Gov’t troops seize CPP-NPA Agusan encampment; Surigao rebels surrender

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 6, 2019): Gov’t troops seize CPP-NPA Agusan encampment; Surigao rebels surrender (By Mike Crismundo)

ALUBIJID, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte – Government troops seized a Communist New People’s Army Terrorists (CNTs) encampment almost a hectare in area in Sitio San Jose, Barangay Durian, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte on Tuesday.

Aside from the captured Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) camp, elements of the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion (23rd IB) also killed one CNT and wounded an undetermined number of other rebels.

“Our operating troops are still pursuing the fleeing CNTs following bloodstains in their escape route of withdrawal,” said Lt. Col. Francisco L. Molina Jr., commanding officer of the 23rd IB.

The battalion commander believes that undetermined numbers of CNTs were wounded in the fierce gunfight that lasted 15 minutes before the encampment was captured.

The captured camp, with makeshift huts utilizing laminated sacks, can accommodate 40 to 60 persons.

The discovery of this camp took place after villagers pinpointed its exact location, the 23rd IB commander said.

Only one soldier was wounded during the gunfight and he is now in stable condition.

The camp, which has a communal farm, belonged to the Sentro de Grabidad (SDG) CAOCAO Guerilla Front Committee 4-A under a certain “Commander Weds” of the CPP-NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Command (NCMRC), 1st Lt. Roel T. Maglalang, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 23rd IB, said.

The battalion-size operation also led to the seizure of one AK-47 rifle, two M16 Armalite rifles, assorted live ammunition, four laptops, 11 mobile phones, one set generator for power light and other purposes inside the camp, 21 backpacks containing personal belongings, food including assorted canned goods and two sacks of rice, medicine supplies including pills, bomb-making materials, wires, and anti-government documents, Maglalang added.

As of press time, troops of the 23rd IB are still scouring the seized CPP-NPA encampment while other troops of the same unit are still pursuing the fleeing CNTs.

In another development, five CNTs surrendered to the command group of the 75th IB under the command of Lt. Col. Warren C. Munda in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.

After more than three years of hiding and running in the Diwata mountain ranges in Surigao del Sur, these former CNTs yielded to authorities in order to avail of the peace and development program of the government and live peaceful lives with their families.

The surrenderees personally handed their assorted high-powered firearms to Lt. Col. Munda’s headquarters in Barangay Maharlika, Bislig City on Tuesday.

The CNTs were former members of the NPA’s weakened Guerrilla Front 14 under the CPP-NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NMRC) operating in Surigao del Sur, a military report on Friday said.

The 75th IB commander assured the surrenderees of their safety as the government will help them enroll in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program for livelihood assistance.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/12/06/govt-troops-seize-cpp-npa-agusan-encampment-surigao-rebels-surrender/

Revived peace talks a result of backchanneling — Bello

From the Philippine Star (Dec 7, 2019): Revived peace talks a result of backchanneling — Bello

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said yesterday that the possible resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is a result of his backchannel negotiations with the rebel group’s founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison.

Bello noted that upon instruction of President Duterte, he has been negotiating with Sison through backchannels even after the peace talks between the two parties bogged down.

Because of this, he claimed he was not surprised when Duterte suddenly announced last Thursday that he instructed him to explore possible resumption of the peace talks with the communist rebels.
“What I was surprised (with) was that he made the announcement. I am really supposed to go there (Ultretch) through backchanneling,” Bello told The STAR.

Bello, who used to head the government peace panel in previous negotiations with the insurgents, hinted that he will leave this week.

“The President just asked me to talk to them and tell them that we can resume the talks here in the Philippines. That is his request,” he added.

Duterte is also requesting that the negotiations be conducted simultaneous with a ceasefire between the two parties.

According to DOLE spokesman Rolly Francia, the President’s instruction is a “slap in the face” of those accusing Bello of committing graft, usurpation and treason over alleged excessive foreign travels.

Last month, a certain Adolfo Paglinawan of Quezon City filed complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman.

He claimed that included in the travels are Bello’s meeting with Sison in the Netherlands.

Francia said that the President’s instruction to Bello simply confirms his assertions that his travels and backchannel talks with Sison were authorized by the President.

In March 2017, Duterte terminated the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front-CPP-New People’s Army (NDF-CPP-NPA).

The negotiations were terminated after Duterte accused the rebels of continuously attacking government troops despite the ongoing peace negotiations.

Duterte admitted that there are times a person has to retract what he says in public, pertaining to the many times that he said he would not go back to the negotiating table with the NDF-CPP-NPA.

“Anyway, there can never be a statement that would end finality in everything that you say in public. I can only say that, ‘That’s it. I do not want to talk to you guys. Forget it.’ But you know when you are there and I am there and I have a… We – three times we attempted to talk sense and always failed,” the President said before the weekend in Legazpi City.

Duterte said that at this point he could not stop the effort to attain peace.

“Ang ano ko ngayon, I cannot stop. Hindi ko pwedeng sabihin, ayaw ko na makipag-usap (I cannot say I don’t want to talk to you). That is not a statement of a leader, of a President. Alam ko ‘yung mga military. But you know you should understand that the quest for the longing for peace is always there. And not for the military and the police but for everybody. Kailangan the doors must be open always or there must be at least one channel if everything closes na pwede mong paki-usapan (where we can talk),” the President said.

Duterte said that although the security situation in Quezon province has improved, the Bicol region remains a hotbed of communist insurgency.

“Quezon medyo maganda na. But ang Bicol, we have a problem, a serious problem of insurgency,” he said.

This developed as one NPA rebel was killed on Thursday morning when communist guerrillas clashed with Army troopers in Barangay Durian, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.

Lt. Col. Francisco Molina Jr., chief of the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion, said the still unidentified rebel was killed when some 50 guerrillas encountered government troops.

The soldiers later discovered nearby a makeshift rebel camp and recovered one generator set, one AK-47 rifle, two M-16 rifles, four laptops, 21 backpacks, two sacks of rice, food and medicine.

The militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) has expressed support for the resumption of peace talks between the NDF and the government.

Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said the talks should pave the way for a just and lasting peace, not just a temporary ceasefire.

The stakes are quite high as the people want the root causes of the armed conflict to be decisively addressed, he added.

Reyes said the peace talks are much better than any militarist approach to the insurgency.

“The all-out war waged by the AFP against the people has targeted mostly civilians. There is a rising number of extrajudicial killings, arrests, involuntary disappearances, displacement of communities and other forms of harassment,” he said.

“Since the collapse of the peace talks, the military has only succeeded in forcing unarmed farmers to pose as rebel surrenderees to make it appear that the government is winning the war.”

He said unless the social causes of armed conflict are addressed, the militarist approach will only lead to more human rights violations and force the people to resist.

Reyes said that there is a need for the government to dismantle the National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict and replace it with a new peace panel.

The executive should withdraw Executive Order 70, the framework for de facto martial law, and replace it with a policy of serious peace negotiations for the benefit of the people.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar expressed hope yesterday that the resumption of talks with the communist rebels would finally bear fruit within the last years of the administration.

“We are looking for a peaceful option to end this conflict as these five decades of armed struggle and resistance by the communist party against the Philippine government must eventually come to an end,” Andanar said.

He also appealed to CPP founder Sison and his comrades to finally agree to a better peace agreement to put an end to the five-decade struggle.

“We hope in good faith that Mr. José María Sison will seriously reconsider the government’s proposal that will be presented by Secretary Bello,” he said. 

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/12/07/1974983/revived-peace-talks-result-backchanneling-bello

Classes deterred due to NPA-Army clash

From the Sun Star-Davao (Dec 7, 2019): Classes deterred due to NPA-Army clash




SEVERAL classes were disrupted on Thursday, December 5, after an encounter erupted between the Philippine Army and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Colosas, Paquibato District, Davao City.

