BRP Jose Rizal’s fuel consumption to be tested on voyage to PH

From the Philippine News Agency (May 18, 2020): BRP Jose Rizal’s fuel consumption to be tested on voyage to PH (By Priam Nepomuceno)



BRP Jose Rizal. (File photo)

The BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the Philippine Navy (PN)'s first missile-frigate, will have the actual fuel consumption of its engines tested during its voyage to the Philippines.

"They will test the actual fuel consumption with four engines at full speed (and) also with two engines at cruising speed," Navy flag-officer-in-command, Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said in a message to the Philippine News Agency late Sunday when asked if any other tests will be conducted on the ship as it leaves South Korea for the Philippines.

BRP Jose Rizal has a maximum designed speed of 25 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles.

The ship is scheduled to leave the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea Monday afternoon and is expected to arrive at the anchorage area of Subic Bay, Zambales on the morning of May 23 coinciding with the first anniversary of its launching.

Bacordo said 61 PN "organic" personnel are aboard the ship along with 23 personnel from HHI and four "owner's representatives".

During its sixth sea acceptance trial conducted last February, the BRP Jose Rizal was rated as "generally satisfactory".

"The 6th Sea Acceptance Trial (SAT) of BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) conducted in Ulsan, South Korea on 16-22 February 2020 was generally satisfactory according to the Frigate Acquisition Project, Technical Inspection and Acceptance Committee headed by Rear Admiral Alberto B. Carlos," PN public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas earlier said.

The sixth sea trials focused on weapons and sensors, vessel performance, and integrated platform management system. " To be more specific, it demonstrated the warfare and operational capabilities of the frigate," she added.

The contract for the BRP Jose Rizal and its sister ship, the BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), is placed at PHP16 billion with another PHP2 billion for weapon systems and munitions.

These ships are capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and electronic warfare operations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1103138

NPA militia killed in Agusan clash with gov’t forces

From the Manila Bulletin (May 18, 2020): NPA militia killed in Agusan clash with gov’t forces (By Mike Crismundo)

CAMP COL. RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – An alleged ranking official of the Militia ng Bayan (MB) of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), who had six standing warrants of arrest, was killed in an encounter with government security forces in San Luis, Agusan del Sur, police reported Monday.



RO 13-RPIO / MANILA BULLETIN

Joint forces of Caraga Police, and the 26thInfantryBattalion (26th IB) tried to serve the arrest warrants on Ronnie Rocero, alias Opaw, who resisted and paid dearly for it.

The government forces were also able to rescue a child, who was wounded in the encounter.

According to Caraga Police Regional Office Director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr., the government forces went to Km. 16, Barangay Don Alejandro in San Luis town to serve the warrants on Rocero at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16.

But instead of yielding, the suspect reportedly fired at the law enforcers, sparking a five-minute gun battle.

When the smoke cleared from the encounter, the suspect was found dead.

Rocero was said to be a vice commanding officer of the Militia ng Bayan in the area.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/18/npa-militia-killed-in-agusan-clash-with-govt-forces/

Abu Sayyaf members slain in Sulu firefight–military

From the Business Mirror (May 18, 2020): Abu Sayyaf members slain in Sulu firefight–military (By Rene Acosta)

Three alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were killed on Saturday in an-hour long firefight with soldiers in Sulu, the military reported on Sunday.

Five soldiers were also wounded during the morning clash at Barangay Danag in the town of Patikul, according to Major Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

Encinas said that elements of the 21st Infantry Battalion engaged around 20 individuals as augmenting troops delivered fire support and blocked the ASG unit’s withdrawal routes.

As a result, an ASG member was killed while an M16 rifle was recovered along with several rifle magazines and personal belongings.
The military assumed the ASG unit they engaged may have incurred more casualties based on the bloodstains found on their position.

According to Lt. General Cirilito E. Sobejana, Westmincom will “sustain security operations against the terrorists until we win the peace in Sulu and other parts of Western Mindanao Command area of operations.”

Meanwhile, the military also said that it has killed 15 alleged members of the New People’s Army in a series of operations in the boundary of Gingoog City and Agusan del Norte.

The alleged NPA guerillas were killed during the skirmishes from May 10 up to 13, according to military spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo.

According to Arevalo, among those killed were four leaders of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 4A (GF4A).

