Palace refuses to comment on Sulu ‘misencounter’

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 30, 2020): Palace refuses to comment on Sulu ‘misencounter’ (By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)

Malacañang on Tuesday refrained from making comments on the “misencounter” between military and police in Jolo, Sulu that led to the death of four soldiers.

This, after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to disarm and place the four police personnel under restrictive custody following their involvement in the killings of four Army intelligence officers.

In a virtual press conference aired on state-run PTV-4, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he would not make any statement, pending the results of the investigation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“Hintayin muna natin ang imbestigasyon. Parehong ang kapulisan at hukbong sandatahan ay humingi na ng tulong sa NBI para maimbestigahan nang maintindihan natin kung ano talaga ang nangyari (Let us wait first for the results of the investigation. Both the police and military already asked NBI to conduct probe for us to understand what really happened),” he said.

According to reports, police officers on Monday killed four armed men who turned out to be military officers on an official mission in Jolo, Sulu.

The slain soldiers were members of an Army intelligence unit conducting covert operations in the area to locate reported suicide bombers affiliated with Abu Sayyaf Group bomb maker Mundi Sawadjaan.

Both the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have sought the NBI’s help for a separate and impartial probe into the reported misencounter in Sulu.

Hotspot

Roque opted to exercise fairness, as he acknowledged that Jolo is considered as hotspot for terrorism.

“Let’s be fair. Hotspot po talaga ang Jolo ngayon. Patuloy po ang aktibidades ng mga terorista diyan (Jolo is considered as hotspot now. Terror activities in the area continue),” he said.

Roque said he would only give an official statement, once NBI is done with its investigation.

“Sa tingin ko po, medyo nag-iingat at medyo mataas ang tensiyon diyan sa area na iyan. (I think, they are just being careful there because the tension in the area is a little high). So I will not make any conclusion sa ngayon po hangga’t hindi pa natatapos ang imbestigasyon ng NBI (until NBI completes its investigation),” he said.

Possible PRRD visit

The incident happened after President Rodrigo Duterte recently announced his plan to visit military camps despite the threat posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Roque said Duterte might visit the slain soldiers in Jolo, Sulu.

He, however, refused to spill further details due to “safety reason.”

“If he (Duterte) can, he will. Pero I’m not at liberty to say kung kailan talaga ang bisita ni Presidente sa Jolo (But I’m not at liberty to say as to when the President will visit Jolo), obviously, for safety reason,” Roque said.

NBI given 10 days to submit report

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the NBI regional office in Zamboanga will look into the incident.

"The NBI Zamboanga regional office will handle the investigation. I will issue a department order and ask for an initial report in 10 days." Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

This came after both the police and the military agreed that the NBI Zamboanga will conduct and lead the investigation.

"When the incident happened yesterday (Monday). I immediately called up (AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr.), and we both agreed that the NBI is going to do the investigation. The PNP together with the AFP are both open to the investigation and my request for the NBI is an impartial investigation so that the truth would come out and readily whatever would be the findings of the NBI, the PNP and the AFP will together embrace whatever the recommendations," PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said in a statement.

Gamboa, however, said the incident will not affect ties between the police and the military.

"As a matter of fact, me and the (AFP) Chief of Staff are both flying to Cebu tomorrow (Wednesday) for an (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases meeting) to show the people that although we grieve, our condolences to those who died in that encounter, it’s an isolated case and the PNP, together with the AFP, still continue to enjoy the confidence between each other," he added.

The nine police officers involved in the incident -- Staff Sgt. Almudzrin Hadjaruddin, Pat. Alkajal Mandangan, Pat. Rajiv Putalan, Senior M/Sgt. Abdelzhimar Padjiri, M/Sgt. Hanie U Baddiri, S/Sgt. Iskandar Susulan, S/Sgt. Ernisar Sappal, Cpl. Sulki Andaki, and Pat. Mohammad Nur Pasani -- are now under the custody of the Sulu Provincial Police Office pending investigation.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1107518

Army enraged; police shot 4 intel soldiers in Sulu without gunfight

From Rappler (Jun 30, 2020): Army enraged; police shot 4 intel soldiers in Sulu without gunfight (By JC Gotinga)

The Philippine Army says there was 'no provocation' on the part of the soldiers to 'warrant such carnage'



SLAIN SOLDIERS. Four soldiers were gunned down by police in Jolo, Sulu, on June 29, 2020. Photo from the Philippine Army

The military on Tuesday, June 30, accused Sulu policemen of killing 4 intelligence soldiers without a gunfight or provocation in Jolo on Monday, June 29.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said in a CNN Philippines interview on Tuesday that photos and information they have gathered showed that the police shot at the soldiers while they were inside their vehicle, except for their commander who had walked to the cops unarmed to explain their presence in the area.

Army chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay is “enraged” by the incident and wants a full-blown investigation, the Army said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The soldiers were on a mission to identify the location of known terrorists in the area. Based on eyewitness accounts, no altercation transpired between the two parties nor was there any provocation on the part of Army personnel to warrant such carnage. Furthermore, no agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency are involved and this is not an anti-drug operation. The Army grieves and condoles with the families of our fallen men. There will be no let up in our quest for truth and justice," Gapay said.

Civilian clothes

The 4-man team of the Army's 9th Intelligence Service Unit (ISU) was led by Major Marvin Indammog, 39. He was killed along with:

Captain Irwin Managuelod, 33
Sergeant Jaime Velasco, 38
Corporal Abdal Asula, 33

According to a miltary report, the 4 were conducting a signals intelligence or SIGINT operation in the Sulu capital on Monday to track down alleged suicide bombers affiliated with the ISIS-linked Abu Sayyaf bomb expert Mundi Sawadjaan.

As they were driving an SUV through Barangay Bus-Bus, Jolo, at around 2:30 pm, they came upon a checkpoint where police flagged them down.

The intelligence men – all in civilian clothes – introduced themselves as members of the military, but the cops doubted the claim and asked them to report to the nearby police station. The soldiers agreed.

Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr, commander of the Army’s 11th Infantry Division that has supervision over the 9th ISU, told Rappler that the soldiers were in plainclothes because they were doing intelligence work.

What the police should have done in a situation like that, said Vinluan, is to call the soldiers' battalion or mother unit and verify their identities.

Instead, the cops ordered them to drive to the nearest police station.

The Army soldiers followed in their SUV but went past the station by about 50 meters, deciding instead to park their SUV in front of a fire station.

“Apparently for security reasons, they moved a little further away from the police station pero huminto rin sila (but they stopped eventually),” Arevalo said.

An initial police report released Monday night said the soldiers tried to flee, prompting the cops to open fire. Arevalo denied this.

In fact, the unit commander, Major Indammog, got off the SUV and left his gun in the vehicle to speak to the police, who apparently had also gotten off their vehicle to talk to the soldiers, the military said.

The military said Indammog's men were left in the SUV.

A police report said that at this point, the soldiers "lifted and pointed their firearms" at the cops, prompting the cops to open fire.

Arevalo said even that claim indicates there was no gunfight to begin with. “Kung 'yun ang ating titingnan, ay malinaw na walang naganap na barilan. Hindi nagkaroon ng exchange of fire (If we base it on that, then it’s clear there was no gunfight. There had been no exchange of fire),” Arevalo said in the CNN Philippines interview.

Photos showed the victims’ bodies splayed near or inside their vehicle, he added.

Why?

"Hindi namin alam ano motivation ng mga pulis kasi pag ganyan.... Itong mga pulis, alam nilang walang armas 'yung sundalo, pinagbabaril na lang.... Hindi namin maisip na gagawin ng pulis 'yun e," Vinluan told Rappler. (We don't know what the police's motivation was.... These cops, they knew the soldiers were unarmed but just shot them.... We couldn't imagine cops doing that.)

The military and police top brass earlier agreed to let the National Bureau of Investigation probe the incident, to ensure “impartiality” and avoid stoking tensions between the two uniformed services.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, a former military chief who now supervises the Philippine National Police (PNP), on Monday night ordered the detention and disarming of the cops involved in the incident.

Arevalo said the PNP leadership has expressed its condolences over the killing of the 4 military intelligence officers.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/265275-afp-says-no-exchange-fire-police-shot-intel-soldiers-jolo-incident

South China Sea Is Not Beijing's Maritime Empire, Pompeo Says As Philippines Pushes Back Against China

From the International Business Times (Jun 29, 2020): South China Sea Is Not Beijing's Maritime Empire, Pompeo Says As Philippines Pushes Back Against China (By James Patterson)
06/29/20 AT 7:40 AM

KEY POINTS

• Michael Pompeo's Twitter message praised the 36th ASEAN summit, saying: "China cannot be allowed to treat the SCS as its maritime empire. We will have more to say on this topic soon"
• This could be a sign that Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte was seeking to move toward the U.S. and away from China concerning the situation in the South China Sea
• Duterte had taken a soft stance toward China, and was described by some as Beijing-friendly

The United States Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, like his boss President Donald Trump is a regular Twitter user. On June 2, he tweeted he had sent a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General to protest China’s “unlawful South China Sea (SCS) maritime claims”.

On Saturday (June 27), he posted another tweet: “The United States welcomes ASEAN Leaders’ insistence that South China Sea disputes be resolved in line with international law, including UNCLOS (United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea). China cannot be allowed to treat the SCS as its maritime empire. We will have more to say on this topic soon.”

The tweet was a message in response to a joint statement from the 36th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit that was held the previous day.

The statement expressed the concerns among the ASEAN leaders over the situation in the South China Sea. Some of the concerns were:

• The importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight above the South China Sea
• Upholding international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the South China Sea
• Working actively toward the full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in its entirety
• The early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea consistent with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS
• Emphasizing the “importance of non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation”

Of the ASEAN nations, the Philippines and President Rodrigo Duterte’s stance toward the Communist giant seems to be the key as to how China’s attempts to dominate the international waterway will play out.

In 2016, Duterte was elected to his six-year term and was handed an “ace card” in July when the Philippines won an arbitration award by The Hague’s Arbitral Tribunal that ruled against China’s “nine-dash line” claims to the sea, including those within Philippine’s exclusive economic zone. Beijing rejected the ruling and there was no enforcement mechanism in place.

