Four suspected ISIS-linked ASG terrorists slain in Paranaque City

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 26, 2020): Four suspected ISIS-linked ASG terrorists slain in Paranaque City (By Martin Sadongdong)

Security forces shot dead four suspected Islamic State (ISIS)-linked and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists in a joint police and military raid in Don Bosco, Paranaque City minutes past Friday midnight.

Police Major General Debold Sinas, regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), identified the suspects as Bensaudi Sali alias “Boy,” 37; his reported wife Merhama Abdul Sawari alias “Mheng,” around 40 to 45 years old; Rasmin Hussin alias “Boscon;” and Jamal Kalliming alias “Pando.”

According to Sinas, joint units from the NCRPO, Paranaque City police, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and National Intelligence Coordination Agency (NICA) tried to serve a search warrant at the house of Sali in Better Living Subdivision around 12:30 a.m. when they were met with gunfire.

Further, the suspects allegedly tried to lob a grenade at the police and military but it went off prematurely, Sinas said.

The security forces retaliated which eventually led to the killing of the suspects.

According to the NCRPO Chief, the operation stemmed from the intelligence information they received about the presence of a group of Dawlah Islamiyah acting as a financial conduit in Paranaque City beginning in November 2019.

Dawlah Islamiyah (Arabic for Islamic State) is a faction of the ASG that is affiliated with the ISIS. It is being headed by ASG sub-leader Hajan Sawadjaan.

“They were tagged as a financial conduit of Daesh-East Asia because of their established connection with Dawlah Islamiyah bomb expert and sub-leader Mundi Sawadjaan alias Abu Marwan,” Sinas said, referring to the nephew of Hajan.

The operation was covered with a warrant issued by Judge Noemi Balitaan, of the Paranaque City Regional Trial Court Branch 258, for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The incident also resulted in the wounding of Police Corporal Ehrol Gamboa, who is assigned at the regional Security Operations Group (RSOG) of the NCRPO.

He was hit in the leg and brought to a hospital in Taguig City for immediate treatment.

Profile

According to joint intelligence reports, Sali was a member of the ASG Dawlah Islamiyah in Sulu. He was a native of Jolo who had been working as a security guard in a residential condominium in Paranaque City.

Meanwhile, Sawari was also tagged as an ASG terrorist. She was said to be working as the group’s finance and logistics facilitator of support coming from Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Sawari even received a money remittance from Indonesian terrorist Yoga Fabrianto, who was also linked to ISIS, before the latter was arrested in Sabah, Malaysia in June 2019, according to intelligence reports.

During his arrest, Fabrianto told Malaysian authorities that an Indonesian couple was behind the infamous Jolo Cathedral twin bombings on January 27, 2019 that killed 23 people.

Hussin and Kalliming, who were both security guards like Sali, were alleged cohorts of the two ASG suspects, according to intelligence reports.

During the clearing operations after the raid, authorities recovered on the encounter site three blasting caps, various wires, two bottles of white and brownish granules which are suspected to be ingredients in making explosives, two pistols, two revolvers, two ISIS flags, two hand grenades, an M16 rifle, a match, a plastic container with silver powder, an improvised hand grenade fuse assembly with detonating cord, and a nine -volt battery.

With the death of the four suspects, Sinas vowed to further intensify their intelligence efforts to apprehend security threats in Metro Manila.

AFP calls for ATB enactment

Following the death of suspected terrorists in Metro Manila, the AFP called for the hastened signing into law of the Anti-terrorism bill (ATB) which is now waiting for President Duterte’s signature.

General Felimon Santos, AFP Chief of Staff, said the “unwanted presence” and neutralization of the suspected terrorists only proved that terror groups won’t recognize the dire situation that the country is facing amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic should they wish to launch an attack.

“Not even COVID-19 could deter or prevent the terrorists ASG and their cohorts from planning and looking for the opportune time to strike and kill or maim innocent civilians and to destroy massively government infrastructure and private property,” Santos said in a statement.

He said the incident “highlights” the need for Duterte to expedite the signing and immediate implementation of the ATB.

“It is public security and general welfare at stake. We should protect and defend from terrorists — without further delay than it had already been — fellow Filipinos from wanton death or destruction of their property,” he said.

The ATB, which passage in the Congress was met with criticisms due to supposedly vague and broad provisions that could target dissenters of the government, is now being reviewed by the legal team of Duterte, according to Malacanang.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/26/four-suspected-isis-linked-asg-terrorists-slain-in-paranaque-city/

4 suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists killed in Philippine shootout with gov't forces

From Xinjua (Jun 26, 2020): 4 suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists killed in Philippine shootout with gov't forces

Philippine security forces killed four suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists in a shootout inside a subdivision in the country's capital Manila early Friday.

Police said a team of soldiers and policemen went to the subdivision in Paranaque City, Metro Manila, at midnight on Friday to serve an arrest warrant to one of the suspects for an alleged violation of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

However, the main suspect and his wife allegedly fired at the arresting team and triggered a shootout.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sign into law a new anti-terror law that strengthens the country's efforts to combat domestic terrorism.

The new law, an enhanced version of a 2007 counter-terror law, was crafted "in order to adequately and effectively contain the menace of terrorist acts for the preservation of national security," according to Duterte's letter dated on June 1, 2020, urging the House of Representatives to act immediately on the bill.

Both the country's House of Representatives and the Senate have passed the bill, and it is now awaiting Duterte's signature.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief General Felimon Santos issued a statement on Friday, urging Duterte to "expedite the signing of the anti-terrorism bill so that it can be immediately implemented" amid "the unwanted presence of Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Metro Manila."

Santos said the Paranaque shootout "all the more highlights" the need for the new law. "It is public security and general welfare at stake. We should protect and defend the Filipinos from terrorists," he added.

The Abu Sayyaf Group is considered the smallest but the most violent of the extremist groups in the southern Philippines. The group, which has an estimated 400 fighters, is active in the impoverished island provinces of Sulu and Basilan.

The group is responsible for the series of kidnappings, deadly bombings, ambushes of security personnel, public beheadings, assassinations, and extortion in the Mindanao region.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-06/26/c_139168641.htm

2 militias wounded in attack by suspected NPA rebels in Iligan

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 26, 2020): 2 militias wounded in attack by suspected NPA rebels in Iligan (By: Inquirer Mindanao)

ILIGAN CITY –– Two civilian militias were seriously wounded after armed men suspected to be New People’s Army (NPA) harassed an Army detachment in a hinterland village here Friday morning.

Lieutenant Liza Dango-Mira, civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, said the attack happened at 10:10 a.m. in Barangay Kalilangan.

This is the second attack by suspected NPA rebels in a month. Last month, the rebels were also tagged in a clash with Army soldiers in Mainit village.

Mira said the wounded militias were immediately brought to a hospital in the city for treatment.

She added that a pursuit operation is underway.

Suspected Maoist rebels have been frequenting the city’s hinterland communities for about a year now.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1297893/2-militias-wounded-in-attack-by-suspected-npa-rebels-in-iligan

Group reports conflict over land, ethnicity, religion in Bangsamoro

From the Business Mirror (Jun 26, 2020): Group reports conflict over land, ethnicity, religion in Bangsamoro (By Jonathan L. Mayuga)

Peace-building nongovernment organization (NGO) International Alert Philippines (IAP) has expressed alarm over what it described as “raging conflicts” over land and natural resources in the Bangsamoro amid the Covid-19 pandemic in the last two months.

The group has been monitoring events in conflict areas, particularly Mindanao, through its critical events monitoring system (CEMS) bulletin.

In the months of April and May, as Ramadhan ended and the government eased its lockdown measures, the group monitored the expulsion of indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands, clashes between rebel groups and between factions of these rebel groups, murder of a local government executive in Cotabato City, continued attacks by violent extremists and the death of two children from a mortar explosion, forced displacement of thousands of families due to these conflicts and tensions among ethnic groups related to the government’s Covid-19 response, according to Diana Jean Moraleda, senior program manager—Youth, Women, and Communications of International Alert Philippines, said in an e-mail message to the BusinessMirror.

The CEMS bulletin, an SMS and high-frequency radio-based reporting system being ran by IAP, peace-building organization captures conflict incidents and tensions in communities.

It is used by Alert’s Early Response Network (ERN), a group of men and women who share real-time information and work with key stakeholders in coordinating quick and context-specific responses.

In a news statement, IAP said that ongoing violence first erupted on May 29 in South Upi, where portions of land are occupied by the indigenous Teduray but also claimed by the Maguindanaon Muslims. The contested land is also being eyed by agribusiness and miners, the group said.

The group reported that a series of clashes also occurred in Maguindanao and North Cotabato between commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and between MILF groups, including their families and clans.

MILF combatants occupying land surrounding their base camps in Lanao del Sur compounds the conflict, the bulletin reported.

Nikki de la Rosa, International Alert country manager, explained that while these flashpoints are tied to land issues, the groups’ access to weapons and manpower and their links to state apparatus prolong violence.

