From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Oct 5, 2019): Maguindanao town rises against IS-linked BIFF
The local government of Rajah Buayan in Maguindanao has claimed to have driven Islamic State-linked militants out of the town through the active support of residents.
Rajah Buayan Mayor Zamzamin Ampatuan credited the locals who volunteer information to the local government, the police and military for the achievement.
This way, authorities are able to keep tabs of the movement of the militants in the villages and quickly launch operations to pursue them, Ampatuan said.
“While we can’t say that our municipality is already absolutely drug-cleared, we can brag about its being BIFF-cleared now,” Ampatuan added.
He hoped their effort in Rajah Buayan could help “defeat extremism and prevent its growth in the province.”
Comprising 11 villages, Rajah Buayan shares borders with Mamasapano and Datu Piang towns was which host strongholds of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
It also connects easily with remaining BIFF strongholds in Cotabato province through the Liguasan Marsh.
Ampatuan said the local government had been campaigning on the town’s 25,000 people to shun violent extremism which is espoused by the BIFF.
The tide turned against the BIFF early this year when the militants tried to overrun an Army detachment in Rajah Buayan, Ampatuan recalled.
This earned the ire of the townsfolk.
“The Army has been the locals’ protectors from extortionists, terrorists and lawless gunmen who mulct them during the harvest season,” Ampatuan explained.
He said local residents and even elements of the 106th Base Command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front joined together to help thwart the attack.
The incident demonstrated to the BIFF that the local population is arrayed against them and their activities, according to Ampatuan.
Major Gen. Diosadado Carreon, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the military was still validating Ampatuan’s claims his town is free of BIFF.
However, Carreon lauded Ampatuan’s leadership in rising against the militants.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command chief, said local officials in Maguindanao and Sulu should emulate what Rajah Buayan did so they were able to help lick the problem of extremism in their areas.
“We can’t be there all the time, you are there all the time, so help us protect your communities,” Sobejana said.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1173781/maguindanao-town-rises-against-is-linked-biff
Friday, October 4, 2019
7 MILF members killed in clash vs. ISIS-inspired terror group in Maguindanao
From GMA News Online (Oct 5, 2019): 7 MILF members killed in clash vs. ISIS-inspired terror group in Maguindanao
SHARIFF SAYDONA MUSTAPHA, Maguindanao - Seven members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's National Guard died after a clash with members of an ISIS-inspired terror group in Maguindanao on Friday.
The victims were identified by police as Laguiali Ali, Poangan Ganda, Kho Mamaluba, Jeomar Salansamen, Mads Maitem, Tongan Tot and Datumaniot Musbil.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnold Santiago said the bodies of the victims were claimed by their relatives on the same day.
SHARIFF SAYDONA MUSTAPHA, Maguindanao - Seven members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's National Guard died after a clash with members of an ISIS-inspired terror group in Maguindanao on Friday.
The victims were identified by police as Laguiali Ali, Poangan Ganda, Kho Mamaluba, Jeomar Salansamen, Mads Maitem, Tongan Tot and Datumaniot Musbil.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnold Santiago said the bodies of the victims were claimed by their relatives on the same day.
Relatives of MILF members who died in a clash with members of a terror group on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, claim their bodies at the riverside of Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao. Photo courtesy: Macks Kulit
The firefight, which went on for half a day, started Friday morning in Sitio Tinulusan, Dasawao 4 in Shariff Saydona, Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Gener, commander of the Philippine Army's 57th Infantry Battalion, said.
The MILF rebels fought against a group headed by Salahuddin Hassan of Dawlah Islamiyah which is inspired by the ISIS terror group.
The rebels' group also suffered an undetermined number of casualties but this has yet to be verified, Gener added.
Tension remained high as the MILF is expected to send reinforcements.
The MILF has yet to issue a statement.
Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) which bolted the MILF and once pledged allegiance to ISIS, said it is not involved in the said gunfight.
"We are just monitoring the development. What we learned (was) the MILF was overwhelmed by the forces of ISIS in Dasawao," said Abu Misri Mamam, BIFF spokesperson.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/710563/7-milf-members-killed-in-clash-vs-isis-inspired-terror-group-in-maguindanao/story/
The MILF rebels fought against a group headed by Salahuddin Hassan of Dawlah Islamiyah which is inspired by the ISIS terror group.
The rebels' group also suffered an undetermined number of casualties but this has yet to be verified, Gener added.
Tension remained high as the MILF is expected to send reinforcements.
The MILF has yet to issue a statement.
Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) which bolted the MILF and once pledged allegiance to ISIS, said it is not involved in the said gunfight.
"We are just monitoring the development. What we learned (was) the MILF was overwhelmed by the forces of ISIS in Dasawao," said Abu Misri Mamam, BIFF spokesperson.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/710563/7-milf-members-killed-in-clash-vs-isis-inspired-terror-group-in-maguindanao/story/
Basilan’s ‘Children of War’ join love, peace festival
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 5): Basilan’s ‘Children of War’ join love, peace festival
KIDS OF WAR. The "Children of War" of a town in Basilan province participate in the Festival of Love and Peace organized by Save the Children of War Association, a Basilan-based non-government organization. The NGO partnered with the 4th Special Forces Battalion, Hadji Mohammad Ajul municipality, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process for the event, which aims to heal the psychological damage of children exposed to violence. (Photo courtesy of OPAPP)
MOHAMMAD AJUL, Basilan – More than 500 children in this coastal community were treated to a memorable, fun-filled day, which to them was a welcome respite from living in an area that has been wracked by armed conflict for decades.
And for the first time, the children did not run away and seek refuge in their homes when they saw several Huey helicopters hovering over their town.
Over the years, this town has been the site of major clashes between government forces and non-state armed groups, including followers of extremist organizations that have been responsible for some of the most violent attacks in Mindanao.
“The armed conflict here was so intense that children, as well as the adults, [are afraid upon hearing] the sound of [a] helicopter,” recalled Dr. Arlyn Jawad Jumao-as, president of Save the Children of War (Basilan) Association, Inc., which led the Festival of Love and Peace.
Over the years, the Basilan-based non-government organization has been providing social healing interventions to child victims of war in the island-province.
“It literally rained with assorted candies and stuffed toys. Now, children will no longer fear the sound of a helicopter,” Jumao-as said, as she watched the children scramble to catch the goodies.
The veteran development worker said the Save the Children of War Association’s interventions are designed to help the children recover from a dark chapter in their town’s history, and give them back the childhood they lost during the war.
“And all they need is a little childhood, a little help, and a little encouragement,” Jumao-as said.
For this year’s social intervention, she invited Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. to share his experiences and inspire the children of this battle-scarred community.
KIDS OF WAR. The "Children of War" of a town in Basilan province participate in the Festival of Love and Peace organized by Save the Children of War Association, a Basilan-based non-government organization. The NGO partnered with the 4th Special Forces Battalion, Hadji Mohammad Ajul municipality, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process for the event, which aims to heal the psychological damage of children exposed to violence. (Photo courtesy of OPAPP)
MOHAMMAD AJUL, Basilan – More than 500 children in this coastal community were treated to a memorable, fun-filled day, which to them was a welcome respite from living in an area that has been wracked by armed conflict for decades.
And for the first time, the children did not run away and seek refuge in their homes when they saw several Huey helicopters hovering over their town.
Over the years, this town has been the site of major clashes between government forces and non-state armed groups, including followers of extremist organizations that have been responsible for some of the most violent attacks in Mindanao.
“The armed conflict here was so intense that children, as well as the adults, [are afraid upon hearing] the sound of [a] helicopter,” recalled Dr. Arlyn Jawad Jumao-as, president of Save the Children of War (Basilan) Association, Inc., which led the Festival of Love and Peace.
Over the years, the Basilan-based non-government organization has been providing social healing interventions to child victims of war in the island-province.
“It literally rained with assorted candies and stuffed toys. Now, children will no longer fear the sound of a helicopter,” Jumao-as said, as she watched the children scramble to catch the goodies.
The veteran development worker said the Save the Children of War Association’s interventions are designed to help the children recover from a dark chapter in their town’s history, and give them back the childhood they lost during the war.
“And all they need is a little childhood, a little help, and a little encouragement,” Jumao-as said.
For this year’s social intervention, she invited Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. to share his experiences and inspire the children of this battle-scarred community.
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. (2nd from left) with participants of the "Festival of Love and Peace" in Mohammad Ajul, Basilan. (Photo courtesy of OPAPP)
“The event today is also a reminder for us elders to create a safe and positive environment for children affected by armed conflict. The welfare of our children should never be ignored particularly during times of crisis and war,” Galvez said, adding the “best interests of our children should be our primary concern.”
“It is not only the physical needs of our children that we need to provide for such as food, clothing, and shelter; more importantly, we need to attend to the development of their mental, emotional and spiritual health as well,” Galvez told the participants of the festival, who included local government officials and various sectoral representatives.
Mohammad Ajul Mayor Ibrahim Ballaho noted the event “is a symbol that our town is gradually achieving peace.”
“The fate of our country lies in the hands of our children,” Ballaho said.
Themed “Nurturing the Missing Piece of Peace,” the day-long peace festival was organized by the Save the Children of War (Basilan) Association, Inc. in partnership with the Municipal Government of Hadji Mohammad Ajul, 4th Special Forces Battalion, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
The activity is the culmination of the healing process for 547 psychologically pre-assessed children of war coming from the different barangays of Hadji Mohammad Adjul.
The participants are children of Moro National Liberation Front, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and former Abu Sayyaf combatants who underwent the Program Against Violent Extremism (PAVE.)
Jumao-as said the long-term goal of the program is to ensure that the youth, particularly those who lost their parents during armed conflicts, will not be susceptible to radicalization and violent extremism.
“In its 5th year, the festival aims to boost the morale of the (ASG) surrenderees, and encourage current members of the ASG to also return to the folds of the law,” she said.
During the event, several children “surrendered” their toy guns to officials of the province. In exchange, they were given tokens such as school supplies and bikes.
The bikes, Galvez said, will provide the children the "experience of early adventures and freedom to explore their limits and endurance."
"Bicycle may also represent 'early freedom' to travel distance freely away from their own backyard," he noted.
Among the highlights of the activity was a dance number performed by former members of the Abu Sayyaf and their families. The performance was a testament to their transformation into peaceful members of society.
“The welfare and protection of our children are assured,” Basilan Governor Jim Hataman-Saliman said, as he thanked everyone who contributed in making his town a safer and happier place to live in.
The governor also thanked the different private organizations and government agencies that continue to help in the healing and reconciliation process in Basilan.
He said the provincial government has been implementing several programs to help former rebels and members of the Abu Sayyaf to transform their lives. These programs are being replicated in areas that have a similar problem with violent extremism, particularly in Lanao del Sur.
Brig. Gen. Peter Suchianco, who helped look for donors for the school supplies for the children here, urged the residents to collectively work for peace in their area.
"Peace is only brought about by those who want it, who worked for it, and I am very happy to see that all of you have worked for it," he said.
He also encouraged the people here to take advantage of their natural resources as a way to help develop their areas and provide the needed economic opportunities for the residents.
"If we have maintained the peace and order here, I'm very sure people from Luzon will definitely visit your place and this will bolster the development of your town," he said in mixed English and Filipino.
This coastal town boasts several kilometers of white and powdery sand beaches, rich with aquatic products.
"Your place is very beautiful for tourism. We have to take advantage of what God-given treasures that you have, which is the environment and the people that you have. These are the resources that you can further develop for progress," he said. (OPAPP PR)
“It is not only the physical needs of our children that we need to provide for such as food, clothing, and shelter; more importantly, we need to attend to the development of their mental, emotional and spiritual health as well,” Galvez told the participants of the festival, who included local government officials and various sectoral representatives.
Mohammad Ajul Mayor Ibrahim Ballaho noted the event “is a symbol that our town is gradually achieving peace.”
“The fate of our country lies in the hands of our children,” Ballaho said.
Themed “Nurturing the Missing Piece of Peace,” the day-long peace festival was organized by the Save the Children of War (Basilan) Association, Inc. in partnership with the Municipal Government of Hadji Mohammad Ajul, 4th Special Forces Battalion, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
The activity is the culmination of the healing process for 547 psychologically pre-assessed children of war coming from the different barangays of Hadji Mohammad Adjul.
The participants are children of Moro National Liberation Front, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and former Abu Sayyaf combatants who underwent the Program Against Violent Extremism (PAVE.)
Jumao-as said the long-term goal of the program is to ensure that the youth, particularly those who lost their parents during armed conflicts, will not be susceptible to radicalization and violent extremism.