Duterte has taken a soft stance toward China, described by some as Beijing-friendly, since his tenure as president. He shrugged off the sinking of a Philippine fishing boat by the Chinese Coast Guard vessel as an accident and agreed to put discussions of the 2016 Hague ruling aside while negotiations over the exploration of oil-rich waters were ongoing.

The COVID-19 pandemic that originated in China and has caused a virtual shutdown in the Philippines may have hardened Duterte’s stance. The negotiations have stalled, and China continues its attempts in the South China Sea.

Now, the Philippine Department of Energy and Department of Foreign Affairs officials are lobbying Duterte to reassert the country’s sovereign claim to seabed energy resources contested by China and push for Chinese compensation for Filipino fishermen from the fishing boat incident.

Pompeo’s tweet is an indication that Duterte and Philippine diplomats are shifting back toward the U.S., the country’s long-time ally. Duterte even reversed his position on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) a mutual defense treaty that he sought to cancel in February before anyone knew the full impact of COVID-19. 

 
https://www.ibtimes.com/south-china-sea-not-beijings-maritime-empire-pompeo-says-philippines-pushes-back-3002342

Who Exactly is a Communist Rebel? Philippine Anti-Terrorism Act Has Answers

Posted to the Voice of American (Jun 29, 2020): Who Exactly is a Communist Rebel? Philippine Anti-Terrorism Act Has Answers (By Ralph Jennings)

A protester holds a caricature of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during an anti-terror bill rally at the University of the Philippines in Manila, Philippines as they observe Philippine Independence Day on Friday, June 12, 2020.

Legislators in the Philippines have passed an anti-terrorism law that broadens President Rodrigo Duterte’s power to squelch armed rebels along with backers of the Communist party linked to a widespread violent struggle.

The House of Representatives passed the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 in early June and Duterte has indicated he will sign it.

Critics of Duterte, who’s known for a deadly anti-drug crackdown since taking office in 2016, worry that authorities will interpret the law to stop any kind of dissent. People connected with the communists would be particularly targeted, analysts say.

“It’s very ambiguous, and it’s also subject to abuse even if they have a provision there saying that rallies and criticisms against governments are not included, given that there’s a very vague definition of terrorists and it’s subject to a lot of interpretations,” said Maria Ela Atienza, political science professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

The 2020 act replaces a 2007 law by adding “proposal” to commit terrorism, along with training of terrorists as violations. It also expands the government’s means of surveillance against suspected terrorists. Suspects can be held 14 days under the new law without an initial court appearance, and judges can give life prison sentences to people convicted of terrorism.

The new act says terrorism means acting to kill or cause bodily harm to another person or attempting to take a life. It covers damage to public property as well, if done to spread fear.

Authorities will use the law to go after the New People’s Army, a branch of the Communist Party of the Philippines, analysts believe. The army operates mostly in rural areas where some among the poor favor communism. The army, believed to be about 4,000 strong, finds some of its recruits at universities.

A protester gestures as she talks to the crowd during an anti-terror bill rally at the University of the Philippines in Manila, Philippines as they observe Philippine Independence Day on Friday, June 12, 2020.

Insurgencies were taking place in 219 towns in 31 of the country’s 81 provinces as of April 10, the Communist party said on its website. The army has killed about 30,000 people total over its 50-plus years and the party called off a cease-fire May 1.

The government has already “targeted” hundreds of activists, farmers, environmentalists, trade union leaders and journalists among others “on suspicion of being communists or communist sympathizers,” New York-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch says in a June 5 statement.

Activists overall suddenly face a “real and grave threat”, said Renato Reyes, secretary-general of the Manila-based Bagong Alyansang Makabayan alliance of leftist causes. Arrests can be made and bank accounts frozen on “mere suspicion”, he said.

“It’s quite easy to do since critics are routinely branded as communist affiliated or front organizations of the communists,” Reyes said. “It is going to extend to the legal activists and all other critics and even ordinary people.”

Manila’s new act will “open the door to arbitrary arrests and long prison sentences for people or representatives of organizations that have displeased the president,” Human Rights Watch’s deputy Asia director said in the statement.

The Philippines is hardly alone in using the law to combat terrorism. Saudi Arabia’s law came under fire in 2017 from the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights for targeting writers and human rights advocates over non-violent views. A law that Singapore rolled out in 2018 lets police ban reporting and posting videos from any terrorism scenes.

Philippine officials show no sign so far of abusing the law, said Eduardo Araral, associate professor at the National University of Singapore’s public policy school.

Just one person has been convicted under the 2007 law, and legislators made a special point to exclude common rallies and protests from the 2020 act, Araral said.

“They know the backlash against this bill, so I think they’ve done their job to make sure that civil rights are amply protected,” he said. For Duterte, he added, “the purpose of this bill is really to give the government the tools to put a final end to the communist insurgency.” 

https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/who-exactly-communist-rebel-philippine-anti-terrorism-act-has-answers

Rebel killed in Miag-ao clash

From Panay News (Jun 30, 2020): Rebel killed in Miag-ao clash (By Ruby Silubrico)

A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed in an encounter with government troops yesterday morning in a remote village of Miag-ao, Iloilo.

The body of the still unidentified rebel was recovered at the clash site in Sitio Lay, Barangay Daleji, Miag-ao, said Lieutenant Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, commander of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB).

The clash happened at around 11:10 a.m. There were around 30 rebels believed belonging to the Suyak Platoon of NPA Panay’s Southern Front Committee.

The firefight lasted for some 15 minutes.
“The encounter site was a mountainous area and really rebel-infested. It was about 25 kilometers away from the town proper of Miag-ao. The fatality has yet to be identified kasi malayo talaga at walang signal ang tao natin sa doon,” Batara said.

The rebels withdrew to the mountains and left their dead comrade.

Soldiers also recovered flags and an M16 armalite rifle.

The 61IB deployed reinforcements for a follow-up and clearing operations.

Batara told Panay News he received information from the community last week about armed men in the towns of San Joaquin, Miag-ao and some villages in Antique province.

He said rebels were recruiting new members in the 1st District, targeting mostly youngsters in mountainous areas.

“We will continue to hunt them,” said Batara.

Last week, at least 12 rebels in Antique surrendered to the 61IB and the Antique Police Provincial Office after long years of armed struggle.

They claimed hunger and deception forced them to surrender and they wanted to avail themselves of the government’s reintegration program.

https://www.panaynews.net/rebel-killed-in-miag-ao-clash/

Clans in Maguindanao’s biggest ‘rido’ bury hatchet

From MindaNews (Jun 29, 2020): Clans in Maguindanao’s biggest ‘rido’ bury hatchet
(By FERDINANDH B. CABRERA)

COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 29 June) — The biggest “rido” or clan war in Maguindanao, which pitted against each other commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), has been settled after dragging on for years and causing untold miseries to civilians.

“Impossible yet we made it possible,” said Abdulraof Macacua, executive secretary of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Macacua, known by the pseudonym “Sammy Gambar,” is also the chief of staff of Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the MILF’s armed wing.

Macacua facilitated the reconciliation of warring Muslim clans, who swore before the Holy Quran to religiously abide with the localized peace agreement that ended four years of animosity and bloodshed.

According to him, the settlement between the warring Moro families in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town “eliminates half of the rido problem in Maguindanao.”

On Saturday, June 27, Datu Saudi Ampatuan Mayor Resty Sindatok, along with his relatives headed by Commander Hawn of the MILF 105th Base Command, and the clan of Commander Wahid Tundok of the MILF 118th Base Command, signed a peace agreement at the office of Macacua at the BARMM complex in Cotabato City.

Tundok is a close relative and ally of the past administration led by the Dimaukom family in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town.

The reconciliation was brokered and witnessed by Sultan Kudarat Governor Suharto Mangudadatu, who represented his wife Maguindanao Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu, and representatives from the MILF’s Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group and the Maguindanao Peace Monitoring and Investigation Team.

Religious and traditional leaders were also instrumental in ending the conflict that was settled without blood money.

“We are thankful that our efforts with BARMM Chief Minister Kagi Murad (Ahod Ebrahim) have worked. This (settlement) will give better direction for the Bangsamoro government to focus on development,” Governor Mangudadatu said.

Mangudadatu said the truce “was reached because by blood, the warring factions are also related.”

Macacua reminded the parties to adhere to the peace agreement, stressing those who will violate it will be considered “enemies of the BARMM, the MILF and Maguindanao province.”

“Whoever violates the agreement will be penalized accordingly…if the violators are MILF members, they will be delisted outright from the ranks and will be charged,” Macacua said.

Mayor Sindatuk lauded the efforts of the MILF leadership to facilitate the reconciliation.

“From the bottom of my heart, I thank the MILF leadership and the governors of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat because this conflict is finally settled,” Sindatuk said in the vernacular.

Butch Malang, chair of the MILF-CCCH, said the rido settlement “was unprecedented since previous efforts to reconcile the warring families have failed.”

Malang said they have been also working to settle other clan wars involving MILF members in Pikit, North Cotabato and other communities.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/06/clans-in-maguindanaos-biggest-rido-bury-hatchet/

PNP allays fears of terror attack in Metro Manila

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 29, 2020): PNP allays fears of terror attack in Metro Manila (By Aaron B. Recuenco)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) allayed fears of a terror attack in Metro Manila following a bloody clash in Parañaque City that led to the death of four members of the finance unit of the international terrorist group Daulah Islamiyah.



Philippine National Police (MANILA BULLETIN)

This developed as a supporter of the Maute Group who took part in the bloody Marawi City siege was arrested in a raid in his house on Sunday.

PNP chief Gen, Archie Gamboa said that they have not monitored any serious threat in Metro Manila despite the operation last week that resulted in the death of the finance officer of the Mindanao-based local terror group supporting the Daulah Islamiyah.

“I want to make it clear that the apprehension made last week is the financial conduit so this is more on finances. There is nothing yet about operations, offensives in Metro Manila,” said Gamboa.

“Let’s emphasize that it was financial conduit that were neutralized last week and operation is entirely another topic. No need to worry,” he added.