Psychosocial intervention for children and teachers were provided following the incident.

Colonel Nolasco Mempin, commander of 1003rd Infantry Brigade, confirmed Friday that the troops of 89 Infantry Battalion (IB) engaged NPA remnants in the boundary of Sto. Tomas and Paquibato on December 5 at around 10 a.m. while the community support program (CSP) team of the 89IB was conducting community patrol in the vicinity of Sitio Ciboli, Barangay Colosas, Paquibato District.

The troops initially received information about the presence of suspected armed personalities in the area. Upon responding to the report, the soldiers engaged in a firefight with more or less 10 members of NPA which lasted for about 20 minutes.
He said there were no reported casualties on the state forces while the number is yet to be determined on the NPA’s side.

“This remnant of NPA has failed in their attempt to recover the tri-boundary of Paquibato, Sto. Tomas, and Talaingod of Davao fel Norte,” Mempin told SunStar Davao.

Meanwhile, in a statement of Sto. Tomas Municipal Mayor Ernesto Evangelista on December 5, he condemned the atrocity perpetrated by the NPA. He said that although it happened in the jurisdiction of Davao City, the exchange of gunfire was heard by the residents of Barangay Magwawa, Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte. It has also caused disruption of classes in a nearby public elementary school.

The mayor has ordered the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) to give the necessary psychosocial intervention for children and teachers who were traumatized because of the incident.

“Although the clash between the AFP and NPA did not happen within the jurisdiction of Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte, as peace-loving community, we vehemently express our collective outrage over their callous disregard for peace and life,” Evangelista said.

He added Davao City’s Peace 911 has been closely coordinating with their municipality in monitoring the security situation and assured that the government forces are “in full control of the situation.”

“We strongly urged the public to refrain from posting and sharing any information in social media that would exacerbate the situation especially photos or videos of the aftermath of the incident,” he said.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1835280

Army recovers war armaments in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 7, 2019): Army recovers war armaments in Maguindanao (By Noel Punzalan)



SEIZED. This mortar launcher is among the weapons found by soldiers in an abandoned lair of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. The weapons were recovered by government troops as they were scouring Sitio Maybunga, Barangay Bagong Upam, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao on Friday (Dec. 6. 2019). (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao -- Government troops belonging to the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MIB) recovered on Friday war materiel from fleeing Islamic State-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said soldiers scouring Sitio Maybunga, Barangay Bagong Upam, Shariff Aguak stumbled upon the weapons in an abandoned BIFF lair.

Among the weapons recovered were one 40-mm. grenade launcher, one 60-mm. mortar tube launcher, black powder, and metal grindings used to manufacture improvised bombs.

“Our troopers are continuously scouring Sitio Maybunga for more homemade bombs left behind by the fleeing terror group,” Carreon said.

On Wednesday, soldiers also recovered the body of a slain BIFF following a firefight in the area.

Carreon, also chief of the Joint Task Force Central, lauded the efforts of the 1MIB for its relentless pursuit of terror groups in Maguindanao.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088160

WESTMINCOM: Lawless element nabbed, FAs seized in Basilan

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Dec 6, 2019): Lawless element nabbed, FAs seized in Basilan



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City-December 06, 2019.

A joint AFP-PNP law enforcement operation resulted in the apprehension of a lawless element and the seizure of firearms and ammunitions in Barangay Balanting, Tabuan Lasa, Basilan Province on December 04, 2019.

Hadji Maruan Nasir, 47 years old, married, a native of Tongkil, Sulu, was apprehended by the combined elements of the 14th Special Forces Company of the 4th Special Forces Battalion, Basilan Province Police Office, and Tabuan Lasa Municipal Police Station.

Nasir presently resides in the aforesaid barangay and has a standing warrant of arrest under CC No. 2577-397 for the crimes of robbery with homicide dated November 25, 2019 issued by Judge Leo Jay Principe, the presiding judge at Branch 1 of the 9th Judicial Region, Isabela City, same province.

Seized from Nasir’s possession were one Bushmaster, M4 rifle with six magazines; 142 rounds of 5.56 ammunitions; 1 Caliber 45 pistol with 2 magazines and 6 rounds of ammunitions; and 6 rounds of 0.9mm pistol.

“We continue our joint law enforcement operation with other agencies to ensure the safety and security of the communities,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“This success is attributed to all men and women in uniform as well as all our partners and stakeholders who never fail to support us in all our endeavors,” added Lt. Gen. Sobejana.

Apprehended personality and the recovered items were turned over to Basilan PPO for documentation and proper disposition.

Source: PIO Western Mindanao Command

http://www.westmincom.com/lawless-element-nabbed-fas-seized-in-basilan/

WESTMINCOM: Troops nab 2 armed men in Sulu

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Dec 6, 2019): Troops nab 2 armed men in Sulu



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City- December 6, 2019.

Patrolling troops collared Thursday afternoon two armed men along a highway in Sulu.

Rano Jillang and Medzfar Aminulla blocked a highway connecting Panamao and Luuk when accosted by soldiers of 2nd Special Forces Battalion in Barangay Gagguil, Panglima Estino at 3pm on December 3.

Operating troops acted on information tipped by civilians and recovered from the duo one M16 rifle and one M14 rifle with magazines and ammunition.



Soldiers turned over Jillang and Aminulla, both residents of Panamao, to the Municipal Police Station of Panglima Estino.

Troops currently investigate their possible affiliations with the Abu Sayyaf and their motive in blocking the provincial highway. “The incident today manifests the Tausug community’s full commitment in maintaining the peace and order for economic growth and human development here in Sulu,” said Major General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu Commander.

“People’s involvement is vital in working out a platform for inclusive and sustainable peace and development.

We shared greater feats with communities that were involved in our campaign. This ultimately proves that the better solution to violence is not mere use of force but of unity,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Western Mindanao Command.

“We will be more involved in our efforts to quell terrorism and lawlessness in Mindanao,” he added.

Source: PIO Western Mindanao Command

http://www.westmincom.com/troops-nab-2-armed-men-in-sulu/

AFP-CRS: No Martial Law Extension in Mindanao

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Dec 5, 2019): No Martial Law Extension in Mindanao



https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2885037148181657/?type=3&theater

NO MARTIAL LAW EXTENSION. The Defense Chief confirmed on Wednesday, Dec 4, 2019 that he has already submitted his recommendation to President Duterte not to extend the military rule in Mindanao.

#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.]

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/

AFP-CRS:Top CPP-NPA Commander Neutralized

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Dec 6, 2019): Top CPP-NPA Commander Neutralized



https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/2887235727961799/?type=3&theater

NEUTRALIZED. Lazarte alias “Pat Romano” tagged as the notorious NPA Commander who led the burning of equipment at the Kaliwa Dam project in Infanta, Quezon early this year and the series of ambushes utilizing land mines against the police in Baras and Antipolo City last 2018, was the second high-ranking rebel leader from Southern Tagalog to be neutralized in nine days following the arrest of Jaime Padilla, a Central Committee member, in the posh Cardinal Santos Hospital in San Juan last November 26.

#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.]

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/

AFP-CRS: Informants Infiltrating the CPP-NPA

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Dec 6, 2019): Informants Infiltrating the CPP-NPA



https://www.facebook.com/nsc.gov.ph/photos/a.1836528426423585/2541920535884367/?type=3&theater

INFORMANTS INFILTRATING THE CPP-NPA
---
IN THE NEWS: In a report, Captain Jayrald Ternio, head of the public affairs office of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, identified the slain rebel as Armando Lazarte alias “Pat Romano”, alleged secretary of the Communist Party of the Philippines – Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee’s Sub-Regional Military Area 4A.

