. Such efforts also help identify vulnerable individuals, address early grievances, and improve understanding of communities at risk.

In this regard, the continuing efforts of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Directorate for Police Community Relations, through its “Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Forum and Violent Extremism Awareness Program” is a step in the right direction.

Role of women. Women can play a significant role in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism, given their various capacities, as leaders in the community, and as a family member. They can provide a firsthand account of the changes in the behavior of family members, spot the beginnings of radicalism, and can prevent the spread of extremist ideology.

Youth programs. It is also important to provide programs focused on the Filipino youth, as they can be vulnerable to recruitment. There is a need to provide activities to prevent their disenfranchisement, as well as provide narratives that counter the terrorists’ propaganda, both in traditional spaces and in social media. The Filipino youth constitutes about 30 percent of the population — an untapped resource that can be a salient force in effecting change when empowered to realize their potential. Their idealism and energy can also be harnessed to contribute meaningfully to the development of society.

To this end, the role of the community is indeed critical in the government’s efforts in countering terrorism and violent extremism. Thus, it is important for all sectors to proactively and collectively work together. With a shared understanding of the perils of terrorism, and by supporting the security infrastructure’s efforts, the community can indeed be an effective partner in the fight against terrorism and extreme violence.

[The author completed her master’s degree in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School, master’s in international relations (with merit) from Victoria University of Wellington, and BA in political science from the University of the Philippines-Diliman.]

US declares Abu Sayyaf leader global terrorist

From the Arab News (Sep 12, 2019): US declares Abu Sayyaf leader global terrorist


Philippine soldiers look at the bodies of members of the Abu Sayyaf group after an encounter in Jolo, Sulu province on the southern island of Mindanao. (File/AFP)

A female militant from Philippines is also on the latest list

The US has added a 60-year-old leader of the pro-Daesh Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Hatib Hadjan Sawadjaan, and a female militant from Mindanao to its list of global terrorists.

The names of Sawadjaan and Almaida Marani Salvin, 30, were among those placed on the US Treasury’s sanctions blacklist released on the eve of the Sept. 11 attacks.


It followed US President Donald Trump signing an executive order that enhances America’s ability to go after financiers of militant groups, their leaders and supporters. The US State Department said that the executive order was the most significant update of terrorist designations since the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, and “will enable the US to more effectively sanction the leaders of terrorist organizations and those who train to commit acts of terrorism.”

“The State Department is moving aggressively to implement these new authorities,” it said, adding that the designation of Sawadjaan and everyone else on the list “seeks to deny these terrorists the resources to plan and carry out attacks.”

Sawadjaan has been called the mastermind behind the suicide attacks on Sulu Islands on Jan. 27 this year. The first attack on a cathedral in Jolo city killed 23 people — including an Indonesian couple who carried out the bombing — and wounded 109 others.

The second attack on June 28 targeted an army counterterrorism unit brigade in Indanan town, killing eight people and injuring 22 others. It was also the first officially confirmed case of a suicide bombing carried out by a Filipino, identified as Norman Lasuca, in the Philippines. The other suspect in the attack was believed to be a foreigner.

HIGHLIGHTS


• Hatib Hadjan Sawadjaan has been called the mastermind behind the suicide attacks on Sulu island on Jan. 27 this year.

• Little is known about the female militant identified as Almaida Marani Salvin, 30, who was arrested in April 2019.

A suicide bombing attempt on Sept. 8 — on another army detachment in Indanan town — involved an abaya-wearing, Caucasian-looking female who was the sole casualty. The suspect blew herself up when she attempted to enter the Army 35th IB but was stopped by a soldier who was manning the gate.

In the wake of the failed suicide attack last Sunday, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said the military was on the lookout for two more suicide bombers in Sulu who were planning to stage attacks on military camps.

Excluding the perpetrators of the Jolo Cathedral bombing, Sobejana said: “There are five of them who were anointed, who have been given the task to explode themselves.”

Besides the two involved in the June 28 attack and the suspect in the explosion last Sunday, the Wesmincom chief said: “There were two more left.”

Apart from the attacks in Sulu, Philippines officials also blamed Sawadjaan for organizing the first suicide bombing in the country — at a security checkpoint on Lamitan, Basilan province in July last year — killing at least 10 people.

But despite being identified as the mastermind behind all four suicide bombings in Mindanao, a spokesperson for the Philippines armed forces said: “Sawadjaan cannot be credited to have put up a squad of suicide bombers.”

Marine Brig. Gen. Edgar Arevalo also said that the small number of foreign terrorists believed to be in Mindanao, with no community, relatives or groups, “need to associate with Sawadjaan for survival, logistics and intelligence to carry-out their terrorism activities. Hence, the affiliation.”

“On the part of (Sawadjaan), he needs these terrorists to pursue his personal ends of becoming prominent or becoming recognized as the emir. He needs the notoriety, the grim and gruesome murder and destruction, to gain financial and logistics support from terrorist organizations abroad,” Arevalo said.

In February this year, a report by the US Department of Defense (DoD) said that Sawadjaan was “the acting Daesh emir in the Philippines,” replacing Isnilon Hapilon who was killed in the 2017 Marawi siege. However, “it was not clear what ties Sawadjaan had with the Daesh-core.”

Last month, the seventh quarterly Operations Pacific Eagle — Philippines (OPE-P) report by the DoD Office of the Inspector General stated that “while the southern Philippines has struggled with violent separatism for decades, suicide attacks were virtually unheard of until the rise of Daesh.”

