Monday, July 27, 2020

Body of dead NPA found in Surigao del Sur

From the Manila Bulletin (Jul 27, 2020): Body of dead NPA found in Surigao del Sur (By Mike Crismundo)

BUTUAN CITY – The body of a New People’s Army (NPA) fighter, who was earlier slain in an encounter with the military, was recovered in the mountainous area of Kiskis, Barangay Siagao in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.


Shown in photo is the cadaver of the former NPA rebel that retrieve by the government security forces in the hinterland area in San Miguel town, Surigao del Sur province last week. (Photos courtesy of 36th IB-CMO, 75th IB-CMO via Mike U. Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)

In a statement sent to The Manila Bulletin on Monday, 36th Infantry Battalion (36th IB) Civil Military Operations (CMO) Officer First Lt. Rodante A. Soso said the remains of the NPA was found based on the information provided by his comrade, who had earlier surrendered to authorities.

“The joint operation was conducted in response to the information given by a certain ‘Aka Dark’, a former regular member of the Guerilla Front 30 (GF30) of the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEPRC), the 36th IB CMO officer said.

“Aka Dark had recently voluntarily surrendered to this unit, he said.

According to “Aka Dark”, the recovered dead NPA was one of his comrades, who died in an encounter with government troops in the mountainous portion of San Miguel town last May 18.

He identified his fallen comrade as “Aka Hill”, a former member of Platoon 1 of the GF30 of NEMRC.

According to the former rebel, they had to abandon “Aka Hill” after government troops successfully seized their hideout in the mountainous portion of Kiskis area.

They fled to different directions to escape, and they are in dire need of food, health care and rest,” said Soso.

“Many of my former comrades got low morale and also wanted to surrender because of hardships and futile belief, but they are afraid that they might be killed by their NPA leaders,” the 36th IB CMO officer said in quoting “Aka Dark”.

The body of “Aka Hill” was recovered by the joint retrieval operations conducted by 36th IB and 75th IB troopers last week.

Meanwhile, 36th IB commander Lt. Col. Jezreel J. Diagmel renewed his call to the remaining NPAs still hiding in the mountains to come down, and avail of the government’s peace and development program.

“I am calling to those members of NPA still hiding in the hinterlands of Surigao del Sur to come down in peace, lay down your arms and return to the fold of the law while there is still time and opportunity,” he said.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/27/body-of-dead-npa-found-in-surigao-del-sur/

Covid-19 accelerates maritime insecurity in the Asia–Pacific

Posted to the Australian Strategic Policy Instutute (ASPI) Stategist (Jul 27, 2020): Covid-19 accelerates maritime insecurity in the Asia–Pacific (By Asyura Salleh



Image: Christophe Archambault/AFP/Getty Images

Covid-19 is showing the world how a health crisis can exert disproportionate pressure on existing social and political fissures. The Asia–Pacific maritime environment is no exception, with hybrid challenges persisting and non-conventional incidents on the rise. As state budgets adjust to accommodate the health crisis, non-state actors are escalating violence on land that is spilling over into the maritime domain.

Before the onset of the pandemic, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing incidents were gaining recognition as a serious security issue. Known as hybrid challenges, these incidents are characterised by the combination of regular and irregular tactics used by adversaries to exploit non-conventional concerns in order to gain an asymmetric advantage. These tactics include the use of criminal behaviour, subversion, sponsorship of proxy forces and even military expansionism.

Covid-19 is not hindering state and non-state actors from posing maritime hybrid threats despite national budgets being diverted to crisis response. The sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat near the Paracel Islands, harassment of supply ships off Sarawak, and China’s annual announcement of a fishing ban are some of the irregular hybrid tactics that persist alongside the global pandemic.

