From the Panay News (Oct 1, 2019): AFP urged to ensure ex-RPA-ABB members’ safety
KALIBO, Aklan – Gov. Florencio Miraflores urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to ensure the safety of former members of the Revolutionary Proletariat Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB).
It could be recalled that around 700 former RPA-ABB members across the country met with President Rodrigo Duterte recently at the Philippine Army camp in Jamindan, Capiz. Around 200 of them were Aklanons.
“The former RPA-ABB members have no firearms right now to defend themselves. They have been decommissioned by the government, thus, they are wary of their personal security,” said Miraflores during the third quarter of the Aklan Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting here on Monday.
In 1990s, the RPA-ABB, which served as the sparrow unit of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army, decided to separate from the latter.
In 2000, the RPA-ABB locally known as the “Kapatiran” forged alliance with the government.
“It was the start of the peace process through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process,” Miraflores added.
“The Ibajay town in Aklan is now known all over the country to have a most modern and advanced peace agreement with the RPA-ABB. They now have livelihood, concrete roads and soon a house promised by President Duterte,” said Miraflores.
https://www.panaynews.net/afp-urged-to-ensure-ex-rpa-abb-members-safety/
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Teacher’s is Zambo’s first kidnapping case in 6 years
From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 1, 2019): Teacher’s is Zambo’s first kidnapping case in 6 years
ZAMBOANGA CITY—A teacher first reported missing was confirmed to have been kidnapped, the city’s first kidnapping case in six years.
Maj. Chester Natividad, chief of the city’s police station 4, confirmed the kidnapping after talking with the teacher’s family.
The teacher, Rosina Ejansantos Singua, 58, a public elementary school teachers at the village of Culianan, where she also lives with her family, was first reported missing on Friday, Sept. 27, after her relatives lost contact with her.
On that day, Singua was picked up by a friend, identified only as Ems, to attend a wedding ceremony in Dipolog City, which was eight hours away by bus.
In the evening of Sept. 28, Singua called Sherwin past 9 p.m. to say she had been kidnapped outside a church after attending Mass, according to Major Natividad.
The police officer added that during the call, Singua sought help as her captors were demanding ransom.
After Singua spoke, an unidentified man picked up the phone and warned the family against seeking help from police, according to Natividad’s account of Sherwin’s narration.
The man said another call would be made in four days.
The information provided by the family prompted police to reclassify Singua’s case as kidnapping.
Sherwin reported the case to police despite the warning given by the unidentified man.
Natividad said police are checking passenger manifests of vessels that left for Jolo on Friday and Saturday to determine if Singua had been aboard and possibly brought by her kidnappers to Jolo, a known lair of Abu Sayyaf.
Maj. Arvin John Encinas, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, said all military units in the area had been put on alert for sightings of Singua and her captors.
Maj. Chester Natividad, chief of the city’s police station 4, confirmed the kidnapping after talking with the teacher’s family.
The teacher, Rosina Ejansantos Singua, 58, a public elementary school teachers at the village of Culianan, where she also lives with her family, was first reported missing on Friday, Sept. 27, after her relatives lost contact with her.
On that day, Singua was picked up by a friend, identified only as Ems, to attend a wedding ceremony in Dipolog City, which was eight hours away by bus.
In the evening of Sept. 28, Singua called Sherwin past 9 p.m. to say she had been kidnapped outside a church after attending Mass, according to Major Natividad.
The police officer added that during the call, Singua sought help as her captors were demanding ransom.
After Singua spoke, an unidentified man picked up the phone and warned the family against seeking help from police, according to Natividad’s account of Sherwin’s narration.
The man said another call would be made in four days.
The information provided by the family prompted police to reclassify Singua’s case as kidnapping.
Sherwin reported the case to police despite the warning given by the unidentified man.
Natividad said police are checking passenger manifests of vessels that left for Jolo on Friday and Saturday to determine if Singua had been aboard and possibly brought by her kidnappers to Jolo, a known lair of Abu Sayyaf.
Maj. Arvin John Encinas, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson, said all military units in the area had been put on alert for sightings of Singua and her captors.
AFP sets P12.5-billion Russian arms deal
From the Manila Standard (Oct 1, 2019): AFP sets P12.5-billion Russian arms deal
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is reportedly set to buy 16 Mi-17 medium-lift Russian helicopters worth $14.7 million each as part of its modernization program.
That would be P779 million each at the exchange rate of P53 to $1, or a total of $235.3 million or P12.5 billion.
The purchase will be made to coincide with the scheduled state visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Moscow this week.
“I am hoping and praying that before my remaining three years expire, that all of these things, especially the labeled ‘Horizon Projects’ of yours, will be completed during my term, President Duterte said during the 72nd anniversary of the Philippine Air Force at Villamor Air Base in July.
The President has vowed a full completion of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the balance of his term.
Duterte was not just referring to the modernization of the Air Force. He meant the modernization of the entire Armed Forces including every service and every unit.
The Second Horizon phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program involves P139 billion worth of projects, including the procurement of utility vehicles, drones and other command and control fixed-wing aircraft.
Russia exported over 800 Mi-17s in 2006–2016, according to reports.
The Mi-17 is being marketed by Rosoboron, the marketing arm of the Russian Defense Industry and is being offered to the PAF through a third company, according to sources.
The offer includes not only the 16 units of helicopters but an additional chopper, free-of-charge for a VVIP (very, very important person), the source said.
However, sources within the AFP are concerned about the speed with which the contract is to be closed on the multi-billion-peso contract.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is reportedly set to buy 16 Mi-17 medium-lift Russian helicopters worth $14.7 million each as part of its modernization program.
That would be P779 million each at the exchange rate of P53 to $1, or a total of $235.3 million or P12.5 billion.
The purchase will be made to coincide with the scheduled state visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Moscow this week.
“I am hoping and praying that before my remaining three years expire, that all of these things, especially the labeled ‘Horizon Projects’ of yours, will be completed during my term, President Duterte said during the 72nd anniversary of the Philippine Air Force at Villamor Air Base in July.
The President has vowed a full completion of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the balance of his term.
Duterte was not just referring to the modernization of the Air Force. He meant the modernization of the entire Armed Forces including every service and every unit.
The Second Horizon phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program involves P139 billion worth of projects, including the procurement of utility vehicles, drones and other command and control fixed-wing aircraft.
Russia exported over 800 Mi-17s in 2006–2016, according to reports.
The Mi-17 is being marketed by Rosoboron, the marketing arm of the Russian Defense Industry and is being offered to the PAF through a third company, according to sources.
The offer includes not only the 16 units of helicopters but an additional chopper, free-of-charge for a VVIP (very, very important person), the source said.
However, sources within the AFP are concerned about the speed with which the contract is to be closed on the multi-billion-peso contract.
PH poised to buy 16 Russian choppers; Duterte all set for Moscow visit
From the Manila Bulletin (Sep 30, 2019): PH poised to buy 16 Russian choppers; Duterte all set for Moscow visit
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is poised to buy 16 units of Mi-17 medium-lift Russian helicopters worth $14.7 million each (approximately P779 million) or a total of US$235 million (P12.5 billion) as part of its modernization program as Moscow seeks better trade and defense ties with Manila.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin
(AP / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is poised to buy 16 units of Mi-17 medium-lift Russian helicopters worth $14.7 million each (approximately P779 million) or a total of US$235 million (P12.5 billion) as part of its modernization program as Moscow seeks better trade and defense ties with Manila.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin
(AP / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
This development is in time with President Duterte’s visit to the Russian capital this week in which he is set to meet with his “hero” and counterpart, President Vladimir Putin.
As one of the top priorities of his administration, President Duterte has vowed for the full completion of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the remaining balance of his term.
“I am hoping and praying that before my remaining three years expire, that all of these things, especially the labeled ‘Horizon Projects’ of yours, will be completed during my term,” Duterte said during the 72nd anniversary of the Air Force (PAF) at Villamor Air Base last July.
Duterte was obviously not just referring to the modernization of the PAF but even more on the modernization of the entire armed forces of the country, which includes all the services and units of the AFP.
The so-called Second Horizon phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program involves P139 billion worth of projects, including the procurement of utility vehicles, drones, and other command and control fixed-wing aircraft, among others.
Russia has already exported over 800 Mi-17s for almost a decade, between 2006 to 2016, according to reports.
Sources said the Mi-17 is being marketed by Rosoboron, the marketing arm of the Russian Defense Industry and is being offered to the PAF through a third company.
The package reportedly includes not only the 16 units of choppers but also an additional chopper, free-of-charge, for “VVIP” (very, very important person), the source added.
However, sources within the AFP are concerned about the speed with which the close to P13-billion project is being rushed.
While on an official visit in Russia, Duterte will also speak at the plenary session of the Valdai Forum, the first for a Philippine president on the invitation of the Valdai Discussion Club, a prominent think tank and discussion club in the said country.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine leader will “give his perspective or vision of the world order as it is emerging right now and how this relates to Philippine foreign policy.”
As one of the top priorities of his administration, President Duterte has vowed for the full completion of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the remaining balance of his term.
“I am hoping and praying that before my remaining three years expire, that all of these things, especially the labeled ‘Horizon Projects’ of yours, will be completed during my term,” Duterte said during the 72nd anniversary of the Air Force (PAF) at Villamor Air Base last July.
Duterte was obviously not just referring to the modernization of the PAF but even more on the modernization of the entire armed forces of the country, which includes all the services and units of the AFP.
The so-called Second Horizon phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program involves P139 billion worth of projects, including the procurement of utility vehicles, drones, and other command and control fixed-wing aircraft, among others.
Russia has already exported over 800 Mi-17s for almost a decade, between 2006 to 2016, according to reports.
Sources said the Mi-17 is being marketed by Rosoboron, the marketing arm of the Russian Defense Industry and is being offered to the PAF through a third company.
The package reportedly includes not only the 16 units of choppers but also an additional chopper, free-of-charge, for “VVIP” (very, very important person), the source added.
However, sources within the AFP are concerned about the speed with which the close to P13-billion project is being rushed.
While on an official visit in Russia, Duterte will also speak at the plenary session of the Valdai Forum, the first for a Philippine president on the invitation of the Valdai Discussion Club, a prominent think tank and discussion club in the said country.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine leader will “give his perspective or vision of the world order as it is emerging right now and how this relates to Philippine foreign policy.”
OPAPP: Former revolutionary leaders express solidarity and commitment to peace process as OPAPP celebrates 26th anniversary
Posted to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Website (Sep 30, 2019): Former revolutionary leaders express solidarity and commitment to peace process as OPAPP celebrates 26th anniversary
PASAY CITY -- In a historic moment, former revolutionary leaders, active and retired military officials, along with members of the diplomatic corp and peace advocates gathered here to make a collective call for enduring and sustainable peace throughout the country during the culmination of the National Peace Month celebration and the 26th Anniversary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) on Monday.
The celebration’s highlight was the warm exchange among Moro leaders who had distanced themselves from each other for many decades. Everyone was elated as the distinguished men went up the stage and embraced each other.
History unfolding
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Founding Chairman Nur Misuari, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chair Murad Ebrahim, and former MNLF Chair and Chair of the Bangsamoro People’s National Congress Muslimin Sema shook hands.
“The meeting was indeed historic. What we are seeing here is a reflection of the collective desire of all revolutionary leaders and the government to attain lasting peace in the country. In line with the peace commitment of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, we at the OPAPP will continue to do our best to bridge people, promote understanding and unity all in the name of peace,” Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr.
“It’s a wonderful night that gave us the sign that it is now the time for our deep wounds from all conflicts to heal,” he said.
“Congratulations to everybody, to team OPAPP, and all peacemakers for making the impossible possible,” Galvez added.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who was instrumental in the passage and ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, recognized the agency’s key role in pushing forward the Bangsamoro peace process.
“OPAPP has been an invaluable instrument for peace in the nation. In particular, OPAPP has served and continues to serve a vital purpose in our journey towards genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao,” noted Zubiri, who was the event’s guest of honor.
Meanwhile, MNLF Founding Chair Nur Misuari lauded President Duterte’s strong political will and unwavering commitment to resolve the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao.
“I look forward to the success of our peace process … The President knows how to totally achieve peace. I do believe this is a very opportune time for all of us to join hands to concretize what the President wants to happen very soon (in the peace process),” Misuari said.
For his part, Ebrahim extended his message of peace to the other Moro fronts in Mindanao, a gesture of goodwill that could invaluably contribute to achieving sustainable peace in the island-region.
“We are open, open arms kami, lahat ng grupo iniimbita namin (we are inviting all groups). We also believe that the real success of the peace process is the collective effort of everybody. So kailangan namin ang lahat. We cannot afford to isolate anybody. We need everybody,” Ebrahim said, referring to the ongoing implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which paved the way for the establishment of the BARMM.
Commitment to peace process
Zubiri also praised the resolve of the former combatants to undergo the decommissioning process, acknowledging their difficult decision to lay down their arms and return to mainstream society as peaceful and productive civilians.
“It takes a noble depth of courage to relinquish one’s arms, especially when it might feel tantamount to relinquishing the fight altogether. But it is an act of bravery, to lay down one’s arms in victorious acknowledgement that the future can only be claimed through peaceful cooperation,” Zubiri said.
Leaders of former revolutionary groups in Northern Luzon and in the Visayas also expressed their solidarity with their Moro brothers and sisters, as they reaffirmed their commitment to the peace agreements in their respective organizations signed with the Philippine Government.
