Sunday, October 10, 2021

Dusk-to-dawn sea curfew in Sabah to be extended, still needed to combat cross-border criminals

Posted to The Star (Oct 11, 2021): Dusk-to-dawn sea curfew in Sabah to be extended, still needed to combat cross-border criminals (By STEPHANIE LEE)

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s dusk-to-dawn sea curfew which ends on Monday (Oct 11) has been extended for another two weeks until Oct 27.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah said the extension of the 6pm to 6am sea curfew was needed due to continuous threats from cross-border criminals, including kidnap-for-ransom gangs.

The curfew covers areas up to three nautical miles off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

"There is a need to continue the curfew in these waters to prevent the encroachment of terrorists and criminals who can threaten the safety of locals, international researchers and tourists on the islands," he said in a statement, Monday (Oct 11).

Idris said according to intelligence sources, kidnap-for-ransom groups and Abu Sayyaf militants were still trying to attack and commit cross-border crimes.

He said the curfew allows authorities to ensure the safety of the people of Sabah who use the waters and are staying near the Esszone.

He added that the curfew was to facilitate enforcement and monitoring of boat activities in the area as well as establish a sense of security with nearby chalet owners and fishermen through the presence of a security team.

"I have also given the authority to all district police chiefs to issue permits to any eligible applicants who fit the criteria to conduct fishery activities in the areas affected by the curfew," Idris said.

The curfew was first implemented on July 19, 2014, following a spate of kidnappings which saw the beheading of Sarawakian Bernard Then Ted Fed and the killing of several others, including a policeman and tourists.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/10/11/dusk-to-dawn-sea-curfew-in-sabah-to-be-extended-still-needed-to-combat-cross-border-criminals

CPP/NDF-Sison: On Three Viewpoints Concerning the 2022 Elections

Propaganda statement posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 9, 2021): On Three Viewpoints Concerning the 2022 Elections

JOSE MARIA SISON
CHIEF POLITICAL CONSULTANT
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF THE PHILIPPINES

OCTOBER 09, 2021



Let me discuss three kinds of viewpoints regarding the prospective 2022 presidential elections. These are the viewpoints of the revolutionary movement led by the Communist Party of the Philippines; the legal patriotic and democratic movement involved in the electoral struggle; and the competing conservative or reactionary parties and groups that wish to preserve the imperialist-dominated ruling system of big compradors, landlords and bureaucrat capitalists who can otherwise be called corrupt politicians.

1. The revolutionary movement adheres to a people’s democratic constitution, builds its own system of government and elects its officials to organs of political power. It seeks to overthrow the ruling system which is run by the comprador big bourgeoisie and landlord class and their political agents who can be classified as bureaucrat capitalists who operate the conservative political parties or groups that coalesce and compete periodically in connection with elections, such as the prospective presidential elections in 2022.

The chronic socioeconomic and political crisis of the ruling system has worsened so much in the last 60 years. The reactionary decadent and moribund character of the ruling system is well exposed by the Marcos fascist dictatorship monopolizing political power from 1972 to 1986, followed by a series of pseudo-democratic regimes and resurrected from 2016 to 2022 in the form of the tyrannical rule or state terrorism of Duterte.

In common among all the reactionary regimes, including the fascist ones and the pseudo-democratic ones is antagonism to the struggle of the people’s revolutionary movement for national independence, people’s democracy, social justice, economic development through genuine land reform and national industrialization, expansion of social services, a national, scientific and mass-oriented culture and independent foreign policy.

By its nature and objective, the revolutionary movement seeks to overthrow the entire ruling system and establish the people’s democratic state by carrying out the people’s war. It is prohibited by the reactionary state from participation in the electoral exercises of the ruling system. And it does not participate in the 2022 presidential elections but it pays serious attention to these. It can comment on them for the edification of the people.

By all indications, the Duterte ruling clique will rig the 2022 presidential elections as in the 2019 mid-term elections because it controls the reactionary armed forces, the Comelec and the private company in charge of the electronic vote count and because the tyrant and proven cheat Duterte wants the election of a new president who will prevent his arrest upon the warrant of the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity or upon the warrant of the courts of his own government whose Senate is now exposing his grave crimes of corruption.

Despite the 1Sambayan’s call for a united opposition against the Duterte regime, there is now a multiplicity of presidential opposition or independent candidates that present themselves as opposing or competing with the openly allied Duterte and Marcos groups. The authenticity of an opposition presidential candidate as opposition can be measured only by the substance and degree of opposing and condemning the crimes of the Duterte and Marcos regimes and presenting a program of government in opposition to treason, tyranny, mass murder and plunder.

The broad masses of the people should also be called upon to be vigilant and militant against the continuing possibility that Duterte would use either terrorist acts of his own making or the pandemic as pretext to declare a nationwide martial law or a presidential pseudo-revolutionary government, postpone the elections indefinitely and rule by decree as Marcos did in 1972. From sources close to Duterte, he has not yet dropped completely the option of doing away with the 2022 elections.

2. The legal patriotic and democratic forces and people that constitute the national democratic movement adhere to the 1987 Constitution of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. They assert, defend and promote the national and democratic rights of the Filipino people and seek reforms along the national democratic line through various forms of legal activities and campaigns on a daily basis and through periodic electoral and other political exercises of the ruling system.

Their viewpoint in participating in the 2022 presidential elections is to help cause the election of a president, vice president, senators, members of the Lower House and local officials whom they can rely on and cooperate in advancing the just cause of full national independence, democracy, genuine land reform, national industrialization, social justice, expansion of social services, a patriotic, scientific and mass-oriented culture and independent foreign policy.

The legal patriotic and democratic forces participate in the elections of the ruling system despite the overwhelming advantages of the exploiting classes of big compradors, landlords and bureaucrat capitalists in having accumulated political power and private wealth that enable them to prevail in electoral and other political exercises and impose on the people anti-national and anti-democratic policies.

So far, the forces of the national democratic movement like the Partido ng Bayan and Makabayan Bloc have been been unable to field their own presidential candidate and they have not been able to elect any of the few senatorial candidates they have fielded since 1987 despite the superlative qualifications of these candidates. The reason is obvious. They do not have the money that imperialist, big comprador and landlord interests provide for nationwide campaigns and effective advertising in the corporate mass media.

They have been able to afford only the campaigns that party list groups can afford. And they have been able to elect a small number of candidates to the Lower House of Congress. These are a mere minority but have been outstanding in exposing the serious ills of the ruling system and the anti-national and anti-democratic policies and actions of those in power and in proposing reforms and pushing bills to oppose the oppression and exploitation of the people and ameliorate their dire conditions.

But the ultra-reactionaries of the ruling system cannot tolerate the party list groups in the Makabayan Bloc and wish to eliminate them by disqualifying them as “terrorist”, displacing them with fake party list groups masquerading as those of the marginalized and under-represented but actually organized and financed by the major reactionary parties or brazenly using the state terrorism under the so-called Anti-Terror Act in order to red-tag Makabayan Bloc party list groups, candidates and campaigners and subject them to harassment, abduction, torture and murder.

