2 PH Navy ships back home from months-long voyage

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 13, 2020): 2 PH Navy ships back home from months-long voyage (By Martin Sadongdong)

Philippine Navy (PN) ships BRP Davao del Sur (LD602) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) are finally back into the country after its mission in the Middle East in January 2020 and a series of unfortunate events.



Philippine Navy (MANILA BULLETIN)

The sailors and marines composing the Naval Task Force (NTF) 82 aboard the two ships entered Manila Bay on June 12 where they celebrated the 122nd Independence Day.

Lieutenant Commander Maria Christina Roxas, acting director of Naval public affairs officer, said the two ships sailed in formation with onboard personnel creating a human formation of figure “122.”

The photo exercise was captured from the embarked Agusta Westland 109 naval helicopter which also conducted flight deck operations, or its take-off and landing on BRP Davao Del Sur’s surface while the ship was in motion.

Marine Colonel Noel Beleran, commander of NTF 82, read the Independence Day message for the troops on behalf of General Felimon Santos Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The NTF 82 is expected to be accorded a formal arrival honor at Pier 15 in Manila next week.

The crew will undergo swab testing while local health authorities are yet to determine if they will need to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine period, Roxas said.

Meanwhile, 30 Filipino repatriates from India and Sri Lanka already finished the required quarantine period. None of them exhibited symptoms for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Navy also provided the repatriates with interventions, counseling, and physical activities to uplift their morale and well-being during the voyage, Roxas said.

The two ships were deployed to Oman in January 2020 to fetch affected overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East amid a heightened tension between Iran and United States following the killing of a top Iranian general.

When the tension eased, the vessels left Oman on April 21 and made a stop in India to pick up 18 stranded Filipinos and medical supplies donated by the Indian government for the Philippines’ COVID-19 response.

When the ships departed India on May 7 en route to the Philippines, the main engine room of BRP Ramon Alcaraz caught fire in the Indian Ocean, prompting it to return to the Port of Cochin for repair.

On the otuer hand, BRP Davao del Sur, resumed its voyage and already reached Sri Lanka on May 9 when it encountered a brewing storm in the Bay of Bengal and Adaman Sea, forcing it to also return to India.

After the repairs were finished on BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the two ships finally sailed back home together on May 27.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/13/2-ph-navy-ships-back-home-from-months-long-voyage/

Philippines Navy Chief expresses gratitude to Indian Navy Chief for repairing ship damaged by fire

From WION News India (Jun 13, 2020): Philippines Navy Chief expresses gratitude to Indian Navy Chief for repairing ship damaged by fire (By: Sidhant Sibal)



Philippines navy ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz repaired by India in Kochi last month Photograph:( WION )

Indian Navy ship not only repaired the ship free of cost at Navy Shipyard in Kochi but took care of the both personnel from Philippines Navy in Indian hospitals.

Philippines Navy Chief Giovanni Carlo J. Bacordo has expressed gratitude to the Indian Navy for its "invaluable assistance" for helping out one of its navy ship after a fire broke out in engine room which injured two Philippines navy personnel.

Fire had broken in Philippines' ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz on May 7 which gravely injured two of its navy personnel with a second-degree burn.

Indian Navy ship not only repaired the ship free of cost at Navy Shipyard in Kochi but took care of the both the personnel in Indian hospitals.

The two Filipino Navy personnel were rushed to INHS Sanjivani Naval Hospital, Kochi for immediate treatment. One of them was later taken to Bangalore hospitals where he is still recuperating.

The Philippine Navy chief Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo J. Bacordo in a letter to Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh said,"your support in this unfortunate accident is way beyond our expectations and it is a testament of your sincerity in deepening our Navy to Navy partnership. Rest assured that the Philippine Navy remains committed to this Partnership"

Adding,"We hope to expand this relationship as we seek better ways to make our seas safer and more secure for everyone...fervent wishes for your continuing success in leading the Indian Navy's sustained resolve to be a global maritime force".

Gen Filemon Santos, Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines also wrote a letter to CDS Gen Bipin Rawat thanking him for New Delhi's help. Indian Navy's Technical teams from Naval Ship Repair Yard (Kochi) in close coordination with the Philippine crew undertook repairs and rendered the ship seaworthy within 10 days.

When the fire broke last month, the ship contacted the Philippines Defence Attache Colonel Ronaldo V Juan in Delhi who reached out to Navy headquarters and thereafter the Southern Naval command immediately sprung into action. Two Indian Navy ships were dispatched to escort the Philippines ship at the high seas and it was later repaired in Kochi with all locally sourced items.

Philippines envoy to India Ramon S Bagatsing Jr. told WION, "We are extremely grateful for the support by the Indian navy to the Philippines Navy ships and the personnel in terms of providing us approval to dock and to board stranded Philippines & fire incident happened in one of the ships. Indian navy took care of repairs at its expense, but also took care of the physical aspect of taking care of 2 Philipino navy men and brought them to hospitals.So we are extremely grateful for what they have done for us."

Elaborating," Moving forward we look for stronger relations between our 2 countries, more specifically in the field humanitarian services within our armed forces" .

The Philipines Navy ship left after 20 days on May 27. The damage happened to its main propulsion, auxiliary systems and Generators which the Indian Navy helped repair.

It is interesting to know, A team of four officials from the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi, led by Philippines Defence attache, Philippines Trade attache Eugenio Elevado had travelled all the way to Kochi by road amidst countrywide lockdown to oversee the repair and recuperation of navy personnel.

https://www.wionews.com/india-news/philippines-navy-chief-expresses-gratitude-to-indian-navy-chief-for-repairing-ship-damaged-by-fire-305576

Murcia residents stage rally vs communist rebels

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Jun 12, 2020): Murcia residents stage rally vs communist rebels (By
TERESA D. ELLERA)


NEGROS. Murcia residents stage a rally condemning the atrocities and illegal activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-Terrorists Friday, June 12, 2020. (Contributed photo)

A PEACE rally was conducted by residents of Barangay Canlandog, Murcia to show their strong support in condemning the atrocities and illegal activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-Terrorist (CNTs).

Observing necessary health protocols for Covid-19, the people of Canlandog hoisted posters and tarpaulins, calling for an end to the "terrorist" activities, extortion, harassment, and deception of civilians, as well as recruitment of minors by the CNTs.

The event was followed by a pulong-pulong attended by the peace-loving residents and local officials of Barangay Canlandog headed by captain Reynaldo Gawad, and members of the Murcia Municipal Police Station and 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion, 3ID of the Philippine Army.

It was highlighted with a message of peace by ABC president Hernan Alintana and the testimonies of alias Anne, a former rebel who was invited as a speaker and who shared her tragic experiences witnessing human rights abuses, sufferings and deaths of ordinary people perpetrated by the NPA.

In a statement, Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Alvaran, commanding officer of 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion, expressed his appreciation to the people of Barangay Canlandog for their support towards ending CNT atrocities through their peace rally.

"It clearly shows that the peace-loving residents of Canlandog are already fed up of all the atrocities committed by the communist-terrorists. They long for a peaceful community where they can live normally with their loved ones free from CNT threats and deceptions. As your partner in this endeavor, the Masaligan troopers will continue to protect the public, especially the youth and innocent civilians, from any form of terrorist activities of the CNTs," he said.

"With the continued support and participation of the people of Murcia in our campaign against terrorism, we can really achieve an insurgency-free and peaceful society," Alvaran added.

The activity was also in line with the 122nd Independence Day celebration Friday, June 12, 2020.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1859957/Bacolod/Local-News/Murcia-residents-stage-rally-vs-communist-rebels

CPP/Ang Bayan: Migrants hit regime for “garbage-like” treatment

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2020): Migrants hit regime for “garbage-like” treatment

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 07, 2020

Migrante Philippines strongly condemned the Duterte regime for its garbage-like treatment of returning over­se­as Fi­li­pi­no wor­kers (OFWs) who are now queued in Metro Manila due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Approximately 24,000 of them have long been locked up in quarantine facilities due to the slow pace of testing and the delayed issuance of results. One of whom has committed suicide. A group complained that they were made to wait at the airport near heaps of junk, the reason why Migrante called the regime’s treatment “garbage-like.”