Veronica Tabara, leader of the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/ Revolutionary Proletarian Army/ Alex Boncayao Brigade-Tabara Paduano Group, or KAPATIRAN, highlighted the significance of the gathering not only for their group but for all peace stakeholders across the nation.
“Napakahalaga (ng pagtitipon na ito) kasi nakikita ng KAPATIRAN na maganda ang efforts din sa ibang (peace tables) na isulong ang kapayapaan. Very inspiring din, nakakapagbigay-lakas para tuloy-tuloy na itulak iyong gawain para sa kapayapaan,” Tabara said.
(This gathering is very important, because KAPATIRAN is also seeing the good efforts of other peace tables in pursuing peace. It’s also very inspiring, invigorating to continue to push the work for peace.)
In the meantime, Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army elder Leonardo Bon-as was grateful for the major gains achieved in the peace process, while recognizing the tangible results of the peace deal they forged with the government.
“Salamat po sa administration ni President Duterte kasi nakita namin na sincere ang gobyerno katulad ng nangyari sa South,” Bon-as said.
(Thanks to the administration of President Duterte because we saw that the government is sincere, like what happened in the South.)
A call for unity
According to Galvez, the Duterte administration’s goal is to unify the Filipino people and lay the foundations of enduring peace in the country by implementing all signed peace agreement with all revolutionary groups.
“This is our promise; that we will work together as one,” he said.
“From here, it is clear that peace is ultimately about justice, equity, tolerance, harmonious pluralism, and full respect of human life and humanity. It is for all of us and, thus, requires a shared commitment from all of us, as well,” Galvez said.
The peace adviser also enjoined everyone to adhere to the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together,” which was signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyeb as they “hope and seek to achieve the aim of finding a universal peace that all can enjoy in this life.”
“We affirm the belief that all human beings are equal in rights, duties and dignity and commit ourselves to working for God’s call to ‘live together as brothers and sisters’ and ‘to fill the earth and make known the values of goodness, love and peace,” he added.
Among the personalities who attended the event were: His Excellency Koji Haneda, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines; Her Excellency Artemiz Summer, Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines; William Hovland, Deputy Chief of Staff, Independent Decommissioning Body; Secretary Hermogenes Esperon, National Security Adviser; Secretary Rolando Bautista, Department of Social Welfare and Development; Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos; General Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., former Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines; Undersecretary Cesar B. Yano, Defense Operations, Department of National Defense; Emmanuel Herbosa, Chief Executive Officer, Development Bank of the Philippines; Brigadier General Cesar De Mesa, Chief, Peace and Development Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines; Undersecretary Rodolfo Garcia, Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Undersecretary Yusop Jimlani, Presidential Adviser on Local Extremist Group Concerns; Undersecretary Arthur Tabaquero, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs, and; Undersecretary Carim Panumpang, Department of Agrarian Reform.###
https://peace.gov.ph/2019/10/former-revolutionary-leaders-express-solidarity-and-commitment-to-peace-process-as-opapp-celebrates-26th-anniversary/
PASAY CITY -- In a historic moment, former revolutionary leaders, active and retired military officials, along with members of the diplomatic corp and peace advocates gathered here to make a collective call for enduring and sustainable peace throughout the country during the culmination of the National Peace Month celebration and the 26th Anniversary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) on Monday.
The celebration’s highlight was the warm exchange among Moro leaders who had distanced themselves from each other for many decades. Everyone was elated as the distinguished men went up the stage and embraced each other.
History unfolding
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Founding Chairman Nur Misuari, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Interim Chair Murad Ebrahim, and former MNLF Chair and Chair of the Bangsamoro People’s National Congress Muslimin Sema shook hands.
“The meeting was indeed historic. What we are seeing here is a reflection of the collective desire of all revolutionary leaders and the government to attain lasting peace in the country. In line with the peace commitment of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, we at the OPAPP will continue to do our best to bridge people, promote understanding and unity all in the name of peace,” Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr.
“It’s a wonderful night that gave us the sign that it is now the time for our deep wounds from all conflicts to heal,” he said.
“Congratulations to everybody, to team OPAPP, and all peacemakers for making the impossible possible,” Galvez added.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who was instrumental in the passage and ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, recognized the agency’s key role in pushing forward the Bangsamoro peace process.
“OPAPP has been an invaluable instrument for peace in the nation. In particular, OPAPP has served and continues to serve a vital purpose in our journey towards genuine and lasting peace in Mindanao,” noted Zubiri, who was the event’s guest of honor.
Meanwhile, MNLF Founding Chair Nur Misuari lauded President Duterte’s strong political will and unwavering commitment to resolve the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao.
“I look forward to the success of our peace process … The President knows how to totally achieve peace. I do believe this is a very opportune time for all of us to join hands to concretize what the President wants to happen very soon (in the peace process),” Misuari said.
For his part, Ebrahim extended his message of peace to the other Moro fronts in Mindanao, a gesture of goodwill that could invaluably contribute to achieving sustainable peace in the island-region.
“We are open, open arms kami, lahat ng grupo iniimbita namin (we are inviting all groups). We also believe that the real success of the peace process is the collective effort of everybody. So kailangan namin ang lahat. We cannot afford to isolate anybody. We need everybody,” Ebrahim said, referring to the ongoing implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which paved the way for the establishment of the BARMM.
Commitment to peace process
Zubiri also praised the resolve of the former combatants to undergo the decommissioning process, acknowledging their difficult decision to lay down their arms and return to mainstream society as peaceful and productive civilians.
“It takes a noble depth of courage to relinquish one’s arms, especially when it might feel tantamount to relinquishing the fight altogether. But it is an act of bravery, to lay down one’s arms in victorious acknowledgement that the future can only be claimed through peaceful cooperation,” Zubiri said.
Leaders of former revolutionary groups in Northern Luzon and in the Visayas also expressed their solidarity with their Moro brothers and sisters, as they reaffirmed their commitment to the peace agreements in their respective organizations signed with the Philippine Government.
Veronica Tabara, leader of the Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/ Revolutionary Proletarian Army/ Alex Boncayao Brigade-Tabara Paduano Group, or KAPATIRAN, highlighted the significance of the gathering not only for their group but for all peace stakeholders across the nation.
“Napakahalaga (ng pagtitipon na ito) kasi nakikita ng KAPATIRAN na maganda ang efforts din sa ibang (peace tables) na isulong ang kapayapaan. Very inspiring din, nakakapagbigay-lakas para tuloy-tuloy na itulak iyong gawain para sa kapayapaan,” Tabara said.
(This gathering is very important, because KAPATIRAN is also seeing the good efforts of other peace tables in pursuing peace. It’s also very inspiring, invigorating to continue to push the work for peace.)
In the meantime, Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army elder Leonardo Bon-as was grateful for the major gains achieved in the peace process, while recognizing the tangible results of the peace deal they forged with the government.
“Salamat po sa administration ni President Duterte kasi nakita namin na sincere ang gobyerno katulad ng nangyari sa South,” Bon-as said.
(Thanks to the administration of President Duterte because we saw that the government is sincere, like what happened in the South.)
A call for unity
According to Galvez, the Duterte administration’s goal is to unify the Filipino people and lay the foundations of enduring peace in the country by implementing all signed peace agreement with all revolutionary groups.
“This is our promise; that we will work together as one,” he said.
“From here, it is clear that peace is ultimately about justice, equity, tolerance, harmonious pluralism, and full respect of human life and humanity. It is for all of us and, thus, requires a shared commitment from all of us, as well,” Galvez said.
The peace adviser also enjoined everyone to adhere to the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together,” which was signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyeb as they “hope and seek to achieve the aim of finding a universal peace that all can enjoy in this life.”
“We affirm the belief that all human beings are equal in rights, duties and dignity and commit ourselves to working for God’s call to ‘live together as brothers and sisters’ and ‘to fill the earth and make known the values of goodness, love and peace,” he added.
Among the personalities who attended the event were: His Excellency Koji Haneda, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines; Her Excellency Artemiz Summer, Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines; William Hovland, Deputy Chief of Staff, Independent Decommissioning Body; Secretary Hermogenes Esperon, National Security Adviser; Secretary Rolando Bautista, Department of Social Welfare and Development; Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos; General Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., former Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines; Undersecretary Cesar B. Yano, Defense Operations, Department of National Defense; Emmanuel Herbosa, Chief Executive Officer, Development Bank of the Philippines; Brigadier General Cesar De Mesa, Chief, Peace and Development Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines; Undersecretary Rodolfo Garcia, Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Undersecretary Yusop Jimlani, Presidential Adviser on Local Extremist Group Concerns; Undersecretary Arthur Tabaquero, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs, and; Undersecretary Carim Panumpang, Department of Agrarian Reform.###
https://peace.gov.ph/2019/10/former-revolutionary-leaders-express-solidarity-and-commitment-to-peace-process-as-opapp-celebrates-26th-anniversary/
OPAPP: Civic groups, LGUs vow to pursue sustainable peace in Mindanao
Posted to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Website (Sep 30, 2019): Civic groups, LGUs vow to pursue sustainable peace in Mindanao
CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Sustaining peace is a shared responsibility.
This was the central theme during the “Mindanao Peace Forum” organized by the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro East Urban and Eisenhower Fellows Association of the Philippines in line with the celebration of International Day of Peace on Friday.
“[The] peace problem is man-made. Therefore, it can be solved by man. Enough of war and oppression,” Dufel M. Lagrosas, district chairman for Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention of the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro, declared during the forum, which was attended by students, professors, and members of civil society.
Lagrosas said their club will continue to contribute to collective efforts to promote non-violence and sustainable peace initiatives in the country.
He shared Rotary Club members have been providing funding support to peace centers that are carrying out peacebuilding efforts throughout the globe.
Invest in Peace, invest in Mindanao.
Ewin Toh, an Eisenhower Fellow, and past president of the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the need for Mindanao business leaders to invest in peace.
Toh, who talked about the challenges that were confronted by the business community after the 2013 Zamboanga Siege, urged business leaders to be more resilient.
“We have to take a risk. Help bring peace in Mindanao through economic development,” he said.
According to Toh, the economy of Zamboanga was badly hurt following the three-week siege. However, the business community remained steadfast and helped bring the local economy back to its feet.
For Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, all stakeholders in the community must contribute in efforts to bring enduring peace.
“Not just a village, not just a community, the requirement must be deeper and wider,” Moreno said
Gains in the peace process.
In his presentation during the forum, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez said the Duterte Administration is working hard to implement all signed peace agreements with the different revolutionary groups in the country.
Galvez stressed the current leadership would not like to pass on the country’s security problems to the next administration and succeeding generations.
“Truly, we have entered an era where we can achieve meaningful peace that is anchored on sustainable development,” he said.
“After decades of negotiations, the peace agreements we have signed with various fronts are now finally reaching fruition,” Galvez said, noting the recent decommissioning of MILF forces in Mindanao and the Kapatiran, a communist rejectionist group based in the Visayas region.
“These are being realized through the sheer determination and political will of the Duterte Administration to bring about genuine peace and sustainable development across our nation,” Galvez said.
The Presidential Peace Adviser said the country needs more leaders in the key sectors of society such as business, academe, government, youth, and women who will passionately own the peacebuilding efforts as this is a long journey to build the foundation of durable peace in Mindanao.
Galvez said the role of local chief executives is very important in setting up the local environment conducive to dialogue and conflict resolution.
“On our part, we will make sure the platforms will be available for everyone and for every stakeholder who wants to build peace,” he said.
The forum was attended by a total of 225 professionals, businessmen, rotarians, youth leaders, and local chief executives.
Other resource persons include Lt Col Harold Cabunoc, who talked about peacebuilding measures that the military initiated in communinist and Islamic radical infested areas, while Dr. Martin Macasalong of the Office of Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA), discussed the crucial role of the youth in advancing the further peace process in Mindanao. The OBYA is poised to become Bangsamoro Youth Commission leading to the creation of Ministry of Youth Affairs in the newly-established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.###
https://peace.gov.ph/2019/09/civic-groups-lgus-vow-to-pursue-sustainable-peace-in-mindanao/
CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Sustaining peace is a shared responsibility.
This was the central theme during the “Mindanao Peace Forum” organized by the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro East Urban and Eisenhower Fellows Association of the Philippines in line with the celebration of International Day of Peace on Friday.
“[The] peace problem is man-made. Therefore, it can be solved by man. Enough of war and oppression,” Dufel M. Lagrosas, district chairman for Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention of the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro, declared during the forum, which was attended by students, professors, and members of civil society.
Lagrosas said their club will continue to contribute to collective efforts to promote non-violence and sustainable peace initiatives in the country.
He shared Rotary Club members have been providing funding support to peace centers that are carrying out peacebuilding efforts throughout the globe.
Invest in Peace, invest in Mindanao.
Ewin Toh, an Eisenhower Fellow, and past president of the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the need for Mindanao business leaders to invest in peace.
Toh, who talked about the challenges that were confronted by the business community after the 2013 Zamboanga Siege, urged business leaders to be more resilient.
“We have to take a risk. Help bring peace in Mindanao through economic development,” he said.
According to Toh, the economy of Zamboanga was badly hurt following the three-week siege. However, the business community remained steadfast and helped bring the local economy back to its feet.
For Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, all stakeholders in the community must contribute in efforts to bring enduring peace.
