CPP/NPA-SE Negros/NPA-Negros Island: Army’s gross ignorance on the land mine accord exposed

Propaganda article posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 25, 2020): Army’s gross ignorance on the land mine accord exposed

ESTRELLA BANAGBANAG

SPOKESPERSON

NPA-SOUTHEAST NEGROS

RACHELLE MAE PALANG COMMAND

NEGROS ISLAND REGIONAL OPERATIONAL COMMAND

APOLINARIO GATMAITAN COMMAND

NEW PEOPLE'S ARMY

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

In a fashion akin to that of Goebbels, Hitler’s chief propagandist, the paid hacks of 11th IB are incessantly repeating the lie in their radio programs that the NPA violated the Ottawa Convention in employing command-detonated explosives in tactical offensives..

No matter how many times this lie is repeated, it will not change the fact that command-detonated explosives are not and will be never be like anti-personnel landmines prohibited under the Ottawa Convention and the NDF-GRP Comprehensive Agreement of the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) that arbitrarily kills and does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

Command-detonated explosives are legitimate weapons of a poor’s man army like the NPA. It will only detonate when switched on by a trained operator under the strict supervision of NPA units’ military commanders and political officers. And it will only strike at military targets like vehicles, fortifications, troop positions and others military facilities.

Meanwhile, landmines will instantly detonate when tripped by anybody, may it civilian or military. Thus, equating command-detonated explosives with anti-personnel landmines is a blatant lie and grave distortion to the substance of the Ottawa Convention.

In a vain effort to score some political points,, 11th IB paid hacks and its leadership are only exposing themselves to be grossly ignorant to the fundamental principles and substance of the aforesaid international anti-personnel landmine accord. ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/armys-gross-ignorance-on-the-land-mine-accord-exposed/

CPP/NDF-ST: NTF-ELCAC ng rehimeng US-Duterte: Pabrika ng pekeng balita, kasinungalingan at dis-impormasyon

Propaganda article posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 25, 2020): NTF-ELCAC ng rehimeng US-Duterte: Pabrika ng pekeng balita, kasinungalingan at dis-impormasyon

PATNUBAY DE GUIA

SPOKESPERSON

NDF-SOUTHERN TAGALOG

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

Kabi-kabilaan na ang mga tanggihan. Kanya-kanya nang mga palusot at paghuhugas ng kamay ang naglalabasan sa bibig nina General Gilbert Gapay pinuno ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at General Camilo Cascolan ng Philippine National Police (PNP) matapos tanggalin ng Facebook (FB) ang 57 FB accounts, 31 Pages at 20 Instagram accounts dahil sa pagpapakalat ng mga dis-impormasyon, pekeng balita at kasinungalingan sa kanilang social media platform. Nadiskubre ng FB na ang naturang mga pekeng accounts ay may malinaw na may kaugnayan sa AFP at PNP.

Ang iba pang mga tinanggal na FB accounts ay mula sa mga indibidwal na nakabase sa Fujian, China.

Tinanggal ng FB ang nabanggit na mga accounts dahil sa kasong “coordinated inauthentic behavior” (CIB) na paglabag sa pinatutupad nilang Community Standards (CS). Alinsunod sa CS ng FB ang CIB ay ang paggamit sa FB at Instagram para manlinlang ng tao o sa mismong FB kaugnay sa totoong identidad, saan nagmula ang account at layunin nito. Nadiskubre ng FB na nagkukunwari ang mga accounts na ito na may malawak na tagatangkilik sa pamamagitan di umano ng mga pekeng daang libong tagasunod (followers). Ayon sa FB, hindi nila pahihintulutan na gamitin ang kanilang platform sa mis-representasyon, pagtatago ng tunay na identidad at paggamit ng mga pekeng accounts para lumikha ng artipisyal na popularidad at suporta sa mga mensahe na pinopost sa kanilang social media platform.

Tugon din ito ng FB sa mga pinadalang reklamo ng Rappler, mga progresibong grupo at iba pang civil society group na biktima ng mga paninira, pananakot at red-tagging na pinaniniwalaan mula sa NTF-ELCAC, AFP at PNP sa pamamagitan ng mga pekeng accounts nito sa FB, Instagram at iba pang social media platforms.

Hindi na maniniwala ang taumbayan anuman ang gawing pagtanggi at mga palusot nina General Gapay at General Cascolan na walang kinalaman ang AFP at PNP sa tinanggal na mga accounts ng FB. Ilang beses nang nailathala sa mga pahayagan ang mga ginagawang red-tagging at pahayag ng NTF-ELCAC, AFP at PNP laban sa mga aktibista, taong simbahan, mga tagapagtaguyod at tagapagtanggol sa karapatang pantao, mga progresibong grupo at maging ang mga mambabatas na kabilang sa Makabayan Bloc sa Kamara. Naglabasan sa ilang mga presinto ng pulis at kalsada ang mga tarpaulins at posters na nanininira at nagpaparatang sa mga nasabing grupo bilang mga “terorista”, kasapi at taga suporta ng CPP-NPA-NDFP. Marami na rin sa kanila ang pinaslang (extra judicial killings ejk’s) ng mga ahente ng estado matapos dumanas ng paninira, red-tagging at ipaskel ang mga pangalan at larawan sa social media at mga pampublikong lugar bilang di umano’y mga terorista at kaaway ng estado.

Subalit sa kalilipas lamang na pagdinig sa Kamara kaugnay hinihinging pondo ng National Defence, mariin ang ginawang pagtatanggol ni Secretary Delfin Lorenzana sa official social media account ng isang command ng Philippine Army na naglabas sa social media na nag-aakusa sa mga mambabatas na kabilang sa Makabayan Bloc sa mababang kapulungan ng Kongreso bilang kasapi at mataas na opisyal ng CPP-NPA-NDFP.

Mas nauna pa ang ginawa ni Usec Lorraine Marie T. Badoy ng Presidential Communications Operation Office (PCOO) sa pagdinig sa Kamara kaugnay sa hinihinging badget ng ahensya na hayagang nag-aakusa sa mga mambabatas na kabilang sa Makabayan Bloc bilang mga matataas na lider ng CPP-NPA-NDFP. Dahil dito, sa kahilingan ng Makabayan Bloc, pansamantalang itinigil ng budget commitee sa Kamara ang pagdinig sa hinihiling na pondo ng PCOO para sa taong 2021.

Pero ang isang napakalakas na dagok ang tumama sa ulo ng NTF-ELCAC, AFP at PNP ay ang inilabas na ulat ng Rappler ngayong Setyembre 23, 2020, na tumutukoy kay Captain Alexandre F. Cabales hepe ng Philippine Army Social Media Center bilang isa sa mga opereytor ng network of pages na tinanggal ng Facebook dahil sa “coordinated inauthentic behavior” (CIB) kung saan ang pangunahing pinuntirya ng mga pag-atake ay ang mga aktibista at mga ligal at progresibong organisasyon.

Ang ulat ng Rappler ay ibinatay sa inilabas ng The Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) na nakabase sa Estados Unidos. Nadiskubre ng DFRLab na si Captain Alexandre F. Cabales ang siyang nakarehistrong nagmamay-ari ng Kalinaw News Website na kung saan inaako din sa publiko ng Civil-Military Operations Regiment of the Philippine Army na sa kanila nga ang naturang website. Ayon din sa ulat ng Rappler, napag-alaman ng DFRLab na si Captain Cabales ay may kaugnayan sa Facebook account ng Hands Off Our Children (HOOC) group bilang administrator ng private pages nito at isa sa mga tinanggal ng FB. Ayon sa DFRLab, habang ipinipresenta ng HOOC ang sarili bilang nagsasariling organisasyon ng mga concerned parents of radicalized youth, ang katotohanan, ayon sa DFRLab, mas malaki ang kinalaman at kaugnayan nito sa Civil Military Operations Regiment kaysa sa ipinalalabas nila sa publiko bilang isang nagsasariling organisasyon.

Kabilang din sa ulat ng DFRLab bilang mga administrador o opereytor ng mga pekeng accounts ay sina Bruce G. Mayam-o at Ricky Boy Castro na pinaghihinalaan nilang mga sundalo. Silang tatlo, ayon sa DFRLab, ang mga administrador ng SOCIAL MEDIA OPERATION TRAINING CL-02-18 na isa din sa mga tinanggal na account ng FB.

Pero sa kabila ng nagdudumilat na katotohanan at pagkakalantad ng kamay ng NTF-ELCAC, AFP at PNP bilang nasa likod ng pagkakabuo ng HOOC at pekeng account nito sa FB, walang kahihiyang itinatanggi pa rin ng berdugo at masugid na anti-komunistang si General Antonio Parlade, pinuno ng Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) at isa sa mga tagapagsalita ng NTF-ELCAC, na may kaugnayan (affiliated) sa militar ang HOOC. Hinihikayat pa niyang magsampa ng kaso ang HOOC laban sa FB dahil sa pagsasara ng kanilang pages account.