Non-state actors are also exploiting the health crisis and perceived weakening of state capacity to heighten internal violence, with negative consequences for the Asia–Pacific’s maritime domain. Organised violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine and Chin states increased by 74% from January to April 2020 compared with the year before. The increased violence is causing mounting civilian fatalities, displacing villagers and pushing migrants out to the Andaman Sea—a maritime route into other regional countries. As countries reject migrants for fear of spreading unidentified infections, the exodus under pandemic conditions could trigger a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis.

There has also been a marked increase in piracy and armed robbery during this period. The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) Information Sharing Centre reported a two-fold increase in the number of piracy and armed robbery incidents from January to June 2020 as compared to 2019. Security arrangements such as the Eastern Sabah Security Command were also on high alert after receiving information of a raised risk of armed Abu Sayyaf Group members targeting vessels in the Sulu and Sulawesi seas.

The heightened risk of instability at sea is accompanied by related reports of clashes between government forces and militants on land. In Sultan Kudarat province, Philippine government forces targeted Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters militants that are associated with a kidnap-for-ransom group. Violent clashes with Abu Sayyaf Group members were also reported in Sulu.

While these maritime challenges demand an immediate security response, Asia–Pacific countries are preoccupied with battling Covid-19 infections within their own borders. By redirecting more resources towards containing the spread of Covid-19, regional countries are experiencing corresponding budget cuts to other state functions—including defence. For example, Indonesia’s defence budget has been lowered by 7% and Thailand’s budget will shrink by 8%. For Thailand, this has translated into a standstill on military procurement purchases including two Chinese-made submarines.

Despite these restrained national resources, regional governments are still adopting strategies to compensate for any shortfall in state capacity. To maintain a coordinated and balanced response to both domestic and external threats, Malaysia is implementing the integrated ‘Ops Benteng’ to enhance enforcement along maritime and land borders. In the Philippines, a controversial bill designed to strengthen the country’s counterterrorism authorities came into effect on 18 July. Meanwhile, annual multilateral naval exercises such as Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training, or SEACAT, have shifted to virtual platforms to maintain active levels of information sharing and multilateral coordination among naval forces in the region.

Covid-19 is placing intense pressure on pre-existing political and social fissures in the Asia–Pacific. Non-state and state actors are taking advantage of a perceived reduction in state capacity to pursue activities that result in maritime instability. An extended pandemic period threatens to exert further pressure on national budgets and state capacity to protect exclusive economic zones. Although Covid-19 began as a threat to public health, it is slowly evolving into a threat to maritime security too.

[Asyura Salleh is a Vasey Fellow at the Pacific Forum and special adviser for maritime security at the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies. This article was first published on the East Asia Forum; it is republished with kind permission. .]

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/covid-19-accelerates-maritime-insecurity-in-the-asia-pacific/

WESTMINCOM: Soldiers clash with CTG members in Sultan Kudarat

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Jul 27, 2020): Soldiers clash with CTG members in Sultan Kudarat

While conducting combat patrol, troops of the 37th Infantry Battalion encountered more or less 20 communist terrorists in Mt. Payong Payong, Baluan, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat at 5:55am, July 26.

Said encounter resulted in the death of one enemy and the wounding of one soldier.

While scouring the encounter site, troops recovered the enemy cadaver, one M16 rifle, one bandolier, and six magazines.

"Relentless operation is being conducted by our unit to thwart CTG's from sowing terror and abuses to the community," said Brigadier General Wilbur Mamawag, commander 603rd Brigade.

“Our troops are still pursuing the enemies, let us continue to pray for their safety,” said Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, JTF Central Commander.

WestMinCom Chief, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said that all joint task forces continuously conduct intensified operations to pin down the remaining terrorists.

“With the renewed vigor of those who are against terrorism, we are optimistic that soon enough we will be able eradicate the threats and win peace in this part of the country,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana added.

