BARMM lauds military report on declining ASG threat in BaSulTa

From the Philippine News Agency (May 5. 2021): BARMM lauds military report on declining ASG threat in BaSulTa (By Noel Punzalan)

MILITARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS. BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim lauds the military for curbing the terrorist actions of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the region, particularly in the island provinces of Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi. Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr. (inset), commander of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command, said during his visit to the BARMM government in Cotabato City on Monday (May 3, 2021) that the ASG threat in the area, particularly in Sulu province, has been declining since the first quarter of this year. (Photos courtesy of BIO BARMM)

Officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) here have lauded the report of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-Westmincom) on the decreasing terror activities of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the island-provinces of the region.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said Wednesday that when the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), once the biggest Moro rebel group in Mindanao, signed the peace agreement with the national government, they knew that the region’s transition period would not be an easy path.

“We know that there are still splinter groups and extremist organizations that would provide challenges in the process,” Ebrahim, once the head of the MILF, said in a statement.

Following the signing into law of the Bangsamoro Organic Law by President Rodrigo Duterte in July 2018, he said the BARMM has been established to assure its constituents of well-deserved peace and sustainable development after decades of conflict and unrest.

“We are fortunate that in this journey, we have our dear partners from the security sector to help us out in maintaining order,” Ebrahim said.

He added: “The (government) troops whom we once faced at the other side of the fence is now working with us, side by side, in building a Bangsamoro that we can be proud of.”

Ebrahim’s statement came following a visit on Monday by Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr. to the BARMM government center in this city.

While here, Vinluan updated the BARMM officials on the security situation and development challenges in the BARMM island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, otherwise known as the BaSulTa area.

In particular, Vinluan focused on the current security situation in Sulu, specifically its densely vegetated forests, which the ASG terrorists use as a sanctuary against pursuing government forces.

A presentation from the military’s Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu showed that from July 1, 2020 to May 2, 2021, the task force had 38 encounters with the ASG and has neutralized 260 of its members; 34 of whom were killed, 42 apprehended, and 184 surrendered.

In addition, Vinluan said the JTF Sulu has assessed that for the first quarter of 2021, the ASG now has only 132 combatants compared to the 282 and 145 fighters in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

He said the ASG’s firearms also significantly decreased this year with only 147 left when it used to possess 330 weapons in 2019 and 155 in 2020.

So far, he said there were no recorded terrorist acts perpetrated by the local group this year.

Vinluan said the ASG was involved in 22 atrocities in 2019 and five in 2020, the last of which was the twin explosions in Barangay Walled City in Jolo, Sulu on August 24 last year.

He pointed out that JTF Sulu adheres to its mission in conducting military operations to defeat the ASG and to support the government peace accords with the MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to significantly contribute to the peace, security, and development efforts of the province.

Vinluan said military action is only a small factor in combatting terrorism in the region, with the major element depending on the assistance from the BARMM government.

“We need your help to finally end the conflict in Sulu,” Vinluan told the BARMM officials.

Brig. Gen. William Gonzales, JTF Sulu commander, together with four subordinate brigade commanders of the task force accompanied Vinluan during his recent visit here.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1139141

P195-M Apayao farm-to-market road ‘antidote’ to insurgency

From the Philippine News Agency (May 5. 2021): P195-M Apayao farm-to-market road ‘antidote’ to insurgency (By Leilanie Adriano)

FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD. This farm-to-market road in Barangay Imelda, Pudtol, Apayao is now serving its purpose to facilitate the easier transport of agricultural commodities to the market. In neighboring Flora town, another multi-million project such as this is ongoing to benefit banana farmers in the area. (PNA file photo by Leilanie G. Adriano)

The ongoing construction of an 11.85-kilometer Sta. Maria-Mallig-Upper Atok farm-to-market road (FMR) in Flora, Apayao is seen to boost economic livelihood and help resolved insurgency in the area once completed.

The PHP195 million project is under the World Bank-supported Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) with a 10 percent counterpart fund from the provincial government of Apayao.

The road is expected to benefit at least three farming villages of Flora such as Barangays Santa Maria, Mallig and Upper Atok.

Last April 30, a composite team from the provincial government of Apayao led by Governor Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang inspected the project, which is expected to be completed next year.