Meanwhile, Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) director Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo identified the arrested suspect in Marawi City as Nadil Sandab Tomara, who uses the aliases Nabel Sandab and Abu Khalifa.

He is facing a string of criminal charges that include murder and illegal possession of firearms.

Estomo said the suspect is now under the custody of the Marawi City Police Station and was already presented to the court which issued the arrest warrant.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/29/pnp-allays-fears-of-terror-attack-in-metro-manila/

CPP/NDF-RCTU Negros: RCTU-Negros: Expose and topple the anti-people reign of the inutile and tyrannical US-Duterte regime!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 28, 2020): RCTU-Negros: Expose and topple the anti-people reign of the inutile and tyrannical US-Duterte regime!

RCTU-NEGROS
REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL OF TRADE UNIONS

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

JUNE 30, 2020

The Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions (RCTU) – Negros strongly condemn the continuing subservience of the Duterte regime through the implementation of even worse neoliberal economic policies in the nation amid the Covid-19 pandemic basing on the dictates of his US and Chinese Imperialist masters, negatively impacting the lives of Filipino workers.

The worldwide pandemic has revealed the inability of solving and disregard of the inutile government of the problems of the people due to the simultaneous impositions of anti-people policies that have buried an overwhelming majority of the workers, farmers, and other impoverished sectors in extreme poverty and hunger.

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic spread in the Philippines, the workers sector was already suffering in poverty due to joblessness, contractualization, low wages, little to no benefits and the rising prices of basic needs.

Instead of solving the socio-economic and public health crises, the regime has only done militarist lockdowns that has worsened the bitter situation of workers. Based on April 2020 data, in the 45 million people part of the labor force, where 7.5 million are unemployed and 6.4 underemployed. Meanwhile, 4.4% or 1.98 million in Visayas and Mindanao have since been jobless, a number which may still increase as estimated by Ibon Foundation. All of this is a result of the wrong steps taken by the inutile government in facing the Covid-19 crisis.

Many drivers of jeepneys and tricycles, and other workers who rely on daily jobs have been displaced. They have been deprived by the government of their right to work, while foreign capitalists and corporations have been given leeway to monopolize the transportation sector through the bogus modernization scheme. Brought about by privatization, the private sector is expected to take over public service. Jeepney drivers who were once the kings of the road are now in the sidewalks, begging for alms so they can feed their families due to the effects of the jeepney phaseout.

Over 14 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in different parts of the globe are suffering due to the state of labor and healthcare because of government neglect to address their situation. The labor-export policy of the government and joblessness in the country, over 6,000 OFWs in 51 nations have been affected while 440 have already died due to Covid 19

Even workers from the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Industry are in fear of losing jobs. In Bacolod, around 100-200 workers are in an unsure “Floating status”. They are also victims of the failed response of the Duterte administration for the Covid-19 crisis due to the lack of medical equipment like PPEs, no mass testing and proper transport, and depriving them of their hazard pay because their employers are not obligated by the government to take proper care of their workers.

The Covid-19 pandemic has expose the aggravating anti-worker stance of the fascist and tyrannical Duterte regime wherein a concrete solution is yet to be seen in the ballooning figures of unemployment. The regime is only exploiting and enslaving the working class through acquiring capital by squeezing their labor power.

Despite all this, additional military and police troops, purchasing of war materiel, fascism and killings are the go-to answer of the state against the legitimate and democratic demands of the people. Many have fallen victim to human rights violations while the state perpetrators remain scat-free in Negros island. Recent additions to the list are the illegal arrest of Aldong Davao and the brutal killing of Jerry Catalogo, sugarcane workers and members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW).

Duterte is exposing himself as a killer and dictator, using the Covid-19 as a pretext to control the mobility of the people, passing the Anti-Terrorism Bill to formalize threatening and silencing activists, critics and the opposition. All these are part and parcel of Duterte’s plans to envelop the country in martial rule to remain in power way beyond his term. Duterte has buried the Philippines in huge debt, reaching P8.6 trillion which will be shouldered even by future generations.

Thus, it is imperative that we unite and strengthen the wide ranks of workers to defend our right to live, for healthcare, and for freedom. Raise the level of our militancy to reach more sectors of the exploited classes to collectively assert our democratic and legitimate demands. The sharpening contradictions between the ruling class and the exploited classes prove the collapsing US-Duterte regime. It will only be buried in bankruptcy due to the chronic crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal system. It is just to advance the national democratic revolution, carrying forward the programs of genuine land reform, national industrialization and raise the economic status of the people. Along with the broad impoverished masses, workers should unite to topple down the tyrannical and bloody Duterte regime. We have nothing to lose but our chains of slavery. ###

https://cpp.ph/statement/rctu-negros-expose-and-topple-the-anti-people-reign-of-the-inutile-and-tyrannical-us-duterte-regime/

CPP/NPA-Mountain Province: Ti PRIDE ket maysa a protesta, panakidangadang dagiti maidadanes

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 28, 2020): Ti PRIDE ket maysa a protesta, panakidangadang dagiti maidadanes

MAGNO UDYAW

NPA-MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

LEONARDO PACSI COMMAND

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

JUNE 29, 2020

Itatta a bulan ti Hunyo ket iselebrar tayo ti “pride march” – kolektibo a panagtignay ti umili tapno irupir ti karbengan dagiti LGBT (lesbian, gay, transgender ken dadduma pay). Nagrugi daytoy kas paset ti panakidangadang dagiti LGBT laban iti diskriminasyon, kas met iti panagpakita ti suporta dagiti LGBT kadagiti magungudawayan a mangmangged, ken maysa met laeng a martsa ti panakikaykaysa kadagiti LGBT. Ingana iti agdama, napateg daytoy nga agtultuloy a panaglagip ken demokratiko a panakidangadang.

Dagiti LGBT ket paset met laeng dagiti nadumaduma a demokratiko a dasig kas iti mannalon (karaman dagiti makitegged -talon), mangmangged (lallalo dagiti kontraktwal ken awanan permanente a trabaho), peti-burgesya (kas kadagiti propesyonal), ken nailian a burgesya (addaan dadakkel a lokal a negosyo). Gungundawayan ida dagiti appo’t daga, dadakkel a burgesya a kakumplot dagiti imperyalista ken dagiti burukrata kapitalista nga ibagbagi ti agdama a macho-pasista a turay a US-Duterte. Malaksid iti pang-ekonomiya ken politikal a panaggundaway, masagsagrap da met ti nakaro a diskriminasyon ken panangidadanes basar iti gender and sexuality da gapu iti kinabulok ti agdama a gimong a mala-kolonyal ken mala-pyudal.

Ti Leonardo Pacsi Command, NPA Mt. Province (LPC) ken amin a yunit ti hukbo ti umili nga idadauloan ti CPP, ket nairot a makikaykaysa, mangitantandudo, ken mangsalsaluad kadagiti karbengan ti LGBT ken lumablaban iti amin a porma ti diskriminasyon kanyada. Iti agdama, 16% ti bilang ti LGBT a nalabbaga a mannakigubat a kameng ti LPC. Iti intar ti hukbo ti umili, maisigsigurado met ti karbengan da iti tay-ak ti ekonomiya, politika ken militar, ken iti tuloy-tuloy a panagpadur-as ti laing ken kabaelan da. Aktibo ti LPC iti panaginnadal, panangilinteg kadagiti kamali a kapanunotan laban iti LGBT, ken iti panangisayangkat kadagiti aktibidad kas iti solidarity night ken panagaramid ti pabuya, daniw ken kanta. Bigbigbigen ti LPC dagiti LGBT nga inkasar ti Partido kas paset ti karbengan da iti panag-ayat ken panagbukkel ti rebolusyonaryo a relasyon ken pamilya.

Ti panangisayangkat ti agdama a nailian demokratiko a gubat ket para iti panangrisut kadagiti risiris iti baet dagiti dasig ken gun-oden dagiti lehitimo a dawat ken pakaseknan ti umili a Pilipino. Paset na daytoy ti panangwayawaya kadagiti LGBT iti amin a porma ti diskriminasyon ken panangidadanes inggana iti naan-anay a panagbigbig iti karbengan da kas LGBT.

Maaw-awis amin nga LGBT nga ipangato ti tukad ti panakidangadang babaen iti panakilaok iti naindasigan a rebolusyon ken panagsampa iti NPA .

Nalabbaga a saludo kadagiti LGBT a makidangdangadang! Agbiag!

https://cpp.ph/statement/ti-pride-ket-maysa-a-protesta-panakidangadang-dagiti-maidadanes/

CPP/NDF-RCTU: RCTU-ST: Modernisasyon ng tradisyunal na jeepney, anti-maralitang plano sa balangkas ng neoliberal na patakaran ni Duterte!

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 28, 2020): RCTU-ST: Modernisasyon ng tradisyunal na jeepney, anti-maralitang plano sa balangkas ng neoliberal na patakaran ni Duterte!

FORTUNATO MAGTANGGOL

RCTU-ST

REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL OF TRADE UNIONS

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

JUNE 28, 2020

Mariing kinokondena ng Revolutionary Council for Trade Unions-NDF-ST (RCTU-NDF-ST) ang kawalang-katarungang nararanasan ngayon ng mga kawawang drayber ng jeepney at kanilang mga pamilya dahil sa pagpatay ng gobyernong Duterte sa kanilang kabuhayan. Walang awang pinahirapan ng rehimeng US-Duterte at inilulubog pa sa kalunos-lunos na kalagayan ang mga drayber ng dyip at pamilya nila. Dahil sa militaristang lockdown at ilang buwang pagbabawal na makapaghanapbuhay, nauwi na sa sobrang kawalan at araw-araw na pamamalimos ang mga drayber, kahit na nagiging dahilan ito sa unti-unting pagkawala ng kanilang dignidad.