Report said the presence of Lazarte and companions in the area was tipped off by “informants” from inside the rebel movement.

[Lt. Colonel Christopher Diaz, commander of the Army’s 80th Infantry Battalion] tagged Lazarta as “notorious New People’s Army (NPA) commander” who allegedly led the burning of equipment at the Kaliwa Dam project in Infanta, Quezon early this year.

READ MORE: http://bit.ly/2ORpikI

#NSC #NSCPH #NSCGOV #NSCNews #CPP #NPA #NTFELCAC #EO70 #JomaSison #Inquirer #InquirerNET

[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/

New Army chief Gapay officially takes command of ‘growing’ force

From Rappler (Dec 6, 2019): New Army chief Gapay officially takes command of ‘growing’ force (By JC Gotinga)

Gapay’s marching orders from President Rodrigo Duterte is to end the communist insurgency and for that, the Army will be recruiting 20,000 new soldiers



NEW ARMY CHIEF. Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay formally takes over as commanding general of the Philippine Army on December 6, 2019. Photo from the Philippine Army

MANILA, Philippines – The new commanding general of the Philippine Army, Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay, formally took over the 97,000-strong force on Friday, December 6, with a top mandate to end the communist insurgency.

In a change-of-command ceremony at the Army headquarters, Fort Bonifacio, in Taguig City, Gapay assumed command of the military’s largest branch of service. Retiring Army chief Lieutenant General Macairog Alberto, Gapay’s Philippine Military Academy classmate (Class 1986), relinquished his post, capping off 33 years in the service.

While classmates, Gapay is more junior than Alberto. He will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 in February 2021 yet.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who was guest of honor at the ceremony, tasked Gapay with pursuing the Duterte administration’s goal of ending the decades-long rebellion of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

Gapay said in his assumption speech: "Whatever challenges lies ahead of us, be it the communist insurgency, terrorism, climate change, nation-building, or territorial integrity preservation, rest assured that the Philippine Army will rise to the occasion as best as we can.”

Topnotcher

Prior to his appointment as Army chief, Gapay was appointed in January as commander of the AFP Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) that covers Calabarzon, the Bicol region, and the island provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon. There, he led the government’s campaign against communist guerrillas using the new tack of “localized peace talks.”

Gapay established the first regional task forces to implement President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order no. 70, which employs the regional approach to ending the communist insurgency. Under his watch at Solcom, the New People’s Army’s (NPA) capabilities were reduced, a number of their key leaders were neutralized, and there were fewer incidents of NPA “atrocities,” the Army said in a statement.

In 2017, he became commander of the Army’s Mechanized Infantry Division, now the Armor “Pambato” Division, based in Capas, Tarlac. He oversaw capability upgrades in armor, aviation, air defense, and cybersecurity.

Gapay is a “well-rounded general officer” who has held “various sensitive positions in both garrison and field assignments at the Philippine Army and the General Headquarters,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a separate statement.


After graduating on top of the PMA “Sinagtala” class of 1986, Gapay rose through the ranks of the Army. He fought at the height of the communist insurgency in the Agusan provinces in 1988, after which he came up with the “Bayanihan Operations Concept” of counterinsurgency, which the military counts as a “major contribution.”

Gapay was among the officers who led troops in the capture of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s stronghold, Camp Abubakar in Maguindanao, in 2000.

In December 2016, after the fatal bombing at the Roxas night market in Davao City in September that year, Gapay became deputy commander of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command. He led the Joint Task Force Haribon in the aftermath of the attack, giving him the opportunity to secure the President’s hometown.

After the Islamic State (ISIS) affiliate Maute terror group began what would be the 5-month siege of Marawi City in May 2017, Duterte placed all of Mindanao under martial law. Gapay served as the martial law spokesperson.

A growing force

Gapay takes over as Duterte plans to grow the Army, saying on Thursday that he wanted to add 20 to 35 new battalions.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony on Friday, Gapay said some 20,000 fresh troops will be recruited in the coming months to fill up existing battalions and create 10 new ones.

The Army currently has 159 battalions.
Gapay said the support from Duterte increases the Army’s chances of accomplishing his order to end the communist insurgency by 2022.

"I have always adhered to two basic guideposts of military commanders: the accomplishment of the mission, and looking after the morale and welfare of my troops,” Gapay said in his speech.

Besides fighting communist guerrillas, Gapay said he would prioritize developing the Army’s air defense capability, enhancing the mechanized infantry and special operation forces, as well as improving health and education programs for officers and enlisted personnel.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/246624-new-army-chief-gapay-offically-takes-command-growing-force

NDFP open to resumption of talks with Duterte gov’t

Posted to the often pro-Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) online publication the Davao Today (Dec 6, 2019): NDFP open to resumption of talks with Duterte gov’t (By Ken E. Cagula)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – National Democratic Front of the Philippine (NDFP) chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison said that they are still open to resume the peace negotiations with the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte, on Thursday (Dec.5), said he is sending Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to talk to Sison in a bid to revive the negotiations between the communist rebels and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and NDFP which collapsed on 2017.

“This is my last card. When I say my last card, my time is running out,” Duterte said.

“The quest for, the longing for peace is always there, not for the military and the police but for everybody. The doors must be open always or there must be at least one channel if everything closes through which you can talk,” he said.

In an exclusive interview with Kodao Productions, Sison said that the NDFP remains open to negotiations despite Duterte’s termination of peace talks and his issuance of Executive Order No. 70, establishing a whole-of-nation approach in ending the local communist insurgency.

“Who knows, Duterte might realize that he’s trying to do the impossible and he’s merely aggravating the problem,” Sison said.

“With the EO 70, the NDFP only kept quiet but it never withdrew its line that they are open to peace negotiations,” he added.

After terminating the peace talks, Duterte signed a proclamation declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as a terrorist organization and attempted to cut foreign funding to alleged CPP-NPA “fronts”.

Several NDFP consultants were also arrested and facing charges.

NDFP rejected Pres. Duterte’s previous offers for the resumption of stalled peace talks with preconditions including to stop the collection of so-called revolutionary taxes.

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/ndfp-open-to-resumption-of-talks-with-duterte-govt/

Another rebel killed in Agusan Sur clash

Posted to the Mindanao Times (Dec 6, 2019): Another rebel killed in Agusan Sur clash (By Rhoda Grace Saron)

A New People’s Army rebel was killed in a clash in the hinterlands of Sitio San Jose, Barangay Durian, Las Nieves, Agusan Del Norte at 8:05 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Meanwhile, several high-powered firearms, food supplies, medicines, and subversive documents were recovered by troops of the 23rd Infantry Battalion. The community declared the New People’s Army persona non grata in September 2019, led the AFP troops in their hideout

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, the spokesperson of Eastern Mindanao command, said the soldiers of 23rd Infantry Battalion engaged the rebels in a 15-minute firefight.

Balagtey said soldiers recovered one AK-47 rifle, two M16 rifles, four laptops, one generator, 21 backpacks, two sacks of rice, food supplies, medicines, subversive documents, and other personal belongings.

The recovered body of the NPA was already turned over to the barangay council of Durian for identification and proper disposition.

The same group was encountered by the 23rd IB on Nov. 30, in Sitio Salvacion, Barangay Manila de Bugabos, Butuan City wherein two AK-47 rifles, one M16A1 rifle, one M16A1-RMC rifle, five civilian backpacks, subversive documents, and other personal belongings were recovered along with the body of a 16-year-old fighter.

“You have been warned by no less than the communities who do not want your presence in their area,” Lt. Gen Felimon T. Santos Jr., commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, warned the NPA. “We will be relentless in our combat operations to run after those who continue to embrace the violent armed struggle and we will use all legal means to go after you.”

