AFP says NPA's plan to deploy partisan units in cities a ‘desperate measure’

From CNN Philippines (Jan 5, 2021): AFP says NPA's plan to deploy partisan units in cities a ‘desperate measure’

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday called the plan of the New People’s Army to deploy partisan units in urban areas a “desperate attempt” to prove that the communist rebels are still a force to reckon with.

In a statement last week, the Communist Party of the Philippines quoted its founding chairman as saying there was a basis for the conduct of “armed partisan operations in the cities.” These should counter the attacks from the AFP, Philippine National Police, and other paramilitary forces against unarmed activists and civilians in urban areas, the group said.

CPP information officer Marco Valbuena said separately there has been a standing order for the NPA “to form partisan teams to mete out punishment against enemy units and officers who have committed bloody crimes against the people.”

"Ito ay isang desperate measure or attempt upang sabihin nila na they are still force to reckon with. Na sila ay dapat paring katakutan ng kababayan natin," AFP spokesperson Edgard Arevalo said.

[Translation: This is a desperate measure or attempt to show that they are still a force to reckon with, that our countrymen should still be afraid of them]

Arevalo added the formation of partisan units justified the Anti-Terrorism Council’s designation of the CPP and its armed wing NPA as terrorist organizatiions because what they are doing is a clear terroristic act against the people.

Terrorist designations made by the ATC only allow the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze the assets of those tagged. Those designated can only be proscribed or outlawed by the Court of Appeals.

For his part, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement on Tuesday that the five NPA rebels killed in a shootout with military forces and police officers in Baras, Rizal last month “were part of a death squad that was supposed to carry out the directive of Joma Sison to assassinate government and civilian leaders.”

Two of the fatalities were a certain Sandra, allegedly an NPA staff, and some Onli, who was said to be an NPA intelligence officer, he said. Citing the AFP, Año added that the three others who died in the encounter were still being identified.

In 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte walked away from peace negotiations with communist rebels as both sides accused each other of ceasefire violations.

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/1/5/AFP-on-NPA-partisan-units.html

Danny Lim: The West Pointer who rebelled against a system, then embraced it

From Rappler (Jan 6, 2021): Danny Lim: The West Pointer who rebelled against a system, then embraced it (GLENDA M. GLORIA)

The retired Scout Ranger general fought presidents and served years in prison

This generation knows the late Danny Lim only as Metro Manila’s traffic chief, one of the retired generals appointed to a civilian post by President Rodrigo Duterte. He was much more than that.

From a family of bright kids in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, Lim had always been ahead of the pack – whether in school or in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which he joined in 1979 after finishing at the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point. He spent his plebe year at the Philippine Military Academy, belonging to Class 1978, the power class under former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who herself was their “adopted classmate.”

It was Arroyo who gave Lim his first star in 2003, when he was named commander of the elite Scout Rangers. Yet, he rebelled against her following allegations she cheated in the 2004 presidential elections and was mired in corrupt deals. Arroyo put him in jail after a botched coup in 2006. (Lim was also a Mason, like many generals close to Arroyo)

In the dying months of her regime in early 2010, a Makati court allowed Lim to post bail and the military granted him temporary liberty – which was to last. He ran for senator in 2010 under Liberal Party standard-bearer Benigno Aquino III. Lim lost, but he was later named deputy Customs commissioner by Aquino. He would resign for his failure to curb corruption in the bureau.

Lim quit hours after Aquino, in his July 2013 State of the Nation Address, slammed the Customs bureau for corruption. "If you hear something like that [from the President], what would you do?" Lim told Rappler then. He said he tried to resign 6 times in the 22 months that he was in office. Six times Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr rejected it, he said.

"The expectation was simply too much," Lim said. "I told Secretary Ochoa, please just give me another agency."

Lim’s adventures and misadventures did not begin and end there.

MUST READ
MMDA chair Danny Lim dies

Three years after the military led a revolt against dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, the Reform the Armed Forces Movement continued to agitate young officers and soldiers, blasting then-President Cory Aquino for her alleged ties with communists. It did not take much effort to recruit Lim to the rebel movement; he was a young, idealistic captain who was frustrated with corruption and incompetence in government and who, as operations chief of the First Scout Ranger Regiment at the time, saw for himself how guerrillas were winning the hearts and minds of Filipinos.

Bloodiest coup

In the December 1989 bloody coup that almost toppled Ms Aquino’s government, Scout Rangers joined the rebellion lock, stock, and barrel.

Backed by mutinous Air Force pilots and infantry troops, the Rangers and Marines attacked military camps in Metro Manila and nearby provinces as well as Cebu, but were eventually overwhelmed by pro-government troops and the Americans’ fighter jets that did a flyby on Mrs Aquino’s request.

Lim and his comrades refused to give up as they moved to Plan B, which was to seize Makati’s financial district, occupying its ritzy hotels and prolonging the mutiny in what would be the Philippine military’s longest 9 days of rebellion.

While other officers escaped to go underground, Lim stayed with his fellow Rangers to surrender – in fashion. With heads high and firearms intact, they marched as they returned to their barracks in Fort Bonifacio.

They were eventually jailed. Lim and the other coup leaders were brought to the Camp Crame detention center until they were amnestied by retired general Fidel V Ramos, who became president in 1992.

Anti-American officer

It was in jail where I spent many hours asking Lim about the armed forces, what moved him to rebel against it and his government, what future he saw. Some of the questions on politics, he would answer me through long hand-written letters smuggled through contacts.

I was surprised by his responses, I told him, because it was too anti-American for someone who got educated at West Point. For centuries, Lim had written, the Americans have dominated our thoughts, our politics, our decisions. It was time for the Philippines to craft an independent foreign policy, he said, something that they would have implemented had they won the coup.

A Filipino with Chinese blood, Lim grew up in a middle-class family in Solano where he, his parents, and his siblings were known among villagers as the family with brilliant genes. They all graduated at the top of their classes and had become doctors, teachers, soldiers. It didn’t surprise their neighbors that in 1974, Lim would be accepted at West Point.

For this alone, a bright future awaited Lim in the Philippine armed forces. He joined the Scout Rangers, the elite unit that was trained to do surgical strikes against communist lairs in the mountainous towns and villages of mostly rural Philippines. They were a cut above the rest – disciplined, smart, brimming with idealism.

To make their surgical strikes effective, the Rangers isolated the rebels by mobilizing their own “masses,” sitting down with families and village leaders to listen to their daily woes, the lack of access roads to their homes, the absence of public clinics, the fact that their kids had to walk 6 miles, back and forth, to the nearest public school under the punishing sun.

