‘CPP-NPA collected P5.8 billion in foreign donations’

From the Philippine Star (Aug 3, 2021): ‘CPP-NPA collected P5.8 billion in foreign donations’ (By Michael Punongbayan)

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) was allegedly able to collect P5.8 billion in foreign donations and revolutionary taxes from 2016 to 2018, officials said yesterday.

The money was allegedly used by the communists to finance their terrorist activities and support the lifestyles of their leaders.

In a virtual press briefing of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) said a majority of the funds came from foreign donors who were deceived by what the government and the military now consider as a communist terrorist group.

The NICA said the communist group exploited the issues on human rights and indigenous peoples (IPs) to convince their donors to donate.

“Malambot ang puso ng mga foreign donors,” NICA director general Alex Paul Monteagudo said, noting the CPP-NPA-NDF can no longer use the same scheme in the country as Filipinos are aware of its ways.

Monteagudo said that another source of the communists’ funding is the “revolutionary tax,” which NPA guerrillas impose and extort from businesses in rural and remote areas.

“Aside from terrorism, the funds were also used to support the lifestyle of their leaders allegedly like Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate, who was supposedly using the money to finance his son’s education in Poland, as mentioned by President Duterte during his last State of the Nation Address,” Monteagudo said.

He said a ranking communist official once admitted to him that the rebels could not afford to stop their extortion activities as these have become an important part of their livelihood.

“Hindi pwede. Dahil ito na ang aming pamumuhay o livelihood,” CPP-NPA-NDF official Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos, head of the NPA‘s National Operational Command, allegedly told Monteagudo during their meeting years ago.

Monteagudo said 60 percent of the collected funds were coursed to the CPP-NPA-NDF’s central committee, based on the testimonies of the surrenderees.

He said said the NICA is looking into individuals who have provided support to the communists, including congressmen, governors, vice governors and former senators.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2021/08/03/2117131/cpp-npa-collected-p58-billion-foreign-donations

More rebels yield due to exhaustion – Nolcom

From the Manila Times (Aug 3, 2021): More rebels yield due to exhaustion – Nolcom (By Leander C. Domingo)

THE Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Monday 11 New People's Army (NPA) rebels from Northern and Central Luzon surrendered due to "exhaustion from fighting for an ideology, which they thought could do good for the country."

Maj. Israel Galorio, Nolcom public information office chief, said eight of the surrenderers yielded to government troops on Saturday in Barangay Disulap in San Mariano town, Isabela province. They also handed to authorities three M16 rifles and one M1 Garand rifle.

On Sunday, three more NPA rebels yielded. One rebel came from Barangay Ambagiw in Besao town, Mountain Province with his.30 caliber M1 Springfield rifle. The two others are from Barangay Amtuagan in Tubu town, Abra who yielded two M16 rifles and a Springfield rifle, Galorio added.

Nolcom Commander Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said the surrenderers were exhausted from fighting the troops and from running away from the relentless military operations by government forces.

"They finally decided to give up their false cause to return to their respective families and live peaceful and progressive lives," Burgos said.

He noted that the government's whole of nation approach has gained its ground in Northern and Central Luzon.

"Social issues previously exploited by the NPA rebels are addressed responsively while the communities are insulated from the influence of the terrorist group. As such, movements of the NPA rebels are constricted, giving them no other option but to lay down their arms and join mainstream society," Burgos added.

"It will only be a matter of time and the NPAs in Northern and Central Luzon will be decimated."

Burgos, likewise, reiterated his call for the remaining members of the NPA to return to the folds of the law.

"Don't miss out on the opportunity to be with your family and live a peaceful life. Your former comrades have taken the lead and it is time for you to take yours. Avail the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (Eclip) while you still can," Burgos said.

Eclip offers immediate cash assistance of P15,000, livelihood assistance of P50,000 and remuneration for every firearm they bring along with them when they surrender. Other government agencies also give incentives and benefits to the former rebels and their families.

Galorio said the new rebel surrenderers were in addition to the 491 NPA rebels who have already returned to the government fold along with 185 firearms since Jan. 1, 2021.

He said the majority of these former rebels have already received their respective Eclip grants and that government troops are assisting those who recently returned to mainstream society to complete their requirements to avail said government program.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/08/03/news/regions/more-rebels-yield-due-to-exhaustion-nolcom/1809445

IED found in Occidental Mindoro town

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Aug 2, 2021): IED found in Occidental Mindoro town (By: Madonna T. Virola)

An improvised explosive device (IED) was found Monday in Rizal town in Occidental Mindoro province, according to a police report.

Danilo Espartero, village chief in Sto. Niño, Rizal, reported to the police that one of their residents found an IED at Busuanga River near West Island about 8 a.m.

The police responded and recovered the unexploded IED at about 11 a.m.

Colonel Hordan Pacatiw, Occidental Mindoro police chief, said in a phone interview that the IED could have been left by New People’s Army rebels because there were “sightings” of them in the area in the past.

“Maybe they sought shelter in that area. The river is the boundary of the village. When there are strong rains, the water level rises,” he said.

The IED, now under police custody, is not enough to explode because the components are not complete, said Pacatiw.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1467860/ied-found-in-occidental-mindoro-town

Philippines must disarm the child warriors of Sulu

 Opinion piece posted to Nikkei Asia (Aug 2, 2021): Philippines must disarm the child warriors of Sulu (By Criselda Yabes)

Recent arrests reveal dangers that should be addressed urgently

Armed extremists of Abu Sayyaf: violent extremism in the Philippines is a potential time bomb. © AP

Twelve-year-old Aisyah was trained to hate soldiers and kill as many of them as possible. In the jungle of Sulu island, she claimed to have fought in gunbattles on the side of the radical Abu Sayyaf Group in the name of Islamic jihadism and killed three soldiers.