“In its 5th year, the festival aims to boost the morale of the (ASG) surrenderees, and encourage current members of the ASG to also return to the folds of the law,” she said.
During the event, several children “surrendered” their toy guns to officials of the province. In exchange, they were given tokens such as school supplies and bikes.
The bikes, Galvez said, will provide the children the "experience of early adventures and freedom to explore their limits and endurance."
"Bicycle may also represent 'early freedom' to travel distance freely away from their own backyard," he noted.
Among the highlights of the activity was a dance number performed by former members of the Abu Sayyaf and their families. The performance was a testament to their transformation into peaceful members of society.
“The welfare and protection of our children are assured,” Basilan Governor Jim Hataman-Saliman said, as he thanked everyone who contributed in making his town a safer and happier place to live in.
The governor also thanked the different private organizations and government agencies that continue to help in the healing and reconciliation process in Basilan.
He said the provincial government has been implementing several programs to help former rebels and members of the Abu Sayyaf to transform their lives. These programs are being replicated in areas that have a similar problem with violent extremism, particularly in Lanao del Sur.
Brig. Gen. Peter Suchianco, who helped look for donors for the school supplies for the children here, urged the residents to collectively work for peace in their area.
"Peace is only brought about by those who want it, who worked for it, and I am very happy to see that all of you have worked for it," he said.
He also encouraged the people here to take advantage of their natural resources as a way to help develop their areas and provide the needed economic opportunities for the residents.
"If we have maintained the peace and order here, I'm very sure people from Luzon will definitely visit your place and this will bolster the development of your town," he said in mixed English and Filipino.
This coastal town boasts several kilometers of white and powdery sand beaches, rich with aquatic products.
"Your place is very beautiful for tourism. We have to take advantage of what God-given treasures that you have, which is the environment and the people that you have. These are the resources that you can further develop for progress," he said. (OPAPP PR)
Kidnapping in the Sulu Sea: Implications on Terrorism in the Philippines
From The Diplomat (Oct 4, 2019): Kidnapping in the Sulu Sea: Implications on Terrorism in the Philippines (By Kenneth Yeo)
In the Sulu Seas, kidnap-for-ransom activities perpetrated by Islamic State-linked terrorist networks are on the rise again.
In the Sulu Seas, kidnap-for-ransom activities perpetrated by Islamic State-linked terrorist networks are on the rise again.
Credit: Flickr / Sipat
On September 23, a group of seven gunmen aboard two pump boats ambushed and seized three fishermen off the coast of East Sabah, in a sign of how the Islamic State (IS) and its affiliated networks continue to trouble the Southeast Asian region. The latest attack follows a surge in ambushes and kidnappings in the last two years along the Sulu Seas, which encompasses the waters around Indonesia, Malaysia’s eastern Sabah state and the Philippines, and has long been a hotspot for piracy and sea robbery. Although there was no claim of responsibility, the attackers are said to be members of an Abu Sayyaf splinter group affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) in Sulu province. It is believed the seven gunman, who were masked, boarded two fishing vessels around midday local time, and abducted three crew members.
For Abu Sayyaf, which has long been based on the remote and forested terrain along the southern Philippine islands, such attacks have traditionally been used as a fundraising tactic. The group is reported to have earned several million dollars from kidnappings, bombings and ambushes, often targeting foreigners. In certain instances, the group has beheaded hostages when ransom money was not paid. Notably, while previous incidents took place in darkness, which usually enabled the attackers to make a quick getaway, the latest incident occurred in broad daylight.
Resurgence of Kidnap-for-Ransom
Prior to the recent surge, there was an absence of kidnapping incidents between November 2016 and September 2018. This lull can be attributed, in part, to the death of the former leader of IS in the Philippines, Isnilon Hapilon, during the five-month Marawi Siege in 2017. His demise,it appears, initially rendered terrorist networks along the Sulu archipelago leaderless and directionless.
The number of kidnappings in the Sulu Sea reached a 10-year peak prior to the Marawi Siege in 2017. Hence, the resurgence of kidnap-for-ransom activities since September 11, 2018 may signal ambitions to raise funds for terror. This could signal desperation or urgency to raise funds for their next terrorist campaign. Terrorist elements in Sulu province appear to have regrouped more recently. There have been six kidnappings, four suicide attacks and over 30 armed clashes between militants and state security forces between 2018 and 2019. The Sulu archipelago’s re-emergence as a terrorism hotspot has coincided with the emergence of Hajan Sawadjaan as the potential leader of IS in Philippines.
The Sea as a Force Multiplier
The sea serves as both a resource and an operational force multiplier for terrorist groups. Fundamentally, terrorists exploit opportunities at sea to conduct land-based campaigns. Access to the seas allows insurgents to diversify their fundraising methods to meet their goals. In this regard, kidnappings are easier to pull off at sea due to the sheer vastness of such water bodies, which can hinder the ability of security agencies to detect and respond to attacks promptly. The area’s vulnerable geography also means sea-based bandits are able to vanish into the cluster of Sulu islands to evade capture.
Access to the sea allows terrorists to also import and export resources and capabilities. For example, IS Sulu has used the Sulu seas to transport foreign fighters around the region. Such fighters both supplement and enhance the tactical capabilities of local terrorist groups. The Mindanao region, for example, has historically been used for training by terrorists in the region after Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) developed a tactical alliance with Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at the turn of the century. This arrangement allowed Filipinos to learn bomb-making techniques while exporting militancy capabilities to terrorists in neighboring countries. During the 2017 Marawi Siege, many regional and non-regional foreign fighters were smuggled through the Sulu archipelago to participate in the conflict. Additionally, Jamaah Ansharud Daulah (JAD)-linked Indonesians, Rullie Rian Zeke and Ulfah Handayah Saleh, were reportedly smuggled through the Sulu islands to participate in last January’s suicide attack on a church in Jolo. That attack was the catalyst for two other suicide attacks, involving local operatives, in Mindanao this year.ADVERTISING
Challenges of Enforcement Efforts
Law enforcement along the Sulu archipelago is complex. Archipelagos contain natural, unevenly distributed areas that hinder patrolling and emergency response efforts. Moreover, the natural separation of these lands, exposes security forces to ambush attacks. This is compounded by the area’s densely forested terrain. Security agencies not only require land-based and maritime assets; the diverse set of skills and equipment needed inherently increases the complexity of effective enforcement over such a vast territory. Additionally, the depth of the waters can also vary. As such, the presence of shallow shoals and mangroves often favor terrorists during naval pursuits, with security forces often forced utilize small boats with limited firepower and fuel capacity.
Government Response
The Philippine government takes the maritime threat posed by terrorist groups seriously. A significant number of troops have been deployed to supplement forces with the 11th Infantry Division based in Zamboanga as well as the Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS). The Philippines National Police (PNP) has also invested in high-speed tactical boats to support elite commando units tackling IS militants. These boats, said to possess features resembling armored vehicles on land, are expected to improve the maritime capabilities of the PNP.
Get first-read access to major articles yet to be released, as well as links to thought-provoking commentaries and in-depth articles from our Asia-Pacific correspondents.
The resurgence of high-profile maritime attacks linked to IS affiliated terrorists signals threat groups are persisting in their efforts to raise resources for their land-based campaigns. Governments must adopt a holistic approach to address both maritime and land-based threats. The PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) must enhance their ability to operate in shallow waters and mangroves. Better coordination between maritime and land-based forces will also provide government forces with a comparative advantage over the terrorists. Further, countries along the tri-border region – Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia – may also consider establishing border controls between Tawi-Tawi Island, Sabah and North Kalimantan to better regulate the area, hence denying IS militants’ access to the archipelago and wider seas.
[Kenneth Yeo is a research analyst at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR), a unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.]
https://thediplomat.com/2019/10/kidnapping-in-the-sulu-sea-implications-on-terrorism-in-the-philippines/
On September 23, a group of seven gunmen aboard two pump boats ambushed and seized three fishermen off the coast of East Sabah, in a sign of how the Islamic State (IS) and its affiliated networks continue to trouble the Southeast Asian region. The latest attack follows a surge in ambushes and kidnappings in the last two years along the Sulu Seas, which encompasses the waters around Indonesia, Malaysia’s eastern Sabah state and the Philippines, and has long been a hotspot for piracy and sea robbery. Although there was no claim of responsibility, the attackers are said to be members of an Abu Sayyaf splinter group affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) in Sulu province. It is believed the seven gunman, who were masked, boarded two fishing vessels around midday local time, and abducted three crew members.
For Abu Sayyaf, which has long been based on the remote and forested terrain along the southern Philippine islands, such attacks have traditionally been used as a fundraising tactic. The group is reported to have earned several million dollars from kidnappings, bombings and ambushes, often targeting foreigners. In certain instances, the group has beheaded hostages when ransom money was not paid. Notably, while previous incidents took place in darkness, which usually enabled the attackers to make a quick getaway, the latest incident occurred in broad daylight.
Resurgence of Kidnap-for-Ransom
Prior to the recent surge, there was an absence of kidnapping incidents between November 2016 and September 2018. This lull can be attributed, in part, to the death of the former leader of IS in the Philippines, Isnilon Hapilon, during the five-month Marawi Siege in 2017. His demise,it appears, initially rendered terrorist networks along the Sulu archipelago leaderless and directionless.
The number of kidnappings in the Sulu Sea reached a 10-year peak prior to the Marawi Siege in 2017. Hence, the resurgence of kidnap-for-ransom activities since September 11, 2018 may signal ambitions to raise funds for terror. This could signal desperation or urgency to raise funds for their next terrorist campaign. Terrorist elements in Sulu province appear to have regrouped more recently. There have been six kidnappings, four suicide attacks and over 30 armed clashes between militants and state security forces between 2018 and 2019. The Sulu archipelago’s re-emergence as a terrorism hotspot has coincided with the emergence of Hajan Sawadjaan as the potential leader of IS in Philippines.
The Sea as a Force Multiplier
The sea serves as both a resource and an operational force multiplier for terrorist groups. Fundamentally, terrorists exploit opportunities at sea to conduct land-based campaigns. Access to the seas allows insurgents to diversify their fundraising methods to meet their goals. In this regard, kidnappings are easier to pull off at sea due to the sheer vastness of such water bodies, which can hinder the ability of security agencies to detect and respond to attacks promptly. The area’s vulnerable geography also means sea-based bandits are able to vanish into the cluster of Sulu islands to evade capture.
Access to the sea allows terrorists to also import and export resources and capabilities. For example, IS Sulu has used the Sulu seas to transport foreign fighters around the region. Such fighters both supplement and enhance the tactical capabilities of local terrorist groups. The Mindanao region, for example, has historically been used for training by terrorists in the region after Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) developed a tactical alliance with Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at the turn of the century. This arrangement allowed Filipinos to learn bomb-making techniques while exporting militancy capabilities to terrorists in neighboring countries. During the 2017 Marawi Siege, many regional and non-regional foreign fighters were smuggled through the Sulu archipelago to participate in the conflict. Additionally, Jamaah Ansharud Daulah (JAD)-linked Indonesians, Rullie Rian Zeke and Ulfah Handayah Saleh, were reportedly smuggled through the Sulu islands to participate in last January’s suicide attack on a church in Jolo. That attack was the catalyst for two other suicide attacks, involving local operatives, in Mindanao this year.ADVERTISING
Challenges of Enforcement Efforts
Law enforcement along the Sulu archipelago is complex. Archipelagos contain natural, unevenly distributed areas that hinder patrolling and emergency response efforts. Moreover, the natural separation of these lands, exposes security forces to ambush attacks. This is compounded by the area’s densely forested terrain. Security agencies not only require land-based and maritime assets; the diverse set of skills and equipment needed inherently increases the complexity of effective enforcement over such a vast territory. Additionally, the depth of the waters can also vary. As such, the presence of shallow shoals and mangroves often favor terrorists during naval pursuits, with security forces often forced utilize small boats with limited firepower and fuel capacity.
Government Response
The Philippine government takes the maritime threat posed by terrorist groups seriously. A significant number of troops have been deployed to supplement forces with the 11th Infantry Division based in Zamboanga as well as the Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS). The Philippines National Police (PNP) has also invested in high-speed tactical boats to support elite commando units tackling IS militants. These boats, said to possess features resembling armored vehicles on land, are expected to improve the maritime capabilities of the PNP.
Get first-read access to major articles yet to be released, as well as links to thought-provoking commentaries and in-depth articles from our Asia-Pacific correspondents.