In short, Lim repeated to me in jail, the Rangers were doing what the government should be doing, because it was constantly absent in the communities where they operated. No wonder the communists were winning the war. Lim said his and his troops’ exposure to the everyday reality in the war zone got them upset with local leaders and politicians. That was where the seeds of rebellion grew, he recalled.

It was not hard to persuade the soldiers that the system had to change, and if all that took was a coup, then so be it.

'Done with them'

Many years later, when he had sobered up and we would chat about military rumblings here and there, the idealistic Lim had turned skeptical, almost cynical.

These presidents and politicians, he said one breakfast at the Shangri-La mall a decade ago, they think the military will forever be at their beck and call, that we soldiers don’t understand politics.

We know they’re just using us, so we use them too, he added. I’m done with them, he said.

Rest in peace, Danny.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/obituary-danilo-lim-west-pointer-who-rebelled-against-system

Indonesia police claim killing 2 militants linked to 2019 Jolo church bombings

From Rappler (Jan 6, 2021): Indonesia police claim killing 2 militants linked to 2019 Jolo church bombings

Indonesia authorities say in a statement that the raid in Makassar in South Sulawesi by the Densus 88 unit led to a fatal shootout with 2 suspected militants who resisted arrest

A counter-terrorism unit raiding a militant hideout in central Indonesia on Wednesday, January 6, killed two men suspected by police of involvement in twin bombings at a Philippine church in 2019 that killed more than 20 people.

Police said in a statement the raid in Makassar in South Sulawesi by the Densus 88 unit led to a fatal shootout with two suspected militants who resisted arrest.

Makassar police chief Witnu Urip Laksana told Reuters separately that the suspects were involved in the bombings of a church on Jolo island in a restive, predominantly Muslim region of the Catholic-majority Philippines.

MUST READ
At least 23 dead in Jolo Cathedral bombing

Police carried out "firm and calculated" action against the two suspects, Witnu said, adding an investigation was ongoing.

Police suspect the men were members of the Islamic State-inspired Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), which has carried out a series of attacks in Indonesia.

Philippine authorities have concluded that the January 2019 church attack was a suicide bombing by an Indonesian couple, with the help of a faction of local group Abu Sayyaf, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State (ISIS).

More than 100 people were also wounded in the incident, which was among the first and so far deadliest suicide bombings in the Philippines, where such attacks were almost unheard of until 2018.

MUST READ
What we know so far: Jolo Cathedral bombing

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

The region of Mindanao in the southern Philippines has for decades been beset by separatist and Maoist conflict.

Authorities are concerned about extremism taking a hold in its impoverished, mainly Muslim areas, where operatives from Indonesia, Malaysia and beyond have linked up with local groups to plan attacks and recruit and train fighters.

https://www.rappler.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesia-police-say-kill-two-militants-linked-to-philippine-church-bombs

Army: Panay raids spur mass surrender of Reds

From Panay News (Jan 6, 2021): Army: Panay raids spur mass surrender of Reds (By Ruby Silubrico)

Some 125 individuals believed to be connected to the New People’s Army (NPA) in the town of Calinog, Iloilo turned themselves in to authorities days after the synchronized police and military operations on Dec. 30, 2020 in Calinog and adjacent Tapaz, Capiz.

Colonel Orlando Edralin, deputy commander of the Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade (301IB), said 127 of these surrenderers were from Calinog’s Barangay Masaroy and another 15 from Barangay Garangan.

They cleared their names and even identified alleged supporters of the NPA, Edralin said.

“The positive effects will surely come because the people themselves accepted that they were wrong in supporting the communist groups,” the Army official added.

Once the surrenderers are validated under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integrated Program (E-CLIP), they could avail themselves of remuneration for their firearms and livelihood support.

The validation is still ongoing and so far, 84 have been profiled.

Edralin urged active NPAs and their supporters to come out in the open and return to the fold the law.

The Dec. 30, 2020 operations carried out by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 6, Police Regional Office 6 and 301st Infantry Battalion resulted in the death of nine individuals and arrest of 16 others in Calinog and Tapaz.

Three others, however, remained at large. They were identified as Allan Caspillo of Lahug and Abelardo C. Diaz from Nayawan, all in Tapaz and Fortunato Legario of Garangan, Calinog.

Among those who died were three barangay council members of Barangay Lahug in Tapaz namely Roy Giganto alias Allan, Reynaldo Katipunan and Mario Aguirre.

Others who died were Rolando Caspillo Sr., Maurito Diaz Sr., both from Barangay Tacayan; Eliseo Gayas Jr. from Aglinab; Artilito Katipunan from Acuña; and Jomar Vidal from Daan Sur, all in Tapaz town.

Of the arrested, six were from Calinog and the rest came from Tapaz.

http://www.panaynews.net/army-panay-raids-spur-mass-surrender-of-reds/

6 NPA members surrender to gov't during CPP-NPA anniv

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 5, 2020): 6 NPA members surrender to gov't during CPP-NPA anniv (By 26th Infantry Battalion, PA) 

TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Jan. 5 - Six members of the New People's Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to the 26th Infantry Battalion (26IB), Philippine Army during the 52nd founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Dec. 26, 2020.

The surrenderees were identified as alias ‘Eking’ from Brgy. Balit, alias ‘Nel’ and alias ‘Juan’ from Brgy. Binicalan, all of San Luis, Agusan del Sur; alias ‘Paying’ from Brgy. Lydia, alias ‘Ebo’ and alias ‘Nadel’ from Brgy. Angeles, all of La Paz, Agusan del Sur. They were all Militia ng Bayan (MB) members of the Guerilla Front 88 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) operating in San Luis and some parts of Talacogon and La Paz, ADS.

“Taphaw ug haw-ang ang kalipay nga among nasinati sa nilabay nga pasko tungod kay anaa ang kakulba ug kaguol nga basin kami masikop sa mga awtoridad nga tungod kay kami mga member man sa NPA isip MB, ug karun nag surrender mi aron mahimong bulawanon ang masadya ang among mga mahal sa kinabuhi sa pag sugat sa bag-ong tuig ug makasugod na usab kami ug malinawon nga kinabuhi uban among pamilya. Gikapoy na kami sa among mga gibuhaton isip usa sa mga teroristang NPA tungod ky wala kini gikatabang kanamu (We were not really happy when we were still in the movement because of fear that we might get caught by the authorities considering that we are members of the NPA. Now that we surrendered, we hoped to have a peaceful and meaningful life especially this new year, where we could spend enough time with the family. We already got tired of the life we used to have when we were still in the terrorist NPA group),” alias Nel said.

With the intent to fully surrender to the government, they peacefully laid down six firearms composed of one M16 rifle, one carbine rifle, two caliber 38 revolver, two caliber 45 pistol, one KG9, four magazines, assorted live ammunition and NPA flag.