Imbes na kaawaan at tulungan ng gobyerno, REHAS at hindi BIGAS ang ibinigay sa mga nagugutom at namamalimos na drayber ng dyip. Ito ang kanilang ginawa sa tinaguriang PISTON-6, na wala na ngang perang pambili ng makakain, pinahirapan pang maghanap ng pampyansa para sa pansamantalang kalayaan. Sa sobrang galit ng gobyernong Duterte sa kanila, kahit pa nga naiayos na ang lahat ng kinakailangang dokumento at nakapagpasulpot na pondong pampyansa, inantala pa ang kanilang paglaya at inungkat pa ang mga kasong matagal nang naresolba kaya naantala pa ng ilang araw ang 2 drayber kasama na ang isang 72 taong gulang na drayber.

Simula noong Marso 15, 2020 o sa mahigit na 3 buwan, di pa nakababyahe ang mga drayber ng dyip. Kalakhan sa kanila’y walang natanggap ng ipinagmamalaking ayuda mula sa DSWD at DOLE. Sa Metro Manila may 55,000 drayber ng dyip ang hindi nakakabyahe, kaya tinatayang 275,000 katao ang apektado agad ng matinding kagutuman. Dahil sa kawalan ng kita, ang ilang mga drayber at pamilya nito ay nakatira na lamang sa mga dyip na kanilang pampasada at sa mga kalsada upang mamalimos para may maipakain sa kanilang mga nagugutom na anak at asawa.

Matagal nang nakararanas ng matinding kahirapan ang mga drayber ng dyip. Matagal na ring planong i-abolis ng gobyerno ang mga tradisyunal na dyip at alisin na sa lansangan ang mga itinuring na “hari ng kalsada”. Ang plano ng gobyernong Duterte na “Jeepney Modernization Program” ay matagal na nitong isinusulong, nais nitong palitan ng mga E-jeep at mala-mini bus na sasakyan ang mga tradisyunal na jeepney. Nakabalangkas sa malakihang negosyo ang planong jeepney modernization ng rehimeng US-Duterte bilang preskripsyon sa neoliberal na patakaran at mga imposisyon ng IMF-WB.

Kaya naman, nagkukumahog ito na pabilisin ang pag-sasapribado ng lahat ng serbisyong panlipunan, pangunahing yutilidad kagaya ng komunikasyon, kuryente, tubig (kaliwa dam – China) at transportasyon (kasama na pangangasiwa sa pangmasang transportasyon sa ating bansa). Mas pinasahol at pinasaklaw nito ang mga nauna ng programang neoliberal ng mga nagdaang rehimen sa ating bansa.

Pagkaupo pa lang ni Duterte bilang pangulo ng bansa, nagbalangkas na agad ito ng isang panukalang programa na mag-aabolis sa industriya ng jeep sa bansa. Makalipas ang isang taon (2017), pormal nang ipinagbawal ang mga lumang jeepney na may edad na 15 taon at hindi na ito binigyan ng prangkisa para makabyahe. Ang mga jeepney na lalagpas sa limitasyong edad ay obligadong palitan ng mga modernong jeepney na gaya ng hybrid, electronic jeep, LPG power o jeepney na may makinang tugma sa Euro-4.

Bumuo sila ng isang iskema na Fleet Management Program (FMP) na pinatatakbo ng pribadong kumpanya, upang isurender ng mga operators ang kanilang pag-aaring jeep sa pamamahala ng FMP. Ang “kooperatiba” kuno, ngunit kumpanya sa katotohanan ang magdedetermina kung kelan sila babyahe, saan ang ruta at maging ang maintenance ng kanilang jeep. Kung hindi makakasunod ang mga operators sa mga requirements na ito ay babawiin ng LTFRB ang kanilang mga prangkisa. Pwersahang pagwasak sa kabuhayan ng milyong bilang ng mga drayber ng jeep na malulugmok sa kahirapan at kagutuman.

Ang nakakagalit, imbes na bigyan ng ayuda ang mga maapektuhang drayber at mga operators ng jeep sa anti-maralitang patakarang modernisasyong ito, mas pinili pa ng gobyernong ito na bigyan ng AYUDA ang mga malalaking korporasyong dayuhan sa transportasyon. Nagbalangkas ng programang P27 Bilyon na Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) na magbibigay ng tulong sa mga multinasyunal na kumpanya gaya ng Toyota Motors, Mitsubishi, Foton at Hyundai na lumikha ng 200,000 units ng modernong jeepney kada kumpanya, kada taon. Kung tutuusin ang napakalaking halagang ito ay kayang-kaya nang pondohan ang pambansa at komprehensibong programa para sa rehabilitasyon, pagmamantina at para matulungan ang mga drayber ng jeep at maging pagpapa-unlad ng tradisyunal na jeepney sa kabuuan.

Malawakang tinutulan ito ng mga drayber ng jeepney, partikular ng grupong PISTON. Pero sa pagpasok ng nakamamatay na pandemik na Covid-19, imbes na itigil ng gobyernong Duterte ang kanyang buhong na balakin upang pagtuunang harapin ang pagtugon sa pandemya, sinamantala pa ito ni Duterte para maisakatuparan ang anti-maralitang planong modernisasyon. Pinagbawalan ng makabyahe ang mga jeep kahit pa nga na-scale down na sa General Community Quarantine (GCQ) ang halos buong Luzon. Ipinakikita lamang nito na hindi prioridad ng gobyernong ito na lutasin ang kahirapang nararanasan ng mga maralitang drayber kundi ang kanyang tanging hangarin ay mapagsilbihan nya ang mga malalaking kapitalistang dayuhan at lokal sa nasabing industriya.

Nakakagalit din ang susing tagapayo ng LTFRB sa jeepney modernization na si Engr. Albert Suansing sa pamimilit na tanggapin na lamang ng mga drayber ang kanilang plano. Aniya, matagal na daw nilang sinabihan ang mga drayber ng dyip na magkakaroon ng rationalization program, at para maka-angkop ang mga drayber sa ginagawang pagbabago, kinakailangan nilang magsama-sama para makabuo ng isang kumpanya o di kaya ng isang malaking kooperatiba. Ito lamang ang tanging paraan para makapag-proseso sila ng pag-utang sa bangko ng makabili sila ng mga bagong yunit ng modernong jeep (ala mini-bus). Malinaw pa sa sikat ng araw na isa itong malaking negosyong pinatatakbo ng mga KORAP hindi lamang sa LTFRB at DOTr kundi maging ng mga buwaya sa Malacañang.

Imbes na paunlarin ng gobyerno ang industriya ng jeepney sa bansa ay gusto lamang nilang pagkakitaan ang milyon-milyong makokorap mula sa Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) na makukuha nila sa kada unit ng modernong jeep o mini-bus na mabibili sa kumpanyang mapipili nila. Sa kasalukuyan ay aabot sa P1.8M hanggang sa P2.2 milyon ang halaga ng isang unit ng modernong jeepney, hinding-hindi ito kakayanin ng isang operator ng jeep, kaya naman ang makakabili lamang nito ay malalaking kumpanya sa transportasyon. Ibig sabihin, mamo-monopolyo na ng malalaking kumpanya ang mga lansangan at mga pampasadang jeepney.

Ang ipinagmamalaki namang rationalisasyon ng LTFRB ay hindi kalutasan o pagbuti ng kalagayan ng mga drayber kundi unti-unting pagpatay sa mga ruta ng jeepney dahil bibigyan lamang sila ng ruta sa mga interior na lansangan at hindi na sa dati nilang nirurutahang kalsada. Hindi na rin sila makakabalik sa kanilang dating ruta dahil sa ibinigay na ito ng LTFRB na bagong ruta ng mga bus, kaya naman hindi na sila papayagan magbyahe sa ruta na ito kahit pa dekada na silang doon bumabyahe. Hindi lamang mga jeepney drayber ang maaapektuhan ng kalokohan at pangga-gagong ito ng gobyerno, kundi maging ang mga kawawang mananakay ay apektado din.

Karagdagang pahirap ito sa bulsa ng mga manggagawa at sapilitang pagbawas sa kakarampot na ngang sweldo sa kasalukuyan. Sa inisyal na kwenta, may minimum na P15.00 (kung madadagdagan ng isa pang sakay dahil sa putol-putol na byahe at karagdagang P3.00 pa sa dagdag pasahe kung ibabase sa pasahe ng modernong jeepney na mas mahal ng P3.00 kumpara sa tradisyunal na jeepney.

Hindi pa kasama dito ang sobra-sobrang tagal ng paghihintay dahil sa kakulangan ng masasakyan at malalayong lakarin para makasakay sa kasunod na ruta, kaya kapag na late ka pa sa trabaho ay paniyak na mababawasan pa din ang iyong sweldo. Kung susumahin, aabot sa P30.00 karagdagang gastusin sa isang araw o P900.00 kada buwan ang mababawas sa kakarampot na ngang sinasahod ng mga manggagawa lalo’t hindi naman nagdagdag ng sahod si Duterte sa rehiyon ng Southern Tagalog sa loob ng halos 2 taon.

Malaking dagdag gastuin din ito sa libo-libong estudyante na pumapasok papunta sa Metro Manila o di kaya ay sa mismong probinsya nila. Tuloy-tuloy na nga ang pagtaas ng tuition fee at iba pang bayarin, dagdag pahirap pa ito sa mga estudyante at sa dulo ang kawawang magulang na manggagawa din ang magbubuhat ng hirap para madagdagan ang baon ng kanilang mga anak na estudyante. Maliban sa dagdag gastusin, ang palipat-lipat na pagsakay dahil sa bagong ruta ay magiging pahirap sa mga senior citizen at People’s With Disabilities (PWD’s) na direktang lumalabag sa mga ordinansa at batas na ibinigay na konsiderasyon at pangangalaga sa kanila.

Kung gagawing prioridad lamang ng gobyernong ito ang pagpapaunlad sa public mass transport system gaya ng railway system/daang bakal, road transport system at ang sea/air transport at kaalinsabay sa pagsasabansa ng lahat nang daang bakal at pagpapaunlad pa ng mga Public Utility Vehicles (Jeepney at Bus) ay magkakaroon ng tunay na pagresolba sa kasalukuyang problema sa pampublikong transportasyon. Kaalinsabay din nito ang pagdebelop sa mga kagamitan at materyales na gagamitin sa transport industry na locally produce ng sa ganoon ay maitulak ang pag unlad ng sarili nating manupaktura. Hindi rin naman tayo kulang sa mga mineral na pangangailangan gaya ng ore/bakal, nickel at bronse na mahalagang gamit para sa industriya ng daang bakal, dahil mayaman ang Pilipinas sa mineral na ito.