The resurgence of high-profile maritime attacks linked to IS affiliated terrorists signals threat groups are persisting in their efforts to raise resources for their land-based campaigns. Governments must adopt a holistic approach to address both maritime and land-based threats. The PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) must enhance their ability to operate in shallow waters and mangroves. Better coordination between maritime and land-based forces will also provide government forces with a comparative advantage over the terrorists. Further, countries along the tri-border region – Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia – may also consider establishing border controls between Tawi-Tawi Island, Sabah and North Kalimantan to better regulate the area, hence denying IS militants’ access to the archipelago and wider seas.
[Kenneth Yeo is a research analyst at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR), a unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.]
https://thediplomat.com/2019/10/kidnapping-in-the-sulu-sea-implications-on-terrorism-in-the-philippines/
Presidential peace adviser 'adopts' more than 500 kids of former rebels, terrorists
From the Philippine Star (Oct 4, 2019): Presidential peace adviser 'adopts' more than 500 kids of former rebels, terrorists
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Reconciliation and Unification 'adopted' more than 500 children to keep them away from violent extremism. The STAR/Roel Pareño
MOHAMMAD AJUL, Basilan, Philippines — Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. adopted Friday more than 547 children, many of them sons and daughters of Abu Sayyaf and Muslim separatist fighters, as part of the process of ending the cycle of violent extremism in the village where the Islamic State first established a caliphate in the Philippines.
The children—146 from the Abu Sayyaf surrenderees, 156 from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), 121 from Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and some orphans of ISIS-inspired fighters—are beneficiaries of the Save the Children of War Foundation and were presented to Galvez at Barangay Tuburan Proper during the Festival of Love and Peace program.
Ustadz Abbas Alam and Malaysian bomb expert Mohammad Najib, alias Anas, occupied Barangay Tuburan proper and declared it an ISIS caliphate on May 2015. The military retook the village and killed both terror leaders after two weeks of fighting.
“The joy and happiness displayed by this children now enjoying the sets of playground provided by a Manila-based hospital cannot be quantified by any monetary means. It is this very sign that these children grew up from the face of violence and from here we are stopping the cycle of violence,” Galvez said.
Galvez, who once headed the military brigade in Basilan, can testify that among the victims of the conflict were children who were left in the crossfire.
“The program might appear low but the impact is big because this will break the generational link of violence because those children of those who died from the conflict will be the one who will replace them if this will not be addressed properly,” Galvez said.
During the program, the Save the Children of War foundation, chaired by Dr. Arlene Jawad, also distributed dozens of bicycles donated by various government officials, including Basilan Gov. Jim Saliman-Hataman, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim parliament member Laisa Masuhod Alamia, and non-government organizations.
A helicopter from the 3rd Tactical Operation Wing also dropped candies and toys as it hovered over the children.
Bags filled with school supplies and toys were also distributed to children in exchange for their toy guns.
Jawad challenged Secretary Galvez, being a father of a solo daughter, to adopt the children.
“I have accepted the challenge that [the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Reconciliation and Unification] will adopt these children. A very bright idea at ending the cycle of violence because all good things start from the children like these young victims who suffered the trauma of violence," Galvez said.
Jawad observed that there have been many programs for Abu Sayyaf surrenderees and MILF and MNLF returnees, but none for the children, whom she described as very vulnerable to the violent extremism.
“If we will not help these children now, the cycle of violence will go on and on, there is no ending,” Jawad said.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/10/04/1957415/presidential-peace-adviser-adopts-more-500-kids-former-rebels-terrorists
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Reconciliation and Unification 'adopted' more than 500 children to keep them away from violent extremism. The STAR/Roel Pareño
MOHAMMAD AJUL, Basilan, Philippines — Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. adopted Friday more than 547 children, many of them sons and daughters of Abu Sayyaf and Muslim separatist fighters, as part of the process of ending the cycle of violent extremism in the village where the Islamic State first established a caliphate in the Philippines.
The children—146 from the Abu Sayyaf surrenderees, 156 from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), 121 from Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and some orphans of ISIS-inspired fighters—are beneficiaries of the Save the Children of War Foundation and were presented to Galvez at Barangay Tuburan Proper during the Festival of Love and Peace program.
Ustadz Abbas Alam and Malaysian bomb expert Mohammad Najib, alias Anas, occupied Barangay Tuburan proper and declared it an ISIS caliphate on May 2015. The military retook the village and killed both terror leaders after two weeks of fighting.
“The joy and happiness displayed by this children now enjoying the sets of playground provided by a Manila-based hospital cannot be quantified by any monetary means. It is this very sign that these children grew up from the face of violence and from here we are stopping the cycle of violence,” Galvez said.
Galvez, who once headed the military brigade in Basilan, can testify that among the victims of the conflict were children who were left in the crossfire.
“The program might appear low but the impact is big because this will break the generational link of violence because those children of those who died from the conflict will be the one who will replace them if this will not be addressed properly,” Galvez said.
During the program, the Save the Children of War foundation, chaired by Dr. Arlene Jawad, also distributed dozens of bicycles donated by various government officials, including Basilan Gov. Jim Saliman-Hataman, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim parliament member Laisa Masuhod Alamia, and non-government organizations.
A helicopter from the 3rd Tactical Operation Wing also dropped candies and toys as it hovered over the children.
Bags filled with school supplies and toys were also distributed to children in exchange for their toy guns.
Jawad challenged Secretary Galvez, being a father of a solo daughter, to adopt the children.
“I have accepted the challenge that [the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Reconciliation and Unification] will adopt these children. A very bright idea at ending the cycle of violence because all good things start from the children like these young victims who suffered the trauma of violence," Galvez said.
Jawad observed that there have been many programs for Abu Sayyaf surrenderees and MILF and MNLF returnees, but none for the children, whom she described as very vulnerable to the violent extremism.
“If we will not help these children now, the cycle of violence will go on and on, there is no ending,” Jawad said.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/10/04/1957415/presidential-peace-adviser-adopts-more-500-kids-former-rebels-terrorists
Seven Philippine ex-rebels killed by ISIS-linked gunmen
From The Straits Times (Oct 5, 2019): Seven Philippine ex-rebels killed by ISIS-linked gunmen
The dead were said to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, formerly the country's largest guerrilla group but which began decommissioning weapons in Aug, 2019, under the terms of a 2014 peace treaty. PHOTO: AFP
MANILA (AFP) - Seven former Muslim rebels have been killed in the southern Philippines, military and police authorities said on Saturday (Oct 5), in an attack claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group.
They said the dead were all members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), formerly the country's largest guerrilla group but which began decommissioning weapons last month under the terms of a 2014 peace treaty.
A pro-ISIS armed group called Dawlah Islamiyah attacked an MILF camp near the town of Shariff Saydona on Friday, sparking fighting lasting several hours, said Lieutenant-Colonel Ernesto Gener, commander of a local army battalion.
ISIS claimed responsibility in a communique seen by SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activity.
The jihadists said eight MILF members were killed, but local police commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Arnold Santiago, told reporters the authorities were only aware of seven deaths.
Locals said they saw seven bodies being loaded onto a boat at a riverbank in Shariff Saydona, about 900km south of Manila.
MILF spokesman Von al Haq declined to comment.
The MILF peace pact ended decades of Muslim rebellion that had claimed 150,000 lives by government estimates in the Mindanao region, home to the Catholic nation's large Islamic minority.
The MILF was put in charge of a Muslim autonomous region as part of the peace accord, but Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said ISIS is attempting to set up a South-east Asian stronghold there.
Hundreds of pro-ISIS gunmen seized the Mindanao city of Marawi in May 2017, sparking a five-month battle that left more than 1,000 people dead.
The MILF, sometimes with Philippine military help, has in recent years waged an armed campaign to flush out a number of pro-ISIS groups operating in the swampy farming region around Shariff Saydona.
MANILA (AFP) - Seven former Muslim rebels have been killed in the southern Philippines, military and police authorities said on Saturday (Oct 5), in an attack claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group.
They said the dead were all members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), formerly the country's largest guerrilla group but which began decommissioning weapons last month under the terms of a 2014 peace treaty.
A pro-ISIS armed group called Dawlah Islamiyah attacked an MILF camp near the town of Shariff Saydona on Friday, sparking fighting lasting several hours, said Lieutenant-Colonel Ernesto Gener, commander of a local army battalion.
ISIS claimed responsibility in a communique seen by SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activity.
The jihadists said eight MILF members were killed, but local police commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Arnold Santiago, told reporters the authorities were only aware of seven deaths.
Locals said they saw seven bodies being loaded onto a boat at a riverbank in Shariff Saydona, about 900km south of Manila.
MILF spokesman Von al Haq declined to comment.
The MILF peace pact ended decades of Muslim rebellion that had claimed 150,000 lives by government estimates in the Mindanao region, home to the Catholic nation's large Islamic minority.
The MILF was put in charge of a Muslim autonomous region as part of the peace accord, but Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said ISIS is attempting to set up a South-east Asian stronghold there.
Hundreds of pro-ISIS gunmen seized the Mindanao city of Marawi in May 2017, sparking a five-month battle that left more than 1,000 people dead.
The MILF, sometimes with Philippine military help, has in recent years waged an armed campaign to flush out a number of pro-ISIS groups operating in the swampy farming region around Shariff Saydona.
Military: Briton, Filipino Wife Kidnapped in Southern Philippines BenarNews staff
From BenarNews (Oct 4, 2019): Military: Briton, Filipino Wife Kidnapped in Southern Philippines
A casket containing the body of Dutch national Ewold Horn, who was killed by his Abu Sayyaf captors, is seen inside a military aircraft before taking off from Jolo airport in the southern Philippines, May 31, 2019. AP
Authorities in the southern Philippines were searching for a British citizen and his Filipino wife after a group of gunmen abducted them from a beach town in Zamboanga del Sur province on Friday evening, the military said.
The victims were identified as businessman Allan Arthur Hyrons, and his wife, Welma Paglinawan-Hyrons, officials said. The couple was seized around 6 p.m. Friday (local time) by six unidentified gunmen from a seaside resort in the town of Tukuran, said Captain Clint Antipala, spokesman for the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.
Antipala said it was not immediately known where the gunmen took the couple. He said the Army was coordinating with local police to investigate the kidnapping.
“We have alerted all the forces to look for these victims,” Antipala said.
An initial investigation revealed that four of the suspects apparently had waited for the couple, who were snatched as soon as they reached the beach resort.
“When the victims arrived at the resort, they were immediately abducted by the suspects and [put on] two motorized boats, which escaped separately,” according to an incident report by the army.
One of the boats headed in the open sea towards Pagadian City while the other one moved in the direction of Lanao del Norte province, officials said.
Muslim militants are known to operate in parts of the Philippine south, where foreigners have been the main victims of abductions in the region.
In May, Dutch national Ewold Horn was killed in a rescue attempt by the military, when soldiers engaged his Abu Sayyaf captors in a gunfight. He had been in captivity in the region since 2012. A Swiss national, Lorenzo Vinciguerra, who was abducted with Horn escaped after two years in captivity.
The Abu Sayyaf Group is the smallest of several armed groups that operate in the restive south, but it is considered the most brutal one. Three years ago, Abu Sayyaf militants beheaded two Canadian hostages and a German captive after their governments refused to pay ransoms for their release.
One of its leaders, Isnilon Hapilon, was later named the head of the Islamic State branch in the Philippines. He was killed in October 2017 along with his aides, at the end of a five-month battle with government forces after leading militants in a siege of the southern city of Marawi.
Haplion was replaced by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, also a senior Abu Sayyaf commander, whose group was blamed for suicide bombings on southern Jolo island since January 2019.
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/couple-abducted-10042019151342.html
The victims were identified as businessman Allan Arthur Hyrons, and his wife, Welma Paglinawan-Hyrons, officials said. The couple was seized around 6 p.m. Friday (local time) by six unidentified gunmen from a seaside resort in the town of Tukuran, said Captain Clint Antipala, spokesman for the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.
Antipala said it was not immediately known where the gunmen took the couple. He said the Army was coordinating with local police to investigate the kidnapping.
“We have alerted all the forces to look for these victims,” Antipala said.
An initial investigation revealed that four of the suspects apparently had waited for the couple, who were snatched as soon as they reached the beach resort.
“When the victims arrived at the resort, they were immediately abducted by the suspects and [put on] two motorized boats, which escaped separately,” according to an incident report by the army.
One of the boats headed in the open sea towards Pagadian City while the other one moved in the direction of Lanao del Norte province, officials said.
Muslim militants are known to operate in parts of the Philippine south, where foreigners have been the main victims of abductions in the region.
In May, Dutch national Ewold Horn was killed in a rescue attempt by the military, when soldiers engaged his Abu Sayyaf captors in a gunfight. He had been in captivity in the region since 2012. A Swiss national, Lorenzo Vinciguerra, who was abducted with Horn escaped after two years in captivity.