In a consultation meeting with village officials, Begtang urged residents to help the government in ensuring peace and order in their respective barangays, especially in the light of reported activities of communist terrorists.

Clashes between Philippine Army troopers and the communist rebels last March occurred in two interior barangays of Flora.

“Peace and order is the driving force that will allow us to overcome challenges and will open more doors to progress in the province,” the governor said during the meeting.

Once the multimillion farm-to-market road is completed, the governor expressed optimism that it will not only attract better market opportunities to benefit banana growers in the area but it will also open up investment and livelihood opportunities while improving the delivery of government services closer to people.

Amid an ongoing pandemic, the province of Apayao continues to implement its various infrastructure development projects such as the FMR improvement project in Flora town.

Other sub-projects in support of the program include the establishment of a warehouse in the municipalities of Sta. Marcela, Luna, Flora, Calanasan and Pudtol, a coffee processing center in Calanasan and a multipurpose banana trading center in Barangay Poblacion, Flora town which will soon consolidate banana produce in the said municipality.

“We are so much thankful for this project as this would facilitate the easier transport of farmers’ produce to the market," said Flora vice mayor Jessica de San Jose during the meeting.

She assured that the people of Flora will always be in full support of the provincial government’s efforts to alleviate poverty particularly in uplifting the lives of locals.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1139214

6ID chief honors 7 wounded personnel in fight vs. BIFF

From the Philippine News Agency (May 5. 2021): 6ID chief honors 7 wounded personnel in fight vs. BIFF (By Edwin Fernandez)

WOUNDED HEROES. Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, pins a medal to an injured infantryman inside the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) Camp Siongco Hospital in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on Wednesday (May 5, 2021). Six other soldiers belonging to various field units of the 6ID were given medals for their fight against the local terror group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters operating in Central Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – The commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division honored Wednesday the personnel wounded in the campaign against lawless elements in the province.

Major General Juvymax Uy, 6th ID chief and commander of Joint Task Force Central, awarded medals of heroism to seven members of 14th Mechanized Company, 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, and the 25th Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit-Active Auxiliary Company.

The soldiers were wounded in action following a series of explosions of anti-personnel mines while conducting security operations in Barangay Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, and Barangay Labu-Labu, Datu Hoffer, all of Maguindanao.

“Your bravery and heroism in performing your respective duties against the enemy of the state are hereby recognized,” Uy told the wounded personnel as he pinned the wounded personnel medals to them.

Uy said the wounded personnel are recovering fast and will soon be redeployed to their respective units.

They have been pursuing three factions of the Daesh-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao.

“Actually, the BIFF strength is diminishing,” Lt. Colonel John Paul Baldomar, speaking for the 6ID, said.

Baldomar said from the strength of 300 BIFF combatants over the last two years, the group currently has some 50 fighters left operating in the peripheries of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato provinces.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1139160

6 BIFF members avail of gov’t amnesty program

From the Philippine News Agency (May 5. 2021): 6 BIFF members avail of gov’t amnesty program (By Edwin Fernandez)

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Six members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters took their vow of commitment to the government before the Army’s 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Wednesday (May 5, 2021). The surrenderers also turned over four high-power firearms. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

More armed members of the lawless Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao opted to surrender to live normal lives, the military here said Wednesday.

At least six BIFF combatants whose names were withheld for security reasons turned over their rifles to the Army’s 1st Mechanized Brigade (1MBde) in Barangay Kamasi, Ampatuan, Maguindanao at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID), lauded Col. Pedro Balisi Jr., the commanding officer of 1MBde for helping convince the BIFF batch to take the path to peace.

Uy also acknowledged Mayors Mamatanto M. Mamantal and Datu Ali Pax Sangki-Mangudadatu of Sultan sa Barongis and Datu Abdullah Sangki towns, respectively, for assisting the military's peace initiatives in the area.

“The success stories of their colleagues who earlier surrendered and now reintegrated to the mainstream prompted the six BIFF (members) to follow suit,” Uy said of the six former extremists.

One of the BIFF members told reporters that living conditions inside the armed group were difficult.

“Life is hard, we need to be with our loved ones peacefully and no longer outlawed,” the surrenderer said.

