Friday, March 6, 2020

Malaysia Bolsters Security Near Sea Border with Philippines

From BenarNews (Mar 6, 2020): Malaysia Bolsters Security Near Sea Border with Philippines (By Ray Sherman and Nisha David)



Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (right) looks on as Indonesian men La Utu bin Raali (left) and La Hadi bi La Adi receive hugs from their relatives days after they were released by suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in the southern Philippines, Jan. 23, 2018. Handout/Indonesian Foreign Ministry/AFP

Malaysia has beefed up security near its maritime border with the southern Philippines, where recent kidnappings have taken place, in a move that will include the deployment of six light attack helicopters purchased from the United States, security officials said Friday.

Hazani Ghazali, chief of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), said authorities arrested 41 undocumented Indonesia and Filipinos during raids on March 4 as part of a security operation codenamed “Ops Gasak,” which was aimed at disrupting cross-border criminal activities.

“Ops Gasak will neutralize the hotspot areas in ESSzone from any cross-border crimes,” Hazani said in a statement, using the acronym for the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone. “Our operations also work as deterrence.”

“ESSZone should be free from cross-border criminal activities which could disrupt the country's peace and harmony,” he said.

Security forces launched the operation in January, when they began checking immigration documents of people suspected to be working as “lookouts” for kidnap-for-ransom gangs in the region.

Among those captured in the security raids were men and women up to 65 years old, Hazani said in a statement, without elaborating.

During another operation early this month, authorities arrested a 47-year-old undocumented migrant from Indonesia, who was charged with illegal possession of a homemade shotgun and six 12-gauge cartridges, officials said.

The man was found hiding out in a palm oil plantation in Kalabakan, a district in Sabah state in Malaysian Borneo.

Authorities believe the “hotspots” in the region include “water villages,” which are floating communities or squatter settlements with houses on stilts.

Five operations conducted thus far at water villages in Sandakan, Kunak and Semporna districts led to the arrests of 723 undocumented migrants who were among 9,332 people interviewed by security officials.

Malaysia has yet to deport those arrested pending instruction from the National Security Council, officials told BenarNews.

Army confirms delivery schedule for helicopters

Six new light-attack helicopters, purchased by the Malaysian government under a U.S. $76 million contract inked in 2016, will be stationed in Sabah as part of the government’s move to bolster state’s security and reinforce anti-crime efforts in coastal areas, according to Army chief Gen. Hasbullah Mohd Nawawi.

The Muslim-majority nation will receive the first of six MD 530G helicopters this year and the military personnel who would be handling the choppers, euphemistically called “little birds,” would be sent for training in the United States, Hasbullah told reporters last week.

The remainder of the attack helicopters will be delivered in stages through 2021, he said.

“Once that is done, we will send the pilots for conversion training, followed by the maintenance crew to equip themselves with the know-how for the helicopters’ upkeep,” the New Straits Times quoted Hasbullah as saying.

Akhbar Satar, a director at the HELP University in Kuala Lumpur, told BenarNews that ESSCOM would need budgetary support to solve its security issues.

“It is high time Malaysia brings about an effective solution to the current dilemma,” he said. “If not, this terrible trend will continue again.”

Malaysian security authorities should set up a hostage-negotiation unit and follow the model used by the FBI in dealing with kidnapping scenarios, he said.

“The Behavioral Change Stairway Model developed by the FBI’s hostage-negotiation unit is an example of what we could follow. Besides techniques, crisis negotiations require a cool head and experience in hostage negotiation,” he told BenarNews.

In recent years, clashes between Filipino soldiers and suspected insurgents had caused criminals to cross over from the nearby southern Philippines into Sabah, from where they had planned criminal activities, including piracy and kidnappings, authorities said.

One such crime involved the kidnapping of five Indonesians who were believed seized within Sabah’s territorial waters on Jan. 16 by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf, a group of bandits based in the southern Philippines.

About a week after the abductions, Philippine authorities said the captives and the gunmen were believed to be hiding in the jungles of an island off the coastal town of Parang in Sulu, in the southern Philippines.

Their fate remains unknown although news reports said their suspected abductors had attempted to demand ransom through a phone call.

In September last year, three Indonesian fishermen were also abducted from their boat off Sabah’s east coast.

Philippine officials announced in January that security forces rescued the third Indonesian fisherman weeks after authorities had rescued his two compatriots in southern Sulu province.

Earlier in the same month, Malaysian police said security forces gunned down two suspected Abu Sayyaf members during a shootout at sea off Sabah.