The Abu Sayyaf Group is the smallest of several armed groups that operate in the restive south, but it is considered the most brutal one. Three years ago, Abu Sayyaf militants beheaded two Canadian hostages and a German captive after their governments refused to pay ransoms for their release.
One of its leaders, Isnilon Hapilon, was later named the head of the Islamic State branch in the Philippines. He was killed in October 2017 along with his aides, at the end of a five-month battle with government forces after leading militants in a siege of the southern city of Marawi.
Haplion was replaced by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, also a senior Abu Sayyaf commander, whose group was blamed for suicide bombings on southern Jolo island since January 2019.
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/couple-abducted-10042019151342.html
Army, NPA clash in Negros Oriental
From GMA News Online (Oct 4, 2019): Army, NPA clash in Negros Oriental
Army soldiers from the 94th Infantry Battalion figured in an encounter with suspected members of the New Peoples' Army in Negros Oriental, resulting in the seizing of arms and materials from the rebels.
The 40-minute firefight with at least 20 rebels took place in the afternoon of October 3 at Sitio Cabangahan in Bantolinao village.
According to the Joint Task Force Negros, the rebels withdrew with undetermined number of casualties.
Army troops recovered one anti-personnel mine; one unit commercial handheld radio; one unit AM radio; one buffer spring for M16; one charging handle for M16; one bolt for M16; two backpacks; two cellular phones; seven kilos rice; electrical wire; three ponchos; five hammocks; ten "Ang Bayan" booklets, and other personal belongings.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/710538/army-npa-clash-in-negros-oriental/story/
Army soldiers from the 94th Infantry Battalion figured in an encounter with suspected members of the New Peoples' Army in Negros Oriental, resulting in the seizing of arms and materials from the rebels.
The 40-minute firefight with at least 20 rebels took place in the afternoon of October 3 at Sitio Cabangahan in Bantolinao village.
According to the Joint Task Force Negros, the rebels withdrew with undetermined number of casualties.
Army troops recovered one anti-personnel mine; one unit commercial handheld radio; one unit AM radio; one buffer spring for M16; one charging handle for M16; one bolt for M16; two backpacks; two cellular phones; seven kilos rice; electrical wire; three ponchos; five hammocks; ten "Ang Bayan" booklets, and other personal belongings.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/710538/army-npa-clash-in-negros-oriental/story/
YOUNG & DANGEROUS | Army: Half of NPA-Panay rebels underage
From the Panay News (Oct 5, 2019): YOUNG & DANGEROUS | Army: Half of NPA-Panay rebels underage
Half or perhaps even majority of New People’s Army (NPA) cadres in Panay Island are below the legal age of 18, according to the Philippine Army. These underage fighters were lured into joining the NPA by false promises, said Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB).
There are an estimated 100 fighters in NPA-Panay’s southern and central fronts, said Batara.
“Broken promises led some of them to surrender,” he revealed.
In July, a rebel who surrendered, Ka Aguila from Calinog, Iloilo, told the Army he was 15 years old when he was recruited to the NPA. His role was agaw armas (seizing firearms) from policemen.
He decided to surrender due to constant hunger and the failed promise of their leaders of a monthly salary of P5,000.
According to Batara, the NPA recruits youngsters mostly in schools and far-flung barangays.
He urged students not to be fooled.
Batara also urged parents to be vigilant and protective of their children.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Western Visayas said the recruitment of individuals below 18 years old for armed struggle violates international and domestic laws.
Although the CHR Region 6 has not received any formal report on the recruitment of minors in the armed conflict, Christopher Montaño, information officer of CHR-6, said: “In the Geneva Convention and our domestic laws, recruiting minors in the armed conflict is a violation because children should never be involved in armed conflict situations.”
The International Humanitarian Law (IHL) states that youngsters 15 years old and up can join the armed movement but Republic Act (RA) 7610 provides “stronger deterrence and special protection against child abuse, exploitation, and discrimination” and disallows persons below 18 to join the armed movement.
Montaño stressed that children, as “zones of peace”, should be protected and should not be, at any cost, exposed to the culture of violence.
RA 7610 stipulates that “children shall not be an object of attack and shall be entitled to special respect. They shall be protected from any form of threat, assault, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.”
“That is why the recruitment of youth to be used as spies, couriers and guides of both the Armed Forces of the Philippine and the CPP-NPA is prohibited by law,” said Montaño.
In July, the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army discovered that NPA-Panay’s Eastern Front recruited children aged 10 to 14.
“Mostly they recruit minors aged 10 to 14. This is alarming because these minors are supposed to be attending school. The rebels are ruining their future,” said Lieutenant Hazel Durotan, Civil-Military Operations (CMO) officer of the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion.
https://www.panaynews.net/young-dangerous-army-half-of-npa-panay-rebels-underage/
There are an estimated 100 fighters in NPA-Panay’s southern and central fronts, said Batara.
“Broken promises led some of them to surrender,” he revealed.
In July, a rebel who surrendered, Ka Aguila from Calinog, Iloilo, told the Army he was 15 years old when he was recruited to the NPA. His role was agaw armas (seizing firearms) from policemen.
He decided to surrender due to constant hunger and the failed promise of their leaders of a monthly salary of P5,000.
According to Batara, the NPA recruits youngsters mostly in schools and far-flung barangays.
He urged students not to be fooled.
Batara also urged parents to be vigilant and protective of their children.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Western Visayas said the recruitment of individuals below 18 years old for armed struggle violates international and domestic laws.
Although the CHR Region 6 has not received any formal report on the recruitment of minors in the armed conflict, Christopher Montaño, information officer of CHR-6, said: “In the Geneva Convention and our domestic laws, recruiting minors in the armed conflict is a violation because children should never be involved in armed conflict situations.”
The International Humanitarian Law (IHL) states that youngsters 15 years old and up can join the armed movement but Republic Act (RA) 7610 provides “stronger deterrence and special protection against child abuse, exploitation, and discrimination” and disallows persons below 18 to join the armed movement.
Montaño stressed that children, as “zones of peace”, should be protected and should not be, at any cost, exposed to the culture of violence.
RA 7610 stipulates that “children shall not be an object of attack and shall be entitled to special respect. They shall be protected from any form of threat, assault, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.”
“That is why the recruitment of youth to be used as spies, couriers and guides of both the Armed Forces of the Philippine and the CPP-NPA is prohibited by law,” said Montaño.
In July, the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army discovered that NPA-Panay’s Eastern Front recruited children aged 10 to 14.
“Mostly they recruit minors aged 10 to 14. This is alarming because these minors are supposed to be attending school. The rebels are ruining their future,” said Lieutenant Hazel Durotan, Civil-Military Operations (CMO) officer of the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion.
https://www.panaynews.net/young-dangerous-army-half-of-npa-panay-rebels-underage/
NPA rebel yields in NoCot, leads Army to firearms cache
From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 5, 2019): NPA rebel yields in NoCot, leads Army to firearms cache
RECOVERED FIREARMS. The firearms seized by the Army's 72nd Infantry Battalion in Magpet, North Cotabato after a New People’s Army surrenderer led soldiers to the rebels’ firearms repository several days after his surrender on Sept. 29, 2019. Government troopers also found anti-personnel mines and ammunition (inset) at the site. (Photo courtesy of 72nd IB)
COTABATO CITY – An active member of the communist New Peoples’ Army (NPA) has voluntarily surrendered to military authorities in Magpet, North Cotabato and led soldiers to the location of the rebels’ arms storehouse in the hinterlands of the municipality.
Lt. Colonel Rey Alvarado Army’s 72nd Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said in a statement Thursday that the NPA guerilla, whose identity was kept for security reasons, decided to give up rebellion through the prodding of his family.
The surrenderer, a team leader of Special Partisan Unit of the NPA Guerilla Front 53, yielded on Sept. 29 but was only made public by the Army on Thursday, October 3.
Several days after his surrender, the ex-NPA rebel, guided soldiers to a site where rebels store their firearms. Government troops recovered three high powered rifles, ammunition, and anti-personnel mines at the site.
The surrender came after more than 400 former NPA rebels and mass-based supporters denounce the communist movement after undergoing a peacebuilding seminar in Poblacion Magpet, North Cotabato last month.
Carrying banners, streamers, and megaphones, the former communist rebels told their comrades who remain active to stop exploiting poor farmers in Magpet.
The 72IB conducted immersion to nine barangays since March this year in line with its CSP responsibility.
As part of the implementation of Executive Order 70, mandating the government’s whole of nation approach against insurgency, speakers from various government agencies took turns in educating the NPA mass-based supporters on the evils of the communist movement.
In one of the gatherings, Edgar Hantoc, village chair of Barangay Balete, lauded the Army efforts to win the hearts of residents in his village.
“We are now enlightened that we were just fooled by these communists. We are just victims,” he said.
Magpet Mayor Florenito Gonzaga lauded the 72nd IB for being their partner in peace and development efforts in the municipality.
The NPA, together with the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1082271
RECOVERED FIREARMS. The firearms seized by the Army's 72nd Infantry Battalion in Magpet, North Cotabato after a New People’s Army surrenderer led soldiers to the rebels’ firearms repository several days after his surrender on Sept. 29, 2019. Government troopers also found anti-personnel mines and ammunition (inset) at the site. (Photo courtesy of 72nd IB)
COTABATO CITY – An active member of the communist New Peoples’ Army (NPA) has voluntarily surrendered to military authorities in Magpet, North Cotabato and led soldiers to the location of the rebels’ arms storehouse in the hinterlands of the municipality.
Lt. Colonel Rey Alvarado Army’s 72nd Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said in a statement Thursday that the NPA guerilla, whose identity was kept for security reasons, decided to give up rebellion through the prodding of his family.
The surrenderer, a team leader of Special Partisan Unit of the NPA Guerilla Front 53, yielded on Sept. 29 but was only made public by the Army on Thursday, October 3.
Several days after his surrender, the ex-NPA rebel, guided soldiers to a site where rebels store their firearms. Government troops recovered three high powered rifles, ammunition, and anti-personnel mines at the site.
The surrender came after more than 400 former NPA rebels and mass-based supporters denounce the communist movement after undergoing a peacebuilding seminar in Poblacion Magpet, North Cotabato last month.
Carrying banners, streamers, and megaphones, the former communist rebels told their comrades who remain active to stop exploiting poor farmers in Magpet.
The 72IB conducted immersion to nine barangays since March this year in line with its CSP responsibility.
As part of the implementation of Executive Order 70, mandating the government’s whole of nation approach against insurgency, speakers from various government agencies took turns in educating the NPA mass-based supporters on the evils of the communist movement.
In one of the gatherings, Edgar Hantoc, village chair of Barangay Balete, lauded the Army efforts to win the hearts of residents in his village.
“We are now enlightened that we were just fooled by these communists. We are just victims,” he said.
Magpet Mayor Florenito Gonzaga lauded the 72nd IB for being their partner in peace and development efforts in the municipality.
The NPA, together with the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1082271
NPA hitman surrenders in North Cotabato
From the Philippine Star (Oct 5, 2019): NPA hitman surrenders in North Cotabato
Reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo identified the surrenderee as Harold Adjiaton, 30, who said he was with the NPA’s Front Guerrilla Unit and a team leader of Special Partisan Unit of Guerrilla Front 53. Interaksyon/File
A team leader of the hit squad of the New People’s Army (NPA) in North Cotabato has surrendered to the 72nd Infantry Battalion.
Reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo identified the surrenderee as Harold Adjiaton, 30, who said he was with the NPA’s Front Guerrilla Unit and a team leader of Special Partisan Unit of Guerrilla Front 53.
The military said Adjiaton turned over a caliber .45 pistol with magazine, ammunition and a fragmentation grenade.
In Negros Oriental, an anti-personnel mine, an M16 rifle, a handheld radio, two cellular phones and food items were among those recovered by government troopers from NPA rebels following an encounter in Sitio Cabangahan, Barangay Bantulinao, Manjuyod on Thursday.
Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo of the 303rd Infantry Brigade said the rebels suffered casualties, citing bloodstains at their abandoned positions.
Reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo identified the surrenderee as Harold Adjiaton, 30, who said he was with the NPA’s Front Guerrilla Unit and a team leader of Special Partisan Unit of Guerrilla Front 53.
The military said Adjiaton turned over a caliber .45 pistol with magazine, ammunition and a fragmentation grenade.
In Negros Oriental, an anti-personnel mine, an M16 rifle, a handheld radio, two cellular phones and food items were among those recovered by government troopers from NPA rebels following an encounter in Sitio Cabangahan, Barangay Bantulinao, Manjuyod on Thursday.
Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo of the 303rd Infantry Brigade said the rebels suffered casualties, citing bloodstains at their abandoned positions.
Duterte: Philippine Relations with Russia on Upswing
From BenarNews (Oct 3, 2019): Duterte: Philippine Relations with Russia on Upswing
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (left) greets Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte before their talks in Moscow, Oct. 2, 2019. Russian government pool photo via AP
Relations between Manila and Moscow are on the upswing, President Rodrigo Duterte said, but comments in the Russian media about the way he was dressed at a formal meeting with the country’s prime minister may have overshadowed the diplomatic accomplishment.
Duterte, who met with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday, noted “remarkable progress in our engagement, including such strategic areas as defense and security,” according to official transcripts of their discussion that were released on Thursday.
Duterte noted last year’s first-ever visit by a Philippine navy ship to Vladivostok.
“This was unthinkable just a few years back, yet we did it and more firsts are to follow,” Duterte said.
“We now have a consultative mechanism where we explore ways to expound our cooperation in various areas including trade and investment, defense and security, energy, science and technology, among others,” he said. “We are intent on sustaining this momentum.”
Seeking ‘agile foreign policy’
The meeting was tied to Duterte’s move to be less reliant on the United States, a traditional ally with which Manila has a mutual defense treaty that stretches nearly seven decades.
“The trip to Russia is part of his independent foreign policy,” Ramon Casiple, founder of the Institute for Political and Electoral Forum, told BenarNews.
In a speech before departing for Moscow, Duterte said it was important to create new relationships.
“[Geopolitical] realities and global developments require that nations like ours should have an agile foreign policy. While it is true that we value our long-standing partners, we must also be open to engage new ones,” Duterte said.
“For the longest time, we have placed key nations at the margins of our foreign policy, failing to fully explore the potentials of mutually beneficial cooperation,” he said. “With our independent foreign policy, we can say with much optimism that these are new and promising times.”
Since Duterte took office in 2016, government officials have said that the Philippines would not abandon ties with the U.S. even as his administration increased engagements with Russia and China. The president has made several trips to Beijing, as well as set aside an international court’s 2016 ruling in favor of Manila over disputed areas in the South China Sea.
Medvedev, who met the Philippine president at a summit of East Asian leaders shortly after Duterte assumed power, said bilateral relations had warmed up. Trade between the two nations had grown during the past two years, he noted.
“And our task is to strengthen this trend,” Medvedev said, according to the transcript.
In what appeared to be a dig at Washington, Medvedev said he was pleased to welcome Duterte to Russia’s version of the White House “but this is not the same White House as in that other country.”
“It is the Russian house of government. It’s a little bit bigger than the White House that we all know, and better,” Medvedev said as both leaders posed for photographers.
‘Did he just leave the pub?’
During his state visit to Russia, Russian and European media commented about the Philippine president’s state of dress during such formal occasions.
In a photograph posted by Russia’s state-owned news agency and widely shared on social media, Duterte was pictured with the knot of his tie loosened and a crumpled-looking collar. By contrast, Medvedev wore his tie in a tight knot and donned a buttoned-up tailored suit.
Czech journalist Pavel Vondra tweeted on Thursday that Duterte “showed up a bit unkempt.”
He noted that members of the Russian media were posting comments such as “Did he drink all night?” and “Did he just leave the pub?”
Casiple, the Philippine analyst, said Duterte had a health issue that affected his appearance.
“As for his wardrobe, remember that he has a throat problem. He cannot have a tight collar,” Casiple said.
Philippine presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo also came to Duterte’s defense, saying: “His loosened tie was not intended to disrespect the Russian leader.
“He loosened it up. He feels suffocated and very uncomfortable.”
Duterte, according to Panelo, is “hygienic.”
“His body emits a refreshing scent as observed by people who meet him up close,” Panelo said.
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/duterte-russia-10032019131723.html
Duterte, who met with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday, noted “remarkable progress in our engagement, including such strategic areas as defense and security,” according to official transcripts of their discussion that were released on Thursday.
Duterte noted last year’s first-ever visit by a Philippine navy ship to Vladivostok.
“This was unthinkable just a few years back, yet we did it and more firsts are to follow,” Duterte said.
“We now have a consultative mechanism where we explore ways to expound our cooperation in various areas including trade and investment, defense and security, energy, science and technology, among others,” he said. “We are intent on sustaining this momentum.”
Seeking ‘agile foreign policy’
The meeting was tied to Duterte’s move to be less reliant on the United States, a traditional ally with which Manila has a mutual defense treaty that stretches nearly seven decades.
“The trip to Russia is part of his independent foreign policy,” Ramon Casiple, founder of the Institute for Political and Electoral Forum, told BenarNews.
In a speech before departing for Moscow, Duterte said it was important to create new relationships.
“[Geopolitical] realities and global developments require that nations like ours should have an agile foreign policy. While it is true that we value our long-standing partners, we must also be open to engage new ones,” Duterte said.
“For the longest time, we have placed key nations at the margins of our foreign policy, failing to fully explore the potentials of mutually beneficial cooperation,” he said. “With our independent foreign policy, we can say with much optimism that these are new and promising times.”
Since Duterte took office in 2016, government officials have said that the Philippines would not abandon ties with the U.S. even as his administration increased engagements with Russia and China. The president has made several trips to Beijing, as well as set aside an international court’s 2016 ruling in favor of Manila over disputed areas in the South China Sea.
Medvedev, who met the Philippine president at a summit of East Asian leaders shortly after Duterte assumed power, said bilateral relations had warmed up. Trade between the two nations had grown during the past two years, he noted.
“And our task is to strengthen this trend,” Medvedev said, according to the transcript.
In what appeared to be a dig at Washington, Medvedev said he was pleased to welcome Duterte to Russia’s version of the White House “but this is not the same White House as in that other country.”
“It is the Russian house of government. It’s a little bit bigger than the White House that we all know, and better,” Medvedev said as both leaders posed for photographers.
‘Did he just leave the pub?’
During his state visit to Russia, Russian and European media commented about the Philippine president’s state of dress during such formal occasions.
In a photograph posted by Russia’s state-owned news agency and widely shared on social media, Duterte was pictured with the knot of his tie loosened and a crumpled-looking collar. By contrast, Medvedev wore his tie in a tight knot and donned a buttoned-up tailored suit.
Czech journalist Pavel Vondra tweeted on Thursday that Duterte “showed up a bit unkempt.”
He noted that members of the Russian media were posting comments such as “Did he drink all night?” and “Did he just leave the pub?”
Casiple, the Philippine analyst, said Duterte had a health issue that affected his appearance.
“As for his wardrobe, remember that he has a throat problem. He cannot have a tight collar,” Casiple said.
Philippine presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo also came to Duterte’s defense, saying: “His loosened tie was not intended to disrespect the Russian leader.
“He loosened it up. He feels suffocated and very uncomfortable.”
Duterte, according to Panelo, is “hygienic.”
“His body emits a refreshing scent as observed by people who meet him up close,” Panelo said.
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/duterte-russia-10032019131723.html
Philippines, US defense treaty should address China's 'gray zone' tactics — analysts
From the Philippine Star (Oct 4, 2019): Philippines, US defense treaty should address China's 'gray zone' tactics — analysts
In this April 6, 2019 photo, US Navy sailors return to the guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) in a rigid-hulled inflatable boat and pass the Philippine Navy offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcatraz (PS 16) after completing a visit, board, search, and seizure drill in support of Exercise Balikatan US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel
The Philippines and the United States should revise its 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) to counter China's actions in the disputed South China Sea, analysts said.
Adrien Chorn and Monica Michiko Sato of the CSIS Southeast Asia Program noted that the existing treaty between the two countries is not clear on gray zone threats.
Chorn and Sato noted that gray zone threats can include a mix of conventional warfare, irregular warfare and cyberwarfare with other influencing methods.
"The United States and the Philippines should issue a joint statement on an elucidative and effective MDT that addresses gray zone threats and upholds the tribunal decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration," the analysts said in an article published on the CSIS website.
According to the analysts, a revised MDT should be multi-level and similar to the defense readiness condition levels of the US.
The revised treaty should also include well-defined rules of engagement, rationale for escalation of force and appropriate consequences of Chinese actions.
"In doing so, the MDT would be revised to address China’s various actions in the South China Sea and to limit the range of Chinese activities that may be considered permissible," the analysts said.
Doing so would improve Philippines-US relations and would also counter Chinese belligerence in the region, they said.
One of China's "gray zone" tactics is deploying hundreds of paramilitary vessels in the vicinity of Pag-asa Island, where the Philippine government is upgrading its facilities.
Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island, one of the largest features in the Spratlys, have also been intimidating Filipino fishermen.
The Department of National Defense also reported that China's Coast Guard vessels blocked Filipino civilian vessels conducting a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, where the navy's BRP Sierra Madre is grounded.
Chorn and Sato also mentioned other dimensions of China's tactics, such as cyberwarfare, disinformation campaigns and "debt traps" from "opaque" infrastructural investments.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has long been calling for a review on the decades-old MDT following Beijing's aggressive actions in the South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine Sea.
When US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came to Manila in March, he assured the Philippines that any armed attack on Filipino forces in the South China Sea would trigger the agreement.
In response to this, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said there was no need to review the agreement between Manila and Washington.
"In vagueness lies uncertainty — a deterrent. Specificity invites evasion and actions outside the MDT framework," Locsin said in March.
Lorenzana, on the other hand, contradicted Locsin's "old theory of deterrence," pointing out that the security environment in the Philippines has changed since the MDT was signed in 1951.
"I do not believe that ambiguity or vagueness of the Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty will serve as a deterrent. In fact, it will cause confusion and chaos during a crisis," Lorenzana said.
Adrien Chorn and Monica Michiko Sato of the CSIS Southeast Asia Program noted that the existing treaty between the two countries is not clear on gray zone threats.
Chorn and Sato noted that gray zone threats can include a mix of conventional warfare, irregular warfare and cyberwarfare with other influencing methods.
"The United States and the Philippines should issue a joint statement on an elucidative and effective MDT that addresses gray zone threats and upholds the tribunal decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration," the analysts said in an article published on the CSIS website.
According to the analysts, a revised MDT should be multi-level and similar to the defense readiness condition levels of the US.
The revised treaty should also include well-defined rules of engagement, rationale for escalation of force and appropriate consequences of Chinese actions.
"In doing so, the MDT would be revised to address China’s various actions in the South China Sea and to limit the range of Chinese activities that may be considered permissible," the analysts said.
Doing so would improve Philippines-US relations and would also counter Chinese belligerence in the region, they said.
One of China's "gray zone" tactics is deploying hundreds of paramilitary vessels in the vicinity of Pag-asa Island, where the Philippine government is upgrading its facilities.
Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island, one of the largest features in the Spratlys, have also been intimidating Filipino fishermen.
The Department of National Defense also reported that China's Coast Guard vessels blocked Filipino civilian vessels conducting a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, where the navy's BRP Sierra Madre is grounded.
Chorn and Sato also mentioned other dimensions of China's tactics, such as cyberwarfare, disinformation campaigns and "debt traps" from "opaque" infrastructural investments.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has long been calling for a review on the decades-old MDT following Beijing's aggressive actions in the South China Sea, part of which is the West Philippine Sea.
When US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came to Manila in March, he assured the Philippines that any armed attack on Filipino forces in the South China Sea would trigger the agreement.
In response to this, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said there was no need to review the agreement between Manila and Washington.
"In vagueness lies uncertainty — a deterrent. Specificity invites evasion and actions outside the MDT framework," Locsin said in March.
Lorenzana, on the other hand, contradicted Locsin's "old theory of deterrence," pointing out that the security environment in the Philippines has changed since the MDT was signed in 1951.
"I do not believe that ambiguity or vagueness of the Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty will serve as a deterrent. In fact, it will cause confusion and chaos during a crisis," Lorenzana said.
CPP/NPA-Bicol: Ilantad ang saywar ng RTF-ELCAC laban sa nagkakaisang hanay ng mamamayan
Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 5, 2019): Ilantad ang saywar ng RTF-ELCAC laban sa nagkakaisang hanay ng mamamayan
RAYMUNDO BUENFUERZA
NPA-BICOL REGION
ROMULO JALLORES COMMAND
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY
OCTOBER 05, 2019
Desperado na ang rehimeng US-Duterte na ipakitang umuusad ang kampanyang kontra-insurhensya. Sa pamamagitan ng sibilyang junta ng EO 70, itinutulak nito ang paglalabas ng mga lokal na gubyerno ng deklarasyong persona non grata (PNG) ang CPP-NPA-NDF at localized peacetalks. Nagkukumahog itong makapaghabi ng klimang hindi na tinatanggap ng taumbayan ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan at nahahati ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan.