As part of the Barangay Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (BTF-ELCAC), the empowered Brgy. Officials of Brgy. Balit, San Luis town headed by punong barangay Elisa P. Gaud, accompanied the surrenderees going to the 26IB headquarters as a way of showing their efforts in ending insurgency and peace-building initiatives at the barangay level.

The 26IB under the command of Lt. Col. Reynald Romel A. Goce, is on high alert through increased patrols, checkpoints, and strengthened security in its area of operations to prevent the NPA's threat of violence during its anniversary. "We have deployed our troops for an intensified military operations, we will not allow these terrorists to mark their anniversary with any atrocities," he said.

"These surrenderees have already realized the futility of their armed struggle, welcome back to the fold of the law. The continuous surrender only means that the CPP-NPA is weakening and the AFP will continue its duty in ending the conflict. The government, thru the efforts of the NTF-ELCAC, is winning the war against these terrorists and there will be no more anniversaries for them," Lt. Col. Goce added.

The unit of 26IB has conducted custodial debriefing to the surrenderees who were also processed for enrollment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) benefits, a government program that aims to help the rebel members of CPP-NPA-NDF and MB to restore their allegiance to the Philippine government. (2Lt. Cecille Tappa, acting CMO, 26IB/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1062872

Army discovers CNT’s arms cache in Surigao del Norte

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 5, 2020): Army discovers CNT’s arms cache in Surigao del Norte (By 901st Infantry Brigade)

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Jan. 5 -- The troops of the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB), Philippine Army discovered an arms cache of the communist New Peoples Army (NPA) terrorists or CNTs in the vicinity of Tugnawan, Sitio Little Baguio, Brgy. Payapag, Bacuag in this province, morning of December 27, 2020.

Based on the report, the 30IB launched an operation in response to the information revealed by a former rebel regarding the whereabouts of CNT’s cache containing high powered firearms and war materials in the said area.

The recovered numerous firearms include one caliber 5.56 AR18 rifle with SN BB777999; one AK47 Rifle with SN 5508081; one caliber 30 M1 Garrand Rifle; one caliber .22 Springfield Rifle with SN 2094577; one Hagen Shotgun; three anti-personnel mines; 76 rounds 7.62 live ammunition for AK47; 31 rounds 7.62 live ammunition for caliber 30 M1 Garrand, assorted magazines; three magazines for AK47; 250 meters electrical wire; and batteries.

The said war materials are believed to be owned by the elements of Guerilla Front 16, NEMRC.

Col. George L. Banzon, commander of 901st Infantry (Fight’Em) Brigade, said that the discovery of the firearms was a clear manifestation that many are displeased of the existence of the communist terrorist group (CTG).

“In most of our successful operations, if it's not the civilians, it's the former rebels (FRs) who disclose the whereabouts of their hideouts, caches and the likes. This clearly suggests that our people including the FRs are disgruntled and tired of the CTG atrocities and they want to end insurgency,” he said.

Col. Banzon said that they will continue to pursue the remaining members of the CTG in order to ensure the safety and security of the communities in Surigao del Norte. He added that the remarkable gains in the counter-insurgency campaign in the province were results of the convergence of efforts among different sectors of the society.

“We have achieved these gains because the local populace had seen and appreciated the efforts of the government in pursuing genuine peace by facilitating the convergence to address insurgency,” he said. (901st Infantry (Fight’Em) Brigade/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1063074

56 former rebels receive E-CLIP benefits in AgSur

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 6, 2020): 56 former rebels receive E-CLIP benefits in AgSur (By 26th Infantry Battalion, PA)

TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Jan. 6 – Fifty-six (56) former rebels (FRs) from the province of Agusan del Sur received benefits during the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) Awarding held recently at the Naliyagan Ground, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, this province.

The province awarded livelihood assistance amounting to P50,000.00, immediate assistance of P15,000.00 and firearms remuneration to the 31 FRs of 3rd Special Forces Battalion, 26 FRs of 26 Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion, three FRs of Philippine National Police and one FR of 401st Infantry (Unity) Brigade.

“Dako kaayo among pasalamat kay tinood gayud ang gisaad kanamu nga kami pagatabangan sa gobyerno alang sa among pagsugod sa bag-ong kinabuhi nga gawasnon kauban ang among pamilya, kining maong kantidad daku na kini ug ikatabang aron kami maka tukod sa among panginabuhian diri patag uban ang among pamilya, ug ako naga agni sa among kanhi kaubanan nga anaa pa sa kabukiran nga musurender na aron makabaton usan kamu ug kalinaw sa pag puyo uban ang inyong mga mahal sa kinabuhi (We are very thankful that the government has been true to its promise to us, as we will start a new life with our family in the mainstream society. This financial assistance is of great help for our family, and I’m encouraging those who are still in the movement to surrender and live a peaceful dwelling)," said alias ‘Jorja’, a former rebel.

E-CLIP is a government program intended for the re-integration of all members of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army - National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) who will support the peace negotiation program of the government and ultimately lay down their arms to the fold of law. It was made possible through the generous support of Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago B. Cane Jr. in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

"The pandemic has brought huge changes in our lives, it affects every Filipino, but the provincial government will not cease to look for innovation and initiatives to implement the government programs to all our constituents especially to our brothers and sisters who have decided to choose the right path in the mainstream society,” underscored Cane.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Reynald Romel A Goce, Commanding Officer of 26IB cheered all the FRs upon receiving the E-CLIP benefits. "Congratulations to all of you who have just received the livelihood and immediate assistance from the government. I hope that you will be wise in spending all of your money, start a business and earn a living. The government is always ready to help you, but first, you must help yourselves,” he said.

"Our door remains open in accepting those who want to live a peaceful life. We are offering you a way out to surrender but if you continue to resist, I will assure you that the government will stop you until no one is left in the armed struggle,” Goce ended. (2Lt. Cecille Tappa, acting CMO, 26IB/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1063131

Waray News: Aktibista nga nag-NPA nagsurrender dara han kakurian ha igbaw

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 6, 2020): Waray News: Aktibista nga nag-NPA nagsurrender dara han kakurian ha igbaw (By Nimfa Iluminada B. Quirante)

BORONGAN CITY, Ika 6 han Enero, 2021 (PIA)—Usa na naman nga kaapi han NPA nga taga Borongan City, E. Samar in nag-surrender.

Pamilya an naghatag hin kusog kan Ka Jerry/Laila aka Sherry Mae nga mag surrender ha mga otoridad.

Han ika-5 han Enero, yana nga bag-o nga tuig ha usa nga press conference ha National Press Club ha Intramuros, umatubang hi Sherry Mae ha taga mantalaan ngan mga miembros han StratCom Cluster han Task Force –End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC).