Abu Sayyaf is a militant group founded in the 1990s and notorious for kidnappings, bombings and beheadings of foreigners carried out in the southern Philippines during the past two decades. The group’s stronghold is in Jolo and Basilan islands in the southwestern part of the Philippines.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/malaysian/malaysia-philippines-03062020184117.html

NPA leader in Northern Samar killed in shootout

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 7, 2020): NPA leader in Northern Samar killed in shootout (By Gerico Sabalza)



SLAIN. The cadaver of Salvador Nordan alias Badok or Gahi, identified as the leader of the Sub-Regional Operation Command emporium of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army in Northern Samar. Nordan was killed during a joint operation of the police and the military in Guba village in Catarman, Northern Samar on Friday morning (March 6, 2020). (Photo courtesy of the Army's 803rd Infantry Brigade)

A communist New People’s Army (NPA) leader was killed during a joint police and military operation in Guba village in Catarman, Northern Samar on Friday morning.

The slain was Salvador Nordan, alias Badok or Gahi, identified as the leader of the Sub-Regional Operation Command emporium.

A report released on Saturday morning said the 803rd Infantry Brigade (803 IBde) and the Northern Samar Provincial Police were confirming information from residents on the presence of an armed group conducting extortion in the area.

Responding troopers chanced upon the group and a firefight erupted, resulting in the killing of the NPA leader.


Taken from his possession were a caliber 45 pistol, ammunition, and subversive documents with high intelligence value containing the names of individuals providing support to the terrorist Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) - NPA.

Nordan was facing a string of criminal charges, mostly murder and robbery cases, in Northern Samar.

“We are thankful for the trust and confidence of the communities for the information to locate the NPA group. This only shows that they were already tired of the terroristic activities these NPA (rebels) have caused, not only to the military but also to the helpless civilians,” said Col. Zosimo Oliveros, 803 IBde commander.

Oliveros said the incident could have been avoided if only these rebels heeded the call of the government to return to the fold of the law.

“Your Army here in Northern Samar will not rest until (these) terrorist(s) realized the futility of their false revolution that has been dragging the economic progress of the province,” he said, adding that what happened was a reminder that the law would reach them, no matter where they are hiding.

Maj. Gen. Pio Diñoso, 8th Infantry Division Commander, said this is the result of the joint effort of the security forces, the local government, and the community to end the terroristic and extortion activities of NPA terrorists.

Diñoso said the people have expressed frustration over the CPP-NPA, denouncing them as persona non grata and creating the village task force to end the local communist armed conflict (ELCAC).

“I still encourage the remaining NPA members to abandon their armed struggle, lay down their arms, and return to the mainstream society in the comfort of their families and friends,” he said.

The remains of the NPA leader were turned over to the local government of Catarman for proper burial and assistance.

The 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/1095846

Police say ranking Samar NPA leader slain in clash during arrest

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 6, 2020): Police say ranking Samar NPA leader slain in clash during arrest (By: Joey A. Gabieta, Rachel Arnaiz)

CATARMAN, Northern Samar -Police said government forces killed a ranking New People’s Army (NPA) leader in Northern Samar province in a clash during an attempt to arrest him at his safehouse on Friday (March 6).

Salvador Nordan, alias Badok,
alleged tried to shoot his way out and fired at policemen and soldiers who were to arrest him at the village of Guba, according to a report of the Northern Samar police.

The arresting team found a .45 caliber pistol in the safehouse, the report said.

Nordan was allegedly the deputy head of an NPA command operating in the region.


He faces several criminal charges which included two murder cases, a case of homicide and a case of illegal possession of explosives in Catarman. Another case of attempted homicide is pending against him in the town of Bobon.

The Philippine Army’s 803rd Brigade said at least nine warrants of arrest had been issued for Nordan for several cases, including frustrated murder and robbery in the town of Allen, also in Northern Samar.

Col. Zosimo Oliveros, 803rd Brigade commander, said the military was tipped off about Nordan’s location by civilians who “were already tired of the terroristic activites of these NPAs.”

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1237971/police-say-ranking-samar-npa-leader-slain-in-clash-during-arrest

The Philippine Navy Needs More Than New Ships

From The Diplomat (Mar 4, 2020): The Philippine Navy Needs More Than New Ships (By By Jay Tristan Tarriela)

Until its institutional problems are solved, the PN will not be able to achieve its ambitious goals.