Since April, about 36,000 migrant Filipinos returned to the country, 24,000 of whom have been cramped in quarantine facilities for more than two months. The Over­se­as Wor­kers Welfa­re Admi­nistra­ti­on has also been criticized for the limited meal rations brought to the migrants “tardily,” for the “financial aid that never came,” and for not constantly providing them with protective equipment and toiletries. In a desperate attempt to go home, some of them paid P4,500 to be tested by the Phi­lip­pi­ne Red Cross. However, many of those tested negative during the initial test, tested positive upon their arrival in their hometowns.

The said situation is bound to worsen with the deluge of 42,000 returning OFW in the coming months. Approximately 400,000 OFWs aare expected to lose employment due to the recession caused by the pandemic. The National Task Force-Covid 19 chief implementer Gen. Car­li­to Galvez Jr. said that they are not ready for the said deluge of OFWs.

In various parts of the globe, more than 5,300 OFWs already tested positive for Covid-19, 357 of whom died. Many OFWs are still stranded in various countries and could not go home due to lockdown. They neither receive financial nor food aid. Many are already pleading for help about their situation and demand repatriation. Duterte’s generals will held accountable for their inept response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/06/07/migrants-hit-regime-for-garbage-like-treatment/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Police arrest 6 drivers protesting against jeepney ban

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2020): Police arrest 6 drivers protesting against jeepney ban

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 07, 2020

Police forces arrested six jeepney drivers in Caloocan City who protested on June 2 to demand the lifting of the ban on jeepney operations. The protest was part of the national campaign of the Pag­ka­kai­sa ng mga Sa­ma­han ng Tsu­per at Ope­ra­tor Na­ti­on­wi­de (Pis­ton) for the resumption of jeepney operations.

Jeepney driver Elmer Cor­de­ro, 72, and Piston de­puty secre­tary ge­ne­ral Ru­ben Bay­lon were among those arrested. The drivers were nabbed despite observing physical distancing while protesting.

Based on the regime’s recent report, only 36,243 drivers have benefitted from its emergency program for the sector. This is not even half of the estimated 240,000 total number of drivers and operators in the country.

Workers obliged to report to work since June 1 and commuters are greatly affected by the ban which will be in effect until June 22.

Jeepney drivers are required to apply for a special permit to be able to resume their operation. The regime, however, will prioritize the resumption of operation of “modern” jeepneys, while traditional or old jeepneys will be sidelined. In addition, the new jeepney routes imposed by the regime under the so-called new normal will further burden jeepney drivers and significantly reduce their income.

The call for the immediate release of the drivers received wide support from many personalities and organizations.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/06/07/police-arrest-6-drivers-protesting-against-jeepney-ban/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Pro­tes­ts against Duterte’s Anti-Ter­ror Bill

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2020): Pro­tes­ts against Duterte’s Anti-Ter­ror Bill

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 07, 2020

Hundreds of activists took to the streets after an almost three-month lockdown to oppose the Duterte regime’s “Anti-Terrorism” Bill. Approximately one thousand rallyists converged at the Univer­sity of the Phi­lip­pi­nes (UP)-Diliman in Quezon City, and several others in Laguna last June 4 to oppose the said bill which was then being railroaded in the lower house. Protests were also mounted on June 5 in Iloi­lo, Cebu, Baco­lod and Bu­tu­an; and on June 6 in Na­ga and Le­gazpi. Simultaneously, numerous online forums and protests were also conducted. In Ce­bu, the police dispersed the peaceful protest of around 40 activists, eight of whom were arrested.

The Anti-Ter­ror Bill was passed by the Senate early in February with a vote of 19 in favor and two against. This will replace the extant Hu­man Secu­rity Act with worse provisions on warantless arrests and detention against anyone labeled by the state as “terrorst” or a “terrorist supporter.” The people strongly oppose the said bill as its definition of “terrorism” and “terrorist” is too broad. They also oppose the additional powers that the bill will grant to the police and military. The Senate bill, which replaced earlier House versions and was certified as urgent by Durterte, was passed without allowing any amendments. The version hurdled Congress with an initial 173 votes in favor of and 31 against the said bill, and 29 abstentions. Following backlash, several congressmen were compelled to withdraw their “yes” votes. As of June 6, 13 more congressmen still need to withdraw their “yes” votes to block the bill transmission from Congress to Malacañang.

The demand to junk the bill continues to gain ground. Campaigns are being spearheaded by national democratic organizations and democratic parties in the lower house. Youth organizations, lawyers, journalists, church people, administrators of Ateneo and De La Salle universities, Moro students, civic groups, UP and Far Eastern University professors, and an association of private groups are among those who expressed their opposition to the bill. Eight big business groups, including the Ma­ka­ti Bu­si­ness Club, also issued a unified statement against the bill. In the internet, the slogans #Junk­Ter­ror­­Bill­Now and “Activists are not Ter­ro­rists” trended and were used by celebrities, musicians, atheletes and other personalities. The group Hu­man Rights Watch also criticized the bill on June 4, as well as the the United Nations Hu­man Rights Office after it issued its report on the grave human rights situation in the Philippines.

Simultaneous with the clamor to junk the bill, activists also called for mass testing (#MassTes­tingNow), and Rod­ri­go Du­ter­te’s ouster (#OustDu­ter­teNow).

Free the Ce­bu 8

The protest dispersal at UP Cebu and the arrest of seven activists and a bystander last June 5 by state forces was met with widespread condemnation. The activists and their supporters stressed that police and soldiers are not allowed to enter the campus premises, unless invited by the university, under existing accords.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/06/07/protests-against-dutertes-anti-terror-bill/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Military harasses ICRC convoy

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2020): Military harasses ICRC convoy

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 07, 2020

Elements of the 9th Special Forces Com­pany and police held and arbitrarily detained a convoy of the Inter­na­tio­nal Com­mit­tee of the Red Cross in Lia­nga, Su­ri­gao del Sur on May 29. The convoy was reportedly transporting two wounded Red fighters identified as Jea Ange­les Pe­rez and Noel Da­dang. Flagging down and detaining a vehicle with the Red Cross emblem is prohibited by the inter­na­tional humanitarian law.

After interrogating the health volunteers, the military “escorted” the convoy to a hospital in Ta­gum City. The two wounded individuals are now being treated at the said facility but are at the same time being detained by the military.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/06/07/military-harasses-icrc-convoy/

CPP/Ang Bayan: 100 Lumads, arrested in Northern Mindanao

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2020): 100 Lumads, arrested in Northern Mindanao

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 07, 2020

More than 100 Lumads were arrested in various parts of Northern Mindanao in the course of three months of combat operations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The worst among these is the arrest of 100 peasants and Lumads in Sitio Balaas and Airburn in Barangay Mabuhay; and Nabangkal in Barangay Magkalungay, San Fernando, Bukidnon. They have been accused of being members of the people’s army and detained in the 88th IB headquarters in Maramag.

In Malaybalay City, more than 700 residents of Sitio Sta. Rita and San Roque in Barangay Sinang­la­nan, fled their community last May 14 due to intense military operations in their community. They brought with them their animals and sought shelter in the neighboring Sitio Malapgap.

No less than 645 troops of the 8th, 88th, 60th and 56th IB have mounted focused military operations in Malaybalay City, San Fernando and Cabanglasan.

In Agusan del Norte, two pregnant women identified as “Apay” and Wena” were arrested by elements of 23rd IB last May 16 in in Sitio Cabalalahan, Guinabsan, Buenavista. The victims are currently held in the 23rd IB’s headquarters in the same town. It is not yet clear what charges they are facing.