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/12/06/another-rebel-killed-in-agusan-sur-clash/

Female NPA rebel nabbed after husband’s new GF exposes her

Posted to the Mindanao Times (Dec 6, 2019): Female NPA rebel nabbed after husband’s new GF exposes her (By Rhoda Grace Saron)

A complicated love triangle was cited as the reason for the arrest of a female communist guerrilla who was exposed by her husband’s new girlfriend on Wednesday in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

The new girlfriend was also a former rebel.

2Lt. Kim Carlos, the Civil-Military Operation (CMO) officer of 71st Infantry Battalion, identified her as Merlyn C. Escasinas, 35, also known as Venus, a full-time NPA member of Guerrilla Front 2 (WGF2).

Carlos said Escasinas has a standing warrant of arrest for serious illegal detention in 2014. The warrant was issued by 11th Judicial Region, RTC Branch 3, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley.

“Venus is the legal wife of NPA commander Jury Escasinas alias Jupiter who rules the Milisya ng Bayan Cluster Command (MBCC) of WGF2,” he added.

She was apprehended in front of Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City, Davao del Norte after Chang, her husband’s live-in-partner, divulged her whereabouts to the 71st Infantry Battalion.

Chang surrendered to Lt. Col. Esteveyn Ducusin, the commanding officer of 71st IB, on Nov. 2 this year.

She claimed that she wanted to live a normal life after giving birth last Oct. 30 in the Davao Regional Medical Center. Her hospitalization expenses were shouldered by the battalion. The former amazon would be enrolled in the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government.

As a token of her gratitude, Chang told the soldiers where Venus and her new partner, Mar, are staying.

Venus and Jupiter, who have three children, parted ways when Chang got into the picture in 2014.

Chang and Jupiter have two children of their own.

“We will continue to carry out similar tasks of enforcing the law of the land in our area of operation,” Ducusin said.

Alongside Venus, her brother Melvin Parenas, 44, was also apprehended pursuant to his standing warrant of arrest for obstruction of justice.

He had earlier helped his brother-in-law Jupiter escape arrest.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/12/06/female-npa-rebel-nabbed-after-husbands-new-gf-exposes-her/

CHR-10 enjoins youth in promoting human rights

Posted to the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 6, 2019): CHR-10 enjoins youth in promoting human rights (By Recthie T. Paculba)



CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Dec. 4 (PIA)--Kicking off the National Human Rights Consciousness Week with a motorcade and opening program, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-10 urges the youth to take part in fostering and strengthening campaign on human rights.

With the theme, "Youth Standing Up for Human Rights," the celebration slated December 4-10, aims to capitalize on the current momentum and spotlight the leadership role of youth in collective movements as a source of inspiration for a better future.

CHR Regional Director Jeanne Ivy Abrina said the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) "recognizes what we already have and what we struggled for. It gives us the hope that we can be more than we could have been."

Having the UDHR as their ultimate guide in doing their daily work, Abrina said such will be enforced if other stakeholders like the youth could help in upholding what is just and right.

The event also aims to celebrate the potential of youth as constructive agents of change, amplify their voices, and engage a broad range of global audiences in the promotion and protection of rights.

For her part, Department of Justice- Parole and Probation Administration (DOJ-PPA)-10 Regional Director Rosa Lacanglacang said it is everybody’s responsibility to know and uphold human rights not only in times when one’s rights are abused.

“Let us move together as one with our youth standing up for human rights because we are one,” Lacanglacang added.

International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce the achievements of humanity. (RTP/PIA10)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1031129

Tagalog News: Opisyal ng barangay, may tungkulin sa paglutas ng rebelyon -- PTF-ELCAC

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 6, 2019): Tagalog News: Opisyal ng barangay, may tungkulin sa paglutas ng rebelyon -- PTF-ELCAC (By Leila B. Dagot)

Sama-samang lumagda ang mga opisyales ng barangay sa Palawan sa isang kalatas na naglalaman ng deklarasyon ng Persona non Grata sa Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), pagkatapos ng isinagawang Awareness Symposium for Barangay Officials na pinangasiwaan ng Palawan Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC). (Larawan mula sa Palawan Task Force - ELCAC)

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan, Dis 6 (PIA) -- May malaking papel ang mga opisyales ng barangay upang mapigilan ang impluwensiya ng rebeldeng grupo sa kanilang nasasakupan.

Ito ang nilalaman ng mensahe ng pananalita ni Brigadier General Charlton Sean Gaerlan, pinuno ng Joint Task Force Peacock ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at ng Peace, Law Enforcement, and Development Support (PLEDS) Cluster ng Palawan Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) sa isinagawang ‘Awareness Symposium for Barangay Officials’ kamakailan sa lalawigan.

Sinabi ni Gaerlan na ang pamahalaang barangay ang siyang unang tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng komunidad na kanilang nasasakupan at dapat na nakakaalam ng mga kahinaan na maaaring gamitin ng rebeldeng grupo upang mahikayat ang mamamayan na kalabanin ang gobyerno.

Aniya, kung magagampanan ito ng husto ng mga opisyales ng barangay, kusang iiwas ang Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) upang manghikayat ng mamamayan.

Samantala, inilatag naman ng Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWDO) ang mga programa at serbisyo ng pamahalaang panlalawigan na kasalukuyan at maaari pang matamasa ng mamamayan sa barangay.

Sa pagpupulong, dumalo ang nasa 60 mga opisyales ng barangay na kinabibilangan ng mga punong barangay at kagawad mula sa mga lugar sa Palawan na apektado at maaaring ma-impluwensiyahan ng CPP-NPA-NDF.

Sama-sama ring lumagda ang mga ito sa isang kalatas na naglalaman ng deklarasyon sa CPP-NPA-NDF bilang ‘persona non grata’, na isinusulong sa Executive Order (EO) – 70 ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte. (LBD/PIAMIMAROPA-Palawan)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1031227

Pangalawang Yugto: Tagumpay laban sa mga komunista, terorista sa Palawan

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 6, 2019): Pangalawang Yugto: Tagumpay laban sa mga komunista, terorista sa Palawan (By Orlan C. Jabagat)

Ang walong sumukong mga miyembro ng NPA noong Nobyembre 05, 2019 sa pangunguna ni Ka Allan. (Larawan ni Leila B. Dagot/PIA-Palawan)

Sa patuloy na kampanya ng Palawan Task Force-ELCAC na mawakasan ang armadong pakikibaka sa Palawan ay unti-unti ng nagbabalik-loob sa pamahalaan ang mga miyembro ng makakaliwang grupong NPA sa lalawigan.

Matapos na mailathala ng PTF-ELCAC ang nasa mahigit 30 na larawan ng nasa 'wanted list' na mga miyembro ng CPP-NPA ay dalawa na sa mga ito ang boluntaryong sumuko.

Bago pa man ito ay nauna nang sumuko ang walong mga miyembro ng NPA sa Palawan na pinangungunahan ni Ka Allan. Sumuko ang mga ito noong Nobyembre 5 sa Headquarters ng Joint Task Force Peacock na nasa compound ng 3rd Marine Brigade sa Bgy. Tiniguiban, lungsod ng Puerto Princesa.

Sa pagsuko ng mga ito ay kasama nilang isinuko ang kanilang mga armas na kinabibilangan ng dalawang M16 rifle (Bushmaster) na may kasamang dalawang magazine at 10 rounds ammo; isang 9mm Tokarev Pistol; isang 9mm Norinko Pistol at isang SPAS3 12 gauge shotgun.

Matapos ang pagsuko ng grupo ni Ka Allan ay inilathala naman ng PTF-ELCAC ang nasa 36 na mga larawan ng iba pang ‘wanted’ na miyembro ng CPP-NPA sa lalawigan na naging dahilan upang makarating sa bawat komunidad sa lalawigan ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga ito at maipagbigay-alam agad sa mga otoridad.