Credit: Facebook/ Philippine Navy

In his speech as the new flag officer in command (FOIC) of the Philippine Navy (PN), Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo highlighted the three priority programs under his administration: boost the capacity of the Naval Sea Systems Command, implement skills specialization for its personnel; and “modernize the mindsets” of every sailor and marine. Indeed, these are remarkable concerns that the Navy has to undertake in its quest to be a formidable force in defending Philippine sovereignty. However, it is essential to emphasize that the PN has underlying institutional issues that continually challenge and disrupt the various programs of whoever is at the helm. Thus, one could argue that settling these lingering matters may be the best approach for the new FOIC; otherwise, his plans will never be realized.

The most intriguing piece of unfinished business is the attempt to separate the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) under its organizational supervision. The Senate Bill 1731 of Senator Juan Edgardo Angara and the House Bill 7304 of Congressman Rodolfo Fariñas both stressed the importance of a rapidly deployable amphibious maneuver force to an archipelagic country like the Philippines. These bills emphasized that the current existence of the PMC needs to be institutionalized by the passage of its own charter, which would categorize it as the fourth branch of service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Second, though the Strategic Sail Plan 2020 vision of the PN states that “it will be a strong and credible Navy that the Philippine nation can be proud of by 2020,” it will take more than replacing antiquated equipment to achieve that goal. The PN is still preoccupied with performing maritime law enforcement roles and other constabulary functions, including supporting the AFP’s internal security operations. Although it is necessary for the military to address domestic threats as well, it is worth accentuating that the long history of insurgency in the Philippines has hampered the PN’s development as a potent naval force strategically.

Lastly, the PN’s constabulary roles hinder collaboration with other law enforcement and regulating institutions. The Navy lacks a concrete mandate to validate its law enforcement activities, which makes it impossible to coordinate with other maritime law enforcement agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine National Police Maritime Group (PNP-MG). Since these agencies recognize that the fundamental role of the PN is territorial defense and they have the mandate to carry out law enforcement, they wonder why gray ships are also engaged in such operations.

These three issues – the organizational dilemma, ambiguous mandates, and “turf wars” – could all be adequately addressed by an enacted law. Surprisingly, the PN, despite its long history, has never had an enabling law enacted by Congress. Most of the country’s current naval officers assume that the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the National Defense Act of 1935 (Commonwealth Act No. 1) distinctly defined the PN’s existence. In scrutinizing these legal instruments, however, it is apparent that there are no provisions mentioning the creation of the PN and even its mandates.

The first time a naval force was mentioned in Philippine laws was 1947’s Executive Order 94, signed by President Manuel Roxas when he reorganized the government. The Philippine Naval Patrol was created as a successor of the offshore patrol and was considered as one of the major commands of the regular force of the AFP. Subsequently, Executive Order 389, issued in 1950 during the administration of President Elpidio Quirino, became the reference for the PN’s official title. This was also the first time that the Navy’s functions were clearly defined. Since then, until the fall of Marcos in 1986, the PN continuously existed and performed these mandates by merely referring to this EO. However, when the new constitution was crafted in 1987, and Executive Order 292 or the Administrative Code of the Philippines was promulgated, the PN’s mandates shifted to the provisions laid out by the latter.

Accordingly, the PN’s law enforcement mission as stipulated in EO 292 became its justification for carrying out constabulary functions related to navigation, the safety of life at sea, immigration, customs revenues, narcotics, quarantine, and even fishing. Nevertheless, since EO 292 was enforced over three decades ago, new laws were enacted by Congress that apparently repealed these functions: the Domestic Shipping Act, PCG Law, Quarantine Act, Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, and the Fishery Code of the Philippines, among others.

In retrospect, it is about time for the PN to have enabling law that defines its institutional structure and roles. If the PN fails to secure a law to establish its organization, perchance it will not just be the Marines that attempt to separate from the Navy’s hierarchy of command. Moreover, we no longer live in an era when brute force and offensive military action can justify why the military is still performing constabulary roles. The lack of a relevant charter allows the Navy to tread in the gray area, where there is no clear delineation between law enforcement and military operations.

A more formal charter would allow the Navy to set its annual budget percentage and even its modernization programs without actually waiting on the affirmation of the Army-dominated AFP leadership. It is common knowledge that the priority of funding has always been given to the Army. This was justified by the continuous counterinsurgency efforts and the emergence of terrorism in Mindanao. The collective setting of the military has made it difficult for the PN to massively recruit personnel since the Army’s soldiers remain a priority.

Without a dedicated law for the Navy, it will continuously struggle as an institution and will never be able to grow independently as a formidable force. It is not just “resource competition” with the Philippine Army that the PN has to grapple with, but most importantly, it has to fight for strategic relevance with other agencies backed by Congressional mandates to carry out constabulary roles.