It is reasonable for the Makabayan Bloc to take the viewpoint of engaging in a broad united front against the ultra-reactionary or fascist alliance of the Duterte and Marcos dynasties, support only those genuine opposition parties, groups and candidates that also support the Makabayan Bloc. The mass following of this national democratic formation among the patriotic and progressive classes and sectors cannot be belittled. It runs in the millions if not cut down by electoral fraud.

The Makabayan Bloc can play an even bigger role than competing for a few seats in the electoral struggle in any of the following possible events: Duterte rigs the 2022 presidential elections and sustained mass protests are necessary or it postpones the elections indefinitely or he declares nationwide martial law, suppresses the anti-fascist mass movement and compels a great number of the members of anti-fascist parties, groups and activists to join the revolutionary underground and armed revolutionary movement in the countryside.

3. Political competition among the conservative or reactionary parties, groups and leaders is most intense before and during the presidential elections. This is the time in which the stakes are highest for the rival reactionary formations and leaders and for the financiers among the foreign capitalist interests, the big compradors and landlords. The electoral victory goes to the presidential candidate who excels at demagoguery and making false promises and gets the most campaign money from the aforesaid vested interests and from previous bureaucratic corruption.

But usually an incumbent president who apparently has the most ability to put together the biggest amount of campaign money cannot use it effectively in favor of his chosen successor because he stashes away a big part of the money and, more importantly, has for so long offended the people with his grievous crimes, unfulfilled promises and the much-worsened social conditions. It is not true that Duterte is an exception to the rule that an incumbent president becomes a lameduck within the last year of his term.

The so-called popularity of Duterte that has been built up by his own demagogic statements and behavior, his murderous tactics of mass intimidation in the bogus war on drugs and in the anti-communist counterrevolution, the traditional obeisance to authority and the huge amounts of money spent on the poll survey firms, troll armies, radio broadcasters and presstitutes of the corporate media and professionally anti-communist academic pedants and commentators, has become ineffective. Duterte himself has admitted that his own bid for the vice presidency has been rejected by the majority of the people in secret polls that he has commissioned.

He is now increasingly beset by complaints of retired and active officers of the reactionary armed forces who are outraged by his traitorous sell out to China of Philippine sovereign and maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea, the series of actions now being undertaken to investigate him for crimes within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, the exposé of his colossal crimes of corruption in Senate hearings, the fragmentation of his previous political loyalists and following and complaints that he has put away too much money abroad in his secret private accounts without providing for his candidates in the 2022 elections.

The broad masses of the people are wary about Duterte’s obvious attempt to confuse them. After the criticism that the Sara-Rodrigo tandem was too greedy, Duterte has been dishing up the possibility of being vice-presidential candidate to his valet Bong Go, then his fellow crook Bongbong Marcos and most recently to his top butcher Bato de la Rosa. There are also former allies of his who claim that they are running for president independently but who are widely suspected as his agents for splitting the opposition. Indeed, it will help Duterte to rig the 2022 elections if he will be able to cite the multiplicity of presidential candidates as cause for the defeat of the opposition.

The 1Sambayan has chosen the incumbent vice president Leni Robredo as presidential candidate and Senator Francis Pangilinan as vice presidential candidate. They have no record of loyalty to or alliance with Duterte and have the most credibility as opposition candidates. Even then, there is enough time for the presidential and vice candidates who have recently distanced themselves from Duterte to prove their opposition credentials by hitting him hard for his grave crimes of treason, tyranny, mass murder and plunder and by presenting their own program of government in opposition to the rotten record of Duterte.

Makabayan Bloc is expected to engage in mutual support and cooperation with the best possible allies from the conservative formations that hit hardest the Duterte regime and that put forward a program of government which is opposed to the anti-national and anti-democratic record of Duterte and which approaches or concurs with the national and democratic program of the Makabayan Bloc on as many points as possible. It is essential and desirable that the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations will be resumed in order to negotiate and make comprehensive agreements on social, economic and political reforms as the foundation of a just and lasting peace.

The broad masses of the people, the legal patriotic and democratic forces and the armed revolutionary movement will certainly welcome the promise of any presidential candidate to let the GRP resume the peace negotiations and make the comprehensive agreements with the NDF to lay the basis for a just and lasting peace. But so long as the semicolonial and semifeudal ruling system persists, no elected president from any of the conservative or reactionary parties can be trusted without the accomplishment of the required agreements. Until then, the Filipino people have all the reason to continue their new democratic revolution through protracted people’s war.###

https://cpp.ph/statements/on-three-viewpoints-concerning-the-2022-elections/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Mabuhay ang Workers’ Party of Korea!

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 10, 2021): Mabuhay ang Workers’ Party of Korea!


ANG BAYAN | OCTOBER 10, 2021



Binati ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) ang Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) sa ika-76 taong anibersaryo nito ngayong araw, Oktubre 10. Sa pahayag na inilabas ng National Executive Council, ipinaabot ng NDFP ang pakikiisa nito sa uring manggagawa at mamamayan ng North Korea. Ipinahayag nito ang “malalim na pagrespeto at paghanga” ng mga rebolusyonaryong organisasyon sa Pilipinas sa WPK, ang partidong “namuno sa pakikibaka ng isang bansang malaya sa imperyalismo at ngayon ay naglalatag ng sosyalismo.”

Umusbong ang WPK mula sa Down-with-Imperialism Unuion (DIU) na itinayo noong Oktubre 17, 1926, sa panahong nakapailalim pa ang Korea sa okupasyong militar ng Japan. Kinatawan nito ang uring manggagawa sa bansa na siya ring pinakamatatag na lumaban para sa pambansang paglaya at para sa sosyalismo. Nakibaka ito laban sa imperyalismong Japanese kasabay ng pakikipaglaban ng mga manggagawa at mamamayan sa buong mundo laban sa kolonyalismo at imperyalismo.

Pinamunuan ng DIU ang mga manggagawa at mamamayan ng North Korea sa mahaba at matagalang pakikibaka para sa isang malaya at sosyalistang bansa. Pagkatapos nitong madaig ang imperyalismong Japanese, itinatag nito ang WPK noong Oktubre 10, 1945. Sinuong nito ang mahihirap na hamon at ipinakita sa mga manggagawa at mamamayan ng Korea at ng mundo ang mga kongkretong benepisyo ng pambansang kalayaan at sosyalismo, sa pagtakda ng sariling hinaharap at paggamit ng mga rekursong bayan para sa sariling pagpapaunlad. Ipinatupad nito ang repormang agraryo, isinabansa ang mga mayor na industriya, ipinatupad ang mga progresibong patakaran sa paggawa at pagkakapantay-pantay ng mga kasarian. Itinigil nito ang paggamit ng mga manggagawang bata, nagbigay ng libreng edukasyon at serbisyong pangkalusugan sa lahat. Marami pa itong ginawa para sa kapakanan at kagalingan ng mamamayan.

