Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: 03/12/20

Thursday, March 12, 2020

WESTMINCOM: Distressed communist terrorists yield in Zambo Norte

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM): Facebook Page (Mar 10, 2020): Distressed communist terrorists yield in Zambo Norte

Three members of the Communist Terrorist Group from the Main Regional Guerilla Unit (MRGU) of Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) yielded to the military troops in the morning of March 9, 2020.

Fernan S. Micasia, a.k.a Gino, Team Leader, Team Baking, Squad 2, MRGU, WMRPC; Teng Alom, a.k.a Teng, Member, Team Abe, Squad-3, MRGU, WMRPC; and Ronie D. Tuburan, a.k.a Tuloy/Loloy, Member, Team Kaloy, Squad-1, MRGU, WMRPC, all residents of Barangay Guibo, Siayan, ZDN, submitted themselves to the troops of the 97th Infantry Battalion in Poblacion, Leon B. Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte.

“The surrenderors revealed that they decided to surrender and return to the fold of the law because of the adversities they experienced while eluding the intensified offensives of the government forces,” said Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, commander of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan.

Subject personalities are currently undergoing custodial debriefing at 97IB headquarters.

“This accomplishment is attributed to the dedicated men and women of the 97IB and all those who contributed to the successful surrender of the three communist terrorists,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“It exhibits the untiring commitment and dedication of our troops to continuously protect and secure our communities from the wrong ideologies of our enemies,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana added.

“We continue to exert our best efforts to end the local communist armed conflict and other threats for lasting peace and sustainable development here in Mindanao,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana concluded.

Said surrenderors will be enrolled in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to assist them in their reintegration.

#DefeatingTheCommunistTerrorists
#EndingTerrorismInMindanao
#AFPYouCanTrust

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
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
Matatag Battalion
Tow Westmin Cmo
Tow Westmin Pio
Naval Forces Western Mindanao
Cmou Western Mindanao
Katapatan Pangkatihan-Dagatan

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WESTMINCOM: Two Dawlah Islamiya members yield, hand-over FAs in LDN

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM): Facebook Page (Mar 12, 2020): Two Dawlah Islamiya members yield, hand-over FAs in LDN

Two Dawlah Islamiya members yielded to the troops of the 4th Mechanized Battalion at 9am, March 12, 2020.

Edris Angne, a.k.a. RapRap and Abduracman Macapiil, a.k.a., Abu Akmad submitted themselves to the troops of 4th Mech Bn and were subsequently presented to Brig. Gen. Facundo Palafox IV, commander of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade at the battalion headquarters in Barangay Nangka, Balo-I, Lanao del Norte.

“This achievement is attributed to the local chief executives and the supportive populaces of Balo-I,” said Brig. Gen. Palafox.

Said personalities handed over one M14, one caliber 45, and one Ingram.

“The organizational leadership and capabilities of the Dawlah Islamiya totally weakened when their top leaders were neutralized during the Battle of Marawi,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“With this, I continuously encourage the remaining members to make up their minds, come out, lay down their arms, and begin to live peacefully with their families,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana added.

6th Infantry Division - Kampilan 601 Infantry - Unifier Brigade 602nd "Liberator" Brigade 603 Persuader Brigade 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade Unang Marinong Brigada Team TabakJoint Taskforce BasilanTeam Igsoon 103Rd Bde Haribon Pa Campo Ranao, Marawi City Magbalantay Cmo 11 Infantry Division "Alakdan Troopers"Gagandilan Siete1102 Infantry "ganarul" Brigade 1st BCT AegisKwatromarinobrigada SuluJtf Tawi Tawi IndomalphiJoint Task Force Zamboanga Virtual Center Valencia Unbeatable Ranger Battalion29th Infantry "Matatag" Battalion, Philippine ArmyPhilippine Army Tow Westmin Cmo Tow Westmin Pio Naval Forces Western Mindanao Cmou Western MindanaoKatapatan Pangkatihan-Dagatan33rd 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-MAKASAGBattalionOnlyourbest MbltFive38th Infantry We Clear Battalion

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CPP/NDF-Ilocos: NDF-Ilocos: Militarisasyon, sagot ni Duterte sa mga daing ng masa

NDF-Ilocos propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Mar 13, 2020): NDF-Ilocos: Militarisasyon, sagot ni Duterte sa mga daing ng masa

KA ROSA GUIDON

TAGAPAGSALITA

NDFP ILOCOS

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

MARCH 13, 2020

Whole-of-Nation Approach at iba pang taktika ng TF-ELCAC, labanan!

Walang paglagyan ang kaduwagan ng 81st Infantry Battalion (IB). Tila hindi pa sapat ang pag-target ng Philippine Army (PA) sa mga di-armadong organisasyong. Ngayon naman, mismong anak ng mga lider-masa ay idinadamay nila para maghasik ng takot at lalong ipitin ang hanay ng mga progresibong organisasyon na lumalaban para sa karapatan ng mamamayan. Hindi talino kundi desperasyon at kawalan ng anumang paggalang sa sarili ang tanging makakapagtulak ng ganito kaduming taktika ng pananakot at panunupil.

Noong Marso 10, pinuntahan ng mga elemento ng 81st IB ang anak ng lider ng isang lehitimong organisasyon ng mga magsasaka sa rehiyon ng Ilocos. Sa mismong eskwelahan, hinanap sa kanya ang kanyang ama na pinipilit nilang ‘pasukuin’ bilang lider diumano ng isang Komunistang grupo. Kinabukasan, sinundan naman ng riding-in-tandem ang anak ng isa pang progresibong lider-Simbahan at hinanap siya sa kaibigan nito.

Kabi-kabilang Isyu ng Mamamayan

Lahat ng pamamaraan, gaano man kadumi o kadugo, ay gagamitin ng Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) at ng PA para durugin ang rebolusyonaryong hanay. Nanggigigil ito sa pagunguna ng mga kasama sa paglalantad at paglaban sa kabi-kabilang mga pahirap na pinapasan ng masang Pilipino dahil sa rehimeng Duterte. Mula noong ipinatupad ang Executive Order 70, kung kailan binuo ang mga TF-ELCAC at pinalawak ang pagpapatupad ng whole-of-nation approach, lalong tumindi ang Red-tagging at harassment sa mga progresibong lehitimong organisasyong masa na kinakatawan ng mga lider-masang ito.