Dahil sa inisyatibong ito ng PTF-ELCAC ay unti-unti na itong umaani ng tagumpay. Isa na dito ang boluntaryong pagsuko sa pamahalaan noong Nobyembre 16 ni Alyas Rico, Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman ng Bgy. Paly Island sa Bayan ng Taytay at tumatayong Presidente ng samahang Anakbayan sa nasabing munisipyo.

Sa panayam ng PTF-ELCAC kay Alyas Rico ay sinabi nitong hindi n’ya batid na ang kanyang pinasukang samahan ay kaanib ng mga makakaliwang grupo dahil ang paliwanag umano sa kanila ng mga ito ay makatutulong ang samahang ito sa kanilang mga kabataan ngunit kabaliktaraan umano ang nangyari.

Ang pagsuko ni Alyas Rico ay sinundan naman ng kusang pagsuko rin ni Alyas Shin/Shane sa operatiba ng Naval Forces West noong Nobyembre 24 at sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtulungan nito ay narekober ang isang 9mm Luger M00 TECKG9 Sub-machine gun na may kasamang isang magazine at 10 rounds ammo.

Si Alyas Shin/Shane ay isang dating batang mandirigma at nagsimula sa makakaliwang kilusan sa edad na 14. Sa pahayag nito sa PTF-ELCAC, sinabi niya na siya, ang kanyang ina at mga kapatid ay sapilitang kinuha ng grupong Karapatan-Southern Tagalog mula sa lalawigan ng Quezon upang mamundok dito sa Palawan. Dahil sa pamumundok umano nito ay hindi nito naranasan ang maging isang bata.

Mahigit 30 pa sa ‘wanted list’ na mga miyembro ng CPP-NPA ang inaasahang ng Palawan Task Force-ELCAC na susuko na rin sa pamahalaan.

Sa huling bahagi ng yugtong ito ay ilalahad naman ang mga binibigay na tulong ng pamahalaan para sa mga dating rebelde. (OCJ/PIA-MIMAROPA, Palawan)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1030969

Start talks on PH-Netherlands extradition treaty, gov't urged

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 6, 2019): Start talks on PH-Netherlands extradition treaty, gov't urged (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)



JOMA EXTRADITION. A parents' group calls on Friday (Dec. 6)the government to fast-track the talk with the Netherlands on the extradition of communist leader Jose Maria Sison to the Philippines. The group wants Sison to be persecuted for several political killings in the Philippines. (PNA Photo by Oliver Marquez)

A group of parents on Friday called on the government to start the discussion on an extradition treaty between the Netherlands and the Philippines to allow the handover of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison's custody to the government.

The call by the League of Parents of the Philippines (LPP) was made following their meeting on December 5 with the Dutch Embassy in Manila, who underscored that their "hands are tied" on the group's request to deport the CPP chief home.

"Tatay Digong (President Rodrigo Duterte), kami ay inimbitahan na sa Dutch embassy. Kami po ay pinakinggan, sabi nila their hands are tied at kami raw po ay lumapit din sa ating gobyerno para kung ano pong magagawa ng gobyerno (Tatay Digong, we were already invited by the Dutch Embassy. We were heard but they said their hands are tied and that we should also reach out to the government to see what they can do)," LPP member Arlene Eluwa said during a press conference in Quezon City.

"Kami po ay nanawagan sa gobyerno, let's start this extradition treaty (We are urging the government, let's start this extradition treaty)," she added.

At present, there are only 12 extradition treaties entered into by the Philippines with other countries and territories-- Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Spain, Switzerland, South Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. None has been signed yet with the Netherlands.

"Ang stand namin ay pauwiin si Joma Sison. 'Yong Dutch embassy, willing naman silang mag-cooperate kaso wala tayong extradition treaty kaya hindi sila makagalaw (Our stand is for Joma Sison to be deported. The Dutch embassy is willing to cooperate but we don't have an extradition treaty with them so they can't do anything)," said Remy Rosadio, one of the LPP representatives, who attended the meeting with the embassy.

Eluwa said the meeting with the Dutch embassy is in itself a feat for a group of parents who had only recently taken to streets their petition to let the CPP face justice in the Philippines.

"This has been going on for 50 years pero ngayon lang lumabas ang mga magulang so kung kinakailangan magpapirma kami ng isang milyon o limang milyong pirma, sisimulan namin 'yan (This has been going on for 50 years but it's only now that the parents surfaced so if there's a need to have a million or even five million signatures, we'll start campaigning)," she added.

The CPP-NPA (New People's Army) is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Since 1992, the Netherlands has recognized Sison as a “political refugee” based on his alleged persecution by the Marcos regime.

At present, the Philippine government is working with the European Union to have Sison’s status revoked.

READ: Court orders arrest of Joma, wife, 36 others over NPA ‘purging’

Last August, Sison along with 37 others were ordered arrested by Regional Trial Court Branch 32 in Manila's presiding judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina after finding probable cause that the “accused committed the offense as charged in the amended information” for the Inopacan massacre in Leyte.

Based on estimates of former rebels and the victims’ relatives, the Inopacan massacre or mass purging, dubbed by the NPA, CPP's armed wing, as “Oplan Venereal Disease”, claimed the lives of about 300 residents in Leyte province.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088116

Andanar expects Sison to ‘seriously’ consider revival of talks

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 6, 2019): Andanar expects Sison to ‘seriously’ consider revival of talks (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)



Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar. (File photo)

MANILA -- Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Friday pinned hope that communist founder Jose Maria Sison would “seriously” consider President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to revive the moribund peace negotiations with the communists.

Andanar made the statement, a day after Duterte designated Labor Secretary Bello III, former head of the now-defunct negotiating peace panel of the government, as a mediator for the possible resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF).

“With the government's move to send back Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello, who was the chief of the government panel in the negotiations with the Communist Party, to the Netherlands, we are opening the possibility of resuming peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines,” he said.

“We hope in good faith that Mr. José María Sison will seriously reconsider the government’s proposal that will be presented by Secretary Bello,” the Communications chief added.

Sison fled to Europe in self-exile immediately after the communist movement’s peace negotiations under the leadership of the late president Corazon Aquino in 1987.

The communist founder has been in self-exile in the Netherlands for about three decades now.

On Tuesday, Duterte announced that he will be sending Bello to the Netherlands to discuss with Sison the government’s plan to resume the talks with NDF consultants.

The President, however, refused to disclose additional details on the impending meeting between Sison and Bello.

Duterte on Nov. 23, 3017 signed Proclamation 360, which formally scrapped peace talks with the NDF.

The signing of Proclamation 360 was followed by the issuance of Proclamation 374 on Dec. 5, 2017, which classifies the CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), as terror organizations because of their supposed commission of crimes that are “against the Filipino people, against humanity, and against the law of the nations.”

The CPP-NPA has also been listed as a terror group by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Despite this, Duterte in December 2018 signed Executive Order 70, creating the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and directing local peace bodies to conduct peace talks with communist insurgents in their respective areas.

The national government’s negotiating peace panel led by Bello was dissolved on Mar. 18, 2019, following the stalled peace negotiations with the NDF and the creation of the NTF-ELCAC.

Andanar, who concurrently heads the NTF-ELCAC’s communications, joined the President in the quest to unite all Filipinos, “regardless of differences ideological or otherwise, towards progress and development as one society and one country.”

“We are looking for a peaceful option to end this conflict as these five decades of armed struggle and resistance by the Communist Party against the Philippine Government must eventually come to an end,” he said.