“Not just a village, not just a community, the requirement must be deeper and wider,” Moreno said
Gains in the peace process.
In his presentation during the forum, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez said the Duterte Administration is working hard to implement all signed peace agreements with the different revolutionary groups in the country.
Galvez stressed the current leadership would not like to pass on the country’s security problems to the next administration and succeeding generations.
“Truly, we have entered an era where we can achieve meaningful peace that is anchored on sustainable development,” he said.
“After decades of negotiations, the peace agreements we have signed with various fronts are now finally reaching fruition,” Galvez said, noting the recent decommissioning of MILF forces in Mindanao and the Kapatiran, a communist rejectionist group based in the Visayas region.
“These are being realized through the sheer determination and political will of the Duterte Administration to bring about genuine peace and sustainable development across our nation,” Galvez said.
The Presidential Peace Adviser said the country needs more leaders in the key sectors of society such as business, academe, government, youth, and women who will passionately own the peacebuilding efforts as this is a long journey to build the foundation of durable peace in Mindanao.
Galvez said the role of local chief executives is very important in setting up the local environment conducive to dialogue and conflict resolution.
“On our part, we will make sure the platforms will be available for everyone and for every stakeholder who wants to build peace,” he said.
The forum was attended by a total of 225 professionals, businessmen, rotarians, youth leaders, and local chief executives.
Other resource persons include Lt Col Harold Cabunoc, who talked about peacebuilding measures that the military initiated in communinist and Islamic radical infested areas, while Dr. Martin Macasalong of the Office of Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA), discussed the crucial role of the youth in advancing the further peace process in Mindanao. The OBYA is poised to become Bangsamoro Youth Commission leading to the creation of Ministry of Youth Affairs in the newly-established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.###
https://peace.gov.ph/2019/09/civic-groups-lgus-vow-to-pursue-sustainable-peace-in-mindanao/
CPP: Commemorate the 70th year of the 1949 victory of the Chinese revolution
Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 1, 2019): Commemorate the 70th year of the 1949 victory of the Chinese revolution
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) joins the proletariat across the world in marking today the 70th year of the 1949 victory of the Chinese revolution. Seventy years ago to this day, Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Communist Party of China (CPC) declared the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Today, the CPP celebrates the victories of the new democratic and socialist revolution in China from 1949-1976. At the same time, it denounces the bourgeoisification of the CPC since 1976 under revisionist betrayal of the proletariat resulting in the restoration of capitalism in China and leading to the emergence of China as an imperialist power causing grave hardship and oppression to the workers and peasants of China and across the world.
The CPP and the Filipino revolutionary masses have long been inspired by the victories of the Chinese people, especially their valor and glorious victory in their epic protracted people’s war to win national and social liberation against the imperialist powers and their puppet reactionary forces. Equally inspiring are the struggles of the Chinese proletariat and people to carry out and complete land reform (1949-1953) across the vastness of China, as well as their endeavor to wage socialist revolution and build a modern and socialist system from 1953 onwards, and their struggle through cultural revolution (1966-1976) to parry the attempts of the bourgeoisie to seize power within the communist party and state in order to restore the old exploitative and oppressive capitalist system.
The CPP continues to study and draw both positive and negative lessons from the successive people’s democratic and socialist revolutions in China, as well as from the subsequent strategic setbacks suffered by the proletariat and people under the revisionist leadership of Deng Xiaoping (1977-1989) and the retinue of Dengist leadership which led China back to the path of capitalism and eventually monopoly capitalism.
The Party has drawn lessons in waging protracted people’s war in order to build an army from weak and small to big and powerful in order to defeat the imperialist-financed reactionary army. Applying these lessons on the concrete conditions of the country, the CPP has successfully built the New People’s Army (NPA) with a few scores of guerrilla forces in 1969 to a nationwide army of several thousand Red fighters highly-skilled in waging guerrilla warfare. Under the leadership of the CPP, democratic people’s power has been built at the village and higher levels, serving as foundations of the People’s Democratic Government (PDG). The CPP has also successfully established the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) tasked to unite the Filipino people and represent the PDG until its nationwide establishment. Two governments now exist side by side in the Philippines, one more powerful but moribund and reactionary, and the other, now less powerful but increasingly strong and vibrant revolutionary state.
The brilliant victories in transforming China from a backward country to a modern and progressive socialist system inspire the CPP and the Filipino people to determinedly wage revolution in order to end the semicolonial and semifeudal system which has brought grave sufferings to the broad masses of workers, peasants and semiproletariat, and hardships to the petty and national bourgeoisie. Taking agriculture as foundation and industry as the leading factor, China embarked on its first Five Year Program in 1953. The Chinese people heroically unleashed their full power to change the landscape of China. In a few years time, they developed basic industries with steel as the most important branch, built roads, bridges, dams and irrigation facilities, modern agricultural machineries, as well as other machines for mass commodity production. By 1958, China surpassed the most advanced capitalist countries in different fields of industry, as well as in grain production. It was able to produce enough to feed and cloth hundreds of millions of Chinese. Public education and health services were provided free.
The Chinese people became masters of their socialist destiny. Workers became managers of production and carried out scientific experiment and research to improve production. The masses carried out the collectivization of agriculture and built communes where they integrated socialist industry and agriculture, built hospitals and schools, provided food in public kitchens, and provided other services to address the needs of the people and contribute to the overall effort to build socialism. They extended their hand of international proletarian solidarity across the world.
These victories in socialist revolution and construction steeled the determination of the Chinese people to wage even bigger political and economic struggles. For ten years, they waged the great proletarian cultural revolution as a mass democratic undertaking to oppose the ideas and policies which sought to weaken their socialist resolve and cause them to bring down their revolutionary guards.
The CPP considers Mao’s theory of continuing revolution under proletarian dictatorship to consolidate the victories of socialism and prevent the restoration of capitalism, as one of the key contributions to the treasure trove of Marxism-Leninism. This was proven positively by the Chinese people in their ten-year cultural revolution during which China continued to advance and build socialism, and negatively by the subsequent seizure of political power by the revisionist leading to the reversal of socialist policies, and the restoration of capitalism in China. This theory will serve to guide the practice of socialist revolution and construction in the future.
Four decades have passed since the setbacks suffered by the revolutionary proletariat in China. During these years, the masses of workers and peasants suffered from massive capitalist dispossession, their communes and collective farms broken up, their democratic power taken away by the bourgeois state managers, the public schools dismantled to favor private institutions, and other social ills that commonly plague capitalist societies. Bureaucrat capitalists emerged and thrived under the system of state monopoly capitalism, appropriating for themselves the wealth produced by the proletariat and people through years of socialist revolution.
Today, China is one of the leading imperialist powers in the world. It is engaged in export of capital in the form of onerous loans and capital investments. It is engaged in accumulating new spheres of investment and influence and claiming territories for itself. It has built military bases in Africa and in the South China Sea. It is accelerating its production of new aircraft carriers and modern weaponry in preparation for new inter-imperialist wars to redivide the world among themselves as they face extended global capitalist depression.
China is now under the sway of the monopoly capitalists who seek to erase the memories of socialist revolution. In the face of the CPC’s attempt to revise history and distort Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, the CPP considers it a crucial task for the revolutionary proletariat across the world to study the victories of the Chinese people in their national democratic and socialist revolutions, draw lessons and apply these in waging revolutionary struggles in the era of resurgence of socialist revolution.
Long live the 1949 victory of the Chinese people’s revolution! Raise high the banner of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism! Wage national democratic and socialist revolution across the world!
https://cpp.ph/2019/10/01/commemorate-the-70th-year-of-the-1949-victory-of-the-chinese-revolution/
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) joins the proletariat across the world in marking today the 70th year of the 1949 victory of the Chinese revolution. Seventy years ago to this day, Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Communist Party of China (CPC) declared the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Today, the CPP celebrates the victories of the new democratic and socialist revolution in China from 1949-1976. At the same time, it denounces the bourgeoisification of the CPC since 1976 under revisionist betrayal of the proletariat resulting in the restoration of capitalism in China and leading to the emergence of China as an imperialist power causing grave hardship and oppression to the workers and peasants of China and across the world.
The CPP and the Filipino revolutionary masses have long been inspired by the victories of the Chinese people, especially their valor and glorious victory in their epic protracted people’s war to win national and social liberation against the imperialist powers and their puppet reactionary forces. Equally inspiring are the struggles of the Chinese proletariat and people to carry out and complete land reform (1949-1953) across the vastness of China, as well as their endeavor to wage socialist revolution and build a modern and socialist system from 1953 onwards, and their struggle through cultural revolution (1966-1976) to parry the attempts of the bourgeoisie to seize power within the communist party and state in order to restore the old exploitative and oppressive capitalist system.
The CPP continues to study and draw both positive and negative lessons from the successive people’s democratic and socialist revolutions in China, as well as from the subsequent strategic setbacks suffered by the proletariat and people under the revisionist leadership of Deng Xiaoping (1977-1989) and the retinue of Dengist leadership which led China back to the path of capitalism and eventually monopoly capitalism.
The Party has drawn lessons in waging protracted people’s war in order to build an army from weak and small to big and powerful in order to defeat the imperialist-financed reactionary army. Applying these lessons on the concrete conditions of the country, the CPP has successfully built the New People’s Army (NPA) with a few scores of guerrilla forces in 1969 to a nationwide army of several thousand Red fighters highly-skilled in waging guerrilla warfare. Under the leadership of the CPP, democratic people’s power has been built at the village and higher levels, serving as foundations of the People’s Democratic Government (PDG). The CPP has also successfully established the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) tasked to unite the Filipino people and represent the PDG until its nationwide establishment. Two governments now exist side by side in the Philippines, one more powerful but moribund and reactionary, and the other, now less powerful but increasingly strong and vibrant revolutionary state.
The brilliant victories in transforming China from a backward country to a modern and progressive socialist system inspire the CPP and the Filipino people to determinedly wage revolution in order to end the semicolonial and semifeudal system which has brought grave sufferings to the broad masses of workers, peasants and semiproletariat, and hardships to the petty and national bourgeoisie. Taking agriculture as foundation and industry as the leading factor, China embarked on its first Five Year Program in 1953. The Chinese people heroically unleashed their full power to change the landscape of China. In a few years time, they developed basic industries with steel as the most important branch, built roads, bridges, dams and irrigation facilities, modern agricultural machineries, as well as other machines for mass commodity production. By 1958, China surpassed the most advanced capitalist countries in different fields of industry, as well as in grain production. It was able to produce enough to feed and cloth hundreds of millions of Chinese. Public education and health services were provided free.
The Chinese people became masters of their socialist destiny. Workers became managers of production and carried out scientific experiment and research to improve production. The masses carried out the collectivization of agriculture and built communes where they integrated socialist industry and agriculture, built hospitals and schools, provided food in public kitchens, and provided other services to address the needs of the people and contribute to the overall effort to build socialism. They extended their hand of international proletarian solidarity across the world.
These victories in socialist revolution and construction steeled the determination of the Chinese people to wage even bigger political and economic struggles. For ten years, they waged the great proletarian cultural revolution as a mass democratic undertaking to oppose the ideas and policies which sought to weaken their socialist resolve and cause them to bring down their revolutionary guards.
The CPP considers Mao’s theory of continuing revolution under proletarian dictatorship to consolidate the victories of socialism and prevent the restoration of capitalism, as one of the key contributions to the treasure trove of Marxism-Leninism. This was proven positively by the Chinese people in their ten-year cultural revolution during which China continued to advance and build socialism, and negatively by the subsequent seizure of political power by the revisionist leading to the reversal of socialist policies, and the restoration of capitalism in China. This theory will serve to guide the practice of socialist revolution and construction in the future.
Four decades have passed since the setbacks suffered by the revolutionary proletariat in China. During these years, the masses of workers and peasants suffered from massive capitalist dispossession, their communes and collective farms broken up, their democratic power taken away by the bourgeois state managers, the public schools dismantled to favor private institutions, and other social ills that commonly plague capitalist societies. Bureaucrat capitalists emerged and thrived under the system of state monopoly capitalism, appropriating for themselves the wealth produced by the proletariat and people through years of socialist revolution.
Today, China is one of the leading imperialist powers in the world. It is engaged in export of capital in the form of onerous loans and capital investments. It is engaged in accumulating new spheres of investment and influence and claiming territories for itself. It has built military bases in Africa and in the South China Sea. It is accelerating its production of new aircraft carriers and modern weaponry in preparation for new inter-imperialist wars to redivide the world among themselves as they face extended global capitalist depression.
China is now under the sway of the monopoly capitalists who seek to erase the memories of socialist revolution. In the face of the CPC’s attempt to revise history and distort Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, the CPP considers it a crucial task for the revolutionary proletariat across the world to study the victories of the Chinese people in their national democratic and socialist revolutions, draw lessons and apply these in waging revolutionary struggles in the era of resurgence of socialist revolution.