Sa rehiyon ng Ilocos, ang pambansa demokratikong kilusan ang patuloy na naggigiit ng tunay na reporma sa produksyon ng tabako. Ang mga demokratikong grupo ang sama-samang kumikilos para ilantad ang pagiging moro-moro ng tripartite conference sa hanay ng nagtatanim ng tabako, bumibili nito at ng National Tobacco Administration. Sila din ang nakikipaglaban para pagsilbihin ang excise fund mula sa buwis sa tabako sa mga nagtatanim nito. Ang totoo, ginagamit ng mga tulad ng dinastiyang Marcos at Singson ang pondo para magkamal ng higit pang kurakot at para panatilihin sa kanilang pamilya ang pagpabor ng mga lokal na yunit ng gobyerno.

Ang Rice Tariffication Law na ipinasa noong Pebrero 2019 at nagpababa sa presyo ng palay sa bagsakan ay mahigpit ding tinutuligsa ng organisadong magsasaka at iba pang alyadong sektor at organisasyon. Sumayad ang presyo ng hanggang Php7 bawat kilo sa ilang bayan ng Ilocos Norte. Kakambal ng TRAIN (o Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law) na nagpataas ng presyo ng mga batayang bilihin at gastusin, nagdudulot ito ng walang kapantay na kahirapan sa mamamayan.

Mahalaga din ang bahagi ng masang Ilokano para singilin ang dinastiyang Marcos, isang lantarang alyado ni Rodrido Duterte, sa mga kasalanan nito sa taumbayan. Sa kabila ng hilaw na mga pagsisikap ng Presidential Commission on Good Government para bawiin sa mga Marcos ang ninakaw nila sa kabang bayan, hindi nangingimi ang masang Ilokano na isama ang kanilang boses sa sigaw para sa katarungan.

Pananakot at Panunupil

Ito ang mga pakikibakang nais patahimikin ng rehimeng Duterte sa pamamagitan ng kanyang kamaong bakal. Habang naggigiit para sa kanilang karapatan at kagalingan ang mamamayan, sumasalag din ang masa sa higit na militarisasyon lalo dahil binubuhusan ni Duterte ng pondo ang mga piling ahensya ng gobyerno ng confidential at intelligence funds. Nitong 2020, siya mismo ang nagmungkahing doblehin ang budget para dito.

Ibig sabihin, habang hindi nakakarating sa mamamayan ang mga halagang nakalaan para sa kanila, walang-kahihiyan namang nakakapangurakot ng pondo ang mga opisyal sa mga ahensyang ito dahil hindi dumadaan sa audit ang mga espesyal na pondo para sa paniktik. At habang lubos na naghihirap ang mamamayan dahil sa pagbagsak ng kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka at pagsirit ng presyo ng mga bilihin, lumolobo ang pondo ng mga pasista laban sa mismong mamamayan. Nangangahulugan ito ng mas mahigpit at mas mahusay na pagmamanman, mas mapanlikha at malawak na black propaganda at mas matinding pagbabanta sa buhay at kaligtasan ng mga indibidwal.

Ngunit nakaukit na sa kasaysayan ang rebolusyonaryong tapang at kapangahasan ng mamamayang Pilipino, lalo sa panahon ng pinakamahigpit na mga kalagayan. Isang katotohanan na ang rebolusyon ay hindi isang picnic o isang piging, kundi isang pakikihamok sa kaaway. At sa panahong naglalabas ng pangil ang mga tulad ni Duterte, ni Hermogenes Esperon Jr. o mga elemento ng 81st IB, makikita ang lakas ng mamamayan sa sama-samang pagkilos. Nananatiling wasto ang mga batayan ng pambansa demokratikong pakikibaka, sa larangan man ng ligal na paglaban o sa armadong tunggalian sa kanayunan. Kung gayon, nananatili ding may laksa-laksang masa na kaisa ng mga ginigipit na lider, propagandista, organisador at iba pang indibidwal para tiyaking matatag ang hanay at may lakas para nagkakaisang magapi ang kaaway. ###

https://cpp.ph/statement/ndf-ilocos-militarisasyon-sagot-ni-duterte-sa-mga-daing-ng-masa/

Kalinaw News: Clash of Gov’t troops and CTG in CamSur, several high-powered firearms seized

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 13, 2020): Clash of Gov’t troops and CTG in CamSur, several high-powered firearms seized (By 9th Infantry Division)

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur-An armed encounter between government troops and members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) flared up in a distant vill in Baao town, Camarines Sur province around 2:40 in the morning today, March 13.

Joint elements of 83rd Infantry Battalion (83IB) and 2nd Police Mobile Force Company (2PMFC) of Camarines Sur were conducting security operations in Barangay Pugay of the said town in response to the report about the presence of CTG members recruiting residents in the area when an hostile encounter with at least 15 communist terrorists broke-out.

The firefight lasted for 15 minutes before the fleeing rebels scurried towards hinterland village. No reported casualties on the government troops but the fatalities on the members of the CTG were still undertemined.

Recovered from the encounter site were two M16 rifles, one M203 grenade launcher, one M1 garand rifle, three anti-personnel mines, three hand grenades, seven blasting caps, two rolls of detonating wire, seven long magazines for M16 rifles, subversive documents and other personal belongings.

Meanwhile, Col. Tommy Deliva, Battalion Commander of 83IB expressed his gratitude for the prompt report made by the residents. He said that the public’s cooperation with the army’s efforts to end the insurgency is an evident proof that they are sick and tired with the CTG’s deceptions and atrocities.

He also emphasized that the CTG is already demoralized and crippled with the intensified operations of the military.