Meanwhile, little is known about Salvin, who according to the US, “has materially assisted, sponsored or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to, Daesh-Philippines.”

Information provided by the US Treasury Department shows that Salvin was arrested in April this year in Zamboanga City “based on her suspected unlawful manufacture, sale, acquisition, disposition, importation or possession of an explosive or incendiary device.”

During the raid, Philippines authorities recovered improvised explosive device components, as well as bank accounts and passbooks for Salvin linked to Daesh-Philippines (Daesh-P) funding.

It was further stated that “as of early 2019, Philippine authorities determined Salvin, who was the wife of a Daesh-P leader, conducted financial transactions, procurement, transportation of firearms and explosives, and facilitated the recruitment and travel of foreign fighters to the Philippines.”

Brother of pro-ISIS Abu Sayyaf leader killed in Sulu – military

From Rappler (Sep 11, 2019): Brother of pro-ISIS Abu Sayyaf leader killed in Sulu – military

Nanz Sawadjaan, brother of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, is killed in a firefight with government troops. His death is a 'great loss' to the Abu Sayyaf Group, says the military.



TERRORIST CAMP. Philippine Army troops overran a lair of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu, after a firefight on Tuesday, September 10. Photo courtesy of AFP Western Mindanao Command

A key member of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed in a gun battle with government troops, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said on Wednesday, September 11.

A heavy firefight broke out between soldiers from the Philippine Army's 41st Infantry Battalion and
around 40 ASG members led by Almujer Yadah, Ben Tattoh, and Apo Mike in Sitio Tubig Pansol, Barangay Langhub, Patikul, Sulu, at 11:39 am on Tuesday, September 10.


The battle went on for about 20 minutes until the ASG "scampered and ran off in different directions," the Westmincom said.

Government troops then overran the ASG encampment and found a body, which soldiers identified as Nanz Sawadjaan, the younger brother of ASG subleader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who is said to be the leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) in the Philippines.

The younger Sawadjaan was one of ASG's bomb experts and his death "is a great loss to the Abu Sayyaf," said Major General Corleto Vinluan, Jr, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, whose mission is to hunt the ASG down.

"[Nanz Sawadjaan's] demise will debilitate the current strategy employed by the group in creating havoc in the province," Vinluan added.

Government troops recovered an AK47 automatic rifle from the scene.

Two soldiers were wounded in the encounter.

Two suspects at large

On Monday, Westmincom chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana said the ASG was behind the recent series of "suicide bombings" in Sulu, including the one in Indanan town on Sunday, September 8, in which only the attacker was killed.

Fatal bomb attacks have rocked parts of Western Mindanao since July 31, 2018, when a van exploded at a military checkpoint in the outskirts of Lamitan, Basilan, killing at least 10 people.

On January 27 this year, twin blasts at a Catholic cathedral in Jolo, Sulu, killed at least 23 people. Another twin attack killed at least 7 people at the gates of an Army camp in Indanan, Sulu, on June 28.

The military said the incidents were suicide bombings by foreign terrorists, except the first Indanan attack in which one of the attackers was Filipino. All were attributed to the pro-ISIS ASG faction led by the older Sawadjaan.

The Westmincom is tracking down two more "caucasian-looking" terrorists who were among 5 tasked with suicide bombings, Sobejana said. The first 3 were killed in the recent attacks.

Military information so far indicates the two suspects are at large in Sulu, and the Westmincom aims to contain them within the area, Sobejana added.

The ASG has been the subject of "focused military operations," after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the military to stamp out the terror group by the end of 2019 – a tall order, the Westmincom chief admitted.

"The successful operations of our troops are also attributed to the local community who feeds information, directing our troops to the terrorists' location," Sobejana said on Wednesday.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/239903-military-says-brother-pro-isis-abu-sayyaf-leader-killed-sulu

WESTMINCOM: Sawadjaan’s kin neutralized in Sulu

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Sep 11, 2019): Sawadjaan’s kin neutralized in Sulu



Amid the conduct of focused military operation, troops of the 41st Infantry Battalion encountered more or less 40 Abu Sayyaf Group members under Almujer Yadah, Ben Tattoh, and Apo Mike in Sitio Tubig Pansol, Barangay Langhub, Patikul, Sulu at 11:39am yesterday, September 10, 2019.



Heavy firefight ensued which lasted for 20 minutes, after which, enemies scampered to different directions allowing the troops to overrun the enemy encampment that can accommodate at least 40 individuals.



Additionally, a dead body and one AK47 were also recovered in the encounter site.



Soldiers identified the neutralized terrorist as Nanz Sawadjaan, the younger brother of ASG sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan. He was one of the ASG’s bomb experts who produced the Improvised Explosive Devices used in the recent suicide bombing incidents in Sulu.

The firefight also resulted in the wounding of two soldiers who are currently recuperating at the Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo, Sulu.

“The neutralization of Nanz Sawadjaan is a great loss on the Abu Sayyaf. His demise will debilitate the current strategy employed by the group in creating havoc in the province,” said Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander of Joint Task Force Sulu.



Troops are still conducting pursuit operation to neutralize the fleeing terrorists.

“Our troops remain persistent in tracking down and neutralizing the remaining terrorists in Sulu,” Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said.

“The successful operations of our troops are also attributed to the local community who feeds information, directing our troops to the terrorists’ location,” added Lt. Gen. Sobejana.