Kaupod niya an iya mga kag-anak, mga mga kag-anak han Hands-Off Our Children ngan mga opisyales han PCOO ha pangunguna ni USec Joel Egco.

Ha pagyakan han aktibista nga naging-NPA, tuig 2015 han hiya in mag-full time ka NPA. Nag eskoyla hiya ha Polytechnique University of the Philippines (PUP) ngan naging aktibista hiya, bata pa hiya andam sumulod hin bisan ano.

Han iya paging full time NPA na, sinagka na hira han kabukiran ngan kagugub-an han Abra, Ilocos, Cordillera, didto hiya naging usa nga sundalo nga armado.

Makuri daw an ira hinmumutangan didto, agsob an ira enkwentro han kanan estado sundalo, an ira daw nabubuhat paglinihay-lihay, namatayan hiya han iya sangkay, nagpipinalagiw hira kay ginsisikop naman hira han mga sundalo.

Inabat daw hiya hin butlaw, butlaw ha lawas, ngan butlaw ha panhuna-huna.

Daw waray man pagbag-o han ira sitwasyon, nagdesisyon hiya pagtawag han iya pamilya, labi na nga inabat na hiya nga nadako na an iya ginsasagpon. Usa gihapon nga NPA an tatay. Pag-kukurii daw ha iya nahuinunumdom hiya han iya pamilya.

Dugang na nga naka-aghat han iya pagmalabaya an iya bata, para ha iya, waray sala han bata nga madako han sugad nga kamutangan.

Kun higagawas daw hiya, may tsansa han bata mabuhi hin tuhay. Karuyag na daw niya may kalinaw han iya huna-huna.

Nagyakan hiya ha mga nanay nga aadto pa ha kagiusan an mga anak, makuri daw pag aghat ha ira nga umuli pero maka-usa hira manhuhuna huna pag-uli, pareho ha iya.

Ha iya pagtawag kanda iya nanay ngan tatay, waray magkawang hin oras hi Tatay Rudy pagtawag kan Gov. Ben Evardone pag-aro hin bulig, dayon gin-contact nira an mga army officials sugad kanda Lt. Col. Oliver Arviol ngan BGen. Audrey Pasia an bumulig nga makuha nira hi Sherry Mae.

Han ika-4 han Enero, pinahuram ni Borongan Mayor Dayan Agda hin sarakyan an magti-ayon pagkuha han ira anak ha Bangued, Abra.

Para han nanay ni Sherry, usa nga malipayon nga bag-o nga tuig an nahitabo. Sumala ha iya kada gab-i hiya nagtatangis, nag-aampo nga umuli na an iya suhag nga anak

Hi Tatay Rudy naman in nahinga-tangis gihapon nga mauli na an iya anak ngan makakaupod na nira, duro an iya pasalamat kan Gov. Evardone, Mayor Agda, LtCol Alvior, BGen Pasia nga bumulig hin dako ha ira pamilya.

Dida gihapon han press conference, nanawagan an mga opisyales han Hands-Odd Our Children ha mga kag-anak nga bantayan an ira kabataan.

Sugad man nanawagan gihapon hi Chan-chan nga anay NPA nga narekupo han mga sundalo ha Northern Samar para han ira anay mga ka-usa nga lumugsong na ngan umatubang hin mas mahayag nga kabubuwason ngan matagamtaman an mga ayuda han gobyerno.

Para naman kan Mayor Agda, andam daw hiya humatag empleyo kan Sherry basi umabat ini nga na suporta an LGU Borongan han TF ELCAC. (nbq/PIA E. Samar)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1063161

7 rebels in Mayantoc surrender

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 6, 2020): 7 rebels in Mayantoc surrender (By Trixie Joy B. Manalili)

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Jan.6 (PIA) -- Seven rebels in Mayantoc, Tarlac returned to the folds of government Monday and Tuesday.

Police Regional Director PBGen. Valeriano De Leon disclosed that the returnees include three former members of Milisyang Bayan, three former members of Mesina Command under Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) Tarlac-Zambales (TarZam), and one former member of Milisyang Bayan of former KLG Tarlac PCOM and KLG TarZam. 

Seven rebels in Mayantoc, Tarlac return to the folds of government. (Police Regional Office 3)

“The continuous local peace engagement activities of the Philippines Army and Philippine National Police such as information dissemination and situational interview made them aware of the government’s programs and the opportunity to change their lives and correct the mistakes they have committed due to deception,” De Leon shared.

He added that the Central Luzon police in collaboration with members of Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 3 will continue the whole-of-sector approach against the lawless elements to achieve peace and national unity. (CLJD/TJBM-PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1063173

Mga sumukong miyembro ng NPA na student activists, iniharap sa media +63.3.0

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 6, 2020): Mga sumukong miyembro ng NPA na student activists, iniharap sa media (By PIA NCR Reportorial Team)

LUNGSOD CALOOCAN, Enero 6 (PIA) -- Iniharap sa media ng grupong SAMBAYANAN ang mga sumukong miyembro ng Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) na kabilang sa mga hanay ng student activists.

Ang seremonya ng pagsuko ay ginanap Lunes ng hapon sa National Press Club, sa Intramuros, Manila na dinaluhan ng mga surrenderees kasama ang ilan sa kanilang mga magulang at ilang kasapi ng grupong Hands-of-Our-Children o HOOC, na binubuo ng mga magulang ng mga kabataang nabiktima umano ng child recruitment ng NPA, na ang iba ay sumuko na sa pamahalaan, samantalang ang iba nama'y nananatili pa rin sa kilusan.

Kabilang din sa dumalo sina National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) Undersecretary Joel Egco at ang mga sumukong estudyante na sina Sherry May Ibao na tubong Borongan, Samar at Rey Christian “Chan-Chan” Sabado na miyembro ng grupong SAMBAYANAN at parehong dating estudyante at na-recruit ng NPA sa Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

Kabilang sa mga magulang na dumalo at nagbigay ng kanilang testimonya sina Mang Rody at Tess Ibao, mga magulang ni Ka Sherry at sina Luisa Espina at Jacqueline Mendoza.

Pinasalamatan din ng grupo si Army Brigadier General Audrey L. Pasia, ang commander ng 702nd Infantry Brigade ng Philippine Army, na naging isang malaking instrumento sa pagsuko ng ilang kabataang estudyante na nagbalik loob sa pamahalaan.

Idinetalye naman ni Pasia ang paraan ng pagsuko ng mga dating rebelde na nakita umano ang mga panlolokong ginawa ng NPA sa kanilang mga kabataan.