Soldiers torch houses, school

Lumad homes and a community elementary school were set on fire last March 16 by military elements in Barangay San Vicente, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. The arson was committed after a military misencounter resulted in five casualties among the soldiers. A day before, residents fled the said community because of intense operations and military oppression. Six Lumads were arrested for interrogation.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/06/07/100-lumads-arrested-in-northern-mindanao/

CPP/Ang Bayan: AFP squanders P25-million in 1-day offensive

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2020): AFP squanders P25-million in 1-day offensive

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 07, 2020

The Armed Forces of the Phi­lip­pi­nes (AFP) squandered approximately P25 million in public funds in its offensive last Ma­y 14 at Sit­io Ha­yon, Li­bas Sud, San Mi­gu­el, Su­ri­gao del Sur.

In a single day, it dropped eight 230-kilo bombs using FA-50 fighter jets, and launched 24 rockets using helicopters. The area was also strafed using .50 calibre machine guns, and shelled six times using a howitzer. The military spent about P22.4 million for these. An additional P2.5 million was spent for the flight of helicopters and FA-50 fighter jets. Approximately P20 million was spent for the salary, food and hazard pay of 600 soldiers and police.

The attack on May 14 was part of the 20-day joint combat operation of the military and police in five towns along the border of Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur. An NPA camp was bombed during the operation.

The NPA-NEMR paid tribute to five Red fighters who were killed in the intense military attack. Simultaneously, the unit also honored other Red fighters who were martyred in the past two months.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/06/07/afp-squanders-p25-million-in-1-day-offensive/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Opol arson and other lies

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2020): Opol arson and other lies

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 07, 2020

The New People’s Army (NPA)-Mi­sa­mis Ori­en­tal clarified that it had no hand in the torching of four houses and a church in Ba­ra­ngay Li­mon­da, Opol on May 28. The arson was reportedly perpetrated by four armed men. It is more likely that this was perpetrated by elements of the 403rd IB who reported that shouts of “Mabuhay ang NPA” were heard after the torching, as they were the only people in the area during the incident.

The NPA-North­eastern Min­da­nao Re­gi­on also clarified that Ka Ma­ria Ma­la­ya and Ka Joaquin Jacin­to, spokespersons of the revolutionary movement, were not killed in a “series of encounter” that took place on Ma­y 14-19. The 401st IBde reported on Ma­y 28 that the two leaders were killed along with 18 others to increase their bounty. Earlier, Duterte set a P2-million bounty for the capture of NPA commanders.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/06/07/opol-arson-and-other-lies/

CPP/Ang Bayan: 2 mass leaders brutally killed in Eas­tern Vi­sa­yas

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2020): 2 mass leaders brutally killed in Eas­tern Vi­sa­yas

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 07, 2020

Two mass leaders were killed by state forces in Eastern Visayas in May. Prior to the killings, both were labeled as criminals and terrorists by the Na­tio­nal Task Force to End Local Com­mu­nist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

On May 28, the lifeless body of Car­li­to Ba­di­on (Ka Kar­lets), national secretary general of Ka­li­pu­nan ng Da­ma­yang Ma­hi­hi­rap (Ka­da­may), was found in Pag­sa­nga-an, River­si­de, Ormoc City, Ley­te. The body was buried in a shallow grave. Badion was abducted by armed men on May 26 and was brought to Ba­ra­ngay Guin­ti­gui-an where he was reportedly tortured. According to those who saw the body, the victim could have been killed using a blunt object. One of his feet was crippled by polio.

Badion was known for fighting along with urban poor residents in occupation and mass housing campaigns, and community barricades against demolition. He was also a vocal critic of Duterte’s Oplan Tokhang and its campaign of mass killings in urban poor communities.

The police made it appear that the killing was a simple case of robbery and homicide to cover up the political motive behind it.

On May 29, elements of the 43rd IB killed peasant leader Allan Agui­lan­do (Ma­no Boy), chairperson of the Northern Sa­mar Small Far­mers Associa­ti­on, in Ba­ra­ngay New Rizal, Ca­tar­man, Nor­thern Sa­mar. He was shot at the back of his head and his face was hacked with a machete.

Agui­lan­do was at the forefront of campaigns against militarization and exposed the devastation wrought by successive disasters in the province. He also led the march of Sa­ma­reños to Manila in 2016 and 2018 to hold the regime accountable for its negligence and to demand aid. To collect their bounty, the 43rd IB made it appear that the victim was a member of people’s army and was killed in an “encounter.”

Arrest. In Las Navas, elements of the 803rd IBde blindfolded, hogtied and arrested peasants Car­los Ba­lu­yot, Alvi­no Luca­pa and a minor in Ba­ra­ngay Log­ging on June 1. Baluyot is a leader of the Alyan­sa san mga Pa­rag-u­ma Kontra-ka­gu­tom san Las Navas­non which opposes militarization.

In Western Samar, soldiers also nabbed peasants Cosme Cabangunay and his children Jevie and Jason on May 27 in Barangay Canvais, Motiong.

Meanwhile, elements of the 85th IB also abducted Marvin Lo­te­ro and Wil­mar Ma­ri­nas in Ba­ra­ngay Ma­bi­ni, Lo­pez, Quezon on June 2. The victims are yet to be surfaced.

All of those nabbed were accused as members of the people’s army.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/06/07/2-mass-leaders-brutally-killed-in-eastern-visayas/

CPP/Ang Bayan: “Suspension” of VFA termination, not a surprise

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2020): “Suspension” of VFA termination, not a surprise

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 07, 2020

Rodrigo Duterte’s “suspension” of the notice of termination for the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) which he signed on February 11 came as no surprise.

Since the issuance of the notice, it was very obvious that the regime will not proceed with the termination. Duterte only wanted to seek more funds and weapons from the US for his regime. Duterte suspended the termination after the US certified its aprroval of Duterte’s request to buy new helicopters, missiles and other military equipment worth P75 bil­lion.

The suspension is linked with plans of the US to further heighten its military presence in the South China Sea and use the Philippines as a operational base in view of increasing anti-China jingoism and war preparations of the US government.

While many countries are focusing their efforts on combatting the Covid-19 pandemic, the US has been very busy heightening its presence in the South China Sea for the past three months. It has deployed to warships in the said area in April, and has regularly flown fighter jets. US and Australian troops also conducted a military exercise in the said area in May.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/06/07/suspension-of-vfa-termination-not-a-surprise/

CPP/Ang Bayan: NPA-Bukidnon mounts grenade attack on abusive police checkpoint

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2020): NPA-Bukidnon mounts grenade attack on abusive police checkpoint

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 07, 2020

The New People’s Army (NPA)-Bukidnon lobbed a grenade at a checkpoint manned by elements of the First Bukidnon Police Mobile Force Company in Barangay Cabulohan, Cabanglasan on June 1. Two policemen were wounded in the offensive.

A day after the incident, responding police troops were again blasted by another NPA unit.

Along with the military, the said police elements are responsible for blockading and harassing farmers and Lumads from various villages in Cabanglasan. They man several checkpoints and block residents from traveling from and to barrios to buy food supples and sell their produce. They are also responsible for confiscating the goods bought by residents as they claim that these are NPA supplies. The said checkpoints terrorize residents and aggravate their sufferings.

In Malaybalay City, a unit of the NPA-Bukidnon ambushed operating soldiers of the 8th IB at Sitio Bendum, Barangay Busdi, Malaybalay City on May 19. Two soldiers were killed and there others were wounded.

In Palawan, a unit of the Bienvenido Vallever Command also fired at a detachment of the 18th Special Forces Company at Mantayog Falls in Barangay Bunog, Rizal on the last week of May.

The military unit is responsible for hamletting approximately 100 Palaw’an families under the guise of Covid-19 response. They severely res­trict the mobility of residents in the community. The soldiers are also notorious for spear­heading antisocial activities even in adjacent communities.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/06/07/npa-bukidnon-mounts-grenade-attack-on-abusive-police-checkpoint/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Unite against the Anti-Terror Bill! Overthrow the US-Duterte regime!

Propaganda editorial from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 7, 2020): Unite against the Anti-Terror Bill! Overthrow the US-Duterte regime!

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 07, 2020

The Party urges all democratic sectors–health workers, drivers, women and children, media workers, artists and cultural workers, teachers and government employees, the youth and students, movie and television personalities, small professionals, the religious and all workers, peasants, the urban poor and unemployed–to unite and bring together all their grievances and aspirations.