Cop hurt in gun attack in Maguindanao town

From MindaNews (Sep 11, 2019): Cop hurt in gun attack in Maguindanao town

KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews / 11 Sept) – A patrolman suffered gunshot wounds when a still unidentified gunman shot him while he was traveling along the highway in Kabacan, North Cotabato around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, reports said.

Authorities identified the victim as Jeniel Malubay Gonzalgo, 30, of Antipas, North Cotabato, and assigned at the 1203rd Regional Mobile Force Battalion 12 (RMFB-12).

Reports said Gonzalgo was driving his Multicab with license plate number 1201-541495 when the gunman, on board a motorcycle, shot him thrice on his upper body while traversing the Pagalungan-Kabacan highway.

The suspects immediately fled towards the northern portion of Pikit, North Cotabato after the shooting.

Bystanders in the area who witnessed the crime brought the victim to a hospital in Pikit. Gonzalo was later transferred to Kidapawan City Hospital.

The victim, who suffered gunshot wounds in his neck and chest, has difficulty thinking as to who the mastermind is, probers said.

Gonzalgo was in civilian clothes when the attack happened.

In another development, unidentified gunmen shot dead a 25-year-old farmer after he harvested his corn produce in his farm at Barangay Tonganon in Carmen, North Cotabato around 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Authorities identified the victim as Edmund Calambro Sabando, of Sitio Malasan, Barangay Tonganon.

Reports from Carmen Police said that Sabando was busy in his farm when one of the two gunmen who were onboard a motorcycle came near and shot him thrice on his head and chest.

The victim died on the spot. The killing shocked his family as they could not think of someone who could be behind the crime or if Sabando has a personal issue with his friends or any of his acquaintances.

The gunmen did not also take Sabando’s belongings, including his motorcycle, reports said.

After the gunmen made sure their target was dead, they immediately exited the area and fled towards unknown direction.

The Carmen PNP said it is still clueless as to the motive and who is behind Sabando’s killing.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/09/cop-hurt-in-gun-attack-in-maguindanao-town/

Troops overrun Abu Sayyaf encampment in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 12, 2019): Troops overrun Abu Sayyaf encampment in Sulu


OVERRRUN. Government troops overrun an encampment of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sitio Tubig Pansol, Barangay Langhub, Patikul, Sulu on Tuesday (Sept. 10, 2019). The encampment, which has foxholes and fortified bunkers, can accommodate some 40 people. (Photo courtesy of WesMinCom)

An Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bomb expert was killed while two soldiers were wounded as troops overran an ASG encampment following a firefight in the hinterlands of Sulu around 11:39 a.m. Tuesday, top military officials said Thursday.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the troops were conducting focused military operation in Sitio Tubig Pansol, Barangay Langhub, Patikul town, when they
clashed with 40 bandits led by ASG leaders Almujer Yadah, Ben Tattoh, and Apo Mike.

Sobejana said the firefight lasted about 20 minutes before the ASG bandits scampered to different directions.

Sobejana said the troops recovered an AK-47 assault rifle and the remains of a slain ASG bandit, who was later identified as Nanz Sawadjaan, the younger brother of ASG sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.
Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, disclosed that Nanz Sawadjaan was one of the ASG’s bomb experts who produced the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) used in the recent suicide bombing incidents in Sulu.
“The neutralization of Nanz Sawadjaan is a great loss on the Abu Sayyaf. His demise will debilitate the current strategy employed by the group in creating havoc in the province (of Sulu),” Vinluan said.

Sobejana did not identify the two wounded soldiers except that they belong to the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion.

Sobejana said they were taken to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Jolo, Sulu for treatment.

He said the troops have launched pursuit operation to neutralize the fleeing ASG bandits.

The United States has listed the ASG as a foreign terrorist organization because of its links with the al-Qaida terror group.

“Our troops remain persistent in tracking down and neutralizing the remaining terrorists in Sulu,” Sobejana said.

“The successful operations of our troops are also attributed to the local community who feeds information, directing our troops to the terrorists’ location,” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080253

Troops storm Sayyaf hideout, kill terror leader’s brother in Sulu

From the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 11, 2019): Troops storm Sayyaf hideout, kill terror leader’s brother in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Government troops captured an Abu Sayyaf hideout after killing the brother of a notorious terrorist commander in a clash that left 2 soldiers wounded in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, the military said late Wednesday.

The Western Mindanao Command said
Nanz Sawadjaan was slain in the hinterland village of Langhub in Patikul town. It said the militant was the brother of Hajan Sawadjaan, whose group was blamed by police and military for the recent suicide attack on an army detachment in the town.




Military photos released to The Zamboanga Post show the Abu Sayyaf hideout and rifle captured by soldiers following a firefight that killed Nanz Sawadjaan, a brother of terrorist leader Hajan Sawadjaan, in Sulu province on September 10, 2019.





The fighting erupted after soldiers from the 41st Infantry Battalion assaulted a hideout of the Abu Sayyaf and clashed with about 40 gunmen under three commanders Almujer Yadah, Ben Tattoh and Apo Mike.

“Heavy firefight ensued which lasted for 20 minutes, after which, enemies scampered to different directions allowing the troops to overrun the enemy encampment that can accommodate at least 40 individuals.”

“A dead body and one AK-47 (assault rifle) were also recovered in the encounter site. Soldiers identified the neutralized terrorist as Nanz Sawadjaan, the younger brother of ASG sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan,” the military said.

The wounded soldiers were brought to the Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in the capital town of Jolo. Their identities were not made public by the military, but it said that “troops are still conducting pursuit operation to neutralize the fleeing terrorists.”