This article first appeared in Analyzing War and is republished here with permission.

[Jay Tristan Tarriela is a commissioned officer of the Philippine Coast Guard with the rank of Commander and is currently a Ph.D. candidate and a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) scholar at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) under the GRIPS Global Governance (G-cube) Program in Tokyo, Japan. He is also a Young Leader with Pacific Forum, Honolulu.]

Amid US-Philippines VFA Crisis, What Will the 2020 Balikatan Exercises Look Like?

From The Diplomat (Mar 6, 2020): Amid US-Philippines VFA Crisis, What Will the 2020 Balikatan Exercises Look Like? (By Prashanth Parameswaran)

A closer look at the shape of the upcoming drills amid continuing uncertainty for the alliance.



A scene tied to the 2019 Balikatan exercises.Credit: US Navy Photo

Earlier this week, as the United States and the Philippines continue to sort out an alliance crisis sparked by President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the Philippines disclosed more details about an upcoming iteration of the largest military exercise between the two countries. While the details remain quite limited, they nonetheless provide more clarity about the shape of the next iteration of drills and what they signify for the defense aspect of the relationship.

As I have observed before in these pages, Duterte’s request to terminate the VFA has raised broader questions about its strategic significance for the alliance as well as the operational consequences for what the two countries can do in the coming months during the 180-day period where they continue to be in talks to sort this out. Of particular focus has been the Balikatan exercises, which have traditionally been the largest bilateral drills between the two countries and had been slated to occur later this year.

Back in February, Lorenzana had suggested in general that 2020 planned military exercises and engagements – numbering over 300 this year, an increase from 2019 – would proceed as scheduled during this period since the VFA would remain in force, even though the United States may opt to discontinue the scheduled exercises before the 180 days are up. But no further specifics had been unveiled about particular drills, including Balikatan.

This week, we received more details about the status of the Balikatan exercises scheduled for May. The details were disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Edgard Arevalo at a press briefing that was held on March 3.

Per Arevalo, the exercises, currently set to push ahead as scheduled, are expected to involve 6,529 Americans, 4,302 Filipinos, and 44 Australians. He added that there had been no changes in the original plans in terms of the number of attendees and participants.

Arevalo also indicated that the lead up to the exercise would play out as expected as well. According to his comments, some personnel would start arriving next month to prepare the supplies, medical requirements, and other logistics ahead of the arrival of the main contingent in May.

While Arevalo’s comments themselves are not surprising and are in line with what Philippine officials including Lorenzana had mentioned before, they are not without significance. If things play out as Arevalo suggests, the 2020 Balikatan exercises would be the largest iteration of the drills held under Duterte’s tenure despite his attempts to scrap it at the outset – a powerful demonstration of the resilience of the alliance. Indeed, for a larger contingent than the one planned for 2020, one has to go back to 2015, when the United States and the Philippines were governed by U.S. President Barack Obama and Benigno Aquino III respectively.

To be sure, Arevalo’s comments do still leave a number of lingering questions about the shape of the Balikatan exercises, including the exact engagements that would be carried out, the functional areas of focus, if there would be any notable firsts in the drills relative to previous years, and how any broader VFA talks may affect specific engagements. As we get closer to the drills, those specifics will continue to be important to watch out for as we attempt to get a better sense of how Balikatan plays out and what it means for the alliance.

[Prashanth Parameswaran is Senior Editor at The Diplomat based in Washington, D.C., where he produces analysis on Southeast Asian political and security issues, Asian defense affairs, and U.S. foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific.]

VFA breathing its last: 11,000 troops set to take part in 2020 Balikatan

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Mar 6, 2020): VFA breathing its last: 11,000 troops set to take part in 2020 Balikatan (By: Frances G. Mangosing)



U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, conduct morning accountability before dawn on April 5, 2019 during Exercise Balikatan at the Navy Education Training Command, Philippines./ U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christian Ayers

MANILA, Philippines — One of the biggest exercises between Philippine and US troops could take place in the coming months in what could be the last breath of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the defense pact which governs such exercises but which Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte wanted thrown into trash.

Nearly 11,000 Filipino and American soldiers will take part in this year’s Balikatan, Filipino for shoulder-to-shoulder, the largest of such exercise between the two long-time security allies.

Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, said the joint drills, set this May, would involve 6,529 Americans, 4,302 Filipinos and 44 Australians.

“It will push through as scheduled. That is within the 180-day period so it will continue as scheduled,” he said at a press briefing on Wednesday (March 3).