Dahil sa masugid na pagtatanggol ni General Parlade sa HOOC lalo lamang niyang pinatutunayan na ang NTF-ELCAC ang lumikha, nagpopondo at nagpapatakbo sa HOOC. Bantog ang NTF-ELCAC sa pagkakalat ng mga dis-impormasyon at siyang nangangalaga at nagpopondo ng mga anti-komunistang grupo, mga bayarang troll armies at mga vlogers na ang pangunahing trabaho ay magpakalat ng mga kasinungalingan, mag red tagged at manira ng mga personalidad at kilalang kritiko ni Duterte. Kaya naman ganon sila kamahal ng despotiko at pasistang si Rodrigo Roa Duterte para paglaanan ng 16.4 Bilyong badget para sa taong 2021 na tinagurian bilang The General’s Pork Barrel. Siguradong ang malaking bahagi ng pondong ito ay mapupunta lamang sa bulsa ng mga tiwali at paboritong opisyal militar at pulis ni Duterte bilang suhol at gantimpala sa kanilang katapatan kay Duterte. Ang iba sa pondong matitira ay gagamitin sa paghahasik ng lason at kasinungalingan sa kaisipan ng publiko.

Ayon din sa FB, ang mga tinanggal nilang account ay gumagastos ng $1,100 o katumbas na P 53,421 para lamang mag advertise ng dis-impormasyon sa platform. Hindi malayong ang mahigit sa 4 na bilyong halaga na discretionary at intelligence funds ng Office of the President ay siyang ginagamit sa pagpopondo ng mga pro-Duterte Bloggers, troll armies at iba pang makinarya ng pasistang estado sa pagpapakalat ng mga kasinungalingan at dis-impormasyon.

Kailangan patuloy na ilantad, tutulan at labanan ng taumbayan ang mga katiwalian sa loob ng pasistang rehimeng US-Duterte. Sa paggamit sa pondo ng bayan para sa panunupil sa kalayaan at demokrasya, sa pagpapakalat ng kasinungalingan at dis-impormasyon, sa paghahasik ng takot at teror, sa paninira at red-tagging ng mga lehitimong organisasyon.

Ilantad at labanan ang National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) ng pasistang rehimeng US-Duterte bilang numero unong tagahatid ng mga pekeng balita at pangunahing nagpakalat ng kasinungalingan at dis-impormasyon sa bayan. ###

https://cpp.ph/statements/ntf-elcac-ng-rehimeng-us-duterte-pabrika-ng-pekeng-balita-kasinungalingan-at-dis-impormasyon/

CPP/NDF-CNL-Bicol: Bukas na liham sa mga taong-simbahan, Kristyano at mapagmahal sa kapwa

Propaganda article posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 25, 2020): Bukas na liham sa mga taong-simbahan, Kristyano at mapagmahal sa kapwa

CHRISTIANS FOR NATIONAL LIBERATION-BICOL
NDF-BICOL

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

Sa mga taong-simbahan, kapatid nating Kristyano at sa lahat ng mapagmahal sa kapwa,

Isang mapagpalayang araw sa inyo! Nais naming ipaabot ang aming pakikiisa sa inyo at sa lahat ng nagdiriwang ng Pista ng Penafrancia ngayon. Sagisag ng pag-asa si Ina para sa milyun-milyong mamamayang Pilipinong nakararanas ng walang-kapantay na pagdarahop sa panahong ito. Tulad ng libu-libong mamamayang Pilipino, siya rin ay kapwa biktima ng pang-aatake ng mga tirano. Matinding panganib ang kinailangan niyang suungin para lamang protektahan at alagaan si Hesukristo, na siyang tumindig para sa inaapi at pinagsasamantalahan sa kanilang panahon.

Hinahamon tayo ng rehimeng US-Duterte na tularan ang tatag at tapang ni Ina sa pagharap sa mga tirano. Krimen para sa pasistang rehimen ang lahat ng katangiang naglalarawan sa isang Kristyano – tumitindig para sa kagalingan ng nakararami at tunay na kalayaan ng sambayanan. Terorismo ang tingin nito sa tunay na pagmamalasakit sa kapwa at sa walang pag-iimbot na pag-aalay ng buhay para sa makatwirang hangarin ng mamamayan. Kasabay nito, ipinagdadamot ng pasistang rehimen ang kayamanang pinaghirapan mismo ng masang anakpawis at tahasan silang iniiwan upang mamatay sa gutom o higit pang maging bulnerable sa kumakalat na pandemya.

Batid naming kayo rin ay nagngangalit sa pang-uusig at karahasang ipinalalaganap ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Kapwa namin kinukundena ang iligal na pag-aresto kay Pastor Dan San Andres ng UCCP at tatlo pang lider-masa dahil lamang sila ay makabayan at kritikal sa rehimen. Noong mga nakaraang taon, ilang beses na pinagbantaan at mismong naging biktima ng pampulitikang pamamaslang ang mga taong-simbahan sa kamay ng mga berdugong ahente ng estado.

Ngayon, higit kailanman, kailangan nating magkaisa, sama-samang manalangin para sa hustisya para sa ating mga kapatid at kumilos laban sa diktadura. Kayo, bilang mga huwaran at lider na kinikilala sa inyong mga parokya at komunidad, ang ilan sa mga inaasahan ng mamamayang titindig sa kanilang panig. Ito ang legasiya ng taong-simbahan, mula sa hanay nina Jose Burgos, Jacinto Zamora, Mariano Gomez, hanggang sa mga tumindig at patuloy pang tumitindig laban sa diktadurya. Ang iba pa ay tumangan ng armas tulad ni Fr. Antonio Zumel. Huwag kayong matakot, sapagkat kasama ninyo ang sanlaksang mamamayang sawang-sawa sa panunupil at pandarahas mula sa sunud-sunod na pasista’t papet.

Buong-puso nating i-alay ang lahat ng ating panalangin at pagsisikap sa pagpapalaya ng bayan. Ikinalulugod namin kayong makasama, mula sa pagiging kapwa taong-simbahan hanggang sa lubusan namin kayong makasama sa armadong pakikibaka.

Hanggang sa tagumpay,

Christians for National Liberation-Bicol

https://cpp.ph/statements/bukas-na-liham-sa-mga-taong-simbahan-kristyano-at-mapagmahal-sa-kapwa/

CPP/CIO: NPA to emerge stronger and more determined to fight amid Duterte’s all-out dirty war

Propaganda article posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Sep 25, 2020): NPA to emerge stronger and more determined to fight amid Duterte’s all-out dirty war

MARCO VALBUENA

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

Gen. Gilbert Gapay, AFP chief, was apparently high on some hallucinogenic substance when he claimed yesterday that the New People’s Army (NPA) is on the decline with “so many rebels surrendering.” There is absolutely no basis in reality for the general’s claims.

The AFP’s propaganda about the “weakened” state of the NPA is built on top of a mountain of lies, human rights abuses and corruption which AFP officers have built over the past 3-4 years. Almost everyday, they spin a web of press releases and social media postings promoting false information including the thousands whom the AFP has paraded as “NPA surrenderees.” They recycle old weapons from their armories and claim these are surrendered firearms. Military-photoshopped and -staged images of civilians are not uncommon.

In the course of this psywar campaign, the rights of tens of thousands of people in rural villages are systematically violated. Soldiers swoop down on communities, impose hamlet policies where they take away people’s political and economic rights, place severe restrictions on people’s movements and subject them to endless abuse and oppression. Having no access to legal representation, the masses are subjected by the military to unlawful arrests, detention, torture, conscription and other abuses. Killings of peasant leaders and activists remain unabated.

AFP boasts of so-called “economic livelihood programs” merely obscure the fundamental land problem of the masses. These as well as showcase housing projects serve as milking cow as military officers skim millions of pesos from the “community integration program” and leave the masses hanging dry. Counterinsurgency funds are among the biggest sources of corruption especially among the higher echelons of the AFP.

The masses are turning to the NPA in order that they could defend themselves, their families and their land, and to enable them to wrest back the freedoms taken away by the state terrorists. To a growing number of people, taking up arms and waging resistance has become the only option in the face of Duterte’s dirty war.

The NPA, thus, continues to grow in strength in terms of new recruits as well as deeper support among the masses. The NPA performs its role as the genuine people’s army, by raising the people’s political consciousness and in building their organizations, assisting them in their day to day tasks in production, and helping them in their struggle to advance their democratic interests. True to being the people’s army, the NPA extends medical and public health service to the masses.

In the face of widespread state terrorism by the Duterte regime, the NPA is ever determined to wage revolutionary armed struggle. Red fighters are ever willing to make the necessary sacrifice to serve the people. The NPA will continue to carry out tactical offensives against the Duterte regime’s fascist troops. Guerrilla warfare will continue to spread across the country and defeat the fascists one by one and make them pay for their cruelties against the masses.

One after another, AFP generals will retire frustrated from their declared aims of defeating the NPA. They all end up in ignominy.

https://cpp.ph/statements/npa-to-emerge-stronger-and-more-determined-to-fight-amid-dutertes-all-out-dirty-war/

Kalinaw News: 26 Armadong rebelde at 1 supporter, nagbalik-loob sa pamahalaan

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 26, 2020): 26 Armadong rebelde at 1 supporter, nagbalik-loob sa pamahalaan

Milagros, Masbate – Malugod na tinanggap ng E-CLIP Committee sa pamumuno ni Gov. Antonio T Kho kasama ng mga punong heneral ng SOLCOM, 9ID, 903rd Brigade at PRO 5 ang 26 na armadong rebelde at isang supporter kahapon, Setyembre 22, 2020 sa himpilan ng 2nd Infantry (Second to None) Battalion sa Sitio Baclay, Brgy Bacolod, Milagros, Masbate.