Walang pinagkaiba ang mga deklarasyon ng PNG sa red tagging sa mga makabayan at progresibong organisasyon at iba pang pekeng balitang ipinapakalat ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Bahagi ito ng pinatitinding saywar sa ilalim ng Oplan Kapanatagan, na nakabatay sa US Counterinsurgency Guide (US COIN). Sa rehiyon, masugid itong ipinatutupad ng Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) sa pangingibabaw ng militar sa sibilyang burukrasya.
Ipinipinta ng rehimen ang pagkakahati ng hanay ng BHB sa pamamagitan ng localized peace talks at programang Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). Milyun-milyong pondo mula sa kabang bayan ang ibinubulsa ng mga upisyal-militar habang papalobo ang bilang ng mga pekeng surrenderee na kanilang ipinaparada.
Ang pekeng engkwentro sa Brgy. Pandan, Ligao, Albay nitong Oktubre 1 ay bahagi ng pagsasadula ng AFP-PNP-CAFGU upang palabasing tumitindi ang kaguluhan sa rehiyon at sa iba pang bahagi ng bansa. Mula Enero hanggang sa kasalukuyan, mayroon nang naitalang 10 pekeng engkwentro sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng rehiyon. Natataranta na ba ang buong 9th IDPA sa sabi nilang iilan na lang na kasapi ng BHB at sabik itong pabalikin sa rehiyon ang dalawang berdugong batalyong ipinakat sa Mindanao?
Hindi masusukat ng isang kapirasong papel ang pangangalit ng mamamayang Bikolano. Hindi sinasagot ng Oplan Kapanatagan, RTF-ELCAC at ng buong kampanyang kontrainsurhensya ang ugat ng armadong pakikibaka. Hanggang kumakalam ang tiyan ng mamamayan at hindi nakakamit kanilang demokratikong pangarap para sa kanilang salinlahi, muli’t muling titibay ang pagkakaisa at sama-samang pagbangon at paglaban. Hindi kailanman bibitawan ng taumbayan ang kanilang natatanging armas, ang armadong pakikibaka, laban sa pang-aapi at pagsasamantala.
IBAGSAK ANG REHIMENG US-DUTERTE!
Desperado na ang rehimeng US-Duterte na ipakitang umuusad ang kampanyang kontra-insurhensya. Sa pamamagitan ng sibilyang junta ng EO 70, itinutulak nito ang paglalabas ng mga lokal na gubyerno ng deklarasyong persona non grata (PNG) ang CPP-NPA-NDF at localized peacetalks. Nagkukumahog itong makapaghabi ng klimang hindi na tinatanggap ng taumbayan ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan at nahahati ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan.
Walang pinagkaiba ang mga deklarasyon ng PNG sa red tagging sa mga makabayan at progresibong organisasyon at iba pang pekeng balitang ipinapakalat ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Bahagi ito ng pinatitinding saywar sa ilalim ng Oplan Kapanatagan, na nakabatay sa US Counterinsurgency Guide (US COIN). Sa rehiyon, masugid itong ipinatutupad ng Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) sa pangingibabaw ng militar sa sibilyang burukrasya.
Ipinipinta ng rehimen ang pagkakahati ng hanay ng BHB sa pamamagitan ng localized peace talks at programang Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). Milyun-milyong pondo mula sa kabang bayan ang ibinubulsa ng mga upisyal-militar habang papalobo ang bilang ng mga pekeng surrenderee na kanilang ipinaparada.
Ang pekeng engkwentro sa Brgy. Pandan, Ligao, Albay nitong Oktubre 1 ay bahagi ng pagsasadula ng AFP-PNP-CAFGU upang palabasing tumitindi ang kaguluhan sa rehiyon at sa iba pang bahagi ng bansa. Mula Enero hanggang sa kasalukuyan, mayroon nang naitalang 10 pekeng engkwentro sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng rehiyon. Natataranta na ba ang buong 9th IDPA sa sabi nilang iilan na lang na kasapi ng BHB at sabik itong pabalikin sa rehiyon ang dalawang berdugong batalyong ipinakat sa Mindanao?
Hindi masusukat ng isang kapirasong papel ang pangangalit ng mamamayang Bikolano. Hindi sinasagot ng Oplan Kapanatagan, RTF-ELCAC at ng buong kampanyang kontrainsurhensya ang ugat ng armadong pakikibaka. Hanggang kumakalam ang tiyan ng mamamayan at hindi nakakamit kanilang demokratikong pangarap para sa kanilang salinlahi, muli’t muling titibay ang pagkakaisa at sama-samang pagbangon at paglaban. Hindi kailanman bibitawan ng taumbayan ang kanilang natatanging armas, ang armadong pakikibaka, laban sa pang-aapi at pagsasamantala.
IBAGSAK ANG REHIMENG US-DUTERTE!
LABANAN ANG SAYWAR NG OPLAN KAPANATAGAN!
BIGUIN ANG MO 32 AT EO 70!
https://cpp.ph/statement/ilantad-ang-saywar-ng-rtf-elcac-laban-sa-nagkakaisang-hanay-ng-mamamayan/
https://cpp.ph/statement/ilantad-ang-saywar-ng-rtf-elcac-laban-sa-nagkakaisang-hanay-ng-mamamayan/
CPP/NDF-Negros: On Vinoya’s ignorance and the teachers plight
Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 5, 2019): On Vinoya’s ignorance and the teachers plight
Joint Task Force (JTF) Negros BGen. Eric Vinoya misrepresents the people’s demand for just and lasting peace in peddling the localized peace talks scheme. He has unmasked his own ignorance of the people’s real conditions and plays a typical Duterte stooge.
Today, we celebrate World Teacher’s Day. But in the Philippines, like workers and peasants, teachers are victims of Duterte’s greed and tyranny.
Spending billions to gratify the military and police and procuring weapons and war facilities to impose his strong-man rule, Duterte has abandoned even the education sector. The teachers’ demand for wage increase and for a P30,000 entry level salary have no hope under this corrupt and deceitful military junta.
Just last July, two teachers were victims of extrajudicial killings in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. Under Duterte’s regime, teachers’ progressive organizations are red-tagged and schools are militarized. The AFP, now represented by BGen. Vinoya in Negros, and the PNP are so obsessed with decimating the New People’s Army (NPA), genuine defenders of the exploited and oppressed, that even teachers are prey to their fascism.
The plight of teachers is part of the struggle of the Filipino people. The fight against de facto martial law in Negros is also their fight. With Duterte forsaking his promises to the people and instead putting forward an iron fist to silence the people’s clamor, he is also pushing teachers toward the path of armed revolution.
The National Democratic Front – Negros is one with the Filipino people in saluting our teachers who have dedicated their lives to moulding the Filipino youth. We call on all teachers to actively participate in the broad alliance against tyranny and fascism. Join the NPA to advance genuine social and economic change especially a nationalist, scientific and mass-oriented education.###
https://cpp.ph/statement/on-vinoyas-ignorance-and-the-teachers-plight/
Joint Task Force (JTF) Negros BGen. Eric Vinoya misrepresents the people’s demand for just and lasting peace in peddling the localized peace talks scheme. He has unmasked his own ignorance of the people’s real conditions and plays a typical Duterte stooge.
Today, we celebrate World Teacher’s Day. But in the Philippines, like workers and peasants, teachers are victims of Duterte’s greed and tyranny.
Spending billions to gratify the military and police and procuring weapons and war facilities to impose his strong-man rule, Duterte has abandoned even the education sector. The teachers’ demand for wage increase and for a P30,000 entry level salary have no hope under this corrupt and deceitful military junta.
Just last July, two teachers were victims of extrajudicial killings in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. Under Duterte’s regime, teachers’ progressive organizations are red-tagged and schools are militarized. The AFP, now represented by BGen. Vinoya in Negros, and the PNP are so obsessed with decimating the New People’s Army (NPA), genuine defenders of the exploited and oppressed, that even teachers are prey to their fascism.
The plight of teachers is part of the struggle of the Filipino people. The fight against de facto martial law in Negros is also their fight. With Duterte forsaking his promises to the people and instead putting forward an iron fist to silence the people’s clamor, he is also pushing teachers toward the path of armed revolution.
The National Democratic Front – Negros is one with the Filipino people in saluting our teachers who have dedicated their lives to moulding the Filipino youth. We call on all teachers to actively participate in the broad alliance against tyranny and fascism. Join the NPA to advance genuine social and economic change especially a nationalist, scientific and mass-oriented education.###
https://cpp.ph/statement/on-vinoyas-ignorance-and-the-teachers-plight/
CPP/CPDF: PRAYMER | Oplan Kapanatagan at NTF-ELCAC: Pambubulabog at pandarambong ng Estado sa mamamayan
Cordillera People's Democratic Front (CPDF) propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 4, 2019): PRAYMER | Oplan Kapanatagan at NTF-ELCAC: Pambubulabog at pandarambong ng Estado sa mamamayan
SIMON 'KA FILIW' NAOGSAN
SPOKESPERSON
CORDILLERA PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC FRONT
OCTOBER 04, 2019
Download PDF
https://cpp.ph/statement/praymer-oplan-kapanatagan-at-ntf-elcac-pambubulabog-at-pandarambong-ng-estado-sa-mamamayan/
https://cpp.ph/statement/praymer-oplan-kapanatagan-at-ntf-elcac-pambubulabog-at-pandarambong-ng-estado-sa-mamamayan/
CPP/NPA-Mountain Province: Panunupil at militarisasyon, pagbibigay-daan sa mapanirang proyekto ng BREDCO
NPA-Mountain Province propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 4, 2019): Panunupil at militarisasyon, pagbibigay-daan sa mapanirang proyekto ng BREDCO
MAGNO UDYAW
Biguin ang Oplan Kapanatagan at NTF-ELCAC!
FETAD! Ipagtagumpay ang demokratikong rebolusyong bayan!
https://cpp.ph/statement/panunupil-at-militarisasyon-pagbibigay-daan-sa-mapanirang-proyekto-ng-bredco/
NPA-MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
LEONARDO PACSI COMMAND
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY
OCTOBER 04, 2019
Hindi na maitatanggi na ang Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) sa Mt. Province ay ang tagapaghawan ng daan para sa mabilisang pagtatayo at operasyon ng mga dambuhala at mapanirang proyekto, katulad ng 14-megawatt hydropower project ng BIMAKA Renewable Energy Development Corp. o BREDCO.
Kasama ang Dutch na kumpanyang Royal HaskoningDHV, ang BREDCO ay magtatayo ng apat na hydropower plant sa katubigan ng 10 sa 14 barangay ng Besao.
Sa mga nakalipas na taon, mabilisan at wala sa tamang proseso ang pagkuha sa “free, prior, and informed consent” o FPIC ng mamamayan na maaapektuhan ang lupang ninuno, sakahan at irigasyon, kuhanan ng tubig, at iba pa, ng proyektong hydropower.
Bukod sa panlilinlang ng National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), ilan sa mga ehekutibo ng nasabing kumpanya na sangkot sa pananagasa sa karapatan ng mga taga-Besao ay sina Wellington Pooten, dating meyor ng Besao, at Rufino Bumas-ang, inhinyero at dating assistant secretary ng Department of Energy (DOE).
“Kapanatagan” ng BREDCO, hindi ng mamamayan
Kasabay ng mga barangay assembly kung saan inaasahang bubuuin ang mga kontra-insurhensyang barangay task force at ibababa ang pagpapatayo sa BREDCO hydropower project, tumindi ang militarisasyon sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Besao at mga karatig na bayan.
Upang masiguro na matutuloy ang proyekto, pinakilos ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno ang mga tropa ng AFP sa ilalim ng 5th Infantry Division (50th at 54th Infantry Battalion, 51st at 52nd Division Reconnaissance Company) at 7th ID (24th IB at 81st IB), kasama ang Regional Mobile Force Battalion ng PNP.
Hindi maikakaila na ang mga ito ay nagsisilbing pwersang panseguridad ng BREDCO, at susupil sa anumang paglaban ng mamamayan.
Nitong Setyembre, kabi-kabila ang mga ulat ng pagkakampo ng militar sa loob ng mga komunidad, na lantarang paglabag sa Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
Dagdag pa rito, nalilimitahan ang pagkilos ng mamamayan sa gawaing pangkabuhayan at sosyo-kultura:
Hindi na maitatanggi na ang Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) sa Mt. Province ay ang tagapaghawan ng daan para sa mabilisang pagtatayo at operasyon ng mga dambuhala at mapanirang proyekto, katulad ng 14-megawatt hydropower project ng BIMAKA Renewable Energy Development Corp. o BREDCO.