“There’s no change in the original plan in terms of number of attendees, unless there are last minute changes,” he said partly in Filipino. “Thus far, as we speak, the number of participants is the same,” he said.

Some of the soldiers would start arriving next month to prepare the supplies, medical requirements and other logistics ahead of the arrival of the main contingent in May.

Such large-scale exercises will no longer be possible without the VFA, which governs the stay of US soldiers in the Philippines and serves as foundation of military exercises and humanitarian work.

The Philippine government, upon orders by Duterte, officially sent notice to terminate the VFA to the US government on Feb. 11. Duterte had been ranting against the United States since he entered the presidential race in 2016 and right after assuming office. The termination would take effect in 180 days or six months.

Duterte went ahead with his decision and disregarded the advice of his foreign and security officials to review the agreement instead of scrapping it.

There are 319 joint military exercises between the Philippines and US lined up for 2020, an increase from 281 in 2019. This included the Balikatan, which usually lasts for two weeks.

Arevalo couldn’t say what would happen to the rest of the exercises at the end of the 180-day period for VFA termination.

“Beyond 180 days, we cannot talk about it yet because that is beyond the 180-day period when the VFA is abrogated,” he said.

Joint exercises, like Balikatan, usually focus on the ability of the armed forces of participating nations to operate together.

Interoperability is “very important for allies whose military jointly trains, operates, operates and engages with each other,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told INQUIRER.net recently.

While equally useful for rescue and disaster response, the defense chief said that trainings are necessary “to hone the jointness in military operations and skills of both sides” when “we are preparing to confront a common adversary.”

Observers said that the VFA gives substance to commitments in the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which binds the Philippines and US to come to each other’s aid if either comes under attack.

Last week, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez said top diplomats of both countries are working on a new and “improved” deal to replace the VFA. It will be later presented to Duterte. But Palace spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the diplomatic effort does not have Malacanang approval.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/185879/vfa-breathing-its-last-11000-troops-set-to-take-part-in-2020-balikatan

WESTMINCOM: Loose firearms handed over to troops in Lanao

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 6, 2020): Loose firearms handed over to troops in Lanao

A total of nine high and low-powered firearms were handed over to the troops of the 49th Infantry Battalion in the municipalities of Butig and Lumbanayague, Lanao del Sur on March 5, 2020.

The successful convergence was facilitated by the Bravo and Charlie Companies of the 49IB.

“We are intensifying our operations against the proliferation of loose firearms in support to the AFP’s anti-illegal firearms and other weapons campaign,” said Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, commander of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan.

Handed over were one 5.56mm Bushmaster rifle, one 5.56mm M16 Elisco rifle, one M203 Grenade Launcher, one M79 Grenade Launcher, one KG9 sub-machinegun, one Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun, one shooters SAS 12 gauge shotgun; two homemade rocket-propelled grenade launchers, two short magazines, two 9mm magazines, and one 12 gauge shotgun magazine.

Said firearms were placed under the custody of 49IB for safekeeping and proper disposition.

“I attribute all the accomplishments of the Western Mindanao Command and its subordinate units to the local government units, local chief executives, all our partners and stakeholders, and the communities who never cease to support us in all our endeavors,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“The AFP’s excellent rating of +74% in the 2019 nationwide survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) is another way of looking at the Filipino’s support to the organization that we have felt in every aspect of our operations the past years-from the vibrant welcome we received from the communities as we conduct our peace and development operations to the stronger partnership we have with our stakeholders,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana expressed.

#afpyoucantrust
#teamwmc
#teamkapayapaan
#yourprotector
#yourpartner
#yourfriend

6th Infantry Division - Kampilan 601 Infantry - Unifier Brigade 602nd "Liberator" Brigade 603 Persuader Brigade 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade Unang Marinong Brigada Team Tabak Joint Taskforce Basilan HQs Wanoto 103Rd Bde Haribon Pa Campo Ranao, Marawi City Magbalantay Cmo 11 Infantry Division "Alakdan Troopers" Gagandilan Siete 1102 Infantry "ganarul" Brigade 1st BCT Aegis Kwatromarinobrigada Sulu Jtf Tawi Tawi Indomalphi Joint Task Force Zamboanga Joint Task Force Zamboanga Virtual Center Unbeatable Ranger Battalion 29th Infantry "Matatag" Battalion, Philippine Army Tow Westmin Cmo Tow Westmin Pio Naval Forces Western Mindanao Cmou Western Mindanao Katapatan Pangkatihan-Dagatan 33rd Infantry Makabayan Battalion 57th Infantry Masikap Battalion 1st Mechanized Lakan Battalion 90th Infantry Bigkis Lahi Battalion 7th Infantry - TAPAT Battalion Reliablecmo R Section 6IB Redskin 37IB - Conqueror Battalion 40 Infantry "Magiting" Battalion 2nd Mechanized Infantry-MAKASAGBattalion Onlyourbest MbltFive 38th Infantry We Clear Battalion Arvin John Gullos Encinas Breathe Heart Ruel Casanes Ar-ar Galvez Afman Rosales Jr. Antriosanjh Espenida Nenea Sancus Princy Necessitas La Independencia Filipinas


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No photo description available.