The military also quoted Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, as saying: “Our troops remain persistent in tracking down and neutralizing the remaining terrorists in Sulu. The successful operations of our troops are also attributed to the local community who feeds information, directing our troops to the terrorists’ location.” (Zamboanga Post)

https://mindanaoexaminer.com/troops-storm-sayyaf-hideout-kill-terror-leaders-brother-in-sulu/

RTF-ELCAC X tackles efforts to address causes of insurgencies

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 11, 2019): RTF-ELCAC X tackles efforts to address causes of insurgencies

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) Region X convened in here on Tuesday to tackle efforts to address the root causes of insurgencies and other armed conflicts and threats in Northern Mindanao.

The meeting was presided by Communications Secretary Martin Andanar who is also the region's Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security.

He reiterated that the government is serious in battling the communist insurgency problem – the biggest peace spoiler in the country. Thus, he urged the members of the task force to demonstrate good governance to draw hope and regain the people’s trust.

Andanar said the best solution to the five-decade insurgency problem does not end in military efforts alone. “We are shifting our viewpoint from treating local communist armed conflict as purely military and security concern, to being more symptomatic element deeply-rooted issues needing to be addressed immediately,” he said.

“If we are going to battle for peace, we are going to battle for hunger, poverty, historical injustices social inequality, and lack of insensitivity, among others and it requires collective action where good governance must be at its forefront,” he further said.

The CORDS also urged them and the all Local Task Forces in the region to provide solutions to the causes of conflict.

He said it is the responsibility of all levels of government - national, regional, provincial, highly-urbanized cities, component cities, and municipalities, down to the barangays, to solve and provide solutions to the causes of “conflict, dissent, and unrest.

“With the creation of the local task forces on ELCAC, we hope to empower communities and local constituents to participate in developing a culture of peace so that everyone has ownership of the process and result,” he further added.

The meeting tackled updates from the 12 Lines of Efforts Task Groups; launching of the task forces in Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, and Misamis Occidental; peace and security situation in the region, the regional strategic communications framework for peace and development, and the status of implementation of the Convergence Areas for Peace and Development (CAPDev) – the region’s enabling program for durable peace and development.


Undersecretary Allen Capuyan, Executive Director of the National Task Force-ELCAC National Secretariat, commends the RTF-ELCAC X for its active and intensified efforts on ending local communist armed conflict.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Allen Capuyan, Executive Director of the National Task Force-ELCAC National Secretariat, underscored the importance of the RTF.

"If there’s something I so desired to articulate in this gathering is [that] the next three years is so very, very important. This could be the moment that we should not miss because we have a President that has a strong political will and very popular,” he said.

Capuyan also commended the RTF-ELCAC X for its active and intensified efforts on ending local communist armed conflict.

“I congratulate region most of your templates are being adopted by the national task force,” he added.

The NTF has recently issued a joint memorandum circular providing guidelines on the operationalization of Executive Order No. 70 and most of the instructions of the memo circular have already been complied by the RTF ELCAC X. (APB/PIA10)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1027176

Datu-led armed men in SurSur surrender to authorities, face charges

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 11, 2019): Datu-led armed men in SurSur surrender to authorities, face charges

Armed men led by Jasmen Acevedo alias "Datu Jasmen" have voluntarily surrendered to the authorities.

This was after the conduct of a series of dialogue thru peaceful negotiation with concerned government agencies.

Datu Jasmen's group is composed of lumad residents from Barangay Umalag, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

According to the Philippine Army, the surrenderees are former members of the New People's Army (NPA) who now want to live peacefully in mainstream society.


The group also surrendered with them one M16 rifle, one carbine rifle, three homemade shotguns, and two caliber .45.

Datu Jasmen said, they were forced to use firearms and other weapons as they want to protect their ancestors' lands from the abusive NPAs who showed interest to claim and use it.

To ensure the safety and security of the surenderees, they were brought to the headquarters of the 36th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Dayoan, Tago, Surigao del Sur from the municipality of San Miguel, accompanied by the local officials, policemen, army, and IP leaders who helped in the negotiation.

The warrant of arrest was also formally served to the group, read and explained to them by Police Lieutenant Colonel Allan Macapagal, the deputy provincial director for operation of Police Provincial Office in Surigao del Sur.

The surrenderees were charged for three counts of robbery with homicide based on the warrant of arrest released on December 5, 2012 by presiding Judge Rufo Naragas. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1027005

Parents, teachers back AFP's presence in schools

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 11, 2019): Parents, teachers back AFP's presence in schools (By 3rd Special Forces Battalion, PA)

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- Contrary to the malicious statements of the leftist groups, the schools in the provinces of Agusan and Surigao del Sur have welcomed the 3rd Special Forces (Arrowhead) Battalion (3SFBn) in their school grounds for the conduct of an information drive to the students. Dubbed as “Ugnayan sa Paaralan,” the 3SFBn conducted a symposium to the following schools: Marihatag High School, Antipolo National High School, San Isidro National High School and Cresencio S. Lago High School, all in the municipality of Marihatag held last Sept. 5, 2019.


The discussions focused mainly on nationalism, positive activism, good manners, respect to elders and other values-based topics. The series of 'ugnayan sa paaralan' symposium started since the outbreak of youth activists’ disappearance allegedly caused by the political groups.



Lt. Col. Joey Baybayan, Commanding Officer of the 3SFBN, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the education officials, parents and students for the trust and confidence.