Binigo ng WPK ang samutsaring mga banta at atake ng imperyalismong US, “sa pamamagitan ng mahigpit na pagtangan at mapanlikhang paggamit nito sa Marxismo-Leninismo sa pamamagitan ng kaisipan nina Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong II at Kim Jong Un,” ayon pa sa NDFP. Nanaig ang WPK dahil din sa pagsusulong nito sa interes at mamamayan ng Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at mahigpit na ugnay nito sa masa. Mula 1945 hanggang ngayon, matagumpay nitong nalabanan at nabigo ang iba’t ibang pakana ng imperyalismo.

Ikinagagalak ng NDFP ang paglulunsad ng ika-5 Sesyon ng Supreme People’s Assembly ng DPRK noong Setyembre 28 kung saan nilatag ng kasalukuyang lider nito na si Kim Jong Un ang kalagayan at mga kagyat na tungkulin ng WPK. “Nakikiisa kami sa DPRK sa pagiging mapagbantay sa mga pagkakatangka ng US at ng papet nitong gubyerno sa South Korea na maglunsad ng mga aksyong miltiar sa peninsula ng Korea at palabasang masama ang DPRK,” ayon sa NDFP.

“Kinukundena namin ang mga pagtatangkang ito at itinatakwil ang pakanang nagsusulong ng “regime change” (pagbabago ng liderato) sa DPRK para palitan ito ng bansang sunud-sunuran sa imperyalismo, nakapailalim sa diktadura ng burgesya at mga panginoong maylupa,” dagdag pa ng NDFP.

“Ang mga manggagawa at mamamayan sa Pilipinas at sa buong mundo ay nagpupugay, at natututo, sa rebolusyonaryong kasaysayan ng (WPK),” anito.

[In the face of the rapidly changing political and economic situation in the Philippines, as well as around the world, the newspaper Ang Bayan publishes daily news and analysis on key issues facing the proletariat and the Filipino people, as well as the oppressed people among others. Here you will find the latest news and articles of Ang Bayan.]

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/mabuhay-ang-workers-party-of-korea/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Moreno, pinutakti ng batikos sa kanyang pagmamaliit sa paglaban sa mga Marcos

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 9, 2021): Moreno, pinutakti ng batikos sa kanyang pagmamaliit sa paglaban sa mga Marcos


ANG BAYAN | OCTOBER 09, 2021



Pinutakti ng batikos si Isko Moreno, kandidato pagkapresidente, matapos niyang maliitin ang pakikibaka laban sa panunumbalik ng mga Marcos sa Malacanang bilang “labanan sa pagitan ng dalawang pamilya.” Ginawa ni Moreno ang pagmamaliit nang sagutin niya ang pahayag ni Leni Robredo, kalaban niya sa pulitika, na nagsabing isa sa mga nagtulak sa kanya na tumakbo ay ang maka-Marcos na kiling ni Moreno.

Sa kanyang pambubuladas, di sadyang ibinunyag ni Moreno ang kanyang maka-Marcos na kiling at pagkakapareho ng kanyang taktika at tunguhin sa pangkating Duterte. Minaliit pa niya ang mga lumalaban sa panunumbalik ng mga Marcos bilang mga “yellowtard,” isang terminong ginagamit ng pinakamasasahol na tagapagtanggol ni Rodrigo Duterte.

Kinastigo rin ni Renato Reyes ng Bayan ang pahayag ni Moreno. Aniya, ang pakikibaka laban sa mga Marcos ay hindi kailanman naging labanan sa pagitan ng dalawang pamilya. Isa itong laban sa pagitan ng mamamayang Pilipino at mga pwersa ng diktadura. Sa kasalukuyan, isa itong laban para sa hustisya at laban sa pagrerebisa ng kasaysayan, aniya.

“Hindi rin naman totoo na malayo sa bituka ng tao ang alaala ng diktadurang Marcos,” tugon ni Reyes sa pahayag ni Moreno na dapat tugunan na lamang ng mga kandidato ang kasalukuyang kawalang trabaho at kahirapan ng mamamayan. “Kaya nga naghirap ang bansa at nabaon sa utang, dahil sa pandarambong at mga abuso noon,” dagdag pa ni Reyes.

[In the face of the rapidly changing political and economic situation in the Philippines, as well as around the world, the newspaper Ang Bayan publishes daily news and analysis on key issues facing the proletariat and the Filipino people, as well as the oppressed people among others. Here you will find the latest news and articles of Ang Bayan.]

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/moreno-pinutakti-ng-batikos-sa-kanyang-pagmamaliit-sa-paglaban-sa-mga-marcos/

CPP/Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis: Sa ulat ng Nikkei Asia, Pilipinas, kulelat na naman

Ang Bayan Daily News & Analysis (Tagalog edition) posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Oct 9, 2021): Sa ulat ng Nikkei Asia, Pilipinas, kulelat na naman


ANG BAYAN | OCTOBER 09, 2021



Sa pangatlong pagkakataon ngayong buwan, kulelat na naman ang Pilipinas sa listahan ng mga bansang niranggo ayon sa husay ng pagtugon sa pandemya. Ayon sa pananaliksik ng Nikkei, isang kilalang pahayagan pangnegosyo na nakabase sa Japan, ang Pilipinas ay nasa dulo o pinakahuli sa sinusubaybayan nitong 121 bansa. Inilabas ng pahayagan ang pagkukumpara noong Oktubre 7.

Mayor na salik sa pagsadsad ng ranggo ang bagal at kitid ng kampanya nito sa pagbabakuna.

Ayon sa Nikkei, nahuhuli ang Pilipinas sa pagbabakuna. “Halos 30% pa lamang ng kabuuang populasyon ang kumpletong nabakunahan laban sa Covid-19,” paliwanag ng Nikkei.

Binigyang-pansin ng pahayagan ang unti-unting pagluluwag ng ekonomya, gaya ng pagpahintulat sa mga gym, kainan, mga salon sa mga indibidwal na may kumpleto nang bakuna.

Ang ulat ay nakabatay sa mga kategoryang pagkontrol sa pagkalat ng impeksyon, pamamahagi ng bakuna at pagkontrol sa galaw ng mamamayan. Ginagrado ang mga bansa mula 0 hanggang 90. Nakapagtala ang Pilipinas ng 30.5 na grado. Pinakamahusay naman sa pagkontrol ng bayrus at pagbawi ng ekonomya ang bansang Malta na may 73.0 grado.

Batay sa datos ng gubyerno, 21.9 milyong Pilipino pa lamang ang nakakumpleto ng bakuna, habang 24.7 milyon ang may isang turok pa lamang.

Bago lumabas ang ulat ng Nikkei, pinakakulelat rin ang Pilipinas sa pagraranggong ginawa ng Bloomberg at Oxford Economics kaugnay ng pagtugon ng mga bansa sa pandemya.