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6th Infantry Division - Kampilan 601 Infantry - Unifier Brigade 602nd "Liberator" Brigade 603 Persuader Brigade 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade Unang Marinong Brigada Team Tabak Joint Task Force Basilan HARIBON TEAM Magbalantay Cmo 11 Infantry Division "Alakdan Troopers" 2MBde Red Shield Gagandilan Siete 1102 Infantry "ganarul" Brigade 1st BCT Aegis Kwatromarinobrigada Sulu Jtf Tawi Tawi Indomalphi Joint Task Force Zamboanga Joint Task Force Zamboanga Virtual Center Unbeatable Ranger Battalion Matatag Battalion Tow Westmin Cmo Tow Westmin Pio Naval Forces Western Mindanao Cmou Western Mindanao Katapatan Pangkatihan-Dagatan 33rd Infantry Makabayan Battalion 57th Infantry Masikap Battalion 1st Mechanized Lakan Battalion 90th Infantry Bigkis Lahi Battalion Seventh Infantry Tapat Battalion Reliablecmo R Section 6IB Redskin 37IB - Conqueror Battalion 40 Infantry "Magiting" Battalion 2nd Mechanized Infantry-MAKASAGBattalion OnlyOurBest MbltFive 38th Infantry We Clear Battalion @Arvin John Gullos Encinas Breathe Heart Ruel Casanes Ar-ar Galvez Afman Rosales Jr. Antriosanjh Espenida Nenea Sancus Princy Necessitas La Independencia Filipinas

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WESTMINCOM: 5 more local terrorists yield in Central Mindanao

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Jul 27, 2020): 5 more local terrorists yield in Central Mindanao
Five more local terrorist group members yield to the troops of the 603rd Infantry Brigade on Sunday morning, July 26.

Haris Marohom, Amer Sanday, Mindo Abdullah, Marvin Guima, and Casim Sanday submitted themselves to Brig. Gen. Wilbur Mamawag, Commander, 603Bde; Police Col. Arnold Santiago, Provincial Director, Maguindanao Provincial Police Office, BARMM; and other military and police officers, at the 603Bde headquarters, Marine Base Brig. Gen. Betita, Barangay Tibpuan, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.


“The five were all under Kiram Abdullah who surrendered to the government last July 17, 2020,” said Brig. Gen. Mamawag.

“They were involved in different armed encounters with the government forces in the province of Maguindanao,” he added.

The said personalities handed over one calibre .30 Springfield sniper rifle with scope, two calibre .50 Barrett sniper rifle; one anti-personnel mine approximately weighing eight kilograms with components and triggering device.

“To all the soldiers under my jurisdiction, congratulations for the numerous accomplishments. We are now reaping the fruits of your hard work and sacrifices,” said Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, JTF Central Commander.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, WestMinCom Commander, lauded the troops of JTF Central for their resolve in ending terrorism in central Mindanao.

“Then again, we cannot do this without the sincerity and commitment of our partners and stakeholders, the local government units, and the people of Mindanao,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana added.

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6th Infantry Division - Kampilan 601 Infantry - Unifier Brigade 602nd "Liberator" Brigade 603 Persuader Brigade 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade Unang Marinong Brigada Team Tabak Joint Task Force Basilan HARIBON TEAM Magbalantay Cmo 11 Infantry Division "Alakdan Troopers" 2MBde Red Shield Gagandilan Siete 1102 Infantry "ganarul" Brigade 1st BCT Aegis Kwatromarinobrigada Sulu Jtf Tawi Tawi Indomalphi Joint Task Force Zamboanga Joint Task Force Zamboanga Virtual Center Unbeatable Ranger Battalion Matatag Battalion Tow Westmin Cmo Tow Westmin Pio Naval Forces Western Mindanao Cmou Western Mindanao Katapatan Pangkatihan-Dagatan 33rd Infantry Makabayan Battalion 57th Infantry Masikap Battalion 1st Mechanized Lakan Battalion 90th Infantry Bigkis Lahi Battalion Seventh Infantry Tapat Battalion Reliablecmo R Section 6IB Redskin 37IB - Conqueror Battalion 40 Infantry "Magiting" Battalion 2nd Mechanized Infantry-MAKASAGBattalion OnlyOurBest MbltFive 38th Infantry We Clear Battalion @Arvin John Gullos Encinas Breathe Heart Ruel Casanes Ar-ar Galvez Afman Rosales Jr. Antriosanjh Espenida Nenea Sancus Princy Necessitas La Independencia Filipinas