“I am thankful because of the way they look up to us but I think teachers and parents are also our heroes because of their unconditional love. They will do whatever it takes to protect their children. Likewise, we will exhaust all peaceful means to protect them from being recruited by these Communist NPA Terrorists,” Col. Baybayan said.

The 3SFBn’s massive information drive is still ongoing and school partnership and coordination become more frequent as part of the preparatory activities of the upcoming Youth Leadership Summit before the year ends. (Lt. Krisjuper ANdreo Punsalan, 3rd SFBn-CMO/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1027036

310 former rebels to undergo decommissioning process

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 11, 2019): 310 former rebels to undergo decommissioning process (By 3ID DPAO-Philippine Army)

CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz -- A total of 310 former rebels are set to undergo decommissioning process at the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, Philippine Army, headquarters starting September 16.

Major General Dinoh Dolina, Commander of the Army’s 3ID, warmly welcomed the former combatants of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) from eight Peace Development Community (PDC) sites in Western Visayas in a gathering at the 3ID headquarters, September 8.




“With the bold move of the RPA-ABB to make true to its promise to surrender their firearms and took full allegiance to the government, we are seeing that the just and lasting peace in Negros and Panay is within reach. They are now our partners in building a more progressive and developed Region 6,” Dolina said.

As part of the decommissioning process, the former rebels will be at 3ID Headquarters, for two months to undergo training that conforms to military standard.

They will be given government-issued firearms to become Special Civilian Active Auxiliary as another component in the peace and security operations in their respective localities.

The RPA-ABB, currently known as Kapatiran para sa Progresibong Panlipunan, signed a peace agreement with the government in 2000.

While it took almost two decades for it to be realized, it has now been proven that peace is not an elusive dream but rather an achievable vision which can be attained through localized peace talks.

Decommissioning is one of the five components of Clarificatory Implementing Document (CID) to the 2000 Peace Agreement formulated in consultation with the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army – Alex Boncayao Brigade and Kapatiran para sa Progresibong Lipunan (RPMP/RPA/ABB-TPG/KAPATIRAN).


The CID was agreed upon by various national government agencies.

This is a classic example of a successful localized peace talk and a breakthrough to the government’s peace campaign that manifests its sincerity of helping those who took the wrong path but chose to go back to the fold of the law.

KAPATIRAN is composed of members of the former rebel group which separated from the CPP-NPA in 1996 after denouncing Jose Maria Sison’s violent and bloody ideology.

The group entered peace negotiations in 1999 and signed a peace agreement in 2000.

On March 26, a dialogue with the group was initiated by 3ID in the presence of Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Glavez Jr., where the members of the group committed to fulfill the components of the CID specifically the disposition of firearms and forces.


During the dialogue, Veronica Tabara, Chairperson of the KAPATIRAN ensured the full transformation of her members and gave assurance to continue to help the people and the government in attaining genuine peace in their communities, he said.


Meanwhile, Dolina is appealing to the leaders of the other local communist groups in the region to take a cue from the RPA-ABB of talking to their government so that valid issues will be resolved in peaceful ways.

“It has been proven that armed struggle is not the answer to your causes. Denounce your national leaders for they only feed you nothing but misery and poverty while they are living lavish lifestyle in the cities,” he said.

“Lay down your arms, return to the folds of law, talk to your government and be our partners in drawing a common solution of ending violence that affects every Filipino people,” Dolina added. (JBG/Capt. Cenon Pancito III/3ID-DPAO

CPP-NPA-NDF unwelcomed in Malitbog, Bukidnon

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 11, 2019): CPP-NPA-NDF unwelcomed in Malitbog, Bukidnon (By 8th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army)

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon -- A joint resolution declaring the CPP- NPA- NDF and its front organizations as Persona Non Grata and unwelcomed in the Municipality of Malitbog because of their atrocities committed against innocent civilians was adopted and unanimously approved by the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) and Municipal Anti- Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) during its joint meeting held at Malitbog Municipal Hall on 10 September 2019.

The meeting was intended to update local officials on the security situation of the municipality; continuously innovate plans, programs, and projects to address issues raised by the community; and deliver the needed services.

The 8th Infantry Battalion (IB), Philippine Army, attended the meeting and gave updates on the security situation in Malitbog and the army's Community Support Program (CSP) as a tool in addressing the issues exploited by the CNTs to the infiltrated barangay and sitio.

The creation of a task group (TG) to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) to validate and address issues that will be unearthed during CSP immersion was also proposed during the meeting. This TG will be composed of concerned local agencies of the municipality which will closely monitor and facilitate the delivery of services needed by the community.


“We need to form this Task Group because the government has many programs only that they can’t reach the farthest barangays. Through you, we can bring these programs directly to the people," Lieutenant Colonel Illana, 8th IB commander, emphasized on his statement on the formation of the Municipal TG ELCAC.

He further commended the municipality in their sincere protection of their people. “I appreciate the decisions of the Local Officials declaring the CNTs and its organizations Persona non grata in their community,” he said.

The Philippine Army is optimistic that through all stakeholders, local government units, and government agencies working hand-in-hand, we will address the insurgency problem in our communities. To the CPP-NPA terrorists who are still in the mountain ranges of Bukidnon come down and yield to your army, “kami ang sundalo ninyo, tutulungan namin kayong makabalik sa inyong pamilya at komunidad,” Illana added. (8thIB/PIA)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1027211

Tagalog News: ELCAC Task Force binuo sa 3 bayan ng CamNorte

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 11, 2019): Tagalog News: ELCAC Task Force binuo sa 3 bayan ng CamNorte

Featured Image

DAET, Camarines Norte -- Ipinahayag ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ang pagbuo ng Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) sa tatlong bayan sa Camarines Norte upang malaman ang mga isyu at usapin sa insurhensiya sa barangay.