On orders of Rodrigo Duterte and his National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), his minions railroaded the Anti-Terror Bill the past few days. It now awaits Duterte’s signature.

The Anti-Terror Bill will complete Duterte’s martial law reign, short of formal declaration. This will give him vast powers to accuse anyone of being a “terrorist” and have them surveiled, arrested and put under prolonged detention.

This bill will further intensify suppression of organizations and individuals long targeted by Duterte and the AFP as “CPP/NPA supporters” for their relentless exposure, denunciation and opposition to corruption, fascism and foreign subservience, and for defending the people’s democratic interests. The most vulnerable are the workers and poor people, the peasant masses, Lumad and Moro who experience repeated abuses of power by soldiers and police.

The people are disgusted at how Duterte and his minions trampled on congressional procedures to rush the Anti-Terror Bill without being reviewed and amended. They are nauseated at how he prioritized the bill and disregarded the people’s clamor for free mass testing and other medical measures amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The order to rush the Anti-Terror Bill came from Duterte and his junta composed of Delfin Lorenzana, Eduardo Año and Hermogenes Esperon, all former military officials and lackeys of US imperialism. They aim to consolidate fascist rule amid widespread hunger, poverty and the people’s seething rage against the regime’s militarist and failed response to Covid-19. Duterte wants additional martial law powers to silence the people, but is afraid to openly declare it for fear that this will rouse further outrage and protests.

The rush to enact the Anti-Terror Bill is also part the deal-making with the US government to allow Duterte and the AFP to purchase new helicopters, artillery, rockets, missiles and other weapons. This is also linked to the June 2 suspension of termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement in line with recommendations of his military officers to allow US ships and troops to enter the country in connection with continuing US support for the AFP’s brutal counterinsurgency and war of suppression.

Over the past years, Duterte has built his martial law regime brick by brick with the 950-day Mindanao martial law, Memorandum Order 32, Executive Order 70 which formed the NTF-ELCAC, and recently, the claim to “emergency powers” purportedly to fight Covid-19.

He wants to have the Anti-Terror Bill enacted at once to reinforce the fascist order which he succeeded to set up through the Covid-19 militarist lockdown and perpetuate this under a “new normal” of checkpoints, and population control restrictions. This is being done behind the veil of fighting the pandemic but in fact serves to strengthen militarist rule and pursue the scheme to establish a fascist dictatorship.

The Anti-Terror Bill deliberately contains vague and overly broad definitions of “terrorism” and “supporting terrorism” to serve as a wide net to cast over the Filipino people and all their democratic forces. It extends the powers of the military and police to arrest and detain anyone to 14-24 days without warrant or filing charges, practically suspending the writ of habeas corpus. Worse, it removes any military or police liability from damages which will surely result in even worse forms of abuse of power.

Over the past years, AFP and PNP officers have arbitrarily accused critics of the regime of being “communist fronts” or supporters or linked to the CPP and NPA. They are anti-communist zealots who see red whenever anyone stands for and defends the interests, welfare and rights of the oppressed and exploited. This will worsen under the bill.

Duterte uses “anti-terrorism” to fool the people and make them accede to repressive laws that will crush their basic rights. Over the past years, the fascists falsely equate communists, revolutionaries and even social activists with terrorism, when in fact, communists, as all other democratic forces, are among the most militant opponents of the use of terrorism to instill fear among the people.

In fact, right now, the biggest terrorist in the country is Duterte himself as he has ordered the killing of tens of thousands in the drug war and the destruction of Marawi City. He has also ordered police and military raids and massacres against peasant communities. He has ordered mass arrests, military control of rural villages, the use of attack helicopters to drop bombs causing widespread terror and other fascist crimes.

With absolute powers, Duterte is set to commit the worst forms of corruption, completely surrender the country’s national sovereignty and subservience to imperialist US and China, bury the country deeper into debt, impose more taxes on the people, press down wages, favor foreign big capitalists, squander funds to purchase fighter jets, helicopters and bombs, and impose even worse neoliberal policies that will cause greater sufferings on the Filipino people.

Duterte’s rushing of the Anti-Terror Bill amid the Covid-19 pandemic has fanned the flame of the people’s anger. The regime’s actions of the past months—from the non-health military lockdown to the shutting down of ABS-CBN, from the arrest of critics and jeepney drivers to aerial bombing of rural communities, from checkpoint arrests and inhumane punishment of tens of thousands to the recent killing of urban poor leader Carlito Badion, from the anomalous procurement of overpriced PPE sets and testing equipment to the plunder of billions of pesos in emergency spending—are set to worsen once Duterte signs the Anti-Terror Bill.

The Party urges all democratic sectors–health workers, drivers, women and children, media workers, artists and cultural workers, teachers and government employees, the youth and students, movie and television personalities, small professionals, the religious and all workers, peasants, the urban poor and unemployed–to unite and bring together all their grievances and aspirations.

The Filipino people are being galvanized to take action. They must assert and protect their democratic rights now before they are all taken away by the fascist regime. The Filipino people must get organized. They must demand freedom of the press and freedom to express. They must fight back and protest fiercely.

They must take action in their campuses and communities, in their factories and offices, in churches and parks, and defend these as freedom-zones where they can collect the people’s strength in numbers. They must quickly prepare their ranks, educate the entire people, heighten their determination and be ready to lock horns with the regime’s anti-democratic forces until the Anti-Terror Bill is junked or until Duterte is ousted.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/06/07/unite-against-the-anti-terror-bill-overthrow-the-us-duterte-regime/

CPP/NPA-Bukidnon: Rebolusyonaryong kasal sa Bukidnon, nagmalampuson

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 13, 2020): Rebolusyonaryong kasal sa Bukidnon, nagmalampuson

NPA-BUKIDNON

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

JUNE 13, 2020

Nagmalampuson ang gipahigayong rebolusyonaryong kasal sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB)-Bukidnon niadtong Hunyo 11, 2020. Ang maong seremonya nagdala sa temang “Rebolusyoonaryong kaminyuon pandayon kadungan sa pagpanday sa katilingbanong gawasnon.”

Mikabat sa 200 kapin kun kulang ang masa nga naga gikan sa nagkalain-laing komunidad ang ni-partisipar arun saksihan ang upat ka parisan nga dungang gikasal. Gani ang masa maoy responsable sa pagpangandam sa pagluto sa mga pagkaon ingon man sa mga dekorasyon ug pasundayag. Apan wala usap nagpalupig ang mga hukbo sa paghatag ug kultural nga sayaw kalabot sa maong okasyon.

Napahigayon ang maong rebolusyonaryong kasal taliwala sa pag-atubang sa bangis nga atake sa kaaway apan matud pa sa nagpamahayag nga hukbo: “Dili kini babag aron pakyason ang dugay nang gipangandaman sa walo ka pulang hukbo nga makasuong sa ‘arms gate’.”

Ang rebolusyonaryong kasal dili lang nagkahulugan sa bug-os nga paghigugma sa kapikas kundili nagsimbolo kini sa tim-os ug tiunay nga pagmahal ug pag-alagad sa halapad nga masa. Bisan paman giingon sa kaaway nga pulbuson na ang armadong kalihukan apan tungod kay ang masa sa katawhan andam nga nakighiusa ug misuporta sa hukbo. Nagpabilin kining lig-on ug nibatok sa pasistang administrasyon.

Busa ang BHB-Bukidnon mainiton nga nagasaludar sa mga Pulang mandirigma sa ilang walay puas nga paghigugma sa kapikas ug ngadto na sa pagmahal sa halapad nga masang dinaogdaog ug linupigan.