Kaugnay nito, nanawagan din si Chan-Chan Sabado ng grupong SAMBAYANAN sa mga kabataang estudyante na "huwag magpagamit at magpalinlang sa grupong ANAKBAYAN, KABATAAN, LFS at Makabayan Bloc sa Kongreso," na tinutukoy umano na legal fronts ng NPA upang makapag-recruit sa mga unibersidad.

Hinikayat din ni Ka Sherry Ibao ang kaniyang mga kasamahan sa kilusan, maging ang ama ng kaniyang dinadalang sanggol na magbalik-loob na sa pamahalaan, dahil wala nang kinabukasan at patutunguhan ang kanilang ipinaglalaban.

Ayon kay Usec. Egco, na dati ring miyembro ng NPA noong kanyang kabataan, importanteng bantayan ang mahalagang papel ng mga administrador ng mga eskwelahan upang matutukan ang aktibismo sa mga paaralan.

Ani Egco, kailangan itong gawin upang matuldukan na ang mapanlinlang na NPA recruitment sa mga kabataan.

Bukod pa rito, aniya, mahalagang magkaroon din ng tiwala sa pamahalaan, gayundin sa Sandatahang Lakas at Pambansang Pulisya na nangangalaga sa seguridad at kapayapaan ng bansa.

Dagdag pa niya, importante rin na mabigyang-pansin ang kahalagahan na manatiling buo ang mga pamilya dahil ang mga kabataang galing dito ang puntirya umano ng NPA sa ginagawa nitong recruitment sa mga menor de edad. (PIA NCR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1063115

Tagalog News: 7 rebelde sa Mayantoc sumuko

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 6, 2020): Tagalog News: 7 rebelde sa Mayantoc sumuko (By Trixie Joy B. Manalili)

LUNGSOD NG SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Enero 6 (PIA) -- Pitong rebelde sa bayan ng Mayantoc sa Tarlac ang nagbalik loob sa pamahalaan nitong Lunes at Martes.

Inilahad ni Police Regional Director PBGen. Valeriano De Leon na tatlo sa mga sumuko ay mga dating miyembro ng Milisyang Bayan, tatlo ang dating miyembro ng Mesina Command sa ilalim ng Kilusang Larangang Gerilya o KLG Tarlac-Zambales o TarZam at isa naman ang dating kaanib sa Milisyang Bayan ng dating KLG Tarlac PCOM at KLG TarZam.

Ipinahayag ni De Leon ang pinag-igting na hakbangin ng kapulisan at kasundaluhan na siyang nagbigay-daan sa pagsuko ng mga naturang rebelde.

Kabilang dito, ang situation interview at pamamahagi ng impormasyon ukol sa mga programa at oportunidad ng pamahalaan para mga rebeldeng nais magbago at magbalik-loob.

Dagdag ni De Leon, patuloy na makakapit-bisig ang mga kapulisan at mga miyembro ng Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 3 sa pagpapatupad ng whole-of-sector approach tungo sa kapayapaan at pagkakaisa. (CLJD/TJBM-PIA 3)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1063180

NPA rebel nabbed in Camarines Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 5, 2020): NPA rebel nabbed in Camarines Sur (By Mar Serrano)

A suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebel and the most wanted person in Bula town in Camarines Sur province was nabbed on Tuesday at his residence in the town, a police report said.

Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) spokesperson, in an interview, identified the suspect as Carlos Barrion alias "Marlu" of Barangay Itangon.

Policemen armed with a warrant of arrest swooped down on the suspect's residence at around 5:45 a.m.

The suspect did not resist arrest when served with the warrant for three counts of murder with no bail recommended.

The communist rebel would be presented to the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 60 in Iriga City for judicial disposition.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126370

27 Leyte ex-rebels get financial aid

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 5, 2020): 27 Leyte ex-rebels get financial aid (By Roel Amazona)

FORMER REBELS. Former rebels are with key provincial government officials during a turn-over ceremony of cash assistance in Carigara, Leyte on Tuesday (Jan. 5, 2021). At least 27 former rebels in Leyte province received financial aid from the government through the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program. (PNA photo by Roel Amazona)

At least 27 former rebels (FR) in Leyte province received financial assistance on Tuesday from the government through the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Of the total, 23 of them are from Carigara, three from Hilongos, and one from San Isidro town.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, Carigara Mayor Eduardo Ong, 802nd Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Zosimo Oliveros and other key provincial government officials led the distribution in Carigara town.

Nine of the FRs received PHP75,000 each while 18 received PHP25,000 each. An additional PHP50,000 were also awarded to those who yielded with firearms.

Pilar (not her real name), a former finance officer of the New People's Army (NPA), said the assistance given to them by the government will help them a lot in starting a new life.

“This only shows that the government is the only one who can help us to have a better life,” Pilar said, speaking on behalf of the E-CLIP recipients.

E-CLIP is a government program that aims to reintegrate former rebels back to the community with their families and start a normal life.

“When I surrendered, I thought it was the end of my life. I felt useless, but the military from the 802nd Brigade and the 14th IB (Infantry Battalion) assured me of the government’s assistance. The government is here to help me start a new life with my family with my children,” she added.

Being poor farmers made them vulnerable to NPA’s deceptive recruitment, Pilar said.

“But in reality, they cannot help us. Farmers remain poor and our problem of poverty remained unsolved. It is only the government that can help us,” she added.

Petilla said Pilar’s story is very important to the government so that they would know and can implement proper interventions and program to end the insurgency problem.

Petilla said when he decided to run for governor, he visited various places in the province and had talked with residents whom he later learned were either former NPA members or supporters.

“That is why we implemented the livelihood program to give solutions to the economic complaints and problem on depress communities. If poverty is the problem, the government should address it, after all the government is not owned by a person who is in the position but by the people who voted for us to rule,” Petilla added.

Ong in his message requested the FR to help in convincing other rebels still with the NPA to surrender.

“We can't address the problem of insurgency by relying on military action alone. We also need to help them, if you can persuade others to surrender it will be better. We need cooperation and coordination to end the insurgency problem in our town and our country,” he added.

The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126427

Young NPA fighter in Luzon reunites with family in Eastern Samar

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 6, 2020): Young NPA fighter in Luzon reunites with family in Eastern Samar (By Sarwell Meniano)

REUNITED. Sherry Mae Ibao (center) is flanked by her parents Rodrigo and Teresita during a press briefing in Manaoag, Pangasinan on Tuesday (Jan. 5, 2021). After five years of fighting government forces in Northern Luzon, the young recruit of the New People’s Army is finally back with her family who hails from Eastern Samar. (Screengrab from NTF-ELCAC)

After five years of fighting government forces in Northern Luzon, a young recruit of the New People’s Army (NPA) is finally back in the arms of her family who hails from Eastern Samar.