Kabilang sa tatlong bayan na mabibigyan ng ibat-ibang serbisyo mula sa pamahalaan ay ang Labo, Capalonga at Sta. Elena na kasama rin sa Geographical Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) sa lalawigan.

Ayon kay Arnaldo E. Escober, Jr., assistant regional director ng DILG ng rehiyong bikol, batay sa Executive Order No. 70 na ibinaba ni Pangulong Rodrigo R. Duterte, binuo ang Regional Task Force (RTF) sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-ugnayan ng Philippine Army (PA), DILG at National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) sa bawat isa.

Aniya, ang DILG rin ang inatasan na bumuo ng Task Force sa mga probinsya, lungsod, munisipalidad hanggang sa mga barangay.

Dahil dito, ang mga bayan ng Labo, Capalonga at Sta. Elena ay bubuo rin ng Municipal Task Force (MTF) kasunod ng Provincial Task Force (PTF) hanggang sa barangay.

Ayon pa kay Escober, kasama rin sa MTF ang Peace and Order Council at Municipal Development Council na bubuo ng 12 clusters na kaparehas ng ginagawa sa probinsiya at regional level.

Ang importante sa MTF ay makagawa ng mga komitiba tungkol sa Community Support Program na pinalawak at pagpapabutihin ng mga munisipalidad sa mga barangay upang mabigyan ang mga ito ng serbisyo mula sa pamahalaan.

Ayon pa rin kay Escober, ito ay kanilang pagpaplanuhan at direktang kakausapin ang mga barangay upang malaman ang mga isyu at usapin sa kanilang lugar. Sisikapin dn ng DILG na buuin ang mga Barangay Development Councils (BDC) at turuan sila sa tamang pagpaplano sa Barangay Development Process.

Ang barangay ay gagabayan ng DILG para sa maayos na pagpaplano at malaman ang mga pangangailangan ng mga barangay.

Ang lahat ng ito ay tinalakay sa isinagawang unang Regional Convergence for Sustainable Peace 2019 ng PTF-ELCAC na inilunsad sa Camarines Norte sa Sports Complex ng bayan ng Labo kamakailan. (LSM/RBM/ROVillamonte, PIA/Camarines Norte)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1027178

Army bares gains on terrorism, insurgency in CagVal

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 12, 2019): Army bares gains on terrorism, insurgency in CagVal

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Philippine Army officials in Cagayan Valley said they are gaining the war against terrorism and insurgency with the surrender, capture and seizure of various armed personnel and other resources of the New Peoples Army (NPA) in the region.

Lt. Colonel Remigio Dulatre, commanding officer of the army’s 86 Infantry Batallion, 5th Infantry Division, said two NPA communists surrendered in April this year while their armed engagements in May 2019 in Isabela province resulted in the killing of three NPA communists and yielded various firearms, land mines and electronic accessories and subversive materials.
“We are strongly recommending the implementation of Executive Order 70 in creating a task force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) through the provincial level and to further cascade this to the municipal and barangay levels,” he said.


Lt. Colonel Remigio Dulatre, commanding officer of the army’s 86 Infantry Batallion, 5th Infantry Division, informs the media on their different activities in support to Executive Order No. 70. (PIA Photo)

Dulatre made the statement during the recent joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) meeting at the Nueva Vizcaya Pasalubong Center in this town.

He said they are also recommending the declaration of the CPP/NPA-NDF as Persona – Non- Grata within the provincial and municipal legislative councils.

According to Dulatre, they also facilitated quick impact projects funded and implemented by the provincial government in Isabela such as Farm-to-Market Roads (FMRs) , irrigation improvements and other agricultural development projects, among others to help our farmers.

“These projects are badly needed by our villagers and farmers which were then being capitalized by the insurgents when these where not yet put in place,” he said.

Dulatre said voluntary surrender of communist rebels were also realized through massive information campaign in various barangays in Cagayan Valley.

“We continue to collaborate with our partner agencies of the government and other organizations to bring in the necessary services and programs and projects to our distressed barangays so that their poor situation will be improved further towards economic progress,” he added. (MDCT/ALM/BME/PIA 2-Nueva Vizcaya)

PH, SoKor armies boost ties on anti-terrorism, disaster response

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2019): PH, SoKor armies boost ties on anti-terrorism, disaster response



With terrorism incidents on the rise, ranking Philippine Army (PA) and Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) officials saw the need for cooperation and training exchanges on counterterrorism to defeat these threats in the future.

In a meeting on the sidelines of the 11th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC) in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday, PA chief, Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto discussed with ROKA chief-of-staff, Gen. Suh Wook the threat of terrorism and the role of the military in humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR).

Also, both officials agreed that mutual cooperation and exchanges between the two armies must not only be on counterterrorism but HADR as well. Alberto explained during the bilateral meeting that there are foreign terrorists in the Philippines.


“As the role of the PA changes from addressing traditional threats to unconventional ones like terrorism and natural disasters, we open the organization to more mutual cooperation and exchanges with our foreign counterparts. This ensures that we are able to share knowledge with our neighbors as well as improve our capability to better address current threats and prepare for emerging ones,” Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said in a statement Wednesday.