Kasama ang Dutch na kumpanyang Royal HaskoningDHV, ang BREDCO ay magtatayo ng apat na hydropower plant sa katubigan ng 10 sa 14 barangay ng Besao.
Sa mga nakalipas na taon, mabilisan at wala sa tamang proseso ang pagkuha sa “free, prior, and informed consent” o FPIC ng mamamayan na maaapektuhan ang lupang ninuno, sakahan at irigasyon, kuhanan ng tubig, at iba pa, ng proyektong hydropower.
Bukod sa panlilinlang ng National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), ilan sa mga ehekutibo ng nasabing kumpanya na sangkot sa pananagasa sa karapatan ng mga taga-Besao ay sina Wellington Pooten, dating meyor ng Besao, at Rufino Bumas-ang, inhinyero at dating assistant secretary ng Department of Energy (DOE).
“Kapanatagan” ng BREDCO, hindi ng mamamayan
Kasabay ng mga barangay assembly kung saan inaasahang bubuuin ang mga kontra-insurhensyang barangay task force at ibababa ang pagpapatayo sa BREDCO hydropower project, tumindi ang militarisasyon sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Besao at mga karatig na bayan.
Upang masiguro na matutuloy ang proyekto, pinakilos ng reaksyunaryong gubyerno ang mga tropa ng AFP sa ilalim ng 5th Infantry Division (50th at 54th Infantry Battalion, 51st at 52nd Division Reconnaissance Company) at 7th ID (24th IB at 81st IB), kasama ang Regional Mobile Force Battalion ng PNP.
Hindi maikakaila na ang mga ito ay nagsisilbing pwersang panseguridad ng BREDCO, at susupil sa anumang paglaban ng mamamayan.
Nitong Setyembre, kabi-kabila ang mga ulat ng pagkakampo ng militar sa loob ng mga komunidad, na lantarang paglabag sa Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).
Dagdag pa rito, nalilimitahan ang pagkilos ng mamamayan sa gawaing pangkabuhayan at sosyo-kultura:
- Hindi na makapunta ang mga magsasaka sa kanilang sakahan at uma, hindi na maasikaso ang mga alagang baka at kalabaw sa pastuhan, at hindi na rin makapamasyal upang mangaso at maghanap ng dagdag na pagkain, dahil sa takot na hulihin at paghinalaan ng mga nag-ooperasyong militar at pulis.
- Nagdulot ng takot ang pambobomba at pagpapaputok ng 50th IB sa kabundukan at ansestral na lupain ng tribung Pidlisan. Ito ay matapos ng pagkakampo nito sa Aguid, Sagada, at pagkabigo ng operasyon nito sa kamay ng NPA-Mt. Province noong Setyembre 26.
- Sa mga sumunod na linggo, sinundan ito ng walang-tigil na pagpapalipad sa mga drone at recon plane, at pag-iikot ng mga helicopter sa kalangitan at sasakyang pangmilitar sa mga kalsada.
- Noong Setyembre 27, kalahating araw na hinold ng mga militar ang dalawang magsasaka sa Lamag, Quirino, Ilocos Sur na galing sa pangangaso. Hanggang sa ngayon ay hindi pa maiproseso ng mga biktima ang nangyari.
- Naapektuhan ang taunang “linapet” ng tribung Agawa, nakaugaliang pagdiriwang na naghuhudyat ng panibagong taon.
- Sa huling bahagi ng Setyembre, ilang ulit na pinigilan ng mga nakakampong tropa ng militar ang mga kabataang estudyante mula sa Tamboan na tumawid patungo sa Panabungen National High School sa Laylaya. Ang dugtungang ito ng dalawang barangay ay sakahan na maaapektuhan ng mga kalsadang itatayo ng BREDCO.
Malinaw kung sino talaga ang pinagsisilbihan ng pulis at militar: hindi ang malawak na mamamayan kundi ang iilang naghaharing uri!
Dapat magpunyagi at makipagkaisa ang mamamayan ng Mt. Province sa iba pang pinagsasamantalahang mamamayan ng Cordillera at ng buong bansa na biguin ang pasista at kontra-mamamayang Oplan Kapanatagan at National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Sumandig tayo sa ating sama-samang pagkilos upang patalsikin ang rehimeng US-Duterte at labanan ang mga kinakatawan nitong malalaking burgesya kumprador at panginoong maylupa.
Nananawagan ang Leonardo Pacsi Command (NPA-Mt. Province) sa mga kakailian sa Mt. Province, Cordillera, at buong bansa na ibaling sa rebolusyonaryong paglaban ang galit sa panlilinlang, pambubulabog, at pandarambong ng BREDCO, NCIP, at AFP-PNP.
Labanan ang pandarambong ng BREDCO sa Mt. Province!
Dapat magpunyagi at makipagkaisa ang mamamayan ng Mt. Province sa iba pang pinagsasamantalahang mamamayan ng Cordillera at ng buong bansa na biguin ang pasista at kontra-mamamayang Oplan Kapanatagan at National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Sumandig tayo sa ating sama-samang pagkilos upang patalsikin ang rehimeng US-Duterte at labanan ang mga kinakatawan nitong malalaking burgesya kumprador at panginoong maylupa.
Nananawagan ang Leonardo Pacsi Command (NPA-Mt. Province) sa mga kakailian sa Mt. Province, Cordillera, at buong bansa na ibaling sa rebolusyonaryong paglaban ang galit sa panlilinlang, pambubulabog, at pandarambong ng BREDCO, NCIP, at AFP-PNP.
Labanan ang pandarambong ng BREDCO sa Mt. Province!
Biguin ang Oplan Kapanatagan at NTF-ELCAC!
FETAD! Ipagtagumpay ang demokratikong rebolusyong bayan!
https://cpp.ph/statement/panunupil-at-militarisasyon-pagbibigay-daan-sa-mapanirang-proyekto-ng-bredco/
CPP/NPA-Albay: Pekeng engkwentro sa Ligao City, kagagawan ng AFP-PNP
NPA-Albay propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 4, 2019): Pekeng engkwentro sa Ligao City, kagagawan ng AFP-PNP
FLORANTE OROBIA
NPA-ALBAY
SANTOS BINAMERA COMMAND
NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY
OCTOBER 04, 2019
Mariing pinabubulaanan ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan – Santos Binamera Command (BHB-SBC) na may naganap na engkwentro sa Sitio Cadlom, Brgy. Pandan sa Ligao, noong Oktubre 1. Walang yunit ng BHB sa nasabing lugar. Pakana lamang ito ng AFP-PNP para bigyang tuntungan ang Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict sa Albay sa ilalim ng EO 70 na nagpapatindi ng terorismo ng estado.
Dakong alas-10 ng umaga nang marinig ang sunud-sunod na putok na naging dahilan para matakot at magsibabaan ang mga magsasakang nagtatanim sa Sitio Cadlom. Ayon sa balita, naganap diumano ang engkwentro sa pagitan ng limang miyembro ng BHB at mga elemento ng AFP. Dagdag pa sa kasinungalingan ng AFP na may nasamsam na isang M16 rifle mula sa hanay ng BHB.
Mula Enero hanggang sa kasalukuyan, mayroon nang 10 kaso ng pekeng engkwentro sa Kabikolan. Bahagi ito ng kampanyang saywar ng buong makinarya ng sibilyang junta. Katambal ito ng mga deklarasyong persona non grata, localized peace talks at pekeng surrenderees. Kasabay din nito ang malawakang red-tagging sa mga progresibo at makabayang puwersang tumutuligsa sa terorismo ng estado.
Nananawagan ang BHB-SBC sa mamamayang Bikolano na isiwalat ang katotohanan. Panawagan din sa mga kagawad ng midya na maging mapanuri sa mga impormasyong nakakalap at bigyang puwang ang boses ng mamamayan. Marapat lamang na magkaisa ang taumbayan upang mapagpasyang harapin ang papatinding panunupil ng estado sa ilalim ng EO 70.
https://cpp.ph/statement/pekeng-engkwentro-sa-ligao-city-kagagawan-ng-afp-pnp/
Dakong alas-10 ng umaga nang marinig ang sunud-sunod na putok na naging dahilan para matakot at magsibabaan ang mga magsasakang nagtatanim sa Sitio Cadlom. Ayon sa balita, naganap diumano ang engkwentro sa pagitan ng limang miyembro ng BHB at mga elemento ng AFP. Dagdag pa sa kasinungalingan ng AFP na may nasamsam na isang M16 rifle mula sa hanay ng BHB.
Mula Enero hanggang sa kasalukuyan, mayroon nang 10 kaso ng pekeng engkwentro sa Kabikolan. Bahagi ito ng kampanyang saywar ng buong makinarya ng sibilyang junta. Katambal ito ng mga deklarasyong persona non grata, localized peace talks at pekeng surrenderees. Kasabay din nito ang malawakang red-tagging sa mga progresibo at makabayang puwersang tumutuligsa sa terorismo ng estado.
Nananawagan ang BHB-SBC sa mamamayang Bikolano na isiwalat ang katotohanan. Panawagan din sa mga kagawad ng midya na maging mapanuri sa mga impormasyong nakakalap at bigyang puwang ang boses ng mamamayan. Marapat lamang na magkaisa ang taumbayan upang mapagpasyang harapin ang papatinding panunupil ng estado sa ilalim ng EO 70.
https://cpp.ph/statement/pekeng-engkwentro-sa-ligao-city-kagagawan-ng-afp-pnp/
AFP-CRS: Army Activates Aviation Regiment Air Defense and Missile Units
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 4, 2019): Army Activates Aviation Regiment Air Defense and Missile Units
In anticipation of future assets that will enhance its aviation and air defense capabilities, the Philippine Army has activated the Army Aviation Regiment and the Artillery Regiment’s 1st Land-Based Missile System Battery and 2nd Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery on October 3, 2019 at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
In anticipation of future assets that will enhance its aviation and air defense capabilities, the Philippine Army has activated the Army Aviation Regiment and the Artillery Regiment’s 1st Land-Based Missile System Battery and 2nd Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery on October 3, 2019 at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
[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: Army Activates Aviation Regiment Air Defense and Missile Units
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 4, 2019): Army Activates Aviation Regiment Air Defense and Missile Units
With the aim to intensify defense against present, emerging and future threats, the Philippine Army activated its Aviation Regiment, the 2nd Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery (2MLRS Btry) and the 1st Land-based Missile System Battery (1LBMS Btry) in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on October 3, 2019.
The Army underscored that the units will play an important role it the fight against terrorism as well as communist insurgency.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
With the aim to intensify defense against present, emerging and future threats, the Philippine Army activated its Aviation Regiment, the 2nd Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery (2MLRS Btry) and the 1st Land-based Missile System Battery (1LBMS Btry) in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on October 3, 2019.
The Army underscored that the units will play an important role it the fight against terrorism as well as communist insurgency.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
[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: Army Troopers in Leyte Feted for Seizure of NPA Arms Cache
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 4, 2019): Army Troopers in Leyte Feted for Seizure of NPA Arms Cache
AWARDED. BGen Lope Dagoy, commander of the 802nd IBde, leads the pinning of Military Merit Medal on the 14 soldiers who bravely fought the New People's Army in Caghalo village in Carigara, Leyte on Wednesday (Oct. 2, 2019). The ceremony was held at the camp of 93rd Infantry Battalion in Kananga, Leyte.
(PNA background photo by Roel Amazona)
AWARDED. BGen Lope Dagoy, commander of the 802nd IBde, leads the pinning of Military Merit Medal on the 14 soldiers who bravely fought the New People's Army in Caghalo village in Carigara, Leyte on Wednesday (Oct. 2, 2019). The ceremony was held at the camp of 93rd Infantry Battalion in Kananga, Leyte.
(PNA background photo by Roel Amazona)
[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: University Students Pledge Support to Peace, Write Open Letter to NPA
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 4, 2019): University Students Pledge Support to Peace, Write Open Letter to NPA
Students of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) of Father Saturnino Urios University (FSSU) have pledged support for Peace and wrote open letters to the CPP-NPA-NDF during the Information Education Campaign (IEC) on Public Safety and Security at FSSU Gym, Butuan City on September 28, 2019.