Mabuhi ang bag-ong kasal!
Mabuhi ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan!
Mabuhi ang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas!
Mabuhi ang katawhang nakigbisog!

https://cpp.ph/statement/rebolusyonaryong-kasal-sa-bukidnon-nagmalampuson/

CPP/NPA-Southern Panay: Encounter sa Igbaras, produkto sang halusinasyon sang AFP

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 13, 2020): Encounter sa Igbaras, produkto sang halusinasyon sang AFP

ARISTON REMUS

NPA-SOUTHERN PANAY

NAPOLEON TUMAGTANG COMMAND

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

JUNE 13, 2020

Wala sang natabu nga engkwentro sa tunga sang New People’s Army kag 61st IB Philippine Army nga ginpamunuan ni 1st Lt. De Vera sadtong Hunyo 7, 2020 sa Sityo Mahe, Brgy. Corucuan, Igbaras, Iloilo. Isa ini ka peke nga engkwentro nga produkto sang halusinasyon kag kabahin sang dirty tricks sang AFP.

Ginpangin-wala na sang Mt. Napulac Command ang presensya sang ila yunit sa nasambit nga lugar sang amo nga adlaw. Sa mga propaganda nga ginpagwa sang AFP sa mainstream kag social media, Sibat Platun kuno sang NPA ang ila na-engkwentro kag nakuhaan pa sang M16 rifle, mga bala, mga dokumento, bandera, kag mga kagamitan medikal? Para sa kaathagan sang publiko, ang “Sibat” isa sa mga unit sang NPA sa idalom sang Napoleon Tumagtang Command. Indi area of maneuver ukon area of operation sang ini nga unit ang nasambit nga lugar. Maathag nga isa lang ini ka halusinasyon (hallucination) sang warshock nga mga Philippine Army.

Sandig sa intelligence network sang NPA ang ginpalukpan sang army, amo ang kweba sa naibabaw nga bahin sang Sityo Mahe. Naglawig sang mas o menus 20 minutos ang linupok nga nagtuga sang tuman nga kakulba sang pumuluyo sa palibot. Antes sini, may ginsakit pa nga mangunguma ang amo nga tropa militar sa Danawan, isa ka ulumhan nga sakop sang Brgy. Lab-on. Ginpalibutan man nila ang balay ni Narciso Gapal sang Brgy. Tigbanaba sa rason kuno nga didto nagpanago ang NPA.

Indi mapapati ni Major Cenon Pancito III, spokesperson sang 3rd ID PA kag sang 61st IB sang ila drama ang pumuluyo sa palibot nga kabaryuhanan sang Igbaras. Sa baylo, labi nila nga ginahublasan sa malapad nga masa ang ila pagkatarantado, pagkapasista kag kontra-pumuluyo nga kinaiya. Ang mga inagihan sang masa sa nagasingki nga pasismo kag militarisasyon mas labi nga magapamuklat sa ila kon sin-o ang ila tunay nga soldado kag sang kahustuhan sang armadong paghimakas.

https://cpp.ph/statement/encounter-sa-igbaras-produkto-sang-halusinasyon-sang-afp/

Kalinaw News:Dalawang mataas na uri ng baril at mga bala mula sa Teroristang NPA narekober sa San Mariano, Isabela

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 13, 2020): Dalawang mataas na uri ng baril at mga bala mula sa Teroristang NPA narekober sa San Mariano, Isabela (By 5th Infantry Division)



CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela – Dahil sa puspusan at patuloy na pagpapatupad ng EO #70 o Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) ng mga kasundaluhan ng 95th Infantry (Salaknib) Battalion, Philippine Army kasama ang ilang tropa ng Marine Battalion Landing Team 10 at ng 54th Infantry (Magilas) Battalion sa kanilang nasasakupan ito ay nagresulta muli sa pagkarekober ng dalawang improvised shotgun na pinaniniwalaang pagmamay-ari ng mga miyembro ng Regional Sentro De Grabidad, Komiteng Rehiyong-Cagayan Valley (RSDG,KRCV) sa San Mariano, Isabela noong ika-6 ng Mayo 2020.

Ayon kay LTC Gladiuz C Calilan, Commander ng 95IB, ang pagkarekober ng nasabing mga baril at mga bala ay dahil sa patuloy na pagsuporta at kooperasyon ng komunidad ng San Mariano at mga karatig bayan nito sa ating mga kasundaluhan upang tapusin ang terorismo sa lambak ng Cagayan Valley.

Ayon kay Brigadier General Laurence E Mina, Commander ng 502nd Infantry Brigade, namulat na ang mga kababayan natin sa mga kasinungalingan at panloloko ng mga Komunistang Teroristang NPA sa mga nasabing lugar na siyang nagresulta ng agarang pagkabuwag ng Central Front ng Komiteng Rehiyong Cagayan Valley.

Ipinapaabot ni MGen PABLO m Loranzo AFP, Commander, 5ID, ang mensahe ng ating Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) noong ika-12 ng Mayo 2020 na may Php2, 000,000.00 pabuya sa sinumang makapagbigay impormasyon sa presensya at pagkadakip o neutralisa ng mga matataas ng pinuno ng Komunistang NPA, katulad ni EVANGELYN RAPANUT @Chat/Marsha (Secretary ng KR-CV) sa Rehiyon ng Cagayan Valley, at sina SIMON NAOGSAN SR @ Filiw (Secretary ng ICRC) kasama si JACINTO FARODEN @ Digbay na may patung sa ulo na Php5,200,000.00 na pawang gumagalaw sa Rehiyon ng Cordillera na binansagang utak ng mga naganap na terorismo sa buong rehiyon ng Cagayan Valley at Cordillera.

Pinuri naman ni niya ang kanyang kasundaluhan kabilang ang mga sibilyan sa pakikipagtulungan at pakikiisa nila kung kaya patuloy ang pagbagsak ng KR-CV ng CPP-NPA sa Lambak ng Cagayan Valley. Pinapaabot din niya ang kanyang mensahe sa mga kasapi ng komunistang grupo na magbalik-loob at huwag nang hayaang mawasak o masira ng maling idelolohiya ang kanilang buhay habang may pagkakataon. Ang ating pamahalaan ay laging handang tulungan kayo sa inyong pagbabagong buhay kasama ang inyong mga pamilya at nang makatamtan niyo ang tunay na kapayapaan. Sapagkat may Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) bilang programa ng ating pamahalaan sa bawat rebeldeng magbalik-loob na syang magsilbing lunas sa pagiging biktima ng maling ideolohiya at bilang panimula ng panibagong buhay kagaya ng mga naunang tinalikuran ang pakikibaka at tinatamasa ang mga nasabing programa kasama ang kanilang mga pamilya.

[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/dalawang-mataas-na-uri-ng-baril-at-mga-bala-mula-sa-teroristang-npa-narekober-sa-san-mariano-isabela/

Kalinaw News: Zamboanga del Sur PTF-ELCAC groundbreaks projects in Midsalip Town

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 13, 2020): Zamboanga del Sur PTF-ELCAC groundbreaks projects in Midsalip Town (By 1st Infantry Division)



IPIL, ZSP | The Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) conducted Groundbreaking Ceremony of projects in the different far-flung barangays of Midsalip town, Zamboanga del Sur, Thursday, June 11.

The ceremony was led by PTF-ELCAC Chairperson Governor Victor Yu that was conducted in three priority barangays for convergence due to its history of being frequented by the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs).

In strict observance of COVID-19 protocols, simple ground breaking ceremonies were held in barangays Duelic, Piwan, and Pisompongan.

In Barangay Duelic, the PTF-ELCAC will be implementing the rehabilitation of 2.5-kilometer Matalang-Duelic Road and the construction of the 39-meter Hanging Bridge for the use of its residents.

In her statement, Diosdada Mañares, Barangay Captain of Duelic, expressed her deepest gratitude to the Army and the PTF-ELCAC for the aforementioned projects.

“I and the residents of Barangay Duelic are forever grateful to the government and the Army because for the longest time, only now will there be a decent road for our residents and children to use,” said Brgy. Capt. Mañares.

Afterwhich, the PTF-ELCAC proceeded to Barangay Piwan for the launching of the Construction of 5.5-kilometer Piwan-Sigacad Road Project in partnership with the 547th Engineer (AGILA) Battalion, which will connect Midsalip to the town of Bayog of the same province.

The construction of Piwan Water System will also be implemented to provide potable water source for the residents of the barangay.