Terrorist groups cross political boundaries in order to reach their goal, giving rise to the need for strong and effective multilateral and multinational cooperation against this threat which is a concern for all the armies in the Indo-Pacific region.

On the other hand, Suh expressed ROKA’s interest to learn from the PA’s experience on civilian and military cooperation during HADR.

Alberto shared the vital role of strong first responders, government agencies and the civilian sector in disaster response.

Suh also discussed the long history of the Philippine and South Korean relations that started when the Army sent its own soldiers in Korea to fight to on their side during the Korean War in the 1950s.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080177

Bounty for Negros cops' killers raised to P7M

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2019): Bounty for Negros cops' killers raised to P7M



LAST RESPECTS. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte pays his last respects to one of the slain police officers as he visits the wake at Camp Lt. Col. Francisco C. Fernandez Jr. in Sibulan, Negros Oriental on July 20, 2019. During his visit, the President honors the four police officers who were killed in an ambush by suspected communist rebels last July 18. (Presidential Photo)

President Rodrigo Duterte has further raised to PHP7 million the bounty for suspects in the killings of four police officers in Negros Oriental last July.
"May promise ako ‘di ba? Six million na. O seven million na ngayon (I made a promise, didn’t I? it’s PHP6 million already. Now, it’s PHP7 million),” Duterte said during a press briefing after the oath-taking of the Malacañang Press Corps, Malacañang Cameramen Association, and Presidential Photojournalists Association in Malacañang on Tuesday night (September10).

“Hanapin talaga ninyo ang totoo. Ang gawain lang ninyo, putulin ninyo ‘yung ulo, ilagay ninyo sa box, ‘yang Styrofoam, lagyan ninyo ng ice, at dalhin mo dito kay magtawag tayo ng press con. (Find the real killers. All you have to do is cut the head, put inside the box, Styrofoam, put some ice and bring it here. I will hold press conference)," he added.

Four intelligence operatives of the police were tortured and killed in Barangay Mabato in Ayungon town on July 18.

Following this, a spate of killings plagued the province, where a total of 13 people were killed, including a lawyer tagged as sympathetic to the New People's Army, a former mayor of Ayungon town, an incumbent councilor and a barangay captain in Canlaon City, a school principal and his sister, and a barangay captain also in Guihulngan City.

PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde had earlier blamed local communist rebels for the series of deaths, as he also cited “a scheme on the part of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA where “they sacrifice their own and then blame government forces for alleged human rights violation."

During the 2019 Outstanding Government Workers Awards rites also at Malacañang on Tuesday, Duterte renewed his order to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to go on “full-scale” attack against the NPA.

He later clarified to the media that his order was equivalent to an “all-out war” against the CPP-NPA listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

“Walang hintuan. Magpalit-palit 'yung isang battalion diyan na walang gamit na wala masyadong kalaban ‘yang ano.. Pagka bone-weary na ang mga sundalo, palit na naman. Tuluy-tuloy. (It will not stop. Each battalion will take turns going after the enemies. If soldiers are already bone-weary, another battalion will take place. It will be relentless)," Duterte told the media.

“At kung maaari, lumaban sila nang husto kasi hindi ako magtanggap ng surrender (And if possible, they should continue fighting because I will not accept surrender),” he added.

Duterte said he went out of his way after he appointed “hard-core communist members” in his Cabinet when he assumed presidency in 2016.

“Then I initiated talks. Dito sila sa (Here in the) Palace. The Tiamzon even. Pumunta sa Davao, nag-dinner kami. Kaibigan. No personal hatred pero hindi kami magkaintindihan (They even went to Davao, we had dinner as friends. No personal hatred but we did not understand each other),” Duterte said.

In November 2017, Duterte terminated the peace talks between the government peace panel and the CPP’s political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF), amid the series of attacks launched by the NPA against government forces and civilians.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080163

All-out-war vs. armed rebels continues: Duterte

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2019): All-out-war vs. armed rebels continues: Duterte



President Rodrigo Duterte. (Presidential Photo)

The all-out-war against armed rebels by the Duterte administration will continue until all members of the New People's Army (NPA) have surrendered, President Rodrigo Duterte said.

"I have ordered the Armed Forces and the police to go attack full-scale. Kung hindi natin maubos ito, sa panahon ko (We’ll see if we can wipe them out in my time). And looking at the political horizon there, kung sinong mag-presidente (regardless of who becomes President), I’m so pessimistic," he said during a speech at the 2019 Outstanding Government Workers Awards rites Tuesday.

Compared to the previous administration's call to war against insurgency, Duterte said his directive to the security forces would be different.

"(In the past) when they are already in hot water, binibitawan sila. Nilalaglag sila. Mismo 'yung mga bunganga diyan sa Congress, nilalaglag sila. Dito sa akin, sige, (They are being dropped. Those mouths in the Congress are pinning them down. As for me, it's fine,) you just do your duty in accordance with law. Ako ang mag-amin sa lahat (I will admit everything). I take full responsibility," he stressed.

"Gusto ko kung maari lang, tapusin ko sa panahon ko (If possible, I want all of this done in my time)," he added.

Duterte lamented that he even went out of his way to resolve the issue with the communists and even appointed hardcore Communist Party of the Philippines members to his Cabinet. This, as he also initiated talks within the very walls of Malacanang.

"The Tiamzon even. Pumunta sa (They came to) Davao, nag-dinner kami. Kaibigan (We had dinner. We were friends). No personal hatred pero hindi kami magkaintindihan (but we did not understand each other)," he shared.