WESTMINCOM: Military assaults BIFF in continuing offensives

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Mar 6, 2020): Military assaults BIFF in continuing offensives

The Joint Task Force Central mounted its offensives against the Daesh-Inspired Terrorist Group/Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (DITG/BIFF) in Maguindanao.

Acting on reports received from the communities, operating troops utilized air and artillery assets to bombard terrorist groups at their identified lairs in Brgy Salman, Ampatuan, Maguindanao on March 2, 2020.

Ground troops were also deployed to conduct combat operations to preempt the reported terror plots of said group.

Armed confrontations ensued between the military troops and the terrorists in the municipalities of Ampatuan and Hoffer, all of Maguindanao.

Gaining grounds, the military intensified its operations so as to penetrate the enemy stronghold and neutralize the enemies.

Fourteen BIFF members died in the series of operations, 5 of whose remains were recovered by the troops while others were reported by the communities. Military troops are currently verifying the veracity of these reported deaths to include the undetermined number of wounded.

The AFP lost four brave soldiers while eleven others were wounded in action.

Troops were able to penetrate encampments and recover assorted firearms, ammunitions, improvised explosive devices, and war materiel of the enemies.

“We salute the bravery of our fallen soldiers who fought up to the last drop of their blood just to spare the communities from the treachery of the heartless enemies,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“We nevertheless, pursue our campaign to pound down the remaining terrorists, penetrate enemy lairs, and ensure the safety of the people,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana added.

#DefeatingTheTerrorists
#SecuringThePeopleOfMindanao
#AFPYouCanTrust
#TeamWestMinCom

6th Infantry Division - Kampilan
601 Infantry - Unifier Brigade
602nd "Liberator" Brigade
603 Persuader Brigade
1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade
Unang Marinong Brigada
Team Tabak
Joint Task Force Basilan
Team Igsoon
Haribon
Magbalantay Cmo
11 Infantry Division "Alakdan Troopers"
Gagandilan Siete
1102 Infantry "ganarul" Brigade
1st BCT Aegis
Kwatromarinobrigada Sulu
Jtf Tawi Tawi Indomalphi
Joint Task Force Zamboanga Virtual Center
Unbeatable Ranger Battalion
29th Infantry "Matatag" Battalion, Philippine Army
Tow Westmin Cmo
Tow Westmin Pio
Naval Forces Western Mindanao
Cmou Western Mindanao
Katapatan Pangkatihan-Dagatan
33rd Infantry Makabayan Battalion
57th Infantry Masikap Battalion
1st Mechanized Lakan Battalion
90th Infantry Bigkis Lahi Battalion
7th Infantry - TAPAT Battalion
Reliablecmo R Section
6IB Redskin
37IB - Conqueror Battalion
40 Infantry "Magiting" Battalion
2nd Mechanized Infantry-MAKASAGBattalion
Onlyourbest MbltFive
38th Infantry We Clear Battalion

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Image may contain: one or more people, outdoor and nature


Image may contain: one or more people, outdoor and nature


CPP/NDF-Ilocos: NDF-Ilocos: Ang lugar ng kababaihan ay sa Digmang Bayan!

NDF-Ilocos propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 6, 2020): NDF-Ilocos: Ang lugar ng kababaihan ay sa Digmang Bayan!

KA ROSA GUIDON
TAGAPAGSALITA
NDFP ILOCOS
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES
MARCH 07, 2020

Kababaihan, magbalikwas laban sa pampulitikang panunupil!

Maski hanggang sa kasalukuyang modernong lipunan, nagpapatuloy ang magkakambal na pang-aapi sa kababaihan: ang pang-aapi sa kanya dahil sa kanyang uring pinagmulan at ang pang-aaping nakabatay sa kanyang pagkababae. Sa rehiyon ng Ilocos, sa parehas na kaso, pinakamatingkad itong namamalas sa pasista at maruming atake ng Philippine Army at Philippine National Police sa kababaihan – karaniwang mamamayan man, aktibista man o Pulang mandirigma.