Long live the 1949 victory of the Chinese people’s revolution! Raise high the banner of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism! Wage national democratic and socialist revolution across the world!
https://cpp.ph/2019/10/01/commemorate-the-70th-year-of-the-1949-victory-of-the-chinese-revolution/
AFP-CRS: Army Engineers rescue teenage girl from suicide attempt
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 1, 2019): Army Engineers rescue teenage girl from suicide attempt
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734250759926964/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734250759926964/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
AFP-CRS: IP's on telling world about CPP-NPA: 'We are no longer afraid'
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 1, 2019): IP's on telling world about CPP-NPA: 'We are no longer afraid'
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734237653261608/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734237653261608/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
AFP-CRS: Top NPA leader in Bukidnon killed in clash with government troops
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 1, 2019): Top NPA leader in Bukidnon killed in clash with government troops
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734210433264330/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734210433264330/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
AFP-CRS: Government troops clash with NPA in Samar
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 1, 2019): Government troops clash with NPA in Samar
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734172979934742/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734172979934742/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
AFP-CRS: Maute terrorist nabbed in Batangas
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 1, 2019): Maute terrorist nabbed in Batangas
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734163246602382/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734163246602382/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
AFP-CRS: Statement on Closure of Salugpungan Schools in Davao City (4)
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 1, 2019): Statement on Closure of Salugpungan Schools in Davao City (4)
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734159313269442/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734159313269442/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
AFP-CRS: Statement on Closure of Salugpungan Schools in Davao City (3)
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 1, 2019): Statement on Closure of Salugpungan Schools in Davao City (3)
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734157739936266/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734157739936266/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
AFP-CRS: Statement on Closure of Salugpungan Schools in Davao City (2)
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 1, 2019): Statement on Closure of Salugpungan Schools in Davao City (2)
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734156226603084/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734156226603084/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
AFP-CRS: Statement on Closure of Salugpungan Schools in Davao City
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 1, 2019): Statement on Closure of Salugpungan Schools in Davao City (1)
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734153289936711/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734153289936711/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
AFP-CRS: AFP concludes Joint Exercise DAGIT-PA
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 1, 2019): AFP concludes Joint Exercise DAGIT-PA
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734143353271038/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2734143353271038/?type=3&theater
[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]
Kalinaw News: 3,700 Comval Students Empowered as Peace Months Ends
Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 1, 2019): 3,700 Comval Students Empowered as Peace Months Ends
NABUNTURAN, CVP – A total of 3,784 Student Leaders from 26 Secondary Schools in Comval were engaged by the Youth for Peace Movement Comval over the month as its flagship program named 3rd Comval Campus Peace Symposium (CPS) kickstarted on September 16 to 30, 2019.
The CPS is a month-long in-school drive of the said youth organization under its Youth Development Program that is annually being conducted every September in celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month.
It also serves as a supporting activity to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Order No. 109, which reiterates its declaration of “Schools as Zones of Peace.”
The CPS is designed to gather at least 100 student leaders in a 1-day event in every target School, with 55 Secondary Schools participating all over the Province.
“Some of these target Schools are situated in areas designated as Conflict-Affected, which greatly affect the educational growth of the students and makes them more vulnerable to the recruitment of Lawless Armed Groups,” Mr. Bren Cabatingan, President of YFPM Comval explained.
Some of the Schools that were already implemented with the peace drive are the Awao, Ulip, and Babag National High Schools (NHS) of Monkayo; Mayaon and Camansi NHS of Montevista; Camanlangan and Andap NHS of New Bataan; New Leyte NHS – Masara Extension of Maco; Anitapan and Golden Valley NHS of Mabini; Maragusan NHS of Maragusan; and the National High Schools of Pantukan, Compostela, and Laak.
As a multi-stakeholder activity, the CPS is also conducted in partnership with various peace partners in Comval such as the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU), led by Gov. Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, DepEd, Department of Interior and Local Government Government (DILG), 1001st Infantry Brigade and 66th Infantry Battalion – Philippine Army, Comval Provincial Police Office (CVPPO), and Supreme Student Government (SSG)
With the theme, “Engaging Student Leaders, Empowering Peacebuilders, to Ripple Genuine Peace-building in the Zones of Peace,” CPS aims to inform the students of the different issues and concerns in the country and allow them to suggest possible solutions to these.
One of these issues is the rampant bullying, which the event also aims to address by instilling the values among the students through the topics Spirituality and Sensitivity.
Through lectures and various teambuilding activities, the activity also aims to empower the students as campus peacebuilders, help them discover their leadership potentials, prevent them from joining armed rebel groups, and ignite their vision for a peace zone campus.
Each student participant was also able to write a “Message of Peace” for the members of the New Peoples Army, as a way of encouraging them to go back to their families and live a normal life.
The CPS will continue until October this year and targets to engage more than 5,000 students before it culminates.
[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.
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]
NABUNTURAN, CVP – A total of 3,784 Student Leaders from 26 Secondary Schools in Comval were engaged by the Youth for Peace Movement Comval over the month as its flagship program named 3rd Comval Campus Peace Symposium (CPS) kickstarted on September 16 to 30, 2019.
The CPS is a month-long in-school drive of the said youth organization under its Youth Development Program that is annually being conducted every September in celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month.
It also serves as a supporting activity to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Order No. 109, which reiterates its declaration of “Schools as Zones of Peace.”
The CPS is designed to gather at least 100 student leaders in a 1-day event in every target School, with 55 Secondary Schools participating all over the Province.
“Some of these target Schools are situated in areas designated as Conflict-Affected, which greatly affect the educational growth of the students and makes them more vulnerable to the recruitment of Lawless Armed Groups,” Mr. Bren Cabatingan, President of YFPM Comval explained.
Some of the Schools that were already implemented with the peace drive are the Awao, Ulip, and Babag National High Schools (NHS) of Monkayo; Mayaon and Camansi NHS of Montevista; Camanlangan and Andap NHS of New Bataan; New Leyte NHS – Masara Extension of Maco; Anitapan and Golden Valley NHS of Mabini; Maragusan NHS of Maragusan; and the National High Schools of Pantukan, Compostela, and Laak.
As a multi-stakeholder activity, the CPS is also conducted in partnership with various peace partners in Comval such as the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU), led by Gov. Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, DepEd, Department of Interior and Local Government Government (DILG), 1001st Infantry Brigade and 66th Infantry Battalion – Philippine Army, Comval Provincial Police Office (CVPPO), and Supreme Student Government (SSG)
With the theme, “Engaging Student Leaders, Empowering Peacebuilders, to Ripple Genuine Peace-building in the Zones of Peace,” CPS aims to inform the students of the different issues and concerns in the country and allow them to suggest possible solutions to these.
One of these issues is the rampant bullying, which the event also aims to address by instilling the values among the students through the topics Spirituality and Sensitivity.
Through lectures and various teambuilding activities, the activity also aims to empower the students as campus peacebuilders, help them discover their leadership potentials, prevent them from joining armed rebel groups, and ignite their vision for a peace zone campus.
Each student participant was also able to write a “Message of Peace” for the members of the New Peoples Army, as a way of encouraging them to go back to their families and live a normal life.
The CPS will continue until October this year and targets to engage more than 5,000 students before it culminates.
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]
Kalinaw News: Ex-Militant group members undergo TESDA livelihood training
Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 30, 2019): Ex-Militant group members undergo TESDA livelihood training
Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur—The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the 9th Special Forces (HOUNDS) Company of the 3rd Special Forces (ARROWHEAD) Battalion in coordination with the Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs) of Diatagon and San Isidro, Lianga, Surigao del Sur (SDS) conducted a community based training program on Agricultural Organic Production to forty six (46) former members of the militant group, Kapunungan sa mga Mag-uuma sa Surigao del Sur (KAMASS). The 29-day training formally opened last September 19, 2019 at Mejares Fun Farm, a TESDA Accredited Agricultural school in barangay Banahao, Lianga, SDS.
The former KAMASS members are now active members of Camansi and Agila Peoples’ Organizations. These are the results of the peace and development efforts of the Community Support Program (CSP) which identified their livelihood issues used by militant group, KAMASS, to organize and mobilize them in anti-government demonstrations. Last month, the peoples’ organizations received vegetable seedlings to aid them in their farming. The next phase of trainings will include Abaca Production Technology Technical Training under the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PHILFIDA).
Lieutenant Colonel Joey B Baybayan INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of the 3RD Special Forces (ARROWHEAD) Battalion said that it is better if basic delivery services and social issues are resolved through proper channel such as this.
“Yes there are various issues that affect our communities and these are best resolved through the convergence and synergy between government and the affected community. Front groups of Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) pretend to help those in need by bringing them on the streets to exploit them in demonstrations as a show of force to discredit the government. If they are sincere in addressing the issue, why not bring them to the appropriate and concerned government agencies which can resolve their issues instead of dragging them on the streets and giving them false hopes, “he said.
The Surigao del Sur TESDA office which leads the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) marshals new strategies that ensure better services for communities, as part of the state’s efforts to further promote sustainable and inclusive peace.
Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur—The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the 9th Special Forces (HOUNDS) Company of the 3rd Special Forces (ARROWHEAD) Battalion in coordination with the Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs) of Diatagon and San Isidro, Lianga, Surigao del Sur (SDS) conducted a community based training program on Agricultural Organic Production to forty six (46) former members of the militant group, Kapunungan sa mga Mag-uuma sa Surigao del Sur (KAMASS). The 29-day training formally opened last September 19, 2019 at Mejares Fun Farm, a TESDA Accredited Agricultural school in barangay Banahao, Lianga, SDS.
The former KAMASS members are now active members of Camansi and Agila Peoples’ Organizations. These are the results of the peace and development efforts of the Community Support Program (CSP) which identified their livelihood issues used by militant group, KAMASS, to organize and mobilize them in anti-government demonstrations. Last month, the peoples’ organizations received vegetable seedlings to aid them in their farming. The next phase of trainings will include Abaca Production Technology Technical Training under the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PHILFIDA).
Lieutenant Colonel Joey B Baybayan INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer of the 3RD Special Forces (ARROWHEAD) Battalion said that it is better if basic delivery services and social issues are resolved through proper channel such as this.
“Yes there are various issues that affect our communities and these are best resolved through the convergence and synergy between government and the affected community. Front groups of Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) pretend to help those in need by bringing them on the streets to exploit them in demonstrations as a show of force to discredit the government. If they are sincere in addressing the issue, why not bring them to the appropriate and concerned government agencies which can resolve their issues instead of dragging them on the streets and giving them false hopes, “he said.
The Surigao del Sur TESDA office which leads the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) marshals new strategies that ensure better services for communities, as part of the state’s efforts to further promote sustainable and inclusive peace.
[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.
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]
Contact us: contact@kalinawnews.com]
Philippines files diplomatic protest vs China over ships near Ayungin shoal
From Rappler (Oct 2, 2019): Philippines files diplomatic protest vs China over ships near Ayungin shoal
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr makes the statement after Armed Forces of the Philippine Chief of Staff Noel Clement told senators of the Chinese ships' presence near Ayungin Shoal
DIPLOMATIC PROTEST. Foreign Secretary Teodoro 'Teddyboy' Locsin Jr order a diplomatic protest to be filed against China over Chinese vessels near Ayungin Shoal. Malacañang photo
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr makes the statement after Armed Forces of the Philippine Chief of Staff Noel Clement told senators of the Chinese ships' presence near Ayungin Shoal
DIPLOMATIC PROTEST. Foreign Secretary Teodoro 'Teddyboy' Locsin Jr order a diplomatic protest to be filed against China over Chinese vessels near Ayungin Shoal. Malacañang photo
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr on Wednesday, October 2, ordered the filing of a diplomatic protest against China over the presence of its vessels near Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.
"DFA Philippines fire off another diplomatic protest. Now," Locsin tweeted past midnight on Tuesday.
Locsin made the statement in relation to a BusinessWorld report that newly appointed Armed Forces of the Philippine Chief of Staff Noel Clement told senators of the Chinese ships' presence near Ayungin Shoal.
"The mere presence there, if there is no request for passage prior to that, will have to be reported. Whether it is a violation or not will be up to our Department of Foreign Affairs,” Clement told senators.
Prior to this, Locsin fired off a series of diplomatic protests against China over the presence of its warships and survey ships in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Diplomatic protests against Beijing had also been filed over the presence of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
In September 2019, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said data from Chinese ships' automatic identification system (AIS) showed Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were patrolling Luconia Shoals, Ayungin Shoal, and Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) more frequently as part of its efforts to project power in the maritime area.
While other CCG vessels elsewhere in the South China Sea do not broadcast AIS, the think tank said data showed at least one sip was broadcasting at Second Thomas on 215 days, and from Scarborough for 162 days.
The latest filing is at least the 5th diplomatic protest filed by the Philippines against China this year.
Philippines-China relations have seen a turnaround under the Duterte administration, which has fostered friendlier ties with China by downplaying a decades-long sea dispute in exchange for loans and grants from Beijing.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/241541-philippines-files-diplomatic-protest-vs-china-over-ships-ayungin-shoal
"DFA Philippines fire off another diplomatic protest. Now," Locsin tweeted past midnight on Tuesday.
Locsin made the statement in relation to a BusinessWorld report that newly appointed Armed Forces of the Philippine Chief of Staff Noel Clement told senators of the Chinese ships' presence near Ayungin Shoal.
"The mere presence there, if there is no request for passage prior to that, will have to be reported. Whether it is a violation or not will be up to our Department of Foreign Affairs,” Clement told senators.
Prior to this, Locsin fired off a series of diplomatic protests against China over the presence of its warships and survey ships in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Diplomatic protests against Beijing had also been filed over the presence of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
In September 2019, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said data from Chinese ships' automatic identification system (AIS) showed Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were patrolling Luconia Shoals, Ayungin Shoal, and Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) more frequently as part of its efforts to project power in the maritime area.