He identified the four as Ian de la Rama, alias “Gian;” Rio Amor Yuson, alias “Lema,” a finance officer; Paquito Namatidong, alias “Sangka,” a platoon leader leader; and Peter Mansaginda Pinakilid, alias “Aloy,” political officer of GF4A.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/05/18/abu-sayyaf-members-slain-in-sulu-firefight-military/

4 NPA leaders, 11 fighters killed in Northern Mindanao

From Rappler (May 17, 2020): 4 NPA leaders, 11 fighters killed in Northern Mindanao

The Armed Forces of the Philippines says 186 communist rebels have been killed since January 2020



FILE PHOTO. Army soldiers salute at formation. Photo by Bobby Lagsa/Rappler

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Sunday, May 17, that 4 leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA) and 11 fighters were killed in a series of “surgical operations” by troops from the Eastern Mindanao Command from May 10 to 13.

In a statement, the AFP identified the top NPA leader as Ian de la Rama alias “Gian” and the other key leaders as Rio Amor Yuson alias “Lema”, a finance officer; Paquito Namatidong alias “Sangka”, a platoon leader; and Peter Mansaginda PInakilid alias “Aloy”, the political officer of Guerilla Front 4A.

The military said that the NPAs killed in the skirmishes with soldiers were operating in the boundaries of Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental and Agusan del Norte.

“Neutralizing four NPA leaders in a continuing operation will inevitably lead to not only the dismantling of a particularly notorious NPA group but to the weakening and eventual demise of other CTGs (communist terrorist groups) in Eastern Mindanao,” AFP Chief of Staff General Felimon Santos, Jr said in the statement.

The AFP said that since January 2020, there were 186 rebels killed in different encounters with soldiers.

Earlier, the military said that 17 guerillas were killed in focused military operations in different parts of the country from May 4 to 11, and another 19 rebels surrendered to the military and police.

According to the AFP statement, since 2019, the Eastern Mindanao Command has cleared 16 major NPA clusters that had around 600 armed members operating in remote barangays in the northern and central parts of Northern Mindanao (Region 10).

Thirteen units were “neutralized” in 2019, the other 3 were “eradicated” in January, the military said.

Last month, as part of a briefing on government's response to the coronavirus pandemic, President Duterte rejected any further peace negotiations with the rebels in the hopes of ending the five-decade-old insurgency, the longest-running in Asia.

Duterte's decision came following reports that NPA rebels killed soldiers who were delivering medical aid.

The administration also stepped up its counterinsurgency offensive following the shut down media giant, ABS-CBN.

Officials of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), created by Duterte in 2018, claimed that the communist rebels were riding on the issue that the network's closure was an attack on press freedom. 

(READ: NTF-ELCAC 'black propaganda' vs Maria Ressa, ABS-CBN sparks outrage)

https://www.rappler.com/nation/261185-military-kill-npa-rebels-may-10-to-13-2020

P5-M halfway house for ex-rebels to be built in Bukidnon

From the Philippine News Agency (May 17, 2020): P5-M halfway house for ex-rebels to be built in Bukidnon



HALFWAY HOUSE. An architectural sketch of the halfway house for the former rebels was unveiled as the local government and Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) hold groundbreaking ceremony in Impasugong, Bukidnon on Saturday (May 16, 2020). The P5-million facility will serve as temporary shelter for former rebels. (Contributed photo)

IMPASUGONG, Bukidnon – A temporary shelter dubbed as “halfway house” for former rebels will soon be built in a 10,000-square-meter land here.

This after the local government and Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) inaugurated the proposed halfway house through a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday.

Private firm Rysha Enterprises will construct the PHP5-million facility donated by the local government unit (LGU) here. It is expected to be finished within seven months.

Lt. Col. Edgardo V. Talaroc Jr., commander of 8IB, took the opportunity to renew the government’s call on New People’s Army (NPA) members to return to the fold of the law.

“Dako akong pasalamat sa atong mga kauban sa pagpatuman sa kalinaw ug kalambuan. Kung wala sila, dili mapadayon ang pagtukod nianing pasilidad. Sa mga membro sa grupong terorista, kamo ang tinuod nga virus, naog namo sa balik sa sabakan sa gobyerno. (I am thankful to our peace and development partners. Without them, this facility will not be pursued. To the members of Communist Terrorists Group, you are the real virus, yield down and return to the government),” he said.