Prior to this, elements of 9th Infantry Battion (9IB) and PNP also recovered a bulk of war materials in the towns of Del Gallego and Ragay.

Hence, Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) under MGEN FERNANDO T TRINIDAD AFP believes that this successive recoveries of war materials and ammunitions were the corollary of the urgent appeal of the government and cooperation of the public, former and surrendering rebels in the wide call of stopping insurgency.

[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/clash-of-govt-troops-and-ctg-in-camsur-several-high-powered-firearms-seized/

Kalinaw News: Arms Caches Yield in Davao de Oro

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 13, 2020): Arms Caches Yield in Davao de Oro (By 71st Infantry “Kaibigan” Battalion)

Mawab, Davao de Oro – Government force recovers arms caches containing a Rocket Rocket Propelled Gun (RPG), pistol, helmets, and subversive documents in Pantukan, Davao de Oro on March 4, 2020 and on Tuesday, March 10, 2020.

The recovery came after the former rebels received cash and livelihood assistance from the Government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) where they disclosed information about arms caches of the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs). Acting upon the said information, troops of 71st Infantry “Kaibigan” Battalion together with personnel from Pantukan Municipal Police and 1101st Police Mobile Force Company recovered the said caches in separate locations.

One cache containing a rocket launcher light 40mm RPG, three (3) 40mm high explosives and subversive documents were recovered in Brgy Napnapan, Pantukan, on Tuesday. Alias Lando former leader of NPA confiscated the RPG from MILF group under Kumander Faisal sometime in 2008. The RPG was used during an armed encounter between the military and NPA in July 2015.

Moreover, another cache containing one (1) 9mm pistol with one (1) magazine containing eight (8) live ammunitions, 32 pairs of knee paddings, 32 pairs of US ARMY elbow paddings and eight (8) kevlar helmets were recovered on March 4 in Brgy Bongabong of the same municipality.

“The E-CLIP proves effective as it entices NPA member to surrender and further disclose information that led to the recovery and capture of firearms and ammunition thereby decreasing the adversary’s firepower.” Lieutenant Colonel Sonny E Gonzales, Commanding Officer of 71st IB said.

E-CLIP is a Government program which provides cash and livelihood assistance or housing program for those NPA members who volunteer to surrender.

Meanwhile, the 71st IB continues to welcome and assist NPA members who will submit themselves and return to the folds of the law. It also actively participates in the conduct of Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) which aims to bring the Government projects and programs through Whole of Nation Approach to address the needs of the community.

Kalanaw News: Notorious top NPA leader fall in arrest

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 13, 2020): Notorious top NPA leader fall in arrest (By Public Affairs Office AFP)

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City-Joint elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police conducted a joint law enforcement operation Friday, March 13, that led to the death of top New People’s Army leader Julius Soriano Giron.

Giron is the head of the so-called National Military Commission of the Communist Party of the Philippines. He is also the overall chairman of the CPP-NPA, the position vacated by Benito Tiamzon when he was arrested in 2014.

“The death of Giron will further rattle the communist terror group and its dwindling force for losing its strategic leader. Giron is much closer and more relevant in NPA operations than the absentee Jose Maria Sison, and is thus more influential to their ranks,” said AFP Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos Jr.

Authorities were serving a search warrant (Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition) and multiple warrants of arrest at around 3:30 a.m. in Brgy Queen of Peace in Baguio City when Giron and two companions resisted resulting to a firefight.

Giron is wanted for rebellion, arson, and frustrated murder.

His companions were identified as Lourdes Tan Torres/Ma Lourdes Dineros Tangco, member of CPP Executive Committee and the other a suspected security aide.

Recovered in their possession were one M16 rifle, one cal. 45 Colt, one Cal. 45 Rock Island, three hand grenades, and one long magazine for the M16.

The subjects were found in Giron’s property reportedly acquired and paid for in cash, a rare privilege reserved for NPA leaders and front organization heads.

“We commend our troops for the successful neutralization of this notorious NPA leader, landing a serious blow against the CTG, and bringing us closer to our goal of ending the local communist armed conflict in the country,” General Santos Jr said.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/notorious-top-npa-leader-fall-in-arrest/

Kalinaw News: AFP Chief of Staff, 21 other senior officers take oath

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 12, 2020): AFP Chief of Staff, 21 other senior officers take oath (By Kalinaw News)

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos Jr and 21 other newly promoted generals and flag officers took their oath before President Rodrigo Duterte Wednesday, March 11, at the Malacañan Palace.

Joining General Santos Jr were Lieutenant General Roberto Ancan, Commander of Central Command; Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr, Commander of Southern Luzon Command; and Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes, Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Also in the ceremony were Major General Ernesto Torres Jr, Commander of the Civil Relations Service AFP; Maj. Gen. Simeon Felix Jr, Commander of the Air Mobility Command, PAF; Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya Jr, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army (PA); Rear Admiral Sean Anthony Villa, The Naval Inspector General; Maj. Gen. Rowen Tolentino, Chief of Staff PA; Maj. Gen. Edgardo De Leon, The Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations, J7; and Maj. Gen. GenerosoPonio, Commander of the 1st Infantry Division, PA.

Other senior officers were Brigadier Generals Araus Robert Musico, Commander of 15th Strike Wing PAF; Brig. Gen. Anthony Cacayuran, Commander of 54th Engineering Brigade PA; Brig. Gen. Wilbur Mamawag, Commander of 603rd Infantry Brigade; Brig. Gen. Norwyn Romeo Tolentino, Commander of 201st Infantry Brigade; Brig. Gen. Rommel Tello, Commander of 902nd Infantry Brigade; Commodore Luzviminda Camacho, Chief of the Office for Legislative Affairs; Brig. Gen. Gabriel Viray III, Commander of 901st Infantry Brigade; Brig. Gen. George Blanco, Senior Military Adviser to the President; Brig. Gen. Fernando Reboja, Commander 420th Supply Wing, PAF; Brig. Gen. Jonas Lumawag, Commander of 1st Marine Brigade; and Brig. Gen. Angelica Torres, The Chief Dental Service.