While other CCG vessels elsewhere in the South China Sea do not broadcast AIS, the think tank said data showed at least one sip was broadcasting at Second Thomas on 215 days, and from Scarborough for 162 days.
The latest filing is at least the 5th diplomatic protest filed by the Philippines against China this year.
Philippines-China relations have seen a turnaround under the Duterte administration, which has fostered friendlier ties with China by downplaying a decades-long sea dispute in exchange for loans and grants from Beijing.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/241541-philippines-files-diplomatic-protest-vs-china-over-ships-ayungin-shoal
NPA leader slain in clash with soldiers
From the Mindanao Times (Oct 2, 2019): NPA leader slain in clash with soldiers
A leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a gunfight with soldiers of the 88th Infantry Battalion in Bukidnon on Saturday.
Capt. Ryan Layug, the Civil-Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, said the intensified offensive combat operations were conducted following the recent instruction of President Duterte to the AFP to crush the NPA.
The fatality was identified as Joven Manggatawan alias Amana. The gunfight transpired in the forested area in Sitio Bangkalawan, Barangay Lumintao, Quezon, Bukidnon around 9:30 a.m. on September 28.
He was said to be the leader of Sentro de Grabidad platoon of CPP-NPA’s Company Thunder, Subregional Command 2 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee terrorizing southern Bukidnon areas.
“This NPA group made earlier claims of being responsible for attacks and atrocities on civilian farm compounds and destruction of civilian-owned equipment in southern Bukidnon,” He said.
Brig. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, said, “We have exhausted ways to reach out to the NPA as we tried to convince them to return to the folds of law and live a peaceful life with their families.”
“We have so far convinced 110 regular NPAs but there are still those who opted to remain. They would have to face the might of the military,” de Leon said.
“While we extend our hands to offer peace, we are also duty-bound to use sufficient military force against those who continue to terrorize civilians and destroy civilian properties,” he said, adding that “The constitution mandates the AFP to protect the people, and we will not remiss with that mandate.”
Also, Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said the NPA leaders must be prosecuted in courts for violating the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which is punishable under Republic Act 9851.
Gacal said the victims must be indemnified by the CPP-NPA. “The NDF must investigate and explain to the public why the NPA keeps on attacking civilians,” he added.
Accordingly, the fleeing NPAs left behind one M16 rifle; two anti-personnel mines banned by the Ottawa Conventions; one rifle grenade; two ammunition magazines for M16 rifle; one ammunition magazine for AK47 rifle; one Baofeng brand commercial radio; six 20-liter water containers filled with rice grain; assorted personal belongings and subversive documents.
http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/10/02/npa-leader-slain-in-clash-with-soldiers/
A leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in a gunfight with soldiers of the 88th Infantry Battalion in Bukidnon on Saturday.
Capt. Ryan Layug, the Civil-Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, said the intensified offensive combat operations were conducted following the recent instruction of President Duterte to the AFP to crush the NPA.
The fatality was identified as Joven Manggatawan alias Amana. The gunfight transpired in the forested area in Sitio Bangkalawan, Barangay Lumintao, Quezon, Bukidnon around 9:30 a.m. on September 28.
He was said to be the leader of Sentro de Grabidad platoon of CPP-NPA’s Company Thunder, Subregional Command 2 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee terrorizing southern Bukidnon areas.
“This NPA group made earlier claims of being responsible for attacks and atrocities on civilian farm compounds and destruction of civilian-owned equipment in southern Bukidnon,” He said.
Brig. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, said, “We have exhausted ways to reach out to the NPA as we tried to convince them to return to the folds of law and live a peaceful life with their families.”
“We have so far convinced 110 regular NPAs but there are still those who opted to remain. They would have to face the might of the military,” de Leon said.
“While we extend our hands to offer peace, we are also duty-bound to use sufficient military force against those who continue to terrorize civilians and destroy civilian properties,” he said, adding that “The constitution mandates the AFP to protect the people, and we will not remiss with that mandate.”
Also, Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said the NPA leaders must be prosecuted in courts for violating the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which is punishable under Republic Act 9851.
Gacal said the victims must be indemnified by the CPP-NPA. “The NDF must investigate and explain to the public why the NPA keeps on attacking civilians,” he added.
Accordingly, the fleeing NPAs left behind one M16 rifle; two anti-personnel mines banned by the Ottawa Conventions; one rifle grenade; two ammunition magazines for M16 rifle; one ammunition magazine for AK47 rifle; one Baofeng brand commercial radio; six 20-liter water containers filled with rice grain; assorted personal belongings and subversive documents.
http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/10/02/npa-leader-slain-in-clash-with-soldiers/
Student dead, 1 hurt in military detachment attack
From the Sun Star-Zamboanga (Oct 1, 2019): Student dead, 1 hurt in military detachment attack
A SOLDIER was wounded and a college student was killed when the latter staged a "juramentado-like" attack on a military detachment in Sulu, a top military official said Tuesday, October 1.
Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the attack happened around 12:45 p.m. Monday, September 30, at the detachment in Kilometer 3 in the village of Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu.
Vinluan identified the attacker, based on school records they recovered, as Fersauidi Arabani, a sophomore student of the Mindanao State University-Sulu who was taking up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
He said the injured soldier belongs to the Army's 35th Infantry Battalion of the 11th Infantry Division.
Vinluan said the soldiers on duty exerted all effort to control the attacker, but the student continued to attack them while shouting "Allahu Akbar."
He said one soldier on duty suffered a minor wound on his right cheek after he successfully evaded Arabani.
He said the companion of the wounded soldier shot Arabani, who died instantaneously, after the failed attack.
He said the police recovered from Arabani a sachet of substance believed to be shabu and a bolo.
Vinluan was saddened by the incident but said it will not prevent them from conducting checkpoints and other lawful efforts to protect the peace-loving Tausug community.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1825653
A SOLDIER was wounded and a college student was killed when the latter staged a "juramentado-like" attack on a military detachment in Sulu, a top military official said Tuesday, October 1.
Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said the attack happened around 12:45 p.m. Monday, September 30, at the detachment in Kilometer 3 in the village of Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu.
Vinluan identified the attacker, based on school records they recovered, as Fersauidi Arabani, a sophomore student of the Mindanao State University-Sulu who was taking up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
He said the injured soldier belongs to the Army's 35th Infantry Battalion of the 11th Infantry Division.
Vinluan said the soldiers on duty exerted all effort to control the attacker, but the student continued to attack them while shouting "Allahu Akbar."
He said one soldier on duty suffered a minor wound on his right cheek after he successfully evaded Arabani.
He said the companion of the wounded soldier shot Arabani, who died instantaneously, after the failed attack.
He said the police recovered from Arabani a sachet of substance believed to be shabu and a bolo.
Vinluan was saddened by the incident but said it will not prevent them from conducting checkpoints and other lawful efforts to protect the peace-loving Tausug community.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1825653
AgNor town, Army partner in delivering social services
From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 1, 2019): AgNor town, Army partner in delivering social services (By 23IB Philippine Army)
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte -- The 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army in partnership with the local government unit of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, conducted recently an outreach program to the Higaonon tribe in Sitio Bokbokon, Brgy Lawan-lawan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte with the theme, “Panguyamo para ho kalandag daw kalambuan (Caring for peace and development).”
The activity aims to deliver social services to the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas of the said municipality. The services provided are free registration of Certificate of Live Birth; Marriage, Death, Delayed, Senior Citizen Registration; Philhealth membership; free medical consultation; tooth extraction; circumcision; haircut; distribution of free medicines, dental kits, used clothing, food packs, slippers, free ice cream, and snacks. It also included the awarding of sprayer item to the tribal leaders and tree planting activity.
More than 300 leaders and members of the Higaonon Tribe under the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) 118 benefitted from the said activity.
Datu Ronald S. Manhumosay, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Las Nieves extended his gratitude to the efforts of the local government unit and the 23IB for bringing social services to the IP community. "We are thankful to the government and the 23IB for giving importance to the IP community by providing and bringing basic social services closer to us and for maintaining peace in our community. We will support them in ending insurgency problem,” said Manhumusay.
"We created LENYCARES to bring the services of the government closer to the people. This is the result of our continuous efforts with the 23rd Infantry Battalion in eliminating insurgency in the locality. Moreover, this is our way of implementing Executive Order Number 70 or the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace,” said Las Nieves Mayor Avelina Rosales. (1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang, CMO Officer, 23IB, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte -- The 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army in partnership with the local government unit of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, conducted recently an outreach program to the Higaonon tribe in Sitio Bokbokon, Brgy Lawan-lawan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte with the theme, “Panguyamo para ho kalandag daw kalambuan (Caring for peace and development).”
The activity aims to deliver social services to the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas of the said municipality. The services provided are free registration of Certificate of Live Birth; Marriage, Death, Delayed, Senior Citizen Registration; Philhealth membership; free medical consultation; tooth extraction; circumcision; haircut; distribution of free medicines, dental kits, used clothing, food packs, slippers, free ice cream, and snacks. It also included the awarding of sprayer item to the tribal leaders and tree planting activity.
More than 300 leaders and members of the Higaonon Tribe under the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) 118 benefitted from the said activity.
Datu Ronald S. Manhumosay, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Las Nieves extended his gratitude to the efforts of the local government unit and the 23IB for bringing social services to the IP community. "We are thankful to the government and the 23IB for giving importance to the IP community by providing and bringing basic social services closer to us and for maintaining peace in our community. We will support them in ending insurgency problem,” said Manhumusay.
"We created LENYCARES to bring the services of the government closer to the people. This is the result of our continuous efforts with the 23rd Infantry Battalion in eliminating insurgency in the locality. Moreover, this is our way of implementing Executive Order Number 70 or the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace,” said Las Nieves Mayor Avelina Rosales. (1Lt. Roel T. Maglalang, CMO Officer, 23IB, PA/PIA Agusan del Norte)
28 NPAs, supporters in Tandag give up arms
From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 1, 2019): 28 NPAs, supporters in Tandag give up arms
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- A total of 28 Communist New People's Army terrorists (CNTs) composed of regular members, Milisya ng Bayan affiliates, and mass supporters voluntarily surrendered to the Community Support Program (CSP) team of the 36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion (36IB) in Sitio Banahao, Barangay Maitum, this city on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, an army official confirmed.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur -- A total of 28 Communist New People's Army terrorists (CNTs) composed of regular members, Milisya ng Bayan affiliates, and mass supporters voluntarily surrendered to the Community Support Program (CSP) team of the 36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion (36IB) in Sitio Banahao, Barangay Maitum, this city on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, an army official confirmed.
According to 36IB Civil-Military Operation Officer Lt. Jonald Romorosa, the said surrenderees are all residents of Sitio Banahao. Romorosa claimed that the CNTs manipulated the IP community of their ideology and propaganda.
"The CSP team unmasked the propaganda and deceptive strategy of the CNTs on the ground, through the immersion efforts of the troops," said Romorosa.
Alias Lim, a former Squad Leader of Squad 2, Platoon 2 of the weakened Guerilla Front 30, said he suffered so much hardship from the organization (CNTs). He then called for the CNTs to stop the propaganda to their community. He also urged them to lay down their arms and abandon their futile struggle against the government.
Meanwhile, 36IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the mass surrender in Surigao del Sur is the result of the military’s relentless combat operation against the CNTs and the immersion of the CSP Teams to the CNT-affected areas.
“The CNT operating in the province of Surigao del Sur is on the verge of collapse as they are continuously losing mass base support. We are expecting more to surrender from this development where the community started to realize the CNTs' deception and their futile armed struggle,” said Lt. Col. Trinidad. (With a report from 36IB-CMO/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
"The CSP team unmasked the propaganda and deceptive strategy of the CNTs on the ground, through the immersion efforts of the troops," said Romorosa.
Alias Lim, a former Squad Leader of Squad 2, Platoon 2 of the weakened Guerilla Front 30, said he suffered so much hardship from the organization (CNTs). He then called for the CNTs to stop the propaganda to their community. He also urged them to lay down their arms and abandon their futile struggle against the government.
Meanwhile, 36IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the mass surrender in Surigao del Sur is the result of the military’s relentless combat operation against the CNTs and the immersion of the CSP Teams to the CNT-affected areas.
“The CNT operating in the province of Surigao del Sur is on the verge of collapse as they are continuously losing mass base support. We are expecting more to surrender from this development where the community started to realize the CNTs' deception and their futile armed struggle,” said Lt. Col. Trinidad. (With a report from 36IB-CMO/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Tagalog News: AFP Joint Exercise 'Dagat Langit Lupa' isinagawa sa Palawan
From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 1, 2019): Tagalog News: AFP Joint Exercise 'Dagat Langit Lupa' isinagawa sa Palawan
Scenario sa isinagawang AJEX DAGIT-PA 03-19 sa pagitan ng Philippine Navy at Philippine Air Force sa Palawan kamakailan kung saan tinutugunan ang mga banta sa karagatan tulad ng 'sea jacking', pamimirata at human trafficking. (larawan mula sa Naval Forces West)
PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan -- Isinagawa ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Exercise Dagat Langit Lupa o ‘AJEX DAGIT-PA 03-19’ kamakailan sa Lungsod ng Puerto Princesa at ilang bahagi ng lalawigan ng Palawan.