The other side of Aisyah is the girl who loves listening to Filipino and Korean pop on TikTok, who thrills to riding pillion on a motorcycle, who enjoys a crush on a boy despite being married to a jihadi fighter four years older for whom she has no affection.

In June, the military caught her in a firefight intended to arrest her husband, who is close to Abu Sayyaf's leadership. He managed to escape. Aisyah, on the other hand, has proved something of a jackpot, revealing so much about the brainwashing and indoctrination of child warriors in the Philippines' troubled southern region.

Aisyah, it turns out, was one of the daughters of the Indonesian couple responsible for the suicide bombing attack on the Catholic cathedral of Sulu's capital in January 2019, which killed 20 people and wounded up to 100.

Roman Catholic cathedral in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province in the southern Philippines, after two bombs exploded, pictured in January 2019. © WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines/AP

Using children is nothing new since the Muslim rebellions of the 1970s that created so much strife in the south. But the recent trickle of Islamic State fighters into Sulu to take up the fight for a caliphate has set a dangerous precedent. Filipino rebels were not predisposed to suicide bombings.

Aisyah's 17-old sister Rezky was arrested in October last year along with two other women, with a vest, detonation cord, battery clip and switch button found in their possession. She is currently in detention outside of Sulu.

Able to load and fire an automatic rifle and fluent in the Tausug language of Sulu, Aisyah said he learned how to use a gun from her father Rian Zeke Rullie, and how to make a suicide vest from other rebels. "I will kill those soldiers; they're pigs," she told her interrogators. "Take me to the brigade," she demanded, referring to the army headquarters in Sulu. "I will kill plenty."

Classified government reports on the arrests of Aisyah and Rezky show how their father pushed their mother toward extremism and left his children in the hands of strangers. It was Rullie who had first landed in Sulu in 2018 from his hometown in Sulawesi, traveling first to Malaysia, then bribing border officials to cross by sea to the Abu Sayyaf nest in Sulu.

Aisyah's arrest has revealed a potential time bomb when it comes to violent extremism in the Philippines, and the country is not ready to deal with it, despite many decades of watching Islamic radicalism evolve in Mindanao. While Indonesia and Malaysia have begun de-radicalization programs, the Philippines failed to act.

Government agencies are not equipped with the social and psychological tools needed to handle children who have been radicalized, leaving elected Muslim leaders to sort out the problem. In places like Sulu, which the military considers the center of gravity, a culture of violence has already deeply permeated the island.

Aishya and Rezky had, according to their separate accounts, wanted to leave Sulu because of its unbearable conditions, where they lived in makeshift encampments in the mountains without electricity or running water. But they were always held back, brainwashed to believe that extremism was their life.

Their father had sold all the family's possession in Indonesia before bringing his wife and children to Turkey in 2015, en route to Syria to be with the Islamic State. Arrested and deported to Indonesia in 2018, their father left Sulawesi for Sulu later that year.

He made his wife follow him to Sulu just one week before the 2019 suicide attack on Sulu's Catholic cathedral. "And after my father talked to her outside our tent, she just kept crying and praying," Rezky said of her mother who was in her early 30s, and had so little time to process her own imminent death by strapping bombs to her body.

Rezky herself had managed to leave Sulu but was forced to return by her husband, a Malaysian jihadi whom she had met at a palm oil plantation in Sabah before their first trip Sulu. He also joined the Abu Sayyaf and was killed four months before her arrest last year. Aisyah's brother, two years older, now sits under the tutelage of Radullan Sahiron, the senior leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu.

In the rebel camps, Aisyah says she came across Egyptian boys her age, presumably children or relations of an Egyptian father-and-son suicide team killed in an attempted mission late in 2019.

That attack on an army detachment failed when soldiers opened fire and was how Aisyah learned that she must not yell "Allahu akbar" if in a suicide attack as it gave the target time to react. Now, Aisyah says she could not do what her parents did. She misses them.

We do not know how many children there are like Aisyah on Sulu. But if there are as many as some fear, there will be no end in sight to the violence inculcated in the minds of those about to come of age.

[Criselda Yabes is a journalist based in the Philippines. She is author of "The Battle of Marawi," her 10th book, which was published last year.]

https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Philippines-must-disarm-the-child-warriors-of-Sulu

CPP/News: Landlessness, low crop prices drove Ka Alfred to join the NPA

Propaganda news story posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Jul 31, 2021): Landlessness, low crop prices drove Ka Alfred to join the NPA

NEWS STORIES
JULY 31, 2021

Peasant masses of Agusan del Norte continue to take part in the armed revolution waged by the New People’s Army (NPA) as landlessness, low income and severe economic crisis worsen amid the raging Covid-19 pandemic. It is these conditions of poverty and oppression which drove Alfred Sajol to join the NPA and sacrifice his life for the people’s revolution.

Ka Alfred came from a lower-middle peasant family in Barangay 10, Buenavista town. His Tatay Fredo often sells vegetables at very low prices. At a very young age, he himself experienced exploitation and oppression. He suffered from meager wages and low farmgate prices of their crops. He wanted to pursue higher education after high school graduation but the circumstances prevented him.

As a young peasant, Alfred enthusiastically sought to take part in the people’s war. Last April, he left his family and decided to join the NPA at the age of 26.

Ka Alfred knew the sacrifices and challenges the people’s war entails. On July 24, he heroically offered his life to the people’s revolutionary cause. He was martyred in a firefight against the 29th IB in Sitio Kabagjangan, Barangay Jaliobong, Kitcharao town.