Ito ay matapos iharap ng pinuno ng 2IB na si LTC SIEGFRIED FELIPE F AWICHEN ang 15 NPA, 9 Militiang Bayan (MB), 2 Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL) at isang supporter kasama ang 4 na mataas na kalibre at 30 mababang kalibre ng mga baril sa pamunuan ng PTF-ELCAC at E-CLIP Committee ng Masbate upang maitala ang mga ito sa mga benepisyaryo ng E-CLIP.

Ang mga nagbalik-loob ay bunga ng kooperasyon at koordinasyon ng iba’t ibang yunit ng kasundaluhan, kapulisan at Philippine Coast Guard ng Masbate. Ang mga nasabing miyembro ng NPA ay sumuko matapos nilang maunawaan ng lubos ang mga programa ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng isinasagawang Modified Community Support Program sa mga liblib na barangay sa probinsya ng Masbate na lubhang naaapektuhan ng insurhensiya.

Sa kanyang talumpati, pinasalamatan ng isa sa mga sumuko na si Ka Jimmy ang kasundaluhan sa pagbigay ng bagong pag-asa sa mga tulad nilang naligaw ng landas. “Ako po ay isang captured o huli ng mga militar. Pero doon ko po nakita ang pagpapahalaga sa bayan na hindi pala solusyon ang giyera kundi po sa isang magandang usapan,” wika ni Ka Jimmy.

Siniguro naman ni Ginoong Ben Paul Naz, Provincial Director ng DILG Masbate na maibigay lahat ng benepisyong nararapat para sa mga nagbalik-loob sa pamahalaan.

Pinuri naman ng punong heneral ng 9th Infantry (Spear) Division, Philippine Army na si MGEN HENRY A ROBINSON JR ang PTF-ELCAC at E-CLIP Committee ng Masbate sa kanilang tagumpay. Pinasalamatan niya ang lahat ng nagbalik-loob sa pamahalaan. “Sa mga kasama natin dito ngayon, nagpapasalamat ako at kayo ay nagbalik-loob na sa gobyerno at nagdesisyong itakwil ang maling ideolohiya na itinuro sa inyo. Ngayong andito na kayo, sa pamamagitan ng E-CLIP mabibigyan kayo ng iba’t-ibang tulong, kaalaman, at kasanayan na inyong magagamit sa pagbabagong buhay. Ito ay tulong ng pamahalaan hindi lamang sa inyo kundi pati na rin sa inyong pamilya at komunidad,” wika ng heneral. Lubos din ang pasasalamat ng heneral sa kagalang-galang na gobernador ng Masbate sa kanyang patuloy na suporta sa kasundaluhan upang makamit ang kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa probinsya ng Masbate.

Siniguro naman ng punong heneral ng Southern Luzon Command na si LTGEN ANTONIO G PARLADE JR na hindi magtatapos sa isang sakong bigas at isang pirasong sardinas ang programa at estratehiya ng NTF-ELCAC. Binigyan-diin ng heneral na hindi naniniwala ang pamahalaan sa “TOKENISM” o ang estratehiya kung saan magbibigay ng isang bagay tapos magkakalimutan na. Ayon sa kanya, “hindi po pwede yung ‘TOKENISM’ kapag sinabi nating programa ng gobyerno, totoo yan at may kasunod yan. Hindi pwedeng one-time big time, hindi po pwede yung ganun. Walang iwanan.” Ipinaliwanag din ng heneral ang mga nakalatag na programa kung saan mapupunta ang pondo ng NTF-ELCAC na patuloy namang hinaharangan ng Makabayan Bloc. Dagdag pa ng heneral, “within one year, tapos po ang insurgency kapag seryoso tayo doon sa ating mga programa. Balikan natin ‘yung mga pagkukulang natin, punuan natin ‘yung mga pagkukulang natin, ‘yung mga pangako natin in the past at sa palagay ko mapapadali ang problema dito sa Masbate.”

Nagbalik-tanaw naman ang butihing gobernador ng Masbate na si Hon. Antonio T Kho sa magandang gawain ng kasundaluhan na nagresulta sa pagkakaroon ng Masbate ng pinakamalaking bilang ng sumukong rebelde sa buong bansa na kung saan sa sobrang tuwa ng Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte, ito ay bumisita sa araw ng kanyang kaarawan. Pinuri niya ang huwarang gawa ng 2nd Infantry (Second to None) Battalion sa pamumuno ni LTC AWICHEN. Ipinagmalaki din ng gobernador ang apat na palapag na halfway-house na kauna-unahang naitayo sa probinsya. At sa huli, siya ay nanawagan sa iba’t ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan na bigyan ng libreng gamot, libreng lupa, libreng edukasyon, kabuhayan at sariling bahay ang mga sumukong rebelde.

[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/26-armadong-rebelde-at-1-supporter-nagbalik-loob-sa-pamahalaan/

Army, LGU launch Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) to bring government closer to the people

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 25, 2020): Army, LGU launch Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) to bring government closer to the people

CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental- The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Binuangan, with the support of Army’s 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion launched Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) at Brgy Valdeconcha as pilot-convergence area last September 23,2020.

With LGU taking the lead role, Hon. Romeo Gue, the Municipal Mayor graced the said activity which was highlighted by an outreach program dubbed as “A day with the barangay” wherein various Local Government Agencies offered their services.

Further, Serbisyo Caravan consist of medical services, circumcision, haircut, feeding program for the children, and other free services rendered by different municipal offices were provided to 120 households.

After the opening program, Mayor Gue turned-over the PHP 100,000 worth of cheque from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to Brgy Valdeconcha which will be used for the development of the barangay followed by the tying of knots of two couples officiated by Mayor Gue.

With all the efforts rendered to them, the populace expressed their genuine gratitude to the government for reaching out and being responsive to their needs. In response, Mayor Gue gave assurance on the sustainment of delivering basic services. “It is our duty to protect our constituents from any threats and implement projects to help address insurgency. Hence, I need the cooperation of every individual so that our efforts for ending local communist armed group will be continuous,” said Mayor Gue.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Ricky L Canatoy, the Commanding Officer of 58IB commended the residents for their cooperation and all the partners for their support in addressing insurgency. “RCSP converges all efforts of the government agencies to ensure that basic services are delivered to the communities and that social issues being exploited by the CTGs are properly addressed.”

Moreover, he urged the other Local Chief Executives to step-up and take the lead in treading the path towards the attainment of inclusive and lasting peace.

[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/army-lgu-launch-retooled-community-support-program-rcsp-to-bring-government-closer-to-the-people/

Kalinaw News: Former rebels commit to peace, condemn NPA lies

 Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 25, 2020): Former rebels commit to peace, condemn NPA lies

Mati City, Davao Oriental – Twenty Six (26) Former Rebels (FRs) who completed their 10 days de-radicalization program condemned NPA atrocities and lies during their graduation today held at Happy Home, Brgy. Martin Marundan, Mati City.

Said FRs on the otherhand expressed their commitment to peace and their support to the NTF-ELCAC under EO 70 that envisions ending the Insurgency problem in our country.

Three of the former rebels (FRs) casted out their emotions and displeasure during their testimonies while relating their sad experiences under the communist-NPA-terrorists. “Ginamit lang nila kami, mga yawa silang mga NPA”, aka Gomer said.

Mr. Ednar Dayanghirang who graced the activity emphasized the province’s program of sustainable peace for the former rebel. “Gusto namo sa gobyerno ang malahutayong kalinaw alang sa inyong pagpuyo”.

701st Brigade under the leadership of Col Krishnamurti A Mortela boosted the morale of FRs
by extending the hands of the Army to guide them in their undertakings. “ Nandito lang po ang inyong Army na handang umalalay sa inyo” Col Mortela added.

[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/former-rebels-commit-to-peace-condemn-npa-lies/

Kalinaw News: Army, Agusan del Norte LGU inaugurates halfway house for former rebels

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 25, 2020): Army, Agusan del Norte LGU inaugurates halfway house for former rebels

Agusan del Norte- The Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte and Congressional Office of 2nd District of Agusan del Norte in partnership with the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade conducted launching and Blessing of the Agusan del Norte Manpower Development Center Halfway House for Former Rebels on the morning of September 23, 2020 held at Headquarters, 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, Philippine Army at Brgy Bancasi, Butuan City.

The construction of the Manpower Development Center Halfway House for Former Rebels is a 10M project sourced from the Provincial Development Fund of Agusan del Norte by then Governor Maria Angelia Rosedell Amante-Matba and the E-CLIP Fund, was facilitated by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) led by Ms Silver Joy Tejano and DILG Agusan del Norte led by Engr Ellen V Chua, Provincial Director.

The Halfway House is situated inside the Headquarters of the 402nd Brigade with a fifty (50) bed capacity complete with basic furniture and amenities. The construction started last February 27, 2019 and was completed on January 30, 2020. With the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the facility was utilized temporarily as COVID-19 Quarantine Facility for the suspected and confirmed cases in Agusan del Norte.