“We are all Filipinos. Our search for all possible avenues to achieve a just and lasting peace on this matter is not so that the government can claim it has won and succeeded, but to show that both groups can co-exist, find common ground, and work together towards building a firm yet peaceful Philippine society, where there is no place for armed conflicts,” he added.

Andanar also guaranteed that the NTF-ELCAC will continue its proactive role in achieving peace in the country.

“As we strive to meet our goals of peace and prosperity, the Task Force's initiatives and successes have contributed highly to the path of achieving the said goals,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088083

NCRPO to raise full alert on NPA anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 6, 2019): NCRPO to raise full alert on NPA anniversary (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan) 



NCRPO acting chief, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas. (File photo)

MANILA -- The National Capital Region Police (NCRPO) said on Friday it will be on full alert status for the forthcoming anniversary of the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), on December 26.

NCRPO acting chief, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, said they will beef up internal security and intelligence operations against the leftist group to ensure peace and order during the Christmas holidays.

He also directed cops on the ground to continue securing all vital installations, economic key points as well as places of convergence and ensure a high state of operational readiness to deter CPP and other threat group plans and activities.

Asked if the NCRPO has monitored any threat, Sinas said the police only knew that some protest rallies and demonstrations will take place on that day.

“As usual naka-red alert kami diyan (We are on red alert). In fact, sa ngayon pa lang nakahanda na kami (this early, we are ready) for the International Human Rights Day and sa (on) December, 26 mag-prepare din kami (We will prepare) for any eventualities. We have contingencies in place,” Sinas told reporters in a press conference on Friday at the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 10.

A full alert means the highest level of readiness in all police offices and units in the metropolis to intensify during the Yuletide season this year.

The Metro Manila top cop assured the public that they will provide peace and security everywhere they go during the Yuletide season.

Sinas also vowed to strengthen its security on the government officials are targeted by the communist front groups for leading President Rodrigo Duterte’s counterinsurgency program.

“Ang gagawin namin is paigtingin ‘yung mga checkpoints at random checkpoints natin para sa mga ilegal na magdadala ng firearms (What we will do is intensify our checkpoints and our random checkpoints to arrest persons illegally possessing firearms),” Sinas said when asked for a comment.

On Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., a ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC), said he and other government officials are targeted by the communist front groups for leading President Rodrigo Duterte’s counterinsurgency program.

Parlade, also the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations, said that aside from him and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, included on the 'hit list' of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) are National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples chairman Allen Capuyan.

He said also included on the list as well are five former communist leaders who are helping the government’s anti-insurgency campaign.

Año, a retired chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, has shrugged off the threat from communist rebels, saying he will not be intimidated by the CPP-NPA's evil ploy.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088092

Joma denial of hit list shows Red ties: Parlade

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 6, 2019): Joma denial of hit list shows Red ties: Parlade (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations (PNA File photo)

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairperson Jose Maria "Joma" Sison's vehement denial of the newly-discovered hit list against ranking government officials demonstrates his strong ties to the insurgency movement, a ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) said Friday.

"Why did he react immediately? It should tell us he knows about it because the Central Committee orders were just very recently given, as in a few hours after it was issued," said Major General Antonio Parlade, Jr., who is also Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations.

Included in the hit list are Parlade, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., and National Commission on the Indigenous Peoples chair Allen Capuyan.

The plot, codenamed "Oplan Hades", is part of the communist rebels' effort against so-called counter-revolutionaries.

"We exposed this 'Oplan Hades' as early as last year, after the bungled Red October destabilization plot involving Movement Against Tyranny remember? But nobody believed us," he said.

He urged Filipinos not to believe Sison's statement as the CPP founder has always denied every misdeed and atrocities committed by the communist rebels, including the bombing of Plaza Miranda, Quiapo, Manila on August 21, 1971.

"Of course 'Joma' has always denied everything like ordering the bombing of Plaza Miranda in order to force Marcos to declare Martial Law in (1971). Senator Jovito Salonga would later confirm that it was not Marcos who bombed the Liberal Party rally but 'Joma' Sison," he added.

Aside from ranking government officials, also included in the hit list is former Central Committee member and Military Commission head Ruben Guevarra whom the NTF ELCAC official said is privy to the plot.

"One of those in this new hit list in 'Hades 2', by the way, is Ruben Guevarra, former Central Committee member and head of the Military Commission, and is, therefore, privy to the Plaza Miranda plot. Now he is again being targetted for his active participation in exposing the PM (Plaza Miranda) bombing in the movie clip 'Madugong Singkwenta'. It was released last year to remind people of the bloody trail that the CPP's violence has brought us over 50 years. This December 26, it will turn 51," he added.

Despite Sison's non-admission of his participation regarding the massive purges that killed thousands of CPP-NPA fighters and supporters, a court ruled that he has direct participation in this bloody event, hence an arrest warrant was issued against him in connection to the Inopacan Massacre.

"Did 'Joma' also admit to the thousands of CPP and NPA cadres killed by their own people during the purging? No, he did not. But the court was later convinced of his direct participation, hence the warrant for his arrest for the Inopacan mass killings. In fairness to Satur Ocampo, he did admit to this mistake in a recorded interview he gave. At least he knows that even as he claims he is a 'progressive' there is blood in his hands," Parlade said.

He added that the hit list prompted communist rebels to beef up the presence of their Special Partisan Unit (Sparu) in urban areas to attack their enemies as stated in the communist rebels' "Limang Taong Programa ng Partido (2017-2021)".

"And what does the 'Limang Taong Programa ng Partido (2017-2021)' says about the Sparu? In the "Taktikal na Programa - KTKS 01/19/2019 paragraph 4.8, it clearly says that it should strengthen and activate partisan operation in the city. 'Palawakin at pasiglahin ang mga operasyong partisano upang bigwasan, guluhin at parusahan ang kaaway sa mga syudad.' It (is) very clear that 'Joma' wants the CPP-NPA hitmen called Sparu, to attack government/officials to kill, harass, or punish them," he said.

Such strong statements belied Sison's claims that the hit list is just psywar, he said.

"Maybe we should also remind Sison that just last November, he intimated that the Sparu of the CPP-NPA may return 'if there is no more space for patriotic and progressive forces in urban areas'. Maybe your spokesman (could) remind (Joma). The Sparu will be here because their forces have nowhere else to go after most of the provinces, towns, and barangays have declared the CPP NPA as 'persona non grata'," he said.

With all these things going against the CPP-NPA, Parlade chided Sison for choosing this time to talk peace again in order to save face.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088154

Surigao Sur IPs hit NPA over death of militiamen

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 6, 2019): Surigao Sur IPs hit NPA over death of militiamen (By Alexander Lopez)



MURDERED. Residents of Barangay Calatngan in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, look at the body bags that contain the remains of government militiamen Aldren Azarcon and Dennis Ortega who were killed by communist rebels on Thursday (December 5). The Manobo tribe in the area expressed condemnation over the killing. (Photo courtesy of 36IB)

The Manobo tribe in the Surigao del Sur town of San Miguel on Friday condemned the death of two unarmed militiamen who were killed by communist rebels on Thursday.

Datu Rico Maca, the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of the San Miguel municipal council, said they are mourning the deaths of Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) members Aldren Azarcon and Dennis Ortega.

Maca said Azarcon and Ortega, who were his cousins, were fetching water and taking a bath around 300 meters away from their patrol base in Brgy. Calatngan when waylaid by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

“We are enraged. They were unarmed, outnumbered, and helpless when strafed and killed by the NPA,” Maca told Philippine News Agency.

Both CAFGU members were single and residents of the area, he said.

Maca said he was among those who first arrived at the ambush site.

“I was in tears when I saw my tribesmen lifeless,” he added.