In a statement issued by Ka Diwa Habagat, spokesperson of NPA-Agusan del Norte, revolutionary forces gave salute to Ka Alfred and his contributions.

“The blood you sacrificed will rouse thousands of exploited and oppressed Filipinos to continue the revolution that you died for,” the tribute read.

https://cpp.ph/2021/07/31/landlessness-low-crop-prices-drove-ka-alfred-to-join-the-npa/

Army’s 79th IB cited for dismantling NPA’s Northern Negros Front

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 28, 2021): Army’s 79th IB cited for dismantling NPA’s Northern Negros Front (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

AWARD. Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan (left), commander of the Armed Forces Central Command, fastens the campaign streamer of the 79th Infantry Battalion in recognition of its dismantling of the Northern Negros Front of the New People’s Army in the presence of Col. Michael Samson (center), deputy commander of 303 Infantry Brigade, and Lt. Col. J-jay Javines, commander of 79IB. The rites were held at the battalion headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday (July 27, 2021). (Photo courtesy of 79IB, PA)

For successfully dismantling the Northern Negros Front (NNF) of the New People’s Army (NPA), the Philippine Army's 79th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Sagay City, Negros Occidental has received a Gawad Kalinaw plaque and campaign streamer from the Armed Forces Philippines Central Command (CentCom).

In rites held on Tuesday at the battalion headquarters in Barangay Bato, Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan, CentCom commander, commended the 79IB troops headed by commanding officer Lt. Col. J-jay Javines for their “untiring dedication and contribution to the accomplishment” of the command’s mission.

The NNF is part of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor.

“Now that you have achieved your goal in dismantling the Northern Negros Front, your next mission is to protect the gains, prevent the communist-terrorists’ recovery efforts, and sustain the peace and development in northern Negros,” Ancan told the troops.

The 79IB covers mainly the first, second and third districts of Negros Occidental as well as this capital city.

1Lt. Dansan Camua, civil-military operations officer of the 79IB, told the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday that before the battalion was declared to have dismantled the NNF, they went through a series of evaluations and met a set of parameters, based on the AFP and Philippine National Police Joint Letter Directive (JLD) 03-2020.

The latter refers to the “Guidelines in Evaluating the Effectiveness of Internal Security Operations in Support to the National Thrust to End Local Communist Armed Conflict”.

Camua said the initial evaluation was conducted by the 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), which was followed by a validation of the 3rd Infantry Division, after which another round of evaluation and validation was also conducted by the CentCom and the National Command.

“On April 6, 2021, the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center issued Joint Resolution 04-2021 declaring that the NNF is already dismantled,” he added.

Camua said there are still remnants of the NPA rebels in the north, who try to recover their territory, but the 79IB troops counter their terroristic activities with sustained efforts initiated under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

A total of 25 out of the 26 insurgency-cleared villages in Negros Occidental are located in the northern part of the province.

For his part, Javines gave credit to his predecessors for the earlier efforts they put in to dismantle the NNF, and also acknowledged the support of the community.

“We are very much honored for this award, and this would not be made possible without the support of our stakeholders and peace-loving constituents of Northern Negros,” Javines said.

During the ceremony, which was also witnessed by Col. Michael Samson, deputy commander of 303IBde, five troopers of 79IB received the Silver Cross Medal for their gallantry in action during the conduct of several focused military operations.

The recipients were 1st Lt. Giselle Pacquiao, Technical Sgt. Joven Antiqueña, Staff Sgt. Gilbert Cabando, Sgt. Michael Vallejera, and Pfc Edgar Tañan.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army, which has been waging more than five decades of 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/1148573

Kalinaw News: Intensified joint operation of Army and Police compel five remnants of dismantled NPA front to surrender

Posted to the Kalinaw News Website (Aug 2, 2021): Intensified joint operation of Army and Police compel five remnants of dismantled NPA front to surrender (By Adonnie Zeus Zulueta)



BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – Five (5) remnants of the dismantled Guerilla Front 4A (DGF-4A) of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to Lieutenant Colonel Julius Cesar C Paulo, the Commanding Officer of the 23rd Infantry Battalion (23IB) on Friday, July 30, 2021 at the headquarters of 23IB in Jamboree Site, Purok 6, Barangay Alubihid, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

Lieutenant Colonel Paulo attributed the surrender of the five remnants of DGF-4A to the effective joint operations of the 23IB and the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) under the leadership of Police Colonel Exelso L Lazaga Jr.

He also lauded the continuous surrender of the remnants of DGF-4A, saying that the same is a glaring manifestation that they can no longer endure the exploitation, deceptions, and the treacherous propaganda of the armed group.

The surrenderees were identified as @ALEX, 34 years old, former Squad Leader, @BRANDO, 25 years old, a former member of Sqd Uno, SDG CAOCAO, @DAVE, 24 years old, former member, @SAM, 19 years old, former member, and @KADUYAG, 51 years old, a former member of SYP SIKOP. They are regular members of Dismantled Guerilla Front 4A (DGF4A) of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), attached to 3rd Platoon, HQF NEO, NCMRC led by Crisanto Ligayna @TAZAR.

“These exhausted and fatigued remnants of DGF-4A have indicated their refusal and disinclination to continue with the hopeless armed struggle being espoused by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the NPA. According to them, they chose to surrender because of the lack of mass support as a result of the relentless military operations and the surrender of the movement’s mass supporters in communities. With the loss of mass support, the remnants of DGF-4A are facing difficulties in their recovery works and have to endure hardships and starvation in the mountains due to the lack of food,” Lieutenant Colonel Paulo said.

One of the surrenderers, @BRANDO said that he went on hiatus for some time from the movement as he started to question unclear and doubtful policies. He surrendered to clear his name and pledged his support to the government.