“They have access to resources and have political connections, that is why they are able to engage in long-term violence,” she explained.

According to International Alert Philippines, clashes between MILF and MNLF commanders happened in Pikit over several days in April and in Matalam on April 29. There were also clashes in the towns of Sultan Kudarat and Guindulungan on April 12 and, May 14 and 15, respectively. A firefight erupted again in the boundary of Pikit and in Pagalungan from May 7 to 10. Meanwhile, a recurring conflict played out between two MILF commanders in Pikit from April to May.

These clashes could be an indication of polarization of communities around land and other natural resource issues, coupled with identity and political issues, said Dela Rosa.

“Polarization is a state of increased attitudinal divergence between groups of either side of a social boundary, whether ethnic identity, clans, cultures, and beliefs. High levels of polarization indicate looming violence between two parties that have taken extreme positions,” de la Rosa added.

These shooting wars that have killed many and forced the evacuation of thousands of families actually mimic the armed conflict between Christian paramilitary groups and allied indigenous peoples groups versus Moro tribes and their armed fronts in the 1960s and 1970s, de la Rosa added.

“We see that violence activated by land disputes and deepened by religious divides half a century ago, resulting from government’s resettlement of hordes of Christian Filipinos from Luzon and Visayas to Mindanao, has kept its grip on the region and will continue to affect generations to come,” de la Rosa said.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/06/26/group-reports-conflict-over-land-ethnicity-religion-in-bangsamoro/

US: Philippines remains a destination of foreign terrorists

From the Philippine Star (Jun 26, 2020): US: Philippines remains a destination of foreign terrorists (By Pia Lee Brago)

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano insisted activism will not be targeted under the new terror bill.
The STAR/Boy Santos

MANILA, Philippines — While the government may have shown political will in enforcing security measures against terror threats, the country “remained a destination” for foreign terror fighters, according to the US State Department in its 2019 annual report on terrorism.

In its Country Reports on Terrorism 2019 released on Wednesday, the State Department said foreign fighters from Indonesia, Malaysia and countries in the Middle East and Europe continued to arrive in the Philippines as the government struggled to apply a concerted approach to prevent terror attacks.

It acknowledged that the Philippine government made some adjustments in its military, law enforcement and counter-radicalization efforts to address shifting threats from terror groups that continued to operate primarily in the country’s southern region or in Mindanao.

Terror groups linked to the Middle East-based Islamic State and active in 2019 included the Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Ansar al-Khalifa Philippines (AKP) and the Maute group.

“Groups affiliated with ISIS-Philippines continued efforts to recover from battlefield losses, recruiting and training new members and staging suicide bombings and attacks with IEDs and small arms that targeted security forces and civilians,” the report said.

It cited a suicide attack by an Indonesian couple at the Jolo Cathedral in Sulu on Jan. 27 last year that killed 23 people and wounded 102. The Abu Sayyaf claimed responsibility for the attack.

The report cited the government’s political settlement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) but pointed out that some rogue elements of the group continued to oppose the peace process.

The report said the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing New People’s Army continued attacks on security forces and civilians, as the government sustained its military and law enforcement operations against the group.

Although the Philippine government made progress toward compliance with United Nations Security Council (UNSCR) 2396, taking steps to curb terrorist travel and improving information sharing with foreign partners, the report said the proposed amendments to strengthen the 2007 Human Security Act (HSA) by covering preparatory acts and reducing administrative hurdles to terrorism prosecutions remained pending in Congress at the end of 2019.

The Philippines’ main counterterrorism legislation includes the HSA and the 2012 Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (TF Law).

The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which amended the Human Security Act of 2007, is awaiting President Duterte’s signature.
‘True activism’

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, meanwhile, insisted activism will not be targeted under the new terror bill.

He said “true activism” should not be mistaken for “destructive activism” that allows terrorists within its ranks.

“Critics say activism is not terrorism. We agree with you. Activism is not terrorism. We want to promote activism, from the youngest child. That is why my late father had a show, Compañero y Compañera, saying ’wag magpa-api, alamin ang batas (don’t allow yourselves to be abused, know the law),” he explained in a statement.

“In the same vein, terrorism is not activism. You should not allow terrorists to hide within your ranks,” the Speaker pointed out.

“This is activism at its truest and finest form – when we make a difference not by tearing things down, but by finding things to fix and building something better from it,” he stressed.

Cayetano also dismissed fears that the measure would be weaponized against critics of the Duterte administration.

“We can never let our guard down. Not against overreach by government, nor the acts of terrorists. But contrary to what critics insist, these two objectives should not be mutually exclusive. With more trust and less politics, I am confident that we can have both,” he added.

On the other hand, Vice President Leni Robredo said there are “objectionable provisions” in the anti-terror that make it dangerous.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/06/26/2023611/us-philippines-remains-destination-foreign-terrorists

‘Whole-of-gov’t approach’ needed in PH anti-terror campaign — State Dept. report

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 25, 2020): ‘Whole-of-gov’t approach’ needed in PH anti-terror campaign — State Dept. report (By Roy Mabasa)

While the Philippine government possesses the political will to use security measures against terrorists, it is struggling to apply a “coordinated whole-of-government approach” in preventing terrorism especially in the southern Philippines, the U.S Department of State said in its latest report on worldwide terrorism activities.

In a newly uploaded Country Reports on Terrorism 2019, the State Department noted that the continued ability of terrorist organizations to operate in Mindanao “reflects the centuries-long challenge of governing effectively” in the remote areas of the country.

“Although the Philippine government possesses the political will to apply security measures against terrorist threats and has consistently partnered with the United States and other nations to build the capacity to do so, it struggles to apply a coordinated whole-of-government approach to prevent terrorism,” it said.

The other challenge being faced by the Philippines is the establishment of “consistent security” in a region characterized by a strong separatist identity, endemic poverty, and religious differences.

The State Department listed at least six terrorist incidents that occurred in 2019 in the southern Philippines targeting civilians and security forces with IEDs and small arms, as well as multiple suicide bombings, which is a “new phenomenon” for the region.

“Groups affiliated with ISIS-Philippines continued efforts to recover from battlefield losses, recruiting and training new members, and staging suicide bombings and attacks with IEDs and small arms that targeted security forces and civilians,” the report said.

Citing separate incidents in 2019, the report said terrorists included a complex attack against a military unit in Sulu, which involved the first Filipino suicide bomber, as well as a suicide attack at the Jolo Cathedral in Sulu carried out by an Indonesian couple.

Aside from ISIS-Philippines affiliates groups active in 2019 such as the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Ansar al-Khalifa Philippines (AKP), and the Maute Group, the Philippines remained a destination for foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) from Indonesia, Malaysia, and countries in the Middle East and Europe.

Furthermore, the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in January 2019 and the subsequent establishment of a more autonomous regional government under the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) did not stop “some rogue MILF elements and breakaway groups, including BIFF, ASG, AKP, and the Maute Group” from continuing to oppose the peace process.

The State Department report said the Philippines made progress toward compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2396, taking steps to curb terrorist travel and improving information sharing with foreign partners.

It likewise cited the country’s counterterrorism legislation including the 2007 Humans Security Act (HAS), the 2012 Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (TF Law), and the proposed amendments to strengthen the HAS which is now awaiting the signature of President Duterte.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/25/whole-of-govt-approach-needed-in-ph-anti-terror-campaign-state-dept-report/

NDF/Sison: On Duterte’s threat to hang himself because of his failures and abuse

Jose Maria Sison propaganda statement posted to the National Democratic Front Philippines (NDFP or NDF) Facebook Page (Jun 26, 2020): On Duterte’s threat to hang himself because of his failures and abuse



By Jose Maria Sison, NDFP Chief Political Consultant

Duterte says that he is tempted to hang himself because of the problems that he cannot solve and that he has in fact aggravated. He talks this way out of fear that the people will soon catch up with him in a corner and hold him accountable for his failures and abuses.

But he is hell-bent on imposing a kind of state terrorism worse than martial law. He is still enjoying himself in locking down and killing people and stealing hundreds of billions of pesos in the name of the pandemic.

And he is daydreaming about being able to kill all the revolutionaries or bribe them to surrender so that he can rule without opposition from the revolutionary movement.

No psychopathic narcissist and sociopathic tyrant would really think of hanging himself until he is put in a corner by the people and the revolutionary forces.

Duterte thinks that he can appease the people by threatening to kill himself. The overwhelming response of the people is that he should go ahead and give the people some relief from his tyranny and corruption.

He seems not to realize that he has bankrupted the economy and the government and that he is the target of the people’s wrath because of the escalating oppression and exploitation that they are suffering.

Conditions are now so many times more favorable for the people’s armed revolution than in the years of 1968 to 1972. And the revolutionary forces are so many times far stronger now on a national scale than in that period.