Lastly, the PTF-ELCAC proceeded to the launching of the construction of 4.5-kilometer Pisompongan-Balonai Road and 6-kilometer Pisompongan-Pawan-Pili Road in Barangay Pisompongan, which will be jointly implemented by the Proncial Government of Zamboanga del Sur, the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion and 547th Army Engineers.

Pisompongan Barangay Captain Ronald Tagulo also expressed his gratitude to the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur and the Army for making these projects a reality.

“For a very long time, only today has there been an intervention to reach the far-flung adjacent barangays of Pili and Balonai possible,” said Brgy. Captain Tagulo.

In an interview during during the said activities, 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division Commander Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio said that the Army will support the LGU and PTF-ELCAC in implementing these projects.

“I told the Governor Victor J. Yu that the Army will help. We should finish what we started because otherwise, if we don’t finish these roads, water system, and bridge for the residents of these far-flung barangays, the impact will still be negative,” said Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio.

Also, PTF-ELCAC Chairperson Gov. Victor J. Yu said that they will finish these projects as these will indicate the delivery of basic and government services to his constituents.

“I always say, where there is road, everything else will follow. We will finish these projects with the help of the Army to bring the government closer to our constituents like what they have always been longing for,” said Governor Yu.

Also present during the ceremony were BGen Anthony Cacayuran, 54th Engineer Brigade; Col Leonel Nicolas, 102nd Infantry Brigade; Col Emerito Pineda, 547th Engineer Battalion; LtCol Jo-ar Herrera, 53rd Infantry Battalion and other provincial heads and members of the PTF-ELCAC.

These barangays are now declared as cleared barangays from the CNT Influence and through the PTF-ELCAC, these development projects are now being implemented to address the previous issues exploited by the CNT.

[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/zamboanga-del-sur-ptf-elcac-groundbreaks-projects-in-midsalip-town/

IFI church leaders oppose anti-terror bill

Posted to the often pro-CPP online publication the Davao Today (Jun 13, 2020): IFI church leaders oppose anti-terror bill

Two leaders of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) here have expressed their opposition to the anti-terror bill (ATB).

Bishop Felixberto Calang, IFI official and main convenor of Sowing the Seeds of Peace-Mindanao, said the proposed House Bill (HB) 6875, is “a reversal of what our nation’s founders have fought for” as it echoes the previous laws imposed during the Spanish and American colonial periods like the Sedition Law, Reconcentration Law, Flag Law, and Bandolerism or Anti-Banditry Law.

“These were the very laws that were used to vilify, defame, imprison, torture, and kill the fighters for our national freedom and independence,” the bishop noted during the country’s observance of the 122nd Independence Day on Friday, June 12.

HB 6875, crafted as an amendment of Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007, was certified as “urgent” by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

‘Crackdown’

“Pres. Duterte has a track record of being intolerant of dissent. That is why granting him the power through his Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) is dangerous,” warned Bishop Antonio Ablon, also an official of IFI, in a separate statement.

Ablon believed the ATB is meant to crackdown government critics like the activists, human rights lawyers, the church, the media, and even ordinary people such as the urban poor, farmers, and workers who protest against the incompetence, corruption, and inability of those in power especially amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

Once passed into law, he said, the ATB could be used to attack the people’s Constitutional rights.

Continue peace efforts

Instead of passing the ATB, Calang called on the government to resume the peace negotiations, claiming that there is no other viable alternative to armed conflict but the political resolution of the roots of this conflict.

“We go back therefore to the basic understanding that to achieve peace, we must resolve the root causes of armed conflict. To uproot terrorism, we must look into the driving forces of fundamentalisms and extremisms,” he explained.

Calang said the ATB would essentially legitimize state terrorism as it centralizes the power to label enemies and pursue fake cases against them through a non-judicial, unelected council. The ATC, he added, acts as a civil-military junta that can wield the [Human Security Act] as a weapon for repression in the name of counter-terrorism.

“Terrorist tagging will merely be a repeat of the colonial times’ draconian measures against revolutionary forces and the people,” he said.

http://davaotoday.com/main/politics/ifi-church-leaders-oppose-anti-terror-bill/

Military deploys new unit in NorthCot

From the Mindanao Times (Jun 13, ,2020): Military deploys new unit in NorthCot (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

Another military unit has replaced the 19th Infantry Battalion which has left North Cotabato for four years to return to its mother unit, the Eight Infantry Division in Samar.

Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson of Eastern Mindanao Command, said the 27th Infantry (Action) Battalion, formerly assigned in Tupi, South Cotabato, has filled the void left by the 19th Infantry Battalion.

The area is under the operational control of the 10th Infantry Division. The area includes Arakan, Antipas, Pres Roxas, Kibawe and Damulog, all in North Cotabato.

During a sendoff ceremony of the 19th Battalion, present were Eastern Mindanao Command Chief Jose Faustino Jr., 10th Infantry Division Commander Gen Reuben Basiao, and 901st Brigade CommanderGabriel Viray III.

The 19th Infantry Battalion arrived in Calbayog on June 11.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2020/06/13/military-deploys-new-unit-in-northcot/

34 NPA members surrender in SouthCot

From MindaNews (Jun 13, 2020): 34 NPA members surrender in SouthCot

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 13 June) — Thirty-four New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, including a sub-leader, surrendered on Friday, Independence Day, to local officials and government authorities in Norala town, South Cotabato province.

Lt. Col. Celestino Daniel Jr., chief of the South Cotabato 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), said on Saturday the rebels decided to yield along with several firearms during a joint community outreach activity in Barangay Tinago, Norala.

Dubbed “Kapwa Ko, Sagot Ko-Adopt an Indigent Family Program,” he said the initiative benefited poor residents of Sitios Lower and Upper Bangkal in Tinago.

It was joined by officials of Norala town and elements from the South Cotabato 2nd PMFC, Norala municipal police station, 12th Army Special Forces Company, Regional Intelligence Unit-12 and 1205th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-12.

Daniel said units under the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 73-Far South Mindanao Region operate in the village close to the mountainous boundaries of Norala, Banga and Tantangan towns, and Koronadal City in South Cotabato.

He said the surrender of the former NPA combatants was an offshoot of their continuing internal security operations in these areas.

They gave up at least 10 low and high-powered firearms, explosives, subversive documents, NPA emblems, and assorted medical kit and supplies, he said.

Citing accounts from the returnees, Daniel said they decided to surface and lay down their firearms due to their difficult situation in the mountains, which worsened due to the impact of the coronavirus disease or COVID-19 pandemic.

“They wanted to experience real freedom and embrace the government’s peace efforts,” he said in a statement.

Norala Mayor Clemente Fedoc said they had been negotiating the surrender of the rebels for weeks through their task force to end local communist armed conflict.

He said they were originally scheduled to hold another dialogue in Barangay Tinago on Friday morning but were told that some of the rebels were ready to surrender.

“We were surprised and really grateful because we only expected 18 to 20 surrenderers but their number increased to 34,” he said in an interview over radio station Bombo Radyo in Koronadal City on Friday night.

The mayor said some of the returnees were not able to bring their firearms but signified to surrender them in the next few days.

Fedoc said they initially provided the former rebels with food packs and other essential supplies.

He said the local government will assist the enrollment of the returnees into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program so they can avail of financial, livelihood and other support packages from the government. (MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/06/34-npa-members-surrender-in-southcot/

2 cops killed, 2 wounded in attack on police station in Parang, Sulu

Posted MindaNews (Jun 13, 2020): 2 cops killed, 2 wounded in attack on police station in Parang, Sulu (By FERDINANDH B. CABRERA)

COTABATO City (MindaNews / 13 June) — Two policemen were killed while two others were wounded when unidentified armed men attacked the municipal police station in Parang, Sulu at around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Naguib Sinarimbo, Minister of Interior and Local Government at the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and concurrent BARMM spokesperson, confirmed the incident.

Courtesy of Goodle Maps

Killed were Patrolman Arjun Putalan and Corporal Mudar Salamat.

Executive Master Sargent Hamid Saribbon and Staff Master Sargent Harold Nieva were rushed to the Parang Municipal Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

A report form the Regional Polic Office of the BARMM said joint elements of Sulu police provincial force led by Colonel Michael Bayawan arrived in Parang at 7:30 p.m. but the suspects had managed to flee towards Indanan town.