“We are glad that these five NPA members have decided to surrender and return to the fold of the law. Their surrender is another serious blow to the ranks of communist terrorism in our Areas of Operations (AORs). We continue to encourage the remnants of DGF-4A to abandon the armed struggle and seek freedom. The unit is ready to help them leave behind their lives as outlaws and experience a better life under the folds of the government,” Lieutenant Colonel Paulo said.

He added that the non-stop surrender of the NPA rebels is a proof of the down fall of the communist insurgency in the AORs of 23IB.

“The 23IB will be persistent in its combat operations to hunt the remnants of the DGF-4A. The reason why these terrorists will never win this fight is that the issues they usually exploit to discredit the government are now being addressed through the localized implementation of the Whole-of-Nation Approach,” Lieutenant Colonel Paulo said.

He also emphasized that amidst the continued surrender, the unit is also implementing stringent measures to prevent the NPA rebels from recovering works and recruitment of new members.

[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/intensified-joint-operation-of-army-and-police-compel-five-remnants-of-dismantled-npa-front-to-surrender/

Kalinaw News: NPA member slain in Eastern Samar Clash

Posted to the Kalinaw News Website (Aug 2, 2021): NPA member slain in Eastern Samar Clash

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar – The operating troops of the 78th Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army engaged in a firefight against the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) which resulted to the death of one of their members in Brgy. San Andres, at around 8:00 in the morning of August 01, 2021.

The troops were conducting combat operations in response to the reported complaints of the farmers on the extortion activities by the CNTs involving threat and intimidation if they refuse to apportion their farm produce.

A 35-minute firefight ensued between the army and more or less 7 CNTs that recorded one slain NPA member while there is no casualty on the said operating troops.

Among the seized materiel after the gun battle were one (1) M16 rifle with one long magazine and ammunition, hand grenades (IEDs) and detonator, rifle grenades, one (1) magazine and ammunition of AK47, subversive documents, backpacks and CNTs’ personal belongings. There were also series of NPA camps seized before the encounter transpired this morning.

Lieutenant Colonel Oliver C Alvior, Commanding Officer of 78th Infantry Battalion expressed his grief for the loss of life because of a fraudulent and worthless ideology peddled by the CPP-NPA terrorists.

“I extend my most profound sympathy to the family of the slain rebel. Rest assured that he will be given a decent burial through the help of the City Government of Borongan,” said Lieutenant Colonel Alvior. “We call the rebels still fighting for their futile ideologies to overthrow the government. We strongly urge you to lay down your arms and submit yourselves to the government before a needless bloodshed happens. Your families are waiting for you to live a peaceful life with them,” he added.

The 78IB will continue to perform its mandate through the cooperation of the community so as to end insurgency in Eastern Visayas.

[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/npa-member-slain-in-eastern-samar-clash/

Police arrest Abu Sayyaf mole in Sulu PNP

From Rappler (Aug 2, 2021): Police arrest Abu Sayyaf mole in Sulu PNP

PNP chief Eleazar blames the mole's entry into the PNP on 'palakasan' (kowtowing) or the 'padrino system' in the police force

Police arrested on Friday, July 30, a key officer of the Daulah Islamiyah-Abu Sayyaf (ASG) who had infiltrated the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Sulu.

National police chief General Guillermo Eleazar announced the arrest of Masckur Adoh Patarasa a.k.a. Makong or Omair Sali Taib, during a press conference at the Police Regional Office-9 headquarters on Sunday, August 1.

Eleazar said Patarasa had been working as a non-uniformed personnel of the Banguingui Police Station under the Sulu Provincial Police Office since 2015, and had been in contact with other ASG members during this time.

Patarasa joined the Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf group in 2001, under the late Khaddafy Janjalani.

Janjalani was killed in an encounter with government troops in 2006. Patarasa subsequently transferred to Sulu province where he joined the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron.

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Regional intelligence police officials were unable to explain how Patarasa was able to join the PNP.

Patarasa was even included in Martial Law Arrest Order No. 1, which was issued during the 2017 Marawi siege. Even at that time, he was already charged with seven counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

Eleazar added that Patarasa was specifically a finance and logistics officer of the Daulah Islamiyah-ASG, and had planned to send funds to an ASG leader hiding in Marawi City in 2017.

Eleazar blamed Patarasa’s entry into the PNP on “palakasan" (kowtowing) or the "padrino system" in the police force.

“Puwede rin kasi malusutan so ang effort natin doon, lalo natin paiigtingin. Kaya nga sinasabi natin na ayaw natin itong mga pulis natin na makakapasok dahil sa padrino system,” Eleazar said. (It's still possible [for a criminal] to slip into the PNP, so we need to be more discerning. That's why we're reiterating that police personnel shouldn't be able to get in because of the padrino system.)

https://www.rappler.com/nation/police-arrest-abu-sayyaf-mole-sulu-pnp

Military claims to rid Zamboanga Peninsula of 5 NPA fronts

From Rappler (Aug 2, 2021): Military claims to rid Zamboanga Peninsula of 5 NPA fronts (By FRENCIE CARREON)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, PHILIPPINES

The Philippine Army's 102nd Infantry Brigade declares Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur communist insurgency-free. The military says it will now focus on Zamboanga del Norte.

Communist rebel forces in the Zamboanga Peninsula have been significantly weakened, with the military claiming to have dismantled five guerrilla fronts of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the region.

Two provinces – Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur – were separately declared communist insurgency-free as a result, Brigadier General Leonel Nicolas, commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, said on Sunday, August 1.

The provinces were declared insurgency-free by Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Wilter Palma and Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Tu.