"Sabi mo, hindi (You said there will be no) coalition government. Pero 'yung mga (But the) JASIG (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees), 'yung agreement na previous, 'pag ipasok mo 'yan sa fabric ng national laws natin pati Constitution, parang ang labas coalition talaga (The previous agreement, if you will enter that into the fabric of national laws and even the Constitution, it will really appear as a coalition)," he added, recalling his past exchanges with the couple.

The chief executive said the issue of talking to the communists is almost nil as their leaders are too "ambitious" with their demands.

With the recent brutality and attacks of communists against security forces, Duterte said he was compelled to order an all-out-war against the rebels.

"Kasi nagalit ako kung bakit nilaslas nila 'yung leeg ng pulis (I got made because they slashed the neck of the police officers)," he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080186

AFP, PNP vow relentless efforts to crush NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2019): AFP, PNP vow relentless efforts to crush NPA



AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo (left) and PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac (right). (File photo)

The military and the police on Wednesday vowed to undertake relentless efforts in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte's order to wage an all-out war against the communist terrorist group New People's Army (NPA).

"We are engaging the New People’s Army all out -- employing and utilizing all its resources in a focused, surgical, and deliberate lethal and non-lethal operations towards the decisive defeat of the communist terrorists," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a message to reporters.

He said the AFP is compliant with the directive of the President and the commander-in-chief, who is calling for military and other government agencies to decisively end the NPA threat once and for all.

"The very radical change in government behavior that the President could be referring to is the more potent, deliberate, and concerted action of all agencies of government including the AFP in a whole-of-government manner," Arevalo added.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the order of the President to end the local communist armed conflict will be firm and decisive under the guidance and direction of the national leadership.

"The PNP is honored to play a crucial role in this national undertaking to finally deliver the blessings of sustainable peace, stability and progress to all communities," Banac told reporters when sought for a comment.

He said police operations against the armed components of the communist terrorist movement will be swift and relentless, just as it will be lawful and judicious.

"Every Filipino deserves to live a comfortable life, free from threats of terrorism, violence and oppression," Banac said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080198l

AFP, Mislatel ink deal on telco facilities in military camps

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2019): AFP, Mislatel ink deal on telco facilities in military camps



(PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

Representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company (Mislatel) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) allowing the new telco player to build its communications facilities in military camps and installations.

Maj. Gen. Adrian Sanchez Jr., AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, Electronics, and Information Systems (CEIS), J6; and lawyer Adel Tamano, Mislatel chief administrative officer, signed the MOA at the AFP Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Based on the agreement, the AFP will determine specific locations with its rental value for use of Mislatel in the installation and management of its communications sites without undermining the operations of affected AFP units.


Mislatel is also required to “furnish all equipment, labor, and materials necessary to effect the co-location of its facilities and shoulders all expenses in connection with or incidental to the co-location” and payment of all taxes, permits, licenses, and other charges.

Payment will be made by providing CEIS equipment, upgrade, services, and training to the AFP equivalent to the monetary value of the lease subject to inflation.

"Our MOA with other telcos significantly improved the ICT infrastructure of the AFP and we are optimistic that this opportunity will also bring great benefits to the armed forces," AFP Chief-of-Staff, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr. said.

Mislatel also “guarantees that the devices, equipment, and/or structures installed at the site provided by the AFP shall not be used to obtain classified information” as a measure to prevent electronic espionage.

The Mislatel consortium, which will adopt the name Dito Telecommunity, is composed of Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Udenna Corp, and China Telecom.

It was conferred with the status of new major player in the telecommunications industry by the National Telecommunications Commission on November 19, 2018.

"We at Dito Telecommunity are truly grateful to the AFP for this partnership. The rollout of Dito's towers is indeed one herculean feat. With this partnership with the AFP, we are nearer our goal of building a wide and robust network," Dito president and chief executive officer Dennis Uy said.

The signing was witnessed by retired Maj. Gen. Rodolfo Santiago Jr., chief technology officer of Mislatel and Col. Walter Icaro, chief of the Plans, Policy, Program and Budget Division of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for CEIS, J6.

The MOA was subsequently endorsed by Madrigal for the approval of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

"This partnership gives Mislatel a fair chance to compete with the other networks, given that the AFP also has similar partnership with Globe and Smart," Madrigal said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080228

Ex-Pangasinan guv hurt in ambush

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 11, 2019): Ex-Pangasinan guv hurt in ambush



Former Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. was ambushed while aboard his car. (Photo courtesy of Verna Beltran/Radyo Pilipinas 1 Dagupan)

Former Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. was ambushed by unidentified assailants on Wednesday afternoon.

In a report from Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, said Espino, also former congressman of Pangasinan’s 5th District, sustained injuries while onboard his vehicle when shot by still unidentified suspects around 4:30 p.m at Magtaking, San Carlos City, Pangasinan.

Banac said Espino sustained injuries and was brought to Holy Blessed Family Hospital, San Carlos City, Pangasinan for medical treatment.

He said the motive is yet to be determined as San Carlos police personnel are now conducting dragnet operation for the possible identification and arrest of the suspects.

In an interview, Chief Master Sergeant Edison Zapanta of San Carlos City Police said Espino’s four aides were also wounded and taken to a nearby hospital while a police aide was killed on the spot.

"There were no reports of death threat against Espino so we are still looking into the possible motive of the incident," Zapanta said.

Based on initial investigations of the Scene of the Crime Operatives, he said the assailants used M-14 rifles.