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WESTMINCOM: LTG leader, followers surrender in Maguindanao

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Website (Jul 27, 2020): LTG leader, followers surrender in Maguindanao
A local terrorist group leader and seven of his followers yielded to the troops of the 57th Infantry Battalion at the unit’s headquarters in Barangay Buayan, Datu Piang, Maguindanao at 10am today, July 27.

The eight were identified as Ebrahim Guno, a.k.a. Kagui Katatang; Ausang Salik, a.k.a. Salik; Kaloy Kaki, a.k.a. Loy; Guno Dimatingkal/Kasan Mama, a.k.a. Dante; Morsid Dilambasen, a.k.a. Morsid Tatak; Ali Mama/Ali Paglas, a.k.a. Ali; Datu Mama Esmail, a.k.a. Tomama; and Morsad Zumbaga/Sahad Zumbaga, a.k.a. Sahad.

As a gesture of their sincere withdrawal of support to the group, the eight handed over the following rifles and explosives: two cal. 5.56mm M16, two cal. 30 Garand, one M16, one homemade M79, one cal. 30 Carbine, one 7.62mm M14, and one homemade 7.62 Mauser; and two homemade Rocket-Propelled Grenades.

Subject personalities were then presented to Col. Jesus Rico Atencio, 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade Commander and Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, JTF Central Commander at 6th Infantry Division headquarters, Awang, DOS, Maguindanao.

“In a span of 3 days, a total of 23 local terrorists have yielded in our area of operation,” said Col. Atencio.

Maj. Gen. Carreon commended the troops of the 1MechBde for their outstanding achievements while WestMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana lauded the JTF Central troopers for their indefatigable support to the mission accomplishment of the command.

“For the past few months, even during the peak of the pandemic, JTF Central has continuously gain grounds in the campaign against terrorism and insurgency,” said Lt. Gen. Sobejana.

“Congratulations for being able to convince even those who were indoctrinated with false ideology to return to the mainstream society. May all your accomplishments inspire others to strive more, so that by 2028 we will truly be a world-class armed forces, source of national pride,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana added.

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6th Infantry Division - Kampilan601 Infantry - Unifier Brigade602nd Liberator Troopers603 Persuader Brigade1st Mechanized Infantry BrigadeUnang Marinong BrigadaTeam TabakJoint Task Force BasilanHARIBON TEAMMagbalantay Cmo11 Infantry Division "Alakdan Troopers"2MBde Red ShieldGagandilan Siete1102 Infantry "ganarul" Brigade1st BCT AegisKwatromarinobrigada SuluJtf Tawi Tawi IndomalphiJoint Task Force ZamboangaJoint Task Force Zamboanga Virtual CenterUnbeatable Ranger Battalion Matatag BattalionTow Westmin CmoTow Westmin PioNaval Forces Western MindanaoCmou Western MindanaoKatapatan Pangkatihan-Dagatan33rd Infantry Makabayan Battalion57th Infantry Masikap Battalion1st Mechanized Lakan Battalion90th Infantry Bigkis Lahi BattalionSeventh Infantry Tapat BattalionReliablecmo R Section6IB Redskin37IB - Conqueror Battalion40 Infantry "Magiting" Battalion2nd Mechanized Infantry-MAKASAGBattalionOnlyOurBest MbltFive38th Infantry We Clear BattalionJohn Arvin GuevaraBreathe HeartRuel CasanesAr-ar Galvez Afman Rosales Jr. Antriosanjh Espenida NeneaSancus Princy Necessitas La Independencia Filipinas


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