About one thousand (1,000) students of NSTP attended the IEC against insurgency initiated by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) in partnership with the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade to instill awareness about the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and prevent recruitment of youths from schools, universities and colleges.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
Students of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) of Father Saturnino Urios University (FSSU) have pledged support for Peace and wrote open letters to the CPP-NPA-NDF during the Information Education Campaign (IEC) on Public Safety and Security at FSSU Gym, Butuan City on September 28, 2019.
About one thousand (1,000) students of NSTP attended the IEC against insurgency initiated by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) in partnership with the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade to instill awareness about the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and prevent recruitment of youths from schools, universities and colleges.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
[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: 10 Ex-NPA Rebels in Sarangani Get Aid
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 4, 2019): 10 Ex-NPA Rebels in Sarangani Get Aid
A total of 10 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sarangani province received some PHP520,000 worth of financial assistance under the national government’s reintegration program.
Seven of the former rebels received PHP25,000 to PHP50,000 in remuneration for the surrendered firearms while three others got PHP65,000 each as livelihood assistance.
The governor said the recipients comprise the latest batch of returnees, who mostly surrendered last year, and were approved for inclusion into the E-CLIP.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
A total of 10 former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Sarangani province received some PHP520,000 worth of financial assistance under the national government’s reintegration program.
Seven of the former rebels received PHP25,000 to PHP50,000 in remuneration for the surrendered firearms while three others got PHP65,000 each as livelihood assistance.
The governor said the recipients comprise the latest batch of returnees, who mostly surrendered last year, and were approved for inclusion into the E-CLIP.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
[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: 8 Ex-NPA Rebels Get P-1M for Surrendered Firearms
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 4, 2019): 8 Ex-NPA Rebels Get P-1M for Surrendered Firearms
FIREARMS RENUMERATION. Eight former New People's Army (NPA) rebels who turned in their firearms received checks amounting to over PHP1 million at the Provincial Capitol in Mati City on Tuesday (Oct. 1, 2019). Aside from the firearms remuneration, the ex-NPAs also received benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
To the remaining NPA rebels.. Surrender, have a better life.
FIREARMS RENUMERATION. Eight former New People's Army (NPA) rebels who turned in their firearms received checks amounting to over PHP1 million at the Provincial Capitol in Mati City on Tuesday (Oct. 1, 2019). Aside from the firearms remuneration, the ex-NPAs also received benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
To the remaining NPA rebels.. Surrender, have a better life.
[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: JTF Bicolandia to NPA Rebels: Lay Down Arms, Government Will Not Abandon You
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 4, 2019): JTF Bicolandia to NPA Rebels: Lay Down Arms, Government Will Not Abandon You
JTF Bicolandia to NPA rebels: Lay down arms, Government will not abadon you. This has been the statement of JTF Bicolandia as clash erupted between the NPA and combined elements of 31st Infantry Battalion and Police Mobile Force Company while conducting combat operation in response to a report made by the residents about the presence of CTG’s in Barangay Oma-oma, Ligao City in Albay province, October 1.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
JTF Bicolandia to NPA rebels: Lay down arms, Government will not abadon you. This has been the statement of JTF Bicolandia as clash erupted between the NPA and combined elements of 31st Infantry Battalion and Police Mobile Force Company while conducting combat operation in response to a report made by the residents about the presence of CTG’s in Barangay Oma-oma, Ligao City in Albay province, October 1.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
[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: 6th ID Kicks Off 32nd Founding Anniversary
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 4, 2019): 6th ID Kicks Off 32nd Founding Anniversary
The 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division formally opened the Squad and DRO (Disaster and Rescue Operation) Challenge and Sports Fest here on October 01, 2019, the start of the month-long 32nd Foundation Anniversary of the Division.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
The 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division formally opened the Squad and DRO (Disaster and Rescue Operation) Challenge and Sports Fest here on October 01, 2019, the start of the month-long 32nd Foundation Anniversary of the Division.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
[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: Negros Anti-Insurgency Task Force Chief Blasts CPP-NPA-NDF
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 4, 2019): Negros Anti-Insurgency Task Force Chief Blasts CPP-NPA-NDF
BGen Eric Vinoya, commander of Joint Task Force Negros has assailed the CPP-NPA-NDF - Negros for making a mockery of the Negrenses’ desire for peace.
The CPP-NPA-NDF will no longer get support from Negrenses who have chosen to embrace the culture of peace and even from their former comrades, who have forsaken them after being the living witnesses of the communist-terrorist group’s inhumane activities.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
BGen Eric Vinoya, commander of Joint Task Force Negros has assailed the CPP-NPA-NDF - Negros for making a mockery of the Negrenses’ desire for peace.
The CPP-NPA-NDF will no longer get support from Negrenses who have chosen to embrace the culture of peace and even from their former comrades, who have forsaken them after being the living witnesses of the communist-terrorist group’s inhumane activities.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
[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: 4ID Urges Government Agencies to Sustain Support to ELCAC
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 4, 2019): 4ID Urges Government Agencies to Sustain Support to ELCAC
For a barangay to continue being peaceful and free from concentration of communist groups, 4th Infantry Division (4ID) Philippine Army Commander MGen Franco Nemecio M Gacal said it is vital for government agencies to continuously provide its programs and basic services to far-flung communities.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
For a barangay to continue being peaceful and free from concentration of communist groups, 4th Infantry Division (4ID) Philippine Army Commander MGen Franco Nemecio M Gacal said it is vital for government agencies to continuously provide its programs and basic services to far-flung communities.
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
[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: Sitio Ibuan Sees the Light of Hope, Prosperity
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 4, 2019): Sitio Ibuan Sees the Light of Hope, Prosperity (2)
Sitio Ibuan, Brgy Mampi Lanuza, Surigao del Sur as one of the pilot beneficiaries of Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster, this province sees the light of hope and prosperity during the Mass Graduation and Inauguration of nterprise village held at the said place last Oct 1, 2019.
It can be recalled that Sitio Ibuan has a deep history of CPP-NPA infiltration which led them to be the stronghold in Northeastern Mindanao, particularly in the province of Surigao del Sur.
#AFPyoucanTRUST "| www.afpcrs.com
It can be recalled that Sitio Ibuan has a deep history of CPP-NPA infiltration which led them to be the stronghold in Northeastern Mindanao, particularly in the province of Surigao del Sur.
#AFPyoucanTRUST "| www.afpcrs.com
[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: Sitio Ibuan Sees the Light of Hope, Prosperity
Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Oct 4, 2019): Sitio Ibuan Sees the Light of Hope, Prosperity (1)
The Army's 36IB conducted Mass Graduation and Inauguration of Enterprise Village as its pilot community for peace and development intervention and empowerment at Sitio Ibuan, Brgy. Mampi, Lanuza, this province, on October 1, 2019.
The transformation of the community is a concerted efforts and the convergence of the different line agencies to heed the call of the president in the implementation of the different livelihood programs to address the issues on insurgency.
Civil Relations Service AFP | 36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion, Philippine Army
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
The Army's 36IB conducted Mass Graduation and Inauguration of Enterprise Village as its pilot community for peace and development intervention and empowerment at Sitio Ibuan, Brgy. Mampi, Lanuza, this province, on October 1, 2019.
The transformation of the community is a concerted efforts and the convergence of the different line agencies to heed the call of the president in the implementation of the different livelihood programs to address the issues on insurgency.
Civil Relations Service AFP | 36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion, Philippine Army
#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com
[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: CPP-NPA Terrorist suffers Joint task force Negros first blow
Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 4, 2019): CPP-NPA Terrorist suffers Joint task force Negros first blow
CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – The CPP-NPA Terrorist in Negros Island was hit by the first blow of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Negros’ iron fist in Manjuyod encounter, in Negros Oriental.
The encounter happened while the Army soldiers from the 94 th Infantry Battalion were conducting strike operation after receiving a report from the civilian populace on the presence of more or less 20 CPP-NPA terrorists at Sitio Cabangahan in Bantolinao village at about 02:20 in the afternoon of October 03, 2019.
The intermittent firefight lasted for about 40 minutes, after which the communist- terrorists withdrew towards the northwest direction of the village carrying their undetermined number of casualties.
Upon scouring the area, the troops recovered several items that include one (1) anti- personnel mine; one (1) unit commercial handheld radio; one (1) unit AM radio; one (1) buffer spring for M16; one (1) charging handle for M16; one (1) bolt for M16; two (2) backpacks; two (2) cellular phones; seven (7) kilos rice; electrical wire; three (3) ponchos; five (5) hammocks; ten (10) “Ang Bayan” Booklets, and other personal belongings.
JTF Negros Commander BGen Eric Vinoya said the encounter is just a prelude to his previous warning against the communist-terrorists that if they don’t surrender the task force will hunt them and hit them very hard.
“Aside from the air and naval assets to use against these terrorists, we have the overwhelming support of the peace-loving Negrenses. We are chasing them because of the people’s fervent desire to end their selfish and bloody armed struggle. It’s the people’s will to wipe them out. That’s why there is no chance for them to defeat the government,” BGen Vinoya stressed.
BGen Vinoya also blasted the CPP-NPA Terrorist for continued stockpile and use of anti-personnel mines which is prohibited by the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and a clear violation of the Ottawa Treaty, also known as the “Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention”, which took effect on March 1, 1999, prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines.
“The recoveries affirmed our previous pronouncement that CPP-NPA Terrorists are the true human rights violators in Negros. They don’t regard the sanctity of life, and evident to this is their continued roduction and use of anti-personnel mines that can destroy a greater number of innocent lives,” Vinoya emphasized.
Despite this, the JTF Negros Commander reiterated his call to the remaining members and leaders of the CPP-NPA Terrorist in Negros to surrender while they still have time. “We will not let you cast more violence and terror in Negros, thus, expect more intensive combat operations against your group. We are giving you just two options; surrender now, or suffer the full force of the JTF Negros,” he added.
Division Public Affairs Office 3rd Infantry Division Philippine Army
CPT CENON C PANCITO III (SC) PA
Chief, 3rd Division Public Affairs Office
Camp General Martin T Delgado, Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City
Contact: dpao.3idpa@gmail.com / 0917-124-1983
[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]
CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – The CPP-NPA Terrorist in Negros Island was hit by the first blow of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Negros’ iron fist in Manjuyod encounter, in Negros Oriental.
The encounter happened while the Army soldiers from the 94 th Infantry Battalion were conducting strike operation after receiving a report from the civilian populace on the presence of more or less 20 CPP-NPA terrorists at Sitio Cabangahan in Bantolinao village at about 02:20 in the afternoon of October 03, 2019.
The intermittent firefight lasted for about 40 minutes, after which the communist- terrorists withdrew towards the northwest direction of the village carrying their undetermined number of casualties.
Upon scouring the area, the troops recovered several items that include one (1) anti- personnel mine; one (1) unit commercial handheld radio; one (1) unit AM radio; one (1) buffer spring for M16; one (1) charging handle for M16; one (1) bolt for M16; two (2) backpacks; two (2) cellular phones; seven (7) kilos rice; electrical wire; three (3) ponchos; five (5) hammocks; ten (10) “Ang Bayan” Booklets, and other personal belongings.
JTF Negros Commander BGen Eric Vinoya said the encounter is just a prelude to his previous warning against the communist-terrorists that if they don’t surrender the task force will hunt them and hit them very hard.
“Aside from the air and naval assets to use against these terrorists, we have the overwhelming support of the peace-loving Negrenses. We are chasing them because of the people’s fervent desire to end their selfish and bloody armed struggle. It’s the people’s will to wipe them out. That’s why there is no chance for them to defeat the government,” BGen Vinoya stressed.
BGen Vinoya also blasted the CPP-NPA Terrorist for continued stockpile and use of anti-personnel mines which is prohibited by the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and a clear violation of the Ottawa Treaty, also known as the “Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention”, which took effect on March 1, 1999, prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines.
“The recoveries affirmed our previous pronouncement that CPP-NPA Terrorists are the true human rights violators in Negros. They don’t regard the sanctity of life, and evident to this is their continued roduction and use of anti-personnel mines that can destroy a greater number of innocent lives,” Vinoya emphasized.
Despite this, the JTF Negros Commander reiterated his call to the remaining members and leaders of the CPP-NPA Terrorist in Negros to surrender while they still have time. “We will not let you cast more violence and terror in Negros, thus, expect more intensive combat operations against your group. We are giving you just two options; surrender now, or suffer the full force of the JTF Negros,” he added.
Division Public Affairs Office 3rd Infantry Division Philippine Army
CPT CENON C PANCITO III (SC) PA
Chief, 3rd Division Public Affairs Office
Camp General Martin T Delgado, Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City
Contact: dpao.3idpa@gmail.com / 0917-124-1983
[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]