Since 2017, more than 300 BIFF gunmen have surrendered in batches to various units of the 6ID.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1139195

Hunger, hardships force 2 ranking NPA rebels to surrender

From the Philippine News Agency (May 5. 2021): Hunger, hardships force 2 ranking NPA rebels to surrender (By Alexander Lopez)

SURRENDERERS. Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, commander of the Army's 23rd Infantry Battalion, welcomes alias 'Hajie or Saed', the front secretary of Guerrilla Front 88 of the New People's Army, and alias 'May-may or Wena', a political officer, during their surrender at its headquarters in Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte on May 3. (Photo courtesy of 23IB)

Two ranking New People’s Army (NPA) leaders operating in the areas of Agusan del Sur and parts of Agusan del Norte surrendered on May 3 to the Army’s 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB), a military official said Wednesday.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, 23IB commander, identified the NPA officer only as alias 'Hajie' or 'Saed,' 36, the front secretary of Guerrilla Front 88 of the North Central Mindanao Command (NCMRC) of the NPA.

The other surrenderer, Paulo said, is alias 'May-may or Wena,' 31, political officer and political instructor of the same NPA unit.

Paulo said the two surrendered at the headquarters of 23IB in Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte on May 3, and handed over a 1911 .45-caliber pistol with one magazine and five ammunition.

Hajie could no longer endure the hunger and difficulties they experienced inside the movement, he said.

“We do not have enough supply of food as most of our supporters in communities in Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur has already cut ties with the movement. Securing food supply is among the difficulties that GF 88 is facing. Most of the members and fighters in GF 88 are demoralized due to the difficult situation,” Hajie was quoted in the dialect as saying.

He said he also wished to reunite with his family, especially his children.

Paulo welcomed the two surrenderers as he recognized their "bravery in deciding to leave the rebel movement".

“The testimony of alias Hajie indicates the disintegration of the NPA movement in Agusan del Norte due to the difficulties they now face as the consequences of the mass surrenders of their supporters in communities,” Paulo said.

He also hopes that the remaining members of GF88 and GF4A in the province would follow suit.

“Listen and accept programs and services of the government being offered to you. This is for your benefit and the future of your families. Surrender now and start to live peacefully in your communities,” Paulo said.

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.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1139229

15 more NPA rebels yield in Masbate

From the Philippine News Agency (May 5. 2021): 15 more NPA rebels yield in Masbate (By Connie Calipay and Mar Serrano)

BACK TO THE FOLD. Some 15 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in Masbate province surrendered on Tuesday (May 4, 2021) to the Army's 2nd Infantry Battalion in Milagros town. The recent surrender brought to 126 communist rebels and supporters in Masbate who decided to return to the fold of the law since the last quarter of 2020. (Photo courtesy of 9ID)

At least 15 New People’s Army (NPA) members operating in Masbate province surrendered on Tuesday to the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry Battalion in Milagros town, an official of the 9th Infantry Division (9ID) said on Wednesday.

Capt. John Paul Belleza, 9ID Public Affairs Division (DPAO) chief, said eight of the surrenders were regular NPA guerillas while the rest were members of the Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad, a group of mass base supporters.

The former rebels also surrendered their firearms including assault rifles, shotguns, and .38 and .357 caliber handguns.

Belleza said the latest surrender brought to 126 the communist rebels and supporters operating in Masbate who have decided to return to the fold of the law since the last quarter of 2020.

Lt. Col. Siegfried Felipe Awichen, 2IB battalion commander, in a statement, said the new surrenderers would undergo reintegration procedures and be enrolled in the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Under the E-CLIP, the former rebels will receive cash, livelihood, housing, medical and educational assistance, including remuneration for the firearms that they surrendered.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Henry Robinson, commander of Joint Task Force Bicolandia, said the continuously increasing number of communist terrorist group (CTG) members who are returning to the fold of the law is proof of the effective implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order 70 or the Whole-of-Nation Approach of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

“Through our E-CLIP, we will ensure that you, our former rebels will be provided with cash, livelihood, housing, medical and even educational assistance in order for you to start anew as you take the path of peace…With these accomplishments, the 9ID and JTF Bicolandia is very positive that the CTG will eventually collapse in this island province in the soonest possible time,” he added.

The NPA, along with the Communist Party of the Philippines, 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/1139200