There is practically no space for Duterte to save himself with foreign loans. The IMF, World Bank and OECD have already proclaimed the certain fall of the global GDP by 4.9 to 6 per cent this year in what they describe as the Great Lockdown.

They estimate that this is far worse than the Great Depression. The unprecedented fall of the global GDP will have the worst impact on underdeveloped and heavily indebted economies like that of the Philippines.###

https://ndfp.org/on-dutertes-threat-to-hang-himself-because-of-his-failures-and-abuse/

CPP/CIO: Batikusin ang pag-aresto sa mga nagraling LGBTQ

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 27, 2020): Batikusin ang pag-aresto sa mga nagraling LGBTQ

MARCO VALBUENA

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

JUNE 26, 2020

Kinukundena ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) ang marahas na pagbuwag at arbitraryong pag-aresto ng PNP sa sampung lumahok sa Pride Month rally kanina ng mga LGBTQ. Nagtipon ang mga LGBTQ at kanilang mga tagasuporta upang tuligsain ang pang-aapi sa kanila, batikusin ang palyadong pagtugon sa pandemyang Covid-19 at labanan ang mga tiraniya at pasismo ng rehimen.

Ang walang-batayang pag-aresto sa benteng nagrali ay bahagi ng desperadong pagpapatahimik ng rehimeng Duterte sa mamamayang disgustado sa kanyang lansakang terorismo. Pangita ito ng kahihinatnan ng mamamayang Pilipino sa ilalim ng nakaambang Anti-Terror Bill.

Dapat lang na ipagmalaki ng mga myembro ng LGBTQ at kanilang mga kapanalig ang pag-ulos ng galit sa teroristang paghahari ni Duterte. Ang kanilang pagkamuhi ay tumitipon sa namumuong poot ng sambayanan na magpapabagsak sa tirano.

https://cpp.ph/statement/batikusin-ang-pag-aresto-sa-mga-nagraling-lgbtq/

CPP/CIO: Denounce killing of peasant in Escalante, Negros

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 27, 2020): Denounce killing of peasant in Escalante, Negros

MARCO VALBUENA

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

JUNE 27, 2020

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) joins Negrenses and the rest of the Filipino people in condemning the Duterte regime for the killing of Jose Jerry Catalogo, an officer of the National Federation of Sugar Workers last Tuesday.

Suspected state agents gunned down Catalogo at around 5:00 a.m. on June 23. He was feeding his carabao outside his residence in Barangay Paitan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental when killed. Prior to the incident, Catalogo has reportedly been subjected to surveillance.

Catalogo was an officer of the NFSW. His killing forms part of the systematic attacks of the Duterte regime against the NFSW which has been repeatedly tagged by the regime’s National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) as a “front organization” of the CPP.

On June 9, state forces arbitrarily arrested Gaspar Davao, also an organizer for the NFSW, in Cadiz City in the same province. In 2018, the regime also perpetrated the Sagay massacre of nine peasant members of NFSW who were asserting their right to cultivate an idle piece of land for food.

The killing of Catalogo seeks to terrorize the peasant masses amid growing political and socioeconomic unrest across the country. These were perpetrated at a time that the Duterte fascist regime is railroading the enactment of the Anti-Terror Bill which aims to clamp down on activism, silence demands to oust Duterte, and eliminate opposition against his plans to establish an outright fascist dictatorship.

https://cpp.ph/statement/denounce-killing-of-peasant-in-escalante-negros/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Killings, arrests and attacks are prevalent even without ATB yet

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 21, 2020): Killings, arrests and attacks are prevalent even without ATB yet

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 21, 2020

Two civilians were killed and seven others were arrested by state forces in the past two weeks.

Suspected state agents gunned down Sang­gu­ni­an Ka­ba­ta­an (SK) councilor Ha­rold Tab­lazan at Sit­io Pas­si, Ba­ra­ngay Mayang, Tu­bu­ngan, Iloi­lo last June 20. Tablazan was a former member of the Fe­de­ra­ti­on of Iloi­lo Far­mers Asso­cia­ti­on and is currently working in the island. His companion, SK chairman Glenn Bun­da, was killed along with him.

In Neg­ros Occi­den­tal, joint elements of the police and 79th IB illegally arrested activist Gas­par Davao last June 12 at a checkpoint in Ba­ra­ngay Ca­du­ha-an, Ca­diz City. The police claimed the victim was found positive of Covid-19. The police planted a grenade in the victim’s bag while he was being detained. Davao is an organizer of the Na­tio­nal Fe­de­ra­ti­on of Su­gar Wor­kers and has long been tagged by the military as a supporter of the New People’s Army (NPA). He was presented by the AFP before the media as an “NPA surrenderee.”
In Gonza­ga, Ca­ga­yan, joint elements of the Ma­ri­ne Bat­ta­li­on Lan­ding Team 10 and Ca­ga­yan PNP Provincial Mo­bi­le Force Com­pany arrested peasants Ro­lan­do Re­yes, 40, and Ranchi Tub­ban, 19, last June 10. They were nabbed at a checkpoint in Centro Gonza­ga. Troopers planted a grenade inside the victims’ van while inspecting it. The victims were on their way home from ushering to the next town stranded passengers.

On June 12 in North Cotabato, elements of the PNP, 73rd IB and 39th IB abducted Lumad Mong­kel Taca­lan, 66, and his two children. The Tacalans were apprehended outside the Min­da­nao Interfaith Servi­ces Foun­da­ti­on Incor­po­ra­ted in Ba­ra­ng­ay Ki­san­te, Ma­ki­la­la, North Co­ta­ba­to. They were detained by the 39th IB before being surfaced in June 17.

On June 13, six armed state agents also abducted Ele­na Tija­mo at her house in Bara­ngay Kampingganon, Bantayan, Ce­bu. She is coordinator of the Far­mers Deve­lop­ment Cen­ter (Far­dec) sus­tai­nab­le agricul­tu­re program. She is also a member of the Inter­na­tio­nal Asso­cia­ti­on of Wo­men in Ra­dio and Te­levi­si­on Phi­lip­pi­nes which operates the Ra­dio Sug­bua­non. She is yet to be surfaced by the abductors.

Meanwhile, three farmers were attacked by soldiers last June 15 at around 5:00 a.m. in Tayasan, Negros Oriental. Victims, Do­doy Pe­rez, 51, Qui­ting Amad, and an unindentified person, are all residents of Barangay Laguit. Soldiers mauled Perez and his companion, while Amad was stabbed by six unidentified men who were with the soldiers.

Barangay Tayasan residents are actively opposing the entry of a destructive mining company in the area. The company is set to operate in Ba­say, Ayu­ngon, Bin­doy, Ji­ma­la­lud, La Li­ber­tad and Gui­hul­ngan. The 11th IB was redeployed in the province in June 2019 particularly to suppress the residence struggle against the said project.

[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/2020/06/21/killings-arrests-and-attacks-are-prevalent-even-without-atb-yet/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Party conducts coordinated BPCs in Bi­col

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 21, 2020): Party conducts coordinated BPCs in Bi­col

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 21, 2020

Four full sessions of the Basic Party Course and an instructors training was recently conducted in the Bicol region. “The BPC further deepened my eagerness to join the NPA. This gave me a clearer understanding of what the people’s army actually does,” said Ka Troy, one of the students.

Coordinated educational discussions were conducted to consolidate the mass base and the people’s army. This is also in response to the fascist counterinsurgency campaign of the fascist Du­ter­te regime. This was conducted while the guerrilla front was not focused of military operations.

Within five weeks from March until the first week of April, 84 residents and Red fighters finished the BPC.

Result of the studies
Ka Troy is a member of a youth group who later on became a key partner of the New People’s Army (NPA) in their community. He is among the 70 farmers who graduated from the course. “I learned more about the policies… these policies are the reasons why I like how the people’s army operates,” commented Ka Troy during the graduation.

Through the BPC, Ka Troy was finally able to firm up his decision to join the NPA as a full time member, along with several other students.

An instructors training was also conducted and produced 18 more BPC instructors in the guerrilla zone. The training was launched in between BPC sessions. The newly graduated instructors were immediately assigned to teach and were grouped to discuss particular topics.

“At first, I was not at ease to lead discussions on the subject matter… I initially felt timid,” narrated Ka Na­ti, one of the new instructors. He said the techniques taught during the training such as use of illustrations helped him in the discussion.

Decisiveness

Last year, holding Party courses in the guerrilla front was not as fruitful due to lack of proper planning and motivation. This year, the Party leadership in the province led the planning and execution of the educational discussions in the said guerrilla front.
Planning and the students’ eagerness to finish the courses are key to conducting the BPC and other Party courses.

After planning, the guerrilla front immediately invited the local Party branch in the barrio and asked them to list those who will participate in the discussions. The plan was also coordinated with Party members in the urban center for them to be able to send their delegates. Red fighters ensured the security of the venue of the program.

On average, the courses were completed in one week. The conduct of educational discussions were coordinated in various barangays. Intructors were able to immediately respond to the instruction needs in other areas.