“It was Ortega who was hit first by the volume of the firing of the guns. He was hit in the head, fell to the ground lifeless. His cousin, Azarcon was hit in the arms and thigh. But Azarcon still managed to crawl toward his cousin and hugged him. He died hugging his cousin,” Maca narrated.

The killing of Ortega and Azarcon was meant to sow fear among the Manobo tribe, he added.

“The NPA used to control the area of Calatngan. Lately, the Manobos realized that they were just deceived by the NPA,” he said.

The NPA in the area, Maca said, has become desperate after losing the support of the Manobo communities which the communist rebel movement used as their mass base before.

“The NPA claimed Ortega and Azarcon were their former members, surrendered to the Army and turned into CAFGU. That’s a big lie. They were never part of the NPA organization before,” he added.

Maca said the Manobos of San Miguel are furious over the killing.

“The parents and other family members of Ortega and Azarcon were grieving last night when their dead bodies were brought home. But aside from grieving, the Manobos are also angry. They asked why the NPA killed them without giving them the chance to defend themselves. They are really angry,” he added.

Maca said they will introduce a resolution in next Tuesday's regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan of San Miguel to condemn the killing of the two Manobo tribe members.

In a statement on Thursday, 1st Lt. Jonald Romorosa, civil-military operations officer of the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion, said the killing of Ortega and Azarcon violated the provisions of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Romorosa said the NPA failed to distinguish between the armed and unarmed auxiliary members of the Army.

"When the CAFGUs were waylaid and mercilessly killed by the NPA, they were in civilian clothes and unarmed," Romorosa said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088066

Bacolod declares CPP-NPA persona non grata

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 6, 2019): Bacolod declares CPP-NPA persona non grata (By Nanette Guadalquiver)



BACOLOD CITY -- The City of Bacolod has joined other local government units in Negros Occidental in rejecting the presence of the Community Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

A resolution was unanimously passed by the City Council on Wednesday, declaring the CPP-NPA persona non grata here to contribute to the “whole-of-nation” approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace.

Councilor Al Victor Espino, who authored the resolution as chairperson of the City Council committee on police matters, peace and order, and illegal drugs, confirmed the approval of the resolution on Friday.

“The atrocities perpetrated by the communist-terrorist group does not only disturb the socio-economic status of the city and the province, but more importantly, it hinders the goal of achieving peace and order,” a portion of the resolution read.

It cited Executive Order No. 70 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte, providing the institutionalization of the “whole-of-nation” approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a national task force to end the local communist armed conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and directing the adoption of a national peace framework.

The resolution said “there is a need for a united and concerted effort with the police, military and civilian population for the prevention and deterrence of any terrorism, insurgency, and highly-organized crimes in the city and province.”

“There is also a need to reframe and refocus the government policy for achieving inclusive and sustainable peace by recognizing that insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threats are not only military and security concerns, but are symptomatic of broader social, economic and historical problems such poverty, historical injustice, social inequality, and lack of inclusivity, among others,” it added.

On Friday, the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade based in neighboring Murcia town lauded the move of Bacolod City.

“It’s a welcome development. It really shows their great desire to keep Bacolod City free from the influence of the CPP-NPA. I hope (more) cities and municipalities will follow the lead of Bacolod,” brigade commander Brig. Gen. Benedict Arevalo said.

He added that in this situation, the saying, “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the oppressed. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented” is apt.

“In the case of Bacolod City, they have taken the right side in the fight against the extortionist-terrorists,” Arevalo said.

Lt. Col. Ariel Pico, information officer of Bacolod City Police Office, also welcomed the action of the city government.

“We are glad with the move of the City of Bacolod. It is a big support to the President’s order to end insurgency,” he added.

Earlier, other cities in Negros Occidental such as Escalante, San Carlos, and La Carlota also passed resolutions declaring the communist-terrorist group persona non grata.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088136

Troops nab 2 alleged ASG members in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 6, 2019): Troops nab 2 alleged ASG members in Sulu (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

CONFISCATED. Troops apprehend two suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members who blocked the highway linking the towns of Panamao and Luuk on Thursday (Dec. 5, 2019). Confiscated from them were an M-16 Armalite and M-14 rifle with magazines and ammunition as well as two grenades. (Photo courtesy of the Joint Task Force Sulu)

Government troops arrested two gunmen suspected to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who were caught blocking a road along the boundary of Panamao and Luuk towns in Sulu, a top military official said Friday.

Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu commander, identified the arrested individuals as Rano Jillang and Medzfar Aminulla, both from Panamao, Sulu.

Vinluan said they were arrested by the troops of the Army’s 2nd Special Forces Battalion around 3 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Gagguil, Panglima Estino town.

Vinluan said the arrest of the two came after the residents in the area reported that there were two gunmen blocking the provincial highway that connects the municipalities of Panamao and Luuk.

Jillang and Aminulla yielded two high powered firearms consisting of an M-16 Armalite and an M-14 rifle with magazines and ammunition and two grenades, the Army official said.

He said the two were turned over to the Municipal Police Station of Panglima Estino for the filing of formal charges.

He said investigation is also being conducted to confirm their affiliation with the ASG and motive in blocking the provincial highway.

“I am very grateful to the courageous civilians who reported these lawless elements in their communities. The incident today manifests the Tausug Community's full commitment in maintaining the peace and order for economic growth and human development here in Sulu.” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088086

Livelihood training in poorest Mindanao provinces slated in 2020

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 6, 2019): Livelihood training in poorest Mindanao provinces slated in 2020 (By Che Palicte)



DAVAO CITY -- A team of agriculture experts will conduct a lecture series on livelihood projects targeting Mindanao's poorest provinces, especially in the conflict-affected areas, starting January 2020.

In a statement on Thursday, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said a team of agriculture experts will teach rural folks on raising native chicken and goat, cattle fattening, as well as vegetable farming.
“My advocacy is to achieve peace and prosperity in Mindanao through simple livelihood projects” said Piñol.

He said that a certain Arnel Corpuz, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who had long experience in cattle fattening in Australia and owns the Adelaide Farm, is joining this advocacy program of MinDA.

The livelihood projects will be hosted under the Livelihood Opportunities in Villages for Economic Upliftment (LOVE-U) program, which aims to reduce poverty and contribute to attainment of peace and security in Mindanao.
“We will identify priority areas for the lecture series which include the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Maguindanao and Saranggani, which are among the 10 poorest provinces in the country. These areas also were recently devastated by the series of earthquakes”, Piñol said.

The island provinces of Basilan and Tawi-Tawi, which are being positioned as the sources of supplies needed in reopening of the Barter Trade with Sabah, are also identified as priority areas for the LOVE-U program.

In a recent visit to Sabah, Malaysia late last month, Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal informed Secretary Piñol during a call with Asian Development Bank (ADB) Executive Director Paul Dominguez that the territory needs a supply of halal beef, goat meat, free-range native chicken, fruits, and vegetables for its growing tourism industry.

Piñol said that the Sabah chief minister agreed to engage the farmers from Mindanao, especially in the three island provinces, to supply the needed commodities.

He added that in order to supply the needs of the local people and the prospective Sabah market, MinDA will undertake the training of agriculture stakeholders, who will be organized and given production support.

"MinDA will be linking up with funding partners to support the organized farmers' group,” said Piñol. Pinol also said that MinDA will lead an agriculture and trade mission to Sabah and Sarawak on the third week of January 2020.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088130

2 more NPA rebels yield in Lake Sebu

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 6, 2019): 2 more NPA rebels yield in Lake Sebu (By Allen Estabillo)



SURRENDERERS. Two more New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion in Lake Sebu town, South Cotabato province on Thursday following a series of negotiations. The surrenderers, both former members of the Platoon West, Guerilla Front 73 or Sub-Regional Committee-Musa of the NPA's Far South Mindanao region, each yielded an AK-47 rifle. (Photo courtesy of the 27IB)

Two more New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered to government troops in Lake Sebu town, South Cotabato province on Thursday, the second in the area in two days.