The oath-taking by top officers holding vital positions in the military organization manifests the AFP’s of commitment to the Chain of Command and Constitutional provision on the principle of supremacy of civilian authority over the military.

“When our oath before our Commander in Chief, we are again reminded that the new ranks that were bestowed upon us come with bigger responsibilities and tougher challenges that we each must overcome with excellence, honor, and dedication,” General Santos said.

[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/afp-chief-of-staff-21-other-senior-officers-take-oath/

Former Army chief Alberto is new PH ambassador to Israel

From Rappler (Mar 12, 2020): Former Army chief Alberto is new PH ambassador to Israel (By Sofia Tomacruz)

President Rodrigo Duterte also reappoints former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr as special envoy for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

NEW AMBASSADOR. In this file photo, former Philippine Army commanding general Major General Macairog Alberto attends a defense and security exhibition held in Bangkok in November 2019. File photo from Philippine Army

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed former commanding general of the Philippine Army Major General Macairog Alberto as the Philippines’ new ambassador to Israel.

Alberto’s name was included in the latest list of Presidential appointees sent by Malacañang to the media on Wednesday, March 11. Alberto was appointed on Monday, March 2, while his appointment papers were released Friday, March 6.

Alberto’s new government post as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Israel comes some 3 months after he retired from the Philippine Army in December 2019.

Before Alberto was chief of the Philippine Army, he led the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Like many of Duterte's appointees to key security positions, Alberto had once been commander of Task Force Davao.

He is a 1986 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy.

De Venecia keeps post

Meanwhile, Duterte reappointed former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr as special envoy for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

De Venecia was first given the post last May 2017, a month after meeting Duterte in Malacañang.

De Venecia served as speaker of the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1998, and from 2001 to 2008, or during the presidencies of Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, respectively. He was representative of the 4th District of Pangasinan for a total of 6 terms.

De Venecia was also a peace envoy during the Ramos administration. He made a failed bid for president in 1998, finishing a distant second to Joseph Estrada.

Though he was an ally of Arroyo, De Venecia had a falling out with the former president after his son, businessman Joey de Venecia, dragged Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, into the NBN-ZTE corruption scandal in 2007.

The two politicians have since reconciled and reunited in a vow to win more members back into the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/254294-former-army-chief-alberto-new-philippine-ambassador-israel

Rappler Talk: Bangsamoro region turns one

From Rappler (Mar 12, 2020): Rappler Talk: Bangsamoro region turns one

Rappler talks to Zia Alonto Adiong, a member of the Bangsamoro Parliament, on controversies, challenges, and milestones of the fledgling Bangsamoro region in its first year

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will mark one year since its inauguration on March 29.

Rappler speaks with a member of the region’s interim government, Zia Alonto Adiong, on controversies, challenges, and achievements of the region in its first year. Adiong hails from the battle-stricken city of Marawi and is a scion of one of the region’s powerful political clans.

What’s it like in the fledgling Muslim region and what lies ahead for its leaders and people?

Watch this episode of Rappler Talk on March 13 at 3 pm.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/254248-interview-zia-alonto-adiong-bangsamoro-region-turns-one-year

2 NPAs killed, high powered firearm seized in Pinabacdao, Samar

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 12, 2020): 2 NPAs killed, high powered firearm seized in Pinabacdao, Samar (By RTF 8-ELCAC Stratcom)

PINABACDAO, Samar, Mar. 12 (PIA) -- Two members of the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) died in a 25-minute firefight with the troops of the 46th Infantry (Peacemakers) Battalion, Philippine Army in Brgy. Canlobo, Pinabacdao, Samar at around 8:15 in the morning of March 11, 2020.

The Focused Military Operation (FMO) was in response to the report of the locals on the presence of more or less 10 members of the terrorist group under alias DALTON who were foraging and extorting in the area.

The firefight resulted to the death of two members of the NPA and seizure of war materials including one M16A1 rifle, one bandolier with magazines, one backpack, electrical wires, one battery, solar panels and two cellular phones.

The fatalities were identified as Joel Encinas 50 yrs old, So Bagte, Brgy Mabini, Basey, Samar and Noli Rafales 45 yrs old, Brgy Canlobo, Pinabacdao, Samar.

Unfortunately, one military personnel sustained a gunshot wound that caused his death.

To recall, on March 6, 2020, Salvador Nordan alias Badok, a notorious Communist NPA Terrorist Leader, was killed at Brgy. Guba, Catarman, Northern Samar.

On March 5 and 7, 2020, the 78th Infantry Battalion had a series of encounters with remnants of Front 42, Sub-Regional Committee, under Communist NPA Terrorist Leader Roberto Opo alias Resty/Migo/Lowie in Brgy. Pancho Villa, Sogod, Southern Leyte.

The series of encounters resulted to the recovery of one M1 Garand rifle, ammunition and food stuff.

“We will continue to conduct focused military pursuit operations through legitimate use of force against these CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) that threaten the safety and well-being of the populace. The residents of Pinabacdao are already tired of the lies, abuse, deceptions, and extortions of these terrorists. It is unfortunate that the CNTs continue to endanger the lives of the locals causing injury to the utmost peace and living conditions of the whole community.” Lt. Col. Rhomel R. Langcauon, Commanding Officer of 46IB, remarked.

Maj. Gen. Pio Q. Diñoso III AFP, Commander, 8ID stated that “Tuloy-tuloy na ang pasok ng mga impormasyon galing sa ating mga kababayan na sawa na sa mga pangingikil, pananakot at karahasan ng mga teroristang NPA.

Ang dati nilang tinuturing na ligtas na pinagtataguan ay pinagtuturo na ng dati nilang mga kasamahan at mismong mamamayan.” “Ipagpatuloy lang natin ang pagtutulungan ng lokal na pamahalaan, mamamayan, pulis at kasundalohan.

Sa pamamagitan ng Executive Order 70, tuluyan na nating mawawakasan ang Local Communist Armed Conflict dito sa Silangang Bisayas.”