Atake Laban sa Kababaihan

Malawak at malaganap ang pampulitikang pag-uusig ng kaaway sa rehiyon ng Ilocos at higit itong sumasalanta sa hanay ng kababaihan. Isang halimbawa nito ay ang ipinagmamalaki ni National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., sampu ng mga tagapagtaguyod ng whole-of-nation approach, na hungkag na tagumpay ng pagpapa-‘baliktad’ sa isang namumuno diumano sa tinagurian nilang ‘communist front.’

Ayon kay Esperon, nakamit ito sa pamamagitan ng tulungan ng militar, pulisya at mga lokal na yunit ng gobyerno. Bagamat totoong tulungan ito ng kanilang hanay, tulungan ito para manakot at mang-harass ng isang lider-masa mula sa isang di-armadong ligal-demokratikong organisasyon. Hindi binabanggit ng mga kasangkot sa whole-of-nation approach na walang humpay na minanmanan ng 81st Infantry Battalion sa sarili niyang tahanan ang nasabing babaeng lider-masa na nakikipaglaban lamang para sa karapatang pantao ng mamamayan. Dumanas siya ng matinding intimidasyon at panunupil habang hanggang ngayon ay ginagamit siya para makapaghabi ng pekeng tagumpay ang bulok na rehimen ni Rodrigo Duterte. Tiyak na lalong hihigpit ang pampulitikang pag-uusig sa iba pang kababaihang lider-masa at aktibista, sampu ng iba pang progresibo at rebolusyonaryong pwersa ng rehiyon.

Nakikibakang Kababaihan

Batid ng pambansa demokratikong kilusan na desperasyon ang nasa likod ng pampulitikang panunupil ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Higit nang nahihiwalay sa mamamayang Pilipino si Duterte at mabilis na lumalaganap ang pagbabalikwas laban sa kanyang diktadura. Hinahagupit ng iba’t ibang pang-ekonomya at pampulitikang pahirap ang masang Ilokano: pagbagsak ng farmgate na presyo ng palay, barat na presyo ng tabako at iba pang pyudal at malapyudal na pagsasamantala sa mga nagtatanim nito, pagkakait at pagkurakot sa pondo mula sa excise tax ng tabako, pagsirit ng gastos sa produksyon dahil sa pagmahal ng mga bilihin at gastusin, at iba pang pahirap. Sa pagkakapasa ng Anti-Terror Bill sa Senado, lalo pang titindi ang crackdown laban sa mga nananawagan at kumikilos para sa pang-ekonomyang pag-alwan o anumang panlipunang pagbabago. Sa lahat ng ito, matatagpuan ang hanay ng kababaihan na nagdurusa ngunit nagbabangon kasama ng iba pang uring api.

Mahalaga ang papel ng mulat-sa-uri at organisadong kababaihan para pabagsakin ang mga tulad ni Duterte. Ang dalawang anyo ng pang-aapi sa kanila ay kambal ding batayan para magbalikwas sa kabila ng pampulitkang panunupil. Sa katunayan, ang pagtindi nito ay nagsisilbi para lalong pag-alabin ang mapanlabang diwa ng kababaihan. Ang duwag na pagpaslang ng mga sundalo kina Enniabel ‘Ka Onor’ Balunos at Maria Finela ‘Ka Ricky’ Mejia, kasama si Julius ‘Ka Goyo’ Marquez, ay nagsisilbing paalala sa rebolusyonaryong hanay na makatwiran ang tumangan ng armas laban sa pahirap at mapanupil na gobyerno. Katuwang ang malawak na masang Pilipino, ang lugar ng kababaihan ay sa rebolusyonaryong pakikibaka. ###

https://cpp.ph/statement/ndf-ilocos-ang-lugar-ng-kababaihan-ay-sa-digmang-bayan/

CPP/NDF-Sison: Welcome to Duterte’s willingness to talk peace and let backchannel talks to lay the ground

NDF-Sison propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 6, 2020): Welcome to Duterte’s willingness to talk peace and let backchannel talks to lay the ground

JOSE MARIA SISON
CHIEF POLITICAL CONSULTANT
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES
MARCH 06, 2020



I welcome the report that in his recent cabinet meeting President Duterte expressed his willingness to talk peace with me, depending on backchannel or informal talks between representatives of his government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

My position is in accordance with the policy of the NDFP to be open to peace negotiations with the GRP on the basis of the joint agreements that have been accumulated and on the basis of drafts that have been previously worked out by the GRP and NDFP panels, reciprocal working committees and bilateral teams .