[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/2020/06/21/party-conducts-coordinated-bpcs-in-bicol/

CPP/Ang Bayan: The revolution takes root in Niyog

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 21, 2020): The revolution takes root in Niyog

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 21, 2020

Opening new territories, or doing expansion work in an area, is a difficult but challenging task of the people’s army. In Negros, one such place is Niyog, a barrio in the island’s hinterlands. Almost all residents here are poor peasants. Some are farmworkers. They plant coconuts and produce copra.

At the outset of expansion work, a unit invariably faces challenges. But by firmly grasping mass line, constantly conducting investigation and upholding military discipline, the Red fighters will be able to organize and establish mass organizations from which Red power will grow.

The first thing the comrades did in Niyog was find a good site to encamp outside the community. Since they didn’t know anybody in the area, the comrades became creative in finding food, and competed in catching the most frogs and crabs, and gathering wild vegetables and others.

The people of Niyog were not only unaware of the NPA, they were fed with lies by the AFP. The comrades knew that Niyog residents will be uneasy of the NPA as the AFP had told them that NPA members “have horns, tails and go angry when rice cauldrons are empty.”

At first, the comrades did not introduce themselves to avoid alarming the residents. They befriended them while deepening their knowledge of the barrio and its people’s issues. At first, they asked around for animals to buy, and hung around to listen to barrio tales. Once, a comrade asked a mother what will happen if he ever crossed paths with an NPA member in the area.

“You’ll have to excuse me, my child,” she told the comrade, “I haven’t seen one of those. I don’t know if that’s a person or an animal or what. Just proceed carefully.”
The comrade did not prolong the suspense and introduced himself. “Thank you, but you should also forgive me. We are NPA members. We don’t have tails or horns, we’re just ordinary. We are here to serve you wholeheartedly and we ask for nothing but your support.”

“Oh lord! I thought the NPAs were bad people! But you are all so handsome and beautiful!” she said. “Come inside the house, so I can give you some coffee.” From then on, she would always look for the comrades. One of her early memories are of the 10 Red fighters who amazed her when they helped her harvest her produce in lightning speed. This jolly mother, who was then 54, became one of staunchest supporters of the people’s army.

There was a time when the comrades hesitated to speak to people who lived in a big house. They thought they might need to adjust their approach as they might face someone from a higher class. It turned that the house was actually Niyog’s barangay hall. It turned out, their appointment was with village officials who wanted to talk and join the organizations.

Through constant immersion and explanations, the comrades reversed the ugly picture of the NPA painted by the AFP, and forged the unity between the people and their army. The people’s fears and doubts were replaced with joy and unwavering support to the mass struggles.

The first educational seminar was held in the village basketball court where they established the local chapter of the Pam­ban­sang Ka­ti­pu­nan ng mga Mag­sa­sa­ka. A discussion on the short course on Philippine society and revolution was also held. Forty people attended the meeting, Tatay Abraham rose to become their first leader.

In the next months, the army and the mass organizations launched mass campaigns for the improvement of the community. Niyog residents participated whole­­heartedly as they knew these were for their own welfare.

It did not take long for Niyog to move from an expansion area to a consolidated one. The barrio’s first Red fighter and martyr, Ka Marmar, joined in 2018. He was killed this year. Many of Niyog’s best sons and daughters have joined, and will continue to join, the people’s army.

When the comrades and Niyog’s residents reminisce, they could not help but be amused by some of their experiences. But they also know that such experiences during that formative period shaped both the comrades and the masses which they serve.

For the moment, Niyog’s revolutionary people are faced with the challenge of standing firm and expanding further their organizations and movement in face of intensified military operations in Negros. They are confident that they will overcome their difficult situation, with their beloved army on their side.

[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/2020/06/21/the-revolution-takes-root-in-niyog/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Agents strafes house of Kasama-Bukidnon leader

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 21, 2020): Agents strafes house of Kasama-Bukidnon leader

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 21, 2020

SUSPECTED ELEMENTS of the 88th IB strafed a house where Elita Manlapid, 59, and her family were staying on the night of June 16. Manlapid was the chairperson of the San Fernando Kasama-Bukidnon chapter in 2013.

She has been repeatedly pressured to “surrender” as a member of the New Peo­ple’s Army in 2016 and 2019. The 88th IB also summoned her to their headquarters in Maramag. The residents in the area have been experiencing violence and threats by an AFP-organized paramilitary group. Kasama-Bu­kid­non has been leading the fight to defend the Pantaron range and stop mining companies from destroying the Lumad’s ancenstral land.

[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/2020/06/21/agents-strafes-house-of-kasama-bukidnon-leader/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Lumads urge 88th IB to leave community in Bukidnon

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 21, 2020): Lumads urge 88th IB to leave community in Bukidnon

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 21, 2020

The confrontation between between Lumads and 88th IB officials became heated during a dialogue held in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon last June 13. The Lumads urged the military unit to leave and demanded an end to its attacks in the community. The unit has occupied the communities of Eya­ray, La­kap, Ka­tab­la­ran, Sa­lo­re­nga, May­na­ga, Tom­ba­ga, San Vicen­te and Ka­hen. The dialogue was attended by the Cabanglasan local government, barangay captains and 200 residents from barangays Ka­na­nga­an, Iba at Mang­ga­od, along with three chieftains. This was the first dialogue conducted in the area.

In a radio interview, Datu Konrado Salimbon narrated that in the past, they allowed themselves to be used by the AFP as paramilitary forces of Alamara and Bagani. They were regularly used as guides by AFP regular platoons against the New People’s Army. Their anti-Lumad activities ruined the commu­nities and their tribal unity. For two decades, they had no livelihoods, and there were frequent “lidos” or interclan wars. The military also used them to plant marijuana in their ancestral lands in Pantaron.

But because of the 88th IB’s repression, they were forced to unite to escape from the military’s deception and exploitation. They decided to air their grievances and did not let attempts by the military to stop them from going out of their communities. They successfully demanded the local government to attend the dialogue amid intense focused military operations in their area.

The Lumads were angry with how the 88th IB summoned residents two at a time to force them to surrender as NPA members. They were further enraged when the military claimed that their presence is for the Lumad’s good. The 88th IB, however, admitted that they remain in the area because they regard the residents as Red fighters.

The 88th IB’s area of operation covers the municipalities of Va­lencia, San Fer­nan­do, Quezon, Ma­ra­mag and Ki­tao­tao. Human rights violations are rampant in these areas. From January 2019, Ang Bayan recorded seven cases of extrajudicial killings and 112 arrests. There were at least two bombing incidents which forced 3,509 individuals to evacuate. Last May 15, the 88th IB expanded its operations and covered the town of Cabanglasan. This came after the 4th ID’s declaration that it has already decimated the NPA in the aforementioned towns.

[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/2020/06/21/lumads-urge-88th-ib-to-leave-community-in-bukidnon/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Military arrests CPA founder

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 21, 2020): Military arrests CPA founder

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 21, 2020

ANNE MARGARET Tau­li, 70, was arrested by military elements in Be­sao, Moun­ta­in Province and flown by helicopter to Baguio to face Na­tio­nal Secu­rity Advi­ser Sec. Her­mo­ge­nes Espe­ron, Jr. on June 11.

Esperon made it appear that Tauli “surrendered” and “returned to the folds of the law.” He accused her of being a ranking member of the Communist Party of the Philippines, a claim which her relatives belied.

They said that Tauli has long been receiving death threats for advocating for participating in mass campaigns to advance the right of the Igo­rot people to autonomy and self-determination. Earlier in March, state elements attempted to arrest her. There were also reports of a shoot-to-kill order against her.

Tauli, a former teacher, was one of the founders of the Cor­dil­le­ra Peop­le’s Alli­ance (CPA) in 1984. She is a leader of the Ba­til-ang Pey­pe­yan clan. Her sister, former UN Special Rap­por­te­ur on the Rights of Indi­ge­no­us Peop­les Victo­ria Tau­li-Cor­puz, was also accused of being a ranking CPP official.

[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/2020/06/21/military-arrests-cpa-founder/

CPP/Ang Bayan: The Philippines is surrounded by US and Chinese warships

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 21, 2020): The Philippines is surrounded by US and Chinese warships

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 21, 2020

From east to west Philippines, one can find US and Chinese warships. Both are saber-rattling. Tensions and threats of war breaking out are heightening. There is rising danger of the Philippines getting caught in the armed conflict of two imperialist powers.

In the West Philippine Sea, Chinese Coast Guard and “militia” ships are permanently stationed. There are also at least seven Chinese military bases and facilities in the area, several of which were constructed within the country’s territory.

On the Philippine Sea (on the country’s east), two US carrier strike groups (armadas with lead aircraft carriers) and submarines operate. Not far from the country’s seas is another US aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz.