Dito ay sinanay ang mga tauhan ng Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas mula sa Naval Forcest West (NAVFORWEST) at Hukbong Panghimpapawid ng Pilipinas mula sa Tactical Operation Wing West (TOW West) upang palakasin ang kakayahan ng mga ito sa paglaban sa mga bantang pandagat, panlupa at panghimpapawid.
Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng AFP Joint Exercise Dagat Langit Lupa o ‘AJEX DAGIT-PA 03-19’ na isinagawa kamakailan sa Lungsod ng Puerto Princesa at ilang bahagi ng lalawigan ng Palawan.
Ayon sa press release ng Navforwest, ang nasabing pagsasanay ay kinapalooban ng kaalaman sa pagmamasid, pagsusubaybay at pagmamatyag sa dagat, lupa o sa himpapawid man.
Kasama rin sa pagsasanay ang search and rescue operation kung saan ang scenario ay ang pagbagsak ng isang eroplano na kailangang hanapin at iligtas ang piloto nito.
Maging ang pag-protekta sa Gas Oil Platform (GOPLAT) sa Malampaya area ay kasama sa pagsasanay.
Ang pinag-isang pagsasanay na ito ay taunang isinasagawa ng Hukbong Sandatahan ng Pilipinas sa kanyang mga sangay tulad ng Hukbong Panghimpapawid (Philippine Air Force), Hukbong Dagat (Philippine Navy), at Hukbong Katihan (Philippine Army).
Ginamit din sa pagsasanay ang tatlong FA-50 fighter jets ng PAF. Bahagi ito ng 12 FA-50 fighter jets ng Pilipinas mula sa bansang Korea.
Hangad din ng pagsasanay na ito na mas mapaigting pa ang maritime security ng lalawigan ng Palawan. (OCJ/PIA4B-Palawan)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1027737
PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan -- Isinagawa ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Exercise Dagat Langit Lupa o ‘AJEX DAGIT-PA 03-19’ kamakailan sa Lungsod ng Puerto Princesa at ilang bahagi ng lalawigan ng Palawan.
Dito ay sinanay ang mga tauhan ng Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas mula sa Naval Forcest West (NAVFORWEST) at Hukbong Panghimpapawid ng Pilipinas mula sa Tactical Operation Wing West (TOW West) upang palakasin ang kakayahan ng mga ito sa paglaban sa mga bantang pandagat, panlupa at panghimpapawid.
Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng AFP Joint Exercise Dagat Langit Lupa o ‘AJEX DAGIT-PA 03-19’ na isinagawa kamakailan sa Lungsod ng Puerto Princesa at ilang bahagi ng lalawigan ng Palawan.
Ayon sa press release ng Navforwest, ang nasabing pagsasanay ay kinapalooban ng kaalaman sa pagmamasid, pagsusubaybay at pagmamatyag sa dagat, lupa o sa himpapawid man.
Kasama rin sa pagsasanay ang search and rescue operation kung saan ang scenario ay ang pagbagsak ng isang eroplano na kailangang hanapin at iligtas ang piloto nito.
Maging ang pag-protekta sa Gas Oil Platform (GOPLAT) sa Malampaya area ay kasama sa pagsasanay.
Ang pinag-isang pagsasanay na ito ay taunang isinasagawa ng Hukbong Sandatahan ng Pilipinas sa kanyang mga sangay tulad ng Hukbong Panghimpapawid (Philippine Air Force), Hukbong Dagat (Philippine Navy), at Hukbong Katihan (Philippine Army).
Ginamit din sa pagsasanay ang tatlong FA-50 fighter jets ng PAF. Bahagi ito ng 12 FA-50 fighter jets ng Pilipinas mula sa bansang Korea.
Hangad din ng pagsasanay na ito na mas mapaigting pa ang maritime security ng lalawigan ng Palawan. (OCJ/PIA4B-Palawan)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1027737
7 cadets, 2 docs face raps over Dormitorio's death
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 1, 2019): 7 cadets, 2 docs face raps over Dormitorio's death
BAGUIO CITY -- The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) on Monday said it is ready to file criminal charges against seven cadets of the Philippine Military Academy and two doctors of the PMA Station Hospital (PMASH), who were tagged in the death of cadet fourth class Darwin Dormitorio on September 18.
BCPO chief, Col. Allen Rae Co, identified the seven cadets who will be charged with violation of the anti-hazing law and murder as Cadet First Class (C1CL) Axl Rey Sanopao, C3CL Shalimar Imperial, C3CL Felix Lumbag Jr., C2CL Christian Zacarias, C3CL Julius Carlo Tadena, C3CL Volante and C3CL Manalo.
Co did not reveal the first names of the last two caders.
Meanwhile, Capt. Flor Apple Apostol and Major Ofelia Beloy, who gave a wrong diagnosis on cadet Dormitorio, will also be sued for criminal negligence.
“Hindi siya na-diagnose nang mabuti (he was not properly diagnosed) [referring to Dormitorio] especially on the September 17 hospitalization,” said Co.
He said the continuing investigation allowed them to weave together the testimony of the 18 people - 14 cadets and four officials, which woven together led them to the conclusion and identification of several other suspects.
Co said they are still waiting for Dexter, the eldest brother of the deceased Dormitorio, who will represent the family as private complainants in the case.
“The family assured me that they will be here (in Baguio City) later in the week. We are ready to file the case,” the city director said.
Co also said the family is well informed of every development in the ongoing investigation pertaining to their kin’s death.
From an initial three names as suspects, two more were added on September 26. Another one was added on September 27 and another name was added over the weekend.
Co said base on the pieces of evidence gathered by investigators both cases- violation of the anti-hazing law and murder, were established.
“We will file both for the seven cadets and we will leave the determination of the actual case that will be elevated to the court to the prosecutor’s office that determines probable cause,” he said.
In an earlier interview, Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) Regional Director Israel Ephraim Dickson said they were ordered to conduct a thorough investigation and assure an airtight case against the suspects for the family to receive justice for the death of a member.
Dickson said the BCPO investigators with the direct supervision of the city director have been “burning lashes” studying and discussing the case to make sure that no stones are left unturned.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081845
BAGUIO CITY -- The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) on Monday said it is ready to file criminal charges against seven cadets of the Philippine Military Academy and two doctors of the PMA Station Hospital (PMASH), who were tagged in the death of cadet fourth class Darwin Dormitorio on September 18.
BCPO chief, Col. Allen Rae Co, identified the seven cadets who will be charged with violation of the anti-hazing law and murder as Cadet First Class (C1CL) Axl Rey Sanopao, C3CL Shalimar Imperial, C3CL Felix Lumbag Jr., C2CL Christian Zacarias, C3CL Julius Carlo Tadena, C3CL Volante and C3CL Manalo.
Co did not reveal the first names of the last two caders.
Meanwhile, Capt. Flor Apple Apostol and Major Ofelia Beloy, who gave a wrong diagnosis on cadet Dormitorio, will also be sued for criminal negligence.
“Hindi siya na-diagnose nang mabuti (he was not properly diagnosed) [referring to Dormitorio] especially on the September 17 hospitalization,” said Co.
He said the continuing investigation allowed them to weave together the testimony of the 18 people - 14 cadets and four officials, which woven together led them to the conclusion and identification of several other suspects.
Co said they are still waiting for Dexter, the eldest brother of the deceased Dormitorio, who will represent the family as private complainants in the case.
“The family assured me that they will be here (in Baguio City) later in the week. We are ready to file the case,” the city director said.
Co also said the family is well informed of every development in the ongoing investigation pertaining to their kin’s death.
From an initial three names as suspects, two more were added on September 26. Another one was added on September 27 and another name was added over the weekend.
Co said base on the pieces of evidence gathered by investigators both cases- violation of the anti-hazing law and murder, were established.
“We will file both for the seven cadets and we will leave the determination of the actual case that will be elevated to the court to the prosecutor’s office that determines probable cause,” he said.
In an earlier interview, Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) Regional Director Israel Ephraim Dickson said they were ordered to conduct a thorough investigation and assure an airtight case against the suspects for the family to receive justice for the death of a member.
Dickson said the BCPO investigators with the direct supervision of the city director have been “burning lashes” studying and discussing the case to make sure that no stones are left unturned.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081845
Army seizes firearms after clash with NPA in Leyte
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 1, 2019): Army seizes firearms after clash with NPA in Leyte
LEYTE'S ARMY. Soldiers of the 93rd Infantry Battalion based in Kananga, Leyte. On Monday (Sept. 30. 2019), the unit clashed with the New People's Army rebels in Carigara, Leyte leading to the recovery of firearms. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army 93IB)
LEYTE'S ARMY. Soldiers of the 93rd Infantry Battalion based in Kananga, Leyte. On Monday (Sept. 30. 2019), the unit clashed with the New People's Army rebels in Carigara, Leyte leading to the recovery of firearms. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army 93IB)
The Philippine Army has recovered high-powered firearms from the New People’s Army (NPA) after a 10-minute clash with remaining members of the communist terrorist group in an upland Caghalo village in Carigara, Leyte on Monday.
Acting on reports from villagers, government troops intensified their combat operations in the upland areas of Carigara town where remnants of communist terrorist groups were sighted last week.
Lt. Col. Roberto Beatisula, commander of the Philippine Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion (93IB) said in a statement issued Tuesday there was no casualty on the government side.
Operating troops are still pursuing the NPA members who fled from the site with their wounded comrades.
Soldiers seized an M16 rifle, two M1 Garand rifles, two M1 carbine rifles, an improvised shotgun, a hand grenade, an improvised explosive device, bandolier with magazines for M16 rifles and carbine rifle, and some personal belongings of rebels.
“We have monitored the NPA presence in the area with the help of the populace. This indicates that our people have enough of the NPA’s terrorism and want to have peace in their communities. Their disgust led them to report NPA terrorist presence in their villages,” Beatisula said.
Based in Kananga, Leyte, the military activated the 93IB last year to reinforce military units in the more aggressive fight against communist rebels in the region. The battalion, considered as one of the Army’s elite forces, is composed of well-trained army officers and enlisted military personnel.
The military unit is just one of the 10 new battalions created nationwide as announced by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to augment the existing government forces in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.
Brig. Gen. Lope Dagoy, commander of Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, urged remaining rebels to leave the communist group since they’re not getting support from communities.
“This encounter speaks of the Army's commitment to end the insurgency here in Leyte. These communists have no place in the peace-loving people of Carigara,” Dagoy said.
He asks rebels to heed the call of the communities, lay down their arms and avail of the enhanced comprehensive local integration program of the government or die in combat.
“For those who are wounded due to this encounter, you have a choice, surrender, or die alone. I am sure your comrades have left you as they fled the area. The government is extending its hand for you to return to the folds of the law, it is not too late for you to go back and be with your family,” Dagoy added.
The Communist Party of the Philippines NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union. The communist rebels have been battling government forces for 50 years. The communist rebellion in the Philippines is one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081901
Acting on reports from villagers, government troops intensified their combat operations in the upland areas of Carigara town where remnants of communist terrorist groups were sighted last week.
Lt. Col. Roberto Beatisula, commander of the Philippine Army’s 93rd Infantry Battalion (93IB) said in a statement issued Tuesday there was no casualty on the government side.
Operating troops are still pursuing the NPA members who fled from the site with their wounded comrades.
Soldiers seized an M16 rifle, two M1 Garand rifles, two M1 carbine rifles, an improvised shotgun, a hand grenade, an improvised explosive device, bandolier with magazines for M16 rifles and carbine rifle, and some personal belongings of rebels.
“We have monitored the NPA presence in the area with the help of the populace. This indicates that our people have enough of the NPA’s terrorism and want to have peace in their communities. Their disgust led them to report NPA terrorist presence in their villages,” Beatisula said.
Based in Kananga, Leyte, the military activated the 93IB last year to reinforce military units in the more aggressive fight against communist rebels in the region. The battalion, considered as one of the Army’s elite forces, is composed of well-trained army officers and enlisted military personnel.
The military unit is just one of the 10 new battalions created nationwide as announced by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to augment the existing government forces in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.
Brig. Gen. Lope Dagoy, commander of Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, urged remaining rebels to leave the communist group since they’re not getting support from communities.
“This encounter speaks of the Army's commitment to end the insurgency here in Leyte. These communists have no place in the peace-loving people of Carigara,” Dagoy said.
He asks rebels to heed the call of the communities, lay down their arms and avail of the enhanced comprehensive local integration program of the government or die in combat.
“For those who are wounded due to this encounter, you have a choice, surrender, or die alone. I am sure your comrades have left you as they fled the area. The government is extending its hand for you to return to the folds of the law, it is not too late for you to go back and be with your family,” Dagoy added.