The inauguration and blessing was attended by different member agencies of the E-CLIP Committee spearheaded by Hon Dale B Corvera, Provincial Governor of ADN and Hon Maria Angelia Rosedell Amante-Matba, 2nd District Representative of ADN and BGen Maurito L Licudine, 402nd Brigade Commander, with Hon Elizabeth Marie R Calo, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member of Agusan del Norte and other member agencies namely NHA Caraga, CHR Caraga, ADN PPO, TESDA ADN, Commanding Officers and representatives of the three (3) Infantry Battalions in Agusan del Norte (23IB, 29IB and 65IB).

In his opening message, Brigadier General Maurito L Licudine, 402nd Brigade Commander, welcomed the participants and expressed his elation with the quick response of the provincial government of Agusan del Norte for the Halfway House to be operationalized to cater to the processing, deradicalization, mainstreaming, and integration of the FRs. He said “Today’s inauguration and blessing is a clear testament of the commitment and support of our local leaders in helping our FRs get back on their feet and be able to live normal lives after their harrowing experience with the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG)”.

BGen Licudine added that they are anticipating a snowball of surrenders because the halfway house will encourage more communist NPA terrorist combatants to surrender exemplifying effective implementation of the E-CLIP. “The Halfway house will be a symbol of deliverance for our waylaid brothers and sisters as it provides them a glimmer of hope and an alternative for giving up their violent way of life because at the end of the day they are still Filipinos who are entitled to a second chance in life”.

In his message, Governor Corvera thanked the AFP for giving a space and allowing the Halfway House to be erected inside the 402nd Brigade. He said that the provincial government has now fulfilled its task in providing the FRs the support and chance they are worthy of. “The government has really learned on how to address the insurgency problem, that is thru the whole of nation approach. On the part of the province, we have already arrange the personnel that will manage the halfway house so that it will really become operational with the fixtures and furniture already emplaced’

Meanwhile, Representative Amante-Matba said, “Our work does not end here. We are grateful for the sacrifices of the AFP and the PNP. You have done your part. The AFP now seamlessly evolved to the extent that you already know and master the job of the LGU”.

She also explained that the gains are temporary if the complains on the grounds are not answered. She said that the government must know the issues that has been utilized by the CTG. “We don’t fight them with guns, we fight them by making sure that the government is able to respond to the complaints on the ground. There is disconnect in terms of the prioritization and the needs on the ground. Hence, we have a bigger responsibility, we must not take our job an 8am-5pm job but we must take our job as a contributing factor to make our province a much better place”.

In relation to the campaign set by higher Headquarters in ending communist armed conflict in the Brigade’s area of responsibility against the remaining members of Guerrilla Front 4A in Caraga region, BGen Licudine said that they are confident that the remnants which consolidate to just a platoon will be decimated before year end either through violent deaths or peaceful surrenders.

“The challenge is the sustainment of the programs lined-up under E-CLIP and ensuring that the FRs become responsible and productive members of the society. We must all be committed and converge our actions until the job is done”, BGen Licudine ended.

[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/army-agusan-del-norte-lgu-inaugurates-halfway-house-for-former-rebels/

Kalinaw News: Nagtipunan Resident surrenders M16 rifle to 86th Infantry Battalion thru Community Support Program

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 25, 2020): Nagtipunan Resident surrenders M16 rifle to 86th Infantry Battalion thru Community Support Program

Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela- The 86th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army facilitated the surrender of a high-powered firearm believed to be owned by a member of Rehiyon Sentro de Grabidad, KR-CV on September 23, 2020 at Barangay San Ramos, Nagtipunan, Quirino.

A resident from the said barangay surrendered the M16 rifle that he kept since July 26, 2017. According to the resident, he found the M16 rifle at the site of encounter between the troops of 86IB and the communist terrorist group. The surrender of firearm was made possible thru the Community Support Program (CSP) of the government troops.

The continuous dialogue of CSP teams with the residents enlightened them to pursue peace and progress instead of supporting the rebels.

BGen Laurence E Mina PA, Commander, 5ID, thanked the residents of Barangay San Ramos for their trust and support to the 86IB CSP teams in the province of Quirino. “Cooperation and support of the people is a key factor in our campaign against insurgency. It is high time that everyone gets involved to end insurgency and work as one to pursue the genuine peace and progress that we truly deserve.”

The surrendered M16 was brought to 86IB Headquarters for documentation and proper disposition.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/nagtipunan-resident-surrenders-m16-rifle-to-86th-infantry-battalion-thru-community-support-program/

Kalinaw News: Surrendered NPA fighters, reveals armory to army in Zamboanga del Norte

Posted to Kalinaw News (Sep 25, 2020): Surrendered NPA fighters, reveals armory to army in Zamboanga del Norte

CAMP SANG-AN, ZDS– NPA fighters who’ve surrender recently to 97th Infantry Battalion revealed and surrendered their Cal. 50mm Sniper Barrett Rifle, M79 Grenade Launcher and six AK47 with fourteen magazines and ammunitions to the unit in Brgy Guibo Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte Friday, September 25, 2020.

According to Lt. Col. Manaros Boransing, 97IB Commander, the former rebels were mostly members of Main Regional Guerilla Unit (MRGU) which is a special unit of the Communist-NPA-Terrorist (CNT) in Western Mindanao and the quality or calibre of their firearms described on who they were.

“The revelation of arms cache was after their costudial debriefing. They’ve also showed their sincerity of their surrender and guided our troops to the location of firearms”, said Lt. Col. Boransing.

“They are notorious in conducting tactical offensives, extortions and atrocities, armed with high caliber firearms that were used to scare locals in the communities that were not supporting them”, added Lt. Col. Boransing.

Alias Ronald, one of their commander, revealed that they were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

(“Ang among pagkaon, medical ug ubang supply naapektohan sa Covid-19. Gutom na mi sa bukid wala mi mapangayoan pagkaon kay gasige mi ug lakaw tungod sa operasyon sa militar”, alias Ronald.)

“Our food, medicines and other supplies were affected by Covid-19. We were hungry in the mountains, and we weren’t able to beg food due to relentless military operations”, said alias Ronald.

Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, 102nd Infantry Brigade Commander who has operational jurisdiction of Zamboanga del Norte, stressed how the troops treated the former rebels earned their trust and confidence which resulted to the revelation of the location of arm cache.

“We are very thankful that these former rebels who were also victims of wrong ideology are now collaborating with us now and already denounced the arm struggle to achieve a brighter future for them and for their families.” Brig. Gen. Nicolas said.

The Commander of 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio commended the troops for their accomplishments and the former rebels for the revelation of arms cache.

“Your dedication and efforts led to this significant accomplishment. The series of encounters, numerous NPA surrendered and firearms captured, significantly degraded the armed capability of our enemy”, said Maj. Gen. Ponio.

“Rest assured that we will sustain our gains and momentum until insurgency finally ends, lasting peace in Western Mindanao is attained and the progress and development in the communities is enjoyed.” Maj. Gen. Ponio said.

Maj. Gen. Ponio ended his message urging the remaining Communist terrorist group to surrender and benifit the program E-CLIP of the government for the former rebels.

As of this posting, firearms are now at the custody of 97th IB for documentation and will be transferred to Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office for investigation and for the processing of firearms remuneration.

[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/surrendered-npa-fighters-reveals-armory-to-army-in-zamboanga-del-norte/

Reds ‘unwelcome’ in Murcia village

 Posted to Panay News (Sep 25, 2020): Reds ‘unwelcome’ in Murcia village

WITHDRAWAL OF SUPPORT. Former mass supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in Barangay Sta. Rosa, Murcia, Negros Occidental burn the CPP-NPA flag in a ceremony held at the village covered court on Sept. 21, 2020. PHILIPPINE ARMY’S 79TH INFANTRY BATTALION

Officials and residents of Barangay Sta. Rosa in Murcia, Negros Occidental declared the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as “persona non grata”.

The ceremonial signing of a barangay resolution held at the village covered court on Monday was participated in by 63 former mass supporters of the CPP-NPA.

The rites was facilitated by the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB) with support from the municipal government headed by Mayor Gerardo Rojas and the barangay council led by village chief Larry Alvarez.

“This is a clear manifestation that the peace-loving residents of Barangay Sta. Rosa are already fed up with the deceptions, threat to life and properties, and extortions perpetrated by the communist-terrorist group,” Lt. Col. Gerard Alvaran, commander of 79IB, said in a statement on Tuesday.

The former mass supporters recited the oath of allegiance to the Philippine government before Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Marissa Costelo and village officials led the ceremonial signing of the resolution declaring the CPP-NPA and its political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF), persona non grata.

They also raised placards with messages calling on the insurgents to stop terrorism in their community and the burned the CPP-NPA flag as well.

“The pledge to withdraw their support from the CPP-NPA is a bold step towards ending insurgency and secure lasting peace and sustainable development in their community,” Alvaran said.

After the program, soldiers distributed leaflets on the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP for former rebels and gave five kilos of rice to each participant.

In June this year, residents of Sta. Rosa and neighboring villages of Amayco and Pandanon Silos staged a rally to call for peace in their communities and condemn the atrocities of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Last Friday, members of three farmers’ associations in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental also declared the CPP-NPA persona non grata and condemned their atrocities in rites held in Barangay Pilar gymnasium.

http://www.panaynews.net/reds-unwelcome-in-murcia-village/

USAID praises Zambo mayor

 Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 25, 2020): USAID praises Zambo mayor

THE UNITED States Agency for International Development (USAID) praised Mayor Beng Climaco for her continued collaboration on its various projects and programs here and even cited her “visionary leadership” that resulted in many accomplishments.