Tired of empty promises, Sherry Mae Ibao, 27, said she yielded to authorities, letting go of the communist ideology she had embraced since she was a freshman student of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in 2011.

“I’ve been contemplating surrender in the past three years. It was late last year that I got a chance to leave the organization when I asked for maternity leave since I’m already six months pregnant,” Ibao said in a press briefing at the Philippine Army 702nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Manaoag, Pangasinan on Tuesday afternoon.

She told reporters it was a senseless five-year armed struggle since it has not helped uplift the lives of poor Filipinos.

Sherry Mae said she realized that there are peaceful and more productive means to call for change.

“In the past five years, I missed my family, especially during the time when I get tired. Recently, I feared for my life and concern for my baby’s future since there have been frequent encounters between soldiers and the NPA,” she added.

When she was three months pregnant last September, Sherry Mae asked for leave but NPA leaders did not grant her request until December.

She spent her maternity leave at the house of a member of the NPA’s legal front in Bangued, Abra until she got the chance to regularly communicate with her family.

Her mother, Teresita, 60, thanked Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, and the Philippine Army for making her daughter’s surrender possible.

“I could not explain the feeling of joy after my daughter told us that she wanted to come back home last December 28. This is an answer to something that I have prayed for during the nine-day Simbang Gabi last December,” Teresita said.

Aboard a Borongan City government vehicle, Sherry Mae’s parents arrived at the Army camp in Pangasinan on January 3.

Escorted by the military, they picked her up in Bangued, Abra the following day.

Philippine Army 702nd Infantry Brigade commander, Brig. Gen. Audrey Pasia, confirmed that Sherry Mae, known to rebels as Jerry or Laila, was an active NPA member under its Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee.

For Sherry Mae’s father, Rodrigo, 59, the officer in charge of the Philippine Coconut Authority’s office in Eastern Samar, her daughter’s decision was the best New Year’s gift to their family.

“We have been longing for her to come back home. The last time we got the chance to see her was in 2018 in a remote area in Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur. In that brief moment, I realized that my daughter carrying a firearm was already indoctrinated by the NPA,” Rodrigo said in a phone interview Tuesday night.

The family is expected to arrive in Eastern Samar on Wednesday on board a local government vehicle.

Rodrigo never expected that the eldest of his four children would get involved in student activism and insurgency since she was the shy and quiet type of girl.

“She joined the NPA full time just three days after completing (her) Bachelor of Science in History at PUP in 2015 and never returned home. She just called us twice a year using different phone numbers,” he added.

Sherry Mae recounted that it all started when she participated in student activism organized on campus by legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines - NPA in 2011.

Former rebel Rey Christian Sabado said the NPA has been using youth idealism and dynamism to encourage armed rebellion against the government.

“It started when (a) legal front organization recruited us, taking advantage of our desire to make changes in our society,” said Sabado, who was recruited by Sherry Mae during their college days at the PUP.

A former accounting student, he was captured by soldiers in Las Navas, Northern Samar on Oct. 3, 2019 while extorting money from the locals.

The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126481

7 ex-communist terrorists yield in Tarlac

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 6, 2020): 7 ex-communist terrorists yield in Tarlac (By Zorayda Tecson)

At least seven former members of communist terrorist groups voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Mayantoc, Tarlac on Tuesday following the continuous joint efforts of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).

Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, regional director of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3), said on Wednesday the seven surrenderers were composed of three former members of Militiang Bayan (MBs), three former members of Mesina Command under Komiteng Larangang Guerilla (KLG)- Tarlac-Zambales and a former member of Milisyang Bayan of the former KLG Tarlac PCOM.

De Leon said the return of the former rebels to the fold of the law is the outcome of their persistent campaign against terrorism.

“The continuous local peace engagement activities of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police such as information dissemination, situational interview, made them aware of the government's programs and the opportunity to change their lives and correct the mistakes they have committed due to deception,” he said in a statement.

He also said the PRO-3, together with all member agencies of the RTF-ELCAC 3, will continue the whole of sector approach against communist terrorists to achieve peace and national unity.

De Leon said they are ready to help work out the surrender of other members of communist terrorist groups wishing to avail of the government’s reconciliation program.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126548

Court junks 9 militant leaders' bid for perjury case injunction

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 5, 2020): Court junks 9 militant leaders' bid for perjury case injunction (By Gigie Arcilla)

DENIED TEMPORARY INJUNCTION BID. A copy of the Nov. 20, 2020 order of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 92 Judge Eleuterio L. Bathan denying a petition of nine militant groups' leaders for a provisional remedy to a perjury case filed by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. (Contributed photo)

Some nine leaders of militant groups with reported links to the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People's Army (CPP-NPA) failed to secure a provisional remedy to a perjury case filed by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. in March last year.

In an order dated November 20, 2020, Regional Trial Court Branch 92 Judge Eleuterio L. Bathan denied the application of Karapatan secretary general Cristina E. Palabay and eight others for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction.

Bathan, in his order, said the petitioners did not present evidence or proof to prove the existence of the requisites required in issuing a writ of preliminary injunction.

“The evidence adduced by the petitioner during the hearing on the application for the issuance of the injunctive relief prayed for does not prove or short of proving that (1) there exists a clear and unmistakable right to be protected; (2) this right is directly threatened by an act sought to be enjoined; (3) the invasion of the right is material and substantial; and (4) there is an urgent and paramount necessity for the writ to prevent serious and irreparable damage,” his order said.

When the case was called for presentation of evidence for preliminary injunction application, the petitioners, instead of presenting a witness, opted to seek admission from the respondents by way of a stipulation, Bathan’s order said referring to Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 139 Judge Aimee Marie B. Alcera.

Palabay, along with Elisa Tita P. Lubi, Roneo S. Clamor, Edita T. Burgos, Wilfredo S. Ruazol, Gabriela Krista L. Dalena, Jose Marie T. Callueng, Gertrudes Ranjo-Libang, and Joan May E. Salvador, officials of Gabriela, Karapatan, and the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), were named in the complaint filed by Secretary Esperon for allegedly lying under oath in their petition for writs of amparo and habeas corpus filed against the government before the Court of Appeals that were later dismissed in June 2020.

Quezon City Prosecutor Vimar Marcellano, in his two-page resolution dated February 24, 2020, found probable cause to indict the nine officials including one Emma Cupin, and recommended to Judge Alcera a bail of PHP18,000 for each of the respondents’ temporary liberty.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126475

Use of assassin units violates universal rights declaration: AFP

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 6, 2020): Use of assassin units violates universal rights declaration: AFP (By Priam Nepomuceno)

AFP Human Rights Office chief, Col. Joel Alejandro Nacnac. (File photo)

The use of "partisan units", also known as liquidation or assassination squads, violates the so-called Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday.