The Communist Party of the Philippines NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union. The communist rebels have been battling government forces for 50 years. The communist rebellion in the Philippines is one of Asia's longest-running insurgencies.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081901
CDA vows to help solve insurgency through cooperativism
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 1, 2019): CDA vows to help solve insurgency through cooperativism
COOP MONTH. Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)-Central Visayas Regional Director Nora P. Patron (second from right), explains the role of CDA in the Livelihood Cluster of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict during a forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency and Association of Government Information Officers in Cebu City on Tuesday (Oct. 1, 2019). Also in photo are Gracia Nenita Banogon (third from left), secretary of Provincial Cooperative Development Council in Negros Oriental; Niza Cagulada (second from left), representative of Committee on Cooperative of Bohol Province; Siquijor Provincial Board Member Noel Monte (right); and PIA-7's Hazel Gloria (left). (PNA photo by John Rey Saavedra)
COOP MONTH. Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)-Central Visayas Regional Director Nora P. Patron (second from right), explains the role of CDA in the Livelihood Cluster of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict during a forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency and Association of Government Information Officers in Cebu City on Tuesday (Oct. 1, 2019). Also in photo are Gracia Nenita Banogon (third from left), secretary of Provincial Cooperative Development Council in Negros Oriental; Niza Cagulada (second from left), representative of Committee on Cooperative of Bohol Province; Siquijor Provincial Board Member Noel Monte (right); and PIA-7's Hazel Gloria (left). (PNA photo by John Rey Saavedra)
The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in Central Visayas on Tuesday signaled the opening of the Cooperative Month celebration by pledging to take an active role in the “whole-of-nation” approach against insurgency through entrepreneurial cooperativism.
Nora P. Patron, regional director of CDA-Region 7 (Central Visayas), said during the meeting with the regional counterparts of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) last July, it was found out that food security was among the concerns in Negros Oriental villages known to be infested with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
Patron said 15 villages in seven or eight municipalities in the province which are identified as rebel-infested will be the focus of the Livelihood Cluster of the NTF-ELCAC led by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
NTF-ELCAC was organized under Executive Order 70 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 4, 2018, institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach in solving the country’s insurgency problem.
As a member-agency of the Livelihood Cluster, CDA-7 will assist in providing livelihood training to residents of those 15 villages in Negros Oriental.
Through cooperatives, farmers in the hinterlands of Negros Oriental will get easy access to financial services.
The agency has tapped the DCCCO Multi-purpose Cooperative (formerly Dumaguete Cathedral Credit Cooperative), a billionaire cooperative in Negros Oriental, which, according to Patron, has the capability to reach far-flung areas in the rebel-infested villages.
“Let’s educate the people there about cooperativism. Perhaps, the people in the mountain does not know that we have this program. DCCCO, being a billionaire coop in Negros Oriental, can penetrate areas covered by NTF-ELCAC and conduct membership campaign there,” Patron said in Cebuano during a forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency and the Association of Government Information Officers in Region 7.
Patron cited the laudable record of the Dumaguete-based cooperative in helping micro and small-scale entrepreneurs, particularly the farmers in the hinterlands of the province, in production, management, and marketing of their agricultural produce.
The 100,000 membership of DCCCO is still growing until today, she said.
DCCCO was founded by the Roman Catholic Church of Dumaguete City in 1968, in line with the Second Vatican Council’s call to parishes to organize cooperatives with a vision to help parishioners in their financial needs. It recently expanded its services to parents of pupils of the parish-based school in Dumaguete that have been victimized by "5-6" loan sharks.
"We are hoping that with our partnership with the DCCCO, we can be part of the transformation of these people. It remains to be seen. But we are positive, we are optimistic that we can provide them with their livelihood needs, provisions of financial services and marketing of their products," Patron pointed out.
Gracia Nenita Banogon, secretary of Provincial Cooperative Development Council in Negros Oriental, visited Cebu City for the opening of the cooperative development month and witnessed how cooperatives help resolve peace and security problems in the province.
Farmers and their children benefitted from some trainings provided by small cooperatives, with skills being transferred ranging from production, marketing, and bookkeeping, Banogon said.
Meanwhile, Patron said her office has endeavored to educate the public about Republic Act 11364 or the Cooperative Development Authority Charter of 2019 signed by President Duterte last August 8.
The new law mandates the reorganization of CDA, improve the regulatory function of the agency by adding quasi-judicial powers and to conduct regular inspection and examination to cooperatives.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081924
Nora P. Patron, regional director of CDA-Region 7 (Central Visayas), said during the meeting with the regional counterparts of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) last July, it was found out that food security was among the concerns in Negros Oriental villages known to be infested with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
Patron said 15 villages in seven or eight municipalities in the province which are identified as rebel-infested will be the focus of the Livelihood Cluster of the NTF-ELCAC led by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
NTF-ELCAC was organized under Executive Order 70 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 4, 2018, institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach in solving the country’s insurgency problem.
As a member-agency of the Livelihood Cluster, CDA-7 will assist in providing livelihood training to residents of those 15 villages in Negros Oriental.
Through cooperatives, farmers in the hinterlands of Negros Oriental will get easy access to financial services.
The agency has tapped the DCCCO Multi-purpose Cooperative (formerly Dumaguete Cathedral Credit Cooperative), a billionaire cooperative in Negros Oriental, which, according to Patron, has the capability to reach far-flung areas in the rebel-infested villages.
“Let’s educate the people there about cooperativism. Perhaps, the people in the mountain does not know that we have this program. DCCCO, being a billionaire coop in Negros Oriental, can penetrate areas covered by NTF-ELCAC and conduct membership campaign there,” Patron said in Cebuano during a forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency and the Association of Government Information Officers in Region 7.
Patron cited the laudable record of the Dumaguete-based cooperative in helping micro and small-scale entrepreneurs, particularly the farmers in the hinterlands of the province, in production, management, and marketing of their agricultural produce.
The 100,000 membership of DCCCO is still growing until today, she said.
DCCCO was founded by the Roman Catholic Church of Dumaguete City in 1968, in line with the Second Vatican Council’s call to parishes to organize cooperatives with a vision to help parishioners in their financial needs. It recently expanded its services to parents of pupils of the parish-based school in Dumaguete that have been victimized by "5-6" loan sharks.
"We are hoping that with our partnership with the DCCCO, we can be part of the transformation of these people. It remains to be seen. But we are positive, we are optimistic that we can provide them with their livelihood needs, provisions of financial services and marketing of their products," Patron pointed out.
Gracia Nenita Banogon, secretary of Provincial Cooperative Development Council in Negros Oriental, visited Cebu City for the opening of the cooperative development month and witnessed how cooperatives help resolve peace and security problems in the province.
Farmers and their children benefitted from some trainings provided by small cooperatives, with skills being transferred ranging from production, marketing, and bookkeeping, Banogon said.
Meanwhile, Patron said her office has endeavored to educate the public about Republic Act 11364 or the Cooperative Development Authority Charter of 2019 signed by President Duterte last August 8.
The new law mandates the reorganization of CDA, improve the regulatory function of the agency by adding quasi-judicial powers and to conduct regular inspection and examination to cooperatives.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081924
PTF-ELCAC to prioritize 5 insurgency-threatened Antique towns
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 1, 2019): PTF-ELCAC to prioritize 5 insurgency-threatened Antique towns
ENDING INSURGENCY. Antique Provincial Police Office deputy director, Lt. Col. Norby Escobar says on Tuesday (Oct. 1, 2019) that five considered insurgency-threatened municipalities in Antique will be the priority of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) in the delivery of basic services and road infrastructures. The PTF-ELCAC was created as Antique's response to the Whole of the Nation Approach. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique -- The Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) will prioritize the five-insurgency threatened municipalities of Antique in the delivery of basic services and road infrastructures to prevent the New People’s Army (NPA) to turn these into their lairs.
Antique Provincial Police Office (APPO) deputy director. Lt. Col. Norby Escobar identified the five towns as San Remigio, Sibalom, Hamtic, Sebaste, and Culasi.
“The PTF-ELCAC is a convergence effort of the different national government agencies to bring the basic services and even road improvements to the hinterland areas to let the people there to also feel that the government is taking care of them,” he said in an interview Tuesday.
He said that the PTF-ELCAC is the counterpart of the provincial government in the whole-of-nation approach framework, intended to address the problems on areas affected by insurgency.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Antique provincial director Cheryl Tacda said that her office is very supportive of the PTF-ELCAC for the provincial government to give focus on addressing the insurgency problem.
“The PTF-ELCAC as part of its activities will conduct consultations with the people to know the deliverables by the local government units,” Tacda said.
Escobar, on the other hand, said the community could help address the insurgency problem by convincing the NPA members to surrender or reporting them to the police and the Army about their presence.
The PTF-ELCAC was created through Executive Order 119 signed by Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao on Sept 26, 2019.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081961
ENDING INSURGENCY. Antique Provincial Police Office deputy director, Lt. Col. Norby Escobar says on Tuesday (Oct. 1, 2019) that five considered insurgency-threatened municipalities in Antique will be the priority of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) in the delivery of basic services and road infrastructures. The PTF-ELCAC was created as Antique's response to the Whole of the Nation Approach. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique -- The Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) will prioritize the five-insurgency threatened municipalities of Antique in the delivery of basic services and road infrastructures to prevent the New People’s Army (NPA) to turn these into their lairs.
Antique Provincial Police Office (APPO) deputy director. Lt. Col. Norby Escobar identified the five towns as San Remigio, Sibalom, Hamtic, Sebaste, and Culasi.
“The PTF-ELCAC is a convergence effort of the different national government agencies to bring the basic services and even road improvements to the hinterland areas to let the people there to also feel that the government is taking care of them,” he said in an interview Tuesday.
He said that the PTF-ELCAC is the counterpart of the provincial government in the whole-of-nation approach framework, intended to address the problems on areas affected by insurgency.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Antique provincial director Cheryl Tacda said that her office is very supportive of the PTF-ELCAC for the provincial government to give focus on addressing the insurgency problem.
“The PTF-ELCAC as part of its activities will conduct consultations with the people to know the deliverables by the local government units,” Tacda said.
Escobar, on the other hand, said the community could help address the insurgency problem by convincing the NPA members to surrender or reporting them to the police and the Army about their presence.
The PTF-ELCAC was created through Executive Order 119 signed by Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao on Sept 26, 2019.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081961
Aurora media group declares Reds as 'persona non grata'
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 1, 2019): Aurora media group declares Reds as 'persona non grata'
REBELS UNWELCOME. A group of newsmen in Aurora province declares the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) as persona non grata in Baler town on Saturday (Sept. 28, 2019). In photo are Lt. Col. Jose Marie Torrenueva II (left), commanding officer of the Army's 91st Infantry Battalion; and Major Amado Gutierrez (right), chief of the Division of Public Affairs Office, 7th Infantry Division. (Photo by Jason de Asis)
BALER, Aurora -- A group of media personalities in this province has declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and its affiliated organizations as “persona non grata”.
Lt. Col. Jose Marie Torrenueva II, commanding officer of the 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion, said on Tuesday that the Kaugnay Media Defense Corps. Inc. (KMDCI) РAurora Chapter signed the declaration last Sept. 28 with the signatories headed by its newly-elected president, Richard Serque̱a.
Torrenueva said the media group supports the Army by actively disseminating information on their people's welfare-centered activities.
"Through media, convincing the rebels to end the armed struggle and return to their families has become more possible as they (the rebels) get to hear about the benefits that await them and the new life they can have through the help of the government and other concerned agencies," he said.
Aurora was the first among the provinces under the responsibility of the 7th Infantry Division (7ID) in Region 3 to declare the CPP-NPA terrorists as unwelcome.
“This time around, the province’s media group has done the same, true to the spirit of standing one with the government, under Executive Order No. 70 or the 'whole-of-nation approach' to end the local communist armed conflict,” Torrenueva said.
Major General Lenard T. Agustin, 7ID commander, said the media group’s commitment to support the Army and the government in their thrust to end local insurgency is a true indication of how the “whole of nation approach” has finally broken down the barriers that hinder the people’s understanding of how peace should be achieved.
“It seems that now, everyone understands that peace is a shared responsibility, and that all of us must play our part so that we can achieve and maintain peace within communities, and in the whole country. I am truly thankful to KMDCI Aurora for their initiative and boldness to do this, and in setting a good example to the people of what responsible journalism should be all about,” Agustin said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081969
REBELS UNWELCOME. A group of newsmen in Aurora province declares the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) as persona non grata in Baler town on Saturday (Sept. 28, 2019). In photo are Lt. Col. Jose Marie Torrenueva II (left), commanding officer of the Army's 91st Infantry Battalion; and Major Amado Gutierrez (right), chief of the Division of Public Affairs Office, 7th Infantry Division. (Photo by Jason de Asis)
BALER, Aurora -- A group of media personalities in this province has declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and its affiliated organizations as “persona non grata”.
Lt. Col. Jose Marie Torrenueva II, commanding officer of the 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion, said on Tuesday that the Kaugnay Media Defense Corps. Inc. (KMDCI) РAurora Chapter signed the declaration last Sept. 28 with the signatories headed by its newly-elected president, Richard Serque̱a.
Torrenueva said the media group supports the Army by actively disseminating information on their people's welfare-centered activities.
"Through media, convincing the rebels to end the armed struggle and return to their families has become more possible as they (the rebels) get to hear about the benefits that await them and the new life they can have through the help of the government and other concerned agencies," he said.
Aurora was the first among the provinces under the responsibility of the 7th Infantry Division (7ID) in Region 3 to declare the CPP-NPA terrorists as unwelcome.
“This time around, the province’s media group has done the same, true to the spirit of standing one with the government, under Executive Order No. 70 or the 'whole-of-nation approach' to end the local communist armed conflict,” Torrenueva said.
Major General Lenard T. Agustin, 7ID commander, said the media group’s commitment to support the Army and the government in their thrust to end local insurgency is a true indication of how the “whole of nation approach” has finally broken down the barriers that hinder the people’s understanding of how peace should be achieved.