From April to May, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, US and Chinese military forces maneuvered and countermaneuvered in the South China Sea. In mid-April, China deployed the Haiyang Dizhi 8 survey ship for searching sea and mineral resources, escorted by a flotilla of coast guard and militia ships.

Tensions rose on April 28-29 when the US deployed the USS Gabrielle Giffords, a combat littoral ship, to “patrol” the area. Tensions further rose when on April 29 two US Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber plane were launched from continental US and flew towards the South China Sea.

In early May, the US dispatched the USS Montgomery and USNS Cesar Chavez to conduct patrol operations. On May 8, two more US bombers launched from Guam flew over the South China Sea. Around the same time, the Japan-based US Seventh Fleet bragged that three submarines under its command are conducting war exercises in the Philippine seas.

On the first week of June, the US military claimed it has three carrier strike groups conducting operations across the Indian Ocean and Pacific. Two of these strike groups, the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group, and the USS Ronald Reagan (from its Japanese port), both nuclear-powered warships and carrying a combined force of more than 10,000 troops, are presently operating in the Philippine Sea.

The manuevers and countermaneuvers of US and Chinese military forces within and around Philippine territories must be denounced. All these heighten tensions and raise the danger of confrontations and igniting direct armed conflict in the region.

The Duterte regime must be denounced for following the dictates of both US and China in the military, political and economic terms. On the one hand, it has failed to assert the country’s territorial and economic rights as recognized by the 2017 decision of the International Tribunal on the Law of the Seas, when it allowed China to construct military facilities in areas under Philippine jurisdiction. On the other hand, it continues to allow the US to use the country as launching pad for its operations in the South China Sea, the Philippine Sea and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region. It has also allowed the US to set up facilities within AFP camps, in exchange for helicopters and other war matériel for its war of suppression against the Filipino people.

The people must demand the dismantling of Chinese military facilities in the country’s territory and reparation for damaged marine resources. They must also demand the withdrawal of armed Chinese Coast Guard and paramilitary ships.

At the same time, the people must call for the complete abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and all other lopsided treaties which give US military forces extraterritorial rights.

[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/2020/06/21/the-philippines-is-surrounded-by-us-and-chinese-warships/

CPP/Ang Bayan: “I still can’t stop crying…”

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 21, 2020): “I still can’t stop crying…”

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 21, 2020

ONE OF THE 16 youths who were illegally arrested after conducting a peaceful protest action at the Ro­ton­da in Ba­ra­ngay Pa­la, Ili­gan City on June 12 said that she still could not stop crying due to trauma.

Majority of those arrested were former students of the Min­da­nao Sta­te Univer­sity-Ili­gan Insti­tu­te of Techno­logy. They were apprehended by police troops after their protest. While attempting to flee, the victims heard a police officer shout “pu­sila, pu­si­la!” (shoot them, shoot them!). An activist who attempted to explain was restrained by chokehold. T
Their cellphones were confiscated and they were forcibly taken to a police precint where they were interrogated and threatened. Four of them were maliciously tagged as having links with the New People’s Army. During the interrogation, the victims discovered the extent of police surveillance on them.

They were detained for seven hours before their lawyers were able to get them out. The protest was part of the coordinated nationwide “maña­ni­ta” against the Anti-Ter­ror Bill.

[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/2020/06/21/i-still-cant-stop-crying/

CPP/Ang Bayan: NPA strikes at soldiers occupying Mangyan communities

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 21, 2020): NPA strikes at soldiers occupying Mangyan communities

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 21, 2020

THE NEW PEOPLE’S Army (NPA)-Mindoro mounted successive offensives against the Philippines National Police and fascist troopers of the 4th and 76th IB last month. Six harassment operations were launched in Man­sa­lay, Bu­la­lacao, Socor­ro ng Ori­en­tal Min­do­ro and Rizal, Occi­den­tal Min­do­ro from Ma­y 6-18. A soldier was killed and seven others were killed in the attacks.

The offensives were mounted in response to complaints of peasants and Mangyans in the town of Rizal and Ca­lin­ta­an who were forced to evacuate due to the military’s combat operations in their community on the first week of May. More than 600 military elements were deployed in the area. They also installed artillery cannons in Rizal.

In Neg­ros Ori­en­tal, the NPA punished a CAFGU element in Ba­ra­ngay Luz, Gui­hul­ngan City last June 11. The CAFGU member helped guide 62nd IB operations and actively participated in Oplan Sauron attacks wherein scores of peasant masses were illegally arrested and killed.

On June 16, two intelligence agents of the 94th IB were also attacked by the NPA in Himamaylan City. The two are notorious for tagging civilians as “NPA supporters.” On the same day, the NPA successively mounted two harassment soldiers against operating soldiers in barangays Mahalang and Buenavista.

In Pa­la­wan, another NPA unit blasted a detachment of the 3rd Ma­ri­ne Bri­ga­de in Ba­ra­ngay Ma­ga­ra, Roxas on Ma­y 22.

[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/2020/06/21/npa-strikes-at-soldiers-occupying-mangyan-communities/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Protests against the Anti-Ter­ro­rism Bill

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 21, 2020): Protests against the Anti-Ter­ro­rism Bill

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 21, 2020

“This is a maña­ni­ta, not a rally”

Coordinated mass protest actions, dubbed “mañanitas,” were mounted last June 12 in Met­ro Ma­ni­la and 14 provinces to oppose the Anti-Ter­ro­rism Bill. The protests actions were an outright act of defiance to the Malacañang’s ban on rallies. Protesters called their protest a “mañanita” as a sarcastic reference to the birthday feast by the police in the Na­tio­nal Ca­pi­tal Re­gi­on for their chief De­bold Si­nas last May. The protest was held in conjunction with the commemoration of the 122th Philippine Independence Day. Majority of the participants were from the youth sector.

More than 5,000 converged at the campus of the Univer­sity of the Phi­lip­pi­nes (UP) in Di­li­man, Quezon City to conduct a “Grand Maña­ni­ta.” Similar to a birthday celebration, protesters wore party hats, brought balloons, food and cakes containing the call “Junk Anti-Ter­ror Bill.” There were songs, dances, speeches and cultural performances.

The rally in UP was spearheaded by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and its allied organizations of workers, youth, women, health workers, government employees, urban poor and others. Public figures such as those from the Liberal Party and other organizations, as well as famous artists and cultural performers participated in the protest.

According to Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares, the Anti-Terror Bill is dangerous because it can be used against ordinary civilians who criticize or post express their sentiments against the regime.

Before the protest, the police set up a checkpoint at the entrance of the university in an attempt to stop participants from going in. Anticipating this, protesters organized a team of lawyers to defend those who would be arrested. Health workers also stood by to ensure that Covid-19 preventive measures are observed by protesters.

The protesters strictly maintained a meter distance from each other. Face masks, face shields and alcohol were also distributed during the mass action. The program ended after three hours.

Protesters pointed out that while the rally is directed against the Anti-Terrorism Bill, it also aimed to hold the regime accountable for its inetpness to ensure the health and and welfare of the people amid the Covid-19 pandemic. They called for mass testing, tracing and va­li­da­ti­on of Covid-19 cases, distribution of emergency aid, and for freedom and democracy.

Among the highlights of the rally was the speech of Marie Dinglasan, an sari-sari store vendor who trended on social media for posting a video criticizing Duterte and bravely responding to Duterte’s trolls who tagged her as an “NPA supporter.” The program also featured a performance by theater actress Mae Paner who dressed as Debold Sinas, and the collective dance and singing of the jingle parody “Don’t call me te­ro­ris­ta (a terrorist).”

Before the “Grand Maña­ni­ta,” protests were also conducted at the De La Sal­le Univer­sity in Manila and at Sitio San Roque, Ba­ra­ngay Pag-a­sa, Quezon City.

DID YOU KNOW?

“MAÑANITA” (which means “little tomorrow” in Spanish) is a surprise serenade to awaken a birthday celebrant early in the morning or at the crack of dawn. It is being practiced in various parts of the Philippines and has become a tradition wherein families gather to mark the start of a birthday. In Min­danao, a particular ma­ña­­ni­ta song entitled “Malipa­yong Adlaw” is often sang by Red fighters for their comrades who celebrate their birthdays. The was written and popularized by Agaw-Armas.

Across the country, numerous activists and youth groups took to the streets and rallied against the Anti-Ter­ror Bill.

Ba­guio. One hundred individuals protested at UP Ba­guio. Earlier on June 3, 62 youth organizations signed a petition against the Anti-Ter­ror Bill. The petition signing was led by the Youth Act Now Aga­inst Tyranny-Ba­guio-Be­ngu­et.

Nueva Vizca­ya. Anti-mining and environmental advocates and residents of Di­di­pio, Ka­si­bu conducted a protest action in their community.

Isa­be­la. The police stopped se­veral students from holding a program at a school in San­tia­go, Isa­be­la. They were told to take pictures instead, and immediately disperse.
Pam­pa­nga. Five activists were tailed and interrogated by police agents after participating in a program at the Plaza Mi­ran­da in Ange­les City.