Napakahalaga at mahigpit na magka-ugnay ang mass transport system sa urban land at rural development, kaya susing aspeto ito sa pagpapalakas ng ekonomiya. Katunayan, may mahalagang papel ito sa pundasyon ng pagtatayo ng Pambansang Industriyalisasyon at Tunay na Repormang Agraryo. Sa ganitong konteksto, nararapat lamang na sa maksimum ay manatiling pag- aaring publiko ang pangmasang transportasyon lalo na ang sistema ng daang-bakal (railway system) at pampublikong behikulo (Public Utility Vehicles) gaya ng Bus at Jeep na mga pinakamahalagang aspeto ng road mass transport.

Kaalinsabay nito ang matinding kapabayaang ginagawa ng rehimeng US-Duterte sa mga manggagawang Pilipino gaya ng mga mga empleyado, driver, konduktor at iba pang mga manggagawa sa sektor ng pampublikong bus. Imbes na bigyang resolusyon ang kababaan ng sahod, kawalan ng security of tenure, pang-aabuso, hazard at posibleng pagkawala ng kanilang kabuhayan ay gobyerno pa mismo ang nagtutulak para mapabilis ang paglalarga ng neoliberal na patakarang maglulusaw sa kanilang mga trabaho at kabuhayan.

Kinakailangang labanan at salubungin ng malakas na protesta ng mamamayan ang kriminal na kapabayaan ng gobyerno sa pampublikong transportasyon at ng malawakang pribatisasyon sa pag-aaring publiko’t serbisyo sa ilalim ng makadayuhang Build Build Build/Private Partnership Program ni Duterte. Ang mga kaganapan sa ating pampublikong transportasyon (jeepney at bus transport) ay kinakailangang i-ugnay natin sa malawak na pakikibaka ng mamamayan at maging sa lumalalang pagpapatupad ng labor flexibilization at mura at siil na paggawa.

Nanawagan tayo sa mga drayber ng jeepney sa Timog Katagalugan at buong bansa na tapusin na ang pagtitiis at pagtitimpi sa aping kalagayan, hinahamon tayo ngayon na mas paigtingin ang pagkakaisa at pagkilos laban sa isang rehimeng pahirap, tiraniko, korap at mamamatay-tao. Palakasin ang ating hanay sa pamamagitan ng malawakang pag-oorganisa, pagmumulat at pagpapakilos para ang hiwa-hiwalay na pagkilos ng mga drayber ng jeep ay maipakat natin sa lumalawak na galit at pakikibaka ng sambayanang lumalaban.

Mabuhay ang RCTU-NDF-ST!
Mabuhay ang CPP-NPA-NDF!
Mabuhay ang REBOLUSYONG PILIPINO!

https://cpp.ph/statement/rctu-st-modernisasyon-ng-tradisyunal-na-jeepney-anti-maralitang-plano-sa-balangkas-ng-neoliberal-na-patakaran-ni-duterte/

CPP/News: A look back into the case of activist Jomorito Goaynon

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 28, 2020): A look back into the case of activist Jomorito Goaynon

NEWS STORIES
JUNE 28, 2020

Lumad leader Datu Jomorito “Jumong” Goaynon, chairperson of the Kalumbay Lumad organization, is one of a few charged with “terrorism” under the Human Security Act, the law which is now being amended by the regime through the Anti-Terrorism Bill.

Goaynon was illegally arrested on January 28, 2019 along with Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Northern Mindanao chairperson Ireneo Udarbe at a checkpoint of the 65th IB in Talakag, Bukidnon while on their way to a meeting with fellow peasants. He was charged in May 2019 for violating the HSA. He has been languishing in jail for almost a year and a half now.

Goaynon is also one of the founding leaders of Sandugo Alliance of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination, and served as one of the spokespersons of the Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya, the annual march, rally, and camp-out by Filipino minority peoples of the Philippines in Manila. Prior to his arrest, he was subjected to red tagging by the Duterte regime and was being publicly accused of being “top leader” of the New People’s Army (NPA) and a “terrorist.”

The charges of terrorism against Goaynon was dismissed due to lack of merit along with charges of attempted murder, frustrated murder, illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and rebellion filed against him. He, however, remains detained as he faces other trumped-up charges of kidnapping, robbery and arson.

Datu Jumong was among the 657 activists and individuals labeled by the Department of Justice as “terrorists” in its proscription case against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and NPA. The said case was filed before the Manila Regional Trial Court in February 2018, three months after Duterte’s issuance of the Proclamation 374 declaring the CPP and NPA as “terrorist organizations.” Widely denounced as a witchhunt, the case was refiled on July 2018 with Goaynon’s name, along with approximately 600 more, removed. Despite this, the surveillance on and harassment against Goaynon and his colleagues continued unabated.

Goaynon earned the ire of the military and successive fascist regime for championing and defending the cause of the poor Lumad peasants. He was subjected to harassment by the 65th IB to pressure him to “surrender” as an “NPA leader.” This prompted him to file a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights a week prior to being arrested by the same military unit. Goaynon’s photograph was displayed in public places across Northern Mindanao accusing him of being an “NPA recruiter.” He was also reported to have received numerous death threats from the military.

The International Indigenous Peoples Movement asserted that Goaynon is not a terrorist but a human rights defender who was unjustly arrested for rightly defending his fellow Lumads’ ancestral lands from plunder both by the government and private entities. He was engaged in documenting human rights violation against Lumads as he was also a vocal critics of the regime’s plan to displace residents from their ancestral lands to pave way for the expansion of plunderous mining, logging and plantation concessions, as well as plans to convert these for ecotourism-uses.

https://cpp.ph/statement/a-look-back-into-the-case-of-activist-jomorito-goaynon/

Kalinaw News: Tribal Leaders Welcome Army Commander in Kalabugao Plains

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 30, 2020): Tribal Leaders Welcome Army Commander in Kalabugao Plains (By 4th Infantry Division)



IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON. June 28 – The Indigenous People (IP) tribal leaders conducted a ritual to formally welcome the Army’s 403Bde Commander together with his subordinates last June 26, 2020 at the covered court of Barangay Kalabugao, Impasugong, Bukidnon.

Datu Manbunayan, Indigenous People Mandatory Rerpresentative (IPMR) of Brgy Kalabugao said “Amoang gidawat ang kumander sa briged kauban ang kasundaluhan sa amoang komunidad. Kauban sila, nakita namo ang kahusay ug kalinaw dinhi sa Kalabugao. Dungan pa, nanghinaot ko na ang ilahang mga plano sa pagpalambo sa among komunidad kay matuman.” (We are welcoming the brigade commander and his soldier in our community. With them, we see peace and order here in Kalabugao. Further, I am hoping that their plans to help in developing our community may realize.)

“Nalipay ko nga ang komunidad sa Lumad kauban nato sa pagkab-ot sa malungtarong kalinaw. Sa kamatuoran nga ilang gisaway ang pagsulod sa grupong teroristang New People’s Army (NPA) nagpasabot nga nasabtan nila ang dili maayong idelohiya sa teroristang grupo. Kini nga yunit gapanaad nga magpadayon sa pagprotektar sa mga Lumad, sa ilang komunidad ug yutang kabilin,” said LTC Edgardo V Talaroc Jr, Commanding Officer of 8th Infantry Battalion. (I am glad that the IP communities are with us in our quest in attaining just and lasting peace. The fact that they denounce the entry of the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) implies that the IPs are enlightened from the pointless ideologies of the terrorist group. This unit vows to continue protecting the IPs, their communities, and ancestral land.)

Col Ferdinand T Barandon, 403rd Brigade Commander expressed his gratitude for the warm acceptance of the IP leaders. “Kini ang pamatuod nga gidawat sa mga Lumad ang presensya sa kasundaluhan sa ilang komunidad ug gikapoy na sa bakak nga saad sa mga CNTs. Sa panagsamang paningkamot sa mga Lumad, kasundaluhan ug mga kauban sa kalinaw ug kalambuan, makaya natong tapuson ang insurhensiya nga magkauban.” He said. (This is a proof that the IPs accepted the presence of the Army in their community and are tired of the CNTs false promises. With the convergence effort of the IPs, Army, and our peace and development partners, we can surely end this insurgency together.)

Pamuhat is a Higaonon term for the ritual to officially receive individuals in their communities. Said ritual is conducted to strengthen ties between the army and the IP community, and further seek guidance and protection from their supreme deity for the soldiers in performing their task to protect communities and ancestral land against the Communists Terrorists Group (CTG).

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/tribal-leaders-welcome-army-commander-in-kalabugao-plains/

Kalinaw News: MTF-ELCAC Delivers Farm Equipment to Kalabugao Farmers

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 30, 2020): MTF-ELCAC Delivers Farm Equipment to Kalabugao Farmers (By 4th Infantry Division)



IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON. June 27 – Impasugong Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC), a task force institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable development brings joy and optimism as it delivers PhP 4.4 Million worth of farm equipment to the Kalabugao Farmers yesterday.

The Department of Agriculture (DA-10) Region X turned-over two (2) units of Floating Tiller-Boat type, two (2) units Kubota RT140 corn sheller, 200 bags of OPV white corn seeds, one (1) Solar Power Irrigation System and 14,000 Tilapia fingerlings to the Kalabugao Farmers. Further, said agency donated a total of three (3) units of McCormick C110 Max 100 farm tractor with trailing harrow, disc plow, and trailer worth PhP 7.7 Million each to the three (3) Battalions of the 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade. One of the recipient Battalions is the 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion which will hand-over the utilization of the tractor to the farmers of Kalabugao in Impasugong, Bukidnon.

The said projects were realized through the relentless effort of the Impasugong MTF-ELCAC and intensive collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Impasugong, Philippine Army, DA, other government agencies, and generous private individuals.