[In the face of the rapidly changing political and economic situation in the Philippines, as well as around the world, the newspaper Ang Bayan publishes daily news and analysis on key issues facing the proletariat and the Filipino people, as well as the oppressed people among others. Here you will find the latest news and articles of Ang Bayan.]

https://cpp.ph/angbayan/sa-ulat-ng-nikkei-asia-pilipinas-kulelat-na-naman/

Kalinaw News: Parents of IP Community in Caranglan advised on CTG deception in a Gift-Giving activity

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 11, 2021): Parents of IP Community in Caranglan advised on CTG deception in a Gift-Giving activity



Nueva Ecija – Parents of children in an Indigenous Community (IP) were oriented and received information on how Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) deceived and exploited the IPs through propaganda machineries and deception strategies information in a Gift-giving activity at Sitio Binbin, Brgy Gen Luna, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija on October 10.

The parent’s orientation were given during an Outreach Program and Giving of School Supplies at Binbin Integraded school which was conducted by the 84th Infantry (Victorious) Battalion in partnership with Igorot Warriors International Foundation (IWIF) and Destura Construction & Interior Design Services.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Enrico Gil C Ileto, Commanding Officer of 84th Infantry (Victorious) Battalion, “Ang inyong kasundaluhan ay hindi magsasawa at titigil sa pagbibigay ng mga kaalaman at impormasyon sa ating mga kapatid na katutubo at sa lahat ng sektor ng ating lipunan upang wala ng malinlang at magamit pa ng mga Komunistang Teroristang Grupo para sa kanilang pagsusulong ng terorismong mga gawain.”

Datu Wilson Bugtong, the Bogkalot Tribal Cheiftain in the area said that, “Ang buong tribu ng Bogkalot at Kalanguya ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa mga gamit pang eskwela na naipagkaloob para sa mga mag-aaral, ito ay napakalaking tulong upang mas lalo pa nilang mapabuti ang kanilang pag-aaral sa kabila ng hamon ng pandemya.” He also added, “Nagpapasalamat din kami sa walang humpay na tulong na ipinagkaloob ng 84IB lalo na sa pagpapabatid at pagbibigay kaalaman upang kami ay hindi magamit at malinlang sa komunistang Teroristang Grupo na naglalayong sirain ang pamahalaan.”

The IP students received one school bag, two notebooks, one long-pad paper, one 1/2 crosswise paper, one learning pocket flash cards, one box crayons, one scissor, two pencils, one set design ruler, four ball-pens and slippers during the activity.

“The foundation is so much grateful for the untiring efforts of the 84IB for our IP brothers and sisters,” said Mr Gabriel P Chaclag and Mr John Paul O Santos, representatives of the Igorot Warriors International Foundation. They also stressed out that the parent’s primary concerned should always look out and guide their children into the right path in order for them to succeed in the future and not to be wasted in the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs).

The required Interagency Task Force against Covid19 Health protocols were observed during the activity.



[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/parents-of-ip-community-in-caranglan-advised-on-ctg-deception-in-a-gift-giving-activity/

Kalinaw News: Thousands of Dynamites for Anti-Personnel Mine seized in Bukidnon

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 10, 2021): Thousands of Dynamites for Anti-Personnel Mine seized in Bukidnon



IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – Through the revelation of a former CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT), a total of 1,076 pieces of 22mm x 189 grams dynamites and one anti-personnel mine (APM) were seized by the joint elements of the 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion, Philippine Army, Bukidnon Provincial Intelligence Unit, Bukidnon Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine last October 8, 2021, at Sitio Malinao, Barangay Kalasungay, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

According to Ronald Landasan alias Gamay/Gaspar, 47 years old, a former Squad Leader of Sentro De Gravidad (SDG) Dario, Guerilla Front 89, Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), the said dynamites buried were to be used by the CNTs to make APMs.

Landasan added, “Gitug-an nako kining mga dinamita tungod dili nako gusto nga magamit kini batuk sa mga sundalo ug mga sibilyan. Kini unta gamiton sa mga NPA aron masamdan ug mamatay ang mga sundalo nga nag operate sa bukid sa Bukidnon.” (I revealed the dynamites because I don’t want them to be used against the soldiers and civilians. They were intended to be used by the CNTs to wound and kill the soldiers operating in the mountains of Bukidnon.)

Lieutenant Colonel Edgardo Talaroc Jr, Commander 8IB, expressed, “Kami karon nakig-alayun na sa PNP aron makapasaka og igong kaso batuk sa mga CNT. Sila nakalapas sa Ottawa Convention nga nagadili sa pagbuhat, pag-ipon, paggamit ug pagbalhin sa mga anti-personnel mines. Plano usab namo nga imbestigahan kinsa nga mga tao o grupo nga nahimong source og mihatag sa maong mga dinamita aron mapasakaan usab og kaso.” (We are coordinating with the PNP to file appropriate charges against the CNTs. They have violated the Ottawa Convention which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. We will also investigate and find out the source who gave the said dynamites to the CNTs to file charges against them.)

Brigadier General Ferdinand Barandon, the Commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade, also stated, “Gidayeg nato karon ang 8IB ug ang Bukidnon Provincial Police Office (PPO) tungod ang pagka-kumpiska nato sa sobra libo nga mga dinamita usa ka dakong butang. Napakgang nato ang plano sa CNT nga mobuhat ug kadautan batuk sa mga kasundalohan, ilabi na nga dako ang puruhan nga adunay mga inosenteng sibilyan nga maangin niini.” (We congratulate 8IB and Bukidnon PPO because the seizure of more than one thousand dynamites prevented the plan of the CNTs to inflict harm against our soldiers, specially that it can also harm innocent civilians.)

The said dynamites were turned-over to Bukidnon Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine for proper disposition.

It can be recalled that Landasan recently surrendered to the 8IB together with his wife, Diden, and two daughters, Honey Mae and Yassi.



[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/thousands-of-dynamites-for-anti-personnel-mine-seized-in-bukidnon/

Kalinaw News: CNT family surrenders including minor and pregnant daughters in Bukidnon

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 10, 2021): CNT family surrenders including minor and pregnant daughters in Bukidnon



IMPASUGONG, BUKIDNON – The government has saved another CPP-NPA Terrorist (CNT) family as they surrender to the 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion, Philippine Army in Impasugong, Bukidnon.

The said family were identified as Diden Landasan alias Ana/Sun, 43 years old, the Finance Officer of Guerilla Front 89, Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2), North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), Ronald Landasan alias Gamay/Gaspar, 47 years old, Squad Leader, Sentro De Gravidad (SDG) Dario, GF89, SRC2, NCMRC, Honey Mae Landasan, alias Jana/Bea/Nea, 21 years old, a medic of GF89, SRC2, NCMRC and alias Yassi, 16 years old, a member of Platoon Dario, GF89, SRC2, NCMRC.