“We are confident that our continued collaboration, building from what we already have in Zamboanga, and the visionary leadership of Mayor Beng and all of our key partners in the city, we will surpass all of our previous accomplishments,” said USAID/Philippines Office of Education Chief Dr. Thomas LeBlanc.

LeBlanc led the launching here of a new project that will support the education, employment, and livelihood needs of at least 180,000 out-of-school youth across the Philippines.

The program launch featured Climaco and other Filipino government officials and over 30 key local agencies that participated in the virtual event, including other regional agencies, the academe, training institutions, local entrepreneurs, business associations, and youth groups.

Climaco thanked Washington and USAID, and the American people for the continued support and various programs and projects that largely benefit the people of Zamboanga. “I am very, very eager and excited (with the project) as we give our young people an opportunity to be transformed. Let the transformation begin,” she said, expressing elation over the Opportunity 2.0 project.

The five-year, P1.9 billion ($35.5 million) Opportunity 2.0: Second-Chance Opportunities for Out-of-School Youth program will work with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to augment their on-going programs and provide relevant education, employability skills, and work experience. These include the DepEd’s enhanced Alternative Learning System and TESDA’s skills training programs.

And LeBlanc said the Opportunity 2.0 has prepared an initial package of interventions for Zamboanga City, such as a youth grants program that will support local-led innovations and initiatives that help the youth access learning and earning programs during the coronavirus pandemic.

The program also will continue its support to the Zamboanga City Youth Network civic engagement activities, and the post-training activities for the youth accessing TESDA Online Programs (TOPS). USAID has previously reached almost 4,000 youth in Zamboanga, and a total of 25,000 out-of-school youth in Mindanao. This resulted to at least 6,000 of youth having new or improved employment.

LeBlanc also highlighted that partnership is the key element in the youth’s journey of transformation. “The partnerships we have built with local governments, DepEd, TESDA, other national agencies, local businesses, non-governmental organizations, schools, and the youth themselves – under the banner of the Youth Development Alliance – have led to some amazing results,” he said.

He said USAID will work with local governments in 12 cities across the country to set up Youth Development Alliances that mobilize resources to help their out-of-school youth. The program will also work with over 2,200 employers and at least 50 education or training institutions, including major hubs like Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Davao.

The program is implemented by the U.S.-based Education Development Center with partners Accenture, Philippine Business for Education, Catholic Relief Services, Voluntary Services Overseas, and SEAMEO-Innotech. (Zamboanga Post)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/09/usaid-praises-zambo-mayor.html

Soldiers told to take precautions

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 25, 2020): Soldiers told to take precautions

MAGUINDANAO – The Philippine military ordered security forces to take precautions during dangerous operations following the spate of bombings carried out by pro-ISIS militants in the restive province of Maguindanao.

Three soldiers were wounded in a recent bomb explosion while clearing an area occupied by militants in the province.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the anti-terror Joint Task Force Central, said the blast occurred in the village of Salman in Ampatuan town. “Troops of the 57th Infantry Battalion were conducting combat clearing operation at the time of the explosion,” he said.

“We deployed additional troops to cordon the area and establish the circumstances,” he added.

The soldiers were rushed to a military hospital in Datu Odin Sinsuat town after medics provided first aid.

Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command, tagged terrorists as behind the blast. Vinluan said he ordered heightened military operations in the town.

“Inflicting harm to our troops is the desperate device of the weakened terrorist groups to attract attention and harbor support. Rest assured that we will heighten our security operations and stay on guard against the emerging threats in our area of operation,” he said.

A roadside bomb explosion also killed one Marine and wounded four others in the village of Lipongo in Datu Hoffer town in September. The attack came barely 2 days after soldiers recovered an improvised explosive device in the village called Pimblakan in Mamasapano town, not far from Datu Hoffer.

Security forces are battling several pro-ISIS groups in Maguindanao, one of 5 provinces under the troubled Muslim autonomous region, which are fighting for the establishment of ISIS caliphate in the South. (With a report from Rhoderick Benez)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/09/soldiers-told-to-take-precautions.html

Nur Misuari among 500 ‘most influential Muslims of 2020’

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Sep 25, 2020): Nur Misuari among 500 ‘most influential Muslims of 2020’

DAVAO CITY - Nur Misuari, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, has made it to the prestigious book “The Muslim 500 – World’s 500 most influential Muslims 2020” alongside religious scholars and heads of state that make up this 283-page, full color prints.


Nur Misuari (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

In its introductory, “The Muslim 500 – World’s 500 most influential Muslims 2020” says: “Nur Misuari is a revolutionary leader of the Bangsamoro. He began his campaign for better treatment of the people of Mindanao by the Manila government through the Mindanao Independence Movement (MIM) in the 1970s, which later became the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).”

“Under Misuari’s leadership the MNLF challenged the government until the Tripoli Agreement was negotiated in 1976. Misuari and members of the MNLF were charged in connection to the deadly 20-day attack in Zamboanga city in September 2013, which left nearly 200 people dead, but in 2016, Misuari was granted a temporary suspension of his arrest and asked for his help in the peace negotiations in Mindanao.”

The “The Muslim 500 – World’s 500 most influential Muslims 2020” print sells for $29.95 while the digital copy is $4.95.

This publication is part of an annual series that provides a window into the movers and shakers of the Muslim world. It highlights people who are influential as Muslims, that is, people whose influence is derived from their practice of Islam or from the fact that they are Muslim. It gives valuable insight into the different ways that Muslims impact the world, and also shows the diversity of how people are living as Muslims today, according to its publisher, The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center.

The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center is an independent research entity affiliated with the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought which is an international Islamic non-governmental, independent institute headquartered in Amman, Jordan.

Muslims make up 24.38% of the world’s population or about 1.84 billion. And this publication sets out to ascertain the influence some Muslims have on this community, or on behalf of the community. “Influence is any person who has the power (be it cultural, ideological, financial, political or otherwise) to make a change that will have a significant impact on the Muslim world. Note that the impact can be either positive or negative, depending on one’s point of view of course.”

“The selection of people for this publication in no way means that we endorse their views; rather we are simply trying to measure their influence. The influence can be of a religious scholar directly addressing Muslims and influencing their beliefs, ideas and behaviour, or it can be of a ruler shaping the socio-economic factors within which people live their lives, or of artists shaping popular culture,” the publisher said. (Mindanao Examiner)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/09/nur-misuari-among-500-most-influential.html

Davao Region's ELCAC documentary workshop part of Sine Sandaan

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 25, 2020): Davao Region's ELCAC documentary workshop part of Sine Sandaan (By Rudolph Ian Alama)

DAVAO CITY, Sept. 11 (PIA)- A video documentary workshop to be participated by the various information officers of the Regional Task Force Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) will be part of the “Sine Sandaan: The Next 100- Celebration of the Closing of Philippine Cinema Centennial.”

The documentary workshop will be held on September 16-18 in Davao City and Nabunturan, Davao de Oro. Various resource persons from the film industry will train the participants on story development, scriptwriting, camera operations, cinematography and editing.

The documentary workshop is organized by the RTF-ELCAC, Philippine Information Agency-XI and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

The goal of the event is to capacitate the participants with skills on producing documentaries which will help them in making documentaries focusing on reintegration. Among the subjects of the planned documentaries are the lives of former rebels who have surrendered and are living peacefully in the mainstream society.

Frances Mae Macapagat, Regional Director of PIA-XI hopes the workshop will help the participants mostly information officers of local government units, national government agencies, the police and the military in spreading the success stories of reintegration.

“Our information officers are the country’s storytellers. In keeping up with the demands of our audience, we also make sure that we have clear messages and stories and that these are packaged in the most effective platform. The PIA has partnered with government offices such as the FDCP to provide us with technical skills that will enable our information officers to produce quality and world class documentaries,” Macapagat said.



Meanwhile Sine Sandaan, is the year-long celebration of the Centennial of Philippine Cinema that kicked off in September 2019. As the celebration nears its end this September 2020, FDCP has ramped up its programs and activities this month dubbed as SINE SANDAAN: THE NEXT 100.

“September marks the official closing of the 100 years of Philippine cinema. Despite the pandemic, the FDCP wanted to ensure that our efforts will meaningfully honor this once-in-lifetime event through various events, activities and programs all year round. And as we close Sandaan, we open our "NEXT 100" by launching several initiatives as we look forward to a better, more sustainable and progressive hundred years, ” Liza Diño Seguerra FDCP chairperson said. (PIA/RG Alama)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1052869

Gov’t gives P3.8 Million cash aid to surrendering rebels

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 25, 2020): Gov’t gives P3.8 Million cash aid to surrendering rebels (By Rudolph Ian Alama)

DAVAO ORIENTAL (PIA) – The government has given livelihood and immediate assistance worth P1.3 million and firearms remuneration worth P2.5 million under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to 21 former rebels of the New People’s Army.

Each former rebel received livelihood assistance worth P50,000 and immediate assistance worth P15,000.