Only two NPA guerrilla fronts remain in the Zamboanga Peninsula region, according to Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista, the cabinet officer for the region’s development and security, said last week.

In the past, the province of Zamboanga Sibugay was the most problematic province when it came to the communist insurgency, but that changed when the 44th Infantry Battalion deployed more soldiers across the province from its base in Imelda town, Nicolas said.

Now, the military has turned its sights on Zamboanga del Norte where NPA rebels continued to operate.

On Friday, July 30, soldiers from the 97th Infantry Battalion clashed with NPA rebels for about 10 minutes in Sitio Kumangoy, Barangay Carupay, Katipunan town in Zamboanga del Norte.

There was no report on casualties, but Lieutenant Colonel Manaros Boransing, commander of the 97th IB, said it was the second fierce encounter between government and rebel forces in Zamboanga del Norte in 26 days.

Boransing referred to the July 4 clash between government troops and guerrillas that killed a rebel in Kauswagan, Sergio Osmeña Sr. town in Zamboanga del Norte.

Major General Gene Ponio, 1st Infantry Division commander, said the military would step up its operations to pressure and drive the remaining NPA groups out of the Zamboanga Peninsula.

“Five decades of armed struggle have not solved any of our problems. We all yearn for a peaceful country,” Ponio said. 

https://www.rappler.com/nation/military-claims-rid-zamboanga-peninsula-npa-fronts-august-1-2021

Another Negrense top military officer retiring

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 2, 2021): Another Negrense top military officer retiring (BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan (left), AFP Central Command chief, awarded several soldiers for their gallantry during his exit visit to the 303rd Infantry Brigade at Camp Gerona in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia recently* 303IB photo

Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan, a Negrense, is also retiring from the military service on Aug. 21 this year, after 38 years of serving the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Ancan, of Victorias City in Negros Occidental, is a classmate of former AFP chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, of Zamboaguita, Negros Oriental, who bowed out from the military service on July 31, as he reached the mandatory age retirement of 56.

Both are members of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1987, and were assigned with the 11th Infantry Battalion at the height of the insurgency problem in Negros Island in the late 1980s to early 1990s.

Maj. Gen. Eric Vinoya, 3rd Infantry Division commander, who also belongs to PMA Class 1987, is also retiring from the military service next month. His successor is yet to be named by the AFP.

Ancan, whose successor as AFP Central Command chief, has yet to be known, made his exit visit to the 303rd Infantry Brigade at Camp Gerona in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia on July 28, where he awarded Gold Cross Medals to an Army officer and seven other enlisted personnel of the 62nd Infantry Battalion and 33rd Division Reconnaissance Company, for gallantry in action during the simultaneous encounters with New People’s Army rebels on March 23 in Brgy. Trinidad, Guihulngan City.

The operations claimed the lives of 10 communist rebels and yielded 11 high powered firearms, including an M60 machine gun, among other war materials.

Ancan bade farewell to the 303rd Infantry Brigade, headed by Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, and thanked them for their support in his quest for peace in the whole Visayas area, especially in Negros Island.

He also commended the 303rd IB for a job well done in Negros Occidental that, he said, contributed to the overall milestones of the AFP Central Command.

https://news.visayandailystar.com/another-negrense-top-military-officer-retiring/

Captured Sayyaf terrorist turns out to be police employee

From the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 2, 2021): Captured Sayyaf terrorist turns out to be police employee

Police agents captured an Abu Sayyaf terrorist who turned out to be a civilian employee of the Banguingui municipal police headquarters in the southern province of Sulu.

A police photo shows the captured terrorist Masckur Adoh Patarasa.

The terrorist, Masckur Adoh Patarasa, serves as a liaison officer of the Abu Sayyaf group, and is facing a string of criminal charges and wanted in the province of Basilan. He is also the brother-in-law of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, whose group operated in Basilan.

This was also confirmed by National Police Chief General Guillermo Eleazar, who was in Zamboanga City over the weekend. He said Patarasa was captured in Jolo town on Friday evening by security forces following an “intelligence-driven operation” by various police and military units.

“Patarasa is an active non-uniformed personnel of the PNP presently assigned at Banguingui Municipal Police Station in Sulu, but was also found out to be a finance and logistic liaison officer of the Dawlah Islamiya (Islamic State) and Abu Sayyaf, and included in the Martial Law Arrest Order No. 1 during the Marawi siege in 2017,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar said Patarasa joined the Abu Sayyaf under Khadafy Janjalani in 2001 and later on moved to Sulu and served under another terrorist leader Radulan Sahiron. Patarasa also acted as liaison for Malaysian Jemaah Islamiya terrorist and ISIS fighter Mohammad Amin Baco, who was killed by troops in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur also in 2017.

Patarasa was also reported to have received funds from terrorist Almaida Salvin, who was captured here in April 2019. Salvin was included in the U.S. Treasury's sanctions blacklist after she was accused of providing terror funds to Dawlah Islamiya.

Eleazar said he ordered the immediate dismissal of Patarasa as a civilian employee. “Inatasan ko ang IAS (Internal Affairs Service) na madaliin ang summary dismissal proceedings upang agad na matanggal bilang NUP (non-uniformed personnel) si Patarasa habang hinaharap sa korte ang patong-patong na kaso laban sa kanya,” he said.

He said the police are investigating how Patarasa was able to apply for work as police civilian employee and to determine if there are other police personnel involved with the Abu Sayyaf. “Patuloy ang imbestigasyon kay NUP Patarasa para malaman kung mayroon pang ibang PNP personnel na kasapi ng bandidong Abu Sayyaf group,” Eleazar said.