“Aming pinapaabot ang taos-pusong pakikiramay sa pamilya at pagsaludo sa kabayanihan ng ating magiting na Stormtrooper na nag-alay ng buhay sa ngalan ng serbisyo para sa ating mga kababayang Samareño.” Diñoso added. (RTF8-ELCAC Stratcom)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1036154

3rd Mech celebrates 15th founding anniversary

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 12, 2020): 3rd Mech celebrates 15th founding anniversary (By Gabriela Liana Barela)

SAN JOSE, Tarlac, March 12 (PIA) -- 3rd Mechanized Infantry "Makatarungan" Battalion (3rd MIB) celebrated Wednesday its 15th Founding Anniversary.

Bearing the theme "Ika-15 Taong Anibersaryo ng Bayanihan para sa Ganap na Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran," 3rd MIB celebrates continuous service to the country through upholding the bayanihan spirit.

“When we talk about 3rd Mech, the first thing that comes to my mind is 'bayanihan.' This unique concept helps neutralize lawless elements and end insurgency," anniversary Guest of Honor and Philippine Army Commanding General Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay said.

3rd Mechanized Infantry "Makatarungan" Battalion anniversary Guest of Honor and Philippine Army Commanding General Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay. (Gabriela Liana S. Barela/PIA 3)

Gapay also encouraged the members of the battalion to continue striving to fulfil their duties, and the key stakeholders to continue supporting the battalion's programs.

“Thank you in your efforts toward operational and organizational excellence, your development support and security operations greatly reduced the armed capability and influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in your areas of operations,” Gapay added.

The 3rd MIB was activated on January 1, 2005 and was created due to the realization of the viability of deploying mechanized unit that will perform internal security operations and confront various threat groups within the area of operations in Central Luzon. (CLJD/GLSB-PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1036122

Military denies harassment on Davao de Oro town school

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 12, 2020): Military denies harassment on Davao de Oro town school (By Che Palicte)

DAVAO CITY – The military has vehemently denied reports that it harassed a charity boarding school that hosts students from indigenous peoples’ (IPs) community in Maco, Davao de Oro.

2Lt. Kim Carlos, civil-military operations officer of the 71st Infantry Battalion (7IB), told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a phone interview on Wednesday clarified that none of their personnel has even set foot inside the Community Technical College of Southeastern Mindanao (CTCSM).

"No military unit came or visited the said school. You cannot come in without prior coordination with the school officials,” Carlos said.

The Army officer was responding to the allegations of CTCSM junior high school coordinator Noel Caso that their school was under "attack" by the military.

“We have information that the parents of our students from different municipalities in Davao de Oro were summoned by the barangay officials or by the military. They were called for a meeting to ‘rescue’ and pull out our students in the school,” Caso said in a statement on Tuesday.

Caso claimed that the move is part of the supposed move of the Regional Peace and Order Council-11 (RPOC-11) to shut down IP schools or any learning institution that hosts students from the tribes.

Caso did not offer evidence to substantiate his claims.

Refuting Caso's allegations, Carlos said what the school official may have been referring to was the invitation extended by local officials to the parents of IP learners enrolled at the CTCSM.

Carlos said the local officials coordinated with the 71IB to check on the status of the IP students following reports of abuse inside the school.

“These students were enticed to enroll with a promise that they will be free from the school obligations. When they are already inside the school premises there were reports that they cannot easily go out and go home to their families,” he added.

He also pointed out several reports that the children have not been given proper nutrition inside the school.

The parents, he said, had accepted the invitation on their own will.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) spokesperson, also expressed surprise on Caso's allegations.

“I don’t know their definition of under attack. If the information dissemination is already an attack, it’s a different thing. As far as we are concerned, we are adherent to the International Humanitarian Law and the respect of human rights,” Balagtey said.

“There is no harassment,” he added.

Jenielito Atillo, spokesperson of Department of Education in Davao Region, also denied receiving reports of any harassment against CTCSM.

“We have people on the ground and we don’t receive reports that the military abused the students or officials in the said school,” he said.

Atillo said CTCSM is currently applying for license renewal from DepEd, which he said is under the "evaluation.” he added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1096324

Stash of ammunition recovered from NPA hideout in CamSur

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 12, 2020): Stash of ammunition recovered from NPA hideout in CamSur (By Mar Serrano)

A stash of ammunition was recovered by Army soldiers in an abandoned lair of suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in a remote village of Del Gallego town in Camarines Sur early this week, a belated report said Thursday.

Capt. John Paul Belleza, 9th Infantry Division (9ID) Public Affairs chief, in an interview said the recovered items included 2,343 rounds of 7.62 ball ammunition, 5,000 rounds of 7.62 linked ammunition, six clipped magazines with eight rounds of ammunition each, 150 rounds of .30-caliber M1 ball carbine ammunition, and 3,460 linked rounds believed to be of .30-caliber ammunition.

Belleza said the recovery of the stockpile of assorted ammunition believed to have been left by fleeing rebels was a result of a tip-off by a former NPA rebel who recently surrendered to the 9ID headquarters.

Last Saturday, March 7, Army soldiers on patrol discovered a communist lair in a remote village in Masbate where a cache of ammunition was also recovered.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1096409

DND, AFP ready to help if lockdown needed amid Covid-19

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 12, 2020): DND, AFP ready to help if lockdown needed amid Covid-19 (By Priam Nepomuceno)

While there is no necessity yet to close Metro Manila due to the effects of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the military is more than ready to help the police in maintaining a lockdown if needed.

"If needed and called, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is ready," he said in a message to reporters late Wednesday.

Lorenzana said the police will manage the lockdown while the AFP will assist lawmen if needed.

Meanwhile, AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Felimon Santos said units under Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (NCR) will be deployed to support the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"If in case lockdown will be implemented all OPCON (operational control), OPCOM (operational command) and Reservist units under JTF NCR will be deployed in support to PNP," he said in a message to reporters.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) appealed to the media to use the term 'lockdown' properly in reporting stories on Covid-19.

DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya explained that when one uses the word lockdown, it means that people are confined in one area or place and they are not allowed to leave by authorities.