“Identity of the perpetrators are still being established,” the report said

Hot pursuit operation is ongoing while police in the locality are investigating who are the leaders behind the attack. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera / MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/06/2-cops-killed-2-wounded-in-attack-on-police-station-in-parang-sulu/

Army says anti-terror bill to help cut funding for Reds

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Jun 13, 2020): Army says anti-terror bill to help cut funding for Reds

THE Anti-Terror bill will allow the government to cut sources of financial and logistical support for communist terrorist groups, Philippine Army commander, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said.

"It would enable us because you know they (communist terrorist groups) are still espousing armed violence to bring about change in our society, in our country.
And of course, in doing so, they need support, they need finance and logistics support from other sectors so this bill would also enable us to cut that umbilical cord so that it could, and we could prevent and hopefully, finally end this communist insurgency," Gapay said in an interview with ABS-CBN.

He cited Section 25 of the bill which mandates that the proposed Anti-Terrorism Council "shall automatically adopt the United Nations Security Council Consolidated List of designated individuals, groups of persons, organizations, or associations designated and/or identified as a terrorist, one who finances terrorism, or a terrorist organization or group".

Gapay added that the New People's Army (NPA) is well within the definition of terrorism in the proposed measure as they have killed civilians and uniformed personnel using treachery, and violence.

"They have killed innocent civilians, even us in the security sector employing treachery, you know, ambushes and using IEDs (improvised explosive devices), they (also) have bombs, and I don't think with that they are no different (with the) other terrorists, so they are included because they are well within the definition of what terrorism means, who terrorists are in this new anti-terror bill," he said.

Under the bill, terrorism is committed when a person commits acts intended to cause death or injury to any person or endangers a person's life, engages in acts intended to cause extensive damage or destruction to a government facility, public place or private property and critical infrastructure among others.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff, Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. earlier said the measure is not targeting any specific group. “The proposed law is not targeting any specific organization, group, or individual. But if any of them commits an act or acts which are included in the definition of Terrorism, then they will be prosecuted and penalized under the proposed law,” Santos said.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United Kingdom, the European Union, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (Priam Nepomuceno)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/06/army-says-anti-terror-bill-to-help-cut.html

Tausug (MAKUSUG Class) soldiers, pride of Sulu

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Jun 13, 2020): Tausug (MAKUSUG Class) soldiers, pride of Sulu

SULU – The Philippine Army thanked Governor Sakur Tan for his support in various, including its community and humanitarian programs in the southern province of Sulu where it recently graduated over 230 new soldiers.

Sulu Governor Sakur 'Datu Shabandar' Tan receives a commemorative token from the 11th Infantry Division during the recent graduation of MAKUSUG Class of 2020 in Indanan town. (Philippine Army)

Tan, a respected and influential leader, was the honored guest during the Closing Ceremony and Entrustment of Firearms of Candidate Soldier Course (MAKUSUG) Class 620-2020 held the training school of the 11th Infantry Division in Camp Bud Datu in Indanan town.

The class was the first batch of Tausug soldiers, who were trained by the 11th Infantry Division, under Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr.

During the historic ceremony, Tan emphasized the important role of Tausugs in peace-building efforts.

“Sa lahat ng estratehiya ng pamahalaan sa pagsugpo ng terorismo, ito ang pinaka-epektibo. Matutulungan ninyo ang inyong pamilya lalo na ang komunidad sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan. Huwag kayong magpagamit sa kasamaan at gawin sa tama ang inyong sinumpaan,” he said.

The class name MAKUSUG (Muslim at Kristiyano, Unang Susulong Upang Gapiin ang Terrorismo sa Sulu) Class composed of 217 men and 20 women - all Tausugs – underwent rigid training and discipline under the tutelage of Colonel Wendell Basat.

Basat said the class name reflects the soldiers' commitment in maintaining peace in Sulu, also called Lupah Sug.

“The military profession knows no religion. Muslims and Christians alike are truly committed in preventing lawlessness in Sulu,” he said, adding, the new soldiers are now members of the 11th Infantry Division.

He said for four months, the recruits had undergone various skills training such as Marksmanship, Field Survival, Land Navigation, Map Reading and Field Training Exercises with the aim of equipping them with the best military disciplines and principles.

Their graduation, he said, pushed through despite the pandemic while maintaining the necessary health protocols throughout the ceremony. No visitors had been allowed to attend the ceremony as part of the quarantine guidelines imposed by the Sulu Task Force on Covid-19 and the Department of Health.

Vinluan also said they endeavored to prioritize residents of Sulu in its recruitment for both regular and special enlistment of candidate soldiers.

“The purpose is not only to help their families but at the same time to enable the Tausugs become one with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in sustaining peace in their homeland,” he said.

He encouraged the new privates to become productive soldiers. “Huwag ninyong kakalimutan lahat ng naituro sa inyo ng 11DTS (11th Infantry Division Training School) at lakasan ang loob sa lahat ng hamon ng buhay. Kayo ay magiging kaagapay na sa pagsasakatuparan ng ating misyon upang makamit ang tunay na kapayapaan at kaunlaran dito sa ating bayan,” he said. (Zamboanga Post and Mindanao Examiner)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/06/tausug-makusug-class-soldiers-pride-of.html

Gunmen attack Sulu police station, kill 2 cops

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Jun 13, 2020): Gunmen attack Sulu police station, kill 2 cops

SULU – Two policemen were killed and two others wounded in a daring attack by gunmen Saturday evening on a municipal police station in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, officials said.

The attackers opened fire on the station in Parang town around 6.30 p.m. and escaped after the shooting that killed Corporal Mudar Salamat and Patrolman Arjun Putalan.

Two other cops were wounded in the attack have been identified as Executive Master Sergeant Hamid Saribbon and Senior Master Sergeant Harold Nieva.

Provincial and municipal police forces led by Colonel Michael Bawayan launched an operation to track down the gunmen.

The motive of the attack is still unknown and no individual or group claimed responsibility for the assault, but security forces are battling pro-ISIS militants Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

“As of this time, reinforcing personnel together with Parang Municipal Station are conducting pursuit operations. The identities of the perpetrators are still being established,” according to Bawayan.

It was unclear how the gunmen managed to sneak through the town without being detected by policemen or soldiers manning checkpoints in the province. (Zamboanga Post)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/06/gunmen-attack-sulu-police-station-kill.html

116 AMBALA members surrender to police

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 13, 2020): 116 AMBALA members surrender to police (By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

TARLAC CITY, June 13 (PIA) -- A total of 116 members of the Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Hacienda Luisita (AMBALA) officially surrendered Friday to the folds of the government.

Police Regional Director PBGen. Rhodel Sermonia said the returnees are remnants of farmer sector mass support group of the Larangang Gerilya sa Patag 2 and Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in Hacienda Luisita. 

A total of 116 members of the Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Hacienda Luisita (AMBALA) officially surrendered Friday to the folds of the government. (Police Regional Office 3)

Sermonia distributed relief packs during the signing of Oath of Allegiance of the AMBALA members.

"This is in line with the efforts of our Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and we have incorporated our ongoing program at Police Regional Office 3 which is the Rektang Bayanihan Bagong Pagkakaisa for all who will return to the folds of the law so that we could show to them that indeed the government cares for them and would give them a better life thru livelihood assistance so that they could start anew," the official added. (CLJD-PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1044723

‘Tabak’ Division promotes, recognizes medical front-liners

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 13, 2020): ‘Tabak’ Division promotes, recognizes medical front-liners (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)



PROMOTION. The 1st Infantry "Tabak" Division (1ID) promotes two medical front-liners and accords recognition to six others for their invaluable services amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, 1ID commander (left) leads the pinning of ranks and awarding of certificates Friday (June 12) in Camp Maj. Cesar Sang-an. At left is Maj. Jussel Parlan, one of the two promoted medical front-liners. (Photo courtesy of 1ID Public Information Office)

The Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division (1ID) has promoted and recognized the medical front-liners for meritorious services rendered to the command, especially amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel were Maj. Jussel Parlan and Maj. Romulo Aujero of Camp Major Cesar Sang-an Station Hospital and Dental Detachment, respectively.