“Hindi malayo ang posibilidad na may iba pa siyang kasama kaya dito nakatutok ang ating follow-up investigation. Kasabay nito, aalamin din natin kung ano-ano ang mga kasong kinasangkutan nila. Atin din aalamin kung paano nakapasok sa PNP itong si Patarasa na sangkatutak pala ang mga arrest warrants at kasong kinakaharap kaugnay ng kanyang pagiging miyembro ng Abu Sayyaf,” he added. 

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2021/08/captured-sayyaf-terrorist-turns-out-to.html

General Sobejana bows out of military service

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 2, 2021): General Sobejana bows out of military service (By AFP)

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City -- General Cirilito Sobejana, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Chief of Staff, relinquished his post in a Retirement and Change of Command Ceremony on Friday, July 31, as he bowed out of service as he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

The Medal for Valor recipient, who spent over 38 years in the military, was replaced by Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino, the current Commander of the Joint Task Force Mindanao.

“My tenure as the 55th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has truly been full of challenges and trials; but together with more than the 200,000-strong men and women of the AFP whose tenacity, strength, and heart have made us overcome all odds,” General Sobejana said.

General Sobejana spent most of his military career in Mindanao where he commanded different AFP units as he rose the ranks since graduating the Philippine Military Academy in 1987.

He was the Commander, 1st Scout Ranger Company; Commander, 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion; Commandant of Scout Ranger Training School; Commander, Civil-Military Operations Group, Philippine Army; Commander, 601st Infantry Brigade; Commander, Joint Task Force “Sulu”; and Commander of 6th Infantry Division of Philippine Army.

It was during his term as the Commanding Officer of the 1st Scout Ranger Company that he was bestowed with Medal of Valor in 1996 after he led troops in fighting 150 Abu Sayyaf kidnap gang members in January 13, 1995.

Then Captain Sobejana controlled all fire direction against the enemy even after sustaining wounds that almost severed his right arm.

“More than 26 years since that decisive encounter, we are gathered here today to commemorate and remember our comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice. This marker is truly a fitting symbolism of courage, hope and selflessness,” General Sobejana said in a recent visit to the battle site in Kapayawan, Isabela, Basilan.

Prior his stint as the AFP Chief of Staff, he was the Army Commanding General and the Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

His exceptional military command and field experience was rewarded with numerous awards and recognitions including one Distinguished Conduct Star, six Distinguished Service Stars, a Gold Cross Medal, one Gawad sa Kaunlaran, and six Bronze Cross Medals.

He was adjudged as the Outstanding Philippines Soldier (Combat Category) in 1995. In February 1997, he was awarded with PMA Cavalier Award by the PMAAAI, the highest recognition given to an alumnus who excels in their fields. In 2012, he received the Award of Excellence for Public Service from the governor of his province.

In May 2019, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte bestowed him the Award of Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Officer), for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service rendered to the Philippine government, particularly to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He received another Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Chief Commander) for "laudable and meritorious conduct in the performance of his duties as the 55th Chief of Staff.”

The first parliament of Bangsamoro Transition Authority of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) passed resolution Nr 18 in July 2019, commending then Lieutenant General Sobejana for his unwavering support in the peace process and commitment in bringing peace in the Bangsamoro.

“With the support and cooperation of each member of Team AFP, our partners, counterparts and stakeholders, we have certainly made great strides and significant milestones in the performance of our mandate,” Gen Sobejana said.

“I have only the highest respect and admiration for our soldiers who have and has continuously dedicated the best years of their lives in the name of public service. Sa lahat ng sundalo ng ating Sandatahang Lakas, taas-noo at buong puso ang aking pasasalamat sa inyong walang katapat na serbisyo,” Gen Sobejana added.

New AFP Chief

Meanwhile, prior his designation as the 56th Chief of Staff of the AFP, LtGen Faustino was appointed as the Commander of JTF Mindanao in June, following a successful stint as the Acting Commanding General of the Philippine Army.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988, he likewise had been Battalion and Brigade Commander in Western Mindanao particularly in Basilan and Sulu.

He also served in Eastern Mindanao as Commander of 10th Infantry Division covering Regions 11 and 12; and Commander of EASTMINCOM securing Regions 10, 11, 12, and 13.

LtGen Faustino also commanded the 7th Scout Ranger Company, 35th Infantry Battalion and the 501st Infantry Brigade.

His efforts as he commanded the 10ID led to the dismantling of six Pulang Bagani Commands and four Guerilla Fronts of the NPA in one year of Military Campaign implementation.

Photos by SN1 VILUAN PN, TSG OBINQUE PAF/PAOAFP

As the Commander of the Joint Task Force Mindanao, he spearheaded the crafting of the Mindanao Security and Stability Plan to synchronize the peace efforts of Eastern and Western Mindanao Commands in order to sustain the gains of the peace process and stability in the whole island of Mindanao.

“It is my belief that the true measure of a Filipino soldier is not in the badge or rank we wear, not about the position we attain or appointed to. It is the loyalty and integrity of every man and woman serving the AFP that will keep us going in the right direction,” LtGen Faustino said.

“As I embark on this new journey with each and every one of you belonging to Team AFP, allow me to say to every soldier, airman, sailor, and marine-- let us stay positive on the course ahead, bind together as one family, commit with open minds, participate actively, work towards the attainment of our shared goals, develop good ideas and innovate to suit our domain,” LtGen Faustino added. (AFP)

Photos by SN1 VILUAN PN, TSG OBINQUE PAF/PAOAFP

https://pia.gov.ph/press-releases/2021/08/02/general-sobejana-bows-out-of-military-service

Suspected NPA dies in Eastern Samar clash

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 2, 2021): Suspected NPA dies in Eastern Samar clash (By 78IB, 8ID CMO)

BORONGAN CITY -- The encounter between the operating troops of the 78th Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army and the CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) in Brgy. San Andres, Borongan City around 8 a.m. of August 1, 2021, resulted to the death of one NPA member.