“That’s why the word lockdown is usually used with relation to prisoners. So when China declared a lockdown in Wuhan, their citizens are not allowed to leave those cities and the highways were closed. That’s a lockdown,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

He added that a lockdown is an extreme measure that may be adopted once Code Red Sub-level 2 is declared which means that there is already a community transmission of the virus.

"But since we don’t have those conditions yet, there is no compelling reason to place any place under lockdown,” he said.

Malaya said the closure of a building or compound for disinfection or other purposes does not mean that it is put on lockdown.

“That only means that the building, compound or place is closed and therefore we should accurately described it as such. It’s just closed,” he said.

He said that the media has the responsibility to use the proper terms because it needs to relay the facts and not add to the “infodemic” that’s currently gripping the world.

“People watch the news of lockdowns in China and Italy so they know what it means. So when we use the word lockdown improperly in the local setting, it causes panic and fear,” he said.

He said that the constant use of the word lockdown has forced people to do panic buying and other unnecessary acts brought about by fear of the virus.

The Covid-19 outbreak which originated in Wuhan, China, resulted in the death of over 4,200 people and an infection of over 119,000 in more than 100 countries.

The Philippines is now under a state of public health emergency after the health department reported the first known local transmission of coronavirus and the rise in confirmed cases in the country.

On Wednesday, the Department of Health confirmed that a 67-year-old Filipino woman is the second Covid-19 death in the country while the number of confirmed cases climbed to 49.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1096341

Invoking arbitral award, Philippines rejects Malaysian, Chinese claims in South China Sea

From the Philippine Star (Mar 11, 2020): Invoking arbitral award, Philippines rejects Malaysian, Chinese claims in South China Sea (Patricia Lourdes Viray)

In December, Malaysia requested for an extension beyond its 200 nautical mile limit before the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf but China asked the commission not to consider this request as it overlaps with Beijing's claims in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. AMTI/CSIS

Citing its July 2016 arbitral victory, the Philippines rejected Malaysia's submission for an extended continental shelf claim in the South China Sea, as well as China's opposition against this.

In December, Malaysia submitted a request to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLCS) to extend its continental shelf beyond the 200-nautical mile limit.

South China Sea: US Carrier Visit to Vietnam Marks Growing Ties

From The Diplomat (Mar 12, 2020): South China Sea: US Carrier Visit to Vietnam Marks Growing Ties (By Associated Press)

A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple territorial disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons.

In this Aug. 6, 2019, file photo, a U.S. fighter jet takes off from the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan for their patrol at the international waters off the South China Sea.Credit: AP Photo/Bullit Marquez

A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple territorial disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons. The waters are a major shipping route for global commerce and are rich in fish and possible oil and gas reserves.

U.S. Carrier Visit to Vietnam Marks Growing Security Ties

The USS Theodore Roosevelt made the second-ever visit by a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group to Vietnam to mark 25 years of diplomatic relations and growing security ties between the former Cold War antagonists amid China’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea.

The U.S. considers the Vietnamese to be “trusted partners and our friendship is grounded in mutual respect,” U.S. Navy Admiral and Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet John C. Aquilino told reporters Friday.

Relations with countries such as Vietnam form the basis of what the U.S. calls its “free and open Indo-Pacific strategy,” ensuring maritime freedoms and the continuing presence of the U.S. Navy to check China’s ambitions to dominate islands and seas in the western Pacific and extend its influence into the Indian Ocean. The U.S. has been making port calls to Vietnam since 2003.

China Disputes U.S. Accusation of Firing Laser at Plane
China’s Defense Ministry says a report that one of its navy ships fired a laser at a U.S. Navy surveillance plane last month does not “accord with reality.”

The report last month was the latest accusation that Chinese forces have used lasers to harass and potentially damage U.S. and other nations’ military aircraft and personnel.ADVERTISEMENT

However, ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang was quoted as saying Friday that the ministry “refuted” the report and said a Chinese squadron was conducting routine exercises in international waters on Feb. 17 when the incident allegedly happened.

In China’s first public comments on the alleged incident, Ren accused an American P-8A Poseidon of carrying out “long-period circling reconnaissance at low altitude despite repeated warnings from the Chinese side.”

The U.S. accused the Chinese ship of firing a laser at a U.S. surveillance aircraft flying over the Philippine Sea west of Guam that was detected by sensors on the aircraft.

Japan, Vietnam Agree to Boost Security Cooperation

Get first-read access to major articles yet to be released, as well as links to thought-provoking commentaries and in-depth articles from our Asia-Pacific correspondents.

Japan and Vietnam have agreed to boost their security cooperation in a move likely to be viewed critically in Beijing.

The chief of staff of Japan’s defense forces, Koji Yamazaki, met with his Vietnamese counterpart, Ngo Xuan Lich, last week in Hanoi and called Vietnam a “highly important partner” for Japan, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK. It quoted Lich as saying the visit would “help boost defense ties,” but gave no specifics.

Vietnam hotly contests China’s claim to the Paracel and Spratly island groups and has brought out its maritime security forces to harass Chinese state-sponsored petroleum prospecting missions. China seized Vietnamese territory in the South China Sea with armed force and the memory of that bloodshed, coupled with centuries of Chinese political domination, remains strong among the Vietnamese public, despite efforts by the government to maintain cordial relations with Beijing.
China, meanwhile, objects strongly to the presence of the Japanese navy in the region, regarding it as merely a cat’s paw for the U.S., with which Japan has a mutual defense treaty.

Improvements on Philippines Island Progress Despite Chinese Presence

Researchers say China’s maritime militia has constantly lingered around Thitu Island, the largest of the Spratly Islands occupied by the Philippines, for over 450 days, but that Manila is proceeding with improvements to the island’s infrastructure.

China first deployed its militia vessels — mainly converted fishing ships — in December 2018 after Manila began work to repair the island’s runway and make further improvements.