In addition, 16 of them received an additional separate payment for their surrendered firearms through the E-CLIP’s Firearms Remuneration Program.

According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director, Orle Cabaobao, the firearms remuneration has encouraged more rebels to surrender in the past year as President Rodrigo Duterte ordered to double the payment amount.

One of the former rebels, Bunso (alias), received P714,000 in firearms remuneration as he surrendered seven units of high-powered AK47 firearms.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, who led the distribution of checks in a simple ceremony, said that the government will continue to commit to its promise towards peaceful living.

“This is a testament of the government’s sincerity on its promise. It is our mission to guide those who have been swayed by the twisted communist ideologies of the CPP-NPA-NPA into the right path so that all of us will be able to live in peace,” he said.

701st Brigade Commander Col. Krishnamurti Mortela said that the E-CLIP awarding sends a clear message that “our government is ready to guide and help those who want to start a new life.”

As such, he expects more rebels to surrender.

“Based on the numbers that we have been getting, we hope to have more surrenderees,” he said.

Through the E-CLIP, the government was able to help transform the lives of 355 FRs since 2013. Aside from the cash aid, the former rebels also received scores of other benefits during their stay at the Happy Home, a provincial government-run halfway house for former rebels.

At the Happy Home, former rebels undergo various trainings, skills development, psychosocial therapy, and educational services through the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education, among many other interventions.

DILG Provincial Director Cabaobao congratulated the former rebels, saying that “the national and provincial government will be very happy if you become successful because it is our President’s vision for you to become a productive citizen of our country.” (PIO Davao Oriental and Jan Vincent Leuterio, PIA-XI)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1053972

Seven loose firearms turned-over to Phil Army

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 25, 2020): Seven loose firearms turned-over to Phil Army (By 103rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army)

MAROGONG, Lanao del Sur, Sep 25 - A total of seven (7) assorted loose firearms were turned-over by the local government of this municipality to the 103rd Infantry Brigade.

The firearms include one (1) caliber 50 Sniper Rifle, one caliber 5.56 Rifle, one caliber 30 M1 Carbine, and four (4) caliber 30 garand rifle.

"We fully support the campaign of the national government against loose firearms. We want our town to be peaceful and progressive," said Marogong Mayor Nassif B. Maruhom.

Col. Jose Maria R Cuerpo II, 103rd Brigade Commander, said the collaborative efforts of the troops, police, and local government units led to the voluntary turn-over of firearms by the local folks.

"We expect a continuous turnover of loose firearms in the province and as a consequence, reduction of terrorist atrocities and illegal activities," he said.

The turnover of loose firearms was facilitated by the 55th infantry Battalion.

LtCol. Franco Raphael H. Alano, 55th Infantry Battalion Commander, a representative of Municipal Police Station, and some barangay officials also attended the said turn over ceremony. (103rd Bde)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1054282

Young violent extremist leaves terrorist group

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 25, 2020): Young violent extremist leaves terrorist group (By 103rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army)

KAMPO RANAO, Marawi City, Sep. 25 - A member of the local terrorist of Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) returned to the folds of the law through the joint efforts of the 103rd Infantry Brigade and Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office.

Alias Ibno Khalid, 17 years old, also turned over one (1) M16A1 rifle to Colonel Jose Maria R Cuerpo II, 103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade Commander.

He underwent the usual procedure of custodial debriefing and processing of papers for his reintegration into mainstream society.

"Pagod na ko sa kakatago sa mga kabundukan, gusto ko ng mag-aral," he said.

Alias Ibno Khalid was involved in a series of encounters in Barangay Pagalongan, Sultan Dumalondong, Barangay Calludan, Pagayawan, and Barangay Dinaigan, Tubaran, all in Lanao del Sur in 2019.

He lied-low after the encounter in Tubaran where the late DI-MG "EMIR" Owayda Benito Marohombsar was killed.

Meanwhile, Col. Cuerpo emphasized the commitment of the army in its continuing efforts to provide security in the province.

"With the strengthened focused-military operations, your Army here in Lanao del Sur will continue to pursue these local terrorist groups to prevent them from sowing atrocities in the communities. We have to save our youth from getting involved in extremist adventurism and give them a chance to have a better future with their families. I am appealing to the Maranao communities to be more vigilant, cooperative, support, and help in the fight against violent extremism that only caused death and misery to our fellow Filipinos as clearly experienced in the 2017 Marawi Siege," Cuerpo said. (103rd Bde)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1054288

Cebuano News: Coast Guard, nangita og kwalipikadong kadete alang sa Int’l Cadetship Program sa US

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 25, 2020): Cebuano News: Coast Guard, nangita og kwalipikadong kadete alang sa Int’l Cadetship Program sa US  (By Elvira Bongosia) 

NANGINAHANGLA'G MAOPISYAL? Tanyag sa Philippine Coast Guard, apply alang sa International cadetship Program sa UG Coast Guard Academy samtang ang nasud naglantaw sa may lig-on nga depensa sa kabaybayonan sa nasud. (rahc/PIA Bohol file photo)

TAGBILARAN CITY, Sept. 24 (PIA) -- Nangita karon ang Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) og mga kwalipikado ug interesadong aplikante alang sa International Cadetship Program sa US Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) – Class of 2025.

Base sa anunsiyo sa PCG sa ilang official Facebook page, ang mapiling aplikante masulod isip regular cadets sa USCGA ug makadawat og financial assistance alang sa panggasto sa tuition fees, monthly payments, allowances, accommodation ug transportation costs.

Sa panahong makatapos na, ang kadete mahimong regular commissioned officer sa Philippine Coast Guard nga may ranggong “ensign.”

Required usab sila nga ipaubos sa minimum nga walo ka tuig nga padayon o walay bugto nga aktibong serbisyo.

Gitakda ang deadline sa pagduso sa unang requirement ilabi na ang resulta sa Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) o American College Testing (ACT) sa Disyembre 28, 2020.

Alang sa dugang impormasyon, mahimong mobisita sa website sa PCG sa https://bit.ly/32UCwUB. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1054046

4 NPA rebels yield after soldiers retrieve terrorist war materials in Quezon

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 25, 2020): 4 NPA rebels yield after soldiers retrieve terrorist war materials in Quezon (By PA 2ID DPAO) 

CAMP CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal, Sept 25 (PIA) --Four more NPA rebels voluntarily surrendered a few hours after soldiers recovered an M16 rifle along with explosives in Quezon on Wednesday, September 23.

Based on the report that reached the 2nd Infantry Division, the former rebels belonged to the NPA’s Sub Regional Military Area or SRMA 4A and opted to surrender after localized peace negotiation in Brgy Canaway, General Nakar while the recovery of war materials in an NPA-designated arms stash took place in Brgy Magsaysay, Infanta all in Quezon province.

Lt. Col. Jesus Diocton, Commanding Officer of 1IB, identified the former rebels as alias Anton, alias Alvin, alias Jim, and alias Boy, adding that all of them used to play key roles in the NPA atrocities in the hinterland communities of Quezon.

“We were also able to recover one M16 rifle, one hand grenade, and an anti-personnel landmine after our troops acted upon the reports of our informant regarding an arms cache belonging to the terrorists.”

“These NPA terrorists hide their firearms and other war materials whenever they want to evade our forces and recover them once the government troops leave the area,” added Diocton.

The military has recorded a total of 115 surrendered firearms since 2016.

BGen Alex Rillera, Commander of the 202nd Brigade said that the community’s support to our soldiers has caused growing demoralization and disenchantment across the ranks of the NPA rebels resulting to unprecedented number of surrenders and recovery of firearms as the government advances its campaign to finally push these terrorists in the verge of irreversible collapse.

“Our soldiers have proven, yet again, their ability to secure their informants and their families from any acts of retaliation from the NPA terrorists.”

Rillera added that those willing NPA rebels who will turn their backs from the armed conflict will be treated humanely and with dignity while those who shall insist to stay on the path of terrorism must be ready to face the full force of the law.

The former rebels are set to undergo the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP enrollment process, where a former rebel will be assessed by the DSWD for profiling and counseling by their health experts in preparation for their reintegration to the mainstream society.

For his part, MGen Greg Almerol, Commander of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division praised the bravery of the concerned civilians who set aside their safety and wellbeing, and instead, chose to help the government forces by tipping off timely information to support our quest to end the five-decade insurgency and bring peace the soonest possible time.

“We are calling the remaining NPA terrorists to abandon your violent ideologies and return to the folds of the law so that you and your families will be able to have a bright and secured future and without you having to die for an unworthy cause.”

Almerol assured the people of Southern Tagalog that the government will not tolerate any acts of terror to its forces and most especially to the Filipino citizens whom the government vowed to serve and protect.

At present, 2ID has facilitated the surrender of 678 former rebels across Southern Tagalog and it will remain committed to advocate peace and serve the people under its jurisdiction. (PIA-4A/PA 2ID DPAO)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1054221

Kalinga villagers stage rallies, condemn CPP-NPA-NDF

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 25, 2020): Kalinga villagers stage rallies, condemn CPP-NPA-NDF (By Peter A. Balocnit)

PINUKPUK, Kalinga, Sept. 25 (PIA) - - Saying “enough” of the lies and deception of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), villagers in three communities of this municipality held street march dubbed “walk for peace” against the state enemy.