“It seems that now, everyone understands that peace is a shared responsibility, and that all of us must play our part so that we can achieve and maintain peace within communities, and in the whole country. I am truly thankful to KMDCI Aurora for their initiative and boldness to do this, and in setting a good example to the people of what responsible journalism should be all about,” Agustin said.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081969
Maguindanao banana firm shuts down operation
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 1, 2019): Maguindanao banana firm shuts down operation
STOP OPERATION. Representatives of the Al-Sahar Agri-Ventures Inc., a PHP3.7-billion banana business venture in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), talk with Ministry of Labor and Employment minister Romy Sema (in dark suit) following their decision to cease operations in Maguindanao on Sept. 24, 2019. A total of 1, 039 workers, mostly former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in three banana plantation sites of the province have lost their jobs due to the company’s closure. (Photo courtesy of MOLE-BARMM)
COTABATO CITY -- The Al-Sahar Agri-Ventures Inc. (ASAVI), a PHP3.7-billion banana business venture in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), has ceased its operations since last week, laying off over 1,000 workers in at least three Maguindanao towns.
In a statement dated Sept. 24, 2019 but released to the media on Tuesday, ASAVI said a total of 1, 039 workers, mostly Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members, are affected by the cessation of the company’s operation in the towns of Talayan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, and Buldon of the province.
“Please be informed that the company has issued on this date (Sept. 24) the notice of termination of the service contracts with its local community partners, and as a consequence thereof, the company’s local partners have no choice but to terminate the employment of the above-mentioned employees,” John Perrine, ASAVI’s representative to the BARMM, was quoted as saying.
In compliance with labor regulations, however, ASAVI said it has ensured the remuneration of the terminated employees “whether by the company or its local community partners shall be paid up under the law.”
ASAVI has pointed to delays in the release of loans from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), which passes through the review of the Department of Finance (DOF), as one of the reasons in the company’s termination of its operation.
As part of the government’s peace deal with the MILF, ASAVI broke ground for the start of operation in a 350-hectare banana plantation in Talayan, Maguindanao in November 2014.
ASAVI said its stakeholders agreed to provide the initial equity of PHP502-million to proceed with the project as it was eyeing for more funding from Bangsamoro investment Facility, later renamed as “Harvest Fund.”
ASAVI said it has already spent the amount to fund its expansion in the towns of Talayan, Buldon, and Datu Odin Sinsuat towns.
Of the total targeted areas for expansion, ASAVI only managed to use 333-hectares of 350-hectares in Talayan; 12 out of 250 hectares in Datu Odin Sinsuat, and 44 out of 104 hectares in Buldon.
“The harvest fund was formally offered on Nov. 25, 2015 by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the amount of Y14.784 billion (USD120 million) and received approvals from the National Economic and Development Authority/DOF/Monetary Board with the LBP’s approval as the executing agency - all completed by June 16, 2016,” the ASVI statement said.
However, Perrine said the DOF, in a memorandum of agreement with JICA on Oct. 26, 2016, that was formalized in January 2017, reduced the amount of the harvest fund to 4.928-billion yen (USD140 million), prompting some concerned sectors in Japan to be “disturbed” with the amendments introduced by the Philippine side.
It said the late Mindanao Development Authority chairman Datu Abdul Khayr Alonto has assured them that he was going to have the discrepancy corrected with the remaining amount of USD80 million be restored for BARMM.
“But unfortunately to no avail up to the time of his (Alonto) untimely passing,” the firm said.
“It is our understanding that the amount of USD40 million or PHP2 billion that entered LBP from the JICA harvest fund has been disbursed outside the ARMM with no amount left for the BARMM," said Perrine, adding that the matter could be verified by the BARMM with the LBP.
He said only a separate grant, amounting to PHP290 million for technical assistance and capacity-building, among others, was left with a portion for such uses within the BARMM and the surrounding areas.
Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM interior minister and concurrent regional spokesperson, said top BARMM leaders are set to meet with Minister Romy Sema of the Ministry of Labor and Employment - BARMM to discuss the matter thoroughly.
“We will (also) certainly take this up with the Secretary of Finance,” he said.
ASAVI is an affiliate company of Unifrutti Group of Companies, which also manages other companies like La Frutera Inc., Wao Development Corporation and Mount Kalatungan Agri Ventures Inc. in the BARMM.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081927
STOP OPERATION. Representatives of the Al-Sahar Agri-Ventures Inc., a PHP3.7-billion banana business venture in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), talk with Ministry of Labor and Employment minister Romy Sema (in dark suit) following their decision to cease operations in Maguindanao on Sept. 24, 2019. A total of 1, 039 workers, mostly former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in three banana plantation sites of the province have lost their jobs due to the company’s closure. (Photo courtesy of MOLE-BARMM)
COTABATO CITY -- The Al-Sahar Agri-Ventures Inc. (ASAVI), a PHP3.7-billion banana business venture in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), has ceased its operations since last week, laying off over 1,000 workers in at least three Maguindanao towns.
In a statement dated Sept. 24, 2019 but released to the media on Tuesday, ASAVI said a total of 1, 039 workers, mostly Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members, are affected by the cessation of the company’s operation in the towns of Talayan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, and Buldon of the province.
“Please be informed that the company has issued on this date (Sept. 24) the notice of termination of the service contracts with its local community partners, and as a consequence thereof, the company’s local partners have no choice but to terminate the employment of the above-mentioned employees,” John Perrine, ASAVI’s representative to the BARMM, was quoted as saying.
In compliance with labor regulations, however, ASAVI said it has ensured the remuneration of the terminated employees “whether by the company or its local community partners shall be paid up under the law.”
ASAVI has pointed to delays in the release of loans from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), which passes through the review of the Department of Finance (DOF), as one of the reasons in the company’s termination of its operation.
As part of the government’s peace deal with the MILF, ASAVI broke ground for the start of operation in a 350-hectare banana plantation in Talayan, Maguindanao in November 2014.
ASAVI said its stakeholders agreed to provide the initial equity of PHP502-million to proceed with the project as it was eyeing for more funding from Bangsamoro investment Facility, later renamed as “Harvest Fund.”
ASAVI said it has already spent the amount to fund its expansion in the towns of Talayan, Buldon, and Datu Odin Sinsuat towns.
Of the total targeted areas for expansion, ASAVI only managed to use 333-hectares of 350-hectares in Talayan; 12 out of 250 hectares in Datu Odin Sinsuat, and 44 out of 104 hectares in Buldon.
“The harvest fund was formally offered on Nov. 25, 2015 by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the amount of Y14.784 billion (USD120 million) and received approvals from the National Economic and Development Authority/DOF/Monetary Board with the LBP’s approval as the executing agency - all completed by June 16, 2016,” the ASVI statement said.
However, Perrine said the DOF, in a memorandum of agreement with JICA on Oct. 26, 2016, that was formalized in January 2017, reduced the amount of the harvest fund to 4.928-billion yen (USD140 million), prompting some concerned sectors in Japan to be “disturbed” with the amendments introduced by the Philippine side.
It said the late Mindanao Development Authority chairman Datu Abdul Khayr Alonto has assured them that he was going to have the discrepancy corrected with the remaining amount of USD80 million be restored for BARMM.
“But unfortunately to no avail up to the time of his (Alonto) untimely passing,” the firm said.
“It is our understanding that the amount of USD40 million or PHP2 billion that entered LBP from the JICA harvest fund has been disbursed outside the ARMM with no amount left for the BARMM," said Perrine, adding that the matter could be verified by the BARMM with the LBP.
He said only a separate grant, amounting to PHP290 million for technical assistance and capacity-building, among others, was left with a portion for such uses within the BARMM and the surrounding areas.
Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM interior minister and concurrent regional spokesperson, said top BARMM leaders are set to meet with Minister Romy Sema of the Ministry of Labor and Employment - BARMM to discuss the matter thoroughly.
“We will (also) certainly take this up with the Secretary of Finance,” he said.
ASAVI is an affiliate company of Unifrutti Group of Companies, which also manages other companies like La Frutera Inc., Wao Development Corporation and Mount Kalatungan Agri Ventures Inc. in the BARMM.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081927
1 dead, 1 hurt in Sulu military detachment attack
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 1, 2019): 1 dead, 1 hurt in Sulu military detachment attack
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A college student who staged a “juramentado-like” attack on a military detachment was killed while a soldier was wounded in the province of Sulu, a top military official said Tuesday.
In Philippine history, "juramentado" commonly refers to a male Moro swordsman, who boldly attacks targeted occupying forces, expecting to be killed himself, considered a form of suicide attack, according to Wikipedia.
Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, identified the attacker as Fersauidi Arabani, sophomore student of the Mindanao State University-Sulu taking up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) and a resident of Barangay Asturias, Jolo, the province’s capital town.
Vinluan said the attack occurred around 12:45 p.m. Monday at the detachment in Kilometer 3, Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu. He was unable to release the identity of the injured soldier, who belongs to the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion of the 11th Infantry Division.
“The soldiers on duty exerted all efforts to control the attacker, but the latter continued to attack them while shouting “Allahu Akbar,” he said.
Vinluan said a soldier on duty suffered minor wound on his right cheek during the attack. Irabani was shot dead by another soldier.
Police said they recovered a sachet of suspected shabu and a bolo from Arabani.
Vinluan said he was saddened by the senseless incident, adding it will not prevent them from conducting checkpoints and "other lawful efforts" to protect the community.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081941
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A college student who staged a “juramentado-like” attack on a military detachment was killed while a soldier was wounded in the province of Sulu, a top military official said Tuesday.
In Philippine history, "juramentado" commonly refers to a male Moro swordsman, who boldly attacks targeted occupying forces, expecting to be killed himself, considered a form of suicide attack, according to Wikipedia.
Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, identified the attacker as Fersauidi Arabani, sophomore student of the Mindanao State University-Sulu taking up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) and a resident of Barangay Asturias, Jolo, the province’s capital town.
Vinluan said the attack occurred around 12:45 p.m. Monday at the detachment in Kilometer 3, Barangay Kajatian, Indanan, Sulu. He was unable to release the identity of the injured soldier, who belongs to the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion of the 11th Infantry Division.
“The soldiers on duty exerted all efforts to control the attacker, but the latter continued to attack them while shouting “Allahu Akbar,” he said.
Vinluan said a soldier on duty suffered minor wound on his right cheek during the attack. Irabani was shot dead by another soldier.
Police said they recovered a sachet of suspected shabu and a bolo from Arabani.
Vinluan said he was saddened by the senseless incident, adding it will not prevent them from conducting checkpoints and "other lawful efforts" to protect the community.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081941
AFP chief expects acting PMA head to make 'difference'
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 1, 2019): AFP chief expects acting PMA head to make 'difference'
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff, Lt. Gen. Noel Clement. (PNA photo by Joey Razon)
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff, Lt. Gen. Noel Clement. (PNA photo by Joey Razon)
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff, Lt. Gen. Noel Clement expects incoming Philippine Military Academy (PMA) acting Superintendent, Rear Admiral Allan Cusi, to make a positive impact during his stint at the country's premier military school.
"The AFP Chief Lieutenant General Noel Clement orders the incoming Acting PMA Superintendent Rear Admiral Allan Cusi to make a positive difference in winning the quest to rid PMA of maltreatment and in leading the reorientation of the cadets on their views of authority and responsibility in the incipient stage of their training as future officers of the AFP," AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a message to reporters Monday.
Clement is also confident that Cusi will succeed given his known competence as a trainer, mentor, leader, and commander in various levels of command and staff positions, Arevalo stressed.
"Lt. Gen. Clement is aware that Rear Admiral Cusi faces a complex and daunting task of curbing, and ultimately, eliminating the malady brought by maltreatment in the soonest possible time," he added.
Arevalo also said that Cusi’s former assignment at the PMA’s Tactics Group, which directly deals with cadet leadership development and training, and his recent stint as head of the Philippine Navy's Naval Education, Training, and Doctrines Command will prove to be of great value to his new position.
Cusi will replace Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista, who resigned as PMA Superintendent following the alleged maltreatment of Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio last September 18.
Corps of Cadet Commandant, Brig. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro also quit his post due to the incident. He was replaced by Marawi crisis veteran, Brig. Gen. Romeo Brawner, in acting capacity last week.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081883
"The AFP Chief Lieutenant General Noel Clement orders the incoming Acting PMA Superintendent Rear Admiral Allan Cusi to make a positive difference in winning the quest to rid PMA of maltreatment and in leading the reorientation of the cadets on their views of authority and responsibility in the incipient stage of their training as future officers of the AFP," AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a message to reporters Monday.
Clement is also confident that Cusi will succeed given his known competence as a trainer, mentor, leader, and commander in various levels of command and staff positions, Arevalo stressed.
"Lt. Gen. Clement is aware that Rear Admiral Cusi faces a complex and daunting task of curbing, and ultimately, eliminating the malady brought by maltreatment in the soonest possible time," he added.
Arevalo also said that Cusi’s former assignment at the PMA’s Tactics Group, which directly deals with cadet leadership development and training, and his recent stint as head of the Philippine Navy's Naval Education, Training, and Doctrines Command will prove to be of great value to his new position.
Cusi will replace Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista, who resigned as PMA Superintendent following the alleged maltreatment of Cadet Fourth Class Darwin Dormitorio last September 18.
Corps of Cadet Commandant, Brig. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro also quit his post due to the incident. He was replaced by Marawi crisis veteran, Brig. Gen. Romeo Brawner, in acting capacity last week.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081883