A news release from the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Maritime Transparency Initiative said the runway repairs are continuing slowly and a small harbor is being formed to improve the quality of life for the island’s civilian population, mainly fishermen. That will also help facilitate resupply and other planned construction like a desalination plant, solar arrays and improved housing. That could also allow Philippine authorities to deploy vessels in rotation to the island that China claims as its own.

“How the Chinese militia would respond, and whether they will continue to menace Thitu once the repairs are complete, are open questions,” the report said.

New Research Blames China for Reef Damage

Reefs in the South China Sea are in worse danger than ever before acknowledged, largely due to Beijing’s military buildup and over-fishing by Chinese vessels, according to researchers from James Cook University in Australia.

Dredging to construct China’s new islands has damaged the environment and there are typically 100-150 Chinese fishing boats working every reef that China controls, compared to between 0.1 and 0.5 fishing boats per reef in the Great Barrier Reef, according to the research by Eric Wolanski and Severine Chokroun.

Their report said those activities have severely reduced the amount of coral larvae and the fish that depend on them. Research is hampered because China does not provide scientists with access to the reefs it occupies or provide data on the health of coral and fish populations.

“We recognize the political difficulties, but we have defined the problem and we have the solution based on the example of the developing collaboration between the Philippines and Vietnam that manages some reefs in the archipelago,” Wolanski was quoted as saying by the university late last month.

https://thediplomat.com/2020/03/south-china-sea-us-carrier-visit-to-vietnam-marks-growing-ties/

Navy chief, AFP officers confirmed to next higher rank

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 12, 2020): Navy chief, AFP officers confirmed to next higher rank (By Priam Nepomuceno)

CONFIRMED. Members of the Commission on Appointments (CA) pose with 22 ranking military officials after the body confirmed their promotion to the next higher rank at the Senate on Wednesday (March 11, 2020). The CA also confirmed the appointments of some reservists, including Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab to the rank of Colonel. (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)

Newly-appointed Philippine Navy (PN) flag-officer-in-command Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo's nomination to the rank of Vice Admiral was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments (CA) during its plenary session at the Senate Wednesday.

Bacordo was the most senior of the 22 ranking military officials whose ad interim appointments and nominations were confirmed by the CA, said Captain Jonathan Zata, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief, in a statement Thursday.

Bacordo, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1987, took over the Navy last February following the retirement of Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.

The ad interim appointments of the following were also confirmed by the CA: The Naval Inspector General, Commodore Sean Anthony Villa, to the rank of Rear-Admiral; Col. Anthony Cacayuran, Commander, 54th Engineer Brigade, Philippine Army (PA), to the rank of Brigadier General; Col. Rommel Tello, Commander, 902nd Infantry Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, PA, to the rank of Brigadier General; Col. Gabriel Viray III, Commander, 901st Infantry Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, PA, to the rank of Brigadier General; Col. Jonas Lumawag, Commander, 1st Marine Brigade, PN, to the rank of Brig. General; Lt. Col. Saturnino Diaron of the Judge Advocate General Service, AFP, to the rank of Colonel; The Navy Chief of Engineer, Commander Edwin Princillo, to the rank of Captain; and Commander Narciso Angelo, Superintendent, Basic Training Center, Naval Construction Brigade, PN, to the rank of Captain.

Likewise, the nominations of the following were also confirmed by the CA: Brig. General Marcelino Randy Tibayan, Wing Commander, 410th Maintenance Wing, Philippine Air Force (PAF) to the rank of Major General; Brig. General Greg Almerol, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (J2), AFP, to the rank of Major General; Marine Brigadier General Ariel Caculitan, Commander, Naval Reserve Command, PN, to the rank of Major General; Brigadier General Glenn Cruz, Commander, Army Support Command, PA, to the rank of Major General; Brigadier General Arthur Cordura, Wing Commander, 520th Air Base Wing, PAF, to the rank of Major General; Brigadier General William Ilagan, The Chief Engineer, AFP, to the rank of Major General; Col. Rommel Hinlo, Commander, 52nd Engineer Brigade, PA, to the rank of Brig.General; Captain Alfonspin Tumanda Jr., Commander, Naval Combat Engineering Brigade, to the rank of Commodore; and Captain Karl Decapia, Commander, Offshore Combat Force, Philippine Fleet, PN, to the rank of Commodore

Meanwhile, the ad interim appointments of the following reservists were also confirmed by the CA: Leo Princillo, PN (M), Commander, Naval Reserve Command Central-West, PN, to the rank of Colonel; Crisanto Violan, PA, to the rank of Colonel; Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, PA, to the rank of Colonel; and Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab, PA, to the rank of Colonel.

Zata said the promotions of senior officers in the armed forces signify not only the advancement of military officers in their career as soldiers but also implies the bigger and more crucial responsibilities that they have to carry in support of the AFP’s mission of protecting the people and securing the state.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1096342

Gov't mechanism to probe, punish erring security personnel ‘largely ineffective’ — US report

From the Philippine Star (Mar 12, 2020): Gov't mechanism to probe, punish erring security personnel ‘largely ineffective’ — US report (Gaea Katreena Cabico)

This file photo taken on May 9, 2018 shows Philippines and US marines taking position next to assault amphibious vehicles (AAV) as they simulate an amphibious landing as part of the annual joint military exercise at the beach of Philippine navy's training camp in San Antonio, Zambales province northwest of Manila. AFP/Ted Aljibe

Mechanisms in place to investigate and punish abuse and corruption in the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines remained mostly unsuccessful, the US Department of State said in its global rights report for 2019.

The 2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released March 12 noted that Philippine laws provide criminal penalties for corruption by public officials as well as President Rodrigo's moves to fire officials over allegations of corruption.

"But the government did not implement these laws effectively and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity,” the report read.

The State department noted that the institutional deficiencies of the PNP and the public perception that corruption in the police was endemic has continued.

“The PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) remained largely ineffective,” the State Department said, referring to the body which monitors the character and behavior of all policemen and investigates all administrative offenses committed by PNP personnel.

Currently, the IAS is under the supervision and control of the PNP chief.