Albay and Na­ga. The Youth Act Now-Albay spearheaded a protest at the Pi­nag­la­ba­nan Mo­nu­ment in Le­gazpi City. According to the Jus­ti­ne Me­si­as, spokesperson of the said alliance, the regime’s Anti-Ter­rorism Bill will only aggravate the plight of the people. Approximately 200 members of Anak­ba­yan-Na­ga City and Ba­yan-Ca­ma­ri­nes Sur also protested at the Plaza Quince Mar­ti­res in Na­ga City.

Neg­ros. Lightning rallies were mounted by the Baco­lod Youth Alli­ance at six spots in Bacolod City including the Rizal Free­dom Park, Baco­lod City Plaza, Foun­ta­in of Jus­tice, San Se­bas­ti­an Cat­hed­ral, local ABS-CBN station, and in front of the office of Cong. Greg Ga­sa­ta­ya. Simultaneously, a protest action was also held by Pag­hi­liu­sa, Li­be­ral Party Neg­ros and the Fe­de­ra­ti­on of Urban Poor in front of the San Se­bas­ti­an Cat­hed­ral to condemn the Anti-Terrorism Bill. That afternoon, similar protest actions were also conducted by Ba­yan and Ka­ra­pa­tan-Neg­ros in front of the Foun­ta­in of Jus­tice.

Iloi­lo. A “maña­ni­ta against terrorism” was held by students and teachers of UP Vi­sa­yas, the church sector and the Com­mis­si­on on Hu­man Rights Re­gi­on 6 in front of the university campus in Iloi­lo.

Ce­bu. With police troops en­camped in front of UP Ce­bu and the refusal of the university administration to recognize the rights of students to assemble in the campus, progressive groups conducted their lightning rallies at the Go­ror­do Ave­nue and Esca­rio Stre­et in Ce­bu at around 6:00 a.m.

Davao. The PASAKA Confe­de­ra­ti­on of Lu­mad Orga­niza­ti­on hosted a program at the UCCP Ha­ran in Davao City which was participated in by 500 evacuees. The participants also conducted a protest action while strictly observing physical distancing. Later that evening, Lumad leaders led a torch lighting ceremony to symbolize their detemination to bring light amid the dark times of tyranny under the Duterte regime, and how this light is further ignited through the people’s struggle.

Da­tu Minstro­so Ma­li­ba­to pointed out: “We are struggling to educate our children but the government is ruthlessly closing down our schools and killing our people.” The group stressed that that the real terrorist is the Duterte government.

Bu­tu­an. A “maña­ni­ta” was also held at the Free­dom Park in Bu­tu­an City.
Youth groups and lawyers also conducted “maña­ni­tas” in Ca­ga­yan de Oro, Du­ma­gue­te, Zam­boa­nga and Bulacan.

[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/2020/06/21/protests-against-the-anti-terrorism-bill/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Rise up and end the oppressive and heedless regime

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jun 21, 2020): Rise up and end the oppressive and heedless regime

ANG BAYAN
JUNE 21, 2020

Social inequalities in the country have worsened alongside sharpening of contradictions as the Duterte regime adopts militarist and anti-people measures to confront the Covid-19 pandemic. While a few remain insulated in their mansions and palaces and continue to accumulate wealth, abuse power and engorge themselves in the masses’ sweat and blood, millions of people are mired in poverty and extreme hardship.

The people demand justice for all those made to suffer hunger and poverty, suppressed and denied of their rights. After more than three months of failed measures and policies, the Filipino people suffer unprecedented hardships.

For close to three months, Duterte imprisoned the entire people in their crowded homes in the name of preventing the spread of the virus. But Duterte and his generals squandered the people’s sacrifices. Not enough funds were spent to enable the health system cope with the pandemic. There is no mass testing. No free treatment of Covid-19. Data gathering is delayed and deficient leaving the government blind as to where the virus is sprea­ding.

Not only did promised social aid come late, it was also inadequate and typically pilfered. “Life is good!” exclaimed a senator, as officials partied and have filled their pantries, while they forced people survive on porridge and sardines, if any. Majority of the people who live at subsistence level suffered hunger and distress. Those desperate enough to leave their home to scrounge for money and food were denounced, apprehended and se­verely punished.

Lacking a clear health plan to overcome the pandemic, Duterte stopped everything and shut down a large part of the economy. Millions lost their jobs and income. Small business owners faced devastation. When restrictions were eased this June, it did everything to help big business rise again, while abandoning the toiling masses and practically telling them “you’re on your own!”

While people were rigorously made to follow suffocating policies, Duterte and his rotten ilk freely breathed and moved around.

While Duterte flew back and forth to Davao aboard a private plane, hundreds of thousands couldn’t find a ride home. They were made to wait on streets and sidewalks, hungry and with no certainty when they could easily get a ride and reach home. Who can forget Michelle Silvertino who died after five days of waiting for a ride home to Bicol on a foor bridge in pasay?

Everyday, workers and employees race and ram against one another as they rush for seats in limited buses and trains. Because not enough safe mass transportation was prepared, thousands are now left with no other ooption but to walk or ride along dangerous high­ways everyday.

In the face of insufficient workers’ wa­ges, Duterte still permitted big capitalists to cut wages supposedly to help them recover their profits. They were also freed from responsibility to have their workers tested to identify possible Covid-19 infections.
Duterte is unperturbed in the face of millions of job losses. He is not rushing anything to stop the sharp downturn in their living standards.

While allowing “modern” jeeps owned by big corporations, it continues to ban hundreds of thousands of small jeepney drivers and operators. Duterte has turned a deaf ear to the clamor of ordinary drivers for subsidies to allow jeepneys to provide a safe ride even if, in fact, jeepneys and tricycles are much safer than the closed vehicles. Duterte has virtually kicked them out. The “kings of the road” are now pleading and begging on the streets.

While Duterte is once again rushing to import tons of rice from agriculture-subsidizing countries, funds are sorely lacking to subsidize Filipino peasant masses and buy their produce.

Millions of people are aggravated by onerous police requirements for those seeking permits to travel or go home to their provinces or regions.

Because of its refusal to allot enough funds to allow schools to open safely (more schools, classrooms, teachers and other educational infrastructure), Duterte banned classes in the coming months. Instead, he ordered teaching to be done online but without alloting funds, thus passing to teachers and students the costs of purchasing computers, internet services and other needs.

Millions of youth are gripped by fear as many schools plan to raise tuition, while state subsidy for education remain acutely insufficient. They are also victims of arbitrary restrictions against 16-21 year olds which prevent them from seeking work or participating in various social activities.

Instead of cutting spending for unproductive debt-driven infrastructure projects, and realigning billions of pesos for confidential and intelligence funds, hundreds of billions of pesos for the purchase of helicopters, bombs and war matériel, the Duterte regime has chosen to go on a borrowing spree to fund its expenses during the pandemic.

The debt burden is lopsided on the people’s shoulders. Instead of being increased, the tax share of the billionaire big capitalists were cut by the Duterte regime; and now plans to increase the share of ordinary income earners. The regime has refused to ease the tax burden on the impoverished people even for a moment and even by the slightest amount.

In the past three months of the Covid-19 pandemic, the anti-people Duterte regime has been further unravelled by its refusal to put ahead the people’s interests and prioritizing instead the interests of the big capitalists and pocketing large amounts of people’s money. Duterte himself has admitted he was the one who ordered the purchase of overpriced equipment. In addition, he has prioritized the Anti-Terror Bill, the silencing of critics and the strengthening of his military forces in order to intimidate the people, suppress democracy and per­petuate himself as a powerful dictator.

Over the past three months, the people have been boiling with rage against the Duterte regime. They slowly overcome fear and manifest courage and the willingness to fight.

The Filipino people stand on moral high ground to rise up and resist. It is imperative for them to unite and use their power to perform the historical task of shaping the country’s destiny. Clouds of social storm are now fast gathering. They must seize the time and opportunity to unleash all rage against Duterte’s corruption, neglect, fascism and treachery and put an end to his dictatorship.

[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/2020/06/21/rise-up-and-end-the-oppressive-and-heedless-regime/

Kalinaw News: Rising from the ashes – Commemorating the 31st Anniversary of the 1989 Rano Massacre

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 26, 2020): Rising from the ashes – Commemorating the 31st Anniversary of the 1989 Rano Massacre (By Kalinaw News)



Makilala, Cotabato – It has been 31 years since heavily armed members of the Communist Terrorists Group broke into a chapel at Barangay Binaton in Digos City and launched a bloody attack that left 38 Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe members dead.

To mark the anniversary of the 1989 Rano Massacre, the victims were remembered and given tribute in symbolic rites on Thursday, June 25. A memorial marker made by stone tablet etched the names of the 38 victims, mostly children and women.