Upon their surrender, Ronald brought with him one Cal. 45 and one hand grenade. Diden said that she now wants to live a peaceful life, “Buot na namo nga mabuhing malinawon. Ang akong anak nga si Yassi katorse palang nahimo ng NPA. Samtang ang akong anak nga si Honey karon pito ka bulan nga buros. Ako nahadlok nga basin sila mamatay sa bukid tungod sa pakyas namo nga pagtuo.” (We want to live peacefully. My daughter Yassi was only 14 years old when she joined and became a CNT. Meanwhile my daughter Honey is seven months pregnant. I am afraid that they will die in the mountains fighting for the wrong ideals.)

LTC Edgardo Talaroc Jr, Commander 8IB, said “Ang pamilyang Landasan gipailalom na namo sa usa ka health check-up aron masuta ang ilang kondisyon. Si Honey ang nakatakda usab nga ipailalom sa pre-natal check-up aron masiguro nato nga luwas siya nga manganak sunod nga mga bulan.” (The Landasan family had already undergone health check-ups to ensure that they are healthy. Honey, who is now pregnant, will be scheduled to undergo pre-natal check-up to guarantee her safe delivery in a few months.

“Kami sa gobyerno labing nalipay tungod sa desisyon sa pamilya nga mobalik na sa sabakan sa gobyerno ug talikdan na ang walay pulos nga armadong pakigbisog. Handom namo nga daghan pang pamilya ang atong masalbar ug makompleto. Sila angay mabuhing malinawon ug malipayon,” LTC Talaroc Jr added. (We in the government are happy that the family decided to return to the folds of the law and end the useless armed struggle. We hope that we will be able to save and complete many families in the future. They deserve to live peacefully and happily.)

BGen Ferdinand Barandon, the Commander of 403rd Infantry Brigade, expressed, “Ang pagsurrender ni Diden kauban ang iyang pamilya nagpakita sa epekto sa hugot nga implementasyon sa Executive Order 70 ni President Rodrigo Duterte lakip niini ang Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). Among ginapanawagan sa uban pang mga CNT nga mouli na sila sa ilang pamilya ug pilion na ang kalinaw ug kalambuan nga dala sa gobyerno.” (The surrender of Diden with her family is a manifestation of the effective implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 70 and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). We further urge the remaining CNTs to return to their families and choose the peace and development programs brought by the government.



[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/cnt-family-surrenders-including-minor-and-pregnant-daughters-in-bukidnon/

Kalinaw News: Army Disposes 77 IHL Prohibited Landmines Seized from Communist Terrorist Group

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 10, 2021): Army Disposes 77 IHL Prohibited Landmines Seized from Communist Terrorist Group



CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division through the 10th Forward Service Support Unit (10FSSU) successfully disposed the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) seized from the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) or commonly known as the CPP-NPA-NDF at Brgy Tignapoloan, Cagayan de Oro City.

77 assorted IEDs purposely made as anti-personnel landmines (APM) were safely disposed thru detonation by the 10th Forward Service Support Unit (10FSSU) under LtCol Vladimir DC Sta. Maria, the Commanding Officer. The 10FSSU was assisted by personnel from 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Platoon, 2nd EOD Company of the EOD Battalion of the Army Support Command (ASCOM).

LtCol Sta Maria said that the disposal operation was successfully conducted with all safety protocols followed. “The biggest of the IEDs is a 20-liter container sized explosive device that could have easily killed or injured innocent civilians had it not been captured by the government troops”.

Maj Gen Romeo S Brawner Jr, Commander of the 4ID, said that the IEDs/APMs seized or captured from the CTG by the Battalions of the 4ID will be continuously disposed.

MGen Brawner Jr added that the recent disposal of the APMs is made to ensure that it will not be used anymore since it is strictly prohibited and a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Ottawa Treaty.

Under the Ottawa treaty or the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine (APM) Ban Convention, the use of landmine is prohibited. It prohibits the production, stockpiling, transfer, and use of APMs to ensure the implementation of humanitarian rules restricting armed violence.

“The continued production and use of APMs and other types of IEDs by the CPP-NPA-NDF proved that they have no regard on the value of human life and the sacredness of a human body as its use as a method to defeat an adversary is inhumane and unnecessary”, MGen Brawner Jr said.

“We call on the CTG to stop using APMs and other IEDs that puts our people in grave danger. While your Army continuously assures commitment to strictly adhere to the IHL, we implore the CTG to abide and respect the IHL and the laws of armed conflict or else we will ensure that they will be held accountable and be brought to justice”, MGen Brawner Jr added.

The IHL is a set of rules that limit the effects of armed conflict and protect civilians who are not participating in the hostilities. It also restricts the means and methods of warfare.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.  Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-disposes-77-ihl-prohibited-landmines-seized-from-communist-terrorist-group/

Kalinaw News: Army’s 71IB conducts Virtual Youth Forum in Abra

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 10, 2021): Army’s 71IB conducts Virtual Youth Forum in Abra



Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija — To prevent the recruitment of the CPP-NPA-NDF among the youth and to encourage youth participation in nation-building, the 71st Infantry (KAIBIGAN) Battalion, Philippine Army conducted a Virtual Youth Forum dubbed as “Kaibigan: Protect the Youth, Protect the Future”.

Said forum was attended by the different Youth Leaders of Abra and the members of Sangguniang Kabataan via Zoom on October 07, 2021, Thursday.

Mr. Ednhel Jann Balneg, the Youth for Peace (YFP) Abra Chapter Adviser discussed the Role of the Youth in Nation Building during the forum.

“Youth is the driving force of the nation as you embody the spirit of volunteerism, intellect and youthful idealism. Let us use this to steer our country to greater heights,” said Balneg as he emphasized the role of the youth.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Mario Jose M. Chico (Ret), Deputy Director for Operations, National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict Secretariat expounded on the Youth Infiltration and the deceptive recruitment of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).

“The best antidote of the CPP-NPA-NDF’s deceptive recruitment is awareness. I encouraged the youth to help in the effort to prevent extremism among the youth,” said LTC Chico (Ret).

To better appreciate the discussion, former rebels – Daniel Castillo alias Ka Steven, former Political Instructor of the Guerilla Front 55 and former UP Anakbayan and Joy James Saguino alias Ka Amihan, a cadre of the CTG in Southern Mindanao, and also a UP Visayas Anakbayan/LFS official, were invited as resource speaker to share their experiences on how they were recruited by the CTG affiliated organizations until they became regular members and cadre of the NPA.

Lt. Col. Sonny E. Gonzales, Commanding Officer of 71st IB said, “Walang ibang gagawin ang mga kabataan kundi mag- aral nang mabuti at maging productive at responsableng mamamayan ng inyong komunidad at nang ating bansa. Maging aktibo kayo sa pakikilahok sa mga gawaing may kabuluhan. Wag nating hayaan na marami pa sa hanay ng mga kabataan ang malinlang na makilahok sa armadong pakikibaka at later on, namamatay sa engkwentro dahil sa maling desisyon at organisasyon na sinalihan” LtCol Gonzales added, citing the youth victims of the CTG.