Col. Joel Alejandro Nacnac, chief of the AFP Human Rights Office, said with the use of such partisan units, the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) shows it would target anyone who stands up against them.

"Ang gustong pairalin ng grupong ito ay targetin at patayin yung mga hinihinala nilang mga kontra sa CPP-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front). Katulad ng mga government employees, mga sundalo, pulis, at iba pang mga government employees na nandyan. Ngayon, pati po yung mga sibilyan, katulad ng mga nasa barangay at mga iba pang hindi (kampi) kumbaga sinesentensyahan nila ito (This group wants to target and kill those they suspect of opposing the CPP-NPA-NDF, such as government employees, soldiers, police officers, and other government employees, as well as civilians, those in the villages and others who are non-allies. It’s like they are sentencing them)," Nacnac said in a Laging Handa briefing.

Such actions, he said, violate several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"Isa-isahin ko po ang mga violation na ito sa mga artikulo ng Declaration of Human Rights. Una, is Article 3, ito po yung Right to Life. Kung sino po yung tina-target nila, kung pinatay nila yan, e di mawawalan sya ng buhay at (violation) agad ang CPP-NPA-NDF doon sa gagawin nilang pag-assassinate sa kanilang mga target (I will list the violations of the articles of the Declaration of Human Rights one by one. First is Article 3, the right to life. Whoever is their target, if they kill him, he loses his life. The CPP-NPA-NDF clearly violates that right when they assassinate their targets),” Nacnac said.

Also violated is Article 10 of the declaration or the right of an accused to a public trial, he said.

"Hindi po pwedeng kangaroo court na pinapairal nila na meron silang listahan, may hit list po itong mga ito and vina-violate nga po nila itong Article 10, the right to public trial (They cannot enforce a kangaroo court where they have a list, a hit list, and this violates Article 10, the right to a public trial)," Nacnac said.

He said those facing trial are presumed innocent until proven guilty under Article 11 of the declaration.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126485

Don't put too much faith in ‘assassin units’, Parlade to Reds

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 6, 2020): Don't put too much faith in ‘assassin units’, Parlade to Reds (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr., Southern Luzon Command chief (PNA File photo) 

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) should not put too much faith in its "assassin units" or what they call Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) as its members are brutalized by the comrades before they were trained to kill and terrorize.

Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) chief, Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr., made the comment in response to CPP founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison's announcement that they have a basis to conduct armed partisan operations against Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) and its allied units who are allegedly targeting "unarmed activists and civilians in urban areas".

Parlade, who is also National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) spokesperson, said there is a very high probability that these assassin units would just surrender to government forces rather than carry out the missions laid out for them by the CPP-NPA as they were raped and brutalized by comrades.

He cited the case of 13 assassin unit members based in Southern Tagalog who were decimated by a series of surrenders before being able to carry out its mission.

"To supervise the training, the CPP through its ILPS (International League of Peoples' Struggle) network, imported a Fil-Am, Amado Khaya Magalit (Canham) y Rodriguez alias 'Allen'/'Glenn' and sent him to Laguna and Quezon for the SOG (Special Operations Group) training. Moving to Mindoro later, the Regional SOG training continued. Of the 13 who graduated last March 2020, five already surrendered to Solcom. Barely a month after training, last April, Roldan Malucon alias 'Jandie' surrendered," he said in a statement Monday.

Adding to the woes of this particular assassin is that another one of them, a certain Eleuterio Serrano alias "Ritter" was captured shortly afterward while last May Felix Diaz Masong alias "Arjo/Rex/Asga" surrendered to government troops.

"This was followed by the surrender of alias 'Rhino'/'Jhay'. Last October Ankwan Rauyan@Fernan/Temyong surrendered and now alias 'Elsie'," he said.

One alias "Elsie", formally known as 21-year-old Mary Jane Ganay was able to surrender to government troops last December 27 with the help of some friends from the clergy, he said.

"Elsie", resident of Occidental Mindoro, was invited by one Daislyn Castillo alias "Tikya", reportedly the wife of NPA Platoon Leader Marjun Malucon alias "Warren", to attend her wedding when she was 16.

"After that, she was not allowed to go back to her family anymore. Atty. Maria Sol Taule of NUPL (National Union of Peoples' Lawyer), this is called kidnapping. She was forced to join the unit, took party courses and military training in Monteclaro, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro where the STRPC (Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee) was trying to relocate its regional headquarters," he added.

In December 2018, she was impregnated by an NPA identified only as "Zander", who was later killed in an encounter in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro.

Two months after she gave birth, she was forced to join the NPA Platoon of alias "Kenjie" and was not allowed to take care of her baby. The baby was taken from her designated ward without her consent.

"Judy Taguiwalo and Arlene Brosas of Gabriela, this is another kidnapping of its worst kind!" Parlade said.

This, he said, is not the end of the abuse suffered by "Elsie" from the hands of the hands of the NPA as she was raped by her own platoon leader.

Aside from this, she was also demoted and meted a one-year disciplinary action.

"The victim was meted punishment? How cruel but yes. She was later sent to join the Regional Special Operations Group (SOG) training," he said.

These abuses, he added, are among the reasons why NPA members and their allies are constantly surrendering to government forces.

More surrenders, arrests

Aside from surrenders due to NPA abuses, Parlade said continuing military operations caused the neutralization of RSOG member Juanito Gonzaga alias "Rod/Jun" in Masbate.

Last December 17, 2020, during the serving of a warrant of arrest to alias "Dads", Head of Finance of Sub-Regional Mil Area 4C in Baras Rizal, three members of the regional murder squad were killed: Niño Alberga, Jonathan Alberga, and Carlito Simon.

"Farmers? No, they were armed to the teeth with two M-16 rifles, one Uzi submachine gun, a caliber .45 pistol, and a revolver. The eight other members of Joma's death squad escaped, with one wounded," he said.

Ongoing pursuit operations by the military troops again encountered fleeing "farmers" in Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal.

"If they are farmers, I suggest that Cristina Palabay of Karapatan present the eight as witnesses to their being 'farmers'," he added.

On December 30, he said Philip Alcantara y Valdez alias "Joshua", Platoon Leader of the Regional SOG of STRPC, was arrested in Guiguinto, Bulacan for multiple frustrated murder.

"He did not resist, so he is alive. Now Tinay has to produce the bail bond of this high-profile terrorist leader. Won't you Tinay Palabay?" he said.

Repercussions

With these prevailing situations within assassin units and NPA ranks, he said how can these terrorist units implement their punitive actions, and should they continue, these will have repercussions in the international community against the CPP-NPA.