Six enlisted and three civilian personnel were awarded Certificate of Appreciation for their invaluable services rendered as medical front-liners and delivering essential health services to the personnel of the 1ID.

Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, 1ID commander, led the pinning of ranks and awarding of certificates held Friday after the Independence Day flag ceremony at Camp Sang-an, the houses the division’s headquarters in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

Ponio congratulated the newly promoted officers and thanked them as well as their personnel for their efficient and effective management in significantly mitigating the spread of Covid-19 at the camp despite one senior officer was infected with the dreaded virus.

Ponio also echoed the message of Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, commander of the Philippine Army.

“This commemoration reminds us foremostly of the essence of our nationhood, our people who fought for freedom and recognition for the first-ever democracy in Asia. Time and again, we rise up and assert our rights for self-determination throughout the years,” Gapay said in a statement read by Ponio.

“In the New Normal, liberation takes on a different challenge. While we face the Covid-19 pandemic, we also deal with terrorism and heal our soldiers’ inner wounds incurred in the performance of their duty,” Gapay added.

The activity was followed by a “Brigada Hospital” where troops cleaned the vicinity of the infirmary, a gesture of gratitude for their indispensable services.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105787

34 more NPA rebels yield in SoCot

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 13, 2020): 34 more NPA rebels yield in SoCot (By Allen Estabillo)



MORE RETURNEES. Photo shows the New People’s Army (NPA) flags, subversive documents, medical supplies, and an improvised homemade M-14 sniper rifle surrendered by 34 former combatants in Norala town, South Cotabato province on Friday. The returnees were previously under the field units of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 73 that operates in the mountainous boundaries of Norala, Banga and Tantangan towns, and Koronadal City in South Cotabato. (Photo courtesy of the South Cotabato 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company)

A total of 34 more New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, including a sub-leader, surrendered on Friday to local officials and government authorities in Norala town, South Cotabato province.

Lt. Col. Celestino Daniel Jr., chief of the South Cotabato 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), said on Saturday the rebels decided to yield along with several firearms during a joint community outreach activity in Barangay Tinago, Norala.

Dubbed “Kapwa Ko, Sagot Ko-Adopt an Indigent Family Program,” he said the initiative benefited poor residents of Sitios Lower and Upper Bangkal in Tinago.

Officials of Norala town and elements from the South Cotabato 2nd PMFC, Norala municipal police station, 12th Army Special Forces Company, Regional Intelligence Unit-12, and 1205th Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-12 joined the event.

Daniel said the village was close to the mountainous boundaries of Norala, Banga and Tantangan towns, and Koronadal City in South Cotabato that was operated by units under the NPA’s Guerilla Front 73-Far South Mindanao Region.

He said the surrender of the former NPA fighters was an offshoot of their continuing internal security operations in these areas.

They gave up at least 10 low and high-powered firearms, explosives, subversive documents, NPA emblems, and assorted medical kit and supplies.

Citing accounts from the returnees, Daniel said they decided to surface and lay down their firearms due to their difficult situation in the mountains, which worsened due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“They wanted to experience real freedom and embrace the government’s peace efforts,” he said in a statement.

Norala Mayor Clemente Fedoc said they had been negotiating the surrender of the rebels for weeks through their task force to end the local communist armed conflict.

He said they were originally scheduled to hold another dialogue in Barangay Tinago on Friday morning but were told that some of the rebels were ready to surrender.

“We were surprised and really grateful because we only expected 18 to 20 surrenderers but their number increased to 34,” he said in an interview over radio station Bombo Radyo in Koronadal City on Friday night.

He said some of the returnees were not able to bring their firearms but signified to surrender them in the next few days.

Fedoc said they initially provided the former rebels with food packs and other essential supplies.

He said the local government will assist the enrollment of the returnees into the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program so they can avail of financial, livelihood, and other support packages from the government.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105793

Zambo Sur, military launch 3 infra projects

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 13, 2020): Zambo Sur, military launch 3 infra projects (By Leah Agonoy)



ADDRESSING INSURGENCY. The Zamboanga del Sur provincial government in partnership with the military is implementing three infrastructure projects that will address the communist insurgency problem in remote areas of the province. On Thursday (June 11, 2020) top officials of the 1st Infantry Division and Zamboanga del Sur provincial government hold the groundbreaking ceremony signaling the start of the projects. (PNA photo by Leah D. Agonoy)

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – The provincial government and the military have launched three infrastructure projects in remote areas to uplift the living condition of farmers and address the insurgency problem.

The projects include the construction of a hanging bridge in Barangay Duelic, Midsalip; the opening of a 4.5 kilometers road linking Barangay Piwan, Midsalip to Barangay Sigakad, Bayog; and road concreting in Barangay Pisompongan to Barangay Balonai, Midsalip.

Anastacio Gandingon, Piwan barangay chairperson, told the Philippine News Agency during Thursday's groundbreaking ceremony that the road projects would boost the economic activity in the area.

Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, commander of the 1st Infantry Division (1ID), said Saturday the projects aim to hasten the delivery of government basic services and show the local population the government's resolve to address the communist insurgency.

Ponio said the road opening project connecting the towns of Misalip and Bayog would eliminate the "safe haven" of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the two towns.

“The NPA group would soon die down and surrender,” Ponio said.

Gadingon urged the NPA rebels to stop its "extortion operations" that have been victimizing poor village residents.

Jonalyn Catanes of Barangay Piwan said the opening and concreting of the road “will give much relief to the farmers” in transporting their farm products to the town center of Midsalip, which is 20 kilometers from the village.

“We pay PHP2 to PHP4 per kilo of the farm products to transport to the town center by habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) or horse from our barrio to the town center. That’s a burden for us who could only sell the products like rice, corn, banana, copra, and other fruits to the middlemen at a low price,” Catanes said.

Catanes said they would walk on the muddy road because of the prohibitive fare of the habal-habal going to the town.

Col. Emerito Pineda, 547th Engineering Battalion commander, said the projects are supervised by the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC).

Pineda said the road opening will not only address problems on peace and order but “will improve their livelihood, access to basic services would also come through like education, health, electrification, and potable water source.”

“The project is a dream coming true for them (the residents),” he added.

Gov. Victor Yu said the provincial government will use its own equipment to fast-track the projects.

“These (projects) would reduce the extortion and armed activities of the enemies of the state,” Yu said.

Ponio assured that they will provide security to ensure the completion of the three projects, which is scheduled to finish by December.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105807

Anti-terror bill timely, help rid threats: Kadamay-Villa Lois

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 13, 2020): Anti-terror bill timely, help rid threats: Kadamay-Villa Lois (By Manny Balbin)



SUPPORT TO ANTI-TERROR BILL. A copy of the statement of leaders and members of a breakaway group of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) in Pandi, Bulacan expressing support for the passage of the anti-terrorism bill into law. The statement sent to newsmen said the proposed measure is very timely and would help eliminate the threat of terrorism in the country. (Photo from Kadamay)

PANDI, Bulacan – Leaders and members of a breakaway group of the militant Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) here said the proposed anti-terrorism measure is very timely and would help remove the threats to the country's peace and security.

In a media statement signed by Lolita de Jesus, chairperson of Kadamay-Villa Lois in Barangay Siling Bata on Thursday, the group has expressed support for the passage of the anti-terrorism bill into law.

“The proposed bill aims to secure and protect our freedom from terrorists who are out to sow terror in the country and it is also seen to lessen if not totally eliminate the threat of terrorism in the Philippines,” it said.

The former militants also said the proposed measure would prevent terrorists from establishing terror cells in the country.

“There are foreign terrorists who go to our country to expand terrorism and continue their violent acts, and through this Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the spread of terrorism would be prevented,” they said.

The group cited the need for the bill to be enacted into law as it pointed out that terrorism does not choose its victims, time, and places.

“Let us not wait that we or our family members become the next victims of terrorist attacks. Let us support the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 for the Filipino families and the next generations,” it added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1105825