He said the facility will serve as temporary shelter for former rebels as they are being treated, transformed, and prepared for reintegration in the mainstream society.

Talaroc said the former rebels can stay at the halfway house while waiting for the benefits they can get from the government through Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

The Department of the Interior and Local Government started the construction of halfway houses for former NPA rebels under CLIP in 2017.

The CLIP, which began in 2014, aims to contribute towards achieving the goal of permanent and peaceful closure of all armed conflicts with non-state armed groups.

Specifically, it aims to facilitate the mainstreaming of former NPA rebels as productive citizens; enhance capacities of LGUs and national government agencies in the implementation and sustainability of the CLIP; and compensate and remunerate all turned in firearms including those coming from the Militia ng Bayan.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1103100

Dar urges parents to condemn Reds' recruitment of minors

From the Philippine News Agency (May 17, 2020): Dar urges parents to condemn Reds' recruitment of minors (By Liza Agoot and Pamela Mariz Geminiano)



Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Cordillera and Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar 

Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Cordillera and Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar called on parents to condemn the recruitment of children into the communist movement.

In a statement on May 10, a copy of which was sent to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on May 15, Dar urged parents to reject the "recruitment of our children by the communists and their groups, and other criminal groups in advancing their causes against our will for our children to study, and spend their time in productive pursuits and causes."

“No one wants their children whom they have birthed and cared for to be taken advantage of and abused," Dar said.

He said Relisa Lucena and her husband courageously fought their way to get back their daughter, Alice Jasper, who was allegedly lured away from school and left home to join the armed rebellion.

The couple sought the court's mantle by filing a writ of habeas corpus and a writ of amparo to get her back.

The statement added that AJ went missing for a month since July 10, 2019 and was seen by her parents during a congressional hearing when she was presented by the Makabayan bloc.

"From her own account, and reported by the Philippine News Agency, Mrs. Lucena said that Alice Jasper, 16, was in Grade 11 and a consistent honor student at the Far Eastern University when she was recruited by Anakbayan in 2018. Mrs. Lucena almost lost her mind when her daughter left home on July 10, 2019," Dar said.

Mrs. Lucena saw her daughter in August 2019 when the Makabayan bloc had AJ interviewed by the media at the House of Representatives.

Dar, who started his professional career as a professor at the Benguet State University, was appointed as CORDS-CAR for being well versed about the region's conditions.

"Mrs. Lucena believes her daughter is a victim of a deceptive ideology and she fears for her daughter’s health and life," Dar said.

She was accompanied by her husband and members of the League of Parents of the Philippines and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio in asking the court's help to get back their daughter from Kabataan party-list Representative Sarah Elago and members and recruiters of Anakbayan.

Dar said that as parents, he and others in the same situation "empathize with the pain of a mother who is separated from her 17-year-old daughter was cunningly snatched away by people who took advantage of her idealism and charm for their personal and political gains."

He said AJ was "smart, responsible, and caring to her parents and friends but whose bright future, being shaped in school and the folds of her family was taken away when she was recruited by the NPAs."

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1103088

Santos cites Eastmincom’s successful ops vs. NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (May 17, 2020): Santos cites Eastmincom’s successful ops vs. NPA (By Priam Nepomuceno)



Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Gen. Felimon T. Santos (File photo)

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Gen. Felimon T. Santos Jr. on Sunday lauded units of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) for their successful surgical operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) in the boundaries of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental and Agusan Del Sur from May 10 to 13.

The operations have resulted in the death of at least 15 communist terrorists, including their top leaders, and caused a critical blow on the remaining members of NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), in Eastern Mindanao.

"Neutralizing four NPA leaders in a continuing operation will inevitably lead to not only the dismantling of a particularly notorious NPA group but to the weakening and eventual demise of other CTGs (communist terrorist groups) in eastern Mindanao," Santos said.

Among those killed was a NPA top official identified as Ian Dela Rama alias “Gian” and his followers who are known to pounce on the villages in the regional boundary of Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

Also killed were key NPA leaders Rio Amor Yuson alias “Lema,” a finance officer; Paquito Namatidong alias “Sangka,” platoon leader; and Peter Mansaginda Pinakilid alias “Aloy”, the political officer of Guerrilla Front 4A.