"The international community, especially the UN (United Nations) and EU (European Union) surely know the implication of CPP and Jose Maria Sison's annihilative order in the context of international humanitarian laws and conventions. Yet this fool and his colleagues in the NDF (National Democratic Front) refuse to admit that the CPP-NPA are terrorist organizations," he added.

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

"Going back to his murderous partisans, how can Sison rely on them? After being raped by fellow NPAs, he expects his hitmen and women to heed? If they can't hit VIPs with that kind of sloppy training (and they won't) soon they will be asked to kill instead, ordinary activists just like what they did with James Durimon alias 'Jurros', who was ordered to kill 17 peasants in Panay,” Parlade said.

He added that they will soon assassinate lowly, genuine activist members of Anakbayan, Kabataan, Gabriela, Bayan Muna, ACT, KMU, etc but will spare the party members running it from Kabataang Makabayan, MAKIBAKA, KAGUMA, and RCTU that are found in the NDFP member organization website ndfp.org.

“Then what? Blame the government?" he said.

He said Canham, the Fil-Am trainor for Sison’s assassin units is now dead due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) while evading government troops in Mindoro.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126507

Reds killed in Rizal part of NPA 'death squads': DILG

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 6, 2020): Reds killed in Rizal part of NPA 'death squads': DILG

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año. (File photo)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday said the five Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) members killed in a shootout in Rizal last month were part of the NPA death squads deployed in Southern Luzon to assassinate top national and local government leaders and police and military officers over “blood debts.”

“We can now confirm that the five NPA members killed in Barangay San Juan, Baras, Rizal were part of a death squad that was supposed to carry out the directive of Joma Sison to assassinate government and civilian leaders,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, who himself is one of the targets of the NPA, said in a news release.

“Isang tagumpay para sa atin na napigilan ang mga ganitong mga operasyon ng NPA lalo pa’t ito’y isang tuwirang pagbabanta sa buhay ng mga pinuno ng bansa at maging ng mga sibilyan (This prevention of NPA operations is a victory especially that this is direct threat to the lives of the country's leaders and civilians),” he added.

CPP founder Jose Maria Sison recently released an order from his self-imposed exile in the Netherlands to its armed wing, the NPA, to deploy so-called armed partisan units and special operations groups to cities, and major town centers “to carry out attacks against government forces and to mete out punishment against enemy units and officers who have committed bloody crimes against the people.”

This was confirmed by CPP Central Committee Information Officer alias Marcos Valduena who said “there is a standing order for the NPA to form partisan teams to mete out punishment against enemy units and officers who have committed bloody crimes against the people.”

The DILG chief said the deployment of the NPA death squads to urban areas intends to bring the NPA’s reign of terror in the countryside to the cities.

“The PNP (Philippine National Police) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will do its utmost to protect the people from these terrorists in sheep’s clothing. We will crush these urban terrorist cells before they can begin their reign of terror,” he added.

He urged the Commission on Human Rights and even the so-called Makabayan Bloc to condemn the deployment of NPA death squads in urban areas to prove that they are truly not members or fronts of the CPP.

He said assassinations by the NPA death squads are clearly extra-judicial killing (EJKs) which the CPP is now bringing to the urban areas after decades of perfecting armed terrorism in the mountains.

Año said among those neutralized were a woman known as alias Sandra, a Rebolusyonaryong Buwis sa Kaaway na Uri (RBKU) staff and wife of alias Luis, Secretary of Guerilla Front Cesar; and an alias Onli, regional intelligence officer who were actively generating funds for the communist terrorist group (CTG) through extortion and harassment of innocent civilians.

He said the initial plan of the said NPA assassination unit was to establish a terrorist cell in Rizal which will house their Southern Luzon operations, a location that will bring them close to Metro Manila to carry out the orders of Sison.

He said CPP’s deployment of NPA death squads is a major escalation in the terrorism program of the CTGs and is clear and convincing proof that the Anti-Terrorism Council did the right thing in designating CPP and NPA as "terrorist organizations".

“Ngayon ay hindi na nila maikakaila ang kanilang tunay na kulay at motibo. Sila ay mga terorista na kailanman ay hindi naghangad ng kapayapaan kundi ang maghasik ng kaguluhan, pumatay ng mga puwersa ng gobyerno, para pabagsakin ang gobyerno (Now, they cannot deny their true colors and motives. They are terrorists who never aimed for peace but are merely sowing chaos and killing government forces to overthrow the government),” he said.

Año also said Sison’s statement during the CPP’s 52nd anniversary in December ordering the return of NPA death squads is a feeble attempt to turn the tide against the government now that the communist movement is losing mass support in its base of operations.

He said in addition to Sison’s pronouncement, the NDF’s International Information Office’s commentary published on the CPP’s website stating "the conditions are ripe for the return of armed city partisans" is a masquerade of the NPA's plan to mount urban terrorism and assassinations to compensate for its continuing losses and setbacks in the countryside.

“This latest move of Joma Sison is a desperate move driven by the fact that they are losing their ground. Higit sa lahat, ito ay excuse lamang para lalo silang makapanggulo (Above all, this is just an excuse for them to be able to sow chaos) in their pathetic attempt to overthrow one of the most popular governments in the world,” he said.

In the 1980s, the CPP-NPA-NDF first deployed its “sparrow units” in urban centers and murdered hundreds of policemen, military officers, and civilians in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and other areas to speed up its protracted people’s war, sow chaos, and bring down the government

Shootout in Rizal

The DILG chief said the NPA members killed in a shootout with the AFP and PNP in Baras, Rizal last Dec. 17, 2020 were responsible for various extortion and terroristic activities victimizing local government officials, businessmen, and ordinary individuals.

According to the report, the PNP, with the support of the AFP, was on its way to issue a warrant of arrest for frustrated murder to alias Dads/Darwin, head of the finance staff and Execom member of NPA’s Sub-Regional Military Area 4A, when the CTGs open fired leading to a crossfire between the two parties in Sitio Malalim, San Juan, Baras, Rizal.

As the gunshots died down, five bodies from the side of the NPA were spotted including alias Sandra, wife of alias Luis, Secretary of Guerilla Front Cesar, and concurrently designated as SRMA 4A's RBKU staff and alias Onli, the terrorist group's intelligence officer.

Three NPA members killed in the said incident are still being identified according to the AFP. Recovered in the scene were two M16 rifles; two caliber-45 pistols; one Uzi submachine gun; and, several electronic devices and subversive documents.

“Lumiliit na ang mundo ng mga teroristang ito. Habang hindi pa huli ang lahat, sumuko na kayo at talikuran ang inyong baluktot na paniniwala at maling ipinaglalaban (The world is getting smaller for these terrorists. While it is not yet too late, surrender and turn back on your crooked beliefs and convictions),” Ano added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126575