The peace rally with the theme: “Lakad Tungo sa Kapayapaan, Iwaksi ang Terrorismo at Karahasan,” was staged in Baay on September 22, at Limos on Sept. 23, and in Apatan on Sept. 24. These are NPA less-influenced barangays for more than three decades and are now identified as End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) areas.

Spearheaded by the 50thInfantry Battalion under the unit’s Community Support Program, the series of march rallies was fully supported by the municipal local government unit headed by Mayor Irving Dasayon, barangay officials and sectoral groups.

On their march around their respective villages, they carried banners and streamers denouncing the CPP-NPA-NDF as purveyors of a “useless and meaningless ideology”, burned the CPP-NPA-NDF flag, effigy of CPP founder Jose Maria Sison and images of NPA leaders from Kalinga.

Villagers signed a covenant of support to the Municipal ELCAC Task Force and to the government with three associations organized by the alleged left-leaning Timek dagiti Mannalon ti Kalinga (TMK) withdrawing their connection to TMK and pledging commitment to stay on the side of government.

The Baay Farmers Association, Mannalon iti Limos Urnos Dur-as ken Alluyon, and the Apatan Farmers Convoy Alluyon after understanding the true intent, color and fake ideology turned their back to TMK condemning the group for false hope and promises.

A former rebel from Baay also spoke of his experiences while with the NPA. Stressing the deception of the NPA and its allied organizations, he called for the condemnation of these groups.

Dasayon said the intensified CSP activities, the efforts of Pinukpuk Municipal TF-ELCAC and the support from the community complement each other resulting to the success of this activity against the CPP-NPA-NDF. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1054234

AFP Chief calls for unity in 17th ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces meet

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 25, 2020): AFP Chief calls for unity in 17th ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces meet (By Lucia F. Broñio)

CALOOCAN CITY, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay called for continuous unity and mutual trust among South East Asian military organization on Thursday, Sept. 24, during the 17th ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces Meeting (ACDFM).

“ASEAN must be united, now more than ever, with the ongoing crisis brought about by the effects of COVID-19. As nations across the globe, not only within ASEAN, exert great efforts to fight this pandemic, the armed forces are being called by our respective governments to perform a great deal of supporting tasks,” Gapay said.

The ACDFM, formerly called ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces Informal Meeting (ACDFIM), is a venue for all ASEAN Chiefs of Defense to discuss and assess in a strategic, comprehensive, positive, and productive manner all prominent issues and concerns of mutual interests. This year marks the 17th iteration of the meeting with the theme “Military Cooperation for a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN.”

The Vietnam People’s Army led by its Chief of General Staff, Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang is this year’s Chairman. Due to the health and safety risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam People’s Army decided to hold the meeting through virtual conference.

Among the attendees were the Chiefs of Defense Forces of Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of Singapore, and the Kingdom of Thailand.

In his speech, Gapay emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to counter-terrorism cooperation among ASEAN militaries, proposing his five-point plan to the ASEAN Military Operations Meeting.

This include increased maritime border patrol operations; improvement of existing mechanism for bomb data exploitation; advocating peace-related initiatives through different social media platforms; having a common understanding in the implementation of respective Anti-Terrorism laws in the region; and have a common approach in response to the ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter-Terrorism.

The AFP Chief also underscored the country’s commitment to support the development of the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. He emphasized the importance of maintaining mutual trust and confidence in the region and to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law.

“The Philippines supports the conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, which will be an important and lasting legacy of the ASEAN and China in ensuring peace, security and stability in the area,” Gapay said.

He noted that the flexibility of the ASEAN collaboration in both traditional and non-traditional challenges makes the partnership a strength in the region’s security arrangement and the ACDFM signify the strength of the countries’ unity.

“I am confident that we will achieve a strengthened security relationship towards a cohesive and responsive ASEAN. After all, we have a shared commitment and mutual responsibility in dealing with common regional security challenges and in preserving the region’s stability,” said the AFP Chief. (PIA NCR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1054240

AFP works to restore ‘taken down’ allied Hands Off Our Children Facebook account

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 25, 2020): AFP works to restore ‘taken down’ allied Hands Off Our Children Facebook account (By Jerome Carlo R. Paunan)

CALOOCAN CITY, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is now working to restore the Hands Off Our Children (HOOC), a social media account the military organization has promoted, after Facebook-Philippines took down its official account.

During the Laging Handa public briefing hosted by the Presidential Communications, AFP Spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said no less than Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay personally asked representatives from the social media giant to restore the HOOC FB account during a courtesy call made by the FB-Philippines Policy Team led by Clare Amador to the AFP chief on Wednesday in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“Bahagi ng naging discussion sa pag-uusap ay kung bakit naisama sa natanggal ang Hands Off Our Children. Ito pong Hands Off our Children ay isang organisasyon ng mga magulang na ang kanilang mga anak ay naenganyo sa communist terrorist group na makisanib sa kanila mamundok at lumaban sa ating pamahalaan,” Arevalo said.

“Ito [Hands Off Our Children FB account] ay isang pagkakataon para mabigyan ng advance information ang mga magulang upang hindi na mangyari sa kanila ang sinapit ng kanilang anak,” he explained, saying the HOOC FB account comprises a group of parents who are fighting to protect their children against violent extremism.

“Baka pwede nilang tignang mabuti ang pangyayaring ito sapagkat baka po hindi nila nababatid sa pagte-take down nila ng mga accounts na hindi man lamang nila binisita ang nilalaman ay nagagamit na sila ng kalaban ng estado,” he added, emphasizing that FB should look into the process they observed in unilaterally removing accounts so as to avoid inadvertently helping some enemies of the state.

Arevalo, however, submitted to FB’s ownership of the platform, but at the same time, urged the social media giant to give due regard to the cause or advocacy the account owner supports.

“Hindi kami nagtatago ng pag-suporta sa mga organisasyon kagaya ng Hands Off Our Children na may magandang simula ay pinaniniwalaan ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas,” he emphasized. (PIA NCR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1054265

Armor School inaugurates 'new normal ready' facility

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 25, 2020): Armor School inaugurates 'new normal ready' facility (By Gabriela Liana Barela)

CAPAS, Tarlac, Sept.25 (PIA) -- Armor School inaugurated its E-Learning Management System Facility that will adapt to the new normal education.

Composed of modular capabilities, it aims to enhance the school's preparedness and response in military learning methodology amidst the pandemic.

Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana commended the school and the Armor Division for being the “gamechanger” in the grounds.

“Good governance is the hallmark of our being a world-class army that is a source of national pride,” he said.

Aside from this, Sobejana led the awarding ceremony for the Recertification of Institutionalized Army Governance Pathway Status to Armor Division two years after its conferment.

Gold Trailblazer Award was received by the unit for attaining 98.05 percent rating in the recertification.

Department of Public Works and Highways likewise turned-over to Sobejana the completed Officer’s Clubhouse will serve as venue for conferences and other command activities of the Armor Division. (CLJD/GLSB-PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1054306

Army provides medical care to wounded NPA leader in Zambo Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 25, 2020): Army provides medical care to wounded NPA leader in Zambo Sur (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

CARING FOR WOUNDED REBEL. Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, commander of the Army's 53rd Infantry Battalion (left), and Rowel Monasque, a New People's Army (NPA) leader (right,) share a light moment during the Army official's visit to the wounded NPA leader at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an Station Hospital in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur on Friday (Sept. 25, 2020. The 53IB is providing medical care assistance to Monasque, who was wounded in the Sept. 21 clash in Barangay Marangan, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur. (Photo courtesy of the 53IB)

The Army's 53rd Infantry Battalion said it is providing medical assistance to a wounded communist New People’s Army (NPA) leader in Zamboanga del Sur.

The beneficiary of the medical aid is Rowel Monasque also known as "Ka Jotham" and "Ka Henry", who was wounded in a clash with the 53IB troops on Sept. 21 in Barangay Marangan, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur.

Monasque, who was abandoned by his comrades, was apprehended by government troops Tuesday while being admitted at the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Pagadian City.

Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, 53IB commander, said they immediately brought Monasque to Camp Major Cesar Sang-an Station Hospital for medical treatment in the Army's 1st Infantry Division headquarters in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

Herrera, who visited Monasque in the hospital Friday, said that providing medical care for the wounded was the right thing to do “even if he is an enemy." "We recognize that he cannot fight anymore. Though he is the enemy of the people and the State, he still deserves medical treatment,” he said.

“We tend to them and accord them with the medical care they need because we are professionals and we have to adhere to our laws,” Herrera added.

He cited Rule 110 of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), saying that there is “no distinction may be made among them founded on any grounds other than medical ones.”

The IHL Rule is based on the common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, he said, which provides that “the wounded and sick shall be collected and cared for”.

“Caring for the wounded enemy is not just for a show. All of their lives they were taught with lies. We want to show them that the government and the soldiers genuinely have a heart for them,” Herrera said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1116582

Troops recover NPA arms cache in Zambo Norte town

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 25, 2020): Troops recover NPA arms cache in Zambo Norte town (By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

NPA ARMS CACHE. Soldiers belonging to the Army's 97th Infantry Battalion recover Friday (Sept. 25, 2020) an arms cache of the communist New People's Army in Barangay Guibo, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte. The location of the arms cache was revealed to the troops by communist guerillas who surrendered to the military on Sept. 23, 2020. (Photo courtesy of the 97IB)

Government troops have recovered an arms cache of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, military officials said Friday.