Since 2019, the Eastmincom has cleared 16 NPA’s major clusters comprised of around 600 armed members that are terrorizing the people in the remote barangays located in north central part of Region 10 (Northern Mindanao).

Thirteen of such units were neutralized in 2019, while three more were eradicated this year.

"My commendations go to the men and women of Eastmincom, led by Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., for these remarkable achievements,” Santos said. “I urge you to continue harnessing the collaboration with the people who provides reliable and vital information and the LGUs (local government units) that provide good governance. That triumvirate shall eliminate this CTG.”

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1103116

AFP-CRS: On Kabataan Party List's Slamming the President's Offer of 2M Bounty for Every NPA Terrorist Caught

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (May 17, 2020): On Kabataan Party List's Slamming the President's Offer of 2M Bounty for Every NPA Terrorist Caught

BOUNTY. Contrary to the assertions made by Kabataan Party list, the President's offer of a 2 million peso bounty for every NPA commander caught makes perfect sense and is cost-effective in this time of a global pandemic.

#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3281087141909987/?type=3&theater

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

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

AFP-CRS: 19 Communist Terrorists Surrender

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (May 17, 2020): 19 Communist Terrorists Surrender

ENCOUNTER. Focused combat operations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has resulted in the surrender of 19 communist terrorists and killing of 16 others.

#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3281093578576010/?type=3&theater

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

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

AFP-CRS: Bounty for Every NPA Commander

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (May 17, 2020): Bounty for Every NPA Commander 

BOUNTY FOR EVERY NPA CAUGHT. Contrary to the assertions made by Kabataan Party list, the President's offer of a 2 million peso bounty for every NPA commander caught makes perfect sense and is cost-effective in this time of a global pandemic.

#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3281106635241371/?type=3&theater

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

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

AFP-CRS: Army Recovers Firearms in a Clash at Zamboanga Del Sur

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (May 17, 2020): Army Recovers Firearms in a Clash at Zamboanga Del Sur

#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3281136568571711/?type=3&theater

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

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

AFP-CRS: Another Rebel Surrenders, Seeks to Live Peaceful Life

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (May 17, 2020): Another Rebel Surrenders, Seeks to Live Peaceful Life

PEACEFUL LIFE. Another member of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) in Miag-ao, Iloilo.

The 35-year-old Botoy (not his real name) was a resident Tubungan town and member of the Sibat Platoon, Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay of the NPA.

#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3281143508571017/?type=3&theater

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

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

AFP-CRS: Navy Seals Patrol Distributes Relief

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (May 17, 2020): Navy Seals Patrol Distributes Relief

The Naval Forces Central Command in Cebu conducted seaborne security patrols along the Mactan, Olango and Hilutungan channels in the aim to deter, preempt and intercept the entry and exit of unauthorized vessels and lawless elements to and from the vicinity of Mactan-Olanggo-Hilutungan Channel.

#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3281152685236766/?type=3&theater

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

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

AFP-CRS: Presidential Security Group Assures President Duterte's Safety

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (May 17, 2020): Presidential Security Group Assures President Duterte's Safety

SAFE DESPITE DEATH THREATS. The PSG gave the assurance following the arrest of two individuals who offered reward money to any person who can kill Duterte.

In a press statement, the PSG said it is ready “at all times and at all costs” to address the death threats against Duterte, including those that are posted on social media.

#AFPyoucanTRUST | www.afpcrs.com



https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3281167131901988/?type=3&theater

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

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

EASTMINCOM: LOOK | Two more NPA members voluntarily surrendered to the 73rd Infantry "Neutralizer" Battalion

Posted to the Eastern Mindanao Command (EASTMINCOM) Facebook Page (May 15, 2020): LOOK | Two more NPA members voluntarily surrendered to the 73rd Infantry "Neutralizer" Battalion on May 10, 2020.

The two NPA were identified as Jobel and Lala, both residents of Brgy. Sapu Padidu, Malapatan, Sarangani Province.

#AFPYouCanTrust

https://www.facebook.com/196223023820199/photos/pcb.2754185531357256/2754185441357265/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/196223023820199/photos/pcb.2754185531357256/2754185461357263/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/eastmincom/