Mayor Anthony Uy, Municipal Mayor of Impasugong, emphasized his full support to the government, “Sa atong mga kaigsuonan, ayaw pawala ug pag-asa, kay naay gobyerno nga motabang kaninyo ug dili kamo biyaan. Magbuliga kuý. Atong gobyerno mutabang jud para kanatong tanan. (To our brothers and sisters, do not lose hope for the government is here to help you and will not leave you. Let us cooperate. Our government will surely help us all.)

“Usa ra ang atong gobyerno. Ang atong gobyerno nga gipangulohan ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte nga gahatag og dako nga mga programa ug proyekto para sa inyo. Ang among yunit, kauban sa Impasugong MTF-ELCAC ug uban pang mga kauban sa kalinaw ug kalambuan magpadayon sa mga maayong binuhatan aron mapadali ang katapusan sa mga armadong komunista”, said LTC Edgardo V Talaroc Jr, Commanding Officer of 8th Infantry Battalion. (We only have one (1) government. Our government under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte will provide various programs and will project to you. This unit, together with Impasugong MTF-ELCAC and other peace and development partners, will continue to provide interventions to expedite in ending the local communist armed conflict.)

Col Ferdinand T Barandon, 403rd Brigade Commander extended his gratitude to the Department of Agriculture and Local Government of Impasugong. He said, “Akong gidayag ang mga ahensya sa gobyerno sa ilang gihatag nga suporta sa pag human sa teroristang armadong pakigbisog. Sa kahusay ug kalinaw nga panglantaw, dakong tabang sa atong mga mag-uuma kini nga interbensyon. Mulambo jud ang ilang produksyon sa agrkultura nga makapataas sa estado sa ilang kinabuhi. Tungod ana, mapaubos ang kalagmitan sa pag-impluwensya sa mga tao og mga kaigsuonan natong NPA. Sa ing-ani nga interbensyon, di na layo sa pagkab-ot ang kahusay ug kalinaw apil na ang kalambuan. Mapadali na ug magpadayon pa nga atong makab-ot ang kalinaw ug kalambuan. (I commend the government agencies for their support in ending terrorist armed conflict. In the perspective of peace and order, this intervention will help immensely our farmers. It will greatly improve their production in agriculture and this will translate to enhancement of their standard of living. And because of that, it will lessen the probability of them being influenced by our brothers and sisters in the New People’s Army (NPA). With this intervention, the peace and order situation as well as the development will not be far ahead. We will easily and continuously achieve peace and development.)



[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/mtf-elcac-delivers-farm-equipment-to-kalabugao-farmers/

Kalinaw News: Cabanglasan IP village condemns NPA terrorists

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 30, 2020): Cabanglasan IP village condemns NPA terrorists (By 4th Infantry Division)



MARAMAG, Bukidnon – 26 June 2020, a total of 145 individuals belonging to Umayamnon and Bisaya Tribes in Sitios Tagbacan, Tumbago, Saluringan, and Katablaran all of Brgy Canangaan, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon denounced the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) by burning the CPP-NPA flags and declared the terrorist as Persona Non-Grata in their community. The activity was held at Municipal Gymnasium, Cabanglasan Bukidnon.

Kagawad Arturo Delamansi, Chairperson for Peace and Order Committee of Barangay Canangaan officiated the burning of CPP-NPA flags, followed by the burning of flaglets by the former NPA mass supporters.

The burning of the flag of CPP-NPA symbolizes the affirmation of withdrawal of support and the declaration of CPP-NPA-NDF of the 4 Sitios of Barangay Canangaa as Persona-Non Grata.

The activity was graced by Hon. Renante Inocando, Mayor of Cabanglasan; LTC Franklin F Fabic Commanding Officer 88IB; Tribal Chieftain Datu Conrado Salimbaon; Barangay Officials of Brgy Canangaan headed by Chairman Monding Ogade; PNP; BFP; and other Local Government Agencies.

Recently the Municipality of Cabanglasan declared CPP-NPA-NDF as Persona-Non Grata and conducted Send-Off Ceremony to the Community Support Teams (CSTs) that will immerse on the Five Barangays of the municipality that were identified as CPP-NPA affected; Canangaan, Paradise, Mandahican, Mandaing, and Cabulohan.

In his statement, Mayor Renante Inocando thanked the 88IB and PNP for the courage and commitment by bringing peace in his municipality. He also reminds his people of Barangay Canangaan specifically the four (4) Sitios to help them in protecting their community. “Don’t let the NPA manipulate you, don’t be afraid to them. Let us unite and help one another to attain sustainable peace in our community.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Franklin F Fabic said, “We will do our mandate of protecting the people and securing our land. We, the Maringal troopers, will continue to hunt down these terrorists for the protection of our people with the help of our LGU and from all of you. Let us unite for a better future of our younger generation.”



[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/cabanglasan-ip-village-condemns-npa-terrorists/

Kalinaw News: 214 IDPs return home safely

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 30, 2020): 214 IDPs return home safely (By 4th Infantry Division)



MARAMAG, Bukidnon. June 23 – A total of 214 internally displaced persons (IDPs) benefitted as the PLGU of Bukidnon and Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cabanglasan quickly responded to the needs in So Tagbakan, Sitio Tumbaga, Sitio Katablaran, and Sitio Saluringan all of Brgy Canangaan, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon.

The said IDPs fled from their homes amidst threats from the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs). They are temporarily sheltered in San Vicente Elementary School of Barangay San Vicente and IBA Integrated School of Brgy Iba, Cabanglasan.

Upon receiving the information, the PLGU of Bukidnon and LGU Cabanglasan promptly provided relief operations, feeding programs, stress debriefing, malaria prevention, and medical missions to ensure the well-being of the evacuees. On the other hand, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Army provided security and other assistance.

Also, the evacuees received the following items per household; 10 kilos of rice, canned goods, bear brand packs, detergent bar, shampoo, safeguard soap, 2pcs diaper per baby, mosquito net, sky flakes biscuit, pot, spoon and forks, plates, noodles, and coffee.

Mrs. Layla Dumogan, one of the evacuees from Sitio Tumbaga, Brgy Canangaan said, Nagpasalamat ako sa gobyerno ug sa mga taga 88IB ug atong kapulisan alang sa ilang suporta ug tabang sa amo (I thank the government and the 88IB and our PNP for their support and assistance)

Honorable Renante Inocando, Mayor of Cabanglasan said, “we, your local government together with the 88th Infantry Battalion and PNP will continue to do our commitment to bring basic services amid this situation. We hope for your full cooperation with us.’’

After the activity, the 214 individuals, were able to return to their places. Local government units of Cabanglasan facilitated the transportation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Lieutenant Colonel Franklin Fabic Commander Officer of 88IB said “we are very thankful to the local government for giving basic services to the evacuees while we are doing our job in defeating the NPA doing atrocities here in Cabanglasan. I am also thankful to the citizen who reported the presence of the NPAs that resulted in the major accomplishment of our government forces.”

“We assure you that your Army together with PNP will protect you and won’t allow your peaceful living to be disturbed again by lawless people. In return, we are hoping for your continuous contribution by not allowing any presence of CNTs in your community.” Ltc Fabic added.



[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/214-idps-return-home-safely/

Kalinaw News: Tired BIFF members surrender in North Cotabato

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 29 2020): Tired BIFF members surrender in North Cotabato (By 6th Infantry Division)



Three disgruntled members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters under Karialan faction, including a minor, have surrendered to the army on Friday, June 26, 2020n in Brgy. Paidu Pulangi, Pikit, North Cotabato.

The former BIFF terrorists were Gaga Abdul, 25, platoon leader, Jeremy Abdul, 18 and minor who is 17 years old. They are all residents of Sitio Tatak, Brgy Dalgan, Pagalungan, Maguindanao.

In a simple ceremony the surrenderers were presented to Joint Task Force Central Commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon at Headquarters 602nd Infantry Brigade in Carmen, North Cotabato.

The surrenderers handed over 1 homemade Barret sniper rifle, 1 homemade KG9 and 1 homemade uzi.

“An increasing number of BIFF coming out to surrender is a manifestation that they choose to live peaceful lives and join the mainstream community,” said Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon.

He also lauded the 90th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Michael D. Maquilan for their continuous effort to convince the BIFF group to surrender and contribute to the campaign against terrorism and violent extremism in Central Mindanao.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/tired-biff-members-surrender-in-north-cotabato/

Kalinaw News: Maguindanao town intensifies campaign on loose firearms

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 29 2020): Maguindanao town intensifies campaign on loose firearms (By 6th Infantry Division)



CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – The 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (1MechBn) under 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade facilitated the surrender of loose firearms in Datu Unsay town of Maguindanao on Thursday, June 25, 2020.

Datu Unsay Mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr. handed over 8 high powered firearms in a ceremony held at the town’s municipal hall to 1st Mechanized Brigade Commander Col. Jesus Rico D. Atencio.

Firearms surrendered were 1 Carbine rifle, 1 M79 rifle, 1 caliber 7.62mm Barret sniper rifle, 1 caliber 50 Barret, 1 caliber. 45 pistol, 2 rocket propelled grenade and ammunition.

The constituents of Datu Unsay voluntarily surrendered their firearms through the efforts of Alpha Company of 57th Infantry Battalion under 1MechBn in cooperation with the local government chief and the concerned barangay chairmen.

Col. Atencio said that the success of the activity was made through the cooperation of the local government units (LGU) and the Army’s campaign against proliferation of loose firearms.

JTFC Commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado C. Carreon, was elated as another LGU has done its part to take part in the campaign of the government in eradicating loose firearms tied with criminalities and armed lawlessness particularly in Maguindanao and the whole South Central Mindanao.

The firearms were brought to the headquarters of 1MechBn for safekeeping and proper documentation.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/maguindanao-town-intensifies-campaign-on-loose-firearms/

Kalinaw News: Philippine Army: Upholding Democracy and the Human Rights of the enemy

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 29 2020): Philippine Army: Upholding Democracy and the Human Rights of the enemy (By Kalinaw News)



A shot to the chest for the notorious Abu Sayyaf leader, Isnilon Hapilon, and a shot to the head for Omar Maute, the Maute Group leader; they are the lawless terrorists who threatened to take the freedom of the Filipinos living in the Islamic City of Marawi. A hundred and fifty-three (153) days passed since heavily armed men carrying a black flag marched on the previously peaceful street of Marawi City. Thousands of Meranao fled their homes in fear of the terrorists who declared themselves as the Maute Group, a radicalized gang of bandits who used their twisted radical ideologies to wreak havoc.