The Acting Commander of the 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division, Philippine Army, Brigadier General Luis Rex D. Bergante PA, commended the troops for this initiative as it will raise the awareness among the youth of Abra.

“Sa pamamagitan ng gawaing ito ating naipapamulat sa kabataan ang tunay na anyo at hangarin ng CTG. We are exposing the lies and deception of the enemy to save the lives of our youth who are vulnerable to CTG’s recruitment. Napakarami nang nagpatunay na walang katuturan ang pagsali sa grupong ito, kaya naman mas pinapaigting pa namin ang aming kampanya upang mas marami pang kabataan ang mailigtas sa kapahamakan na dulot ng teroristang grupo,” said BGen Bergante.

[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/armys-71ib-conducts-virtual-youth-forum-in-abra/

Kalinaw News: Army discovered CNT’s war materials, arms cache in Lambunao village

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 10, 2021): Army discovered CNT’s war materials, arms cache in Lambunao village



CAMP HERNANDEZ, Dingle, Iloilo – Troops from the 12th Infantry Battalion discovered CNT’s war materials, personal belongings and subversive documents concealed in a hideout abandoned by the members of the Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) at Sitio Turoturoan, Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao, Iloilo on the morning of October 09, 2021.

Upon receiving the information from the concerned civilians on the activities of the CNT’s and the location of a hideout in the area, the troops immediately conducted strike operation that led to the discovery of the arms cache that belongs to BALOY Platoon, Central Front (CF) Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P).

Recovered from the site are one (1) Caliber 7.62 AK47 Rifle, one (1) Anti- Vehicle Mine, one (1) Honda EU10i Inverter Generator, one (1) cannon digital camera, three (3) rifle magazines, seven (7) Cellular phones, subversive documents with high intelligence value, personal belongings and assorted automotive materials.

BGen Marion Sison, the Commander of 301Bde expressed gratitude to the concerned citizens of Brgy Cabatangan who bravely provided positive and timely information to the government forces regarding the presence of the enemies.

“We are glad that the residents in the barangay are now willingly and bravely supporting us and the Barangay Task Force ELCAC in ending the insurgency in the conflict-affected areas. Through the cooperation and active participation of the community, the Army was able to uncover another CNT hideout concealed with war materials, personal belongings and subversive documents” BGen Sison said.

“We once again call on the remaining CNT members and leaders to surrender now. Let us end the 53 years of hopeless armed struggle and embrace the true meaning of peace. The government is always ready to help you, lay down your arms and return to the folds of the law,” BGen Sison ended. 

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-discovered-cnts-war-materials-arms-cache-in-lambunao-village/

Kalinaw News: MTF-ELCAC conducts two-day Caravan in Nueva Ecija

Posted to Kalinaw News (Oct 10, 2021): MTF-ELCAC conducts two-day Caravan in Nueva Ecija



Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija – In a bid to bring the government services closer to the people, the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict of Gabaldon in Nueva Ecija conducted a two-day Serbisyo Caravan to its 16 Barangays on October 07-08, 2021.

Lieutenant Colonel Reandrew P. Rubio, Commanding Officer of 91st Infantry (SINAGTALA) Battalion, Philippine Army, said that the activity was in line with the programs under the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) of the Local Government Unit led by Gabaldon Mayor, Atty. Jobby P. Emata.

On the first day of the caravan, at least 336 senior citizens from the barangays of Bugnan, Bagong Sikat and Ligaya, received their social pension amounting to Php 750 per beneficiary.

The troops of the 91IB participated by distributing bottled alcohol, vitamins and medicines to 210 beneficiaries including the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and Army recruitment leaflets.

While on the second day, 423 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) benefited from the LGU’s Social Pension Payout for PWDs from 16 Barangays of the said municipality.

Mayor Emata said that the activity is in continuation of the strengthened commitment and support to his beloved constituents in the said areas amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also expressed his gratitude for the participation and support of the residents during the activity, assuring the general public that the government is doing its utmost effort to be of service to the people.

Meanwhile, the Acting Commander of the 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division, Philippine Army Brigadier General Luis Rex D. Bergante PA said that the assistance of the Army to the LGU in the delivery of government services is part of their commitment under the RCSP which aims to address the root causes of insurgency in the municipality.

“Buo ang suporta ng kasundaluhan sa mga LGU sa kanilang patuloy na pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa mga tao. Asahan ninyo na katuwang nyo kami sa inyong mga hangarin na mapabuti ang kalagayan ng ating mamamayan,” said BGen Bergante.





[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/mtf-elcac-conducts-two-day-caravan-in-nueva-ecija/

PH Navy receives first-ever surface-to-air missiles

From Rappler (Oct 11, 2021): PH Navy receives first-ever surface-to-air missiles (By JAIRO BOLLEDO)



The newly purchased weapons will beef up the military's two modern warships

The Philippine Navy received its first-ever surface-to-air missiles from a French-based missile company last week, as part of the its Frigate Acquisition Project under the military's modernization program.

On Friday, October 8, the Navy received the Mistral 3 Surface-to-Air Missiles at the Subic Bay International Airport. The Navy said they will be used for BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), which are the Philippine military's most modern naval warships.


The Asia Pacific Defense Journal earlier reported that the deal costs €10.69 million (around P600 million).

The missiles will enhance the maritime operations of the Navy's two modern ships and beef up its anti-air warfare capability.

Surface-to-air missiles use systems for both short range and beyond visual range fire-and-forget weapons. The missiles, such as the ones manufactured by the French, have high precision in long and stand-off range.

“The procurement of missile systems is cost-effective and a reliable addition to a layered defense system, capable of denying enemy intrusion and deterring future attacks by external threats,” military spokesperson Colonel Ramon Zagala said in a statement Sunday, October 10.

In a pooled interview with reporters on Sunday, Navy flag officer in command Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado said the Navy is expecting another set set of missile technology in March 2022.

“Isa sa mga game changer. Parte pa rin ito ng frigate acquisition...This coming March naman darating na yung surface-to-surface (This is a game changer. This is still part of the frigate acquisition...This coming March, the surface to surface missiles would arrive),” the Navy chief said.

As early as 2016, China, which continues to claim maritime features within the West Philippine Sea, reportedly deployed ships with surface-to-air missiles in Philippine waters.

MUST READ
PH slams China over ‘missiles’ in disputed sea



It was in 2019 when the Philippine Navy received its first-ever missile-capable warship, the BRP Jose Rizal. In 2021, the Navy’s second frigate, the BRP Antonio Luna, arrived in Philippine waters. 

https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippine-navy-received-surface-to-air-missiles

Army overruns NPA lair

Posted to Panay News (Oct 11, 2021): Army overruns NPA lair (By Ruby Silubrico)

The Philippine Army’s 12th Infantry Battalion (12IB) overran a New People’s Army (NPA) hideout in Barangay Cabatangan, Lambunao over the weekend.

According to Army Brigadier General Marion Sison, 301st Brigade commander, residents informed them of the presence of members of the NPA Baloy Platoon, Central Front (CF), Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-P).