3,619 disciplinary procedures over 14,724 complaints

The State Department noted that out of the 14,724 human rights violations complaints filed against cops from July 2016 to April 2019, the PNP recommended disciplinary procedures in 3,619 cases and dropped charges in 588 cases.

“Although the IAS claimed manpower and resource limitations hampered its investigations into deaths resulting from police operations, it asserted the majority of police operations were legitimate, lawful police actions,” the department said.

Police said just over 5,500 alleged drug dealers and users back have been killed during arrest because they resisted violently. But the figure is significantly lower than the estimates by human rights watchdogs of as many as 27,000 killed.

The PNP’s Counter-Intelligence Task Force, for its part, reported the 7,867 police received administrative punishments, 4,100 were suspended and 2,367 were dismissed as of April 2019.

The PNP CITF has been replaced by the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, which the PNP says on its website, "is designed to conduct intelligence build-up and law enforcement operations against PNP personnel who are involved in any illegal activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, financial crimes, cybercrime, malversation, graft and corrupt practices, security violations, and others."

‘Largely ineffective’

According to the State Department report, no extrajudicial killings or forced disappearances were identified and investigated by the AFP Human Rights Office from January to July 2019.

While it noted of the efforts to reform the PNP and AFP through human rights training, the State Department stressed that “government mechanisms to punish abuse and corruption in the security forces were poorly resourced and remained largely ineffective.”

“Prolonged delays in the justice system reinforced the perception of impunity for the security forces and for national, provincial and local government actors accused of corruption and human rights abuses,” it also said.

The US State department has been submitting annual human rights reports on all countries receiving assistance from the US as well as on all United Nations member states.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/03/12/2000198/govt-mechanism-probe-punish-erring-security-personnel-largely-ineffective-us-report

Why America’s strategic presence will remain in the Philippines beyond the VFA

From the Manila Standard (Mar 12, 2020): Why America’s strategic presence will remain in the Philippines beyond the VFA

By Rasti Delizo

THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION of the Philippines on the world map permanently defines its inimitable strategic position and geopolitical role in relation to America’s overall foreign policy framework and agenda. This principally means that the recent abrogation of the 1998 RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) by the current Duterte Regime will inevitably give way to a potential VFA-2, or another similar bilateral defense arrangement, in the future. Such a scenario is a near certainty given two complementary conditions which continually press upon our country. One is internal, while the other remains external to the Philippines.

A major internal factor is that the 1951 RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) still prevails after nearly 70 years. Fundamentally, the MDT persists as the principal bilateral instrument which continues to operationally bind Manila to Washington’s external policy thrusts aimed toward this area of the globe. In fact, even after the Philippine Senate voted to abrogate the much earlier 1947 RP-US Military Bases Agreement (MBA) in September 1991, US military forces were still able to conduct joint training exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Philippine soil. Indeed, this happened even prior to the VFA getting signed into existence!

Undeniably, the MDT is the chief pact which opened the door for the VFA’s entry into our diplomatic terrain less than a decade after the US military bases were shut down in the early 1990s. Yet, it is also critically important to remember that even without the VFA, Malacañang still continues to retain other dangerous spawn of the MDT — the 2002 RP-US Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) and the 2014 RP-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Ominously, the latter allows for US military forces to assert relatively wide operational control over at least five Philippine military bases across the country today, and almost three decades after the MBA was terminated.

This perturbing arrangement is a part of both countries’ joint obligations to further deepen the scope of the MDT’s bilateral defense objectives which were set in motion since the last century’s Cold War phase. Indeed, the Philippine state’s tactical sacrifice of the VFA is merely a ploy to keep the MDT-MLSA-EDCA cornerstone in place to help secure America’s so-called “freedom of navigation operations” across the wider Asia-Pacific region. Thus, the Duterte Regime’s silence on the three war instruments truly exposes his real intention to protect his own political flanks from any American retaliation by ensuring such leverage with Washington through Manila’s retention of the age-old “Mother Defense Treaty” (MDT) itself.

On the other hand, the principal external pressure bearing upon the Philippines is the overall direction of American foreign policy as outlined by the 2017 US National Security Strategy paper. As the world’s leading superpower, America identifies both China and Russia as its foremost long-term challenger-competitors, together with Iran and North Korea. From this perspective, Washington believes that it must always be in a position to constantly assert its dominant hegemonic might to secure and advance its strategic interests worldwide by keeping a commanding edge over its main rivals for access and maneuver across the global commons.

And to maintain a strategic advantage over its core competitors, America’s central task must be to “retain overmatch… to ensure that American military superiority endures” throughout the world. Accordingly, Washington’s latest military strategy to retain its global overmatch is now defined as the Joint Concept for Access and Maneuver in the Global Commons (JAM-GC) — the highly evolved version of the Pentagon’s earlier Air-Sea Battle Concept — aimed at overcoming the anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) countermeasures of China and Russia.

Therefore, the critical role played by America’s EDCA bases will crucially shape US imperialism’s future interventions in the Philippines under the JAM-GC’s doctrinal guidance to ensure America’s global overmatch against China. Within this setting, it is vital for the Philippines to be held as a critical security link to guarantee Washington’s forward force projection posture within and beyond Southeast Asia. Hence, we should once again expect the US to protect its foreign policy imperatives by pressuring Malacañang into accepting a post-VFA arrangement in the coming period. And such a scenario is geopolitically inevitable as the Philippines is forcibly sucked into the intensifying vortex of the “Neo-US-Sino Cold War” that is already raging across the broader Asia-Pacific region at the present time.

[Rasti Delizo is an international affairs analyst. He used to work with the Presidential Management Staff-Office of the President as the Lead International Affairs Analyst and as the Deputy Executive Director of The Center for Strategic Studies. Delizo was also a foreign policy consultant to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Department of Foreign Affairs. He is currently a Vice-President of the socialist labor center Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) and the National Coordinator of Laban ng Masa (LnM), a socialist political center.]

https://www.bworldonline.com/why-americas-strategic-presence-will-remain-in-the-philippines-beyond-the-vfa/