The troops were conducting combat operations in response to the reported complaints of the farmers on the extortion activities by the CNTs involving threat and intimidation if they refuse to apportion their farm produce, when they encountered the CTGs.

A 35-minute firefight ensued between the army and more or less seven CNTs that recorded one slain NPA member while there is no casualty on the said operating troops.

Among the seized materials after the gun fight were one M16 rifle with one long magazine and ammunition, hand grenades (IEDs) and detonator, rifle grenades, one magazine and ammunition of AK47, subversive documents, backpacks and CNTs' personal belongings. There were also series of NPA camps seized before the Aug 2 encounter transpired.

Lieutenant Colonel Oliver C. Alvior, commanding officer of 78th Infantry Battalion expressed his grief for the loss of life because of a fraudulent and worthless ideology peddled by the CPP-NPA terrorists.

“I extend my most profound sympathy to the family of the slain rebel. Rest assured that he will be given a decent burial with the help of the City Government of Borongan,” said Alvior.

“We call on the rebels who are still fighting for their futile ideology of overthrowing the government. We strongly urge you to lay down your arms and submit yourselves to the government before a needless bloodshed happens. Your families are waiting for you to live a peaceful life with them,” Alvior added.

The 78IB assured the people of Eastern Samar that it will continue to perform its mandate through the cooperation of the community so as to end insurgency in Eastern Visayas. (78IB, 8ID CMO)

https://pia.gov.ph/press-releases/2021/08/02/suspected-npa-dies-in-eastern-samar-clash

NPA rebel killed, landmines seized in Eastern Samar clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2, 2021): NPA rebel killed, landmines seized in Eastern Samar clash (By Sarwell Meniano)

SEIZED. Some of the war materiel seized by the Philippine Army from the New People's Army (NPA) in the upland village of Borongan, Eastern Samar after a gun battle on Sunday (August 1, 2021). The clash also left one NPA rebel killed. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army)

A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed while anti-personnel mines were seized during a clash between government troops and the communist group in the outskirts of Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Sunday.

The Philippine Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion (78IB) reported on Monday that soldiers were patrolling the hinterland village of San Andres when they encountered a band of armed rebels around 8 a.m Sunday.

“A 35-minute firefight ensued between the Army and communist terrorists that resulted in one slain NPA member while there is no casualty on the government side,” the Army said in a statement.

The military heightened their presence in the community acting on complaints of farmers about extortion activities by the rebels involving threat and intimidation.

Among the seized materiel after the gun battle are one M16 rifle with one long magazine and ammunition, anti-personnel mines, detonator, rifle grenades, one magazine and ammunition of AK-47, subversive documents, backpacks, and rebel’s personal belongings.

The military also discovered small NPA lairs early Sunday before the clash.

Lt. Col. Oliver Alvior, commander of the Army’s 78IB, has expressed grief over the loss of life “because of a fraudulent and worthless ideology peddled by the NPA terrorists.”

“I extend my most profound sympathy to the family of the slain rebel. Rest assured that he will be given a decent burial through the help of the city government of Borongan”, said Alvior.

“We call the rebels still fighting for their futile ideologies to overthrow the government. We strongly urge you to lay down your arms and submit yourselves to the government before needless bloodshed happens. Your families are waiting for you to live a peaceful life with them,” Alvior added.

The CPP-NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed conflict 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/1149029

Firms allegedly providing support to Reds under probe

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2, 2021): Firms allegedly providing support to Reds under probe (By Priam Nepomuceno)

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is probing the alleged involvement of companies and even some politicians supporting the communist terrorist New People's Army (NPA).

During Monday's episode of "Tagged: Debunking Lies by Telling The Truth", National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Director-General Alex Paul Monteagudo said the NTF-ELCAC is gathering evidence about the allegations so that appropriate charges can be filed against persons and companies that support the terrorists.

He said there are 87 companies that have been identified supporting the communist rebels but declined to provide more details since the investigation is ongoing.

Aside from the firms, Monteagudo said there were also some politicians, either incumbent or former ones, who are giving support to the communist rebels through food and weapons.

"We do not want to present details until after we finish the conduct of the investigation and prepare our cases, and then we will be filing charges for terrorism financing or providing material support to terrorists," Monteagudo said.

He added that details would be presented as soon as their legal team has filed cases and identified those who will be charged.

"Unfortunately, at the moment, we cannot mention the others for obvious reasons because the investigation is ongoing, the collection of evidence is ongoing, we do not want to compromise the legal offensive or effort that our team is conducting so that we will have an airtight case in court," Monteagudo said.

The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Front has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1149043

Eleazar orders dismissal of PNP civilian personnel with Abu links

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2, 2021): Eleazar orders dismissal of PNP civilian personnel with Abu links (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

ARRESTED NUP. Authorities present Philippine National Police (PNP) non-uniformed personnel Masckur Adoh Patarasa of Sulu after his arrest on July 30, 2021. PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said Patarasa has been a member of the Abu Sayaff Group since 2001. (PNP PIO photo)

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, on Monday ordered the immediate conduct of dismissal proceedings against the non-uniformed personnel who turned out to be a finance and logistics liaison officer for the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Eleazar tasked the Internal Affairs Service to fast-track the summary dismissal proceedings of Masckur Adoh Patarasa, an NUP assigned with the Banguingui Municipal Police Station in Sulu.

Patarasa was arrested in an operation on July 30 for seven cases of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

He was also included in the martial law arrest order at the height of the Marawi siege in 2017.