It was a humanitarian crisis but the military remained steadfast. After 153 days of battle, the military successfully liberated the Islamic City of Marawi and has been working with the government and other agencies to rehabilitate the devastated city. The Marawi Siege put the spotlight on the unwavering bravery and sacrifice of the Filipino soldiers as the modern defenders of democracy and human rights.

Upholding Human Rights, Including the Enemy’s In Iligan City, a female soldier, Private First Class Eunice Jane Curayag, offered to donate her blood to extend the life of a New People’s Army insurgent, Lando, who was left by his comrades after an encounter with the government forces. In Bukidnon, a bleeding 17-year old NPA supply officer, Nina, was given first aid kid by the state troops when her uncaring companions rushed to save their own lives during an encounter. In Metro Manila, the the Philippine Army assisted the family of an NPA leader, Noel Levanta, in giving the dead cadre a proper burial. The military helped in approaching Antipolo Mayor Dennis Hernandez to request financial assistance for the cremation of his body.

In Oriental Mindoro, the military searched for the legitimate next of kin of an NPA, Elmer Murillo, and even used its helicopter to bring back his cadaver to his family in Lopez, Quezon. In Surigao del Sur back in 1999, Jelyn Dayong was a 13-year old NPA Child Warrior who was left wounded with a dead comrade beside her. She was immediately evacuated to the hospital to save her life. The kid was treated with appropriate care, kindness and attention. She grew up and became part of the Philippine Army and even married a soldier. These are few of the many instances where the military upheld the right to life and due process of the people no matter their political affiliation, verified transgressions, and forceful aggressions.

The Perennial Heroes

While the military troops have an upper hand in combat operations versus groups that are threats to national security, they also champion the advocacy of compassion, doing extra humanitarian services, even to those considered enemies of the state. The military has an active and visible participation in all the crises that the country faces: volcanic eruption, onslaught of super typhoons, other disasters and calamities, attack of war terror, and the pandemic crisis. The soldiers are the people’s first and last line of defense. They propagate and advocate for human rights. They truly adhere to the principles of International Humanitarian Law, especially the Rules of Engagement.

High security satisfaction
The Social Weather Station Survey conducted in December 2019 revealed a 79% public satisfaction rating on the performance of duty by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The military has been enjoying a high public satisfaction ratings since 2015 and the Filipinos are confident that the AFP capable of defeating the emerging threats to the country’s security.

This confidence can be attributed to the military’s commitment to excellence and professionalism brought about by the still ongoing Army Transformation Roadmap.


The military’s dedication to improvement successfully rebuilt the image of the Filipino soldier as the guardian of the people’s rights and the country’s sovereignty.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/philippine-army-upholding-democracy-and-the-human-rights-of-the-enemy/

Kalinaw News: Martsa para sa kapayapaan inilunsad sa Laak

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 29 2020): Martsa para sa kapayapaan inilunsad sa Laak (By 10TH INFANTRY DIVISION)



Camp General Manuel T Yan Sr., Mawab, Davao de Oro – Naglunsad ng Martsa para Kapayapaan ang mga nasa mahigit 150 miyembro ng Underground mass organization (UGMO) sa Bayan ng Laak, Davao de Oro nitong Hunyo 28, 2020.

Habang nagmamartsa, taas-boses nilang isinisigaw, “IBAGSAK ANG KOMUNISTA, MABUHAY ANG DEMOKRASYA!” Dala rin nila ang mga plakard na naglalaman ng iba’t ibang saloobin laban sa mga NPA, “CPP-NPA-NDF MAKAGUBA OG PAMILYA,” “CPP-NPA-NDF WAG TULARAN, DEMOKRASYA SUPORTAHAN” at marami pang iba.

Sa pamamagitan ng Community support program, natulungan ng 60IB ang nasa 156 miyembro ng underground mass organization upang makalabas mula sa impluwensya ng teroristang NPA. Kinondena ng mga miyembro ng UGMO mula sa Barangay Kapatagan at Special Brgy Dalimdim ng Laak, ang mga paglabag ng CPP-NPA-NDF sa karapatang pantao, pagpatay sa kanilang mga kaanak, pangre-recruit ng minor de edad na mga kabataan, pananambang, panununog at marami pang iba. Ito ay pinagtibay sa pamamagitan ng isang resolusyong nagdideklara sa CPP-NPA-NDF bilang persona non grata.

Ang mga nagmartsang miyembro ng UGMO ay nauna ng isinailalim sa tatlong araw na live-in seminar. Bahagi ng seminar ang ALL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS & SERVICES ORIENTATION sa unang araw, DERADICALIZATION PROGRAM sa ikalawang araw at panghuli ay CSP CULMINATION PROGRAM na kung saan ay bahagi nito ang Martsa para Kapayapaan (Martsa Alang sa Kalinaw).

Emosyunal ang naging pahayag ni Maria Tapilot patungkol sa kanyang karanasan sa NPA, “pinatay nila ang asawa ko kahit pa nagserbisyo sa kanila, ginagawang utusan, lahat sinunod pero pinatay pa rin nila. Kaya nananawagan ako sa lahat na buhay pa mga kabiyak nila, huwag magpalinlang sa mga teroristang NPA!”

Sa kanyang talumpati ni, inihayag naman ni Antonio L. Libuangan, Mayor ng Laak, “ramdam natin ang pighati dahil sa krimeng kagagawan ng NPA at naging biktimba ang ating kababayan. Ngunit sa ngayon, dahil dumami ang mga nagsisukong miyembro ng teroristang NPA at UGMO, ang iba ay napatay sa engkwentro, ang ating bayan ay pangatlo sa buong probinsya bilang pinakatahimik at payapa. Ako’y natutuwa sa inyong pagsuko at pagbabagong buhay sa tulong ng 60IB. Asahan ninyo, ang lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan ay tutulong sa inyo upang maihatid ang hustisya at sapat na tulong pangkabuhayan. Dalangin ko na walang magugutom sa ating bayan at lahat may marangal na trabaho.”

Sinang-ayunan naman ito sa talumpati na binigay ni Hon. Ruwel Peter S Gonzaga, Kongresista sa ikalawang distrito na dumalo sa nasabing peace rally. “Sa abot ng aking makakaya at sa programa ng aking opisina na maaaring maihatid sa inyo, gagawin ko. Lahat ng nandito, tutulungan ko kayong mabigyan ng trabaho na naaayon at alinsunod sa mandatong nakaatang sa aking opisina.”

Pagsuporta din ang hatid na mensahe ng gobernador ng Davao de Oro Jayvee Tyroon Uy sa pamamagitan ni Board member Alfonso Tabas Jr, “seryoso ang Davao de Oro na itaguyod ang kapayapaan sa tulong ng kasundaluhan at mamamayan. Dahil sa mga proyektong nagawa ng gobyerno sa kasalukuyang administrasyon, ang natitirang hamon na lamang ay paghahatid ng impormasyon sa mamamayan tungkol mga programang pangkabuhayan at development.”

Samantala, madamdamin ang naging mensahe ng Commander 10ID, Major General Reuben Basiao para sa mga dating miyembro ng NPA at UGMO, “kayo ang dahilan kung bakit ang mga kasundaluhan ay nagtatrabaho at nagsasakripisyo kasama ang lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno. Ako ay natutuwa sa desisyon ninyong magbalik loob sa gobyerno upang ipagpatuloy ninyo na suportaan ang lugar nyo, ang Barangay Kapatagan at Special Barangay Dalimdim. Ang pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan at pagsulong ng kaunlaran dito sa inyong lugar hindi kaya ng mga kasundaluhan lamang. Kayo ang sentro at pinakaimportante na bahagi ng programa ng gobyerno kaya nandito ang ating mga opisyales ng pamahalaan, mga ahensya mula lokal hanggang nasyunal. Pasalamatan natin ang local chief executive at ang ating Kongreso sa pagbibigay ng Appropriation, ang laki na ng iniunlad ng Laak.”

Binigyang-diin ni MGen Basiao na kung wala ang pagsuporta ng mga mamamayan sa ginagawa ng gobyerno kasama ang kasundaluhan, walang pag unlad sa lugar. “Ang pagtayo ninyo, ang pagbalik-loob at ang katapangan nyo na ikondena at itakwil ang CPP-NPA-NDF, yan ang gusto nating ipakita, ipabatid sa mamamayan dahil kahit gaano kasipag ng mga nasa gobyerno at ng kasundaluhan, kung walang ang pagsuporta ninyo, walang mangyayari sa ating bayan.”

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/martsa-para-sa-kapayapaan-inilunsad-sa-laak/

Kalinaw News: Peace rally ng KRM sa Bukidnon dinaluhan ng Spokesperson NTF – ELCAC (KRM in Bukidnon slams NPA; supports gov’t program

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 29 2020): Peace rally ng KRM sa Bukidnon dinaluhan ng Spokesperson NTF – ELCAC (KRM in Bukidnon slams NPA; supports gov’t program (By 10TH INFANTRY DIVISION)



Camp General Manuel T Yan Sr., Mawab, Davao de Oro- Dumalo si NTF – ELCAC Spokesperson Undersecretary Lorrain Badoy sa peace rally ng mahigit tatlong daan na dating mga miyembro ng Kilusang Rebolusyonaryo sa Munisipyo o KRM noong Sabado, ika-27 ng Hunyo 2020 sa Bayan ng San Fernando, Bukidnon.

Matatandaan noong Agosto taong 2019, ang Underground Mass Organization na kalaunan ay naging KRM at pinamunuan ni Datu Claudio Talaytay na may kabuuang mahigit isang libong miyembro ay tuluyan ng nabuwag at sumuko sa pamahalaan.