The rebels, however, already left when government troops arrived.

Recovered from the lair were a 7.62 AK47 rifle, an anti-vehicle mine, generator set, one Canon digital camera, three rifle magazines, seven cellular phones, subversive documents with high intelligence value, personal belongings and assorted automotive materials.


Sison thanked the residents for their cooperation and called on the remaining rebels to lay down their arms.

“Residents are willing and brave to support us and the barangay task force to end local communist armed conflict,” Sison said.

“Let us end 53 years of hopeless armed struggle and embrace the true meaning of peace. The government is always ready to help,” he added.

https://www.panaynews.net/army-overruns-npa-lair/

NPA denies exploiting minors anew

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 10, 2021): NPA denies exploiting minors anew (BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN)

The Apolinario Gatmaitan Command issued a statement strongly denying allegations that the New People’s Army in Negros Island is exploiting minors as child warriors.

In statement, rebel spokesman Ka Juanito Magbanua claimed that an alias “RR”, who reportedly surrendered to the 94th Infantry Battalion, does not exist in any NPA unit in Negros Island, and dismissed as “false” on allegations that they recruited 10 minors.

Magbanua insisted that the NPA strictly adheres to the Declaration and Program of Action for the Rights, Protection and Welfare of Children of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) that protects and defends children’s rights and welfare.


Maj.Gen. Benedict Arevalo, 3rd Infantry Division commander, earlier slammed the CPP-NPA in Negros Island for continued exploiting minors as child warriors, after a 15-year-old, who admitted his participation in a recent clash with Army soldiers in Carabalan, Himamaylan City, voluntarily surrendered to the 94IB, accompanied by his mother.

Arevalo said that a former rebel positively identified RR as one of the 10 minors recruited by a certain alias Carding.

In its statement, Magbanua claimed that “children, most of them from the peasants and farm workers, urban poor and other oppressed classes and sectors, have no bright future under the present government.”

While they have a right and legitimate reason to take part in the revolution, he, however, said they cannot join the NPA unless they reach legal age.

“Membership in the NPA is based on political consciousness, hence, it is open to all revolutionary forces including the youth who is 18 years old and above,” Magbanua said.

https://visayandailystar.com/npa-denies-exploiting-minors-anew/

Donated equipment from Japan to boost Army’s disaster response capability

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 10, 2021): Donated equipment from Japan to boost Army’s disaster response capability
 


QUEZON CITY — Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana received more than P46 million worth of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) equipment donated by Japan on behalf of the Philippine Army during the ceremonial handover and blessing ceremony held at the Philippine Army Headquarters in Taguig on 06 October 2021.


Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana and Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa inspect the life
boats which form part of the disaster response equipment donated by Japan to the Philippine Army during the handover ceremony held on 06 October 2021.


Represented by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Hon. Kazuhiko Koshikawa, the Japanese government donated various equipment including life boats and vests, chainsaws, digging tools, lighting apparatus with generators, and other search and rescue equipment.



“While we pray that nothing will require their use in the near future, we are comforted by the fact that our Armed Forces is better-equipped to respond to our people’s call for help in any eventuality,” Secretary Lorenzana said in his remarks, thanking Japan for the donation that will boost the Army’s disaster response assets and capabilities.

The HADR equipment will be turned over to the Army’s 51st Engineering Brigade, the unit
tasked as the standby disaster response unit in Metro Manila and neighboring areas. (BSP)

https://piagov.wordpress.com/2021/10/10/donated-equipment-from-japan-to-boost-armys-disaster-response-capability/

AFP boosts air defense with Mistral 3 surface-to-air missile

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 11, 2021): AFP boosts air defense with Mistral 3 surface-to-air missile (By Priam Nepomuceno)



SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE. A CGI of the MBDA Simbad-RC firing a Mistral surface-to-air missile (SAM). The Mistral 3 is the first-ever SAM procured by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of MBDA)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly the Navy, gets a huge boost to defend against aerial threats with the delivery of the Mistral 3 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) of its two new frigates last October 8.

AFP spokesperson, Army Col. Ramon Zagala, said Sunday night the Mistral 3 is the first ever SAM procured by the AFP that would bolster the military's capability to defend the country's territory.

"The Mistral 3 SAMs will be fitted on BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) and will give the Philippine Navy (PN) a much needed defensive capability against hostile air targets,"
Zagala said.


"With Republic Act 10349 or the Revised AFP Modernization Program signed in 2012, the AFP was able to acquire new assets that are vital in the performance of our mandate as protector of the people and the state," Zagala added.

The procurement of missile systems, he said, is cost-effective and a reliable addition to a layered defense system, capable of denying enemy intrusion and deterring future attacks by external threats.

The Mistral 3 was delivered at the Subic Bay International Airport in Bataan last October 8.

Procurement and delivery of the Mistral 3 SAMs is part of the PN Frigate Acquisition Project Lot 2B which was awarded to the MBDA Missile Systems based in France.

"Surface-to-air missiles are among the primary weapons of FF-150 and FF-151 that bolsters the PN’s anti-air warfare capability. The arrival of these missiles will greatly capacitate our JRC (Jose Rizal-Class) frigates in the conduct of their maritime operations," said Navy spokesperson, Commander Benjo Negranza.

Meantime, the PN Frigate Acquisition Lot 2A, or for the JRC's surface-to-surface missiles, is scheduled for deliveries in March 2022.

South Korean defense manufacturer LIG Nex 1 would deliver C-Star missiles which is considered the main surface-to-surface weapon of the JRCs.

The C-Star is described as a "sea-skimming surface-to-surface anti-ship cruise missile".

The BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna are modern warships capable of surface, sub-surface, air, and electronic warfare using state-of-the-art electronic sensors, long-range missiles, acoustic guided torpedoes, and an embarked anti-submarine helicopter.

The BRP Jose Rizal was delivered to the Philippines in May 2020 and commissioned July of the same year while the BRP Antonio Luna was commissioned on March 19, 2021.

The contract for the two ships was placed at PHP16 billion with another PHP2 billion for weapon systems and munitions.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1156199

Army disposes 77 IHL-banned APMs seized from CPP-NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 10, 2021): Army disposes 77 IHL-banned APMs seized from CPP-NPA



DISPOSED. A total of 77 assorted improvised explosive devices purposely made as anti-personnel landmines (APMs) seized from communist terrorist groups were safely detonated in Barangay Tignapoloan, Cagayan de Oro City on Oct. 1. Maj. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., 4ID commander, said the recent disposal of the APMs was made to ensure that they will not be used anymore since it is strictly prohibited and a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law and the Ottawa Treaty. (4ID photo)

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The Army’ 4th Infantry Division (4ID) successfully disposed of more than 70 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) seized from the communist terrorist groups (CTG), commonly known as the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

In a press release Sunday, the 4ID said 77 assorted IEDs purposely made as anti-personnel landmines (APMs) were safely detonated in Barangay Tignapoloan, Cagayan de Oro City on Oct. 1 by the 10th Forward Service Support Unit (10FSSU) under Lt. Col. Vladimir DC Sta. Maria.