High ranking officials from the different agencies attended the said commemoration. PCOO, USEC Lorraine Badoy, NCIP Representatives, DSWD XI Regional Director Grace Subong, Philippine Information Agency Representatives, Digos City LGU represented by Vice-Mayor Johari Baña, 1002nd Brigade Commander Col Potenciano Camba, Davao Del Sur Provincial Police Director PCol Alberto Lupaz, 39th Infantry Battalion Commander LTC Geoffrey Carandang, Digos City Chief of Police PLTC Tababa, Digos City IPMR Datu Ernesto Salaysay, barangay officials of Barangay Binaton and Barangay Kapatagan all gathered in the said activity. The commemoration brought together various government offices as they continue to employ the Whole of Nation Approach to commemorate with the survivors and relatives.

More than three decades after, survivors shared how they survived and moved on from the traumatic experience.

Helen Dominguez shared that the incident was the most painful as she also lost five members of her family including her pastor husband whose head was severed.

She said she was able to hide from the bushes with her four-year old child and prayed hard to be spared from harm. “I’m thankful to God that I’m still alive, standing in front of you,” Dominguez said.

PCOO, USec Badoy stated in her solidarity message that the injustice came about because of the treachery of terrorists in our midst hiding behind the lies and deceit using the innocent as shields as they pursue the destruction of all that we hold sacred.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the President had the Rano Massacre in his mind when he declared the Anti Terrorism Bill as urgent.” USec Badoy added.

Col Camba said “The Rano massacre proves that the Communist Terrorist Groups are up to no good for the Filipino People and to our Nation. Instead, they have greatly hampered our country’s growth and development. And as the country faces the deadly Corona Virus Pandemic, terrorism continuously disrupts the peace and security of our nation; compounding to the already difficult situation brought about by the pandemic”.

He added “Together we will work hand in hand to finally put an end to the armed struggle and violence. We will continue to strive with our commitment in maintaining peace and order in the country.”

[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/rising-from-the-ashes-commemorating-the-31st-anniversary-of-the-1989-rano-massacre/

Kalinaw News: “LGU supports Army’s Community Support Program”

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jun 26, 2020): “LGU supports Army’s Community Support Program” (By 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade)



CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental- Local Government Unit (LGU) of Malitbog together with 58th Infantry (Dimalulupig) Battalion of 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade administered the conduct of CSP send-off ceremony at Municipal Hall of Malitbog this morning, June 25, 2020.

The said ceremony was graced by Hon. Osmundo N Dela Rosa, Municipal Mayor of Malitbog, and Lt.Col. Ricky L Canatoy, Commanding Officer of 58IB. The activity was also participated by the Municipal Police Station (MPS), three Barangay Captains of said municipality, LGU department heads and two Higaonon tribal leaders.

58IB’s three CSP teams are to be immersed in Conflict Affected Areas (ConAAs) to identify and address issues being exploited by the NPA terrorist which pollutes the minds of the populace thus prompt them to go against the government and to build developed and resilient community.

Mayor Osmundo Dela Rosa warmly welcomed the Dimalulupig troopers and expressed his full trust to the troops whom he expects to work with as peace partners. “Dili nato madaog ang giyera batok sa atong kontra kung dili kitang tanan magtinabanga. Kabalo ko nga lisod man, apan karon panahona magtimbayayong kitang tanan, wala gyud progress na maka gawas nga hunahuna kung dili nato maangkon ang kausaban.” (We can’t win this war against our enemy if we will not work hand in hand. I know that it is hard, but at this time we need to help and support each other. We can’t achieve progress unless we can accept the changes.)

In addition, he assured that the LGU will fully support the activities of the Army in assisting his constituents towards peace and development.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Ricky L Canatoy said, “Your Philippine Army will enforce EO 70 as it will highlight the whole-of-nation approach in addressing insurgency. We will work in your communities not only to address security and peace concerns but also to help assist and facilitate the delivery of government services to prevent recruitment of the NPA terrorists.”

The said ceremony also includes signing of a Wall of Commitment in support to the CSP immersion.

[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/lgu-supports-armys-community-support-program/

2 former rebels in Mt. Province get ECLIP assistance

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 26, 2020): 2 former rebels in Mt. Province get ECLIP assistance (By Juliet B. Saley)

BONTOC, Mountain Province, June 26 (PIA) – Two former rebel and Militia ng Bayan received financial assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government.

Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. turned over last June 17, 2020 the financial assistance released by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) which is in charge of the ECLIP.

Jennifer Licyayo of the DILG office here said the former regular member of the New People’s Army (NPA) received a check amounting to P155, 000.00 covering the immediate assistance of P15, 000.00, livelihood assistance of P50, 000.00 and firearm remuneration of P90, 000.00.

The former Militia ng Bayan member, meanwhile, received a check amounting to P115, 000.00 which covers the immediate assistance of P15, 000.00 and fire arm remuneration of P100, 000.00.

Under the ECLIP, Militia ng Bayan is only eligible to an immediate assistance of P15, 000.00 and a firearm remuneration of surrendered firearm/s while the regular member is eligible to an immediate assistance of P15, 000.00, livelihood assistance in the amount of P50, 000.00, and firearm remuneration of surrendered firearm.

According to Provincial Social Welfare Officer Miguela Angwani, the former rebel invested the livelihood assistance to his daughter’s business as additional capital. (JDP/JBS-PIA CAR, Mt. Province)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1045842

Child-Warrior, three other NPAs yield rifle in Quezon

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 26, 2020): Child-Warrior, three other NPAs yield rifle in Quezon (By 2nd Infantry Division PAO)

Turned-over firearms and ammunition. (Photos from 2nd Infantry Division Press Corps)

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal, June 26 — Four more NPAs, one of them a 15-year-old girl, turned their backs from the communist’s underground movement on Wednesday following simultaneous local peace negotiations in Quezon Province.

Government negotiators received an M16 rifle, magazines and ammunition from one of the surrenders while soldiers are still locating the armaments of the others which were hidden in pre-designated cache.

Colonel Alex Rillera, Commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade, said that one of the former rebels is a female Political Guide of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee’s Main Regional Guerilla Unit whom he identified as Michelle Caparas alias Honey.

“The fact that a member of MRGU, or the NPA’s main fighting unit, gave up her firearm supports our previous statements that the NPA terrorists have already reached the point of their irreversible defeat brought about by their waning relevance and fast eroding mass base support”, said Col Rillera.

According to the military, 30 minutes after alias Honey surfaced in Brgy Cagsiay 3 of Mauban town, a certain Rolando Ursolino alias Rene decided to surrender at around 9 a.m. at Brgy Lual Bario of the same municipality.

Col Rillera added that initial debriefing of the former rebels indicate that “the enemies’ morale are already low due to leadership vacuum brought about by neutralization of their key leaders and demoralisation due to internal squabbles and abuses within the underground movement.”

Relatedly, he also reported that two more NPAs who used to operate in the boundaries of Rizal, Bulacan and Quezon surrendered to his soldiers on Thursday. One of them was a 15-year-old female belonging to the indigenous tribe of Dumagat.

The military identified the child-warrior as alias Ana whose true identity is being withheld because of her being a minor. The other surrender was identified as Alvin Molina alias Jack. Both of them are members of the NPA’s Platoon 4A4 under Guerilla Front Cesar.

“Your soldiers will be unrelenting until genuine peace is won and prosperity has become our people’s way of life”, ended Col Rillera.

Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division which covers Southern Tagalog, described the series of surrender within his jurisdiction as a “result of the collective efforts of the national and local governments and agencies whose dedication and commitment to end local communist armed conflict is slowly turning President Duterte’s vision of an insurgency-free Philippines into reality.”

He added that the surrender is the third time in five days wherein the government welcomed eight former rebels to mainstream society.

When asked to address the few remaining NPA terrorists in Southern Tagalog, Maj Gen Burgos said that “our forces will not pause, the PNP will never waver, the civilian agencies will be more responsive and the LGUs will be more aggressive in operationalizing Task Force ELCAC, thus, I assure you that the end is near for you and your terroristic actions.”

Maj Gen Burgos has earlier indicated that additional ground, air and naval assets have been deployed in his area of operations as part of the military’s final push to decimate the NPA terrorists who have suffered unprecedented losses in Southern Tagalog in recent history.

This series of surrender has raised to 572 the number of former rebels from the area of 2ID since the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program was implemented in 2016.

The former rebels will undergo E-CLIP’s enrolment process from which they can avail up to Php 700,000 worth of government grants. (2nd Infantry Division PAO)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1045919

Gov’t convergence project eyes molding IPs as agripreneurs

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 26, 2020): Gov’t convergence project eyes molding IPs as agripreneurs (By Danilo E. Doguiles)

After the launching of Project I-PEACE at Barangay Datal-blao, Columbio, Secretary Isidro Lapena and other officials visit the demo farm which will also serve as training ground for farmers in the area.

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, June 26 (PIA) – National government agencies and local government units in SOCCSKSARGEN Region led by TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña launched this week a convergence initiative that shall capacitate indigenous people communities as entrepreneur farmers.