Kinondena ng KRM ang ginawang pag organisa ng mga NPA sa kanila. Ayon sa tinalagang alkalde ng KRM batid nila ang hirap ng sitwasyong pangkabuhayan ng kanyang mga katribu. Sa isang panayam, sinabi ni Datu Claudio na ang binuong KRM ay nagdulot ng pagkabahala at pagtigil ng ilan sa pagsasaka dahil ginagamit lamang ito ng mga NPA sa kanilang sariling kapakanan. “Ang iba ay naging milisyang bayan at mayroon din sumampa sa NPA kaya kinukondena namin ang kanilang panlilinlang at panggugulo sa aming kabuhayan. Sa labing anim na taon naming pagsuporta sa mga NPA, walang magandang nangyari sa buhay namin. Sampu ng aking mga kasamahang tribu, kami’y lubos na nagpapasalamat sa Philippine Army, lalo’t higit sa 89IB na kami ay nabigyan ng tulong mula sa pamahalaan.”

Dala-dala ng mga miyembro ng KRM ang mga plakard na nagpapahayag ng kanilang pagkagalit sa NPA, pagkadismaya sa mga pangako nito, pagpapatigil sa gawaing komunismo at terorismo at ang panawagang magbalik-loob sa pamahalaan ang mga NPA.

Samantala, ikinatuwa naman ni Undersecretary Badoy ang naging desisyon ng mga miyembro ng KRM na tapusin na ang ugnayan nito sa mga teroristang NPA. Aniya, “sa isang IP summit nalaman ng Pangulong Duterte na kayo pala ang inaabuso, ginagamit nitong mga teroristang NPA. Noong Disyembre 2020, Nabuo ang NTF-ELCAC dahil sa inyo. Ako’y natutuwa dahil nakikita n’yo na ngayon kung sino ang tunay na mga bayani.”

Gayundin ang saloobin ng Division Commander 10ID Major General Reuben S Basiao, at kanyang sinabi “malaki ang aking pasasalamat sa ating mga Local Chief Executives, mga board members, sa mga opisyales ng NTF- ELCAC na naririto ngayon upang makita ang tunay ninyong kalagayan at mapaabot sa nasyunal ang inyong pangangailangan. Natutuwa akong makita ang epekto ng Executive order 70 o ang Whole of Nation approach to end local communist armed conflict. dahil nandyan kami buhat noong simula hanggang ito ay isagawa. Hindi ito mangyayari kung sundalo lamang ang nandyan…Personal kong pinapasalamatan ang kasundaluhan lalo na ang Battalion Commander dahil pinakita ninyo na walang pang-aabuso, lagi ninyong inaatupag na matulungan ang mga mamamayan.”

Siniguro naman ng 89IB na maipaabot ang kinakailangang tulong mula sa pamahalaan para sa mga dating miyembro ng KRM. Samantala, nauna ng isinailalim nito sa tatlong araw na Live-in seminar ang mga miyembro ng KRM upang higit na maunawaan ng mga ito ang tunay na layunin ng mga teroristang NPA sa pag-oorganisa ng masa sa kanayunan.

Batid ng kasundaluhan na kinakailangang magkaroon ng psycho-social, socio-economic, at edukasyon upang manumbalik ang kompyansa ng mga tao sa pamahalaan. Kaya naman, sa pakikipag-ugnayan ng 89IB sa iba’t ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan, kabilang sa nagbigay ng pagtuturo ang Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Philippine National Police upang ipabatid sa kanila ang mga programa at proyektong pangkabuhayan na makakatulong sa kanilang pagbabagong buhay.

Nasa Limang People’s Organization (PO) ang nabuo ng Community development team ng 89IB mula sa mga miyembro ng KRM, lahat ay rehistrado na sa DOLE Bukidnoon. Nakatanggap na sila ng paunang tulong-pangkabuhayan mula sa Nasyunal at lokal na ahensya ng pamahalaan.

Nilalayon ng peace rally na ipabatid sa mga mamamayan ang masamang epekto ng pagsali sa armadong pakikibaka at pag-anib sa mga alyadong organisasyon nito.



[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/peace-rally-ng-krm-sa-bukidnon-dinaluhan-ng-spokesperson-ntf-elcac-krm-in-bukidnon-slams-npa-supports-govt-program/

Gov’t troops clash with NPAS in Bohol

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 29, 2020): Gov’t troops clash with NPAS in Bohol (By Rey Anthony H. Chiu)

ENDEARING THEMSELVES TO COMMUNITIES. 1Lt. Elma Grace Remonde-Arbulencia (right) talks to army troops prior to a Civil Military Operations as the Army continues to foster strong trust in communities to empower them to report sightings of armed men like what happened to NPAs in Bayawahan Sevilla. (PIA Bohol/47IB fotos)

CORTES, Bohol, June 28 (PIA) -- Foraging in the hinterland barangays near the borders of Bilar, Batuan, Balilihan and Catigbian where the thick forests of Loboc watershed provide protection and harbor and pushed by hunger pangs and the easy life of extortion using their weapons to instill fear, an undetermined group tried the proven fear factor in Brgy. Bayawahan, Sevilla town on June 26, 2020 to a dismal failure.

Having had enough of the fear, residents were not cowered in fear and found a way to slip out reports to internal security operators about the armed men forcefully asking for food and threatening those who refused to give in.

A report from the Philippine Army through Civil Military Operations and Information Officer, First Lieutenant Elma Grace Remonde, bared that troops of 47th Infantry Battalion, while conducting security operations and confirmation of the presence of the extortionists, encountered an undetermined number of the New People's Army at 5:45 p.m. in the forested parts of the barangay.

The elements of 47th Infantry (Katapatan) Battalion were directed to verify the numerous reports from the civilian populace regarding the presence of armed men in the area who were forcefully asking for food and threatening those who refused to provide, she said.

The government troops then engaged the rebels in a ten-minute gunfight, as the rebels retreated to the thick forests.

At the army clearing operations, the government troops recovered one caliber 45 pistol, two caliber 45 magazines, one rifle grenade ammunition, three cell phones, two solar panels, personal belongings, and subversive documents.

Troops also discovered a harboring area with two posts and bunkers that can accommodate 20 persons.

Lt. Col. Allan J. Tabudlo, the Commanding Officer of 47th Infantry Battalion, expressed his disgust over the terroristic activities of the NPAs in Bohol.

"I'm sorry to know that despite our current pandemics of COVID-19, they still threaten our countrymen, forcibly demanding food despite the present misery of the people. It is sad to think that we still have fellow citizens who believe in them instead of being with their loved ones in times of crisis," said Tabudlo.

Said to be the third armed encounter in Bohol since the island province was declared “Insurgency-Free” in 2010, the encounter proved that the rebels have resorted to extortion, knowing that Boholanos this time are not anymore as hospitable to the terrorists.

"I call upon our fellow Filipinos in the mountains who still believed in that fraud ideology to come down and return to the community to live in peace with their families," Tabudlo added.

Tabudlo's call is consistent with the Presidential directive to end local communist armed conflict for a peaceful Philippines.

In a radio interview, Remonde shared that there were reports of residents evacuating the area for fear they could be caught in the crossfire.

She also confirmed that locals are strongly supporting the campaign for genuine and lasting peace in the island of Bohol by reporting the presence of the rebels, something which would have been unthinkable in the past years.

As the Army continues mapping up pursuit operations, officials assured that the Army would remain responsive to the call of the people to be their able partners in securing Bohol and the Boholanos. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol with Lt. Remonde)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1046031

Task Force Balik-Loob gives updates on E-CLIP program for rebel returnees

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 29, 2020): Task Force Balik-Loob gives updates on E-CLIP program for rebel returnees (By Jerome Carlo R. Paunan)

Concurrent Task Force Balik-Loob Chair and Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reservist Affairs, Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu speaks with officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines's North Luzon Command during his visit to provide updates on the E-CLIP implementation in Luzon. (DND photo)

CALOOCAN CITY, June 29 (PIA) -- The Department of National Defense (DND)-led Task Force Balik-Loob over the weekend presented updates on E-CLIP implementation during a visit to one of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' unified commands that combat terrorism and insurgency in the area.

Concurrent Task Force Balik-Loob Chair and Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reservist Affairs, Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu led the contingent when the team visited the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) where he presented an update on the implementation of the E-CLIP within the NOLCOM's area of responsibility as well as issues and concerns raised by E-CLIP implementers in the area.

The official was received by LtGen. Ramiro Manuel Rey AFP, Commander, NOLCOM, together with BGen. Arwel Oropesa AFP, Deputy Commander for Operations, BGen. Ramon Evan Ruiz AFP, Deputy Commander for Administration, and concerned Unified Command Staff headed by their Chief of Staff Col. Rodney Intal. Also present were representatives from the 5th Infantry Division and the 7th Infantry Division.

Mapagu urged NOLCOM to continue its support, not only for the E-CLIP but also for the other clusters of the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict, especially its Joint Regional Task Forces in the areas covered by NOLCOM.

The E-CLIP or Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, which is a complete package of assistance to former rebels, is one of the flagship programs of the Duterte administration that seeks to address social healing and national unity toward the higher objective of having just and lasting peace. It aims to provide social equity to former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and the Militia ng Bayan to reintegrate them into mainstream society.

Unlike the previous government’s reintegration programs, however, the E-CLIP provides a wide array of benefits based on the particular needs of the former rebels and their families such as financial assistance, shelter, education, skills training, healthcare and legal assistance through a convergence of various national and local government agencies.

These benefits are not the “end” but rather the means or tools to aid the former rebels while in the process of transitioning into the mainstream society.

The implementation of E-CLIP by provincial E-CLIP committees is being monitored and assessed by Task Force Balik Loob.

"We recognize the key role that reintegration programs play for the weakening and eventual dismantling of CTG guerilla fronts, even during my earlier days as a young battalion commander," Rey said.

Rey further expressed Team NOLCOM’s full support of the implementation of the E-CLIP.

To recall, the Task Force Balik-Loob was created by virtue of Administrative Order No 10 dated 03 April 2018 as a central coordinating body to supervise the government's reintegration efforts for members of the CPP-NPA-NDF including their immediate family members.

The Task Force is composed of representatives from the Department of National Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Office of the President, and the National Housing Authority, as well as other partner government agencies. (PIA NCR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1046093