“Inatasan ko ang IAS na madaliin ang summary dismissal proceedings upang agad na matanggal bilang NUP si Patarasa habang hinaharap sa korte ang patong-patong na kaso laban sa kanya (I have instructed the IAS to expedite the summary dismissal proceedings so that Patarasa can be immediately removed as NUP while facing cases against him in court),” Eleazar said in a statement.

Eleazar said further investigation is also being conducted to determine if there are other PNP personnel involved with the Abu Sayyaf.

“Hindi malayo ang posibilidad na may iba pa siyang kasama kaya dito nakatutok ang ating follow-up investigation. Kasabay nito, aalamin din natin kung ano-ano ang mga kasong kinasangkutan nila (It is not far off the possibility that he has others with him so this is where follow-up investigation focuses. At the same time, we will also find out what cases they are involved in),” Eleazar said.

He said it was discovered that Patarasa has been a member of the Abu Sayaff Group since 2001.

“Atin din aalamin kung paano nakapasok sa PNP itong si Patarasa na sangkatutak pala ang mga arrest warrants at kasong kinakaharap kaugnay ng kanyang pagiging miyembro ng Abu Sayyaf (We will also find out how Patarasa got into the PNP with all the arrest warrants and cases he is facing in connection as member of Abu Sayyaf),” Eleazar said.

Citing Patarasa’s case, Eleazar noted the importance of cleansing police ranks from the start or during the recruitment process.

“Isa ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit sinasala nating mabuti ngayon ang mga pumapasok sa PNP, mapa-pulis o civilian employee (This one of the reasons why we now carefully screen those who enter the PNP, police or civilian employees),” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1149051

Palace leaves US senators’ call to address abuses in PH to Biden

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2, 2021): Palace leaves US senators’ call to address abuses in PH to Biden (By Azer Parrocha)

Malacañang is leaving it up to US President Joe Biden to decide on Senate Democrats’ call for the Biden administration to condemn human rights violations in the Philippines amid the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this statement after 11 American senators, led by Senator Edward Markey, called the attention of the Biden administration over their concerns about the human rights situation in the Philippines under the current administration.

“We leave that decision to President Joe Biden,” Roque said in a Palace press briefing.

Joining Markey were Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-Ore.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard J Durbin (D-Ill.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

In a July 26 letter to US State Secretary Antony Blinken, the 11 American senators urged the Biden administration “to stand with the people of the Philippines as they continue to fight for their universal human rights.”

This letter comes when US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III is embarking on a three-country swing in Southeast Asia that includes a visit to the Philippines and a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte.

Roque downplayed American senators’ letter, saying the Palace would not interfere with matters concerning another country’s government.

“Amerikano po ‘yan (They are Americans). In the same way na ayaw mayroong maghihimasok sa gawain ng Kongreso ng Pilipinas, hindi po natin sila panghihimasukan (In the same way that we do not want them to interfere with matters of Congress of the Philippines, we will not interfere with their internal matters),” he said in a Palace press briefing.

He said the US senators were free to do what they wanted, after all.

“‘Yan naman po ay personal na mga pananaw ng mga senador na Amerikano. Bahala na po sila kung anong gagawin nila (That is a personal opinion of the American senators. It’s up to them to decide on what they want to do),” he added.

The 11 American senators claimed that Duterte waged a “multi-year extrajudicial, violent, and inhumane war on drugs that has devastated communities, and has been used as justification to target the independent press, political opponents, human rights advocates, and compromise judicial due process.”

They also raised concern over the four-year detention of Senator Leila de Lima, Duterte’s staunchest critic who was arrested on drug charges, and the case of journalist Maria Ressa, who was arrested and convicted on cyber libel charges.

In 2019, Duterte barred Markey, Leahy, and Durbin from entering the Philippines after they sponsored a US travel ban on Filipino officials linked to the detention of De Lima.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1149072

National interest, vax donation factors in keeping VFA: Palace

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 2, 2021): National interest, vax donation factors in keeping VFA: Palace (By Azer Parrocha)

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque (Screengrab from RTVM)

National interest and the United States’ (US) Covid-19 vaccine donation likely have factored in President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to keep the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this comment when asked if the US-donated vaccines may have pushed Duterte to retract the abrogation of VFA following his meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III at Malacañang Palace in Manila on July 29.

“The President considered the totality of the recent situation and thorough assessment [of the agreement] based on national interest. By considering the totality of the circumstances, there is a good possibility that it was factored in the situation,” Roque said in a Palace press briefing.

Roque said another 3 million doses of Moderna donated by the US government are expected to be delivered to the Philippines on Aug. 3.

Last month, the US donated a total of 3,240,850 one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccines to the Philippines through Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility, a global initiative to support equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines.

The US has donated at least 13.2 million Covid-19 vaccines to the Philippines, including 10 million doses through COVAX facility, according to the records from US Embassy in Manila.

Earlier, Roque said Duterte’s decision to recall the abrogation of VFA is based on “upholding the country’s strategic core interests, the clear definition of Philippine-US alliance as one between sovereign equals, and clarity of US position on its obligations and commitments under [Mutual Defense Treaty].”

The VFA is a 1998 military deal signed by Manila and Washington which allows American troops to join military drills in the Philippines sans the need to secure a passport and visa.

On the other hand, the 1951 MDT, the country's sole and longest-running defense pact with another nation, aims to step up the defense and security cooperation between Philippine and US troops.

Duterte ordered the VFA’s revocation in February 2020.

The military pact was supposed to be officially scrapped in August last year, but its termination was suspended for three six-month periods.

The latest was in June this year when Duterte decided anew to extend the VFA’s validity for six more months.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1149103