I think that formal peace talks can be resumed by reaffirming the aforesaid joint agreements, removing those obstacles that terminate and prejudice serious peace negotiations and setting forth the agenda, to include first of all the negotiation of the Interim Peace Agreement (IPA).

The IPA is a package of agreements: 1. general amnesty and the release of all political prisoners, 2. the articles on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development and National Industrialization and Economic Development in the Comprehensive Agreement of Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), and 3. coordinated unilateral ceasefires.

After the IPA is accomplished, then the rest of CASER can be negotiated easily. In quick succession, the negotiations on political and constitutional reforms and the end of hostilities and disposition of forces can follow.

At a certain point in the progress of the peace negotiations, I shall meet President Duterte face to face for the purpose of accelerating the progress of the peace negotiations and ensuring that the Filipino people will enjoy full national independence, democracy, social justice, economic development and cultural progress under conditions of a just peace.

The backchannel team of the NDFP negotiating panel is authorized to explore and recommend what are the legal, political and security requirements for my meeting with President Duterte. It is obvious that at the moment there are obstacles which prejudice and put at grave risk not only my personal safety but more importantly the safety and continuity of the entire peace process if I were to go immediately to the Philippines without the necessary precautions.

According to the NDFP negotiators and my lawyers, it would be legal, political and physical suicide for me to jump into a pit in which Proclamation Nos. 360 (terminating the peace negotiations) and 374 (designating the CPP and NPA as terrorist), EO No. 70 (militarizing government and society), the Anti-Terrorism Act, the case of walking skeletons, the false charge of terrorism before the Manila RTC and so many death squads are waiting for me. Thus, the war hawks would be successful in killing any hope of peace negotiations.###

https://cpp.ph/statement/welcome-to-dutertes-willingness-to-talk-peace-and-let-backchannel-talks-to-lay-the-ground/

Kalinaw News: Communist NPA terrorist leader neutralized in Northern Samar encounter

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 6, 2020): Communist NPA terrorist leader neutralized in Northern Samar encounter (By 803rd Brigade)



Camp General Vicente0 Lukban, Catbalongan, Samar – Salvador Nordan aka Ka Badok was killed during the joint AFP-PNP operation in Brgy Guba, Catarman, Northern Samar this morning, March 6, 2020.

The joint operation of 803rd Infantry Brigade and Northern Samar Provincial Police Office was conducted to arrest the notorious and extortionist NPA leader identified as Salvador Nordan, the Vice CO of Sub-Regional Operation Command (SROC) of SRC Emporium. Taken from his possession during the said operation was one (1) caliber 45 pistol which he attempted to use against the apprehending officers.

The authorities accounted at least nine (9) Warrant of Arrests issued to apprehend Nordan by Catarman Regional Trial Court Branch 19 and Allen Regional Trial Court Branch 23 for multiple and frustrated murders, robberies and homicides.

Ka Badok, as he is known by the common Nortehanon, was the mastermind of the different atrocities perpetrated by the New People’s Army in Northern Samar particularly in the 1st District where he operates. Just recently, civilians reported to the authorities when Nordan and his companions indiscriminately fired against innocent civilians of Brgy Malvar, Catarman, Northern Samar.

“We are thankful for the trust and confidence of the communities for the information to locate the safe houses of Salvador Nordan in Brgy Malvar, Brgy Salvacion, Guba, and San Julian, all of Catarman, Northern Samar. This only shows that they were already tired of the terroristic activities these NPAs have caused not only to the military but also to the helpless civilians,” Col Zosimo A Oliveros, the commander of 803rd Infantry Brigade, said.

Brgy Guba and the other neighboring barangays (Brgy Salvacion, Brgy Malvar, and San Julian) explicitly expressed their frustration against the CPP-NPA-NDF as they issued the Barangay Resolutions denouncing the said terrorist group as Persona-Non-Grata in the area.

“Again, this incident could have been avoided if only these Communist-NPA Terrorist members heed to the call of the government to peacefully return to the folds of the law and avail the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). Your Army here in Northern Samar will not rest until this terrorist realized the futility of their false revolution that has been dragging the economic progress of the province. It is a reminder also that the hands of the law will reach them, no matter where they are hiding,” Col Oliveros added.

The cadaver of said NPA leader will be turned-over to the Local Government Unit of Catarman, Northern Samar for proper burial and other assistance.



[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/northern-samar-notorious-npa-leader-killed/