Sec. Lapeña, cabinet officer for regional development and security (CORDS) for SOCCSKSARGEN, along with heads and representatives of government line agencies and LGUs, visited several remote villages in Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato Provinces for the launching of Project I-PEACE (Indigenous People Empowered as Agripreneurs Toward a Collective End).

Project I-PEACE is piloted in Barangay Alegria in Alabel, Sarangani and Barangay San Jose in General Santos City on June 23 and in Barangay Datal-blao in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, and Barangay Manobo in Magpet, Cotabato Province on June 24.

Alegria, San Jose, and Datal-blao are populated by Blaan tribe. About 99% of the residents of Barangay Manobo are members of the Manobo tribe.

“I would like to inform you that the government is intent in delivering services especially in hardest-to-reach villages and communities in dire conditions,” Sec. Lapeña said.

Sec. Lapeña addressing the people of Barangay Manobo in Magpet Cotabato Province.
Project I-PEACE, he emphasized is a convergence project with all the national government agencies, local government units and other partners work together for sustained development of underserved communities, particularly those that had formerly been influenced by the communist terrrorist group.

Under a whole-of-nation approach, government agencies -depending on their respective mandates -as well as LGUs and other partners will collaborate through Project I-PEACE “to transform IP communities into integrated food production sites; develop self-reliant, resilient, and sustainable IP communities; attain food security for a balanced and equitable resource distribution and dynamic economic livelihood and income opportunities to produce sustainable communities; and end insurgency.”

Among the initial activities of the Project I-PEACE include training IP communities in sustainable agricultural production. For this purpose, a demo farm will be established in each pilot barangay which shall also serve as training site.

Food hubs and food terminals will also be established in strategic locations to serve as “bagsakan” of the farmers’ produce. These hubs will be managed by the farmer organizations.

“The food hubs will ensure that farmers have a place where they can directly sell their farm products, and because farmers will no longer be dependent on middlemen they can command better prices for their products,” Sec. Lapeña said.

Perspective of the food terminal to be constructed at Barangay San Jose in General Santos City in support for the Project I-PEACE.

At the launching in Barangay Manobo, Cotabato Province Governor Nancy Catamco said the Project i-PEACE is proof that the government is now giving much attention to the indigenous communities.

“Now that the approach is whole-of-the-nation, all agencies of the government are here to give solution to the insurgency problem. This really helps our tribal communities because they are witnessing a government that cares for them and recognized their rights as indigenous peoples,” Gov. Catamco said.

Meanwhile, Guvina Faki, chairman of Purok 1 Pait United Farmers Association in Sitio Pait, Barangay Alegria, told Philippine Information Agency in an interview that they are grateful that finally their community has experienced regular presence and benefits from the government.

Faki said that as far as he can remember, Secretary Lapeña is only the second cabinet secretary who has set foot in Sitio Pait.

Recently, TESDA conducted a massage training for a number of their residents who are already earning income from the skills they gained.

“We’ll be thankful if through this project if the government can provide us with livestock such as goats that we can raise,” Faki said when asked about his expectation from the Project I-PEACE.

Project i-PEACE will also be implemented in Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu in South Cotabato.

Initially, I-PEACE was crafted as a project of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employement Cluster. It has been adopted as a flagship project of the Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (JRTF-ELCAC) XII. (DED-PIA XII)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1045921

Mother and son rebels surrender in Cordillera

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 26, 2020): Mother and son rebels surrender in Cordillera (By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis)



LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, June 26 (PIA) -- The Police Regional Office – Cordillera (PRO Cor) presented two members of the New People’s Army who surrendered to the fold of the law at the Camp Bado Dangwa here on June 23.

PRO-Cor Regional Director PBGen. R’win Pagkalinawan presented the NPA members, a mother and her son identified as Alyas Nanay and Alyas Balyer, who also surrendered their firearms.

Alyas Nanay, 47, is an active member of the Militia ng Bayan operating in Barangay Tabacda, Tubo, Abra. She surrendered her firearm described as Colt 45 with seven live ammunitions and MK2 hand grenade.

Her son, Alyas Balyer is 25 years old and a squad keader under the Komite Larangan Guerilya (KLG) operating in the boundaries of Benguet, Abra, Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur. He also surrendered a KG9 submachine gun with nine live ammunitions and MK2 hand grenade.

Balyer revealed that sometime in 2013, he was recruited by left leaning groups initially due to his skills in playing gongs. He has since been joining various invitations of cultural presentation and protest rallies in Baguio City. He was then integrated and exploited to various anti-government protests and later joined the underground movement where he was inducted as Candidate Party member of the terrorist group.

Pagkalinawan said the mother and son decided to leave the underground movement because they have learned that their comrades who have surrendered are living peaceful life and enjoying the good life given by the government. Moreover, they are tired of the hardships they are experiencing in the mountains, hiding and always being on the run due to massive joint military and police combat operations.

Their surrender was thru the concerted efforts of the intelligence operatives of PRO COR Regional Intelligence Division (RID), RIU 14, PIB, Benguet Provincial Police Office and the La Trinidad Municipal Police and with the support and intercession their relatives and local chief executives.

Pagkalinawan said these rebel returnees will undergo the custodial and stress debriefing prior to their enrollment to the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Meanwhile, Alyas Willy, a 54 year old activist and a leader of various sectoral organizations based in Baguio City and Benguet province, appeared at the PRO-Cor to clear his name.

The PRO-Cor considers this continuing surrender of members of the communist terrorist groups as a welcome development. He assures that the PNP will help them return to normal way of life thru the delivery of basic social and public safety services.

“With our collective efforts, we can make a difference in securing our people from any terroristic act. That is the Filipino spirit of bayanihan,” said Pagkalinawan. (JDP/RMC-PIA CAR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1045923

ATF-North, NOLCOM celebrate Philippine Rise Anniversary

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 26, 2020): ATF-North, NOLCOM celebrate Philippine Rise Anniversary (By NOLCOM, AFP)

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City -- The Area Task Force - North under the National Task Force - West Philippine Sea, and the Northern Luzon Command together with the local government officials of Cagayan province celebrate the commemoration of Philippine Rise through a send-off ceremony of Maritime and Air Patrols at Port Irene, Sta Ana Cagayan on June 10, 2020.

The celebration commemorates the 4th Anniversary of the renaming of Benham Rise to Philippine Rise since President Rodrigo Roa Duterete issued Executive Order 25 last May 16, 2017, and the 8th year after the Philippine Rise was awarded to the country as it was granted the sovereign rights by the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by the United Nations over the said maritime area last April 2012.

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen Felimon Santos Jr., served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the program and send-off ceremony of Philippine Navy contingents of the Naval Task Unit 11.6. to conduct Maritime Patrol (MARPAT) and Maritime Air Surveillance in the Philippine territorial waters.

The Barko ng Republika (BRP) Quezon and Naval Aircraft 320 will be utilized for the patrolling in order to better protect and assert our sovereign rights over our maritime area.

Gen Santos highlighted the significance of the Philippine Rise to our country's sovereignty and freedom. During his speech, he said, “We commemorate this anniversary to raise awareness of its importance, to maintain marine conservation and protection, and to assert our sovereign rights."

Commander of Northern Luzon Command and Head of Area Task Force - North, LtGen Ramiro Manuel Rey said, "We, the whole of NOLCOM and ATF-North, will see to it that our territorial waters and maritime interests are secured, our services are at the disposal of the Filipinos if needed."

ATF-North is an inter-agency coordinating body which plans and executes programs of the government in relation to maritime domain awareness, maritime security patrols and maritime presence over the Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea, Luzon Strait in Batanes Province and the Philippine Rise east of Aurora Province.

Northern Luzon Command is one of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Unified Commands that is mandated to Combat Terrorism, Insurgency, secure and protect the country's sovereign territory in its area of responsibility, the whole Northern and Central Luzon including its territorial waters. (NOLCOM, AFP)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1045949

Rebel voluntarily surrenders in Aurora

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 26, 2020): Rebel voluntarily surrenders in Aurora (By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, June 26 (PIA) -- A member of the Komiteng Larangang Gerilya (KLG) Sierra Madre in Aurora voluntarily returned to the folds of government Thursday.

Police Regional Director PBGen. Rhodel Sermonia said the person who surrendered was a Political Instructor/Secretary on Committee of Education in the Underground Movement Organization and former Political guide of Sentro De Grabidad Central Aurora of KLG Sierra Madre.

The former rebel voluntarily handed over to authorities one 12 gauge improvised shotgun, one hand grenade, different books and subversive documents.

Police Regional Director PBGen. Rhodel Sermonia. (Police Regional Office 3)

"Our government welcomes with open arms those who want to return to the fold of law. Our Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 3 aims to put a stop to all armed conflicts and convince others to return,” Sermonia stressed.

“Those who surrender will be able to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and be given the chance to start their lives anew,” he furthered. (CLJD-PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1045968