The 10FSSU was assisted by personnel from the 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Platoon, 2nd EOD Company of the EOD Battalion of the Army Support Command.


"The biggest of the IEDs is a 20-liter container-sized explosive device that could have easily killed or injured innocent civilians had it not been captured by the government troops,” Sta. Maria said, adding that the disposal operation was successfully conducted with all safety protocols followed.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., 4ID commander, said the IEDs/APMs seized or captured from the CTG by the battalions of 4ID will be continuously disposed of.

Brawner, Jr. added that the recent disposal of the APMs was made to ensure that they will not be used anymore since it is strictly prohibited and a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Ottawa Treaty.

"The continued production and use of APMs and other types of IEDs by the CPP-NPA-NDF proved that they have no regard on the value of human life and the sacredness of a human body as its use as a method to defeat an adversary is inhumane and unnecessary,” Brawner said.

Under the Ottawa treaty or the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine (APM) Ban Convention, the use of anti-personnel mines is prohibited. It prohibits the production, stockpiling, transfer, and use of APMs to ensure the implementation of humanitarian rules restricting armed violence.

"We call on the CTG to stop using APMs and other IEDs that put our people in grave danger. While your Army continuously assures commitment to strictly adhere to the IHL, we implore the CTG to abide and respect the IHL and the laws of armed conflict, or else we will ensure that they will be held accountable and be brought to justice,” he added.

The IHL is a set of rules that limit the effects of armed conflict and protect civilians who are not participating in the hostilities. It also restricts the means and methods of warfare.

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.

The NDF has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1156179

NPA rebels gun down Manobo tribesman in front of son

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 10, 2021): NPA rebels gun down Manobo tribesman in front of son (By Alexander Lopez)



SENSELESS. Boy Maca Astudillo, 47, a member of the Manobo tribe, was gunned down by New People’s Army rebels in Sitio Inadan, Barangay Magroyong in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur on Saturday (Oct. 9, 2021). Tribe leaders condemned the killing even as October is Indigenous Peoples Month. (Photo courtesy of Rico Hayahay Maca Facebook)

The communist New People’s Army (NPA), even on Indigenous People (IP) month, continues the annihilation of tribesmen who do not support its causes.

Such was the case of Boy Maca Astudillo, 47, a member of the Manobo tribe and a resident of Sitio Inadan, Barangay Magroyong in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

Astudillo was with his 11-year-old son when killed by NPA insurgents on Saturday.


“We value much the celebration of IP month this year. But these irrational rebels disturb our tribes amidst this commemoration as they terrorize our communities and kill our helpless civilians,” Datu Rico Maca, the IP Mandatory Representative of San Miguel town, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Sunday.

He said three heavily armed rebels -- two men and a woman -- attacked Astudillo.

“Based on the testimony of my cousin’s son who witnessed the incident, one of the three NPA rebels fired an AK-47 rifle at the victim three times. He shouted at them to stop and wanted to help his father but the two other insurgents tightly held him,” Maca narrated in the vernacular.


“The son was still in shock when we arrived in the area to retrieve the cadaver of my cousin,” Maca said, while thanking the authorities for assisting the tribe.

The Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO) confirmed the killing in a report on Sunday.

SDSPPO Director Col. James Goforth, in a phone interview on Sunday, said a follow-up investigation is being conducted to determine the identity of the suspects.

IP killings

“We strongly condemn these senseless killings. When will the NPA rebels stop and allow our communities and tribesmen to live freely and peacefully?” Maca asked.

Astudillo, he pointed out, was a civilian, farmer, and nephew of Datu Bernandino Astudillo, who was brutally hacked to death by NPA guerrillas, along with another tribesman, in Barangay Magroyong on March 19, 2020.

Datu Astudillo, 73, earned the ire of the rebels when he opposed their continued presence in their community.

“When Sitio Inadan and the rest of the residents of Magroyong decided to cut their ties from the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front) in 2016, Boy Astudillo was among those who surrendered to clear his name. After the surrender, he remained a civilian resident and a farmer in his community,” Maca said.

His cousin’s "sin" against the guerrillas, he added, was his continued refusal to go back to the communist movement.

“In the light of these unceasing killings, I call on all concerned, the human rights groups, and even Congresswoman Cullamat to stand up and work with the Manobo tribe of Surigao del Sur for justice for all the victims of summary executions perpetrated by the NPA guerrillas,” Maca said.

Maca was referring to Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Eufemia Cullamat, who was recently declared persona non grata in Surigao del Sur.

Last month, Cullamat was subjected by her fellow Manobo members to a ritual called “boney” that imposed penalties for offenses against the tribe.

“Cullamat continues to play blind and deaf as the NPA rebels, whom she has supported for years, continue to kill her tribe. Her actions and the unceasing leaning on insurgents made her forget the sufferings of the tribe where she belongs. That’s her greatest sin against us,” Maca said.

The Philippines' Anti-Terrorism Council has designated the CPP, NPA, and NDF as terrorist groups.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1156170

Surface-to-air-missiles for 2 PH frigates delivered

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 10, 2021): Surface-to-air-missiles for 2 PH frigates delivered (By Priam Nepomuceno)\


BRP Jose Rizal (File photo)

The Philippine Navy (PN) on Sunday said the Mistral 3 surface-to-air-missiles (SAMs) of the country's two guided-missile frigates were finally delivered at the Subic Bay International Airport in Bataan last Oct. 8.

In a statement, Navy spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said the surface-to-air missiles of the two Jose Rizal-class (JRC) frigates of the PN will provide the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) anti-air capabilities or the ability to shoot down aerial threats.


Procurement and delivery of the Mistral 3 SAMs is part of the PN Frigate Acquisition Project Lot 2B which was awarded to MBDA Missile Systems based in France.

"Surface-to-air missiles are among the primary weapons of FF-150 and FF-151 that bolsters the PN’s anti-air warfare capability. The arrival of these missiles will greatly capacitate our JRC frigates in the conduct of their maritime operations," Negranza said.

Meanwhile, PN Frigate Acquisition Lot 2A or for the JRC's surface-to-surface missiles is scheduled for deliveries in March 2022.

South Korean defense manufacturer LIG Nex 1 is the company that would deliver C-Star missiles which is considered the main surface-to-surface weapon of the JRCs.

The C-Star is described as a "sea-skimming surface-to-surface anti-ship cruise missile".

The BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna are modern warships capable of surface, sub-surface, air, and electronic warfare using state-of-the-art electronic sensors, long-range missiles, acoustic guided torpedoes, and an embarked anti-submarine helicopter.

The BRP Jose Rizal was delivered to the Philippines in May 2020 and commissioned July of the same year while the BRP Antonio Luna was commissioned March 19, 2021.

The contract for the two ships was placed at PHP16 billion with another PHP2 billion for weapon systems and munitions.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1156178