1Lt. Efren Halawig, civil military operations officer of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion (IB), said Friday the rebels decided to yield following negotiations with their troops and local officials.

Halawig identified the surrenderers as alias “Kapitan” and alias “Mowen”, both from Lake Sebu and former members of Platoon West, Guerilla Front 73 or Sub-Regional Committee-Musa of the NPA's Far South Mindanao region.

Each of them surrendered an AK-47 rifle with ammunition, he said.
Citing accounts from alias “Kapitan”, Halawig said they decided to surrender due to the difficulties they faced while in the communist rebel movement, including the "uncertainty" of their cause.

He said the surrenderers reportedly noticed huge changes in the province’s governance these past months, especially in addressing the needs of local communities and in building a peaceful environment.

"Naa na mga proyekto para sa katawhan sumala sa farm-to-market roads, libreng edukasyon, pagtabang sa pang lawas ug uban pang mga tabang (There are many projects for the people, such as farm-to-market roads, free education, free health care, and other services)," he quoted the rebel returnees as saying.

Lt. Col. Jones Otida, 27IB commanding officer, said he expects that more NPA rebels from Lake Sebu will also yield in the coming months.

Otida said the support from Lake Sebu residents to the government’s peace initiatives have continued to gain ground since the municipal government declared the NPA last September as persona non grata.

He said the resolution unanimously passed by the municipal council shows that the people support the implementation of President’s Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 70 or the “whole-of-nation approach” in ending the local communist armed conflict.

“That is why we thank the people who have complemented our efforts by adding social pressure for the NPA terrorists to finally surrender,” Otida added.

The latest surrenderers have brought to six the number of NPA rebels under the Front 73 who yielded in Lake Sebu this week.

Four former rebels under the Platoon Samsung surrendered last Tuesday and laid down three high-powered firearms to personnel of the South Cotabato Police Provincial Office and the provincial government.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088108

Kalinaw News: More improvised explosive devices recovered by government troops

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 4, 2019): More improvised explosive devices recovered by government troops



CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Six more improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were discovered by the operating troops in Brgy Pamalian, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao on November 30, 2019.

The 5th Special Forces Battalion, while continuously clearing the area from the terror groups who have scampered away discovered IEDs in Sitio Diate of Barangay Pamalian.

The IEDs found were made from two 81mm mortar rounds (unexploded ordnance), three 60mm mortar rounds (unexploded ordnance), and one rocket propelled grenade warhead (unexploded ordnance).

“Our ground troops under the 601st Infantry Brigade will continue to scour the areas of engagement for the remnants of the terrorists. They intentionally left those IEDs to harm our troops who are continuously pursuing them,” Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon, Commander of Joint Task Force Central, said.

The demolition team of 5th SFBn successfully defused the IEDs and brought it to the 33rd Infantry Battalion Tactical Command Post for safekeeping.

Source: 5th Special Forces Battalion

[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: media@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/more-improvised-explosive-devices-recovered-by-government-troops/

Kalinaw News: Troops respond to explosion in Maguindanao

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 4, 2019): Troops respond to explosion in Maguindanao



CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Government troops of JTFC under 90th Infantry Battalion responded to an explosion along a national highway in Maguindanao on Saturday evening, November 30, 2019.

The explosion happened at 6:25 p.m. between the boundaries of Datu Anggal Midtimbang and Guindulungan in Maguindanao. Upon arrival, 90th IB troops with Guindulungan Municipal Police, cordoned off the street for safety and security reasons while waiting for the arrival of the Explosive and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.

Troops also continued to search for the possibility of more improvised explosive devices planted in the nearby areas.


While clearing the area, it was found out that the device was fashioned from an 81mm mortar round.

The Saturday’s bomb explosion had no reported casualties or damages to properties in the civilian community.

“It is believed that terrorists from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Dawlah Islamiya Terror Group (DITG) set off the explosion as part of their planned atrocities in Central Mindanao,” said Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon, Commander of Joint Task Force Central.
He also added that that explosion was meant to divert the attention of JTFC troopers from the on-going combat operations and scare the people in nearby communities.

Source: 90th Infantry Battalion 

[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: media@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/troops-respond-to-explosion-in-maguindanao/ 

Kalinaw News: Notorious top NPA commander killed in Antipolo shootout

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 5, 2019): Notorious top NPA commander killed in Antipolo shootout



CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal — The Secretary of Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee’s Sub-Regional Military Area 4A was killed after a firefight erupted when combined AFP and PNP forces served warrants of arrest for murder and frustrated murder in Antipolo City at around 2 a.m. Thursday.

Armando Lazarte alias Pat Romano, concurrently an Executive Committee member of STRPC, was with two other terrorists inside a safehouse in Brgy Cupang’s Sierra Vista Subdivision when the incident happened.

Lt Col Christopher Diaz, Commander of the 80th Infantry Battalion which operates in Rizal Province, said that the terrorists opened fire at the arresting officers which triggered the shootout.

“Alias Pat Romano is a notorious NPA Commander who has led the burning of equipment at the Kaliwa Dam project in Infanta, Quezon early this year and the series of ambush utilizing land mines against the PNP in Baras and Antipolo City last 2018.”

Col Alex Rillera, Commander of the 202nd Brigade which has operational jurisdiction over the area, said that after the initial exchange of fires, “security forces applied first aid to the wounded terrorists who were then brought to Amang Rodriguez Hospital where they were declared Dead on Arrival by the attending physician.”

Government troops recovered one M16 rifle, one 9mm pistol, one cal .45 pistol, two hand grenades, laptops, cellphones and voluminous enemy documents which are now being processed by Rizal Provincial Police Office’s SOCO.

According to Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division, “the series of neutralization of hard core cadres in Southern Tagalog is a manifestation of the lingering demoralization among the enemy’s ranks as well as the reality that the NPAs no longer enjoy support from what used to be a solid mass base in the region.”

He said that the security forces were notified by informants from within the terrorist group regarding the whereabouts of alias Pat Romano, an information that was confirmed by some of the locals in the area.

He added that the death of Armando Lazarte “is a decisive blow to the communist terrorists for it will result to leadership vacuum, thus, further pushing them on the brink of collapse thereby fast-tracking our efforts to defeat insurgency and liberate our people from the clutches of terrorism in this part of the country.”

According to the military, they were able to dismantle the NPA unit operating in Batangas and Cavite after the 2018 campaign and are now on track to defeat the “NPA terrorists operating in Rizal, Laguna and Quezon provinces.”

Lt Gen Gilbert Gapay, Commander of the Southern Luzon Command, lauded the government troops for “being steadfast in defeating the NPA terrorists in Southern Tagalog which will pave the way for peace, prosperity and development in the immediate south of the national government’s seat of power.”

He added that “although we do not rejoice in the death of a fellow Filipino, this incident should serve as a warning to the enemies of the state that we are firm in our resolve to put an end to this insurgency which has been hampering our country’s growth and potentials.”

He ended his statement by reiterating his call to the few remaining terrorists to put down their arms, return to the folds of law and avail reintegration grants while they can “because government forces are slowly but surely closing in to take them down and bring them before the courts of law and make them answer for the terroristic actions that they have been committing against our country and people.”

Alias Pat Romano was the second high-ranking leader from Southern Tagalog to be neutralized in nine days following the arrest of Jaime Padilla, a central committee member, in the posh Cardinal Santos Hospital in San Juan last Nov 26.

Source: 80th Infantry Battalion 

[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: media@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/notorious-top-npa-commander-killed-in-antipolo-shootout/