Lt. Col. Manaros Boransing, commander of the Army's 97th Infantry Battalion, said the arms cache recovered Friday in Barangay Guibo, Siayan town consisted of a .50-caliber Sniper Barret Rifle, an M-79 Grenade Launcher, and six AK-47 assault rifles with 14 magazines and ammunition.

Boransing said the firearms belong to the NPA's Main Regional Guerrilla Unit (MRGU), adding the firearms were located with the help of four NPA combatants who surrendered to the military on Wednesday in Barangay Poblacion, Leon Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte.

“The revelation of arms cache was after their custodial debriefing. They’ve also shown the sincerity of their surrender by guiding our troops to the location of firearms,” Boransing said.

“They are notorious in conducting tactical offensives, extortion, and atrocities. They are armed with high caliber firearms that were used to scare locals in the communities that were not supporting them,” he said. referring to the rebels.

Brig. Gen. Leonel Nicolas, the Army's 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, said the troops have earned the trust and confidence of the NPA surrenderers by treating them humanely.

“We are very thankful that these former rebels who were also victims of wrong ideology are collaborating with us now and already denounced the arm struggle to achieve a brighter future for them and for their families,” Nicolas said, adding the Army will facilitate the remuneration of the firearms the former rebels brought along with them.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1116610

BIFF bomb-making factory discovered in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 25, 2020): BIFF bomb-making factory discovered in Maguindanao (By Noel Punzalan)

Google map of Ampatuan town, Maguindanao,

Government troops discovered on Friday a bomb-making factory of the Daesh-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the Maguindanao town of Ampatuan, an Army official said.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said soldiers belonging to the Army’s 1st Mechanized Battalion discovered the bomb-making factory around noontime in the interior of Sitio Tapok, Barangay Salman of the municipality.

Recovered from the makeshift factory were one round of 105mm unexploded Howitzer cannon ordnance, a 60mm mortar projectile, bomb-making components, and propaganda materials.

“The troops immediately coordinated with the EOD team for proper dispositive action,” Uy told reporters here.

On Sept. 22, soldiers also overrun a lair of the BIFF in Barangay Saniag of the same municipality.

Uy said military operations against the BIFF radicals in the province are ongoing "without letup".

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1116669

Army commends C. Visayas reservists for Covid-19 duties

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 25, 2020): Army commends C. Visayas reservists for Covid-19 duties (By John Rey Saavedra)

BEST RESERVIST UNIT. Brig. Gen. Erik Miguel Espina, Commander of the 1901st Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade, receives a Plaque of Merit from 7th Regional Community Defense Group chief, Col. Ricky Bunayog, in a virtual awarding on Sept. 18, 2020. Bunayog on Friday (Sept. 25, 2020) said the 1901st Brigade was awarded as 2020's Best Ready Reserve Unit, in recognition of its quarantine duties at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of 7RCDG CMO)

CEBU CITY – A reservist unit in Central Visayas whose members went to the front line during the community quarantine in Cebu to curb the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has been hailed as the Philippine Army’s best ready reserve unit this year.

Col. Ricky Bunayog, chief of the 7th Regional Community Defense Group, in a statement on Friday said the Army recognized the “valuable contribution” of the 1901st Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade in the fight against Covid-19 in Cebu.

The unit headed by reservist Brig. Gen. Erik Miguel Espina rendered several tasks in support to the medical and law enforcement front-liners at the height of the health crisis, Bunayog said.

“Indeed, a unit whose mantra of existence is anchored on serving our God, country and people and composed of patriotic men and women, honors and recognitions like this is not surprising at all,” he said, as he urged the reservists to remain committed to help despite adversities.

The Army official said the 1901st Brigade reservists were among the first volunteer uniformed service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who repacked family food packs at the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Visayas Disaster Relief Center (DSWD-VDRC). The food packs were distributed to the poor families affected by lockdowns and strict quarantine protocols.

The unit also supported the Department of Health (DOH)’s effort to secure health care personnel from being infected with the coronavirus by providing them with improvised personal protective equipment (PPE) made of cellophane.

Bunayog said the 5th Technical and Administrative Service of the AFP Reserve Command also helped the Brigade in coming up with a PPE design before the production stage.

He also recalled the agony of 13 reservists of the Brigade who were sent to forced isolation and swab testing after they were exposed to a Covid-19 positive policeman tasked to man quarantine control checkpoints.

The reservists were, however, released after their swab test turned negative.

Also, a squad of reservists joined the Decontamination Ready Unit of the DOH at the height of the pandemic. They were trained to conduct community-wide decontamination in the event of massive Covid-19 transmission.

Apart from the quarantine duties, the Army also recognized the brigade’s medical and dental mission in Barangay Catarman in Liloan town in northern Cebu and their duties as crowd control personnel for the annual Sinulog.

Despite the hectic schedule of some reservists who belong to different professions, the Army noted that they were still able to join the air to ground operations seminar, gun safety and VIP security training, water search and rescue, and scuba diving.

Bunayog said the award was given on Sept. 18 although via virtual conference due to the existing quarantine status.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1116646

AFP commits full support to Asean counter-terror cooperation

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 25, 2020): AFP commits full support to Asean counter-terror cooperation (By Priam Nepomuceno)

ANTI-TERRORISM COOPERATION. AFP Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay (center left frame) participates in the 17th 17th Asean Chiefs of Defense Forces Meeting (ACDFM) held through a virtual conference on Thursday (Sept. 24, 2020). Gapay called for "continuous unity and mutual trust" among his Southeast Asian military counterparts and stressed the Philippines' commitment to counter-terrorism cooperation among Asean militaries. (Photo courtesy of the AFP Public Affairs Office)

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay stressed on Thursday the Philippines' commitment to counter-terrorism cooperation with other militaries in the Southeast Asian region.

During the 17th Asean Chiefs of Defense Forces Meeting (ACDFM) held through a virtual conference, Gapay proposed his five-point plan on the matter.

This includes the increased maritime border patrol operations; improvement of existing mechanisms for bomb data exploitation; advocating peace-related initiatives through different social media platforms; having a common understanding of respective Anti-Terrorism laws in the region, and a common approach in response to the Asean Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter-Terrorism.

Gapay also underscored the country’s commitment to supporting the development of the Asean-China Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining mutual trust and confidence in the region and to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law.

“The Philippines supports the conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, which will be an important and lasting legacy of the Asean and China in ensuring peace, security, and stability in the area,” Gapay said in a statement.

He also called for "continuous unity and mutual trust" among the militaries of the regional bloc.

“Asean must be united, now more than ever, with the ongoing crisis brought about by the effects of Covid-19. As nations across the globe, not only within Asean, exert great efforts to fight this pandemic, the Armed Forces are being called by our respective governments to perform a great deal of supporting tasks,” Gapay added.

He noted that the flexibility of the Asean collaboration in both traditional and non-traditional challenges makes the partnership a strength in the region’s security arrangement and the ACDFM signify the strength of the countries’ unity.

“I am confident that we will achieve a strengthened security relationship towards a cohesive and responsive Asean. After all, we have a shared commitment and mutual responsibility in dealing with common regional security challenges and in preserving the region’s stability,” Gapay said.

The ACDFM, formerly called Asean Chiefs of Defense Forces Informal Meeting (ACDFIM), is a venue for all Asean Chiefs of Defense to discuss and assess in a strategic, comprehensive, positive, and productive manner all prominent issues and concerns of mutual interests.

This year marks the 17th iteration of the meeting with the theme “Military Cooperation for a Cohesive and Responsive Asean”. The Vietnam People’s Army led by its Chief of General Staff, Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang is this year’s chairman.

Due to the health and safety risks posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam People’s Army decided to hold the meeting through a virtual conference. Among the attendees were the Chiefs of Defense Forces of Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of Singapore, and the Kingdom of Thailand.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1116568

AFP wants Facebook to release info on pages with 'military links'

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 25, 2020): AFP wants Facebook to release info on pages with 'military links' (By Priam Nepomuceno)

AFP spokesperson, Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo. (Screengrab from Laging Handa briefing)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday called on social networking firm Facebook to release information on the number of pages allegedly having links with the military that were included in the massive takedown of accounts or pages due to "coordinated inauthentic behavior".

"We want to know from Facebook because 'blanket' they told us that they took down an 'X' number of accounts that has links or linkages with the Philippine military. We want to know what exactly are these accounts, how many of them have connections with the AFP," AFP spokesperson, Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a Laging Handa briefing.

Arevalo said this is to remove doubts from the minds of some people that the AFP is engaged in fake news or using fake accounts.

He said all of the official Facebook accounts or pages managed by the AFP are still up and running.

He also added that the Facebook Philippine Policy Team should elaborate on what "coordinated inauthentic behavior" as it was not explained during a virtual courtesy call with AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay and some select staff members last September 23.

Earlier, Arevalo said the engagement was highlighted by a presentation as to Facebook's Policy Rationale and what other things they do through their platform.

"We are pleased to know that we have similar advocacies with Facebook, among them the fight against drug trafficking; child exploitation; and counter-terrorism," he added in a statement forwarded to reporters shortly after the event Wednesday.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1116600